Thanks Seaver for everything!

Thanks everyone for Reviewing!

keebler-elmo: Thanks!

NasserPotter: Good point it will be dealt with in the story soon enough. Thanks.

the munchkinator: Thanks, Yes the story is completed but it's in a pretty raw form so I rewrite and smooth out loads of stuff before I upload each chapter. It will be a happy ending in the end… ask me specifically if you want details.

trigun: Thanks!

coolone007: Well I don't want to spoil anything but their relationship is carefully planed and there is a reason for things to be as they are. Thanks!

Devotion408: I'll certainly check out your stories when I get time… lol, thanks for reviewing anyway.

TimGold: Well I hope you don't wait too much because nothing is going to happen for a while, in fact you will probably have a bigger chance of seeing Harry and Fleur together in "Harry Potter the Sexaholic" first… by the way first chapter is with Hermione…lol.

jelei: They are in love… just the desire part that's missing, they'll get it right in the end though.

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Chapter 29 Across The World

"Surprise," said Fleur teasingly, she had not mentioned that there was a dance.

"Lovely," Harry muttered sarcastically, he hated dancing. It would have been another thing if he had been good at it and didn't make a complete fool out of himself.

"Well prince charming aren't you going to ask me?" Fleur asked innocently.

"I'm going to marry Luna," Harry stated gloomily.

"Why Miss Lovegood?" asked Fleur raising one eyebrow.

"She doesn't enjoy dancing much," Harry replied.

"Not to put pressure on you Potter," said Fleur jokingly, "But if you don't dance with me chances are pretty good you'll have to dance with another girl."

Harry glanced nervously over to the round tables, "Right," He said and gulped down the rest of his wine.

"But you have to ask me first, it's just the way it works," Fleur complained when Harry tried to pull her up from her stool.

"You would do me a great honour if you would dance with me Miss Delacour," Harry said playing along with her but couldn't help adding, "Will that do?"

"That will hold me for two dances," Fleur replied happily and got up. The first song was slow and Harry held Fleur close.

"You are supposed to lead," Fleur informed him quietly. Fortunately, they were not opening the dance, Nancy and several other professors were dancing as well as some students.

"Don't lead then," Harry whispered back.

Fleur giggled, "If I don't lead we'll stand still!"

"What's wrong with that?" Harry asked though he did make an effort to lead.

Dancing with Fleur wasn't too bad. He knew her well enough to match her motions and actually dance with her. They were probably not the most gracious couple but definitely not the worst.

"This isn't so bad is it?" Fleur asked leaning her head on his shoulder.

"No," Harry agreed leaning into her, "You are a good dancer and you let me lead."

"What's your promise?" Fleur whispered.

"Mmm…? Oh well don't laugh," said Harry.

"I won't," Fleur promised.

"To not let anyone of us die, not Tonks, not Selena, not Ron, not Ginny, not Hermione and not you… no matter what," Harry said, he knew it was a silly thing to promise but not doing so would feel worse.

Fleur was silent for a moment before she spoke, "What about you?"

"Oh, well I suppose," Harry said though he would rather die then let anyone of his friends and family die.

"Good," Fleur commanded, "Say it!"

"Later it's not New Year yet," Harry replied and spun her around hoping to make her forget about it to be sure he added, "Now tell me what's your promise?"

"Make you see sense!" Fleur snapped irritably, she knew apparently that he didn't intend to promise not to die, "Either both of us goes or no one."

Harry didn't reply.

"It's true you got a hero thing going, who do you think you are, do you think you have the right to die instead of anyone else?" Fleur asked she was angry.

"I do what I want with my life," Harry retorted.

"No, you bloody well do not!" Fleur spat back, "You do what I want! Or I'll do horrible stuff!"

"Fine, both of us or no one," Harry agreed. It was a strange conversation, but Harry figured that both of them had lost too much and being left alone would be devastating.

Their anger faded as quickly as it had come and they enjoyed the dance.

"Oh I like this song," Fleur informed him happily when the next song begun.

"Now you are leading again," Harry complained playfully.

"No I'm not, I'm just moving faster then you," Fleur replied teasingly.

"That's leading," Harry informed her.

"Don't move so slowly then," Fleur replied and made Harry spin her around.

"What's wrong with leading slowly?"

"Nothing if it's a slow song. This is not a slow song. If you were to lead we would be off beat," Fleur replied dancing with him as if he was a rag doll.

"Well then can you lead at lest so that it looks like I'm leading?"

"Oh no if you are embarrassed about not leading that's your problem," teased Fleur.

"Fine," Harry said and made his best to lead instead.

"I can get you to do anything you know," said Fleur, smiling mischievously.

"And don't you abuse it!" Harry replied making Fleur giggle.

When the song was over, they separated.

"That's the two songs I promised," Fleur said smiling widely.

"As if you would let me dance with somebody else," Harry replied.

"Excuse me Mr Potter but could I have the next dance," The brown-haired girl that had flirted with him during breakfast asked.

Harry glanced desperately at Fleur for help, but it was obvious that Fleur wouldn't help him. A mischievous smile crossed her lips and Harry knew that Fleur would let him dance with somebody else.

"Go right ahead I'll go and get us drinks," said Fleur and flung his hand she was still holding around the other girl's waist.

"Right," Harry said as he didn't have any hopes of escape. Fleur walked off and left them alone.

"I'm Renee," The girl said and flashed him a nervous smile. She didn't seem at all as confident now that she was alone with him in fact she seemed scared.

"I'm Harry," Harry replied jokingly.

"Nice to meet you Harry," Renee said politely. The music started again and to Harry's utmost horror it was a slow song.

"So," Renee said swaying slowly in Harry's arms, "How's life like when you are famous?"

"Well," Harry answered awkwardly, "Like normal I guess except that everyone knows your name and if you do anything they write about it."

"Do you like it?" Renee asked glancing down on the collar of his dress robe.

"No, not much," Harry replied.

"I guess it must be hard with Voldemort around too?"

"You said Voldemort's name," Harry stated mildly impressed.

"I'm muggle-born," Renee explained, "If he is going to try and kill us I'm going to say his name."

Harry suddenly realised that he had misjudged this girl completely, he had taken her for a giggly girl with too much hormones for her own good but she wasn't she was brave.

"How come you flirted with me earlier?" Harry burst out before he could stop himself.

"Oh that," Renee said blushing slightly, "I just did that to annoy your girlfriend."

"Oh, why is that?" Harry asked.

"It's not exactly easy if you got a crush on someone and all he does is to goggle at another girl," Renee said truthfully, "She even make her own clothes to get even more attention you know."

"She didn't do that to get attention, it's what veela do. It's tradition," Harry said defensively.

"So is seducing boys," Renee said defiantly, "She's good at that too."

"And why is that?" Harry asked he had half made up his mind to just leave Renee and find Fleur.

"She got you didn't she?" Renee asked simply, "Lets not talk about your girlfriend lets talk about something fun."

"Sure," Harry said relieved at the change of subject.

"Well… I have been thinking of studying at Hogwarts next year… my sixth year," Renee said, "Me and Elisa… don't flatter yourself I've always wanted to study abroad mum did, but in a muggle school."

"Hogwarts is a great school," Harry stated.

"You think they won't mind two extra students because we have no one to transfer with?"

"I don't know we don't get that many transfer students but I suppose it would be all right. I can't see why not."

They danced in silence for a minute, Harry lead the dance.

"Is Hogwarts very different?" She asked suddenly-

"Yeah in a way we are sorted into houses," Harry explained, "So it's not sure you and your friend… Elisa would be room mates."

"I know that," Renee said, "We do learn stuff here as well you know, so what house do you think I will be in?"

"Well, I don't know do you have good grades?" Harry asked swaying her gently.

"They are okay but I don't think I would fit in Ravenclaw," Renee said thoughtfully, "Probably Hufflepuff or Gryffindor if I'm brave enough"

"I think you would do a great Gryffindor," Harry said and at the same time wondered why he had said that it almost sounded as if he was flirting with her.

Renee giggled, "Do you think the sorting hat will take your word for it?"

"Why don't you ask it?" Harry replied and smiled at her.

"Are you flirting with me now?" Renee asked frankly.

"No," Harry said though he wasn't to sure himself, he had not intended it anyway.

"Good because you should be nice to Fleur," Renee said warningly, "She lost her family after all."

Harry felt very guilty, fortunately the song ended at that moment.

"It was nice dancing to you," Harry said politely, "Hope to see you in Hogwarts next year then."

"Bye," Renee said and Harry hurried off towards Fleur who sat waiting for him alone at the staff table.

"That was comfortable," Fleur said when Harry got close enough to hear her over the song that had just started.

"Sorry," Harry apologized blushing slightly.

"No don't be sorry I set you up with her," Fleur said and handed him a glass of champagne.

"This champagne tastes much better then the one Tonks had," Harry said after a sip.

"That's because you are getting drunk," Fleur explained, "How many glasses of wine did you have for dinner?"

"I don't know… a couple," Harry said taking another sip of the champagne.

"That's the last glass you are having tonight then," Fleur said sharply.

"All right," Harry said but he didn't mean it he just agreed with Fleur because he knew she would give in when she had gotten a few glasses of Champagne herself. He like the way she was over protective about him

As the evening went on several students and professors came up to them and whished them a happy new year.

"One hour left," Fleur said glancing down at his watch that now read eleven.

Suddenly Vertex came into Harry's minds eye so forcefully that it hurt.

"Ouch," Harry and Fleur exclaimed.

"Vertex!" They chorused to each other.

"He's terrified," Fleur stated focusing on her connection to their phoenix.

"Do you think something has happened at Grim… you know where?" Harry asked urgently.

"Yes," said Fleur confirming his fears.

"We have to go then!" Harry said and got up.

"No you don't," Fleur said firmly and pulled Harry back into his seat which was not very hard since Harry had gotten a few glasses of Champagne too much. Harry was about to stand up again when there was a bright flash right in front of him. Fear rushed through his veins and he was sure someone was trying to curse him or Fleur. Then something red like a stunner was in front of him but didn't move.

"Vertex!" Fleur exclaimed.

The red thing in front of him let out whistle and Harry realised that Vertex must have apparated to them and the reason he didn't realise that it was Vertex sooner was because he had been momentarily blinded by the flash.

"How did you get here?" Harry asked urgently.

"You apparated didn't you sweetie?" Fleur cooed and hugged Vertex fondly.

"What happened?" Harry asked the bird as if hoping to get an answer.

"It must have been the fireworks, Wingbeat," Fleur said smiling a relieved smile, "It scared him, he is after all only a couple of days old after all."

Vertex whistled as if saying that Fleur was right.

"No death eaters?" Harry asked the phoenix.

Vertex whistled a no.

"Ron and Hermione and everyone else are all right?" Harry pressed on and Vertex sang a reassuringly yes.

"You have grown," Harry said after a moment when he had reassured himself that it only was the fireworks that had scared Vertex.

"Yeah and look, your tail feathers are starting to become golden," Fleur said and stroke his fluffy feathers. Vertex responded with a proud whistle.

"Oh my," Nancy said from behind them, "This is Vertex?"

Fleur smiled proudly, "Vertex this is my aunt Nancy, Nancy this is Vertex."

"Pleased to meet you," Nancy said and curtsied like a little girl.

Vertex sang several tunes in reply, thrilled by Nancy's extravagant greeting.

"Aren't you adorable?" Nancy asked the bird who fluttered his wings proudly. Nancy patted the bird fondly and Vertex seemed to take an immediate like to her as well.

As the evening progressed towards midnight Harry, Fleur, Nancy and Vertex made their way up to the guest tower. Nancy had arranged the fireworks so that they would be best viewed from the panorama window. It certainly was. Harry had not expected the fireworks to be as magnificent as they were.

"Wow!" He exclaimed as a huge green sparkling dragon let out a yet of red sparks just outside the window, "That one was great!"

"Thank you Harry," Nancy said pleasantly, "I have perfected those for nearly ten years now."

"That's my favourite," Fleur said pointing at a horde of sparkling silver unicorns that galloped across the sky, "They remind me of my patronus."

"There should be a stag somewhere as well," Nancy said looking around at the night sky that was filled with all kinds of animals, "Over there chasing that green and red comet!"

"It's great," Harry commented sadly, he knew he was being stupid but he couldn't help thinking of his parents and the way his father had chased after his mother. Vertex sensed his mood at once and fluttered over to his shoulder.

"Hello Vertex," He murmured. To his utmost surprised Vertex spread his wings and hugged his head and then made a smacking noise with his beak against Harry's mouth.

Fleur burst out laughing so badly that she couldn't stand, she slumped down on the floor clutching her stomach. Nancy who had not seen what had happened stood watching Fleur's shrieks of laughter with a bemused expression.

"Don't mind her she's just jealous," Harry told his phoenix and patted him, "Ron and Hermione taught you that did they?"

Vertex whistled a yes.

"You are so intelligent," Harry told his phoenix.

"Yes," Fleur panted, "You are so intelligent I'm sorry I laughed but you are just too cute."

Vertex fluttered over to Fleur's shoulder and kissed her the same way she had kissed Harry.

"You thought him that?" Nancy asked stifling a giggle.

"No," Fleur said blushing badly, "Ron and Hermione must have."

"Imagine Hermione blush when she finds out," said Harry happily.

"She'll match his hair," Fleur added just as happily.

"Think we can borrow Mr Weasley's camera?" Fleur asked grinning her most mischievous grin.

"You don't have a camera?" Nancy asked, "You have to have a camera. You can have one of mine I got one extra for Christmas you can have my old one… if you promise to send me photos that is?"

"We promise," Fleur said at once, "But are you sure that's an expensive camera."

"Sure I'm sure… ACCIO My old camera," Nancy said loudly, "It was Christmas a couple of days ago after all."

They spent the rest of the New Years Eve taking pictures. After a few hours into the night, Nancy bid them good night and left them alone. Harry and Fleur managed to drag themselves into the bedroom and fell asleep at once in the huge four-poster. Vertex followed them and found a good chair back to sleep on.

Fleur was soundly asleep the following morning when Harry woke up and he decided to leave her in bed while he and Vertex took a bath. He had not been in the mood last time he took a bath to figure out all the special features. He found a switch next to the taps that was labelled 'bubbles', which made it a Whirlpool bath. Vertex didn't enjoy all the bubbles or perfumes so Harry made him a little bath in a sink.

"Harry?" Fleur's yell echoed through the top of the guest tower.

"In here Angel," Harry yelled back and a few moments later the door to the bathroom slid open.

"Don't just leave me like that, I get ideas!" Fleur accused him irritably.

"Morning to you too, slept well?" Harry asked.

"Sure," Fleur said grumpily.

"I could do with a bath as well, you wouldn't mind?" Fleur asked putting her hand in the water.

"Help yourself," Harry replied, Fleur undressed quickly and slipped into the water. Somehow the awkwardness of being naked alone had vanished and it only felt good to have company.

They had a good time splashing water and foam at each other until they really had to get down to the great hall to get some late breakfast. As it turned out most students and teachers had a late breakfast due to the long night.

"I wish you didn't have to leave so soon," Nancy said sadly. She was one of the teachers that also had a late breakfast, "We've had so much fun."

"Yes," Fleur agreed, "Can't you come and visit us? I am sure Dumbledore wouldn't mind, he already knows you after all."

"Maybe, during the Easter holyday," Nancy said thoughtfully, "It would be fun to visit Hogwarts again."

"And then we could show you the shrieking shack and all," Harry said eagerly.

"Yes and you will love Tonks," Fleur said. She had told her aunt everything about Tonks and it was not hard to see how proud Fleur was to finally have a real friend.

"Well then, if you ask Dumbledore I will ask Olympe," Nancy said smiling slightly.

Harry suddenly realised that he had not given Fleur and Nancy anytime alone and even though Nancy didn't seem to mind his company at all he decided to leave them alone.

"Is that the care of magic care teacher?" Harry asked "Madam… Pedone?"

"Yes, want me to introduce you?" Nancy asked putting down her napkin and making herself ready to get up.

"No, I'll just go ask her about herbs," Harry said and got up from his seat.

"He's a veela deep inside," Fleur told Nancy quietly but not quite enough for Harry not to hear.

"Watch it or I'll sprout feathers," Harry joked and walked off towards Madam Pedone.

The care of magic teacher's English was terrible although they did manage to have a conversation. For the first time Harry managed to summon Vertex with his mere will. Madam Pedone was as eager to make his Phoenix acquaintance as everyone else had been and summoned several herbs for Vertex.

Harry lied and said that Fleur had forged their phoenix; he didn't want to give anyone another reason to talk about him. When his conversation with Madam Pedone was over he glanced up at the staff table where Fleur and Nancy sat talking in French and decided to sneak off to the guest tower with Vertex. He did not get far however he had just started climbing the first staircase towards his room when Fleur caught up with him.

"Potter!" She yelled angrily.

"Angel?" Harry replied uncertainly, wondering why she was upset.

"What did we promise before we left?" She asked sternly.

"Errr…" Harry said and racked his brain for anything he might have promised before he left Grimmauld place. Then it hit him he had promised Dumbledore not to leave Fleur.

"Not to leave each other," Harry said quietly.

"That's right and why do you think he would make us promise that?" Fleur pressed on.

"He doesn't think its safe," Harry muttered.

"What was that?" Fleur demanded.

"It is not safe," Harry said more clearly.

"That's right," Fleur said, glaring at him in the same way McGonagall usually did when she caught someone braking rules or behaving inappropriately.

"Don't give me that," Harry exclaimed, "I just wanted to give you and your aunt a moment alone."

"I am capable of speaking English if I want a moment alone I will tell you so," Fleur said imperiously.

"Well you haven't said a word about it in English or another language," Harry retorted he begun to feeling angry himself now.

"Then perhaps there is a tiny possibility that I didn't need a moment alone?" Fleur asked and the angry tune vanished.

"Sorry," Harry apologized, "I was only trying to be nice."

"You are already nice. Nancy thinks so too," Fleur said softly, "and don't look at me like I'm evil Vertex I was just worried because Harry left so suddenly."

Vertex who had been sitting petrified the entire argument fluttered over to Fleur's shoulder and made a smacking sound on her mouth several times in a row as if making out.

Harry snickered.

"That's really nice sweetie but one kiss is enough," Fleur said carefully when Vertex straitened up and sat as a regular bird on her shoulder. Vertex whistled a reply but it was clear to Harry and Fleur that Vertex had not understood what Fleur meant.

"We are going to have to bring that up with Ron and Hermione," Fleur stated seriously, "Especially if they do more."

"No," Harry said at once, "It's Hermione and Ron we are talking about they wouldn't do that!"

Fleur didn't reply instead she gave Harry a look that clearly said 'Wouldn't they'.

Harry blushed, he knew they might it had just not in his wildest dreams occurred to him that Ron and Hermione would ever do such thing, "Thanks for the mental image," He muttered.

"Oh come on it's not like it's a bad thing, they love each other," Fleur said smiling brightly, "Besides it's not like I think they have done it yet but if they do I don't want Vertex watching."

"Please can we just not mention Ron and Hermione in that way?" Harry asked, "I just like to think about it."

"Fine, I'll talk to Tonks about it instead," Fleur said teasingly, "She can be really giggly you know."

"Did you have to tell me that?" Harry complained, "There are reasons why certain things are called girl talk."

"I always thought that was because girls are in general in shame because of their opinions of men," Fleur said.

"I thought you knew how the male mind works?" Harry asked smiling slightly.

"Not all that mushy stuff I just know how to make things happen," Fleur replied also smiling though rather guiltily.

Nothing much happened that morning Fleur and Harry spent their last hours in Beauxbaton in Nancy's office promising to take care and send photos. Both Fleur and Nancy turned rather emotional and during lunch they could barley speak too each other. It was awful; Harry didn't know what to say or do to make them cheer up so he remained silent. When lunch was over Madam Maxime announced that Harry would be leaving and several of the students who had not asked him for autographs yet surrounded him with Quills and parchments on his way towards his and Fleur's room.

"Well see you later I guess," Fleur said when the three of them were alone and they had their bags packed next to them.

"I'll miss you darling," Nancy said hugging Fleur violently. Both of them let out loud sniffs when they pulled apart.

"You too Harry," Nancy said and hugged him briefly, "Don't do any thing to dangerous, be careful both of you and take precautions."

Fleur suddenly blushed scarlet for some reason, "We will," She muttered looking down.

"Good, well if the security isn't too tight we'll see each other this Easter," Nancy said and Harry started to put his invisibility cloak over himself and Fleur.

"Bye and thanks for the camera and everything," Harry said.

"Yes thanks, and take care of Vertex until he apparates back," Fleur said. They didn't dare take Vertex back with them on the portkey and since Vertex had apparated there he could probably apparate back.

"I will, don't worry about him, now go before I burst out crying," Nancy said and with a quick final bye, Fleur tapped the DVD and they whirled away through the colours.

Harry felt sick when the colours didn't end after a minute but managed to reassure himself that they were both perfectly safe and that they were just going strait back to Grimmauld place.

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Another chapter complete… prepare for chapter 30 Remus Remembers.

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