I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Defiance of Fate
Chapter 10 – The Gathering Dark
"Luna?" Hermione knocked on the door. "Are you home? Is everything okay?" She pressed her ear against the door. She heard rustling within, muffled sounds. "I thought we were going to have lunch together today. Luna?"
She heard the objects falling and grew even more concerned. As she was pulling her wand out the lock in the door clicked. Cautiously, Hermione pushed it open and peeked inside, relaxing and smiling when she did. She walked in and closed the door behind her and used her wand to levitate a few small things that had fallen around the door.
She shook her head and walked over to the couch. Luna was lying face down on it, her arm with her wand dangling on the ground. Hedwig sat on the back of Luna's head and she hooted in greeting to Hermione.
"Hedwig, why are you smothering Luna?" Hermione asked.
Hedwig cheeped.
"She's not smothering me," Luna said, her voice muffled.
"That's good. That was pretty good aim on the door by the way. Third try?"
Luna waved her wand. "The angle's funny."
"And you couldn't see. Like I said, good aim." Hermione grunted as she sat in the chair beside the couch and rubbed Luna's shoulder. "What's wrong?"
"I'm despondent."
"I can see that. What's the reason? Not having enough work after the Ministry incident?"
"No, I actually have a lot. Thankfully most people want a copy of it so it is easy for me to replicate that painting. I already have my next few weeks all planned out and even had to turn a few commissions down. I've never had to do that before."
Hermione smiled. "That's good. Then what's got you so upset?"
"Harry's mad at me," Luna sniffled.
"I'm sure he isn't truly mad." Hermione looked at the coffee table and saw an open letter. "May I?"
Luna waved her hand in a half-hearted gesture and Hermione took it as permission. She picked it up and read, her lips creasing into a smile. "He's just worried about you, much like when we are worried about him and we say things that can be construed as being mad or upset."
"But we are mad and upset at him," Luna said.
"I mean, a little yes, but that's what happens when you care about someone. This is Harry. He's probably deeply embarrassed by what you did but also deeply flattered and is showing his appreciation through being worried."
"That does sound like him," Luna mumbled.
"So," Hermione dragged the word out in a sing-song way, "when did Harry start ending his letters with 'love'?"
Luna turned her head and looked at Hermione, making Hedwig shift a little to maintain balance. "What?"
"He wrote here, 'love, Harry'." Hermione smiled when Luna pushed herself up frantically and snatched the letter, forcing Hedwig to take to the air indignantly.
"Oh," Luna said in a soft voice, eyes shimmering as she looked at the letter. "That's new."
"About time," Hermione grinned.
Luna blushed. "I don't know what you mean."
"I bet you do and I think even Harry knows. Just like normal, for nonlife-threatening things, he has abysmal timing." Hermione patted Luna's knee. "It's a good thing and it's okay to enjoy it."
Luna hugged the letter tightly. "I know. I'm just really worried and scared still." She clutched Hermione's outstretched hand.
"I know. Me too," Hermione admitted.
They sat in silence for a few moments.
Luna wiped her eyes. "I'll try to focus on the positive then. Maybe this is his way of trying to reassure us that he is trying hard to come home."
Hermione smiled. "I believe it. You know how he is. He might not say exactly what he's thinking directly, but will do it in other ways."
The silence was a little warmer, hopeful.
"Luna?"
"Hmm?"
"Why is Hedwig flying with…are those knickers?"
"Oh, yes. She's been taking mine and hiding them."
"…why?"
"She's upset at me."
"Oh. Okay."
"I'll make her bacon later and she'll give them back."
"She is so strange," Hermione whispered.
"Yes, isn't she wonderful?" Luna smiled.
-0-
"Alright, settle down," Vance said as she and Dawlish walked into the UK command tent. The squad officers were there as well as Harry and Michael. The other conversations faded as the two commanding officers stood at the front. "Reports are coming in that the Separatists are fighting uglier now. More instances of darker magics are being reported. They're also doing more ambushes and traps out there."
"No more single squad deployments if we can manage it," Dawlish said. "Bare minimum two if not more and I'm going to try and ensure the UK groups have at least two squads of us as well as any of the others when we go out."
"Any changes to the rules of engagement?" Blaise asked.
"ICW Command has made getting prisoners a lesser priority," Dawlish said. "Obviously accept surrenders and offer it when able but if the enemy is throwing around dark stuff, don't hesitate in taking them out. Priority one is still our well-being. "
"Why are things getting darker I wonder," a grizzled Auror mused.
"We're getting closer to their capital," Vance said. "It's been confirmed. We're firmly in their territory, their original territory, not the lands they took when they started things." She hesitated. "We're going to be skirting past some dodgy environments but it's been bad from what we've learned. There's signs that Muggle villages have been obliterated and their inhabitants taken."
"Why?" someone asked.
"We don't know yet. A few of the ones we captured either don't know or aren't telling. They're bringing in some mind specialists for better interrogations but it's looking pretty bleak. Some of the die-hards of the Separatist Regime are pretty nasty." Vance shook her head.
"How nasty?" Michael asked.
"Let's just say they'd give some of the Death Eaters a pause," Dawlish said ominously.
A shiver went through the assembled officers.
"We can make silverleaf solution," Harry offered. "Give everyone a vial to hold on. It'll keep dark taint at bay until the injured can get to a healer."
"Sounds good," Vance said with relief.
"That would be appreciated," Dawlish said quietly. He flushed when everyone stared at him with open surprise.
"Right, well, that's all we wanted to say," Vance said, looking at Dawlish with bemusement and exasperation. "Potter, stay after. Rest of you, dismissed."
Harry waited for the others to leave, snorting at Blaise's very subtle impolite hand gesture as he walked past. "Yes Captain?" he asked when it was just him and Vance.
"I know you're there a lot as it is but I'm seconding you to ICW Medical. You know a ton about dark magic and healing them and they can use your help."
"That's fine with me," Harry said easily. "I'll keep silverleaf production there and distribute as I finish the batches. With Greengrass, Knight, Jones, and Shaw, you guys won't lack for medical personnel."
"As if you wouldn't run back if we needed you," Vance smiled. "But yeah, that too though I'm probably going to second Greengrass as your aide. Corner says he has problems giving her orders. Did they date?"
Harry laughed. "Not that I know of. She can be rather intimidating."
"She doesn't intimidate you?"
"Not really for some reason. She doesn't try though to be fair. She latched onto me when she started Hogwarts as a pseudo-sibling of sorts. Her older sister is definitely the more intimidating of the two."
"Well that's fine then. Even better if she keeps an eye on you too." She ignored Harry's snort. "If you learn anything in the medical tents about what the Seps are doing. Command isn't hiding stuff per se, but I know they aren't saying everything."
"Of course."
She nodded then pulled her captain's bars off her chest pocket. She leaned against the table and sighed, rolling her shoulders. "So, you doing okay?"
He knew that when she removed the rank markings, she was asking as Emmeline, not Captain Vance. "I'm okay. People have been surprisingly nicer to me since Rita's article."
"Good. I know the majority of people would have come regardless of any kind of draft or edict but even they can't be too happy with the shite Kingsley pulled. I'm still pissed as hell. He sent me a letter and I took one look at it before chucking it at the bottom of my trunk."
"Didn't burn it?"
"Nope. In case I need to remind myself or him of his fuckery. It wasn't official, don't worry."
"Let me guess, he was asking about me?"
Vance spat. "Yup." She visibly shoved her irritation aside. "I got more post regarding you and much more pleasant of a source. Remus wrote to me."
"Oh? He sent me a letter too recently."
"He also asked about you and said he'd write you, but he was being nice and checking on me too. We're acquaintances so it's not that awkward or nefarious with ulterior motive." She narrowed her eyes a little. "Sirius hasn't written you?"
Harry shook his head. "I don't plan on writing to him first either."
"I wouldn't expect you to. He's the adult in this situation. A shitty one, but you know."
"I'm technically an adult too," Harry smiled.
Vance chuckled. "Sorry, I forgot. I mean I obviously know you are but you know what I mean. Sirius is the older adult here and should be making the first gesture. Even if he didn't bollocks it up prior to this."
"I'm just kidding, I knew what you meant," Harry chuckled too. "Thanks, I appreciate it. I know I should be more willing to 'forgive and forget' considering he's my godfather and all." He shrugged weakly.
"You can only do that so much and as your godfather, he should've been more supportive and whatever." Vance's shrug was more emphatic. "He can be really stubborn and selfish, in lots of ways."
"If you start sharing dating stories, I'm going to run out screaming," Harry warned.
"Ah the one thing that the Angelus fears, too much intimate information."
"About people I know and don't want to know that much about," Harry laughed. "Also don't call me that too please. I get it enough out there."
"It's a good one though."
He flushed. "Still embarrassing."
She looked at his arm. "I thought those wounds you got at the base invasion would have healed by now."
"Mostly, but I'm just trying to minimize some scarring. The piercing curses they cast were dark and left their marks." He smiled wearily. "I already have too many."
"I'm sorry," she said quietly.
"It's okay. I'm back to full function. Just being a bit vain." He took a pose that was vaguely reminiscent of Blaise.
"Might want to do something with your hair then," she teased.
"Why do you think I like the bandanna so much?" he laughed and she joined in.
-0-
Rodriguez looked at the bottle in his hand with wonder. "This stuff really helps. What gave you this idea?"
"There was a Death Eater that liked to throw a corruption spell around. Taint things up, making healing painful and interfere with other things. I got the idea from using an antiseptic potion. After some experimenting, we came up with this silverleaf solution. Just a little is enough to slow down taint and corruption until they could get more in-depth treatment."
Rodriguez scowled. "What happened to that Death Eater?"
"Nothing good, I'm afraid," Harry said with faux civility. "Something along the lines of…play with fire and you get burned."
"Ah. Let me guess, they cast the spell so much they became corrupted?"
"Mmhmm. Came into contact with the silverleaf and they essentially stopped functioning all together."
"Pity." Rodriguez said blandly. "Well I'm glad for this and I'll requisition you some materials from ICW stores to help you make as much as you can. More than half of the injuries now are showing signs of taint, it's concerning."
"Luckily this stuff isn't hard to make and it's topical as well as ingestible," Harry said as he continued to brew. "It just takes a little time and the ingredients aren't that cheap."
"Worth the time and money in my mind."
Harry taught the ICW healers and medi-magicals how to make the potion and a corner of the main medical tent was dedicated to its production. Despite the German senior healer being stubborn about it, many of the German soldiers came and got their own vials, patently ignoring the senior healer. A sudden battle fought between the ICW forces and the Separatists showed the efficacy of the solution and many were grateful for having it on hand. While not everyone had their own vial at that point, enough did where they could share it among themselves on the line.
The casualties were all brought to the main medical tent and healers from all the units came rushing over to treat the wounded. Harry found himself in the triage position once more, starting off treatment and sending them for specialized care. They worked for hours, pushing doggedly against fatigue and exhaustion to try and minimize the damage and fight the corruptive nature of the dark curses and spells.
"Here you go."
Harry looked at the very small cup. "What is it? Pepper up?"
Jack smiled. "Of a kind. You look like you need it."
"Is it special? Why such a small amount?"
Jack chuckled and others wearing US patches and some wearing other flags he didn't recognize joined him. "Trust me, you only want a little at first," Jack said.
Harry shrugged and drank it in one gulp. He coughed, setting the tiny cup down with a clatter and everyone hooted in laughter. "What the bloody hell was that?!"
"Never had coffee before?" Jack laughed.
"Of course not, he's from Britain. He drinks tea," another teased.
"I've had coffee before and that was like extreme coffee," Harry gasped. He did a diagnostic charm on himself. "I think my heart rate doubled!"
"It's Cuban coffee," a third person laughed. "Best coffee you'll ever have and that's why you start small. Anything bigger we call it a Vaya con Dios."
"What's that mean?"
"Go with God," she laughed.
Harry laughed too. "I believe it. Goodness, that stuff hits hard but I'm awake now."
As the influx of wounded lessened, General Okoye entered the tent. He spoke to the wounded, walking to the ones that were awake to share a word or two. Eventually he approached the medical team. "You have my thanks," he said. He was weary, fatigue lacing every word and movement. He kept it contained for the most part but one could see it clearly, as well as something in his eyes. "I was worried when I left the field with how much dark magic was about."
"How bad?" Rodriguez asked.
"Very. I haven't seen Curses like that in this quantity. They are not holding back." He shook his head. "We are nearing the end of things," he murmured. "I can feel it. The enemy tactics are growing more savage, desperate. Before they tried to hide where they are going. Now it is more clear with every engagement. They do not put up the same kind of defenses as they quit the field."
"I won't complain about an end to any war,' Rodrigues said. "We've been remarkably lucky as things go but you've seen the lists, we've incurred a lot of casualties."
"How many?" Harry asked, unable to resist.
"About 20 percent from our initial roster," Okoye said softly. "That is over the entire task force. Some units suffered more than others but thankfully no unit lost more than what the entire force has. It has been spread out."
Harry quailed a little. "Mortalities and wounded?"
Okoye nodded. "Rodriguez is correct. We have been fortunate. We have had more wounded than outright killed in duty, but even so."
They all stood there, silent for a long moment.
"Thank you for your hard work," Okoye said to the medical team. "It is through your efforts that we have been so lucky. Healer Potter, a word if I may." He led Harry to one side. "I have been asked to speak with you on behalf of the ICW proper."
"Sir?"
Okoye smiled. "At ease Healer, it is nothing bad about you. The opposite really." He took a deep breath. "Your circumstances have been made known to the ICW and there was a meeting among the leading members. What your Minister," his lips curled downward for a moment, "did to you was unconscionable. However, the ICW fully recognizes the efforts of you and the volunteers and will stand by the agreements it made with your Ministry."
Harry breathed a deep sigh of relief. "Thank you, Sir."
"They did make heavy suggestions that in the future they would not speak with Minister Shacklebolt for any reason though they plainly stated they do not have any opinions on how your country governs itself. Nor will they cut ties with your country. That they would prefer to interact with another representative."
"That's a bit above my paygrade," Harry said and Okoye snorted with amusement.
"True but I wished to tell you myself that you are appreciated. You served to the best of your ability under false circumstances and I hope that you can find some comfort in my words to you. I personally am grateful that you have joined the task force and I know of many that share the sentiment."
Harry blinked. "Thank you, Sir. I appreciate hearing that."
Okoye smiled. "It was long overdue. A pity that you do not have a proper rank to be celebrated."
"I don't do this for that."
"Good deeds should be rewarded. Especially when you have served long without proper appreciation." He clapped Harry on the shoulder. "I will speak to you another time. Have a good day Healer."
-0-
Bonjour Harry,
I see that you have found out about my other source of information. Honestly, you should have figured it out a lot sooner. I apologize for nothing and you really only have yourself to blame. If you were more honest with me then it wouldn't have come to this. Do tell Sophie I say hello. And yes, I will be asking her to ensure that you have done so.
I managed to have some free time so could spend it writing something longer to you. Bill is currently helping Gringotts redo a lot of their vaults and infrastructure so he asks me to send you his best wishes. He was also disturbed to see the resurgence of bone biters and congratulates you and your friend on the array you did. He said it was very elegant and therefore your friend's work. Do not worry, Victoire took revenge for you and bit him. It was very amusing.
Speaking of, my daughter asks about you. Wants her Uncle Harry to return and play with her. She included a drawing for you. She has been very emotional lately and you are to blame so you better return to make things better.
Molly and Arthur are well and hope you are staying safe. They will write you soon. Arthur finally took that holiday and luckily did so during the fiasco there. He has joined with the rest of the Department Heads in making their displeasure known. Molly is keeping busy doing extra work for St Mungo's but she still frets as you know. I do not know if anyone told you but your former boss at St Mungo's rallied the staff there and they too have joined in the public outcry. I will be surprised if the Minister remains so for much longer. He has somehow remained but it is looking grim for him and I cannot wait for him to receive his just due.
Fred and George are thriving. Their store continues to be one of the top of Diagon. Of course that means they are frightfully busy. I go in sometimes to help them when I can. They claim I raise their profit by three percent when I do. Clearly I am losing my allure. Oh and they also mailed some very…untested products to the Minister to show their anger. A few days after they were getting people asking for the things they allegedly mailed so they consider it a success in more ways than one.
Ginny is playing for Holyhead officially and she is very happy. She has thrown herself into her work and it is mostly good for her. She still has her moments unfortunately, like we all do, but she is doing her best. She asks me to send you her love.
We heard from Ron recently. He's still in the States with Hannah. He's recovering quite well though he has been out-of-touch with what has been going on here. We decided not to tell him about it all, we didn't want to ruin the rest of his trip. He is well though, rest assured.
Thank you again for taking good care of Sophie. I know you are probably saying it you are doing your job and all those trite English idiom things but that does not diminish the act nor my gratitude. I care deeply about her and hearing that she has been grievously injured several times and brought back to full recovery by you makes me feel more at ease. Her mother and mine wish for me to tell you more of the same and WHEN you return, you will be accompanying me to France so the Delacours, the Chevaliers, and the Beausoleil clan will be showing you proper appreciation. And you now know at least two more people, Sophie and Dylan, so you have less reason to refuse.
I have been visiting Luna and Hermione. Hermione is getting so big now yet she is still working quite hard. You would think she would take it easy but of course, this is Hermione. She is radiant however. Luna is a bit melancholy but she is fine. She has become busier since the Ministry incident and it is good for her. Takes her mind off things and her art has improved drastically. Some of her works are breathtaking now. She always had talent but her muse is incredible now. I am keeping an eye on them for you.
Harry, I worry for you. I still remember you as the sweet boy that would not hurt anyone for any reason. Aside from your occasionally sharp tongue of course. I still owe you a deep debt for what you did for me and Gabrielle. It is something I will fully repay and for me to do that, you must return home. Please, my dear friend, stay safe and come home.
With affection,
Fleur
-0-
Harry sat back. "There, that should do it." He set the inscribing tool aside. It had taken a little time but he was able to write runes for healing and cleansing around the man's wounds down his side. The long jagged claw marks still bled slowly but the runes pulsated and the bleeding was slow. Harry then slowly wrapped sheets of gauze around the man's middle and they absorbed the blood. "The runes will help with healing and we'll reapply them as much as needed. The bleeding will stop and the taint will be removed. It'll take some time, but the organs beneath weren't damaged and the corruption didn't get to them."
Tsumugi translated his words to the Japanese wizard. The wizard listened carefully before speaking in Japanese. "He says thank you. He is grateful for your aid." She smiled at Harry. "I told him you were very good."
Harry sighed. "That is very kind of you to say."
"Enough," she chided gently. "I know you have regret that you did not save all of my leg, but you saved the part that matters, the rest of me." She tilted her head, listening to her friend. She looked scandalized and exchanged sharp words with him.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked, concerned.
"He is being difficult," Tsumugi said severely. "He asked why you were called Angelus because you are not as pretty as the name implies."
Harry laughed. "That's a good question. Not one I can answer unfortunately. Any other questions about his injuries that I might be able to answer?"
"He wants to know if there will be a lot of scarring."
Harry nodded slowly. "Yeah there will be. Not sure how deep they will go, might cut down on flexibility some."
She translated and rolled her eyes at his response. "He says he is fine with scarring. Scars are for victors and survivors. He is bragging that what he did to the one that caused the claw marks will not have the ability to scar."
"Damn straight," a voice said, cutting in.
Harry smiled and turned. "Hey Lavender," he greeted warmly.
Lavender Brown smiled back. Five long scars crossed her face, starting from above her left eye going diagonally down to her lower right jaw. Her smile was warm and sincere and her eyes sparkled. "Hi Harry," she said brightly and hugged him, kissing him on the cheek. "It's so good to see you."
She turned to the Japanese magicals, one arm around Harry's shoulders. "I agree with your friend," she said to Tsumugi. "Scars show that you made it through and you shouldn't feel bad about them." She touched her own. "Harry helped me realize that."
The wizard gaped at her and spoke to Tsumugi in a quiet tone. Before Harry could glower at him, Tsumugi sighed deeply, a sound he recognized as one Hermione usually made when it involved him or Ron. "He thinks you should be called Angel," she said in an exasperated tone.
Lavender laughed. "Tell him thank you and that he's sweet but I'm happily taken."
The wizard shook his head at Tsumugi's words, looking rueful. Harry checked on him one more time before leaving, smiling at Tsumugi and the wizard arguing in Japanese in more familiar tones. "I guess some things transcends cultures," he grinned.
Lavender chuckled. "She does sound like Hermione scolding you for some reason or another."
"Not Ron?"
"No, she doesn't sound annoyed enough for it to be Ron." She laughed harder with Harry.
"Are you sure I'm the one that helped you realize that by the way?" he asked. He tapped his bandanna covering his forehead. "I'm pretty sure I've hated this thing for most of my life."
"More of a 'do as I say and not as I do' then," Lavender conceded. "When you took care of me and never made me feel bad about them even though some people did."
"That's true I guess." He smiled softly. "How's Padma?"
"She's good! Glad I'm here as a journalist and she sends her love. Parvati is in India right now but she wanted me to send her love too." Her smile faded and she looked at Harry up and down carefully. She ran a hand over his bare left arm. "How about you?"
"Oh, just a new scar here and there," he said lightly. "Guess I should follow your example and not think too much of these ones. Otherwise I'm okay."
"That's good. Rita's been causing hell back home for you. She's been writing tons of articles on the volunteers here and you of course. Everyone's been devouring them and wanting more."
"Yours are good too," he said. "I liked your summation from the beginning to a month ago."
"Thanks! A little different from what I usually write about but it's rewarding. I've gotten some nice things said to me by family of some people over here. It's good for people to know what you all are going through." She smiled. "Have you been hiding from Colin?"
Harry snorted. "When I'm not on duty, yeah. Luckily he's easily distracted by Astoria."
"He's been complaining about lack of 'candid shots' of you," Lavender said. "But his shots of you on duty have been incredible. They're making the rounds."
"I hope he's been taking pictures of others," he said with pink cheeks.
"Oh he has. He even ran off to a battlefield and took pictures there."
"Does Astoria know he did that?"
"I doubt it considering I haven't heard her yelling at him."
"I'm going to tell her then if he keeps trying to find me."
She snickered. "That's cruel of you."
"And?"
"I guess he deserves it then. I'm heading back home tonight. Want me to take post home for you?"
"I'd appreciate it. I have letters ready to go back."
"Anything you want me to tell anyone personally? A special someone maybe?" Lavender pursed her lips and waggled her eyebrows at him.
He laughed. "Just that I miss everyone."
"That's not as much fun but still nice." She hugged him. "Let me go see if I can scrounge up some more stories to write about and I'll see you before I go."
"Always good seeing you," he said.
She kissed his cheek again. "Same."
-0-
"Do you mind if I join you?"
Harry shook his head, "Not at all, come in."
Sophie walked into his tent and sat at the camp table with him. She smiled wanly. "Thank you. I am not feeling too well right now."
"I understand," Harry said quietly.
Despite command thinking the war was coming to a close, the war was escalating in combat. The ICW forces were fighting harder for any ground taken and the medical tents had more patients than not these days. A particularly brutal encounter saw the tent filled with more people. Harry had treated more people that he was familiar with and there were casualties within the UK and French units.
Dylan and Leena were hurt and bed-ridden but stable and would make eventual recoveries. Unfortunately, Sophie lost two more people in her squad and a few of the UK unit had died in action with other dying during treatment. Harry had gone to send the lost off with the French unit once more, more than willing to support Sophie.
He had returned to his tent but sleep was elusive to him. Sophie apparently felt the same and she had come over, hoping he would not mind spending more time with her.
She wiped her eyes and smiled wetly at him. "Thank you again for helping Dylan and Leena. Leena and I were friends since we started Beauxbatons together. And you know Dylan is my brother-in-law. I would be even more distraught if something happened to them."
"Me too honestly. I've come to like them a lot."
She sniffled a little. "They like you too." She sighed softly. "How are your people doing?"
"Doing okay. Hestia was hurt bad but she'll recover. Millicent too. I didn't really know the five we lost in action well to be honest. They were older that fought hard but well. Terry, still don't know how he will be. He and Michael were close and in the same House. I'm hoping he makes it."
"It feels like things are more dire now, the closer we get to their center," she said.
"And it feels worse when we lose people now," he replied softly.
She nodded. She looked at the parchment in front of him. "I did not know you were a spell maker."
He smiled. "Not really. Just something I've been playing with. It's a type of shield spell. Whenever I'm not feeling too great mentally, I like to play around with spells like this."
"It looks powerful," she said, inspecting the arithmancy.
"Hopefully. It's a little clunky, needing a strong power source and some ritual lines but I'm hopeful it'll work."
She nodded. "Is the stress getting to you as well?"
"How can you tell?" he asked wryly.
"You and General Meyer exchanged more words again."
"Oh that. No, he reminds me of someone and that's been getting to me. Something he said today really set me off so that's why."
"One for many?" She noticed how he stiffened. "Captain Sauveterre was very angry about that as well but from your reaction, that cuts deeper."
Harry's smile was bitter. "Yeah. Someone I trusted once had that kind of mindset. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. And that they would do what they think best despite what others think."
"Much like General Meyer."
Harry nodded.
"Is it Dumbledore?" she asked hesitantly. "Fleur has very poor opinions of the man and from what I know, I share them." She saw how his face twisted. "Forgive me. I am prying. You need not explain."
Harry looked into the distance. "You know how Fleur and I met, right?"
"The Tri-Wizard Tournament."
"Did she ever tell you how I became a champion?"
"You were entered against your will." She gasped at his look. "No!"
He sighed and began to speak.
-0-
After the third task of the Tri-Wizard Tournament.
Harry stared at Dumbledore, as if seeing him for the first time ever. "How could you do this to me?" he whispered.
Dumbledore, already old by many definitions of the word, looked positively ancient. He looked at Harry with pain filled eyes. "Harry, if I could just explain-"
"How could you?"
"I was only trying-"
"How. Could. You? Get away from me!" Harry lurched back, avoiding Dumbledore's outstretched hand. "Don't touch me! Don't you come close!"
"Harry, please-"
"You lied! You lied to everyone! You knew the truth and didn't say it! You let everyone think that either I entered the tournament myself or that someone did it but you claimed you didn't know who." Harry's voice rose to a fevered pitch. "YOU DID THIS TO ME! YOU ENTERED MY NAME IN THE GOBLET!"
Dumbledore looked away.
"Why. Why did you do this to me."
Dumbledore's jaw trembled.
"Answer me!"
"I had to try," Dumbledore whispered.
"Try what?"
"I thought that if you were in a disadvantageous position, you would seek help. You would ask for aid. You would…"
Harry wanted to cry. "I would stop being a conscientious objector. You thought I'd give up my oath and beliefs."
"Yes," Dumbledore confessed.
"You have no right in trying to force me to do that. No right! How dare you try to change me to suit your needs?!"
"It is for the good of all!" Dumbledore looked at him. "You are destined to stop him. To stop Voldemort. If you will not cast spells against him however, what hope do you have?"
"The prophecy doesn't say I have to beat him in a duel! It doesn't say I am going to fight him with spells does it? Unless you lied again and told me a different one!"
"No, I have not."
"I can't believe this." Harry sounded lost and broken. "I thought I could trust you."
"You…you…"
Harry laughed hollowly. "You can't even say that I can now, can you? You know how badly you messed up. Because of you, I had to be in the tournament. Because of you I was kidnapped. BECAUSE OF YOU!" Harry bellowed, "Voldemort got MY BLOOD! He is back because of you."
Dumbledore closed his eyes. "I…I could not foresee that ever happening."
"It did. You tried to force me into your plans and look what happened." He turned to leave.
"Harry, where are you going?!" Dumbledore cried desperately.
"Anywhere but here. I'm not safe here anymore."
-0-
Sophie stared at him. "Mon Dieu," she gasped. "How…that is disgusting. How could he? How did he get away with it?"
"Because Tom came back and his return was obvious. While people were upset with him for what he did to me, it wasn't enough to throw him into Azkaban because Tom was wary of him. So people wanted Dumbledore around to try and keep Tom at bay." Harry rubbed his eyes.
"He did get sacked as Chief Warlock and that's how he lost his position in the ICW though. It came to light when Rita wrote that article telling everyone how I got involved in the Tournament. She and I weren't friends yet then, she did it purely to go after Dumbledore. Just so happened that it helped me somewhat."
"Did you try to leave Hogwarts?"
"I wanted to. I really didn't feel safe and Andromeda was going to help me. But with Tom running around and the war starting, they thought it was actually safer there since that's where Tom didn't try to attack. Plus Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall at that time swore bloody murder on Dumbledore if he tried to interfere with me ever again. He knew that if he did anything that was remotely close to being inappropriate, he'd be really burned so he focused on fighting Tom and protecting the school. His reputation was in tatters and he couldn't afford to do anything else.
"I took the opportunity to really dive into healing. The War of Blood raged for a while and I stopped Tom again as you know. After I recovered, I finished my apprenticeship with Madam Pomfrey and started working at St Mungo's, our biggest hospital in London."
"And now you are here."
"And now I'm here."
"I am so sorry my friend," she said and took his hand and squeezed it. "You have had a very difficult life."
He smiled wryly. "Just a bit."
"I like to think that the harder the adversity, the sweeter the reward," she said softly. "You have had much of it, your reward will be very sweet indeed."
He looked at her. "There's no guarantee of a reward at the end."
"No, not really. But one can hope and have faith. I believe that good things do come to those that work hard. I believe that for you."
"The women of the Beausoleil clan are far too kind," he said softly, gratified by her smile. "Thank you."
"We will get there," she said firmly.
"Hopefully," he whispered.
-0-0-0-
Hands Off MY Wolfie - I think I alluded that it was the guard's initiative because Kingsley knows if he steps out of line he'd be even more done. Thank you.
DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Yeah. I try not to do the relationship tag until it happens because I stubbornly think part of the fun is finding out along the way. Then again, I don't read fics based on pairings so I'm a hypocrite I suppose. I guess I also try to be a bit obvious with pairings but apparently not with some of the complaints I've gotten.
alix33 - No, you have not met Sophie's husband, he was mentioned but not introduced.