Chapter 17
Katie walked ashamed through the hallways of the school, all eyes turning to see the strange entourage as they passed. The werewolf felt like a prisoner being displayed, Dolores Umbridge walked in front, with a big smile gracing her toad-like face, Katie and Luna walked behind her, the Gryffindor trying to keep her head low, and the petite blond looking distracted as always. They were followed by Cho Chang and Percy Weasley, both walking with their wand drawn. Katie was sure the toad had taken the longest way possible to her office, showing the results of her new rules to all the students. Rage and shame mixed inside the werewolf, as the other students pointed at her and whispered at each other. "Please, don't let Harry see me right now…" was all She could think.
And luckily, he didn't. The group arrived at Umbridge's office, and the smell coming from Dolores was starting to make Katie feel sick. It was so nauseatingly sweet. The older witch stopped in front of the door and turned around, her smile bringing shivers to Katie. "Well, thank you, Miss Chang," she said to the Ravenclaw witch. "Please escort Miss Lovegood back to her dorms, mister Weasley and I will handle miss Bell… and Chang, think about my proposition, I will surely recommend to your head of house to award you points for your services to the ministry."
"Mis Umbridge…" Luna started talking in a soft tone. " I'm sure my testimony can help clarify what happened if you just…"
"Nah Nah, we all know that your kind cannot be trusted. You have already done enough, darling, now, off you go."
"Don't worry Ma'am," Cho said, holding forcefully to Luna's arm. "I will make sure she doesn't cause any more problems." With that, she pushed the petite girl. Luna looked at Katie and moved her lips without making a sound.
"I will tell Harry…"
After the two students turned the corner, Dolores opened the door to her office and signed for Katie to enter. The smell inside was even stronger, and Katie felt her stomach turning. The office, if it could be called that, was like a pink hell, the carpet, chair, sofas, and curtains all shared the color. Over the wall, were dozens of plates, with animated pictures of cats, all meowing and looking at her. Katie wanted to run. The wolf wanted to pounce and rip the toad's throat open. Percy closed the door behind them, and Dolores sat on the chair behind her desk. "My my…" the old witch said in her high-pitched voice, hurting Katie's ears. "What a mess you got yourself into, Miss Bell… violent assault at two fellow students, both of them had to be sent to the hospital wing. Tsc tsc…"
Katie wanted to protest, but the smell coming from Umbridge showed how much the old witch was enjoying this. No matter what she said, the toad was not going to listen to it. "Now… under the new dark creatures act, being WHAT you are, miss Bell…" Dolores said the name of her family with so much disgust that Katie clenched her teeth and buried her nails in the palm of her own hands in a fist to control herself. "Such an act can at minimum get you expelled from the school, and can even get you a trip to Azkaban."
Katie gulped. That couldn't be happening, not now that she finds an Alpha, one she chooses to follow on her own. One she wanted to be together. A tear ran down her face, making the toad smile even bigger. The smell coming from her was one of pure joy and excitement. Worse, Katie could smell the same coming from Percy behind her, that traitor. They were aroused by this…
"Now, I am an understanding woman, Miss Bell, and I know a little of your… kind… the full moon is tomorrow, and I know it is hard for you to control yourself on such occasions. But you nonetheless assaulted two fine witches… what to do, what to do…" The pink witch giggled pretending to think. "Ah, I have an idea!" She said theatrically. "Now, tell me, I have seen you are very close to mister Potter. And many other students had reported you two have some kind of… relationship, am I right?" Katie kept silent, but another angry tear left her eyes. She would never betray her alpha. "Huum… your silence is confirmation enough. Tell you what. I can let it all slip with just detention, if you decide to help me miss Bell." Dolores kept silent for a couple of minutes, enjoying her power.
"You don't need to answer me right now dear. I know the full moon is clouding your thoughts. Tell you what. Sleep on it until after your… appointment. Then we can talk more, like human beings… Think about your future, Miss Bell. It's already hard enough being a known werewolf. Imagine also being convicted. And the things that can happen to a pretty girl like you on that God-forsaken island. Think about it. Now, off you go… go, go…"
Percy opened the door, Katie wanted to kill them, eviscerate the red-haired boy, and rip the heart of the toad woman, but she simply walked through. The werewolf could listen to the sound of clothing being ripped and kisses just a couple of seconds after the door closed. Finally giving up, Katie held herself on the wall and vomited.
.oOo.
Hermione looked at the other three girls, as Katie finished her account of her meeting with Dolores. The pain and anger were visible on the girl's face, just like the disgust on both Daphne and Fleur's. If Hermione concentrated herself, she could feel a little of Katie's anger as her own, probably because of the forming bond. It was a faint feeling, subtle to her, but distressing nonetheless. The witch could only imagine how it was for Harry, she was sure he felt it much stronger. Said young man was in the dark corner of the classroom they were using to talk, leaning against a desk in the dark. Hermione couldn't see his face, but he was pitching the bridge of his nose.
"That horrible toad woman!" Fleur finally said. "What does she want with Harry anyway? My papa will hear about THAT."
"Yes, we believe you, Fleur," Daphne said with her usual cold tone. "But I believe Katie's situation is more urgent." Both Hermione and Katie sighed, this had become a habit, both Fleur and Daphne going against each other, out of jealousy. Hermione almost wished Harry grabbed them both and fuck them at the same time to end it. Almost. Sometimes Harry could be infuriating. After all her research, Hermione was worried about how this kind of dispute could affect the forming bonds. For her and Daphne were easy, they were humans, after all, only being taken for a ride. "No!" Hermione reprehended herself. "That is the wrong way to look at it. They are also humans, just a little different."
"I will never do anything that can hurt or compromise my alpha," Katie said with a firm voice, looking daggers at both girls. "I will just let her punish me…"
"So that is the strength of the bond." Hermione thought. "That is what I am so obsessed with? Do I want to be part of something like that? Is that way for Fleur too?"
"No." Harry's voice was low but steady, commanding even. They all turned to look at him. Hermione gasped, his eyes were glowing with a dim green light, like a predator in the night, but the witch was sure the light was not being reflected, but coming from Harry itself. She felt shivers down her spine, all the way to her core, and was sure the other girls felt it too. Harry stepped out of the shadows. He looked tired, not only was the full moon close, but the situation with his newly formed pack was taking a toll on him. Hermione knew her best friend. Other things were happening he was not telling her. "You will not do such a thing for me. You are my pack, and I will not abandon you, or let you behind for the vultures. You choose me and I will honor it."
Hermione noticed Daphne looking at Fleur with a grin. "So, what do you suggest to do then, 'arry?" The French girl asked. Harry stood there, looking into Katie's eyes. Hermione was astonished by how feral both of them looked, maybe it was the full moon, maybe their wolves communicating. Then she thought it was their bond. "Goodness, I'm really obsessed with that…"
"I say." Harry continued, with a predatory smile to the other girls, that made Hermione bite her lip with desire. "Give her exactly what she wants." The girls looked puzzled. "Think about it, there is no way Umbridge is doing all this without the headmaster's knowledge, maybe even permission. She wants information, which means she doesn't know about me. So, the headmaster doesn't trust her. We also need information. So, let's feed them. Let's make her not trust the headmaster even more. You will tell her about the "Dumbledore army" that I am training." Harry smiled, Katie had her eyes open wide.
Daphne was beaming. "How are you not on Slytherin?" Her voice was a little too sultry.
"Because house separation is a stupid rule." Harry took Katie's hands in his. "We need to talk. I will see you later Fleur." And, with a quick peek on the veela's lips, he left the room with Katie. As soon as Harry walked through the door, Daphne returned to her ice persona, looking at Fleur. The French meet her gaze with an equally cold expression.
"This is ridiculous." Hermione thought.
"I will take my leave as well. I will come out with some information to feed to Umbridge, we all will need to keep the same history if she starts asking around. I'll see you later." the Slytherin girl said and walked away, giving Hermione a hopeful look. Hermione looked at Fleur when they were alone.
"Katie is angry and afraid, Fleur, she needs Harry right now. I will not pretend to understand how this alpha thing works for them, but if he can help her… also, he will never do anything behind your back. Never!"
"I know. Is not Katie I am worried about, 'ermione. And I trust Harry with all my heart. But I'm not blind. And…"
"Your bond is getting stronger."
"Oui… I can… feel 'Arry, there is so much pain and rage… and also so much love… and I know he can feel me too, all my pride and jealousy..."
"I don't know how the veela bond will interact with his pack bond…" Hermione started but Fleur raised a hand.
"I don't know if I am strong enough to carry those things. I need to be sure before I completely entangle my magic with him. And sometimes I don't want it. I know I will never find anyone like him ever again. But the load is too heavy." Hermione looked at her friend with understanding. Who knew magical love was so complicated, it was totally different from the stories from witch weekly. It was something strong and scary. It was fascinating.
"Why do you have to do this alone?" Hermione finally asked a confused Fleur.
.oOo.
Fleur Delacour walked out of the classroom. It was almost curfew, and she needed to return to beauxbatons carriage. Not that she cared about punishment, Harry and his roguish behavior had that effect on her. Fleur needed to think. How she wished the second task was the only thing on her mind right now. But that was not her reality, not anymore. And it would never be again. Looking closely, it never was. Her family was involved in all this even before Harry or herself were even born. For the first time in years, she felt angry at her parents. The feeling lasted only a couple of seconds, but it scared her nonetheless.
Walking in the hallways of the old castle, Fleur missed her own school and her home. How she wished to take Harry there. To really beautiful places, so they could have amazing sex, followed by delicious food. No one has ever made her feel like that. Harry was a magnificent puzzle. He carried so much pain and hated, and had a hard time trusting others, specifically adults, but at the same time, the love he felt for those close to him was so intense, so powerful. As she delved into the forming bond, she saw how he cared more about others than himself. Turning a corner, she saw him talking with Katie.
The girl was crying, tears of rage and shame. Fleur remembered how ashamed Harry was when he lost control against the little blonde boy. Now, he was reassuring his fellow pack companion. Stretching himself even more. Fleur knew it was taking a toll on him. He wiped her tears with his thumbs and hugged her until she stopped sobbing. He patiently waited, talking softly into Katie's ears. When they finally got apart, Katie looked at him with admiration and almost needy eyes. The same gaze Hermione gave him sometimes. the one Fleur herself felt comfortable giving when they were alone. At that moment she saw herself in Katie, and something started shifting in her mind.
Harry said goodbye to Katie with a kiss on her forehead. The she-wolf craved for more, way more, and so did the werewolf, Fleur could feel it, but Harry only reassured her they would meet tomorrow, to hunt and be together. After she was gone, the young wizard turned in Fleur's direction. Of course, they knew she was there, especially him. FLeur was sure he could feel the bond too. Harry looked tired. But a sincere smile formed on his lips when he saw her. He walked quickly in her direction and with a swift and precise move embraced the veela in a passionate kiss. Fleur felt dizzy like a cloud got out Of her mind, she returned the kiss and knew no one would ever be like him.
And at that moment, drinking on his feelings, she understood something. Fleur was not only afraid of sharing him, she was afraid of sharing herself.
.oOo.
Under the full moon, the two enormous wolves run together, caught in the excitement of the hunt. All their rage and frustration built over the last days focused on finding and killing. There was something different in the woods that night, evil lurking in their territory. And the pack would fight it, no matter what.
.oOo.
Fleur discovered quickly what she would have to rescue from the lake. As soon as didn't see Gabby at breakfast, she knew. Soon she found out that both Hermione and Roger Davis were also missing, along with Cedric's irritating girlfriend. The veela was calm and sat with Harry at the table. Their plan was solid. Harry could find them wherever they were. Fleur was more concerned with the cold right now. She looked at her wolf, and he also had a determined look, his eyes were clean and focused. The werewolf loved the hunt. Harry gave her a smile that she returned, after the task, they would celebrate, she thought. She would make him see stars and scream her name.
The ministry official came to collect them half an hour before the castle gates were open to the visitors. This time they would not be able to see their families before the task, only after. Hundreds of people were expected to watch. her mother came from France to see her. As they prepared to leave the room, under the wishes of good luck from the other students, Fleur watched Daphne and Tracey approaching. Daphne looked beautiful as always, but instead of her usual cold ice queen face, she had a wide smile on her face. The dark-haired girl was wearing a Gryffindor's quidditch jersey, with a number 7 on the chest. FLeur raised an eyebrow, the girl was persistent, she had to give her that.
"Hey, I recognize that!" Harry said.
"Do you like it?" Daphne said with a playful tone that made FLeur's blood boil. "I asked Katie to get it from your locker." She had a grin on her face and looked quickly at Fleur. "I had to make some adjustments so it fits better, what do you think?" Daphne turned around and the name Harry Potter could be read on the back.
"It definitely looks better on you than me." Harry managed to say, blushing, his eyes darting from Daphne to Fleur. The veela held a sigh, the girl knew how to use her assets.
"I will be cheering for you Harry, the rest of the school be damned." Daphne came closer and kissed Harry on the checks. "They stole it from us and I am getting it back!" Daphne whispered in his ears, unaware of Fleur's sensitive hearing. The Slytherin girl then turned to Fleur and extended her hand. "I know you will work together, so good luck to you too Fleur."
"Thank you Daphne." the veela answered, taking her hand, and surprisingly pulling the girl into a hug. "No matter what you do, it's in my bed that he will end tonight, girl." She put a venomous emphasis on the last word, which surprised even Herself.
"You will not be here forever, flower…". Daphne simply answered. When they separated, Harry looked angry at them and moved to the door. Damn wolf senses. Fleur thought and walked after the other champions. Tracey said as she moved.
"I am rooting for you, Miss Delacour!"
.oOo.
They were so close to the platform, and yet everything had gone to hell the moment Harry had freed Hermione from the merfolk chains. Now he was surrounded by his own blood on the water, and there were so many grinlockes that he couldn't count. Hermione was drowning, she was unable to swallow the gillyweed, and Fleur was also bleeding profusely from the cuts made by the mermen spears. Harry mentally cursed again.
The first half of the task had been easy. Neville provided them with the gillyweed, grown from his greenhouse at Longbottom manor. His friend's idea had been brilliant, the herb not only allowed them to breathe underwater, but it also helped with the cold. A couple of good warming charms from Fleur and they were set. Even a little angry, Harry couldn't help but admire how beautiful, and hot, Fleur looked in her swimsuit. It was fairly conservative by mundane status, but it fit her perfect forms so well, and the way she waved her hips when she knew Harry was looking almost drove the wolf crazy.
After they entered the water, it was Harry's turn to work. He tracked Hermione's magic with ease, her colors were almost as familiar to him as his own. Even underwater it was easy to find her. Fleur swam at his side, trusting him. Harry felt their bond was getting stronger, but it was different from the one he had with Katie. It was something coming from her. They would have to talk about it, and about Daphne. But now he needed to focus.
Harry expected something dangerous, but their way to the mermen village was easy. There they found the four hostages, tied to anchors. While they approached, Cho vanished in front of their eyes. Harry looked at Fleur, who just shrugged. They moved to release Gabby first. Harry noticed the hostages seemed to be in a kind of stasis. Fleur tried to open the locker on the chains, without much success. Harry used a slightly overpowered piercing spell to destroy the chains, Fleur grabbed her sister, and Harry couldn't help but feel that something wasn't right. It was too quiet.
With a quick tempus spell, Harry saw they still had plenty of time, and moved to free Hermione. Fleur moved to destroy the locker, but when she did it, all hell broke loose. Dozens of mermen emerged from the strange ruins around them, spears started flying in their direction, Fleur barely dodged one of them, with Gabrielle in her arms, but still got a deep cut on her shoulder. Harry was hit by a spear, which penetrated more than 3 inches on his left thigh. They were surrounded, but the worst was Hermione. The witch suddenly woke, opening her eyes. Scared, she took a deep breath, not realizing she was underwater. Her lungs got filled with liquid and she promptly started to drown. Her despair made the girl swallow even more water. Harry tried to shield her from the coming spears, getting some of them piercing his back, the girl was starting to convulse, he tried to give her some gillyweed, but she was not able to swallow it. Harry felt another spear cutting his back, and saw Fleur desperately fighting against the mermen. Harry grabbed her arm and they started swimming back up.
That was when the grinlockes appeared. Harry mentally cursed. Dozens and dozens and the mermen were not far behind. He was cut all over in his attempts to shield Hermione, Fleur was also wounded, the little aquatic devils grabbing her legs. Hermione's face was almost completely without colors, and the girl had passed out. Harry did the only thing he could think of. The werewolf took Gabrielle from Fleur's arms with a nod, and remembering the bludgeoning spells they trained for moving faster underwater, he pointed his wand down and concentrated all his magic. Harry felt his body burn and the power running through him, just like with the dementors. He just hoped it would work.
.oOo.
Daphne watched from the bench as Cedric Diggory got out of the water after his well-made bubble head charm got pierced by a grinlok before he reached the hostages. She could only wonder about the magnificent charm's work done over the lake. Not only did the benches extend over the water, but the platform where the judges and most important dignitaries, like Fudge and Bagman were, floated over it, just a little behind the champions. For the other spectators, images were projected on the water, showing the contestants on the task.
Cedric had tried the bubble head charm but was attacked and his bubble burst. Right after he returned to the surface of the water, Cho disappeared from her chains. Krun has transfigurated his upper body into a shark, and Harry and Fleur used Gillyweed. Harry seemed to know exactly where the hostages were and guided Fleur directly to them.
Daphne knew something was very wrong as soon as the images stopped appearing. Harry and Fleur were close to the hostages, when it all turned black the judges got up and started discussing what was happening. Albus and Maxine seemed angry at Fudge. Daphne felt a weight on her chest and pressed Tracey's hand. Her breath started to get faster. Where are those feelings coming from? It was more than just worry. She felt like screaming and jumping on the water. The headmaster was angrily pointing at Dolores Umbridge, but not screaming. Madam Maxine was almost hysterical.
Harry!
Harry was desperate, she could feel it. Tracey noticed and hugged Daphne. She was trembling violently.
Suddenly Harry got ejected from the water, being launched twenty feet over it, before landing on the platform on his back with a loud crack, using his own body to shield both Hermione and Gabrielle from the impact. Daphne gave a silent scream, he looked in pain, blood coming from several cuts, and Hermione looked pale. She couldn't hear what he was screaming, but he got up and let madam Ponphey take Hermione, before jumping back into the water, only a trail of blood left behind him.
.oOo.
Fleur was surrounded, tired and bleeding. Her only relief was that Harry had saved Gabrielle. His spell was so powerful that he got propelled up, sending a dozen mermen to the bottom of the lake. She was trying to get up, out of the lake, but the grinlokes were holding her. The water kept her passion fires from doing too much damage. She was fighting fiercely, but there were too many of them. A merman pointed a spear to her. Why they were working together? Mermen and grinlokes usually hated each other. Fleur was thinking that, preparing to defend herself when both of the merman's arms got separated from his body by a vicious cutting curse. Fleur looked up and saw Harry, silently roaring, sending hexes and curses.
With his help, she finally freed herself, but dozens of aquatic devils kept coming at them. A barrage of curses hit the creatures, and Fleur saw a group of Aurors coming to their rescue. Harry grabbed her hand and they started swimming up.
.oOo.
Hermione woke in a hospital bed, chilling in the cold. She tried to remember how she got there, but her last memory was waking up under the lake. After that, everything was blurry. She groaned. Why did she feel so cold, how much time she was under the water, and how much time she had been out?
"Now you know how I feel…" said a voice beside her. Harry's tone was warm and playful, fuelling her with relief. Hermione opened her eyes and found him on the side of her bed. He had a multitude of bruises and recently treated cuts, but his smile was infectious. Fleur was beside him, also smiling, both of them wearing the same hospital robes as her. Tears started rolling from her eyes, and Hermione pulled Harry into a bear-crushing hug, making the wizard moan in pain for his recently mended ribs.
"Oh Harry, thank you, thank you, thank you!" Hermione cried on his shoulder. " You and Fleur saved me!" The witch loosened up the strength of her embrace just enough so she could look in his eyes. The deep green of the wolf'S eyes stared at her, and she felt like he could see her soul, and all the love she felt. That was her chance, she could feel his magic, she needed to test her theory. Gathering all her so-called Gryffindor courage, she pulled Harry into a kiss. It was a deep, passionate kiss, one she had waited for years. The kiss of a lover. Her tongue entered his mouth, and touched his, sending magical shocks through her body. Harry tensed, but didn't fight her, and after a couple of seconds returned the kiss. It was everything Hermione had dreamed, of and more. When their mouths finally separated, for a couple of seconds, she could see the colors dancing around them, the most beautiful ones she had ever seen. Hermione could even scratch Harry's feelings. She was right!
Hermione looked at the confused gazes, of both Harry and Fleur. With an almost forceful movement, she got up and pulled the veela to her, repeating the kiss she gave Harry. Hermione needed to make FLeur understand.
.oOo.
Albus Dumbledore could not believe how stupid and heartless Umbridge was. Acting behind his back, she almost put years of careful planning into the trash. The woman was getting bolder, and careless, and the headmaster was sure Fudge and Malfoy had something to do with that. To think she was acting on his back, made him realize he had been neglecting to show who was really in charge. Maybe the voice in his head was right, he was finally getting too old. It didn't matter, both Dolores and Fudge were merely pawns, and as such, would be dealt with, there was no place then on the new order, and Albus was sure Tom would also spite them.
The old wizard had more pressing matters in front of him. Fighting a multiple-front war was not easy, but he was smart. Smarter than anyone. The boy, his golden boy, so important for his plans, was still slowly slipping through his fingers. He was not the sheep he anticipated, and that made him equal extents of worry and pride. Had the circumstances been different, he would be happy to take such talented individuals under his tutelage. As of right now, he needed to regain his trust. And for that, he had set things in motion.
First, he had to move the date of the third task of the tournament. That way, no matter the results of Sirius's trial, the world would see the need for Albus to keep his guardianship over Harry Potter. The trial was also something he would have to address. The situation had become unsustainable, and the only thing left for him to do was move on the defense of Sirius Black. He even provided his own memories for that matter. That would probably gain some of the boy's trust back.
And there was Tom and his followers. The impostor was making everything in his power to see Harry go through the tournament, whatever he had planned would happen in its finals, he was certain. That was also to ensure that his order came out victorious in the first battle of the upcoming war. But he also had discovered that Lucius Malfoy was not happy with the direction whatever plan the death eaters had was going.
Ah Malfoy, through his influence on the ministry, to his hold on Narcisa, that man has always been a thorn in his side. How could such a weak person cause so many problems? But in one move, he would solve many of his problems at once. "It is indeed an ingenious scheme." The other voice in his head said. "A little too convoluted if I may, too many moving parts."
"Nah, it will work perfectly." He answered. All it was needed was a well-placed piece of parchment on top of Madam Bones' papers, and he was sure Sirius and the Delacours would play their part. Now he needed Narcisa and her protege to play their part right. A little suggestion to the boy and the man. A timely rescue. "What if you don't get there in time?" The voice asked.
"Weren't you saying the boy was capable of miracles? it will be another one for the order's gospel." The old wizard waved. He needed to fetch Severus, Narcisa would trust him easily. Severus Snape was another piece on the board he had to think about. As the headmaster suspected, the wolf protected the boy's mind, so it had been wise to let his spy do the probing. but the results were too slow, he may need to direct the professor. Maybe the small piece of information he knew was enough to push Harry over the edge. Yes, that would do. Now, to move his pawns around.
.oOo.
Blaise finished his report about Pansy. Daphne has gotten suspicious of the girl since the morning of the first task, and after discovering someone had messed her mind with the clear intent of keeping her away from Harry, she became even more cautious. Almost paranoid. Daphne was surprised when they discovered Pansy's affair with Ronald Weasley, but the really troubling thing was Drako. Daphne was sure Pansy lacked the power to dominate the ferret that way. She was obviously getting help from someone, someone really good at mind magic, and that, more than anything, scared Daphne.
The Slytherin was also determined to set things right with the wizard she was in love with. To her demise, Daphne often caught herself daydreaming about how life could have been if Harry and she had become friends on that day at the train, or later on the third year. They could have been together now. She would have helped him. But she always cut it quickly, there was no reason to delve into fantasies about the past, she needed to look forward. She knew Harry liked her, Daphne could feel it Like Katie had said she would. If Fleur were not so entitled and prideful, they could all be together.
Daphne found her way to the infirmary, to see Hermione. Harry had been released a couple of hours earlier, with some new scars and hurt ribs to his collection, but otherwise ok. She wanted to run and kiss him when she saw the werewolf enter the hall for lunch, but not only would it be too public for her ice queen persona, the veela princess was there. Daphne and Harry's eyes meet, and she knew he was thinking the same, or so she hoped. "no." She thought, remembering their last kiss, the warmth of his body, how she could feel his magic responding, and his hard member pressed against her center. He did wanted her.
But Daphne was sure he also wanted Fleur, it was visible. He needed a lady Potter anyway. As if she could hear her thoughts, Daphne met the French witch exiting the infirmary as she arrived. Daphne sighed when their eyes met. They stare at each other, grey and blue equality cold. "How's Hermione feeling?" Daphne finally broke the silence.
"She is feeling better, but the matron wants to keep her for one more day, to be sure. I hope you have notes from the classes, she's getting mad about it." Fleur giggled, and Daphne found herself smiling. The raven-haired witch wished she could be friends with the veela. Why does Fleur have to be so difficult?
"I imagine, don't worry, I got it covered. We have most of the same classes." They look at each other deeply in the eyes again. Fleur sighed heavily.
"Why are we doing this Daphne?" The veela asked.
"Isn't it obvious?" Daphne answered. "I know what I want, and so do you." The girl shrugged. Fleur's gaze went stone cold. She narrowed her eyes while Daphne kept her best aloof expression.
"You know he will never do anything behind my back, I trust him!" Fleur hissed.
"Oh, I know, that's just who he is. I know he does like you. But he likes me too, and you know." Daphne looked at her with a smirk, the veela's expression showing she was right. "It must be scary to you, the first person you really like, and he is not affected by your… charm." Daphne could feel it, the allure hit her, but full of anger and fear, and she knew a nerve had been hit.
"You know nothing about me, or my magic, you don't know what it means for both Harry and myself."
" I can feel his magic too, you know. It "sings" to me too!" Daphne moved her hands. "Someone stole my choices from me, but not anymore." Daphne reprimanded herself for letting her emotions take control of her for a second, Fleur didn't need to know, not yet anyway. The veela looked confused at her. "Tell me, Fleur, what will happen after the tournament is over? What will happen when you are back in France and Harry is still here? When some shit goes through? When he needs someone at his side. What will you do, write a letter?" The veela looked pale. "I will not let him go through things alone, I will be here, by his side. Think about it." With that, Daphne turned to the door, and entered the infirmary, afraid of Fleur calling her bluff.
.oOo.
Fleur let out a soft moan, as her walls adjusted, welcoming Harry inside her. It was bliss, the girl looked at the young wizard laid under her, his face lifted with joy. She could almost feel his pleasure adding to her's, and only hoped he could feel the same. Fleur stood there looking at him, smiling, both teens enjoying the feeling of proximity and complete intimacy as he twitched inside her. At this point, Fleur knew every inch of Harry's body, each scar, the places where her wolf liked to be kissed, caressed, bitten. Fleur now knew how to push his buttons, he shivered every time she licked his ear and said his name with her ascent, how he loved when the veela engulfed the head of his dick in her mouth and used her tongue. The veela discovered how Harry loved to fuck her without removing her panties at first, just putting them aside for access, just to remove them with gusto after. Fleur also taught him all that she liked, and boy, he was a good learner. She loved when he lightly bit her nipples and used parseltongue on her folds and clitoris, Harry had discovered how she loved to be penetrated, while laid on her stomach, and loved when she took control on top of him. They were equals, and that excited her more than anything.
Harry gave her his predatory smile and cupped her breasts, pinching her nipples. Fleur loved that smile, the wolf's smile. His eyes glowed, and the veela started moving up and down, raising herself until only the head of his cock was left inside her, then down again, she loved the feeling of Harry sliding inside her, her juices dripping on his pelvis, and groped her ass to help her move. The room around then was a delicious mess, Fleur once again was thankful for her private space at the carriage, it was already the third time they had sex that evening, first was on the small couch, still, semi-dressed, just how he liked. Then slow and lovely, for her, and now, after a little cuddling, they were at it again, with Fleur setting the pace. That was the only time she was completely at peace of late, and Fleur suspected it was the same for him. She felt whole, her magic singing for her to complete the bond, and yet, she hesitated and cursed her own cowardice. They increased the speed, the wet sounds mixed with their moans, it sounded erotic, almost dirty, and she loved it. The power she felt when her wolf moaned loudly. He moved his own hips, meeting her midway, pumping his dick inside her pussy. Together, they reach their climaxes, and she rejoiced in the feeling of his hot seed inside her. Their orgasms echoing through the forming bond. The veela magic was singing.
Fleur laid her head on his chest without losing contact, she wanted to say how much she loved him, and complete the bond, but Fleur was afraid. Afraid of rejection, and afraid of being part of the pack. So many things have happened in the last week. Hermione's kiss, for one, a second after it, she could feel magic differently, the pack magic. And there was Daphne.
At first, Fleur didn't want to admit it, but Daphne's words affected her way more than she showed. The veela wouldn't be here for Harry, she would go back to France. While she kissed his jawline and neck, Fleur once again wondered if she was willing to live in this backward country for him. She was only 17, and he was 15, she was too young to make this decision. But her magic wanted it.
Harry embraced her, he knew something was wrong, but his life was such a mess already, Fleur didn't want to add one more thing on top of it, he asked her, but after the veela asked for space, the young wizard respected it, all he did was to show he was there for her when she was ready. And that only made it worse. Damn noble git.
As they dressed, getting ready for the defense club meeting that night, (Fleur was awfully close to casting a corporeal patronus, and the veela was sure the unfinished bond was keeping her from doing it, Katie had already managed and to no one's surprise it was a wolf. Hermione said she did it because Of her bond with Harry. Daphne was also close, and Fleur knew exactly what was also holding her back.) They dressed up in silence, looking at each other and smiling. How she loved the way they could communicate without words. Harry gave her one last kiss and exited the carriage. Fleur left a little later, she was determined to not let Daphne realize how much her words affected her. She was too stubborn and prideful for that.
Regine joined her on the walk to the room of requirements, looking flushed, with an after-sex glow. "Having fun with the twins?" the veela asked.
"you can say that… and you, all flushed and glowing like that?" The girl giggled.
"No, not with the twins…" Fleur giggled and Regine rolled her eyes. " at least Fred and George have the decency of not attending anymore…"
"oui, Angelina, Kate, and Harry would kill them on the training, trust me, they know that…" Regine said a little flustered. "have you decided what to do?"
"Non…"
"for fucks sake, talk to him already. You love him, you said you are ruined, and he loves you back!"
"How can you be so certain?" Fleur asked.
Regine rolled her eyes and gazed at her. " Are you kidding? The way he looks at you like he has won the biggest lottery of all time, how he holds you with confidence, I am pretty sure he is as gone as you are."
"It's more complicated than that, and I shouldn't listen to you anyway, your love life is a soap opera." Regine just showed her tongue. "very mature…"
They arrived at the room of requirements, just to see Daphne talking something to Harry. She was so close to him, holding his hands, and he smiled at her. Fleur was torn between burning the girl to ash or screaming at Harry… but there was something else… something coming from the bond. The girl looked at Fleur and grinned. Daphne knew how to push her, and Fleur hated it.
The meeting transpired without major incidents, although it was clear how much Harry missed Katie there. More and more it downed on Fleur, Katie was there to stay. But at least the werewolf respected her. After the end, as the other students were moving away, Harry approached Fleur. "Fleur, can you go with Doby today?"
Fleur raised her eyebrow, confused, usually, Harry took her back with the invisible cloak. " Hum… sure. Any problem 'Arry?"
"None that I know off, but Padfioot asked to talk with me, so I will go to the hospital wing, to use the fireplace."
Fleur looked at Daphne, who was talking with Tracey but looking at them. "Ok… are you going alone, want me to go with you?"
Harry was about to answer when Daphne cut him, approaching then. "No, he is not going alone, I am taking him." Fleur looked at the girl, the raven-haired teen had a defiant smile on her face. Harry was about to talk again when Fleur talked over him.
"Really? Did he ask you to go with him? I don't recall rearing that." Hermione, Tracey, Blaise, and Neville were now listening with attention.
"Why princess, are you afraid of something? He doesn't need to ask me, I want to go with him. And he trusts me." Harry took another breath before Fleur spoke.
"He trusts me too, and I'm the one he shares a bed with…" Fleur didn't even know why she was being so childish, so bitter. Was Daphne doing this on purpose? Was it her veela nature taking over?
"Humph!" Daphne waved her hand. "Lucky you. It's probably something to do with the trial, he will need my advice, I understand how the wizengamot works."
"WHAT! Of course, I can help, my father is the chancellor!" Fleur claimed.
"of another country! We saw how well it has gone with Katie."
"Could you two just STOP!" Harry asked.
Everyone just stopped and looked at Harry, his eyes glowing for a second. Fleur and Daphne were fuming. "You know what, this is your fault, Harry!" Daphne finally said.
"Wait, what?"
"She is right! You keep giving her hope, you should just cut her already!" Fleur instantly regretted her words.
"What! You…" Daphne hissed at Fleur
"YOU KNOW, YOU ARE RIGHT! IT'S ALL MY FAULT!'' Harry roared, his eyes glowing with deep green light, the wolf almost at the surface. Instinctively, both Fleur and Daphne took a step back. Fleur saw all the rage fleeing from his eyes, and the light dimming, all the rage gone, only sadness remained. "It is all my fault, you are right. But don't worry, I will not submit anyone to that anymore, no more fight, no more fear. Now, I have to go see Sirius. Alone." Fleur was baffled, the sorrow in his voice was piercing. Hermione tried to stop him, but Harry just kept going.
.oOo.
Harry walked without a care through the corridors and hallways, his mind and his instincts in turmoil. All the discussion held by Fleur and Daphne were forgotten. As he ran down the circling stair on the fourth floor, the only thing in his mind where the girl's eyes. The way they looked at him when he roared. They were afraid of him.
Of course, they were. Harry was a bloody monster, something magical parents used to scare little children into bed, the big bad wolf. In those eyes, he saw his own dreams crashing. France, showing FLeur how much he loved her. Dancing with Daphne. He was preoccupied with what would happen when FLeur left the country. Or if the girls would press him in choosing between her and Daphne. Damn, he loved both, he would never cheat on Fleur, but also couldn't deny what he felt for Daphne.
It didn't matter anymore, the girls were afraid of him, and he would not submit anyone to fear from him.
"Good! All the drama is cut off, my choices were made for me!" Harry furiously thought, trying unsuccessfully to hold his tears. "I was being a hypocrite and a joke, and it came back to bite me in the arse. And I let Katie down…"
SHIT! He screamed, holding himself to the wall. Damn, why is it hurting so bad!"
"Who's there?" Harry heard a heavy accented voice asking with a worried tone. " Severus?"
Igor Karkaroff walked through the hallways, holding his left arm with a pained expression. Harry almost stopped breathing, covered by his cloak. The older wizard's gaze could only be described as one of terror. Harry was perplexed, was he looking for Snape? In the back of his mind, he was almost thankful for the distraction from his own fears. Harry smelled Snape before actually seeing him. He didn't know how, but the grease man was paler than normal, the dim light emanating from the tip of his wand giving him a sick appearance. His eyes were yellow, like he was suffering from a weakening disease, and the smell of fear coming from the men was overwhelming.
"What are you doing Karkaroff, are you insane? Walking through the castle like that, with Moody around?" Snape angrily said.
"Fuck that disfigured shit!" The man sounded desperate. "I know you can feel it! He is coming back, Severus, he is calling to us!" The Bulgarian lifted the sleeve of his left arm, and Harry could see the magic dancing around it. It was sickening, the colors were all wrong, corrupted in a way that made him shiver with rage, his first instinct was to jump onto the men in front of him, but he fought it and stayed in place. Snape quickly put the man's sleeve down.
"don't show it! He is still weak…"
"But not for long! We need to flee, he will come for us, and torture us until we beg for the relief of death. I saw him doing it too many times…"
"and run to where you coward. He has agents all around, do you really think they are not watching you? Idiot! You are inside the most secure building in Britain!" suddenly a ticking sound started, like someone was hitting the floor with a wooden stick. Harry took a deep breath, Alastor Moody. Snape stiffed, and grabbed Karkaroff. "Moody is coming, get lost your coward, and try not to get even more compromised."
Harry watched as the men departed, Igor stinking of fear, before continuing his way to the hospital wing.
.oOo.
"Harry, are you there?" Sirius's voice echoed on the fireplace, looking at the almost empty room, with only a desk and two chairs. Sirius got surprised once again by how minimalist Pomfrey's taste was. The object of his calling was sitting on one of the chairs, and with a single look, he knew something was wrong. "Harry, are you listening?" the boy snapped and looked at him.
"Sorry Sirius, I was distracted." Harry waved.
"I can see that. Harry, are you alone?" The young wizard gazed at him, and even through the fire, Sirius saw the glowing in his eyes, the predatory look. Remus was never like that, Harry resembled the Bells. "Sorry for asking, I'm just asking because lately you always have your veela princes, the ice queen or the wolf girl by your side… luck bastard…"
"It doesn't matter, why did you want to talk to me about…"
"ok, he doesn't want to go there." Sirius thought. "something definitely happened."
"Ouch pup, sorry for asking." The fight flew from Harry's Eyes almost immediately.
"Sorry Sirius, it is not your fault. I just don't want to talk about it right now. Are you calling because of the trial? Is everything good?"
"Everything is set, I am almost sure it will be as smooth as possible. Actually, during the investigation, we came across some other thing Harry, something concerning you, Voldemort, and that night…"
Harry's eyes widened. "What?" Sirius took a deep breath, this was going to be weird.
"Harry, there is a prophecy…" Harry's eyes widened even more. "Yeah, there is a prophecy concerning you and Vold, given a couple of months before you were born, by none other than Sybill… guess to who?"
"To the headmaster…" Harry sounded tired.
"Exactly!"
Harry snapped. " A prophecy, a FUCKING PROPHECY! That fucker killed my parents because of that!"
"I guess you are not a partaker in divination…"
"What that fuck, I don't even believe in this shit." Harry was losing it, Sirius could clearly see it, his heart sunken, all he wished was to be there to hug him, comfort him.
"Sorry pup, it actually doesn't matter if you believe it or not… both Vold and Dumbs do it, and that is enough."
"Guess you're right… what does it say?" Harry asked.
"I have no idea… All I know is that it's stored in the department of mysteries, and only those involved in it can hear, meaning you and Ghostface…"
"Great… well, it only means he will be coming back for me… guess I was right early…" The werewolf sighed.
"want to talk about it?" Sirius asked.
Harry thought for a moment. "No… you concentrate on getting free, I want to spend time with my family, and that means you… I… need to think. Guess I will see you at the trial."
"Guess I will take care pup," Sirius said before Harry's head disappeared, something was definitely wrong, and he was not there for him.