CHAPTER 46: France
Harry had found what he would be working on during his transfiguration block. He was so interested, in fact, that he was going to spend much more time than that learning the technique. He was determined to perfect it by the time the final battle was upon him. He would spend whatever other time he had continuing to train on casting spells left handed and his wandless magic. But nothing was on his mind more often than Aodhan's revenge.
Harry decided that he would put the fourth compartment of his trunk to use. He spent nearly all of his free time for the rest of the week in that trunk. He was so excited about the new fighting style that he was able to push himself and nearly perfect his accuracy with his left handed casting. The first time harry spent any free time out of his trunk was when McClaggan called him into his office Friday night before the trip. When Harry arrived at the Defense classroom McClaggan was sitting on top of his desk staring at the far wall.
"Er-Yes, professor?" Breannan seemed to snap out of his daze.
"I see your not to upset by your lack of success."
"How'd you know I wasn't succeeding?"
"Everybody who sees it is obsessed with it until they figure it out and nobody perfects it for quite a while. I believe I was the quickest to master it and it took me a few months." Harry considered his teacher before responding.
"What if someone had elven powers helping them along?" McClaggan looked surprised.
"But you don't have Elven-" The Scot stopped and narrowed his eyes at Harry. "Two different, unlinked powers? That's an interesting thought…"
"I'm not sure if they are unlinked or not, I still don't know where the powers come from. There could be a connection in their origin but I have no way of knowing."
"Then how do you know its an elven power?"
"Talisian told me." After seeing McClaggan's raised eyebrow he explained all about the meeting with the Elven Council after jumping from Gryffindor Tower.
"And he didn't mention how you may have gotten this power?" Harry shook his head.
"No. Dumbledore seems to think my other power comes from being the descendant of Merlin though." McClaggan's eyebrows shot up.
"Oh? Why does he think that?"
"Because I found some book called the Book of Merlin in the Room of Requirement. Supposedly only the heir of Merlin would be able to find it." McClaggan laughed.
"That's just an old wives tale."
"So was the story of the Half Blood Prince until I met you." McClaggan smiled at the retort.
"That story is more rubbish than you know. I can tell you that you are not the heir of Merlin. You forget my own history, I am a direct descendant of merlin. I make it my business to know who could be related to me and your name never crossed my path."
"But what about Merlin's special ability breaking magical wards?" McClaggan shook his head.
"What most people don't realize is that Merlin was so great because he was the first wizard to focus his magic through something other than a wand. He used a staff without any kind of magical core. That is the only barrier he broke." Harry looked thoroughly beaten now.
"Why would Dumbledore lie about that?" McClaggan looked at him carefully before choosing his words.
"It wasn't so much a lie to you as it was a message. I'm not going to get into that just yet but I will soon. I haven't really lied to you yet."
"You haven't really lied to me or you haven't lied to me?" McClaggan smiled and shook his head.
"The one lie, or half truth, I told you has something to do with Dumbledore's lie. Let me figure out the best way to explain it and I'll tell you. I promise I will tell you soon though." Sensing that he wasn't getting anything else out of the Highlander Harry left to prepare for the next day's trip.
The next day Harry met McClaggan in his office and headed to the Great Hall for breakfast. They were running a little late so they decided to grab some muffins for the road. When they got back to the office McClaggan turned to the Boy-Who-Lived.
"You still mad about last night?"
"Not as long as you tell me sooner than later." He responded with a smile, only half joking. McClaggan laughed.
"I'm going to floo right to my friend's house. Here's the address, if you finish early stop by, I'm sure he'd let you in." He said with a wink before tossing some powder into the fire and stepping inside. Harry watched him go before dissapearing with a crack.
When Harry reappeared he was standing behind a man drawing funny caricatures of bypassers. Harry walked quickly from the shadows and into the gathered crowd.
"Il est très bien, non?" A pretty blonde girl about Harry's age said while batting her eye lashes. Harry had no idea what she had said but knew it was a question. He realized that 'non' was probably no and she was prompting him to say it so he turned to her and smiled.
"Non." He said, thinking he was brilliant. She gave him a dirty look and made her way to the other side of the crowd. Apparently it was the wrong thing to say.
"Harry, you must'nt speak if you do not know ze language!" A thick French accent whispered in his ear. Harry turned around to see Fleur Delacour, looking as beautiful as ever, standing behind him and laughing.
"What'd she say?" He asked dumbly.
"She said 'he iz very good, no?' You were supposed to say 'yes, he is.' But you did not." Harry flushed and she laughed again. "How have you been?" She asked, swooping down to give him a kiss on each cheek.
"I've been great, you?"
"Very well, merci, let us walk." She linked her arm in his and they strolled down the path like lovers out for a romantic stroll. Almost every male they passed tried to stare Harry down. "Ze Chancellor, as I have said ez a proud man. I am not optimistic about our chances, but we must try. Madame Maxime has contacted me about ze friends she told you about. Are you able to apparate or are you still too young?" She said with a flicker of a smile.
"I can apparate. You have a picture of where you want to go?" She smiled and pulled a photograph out of her jeans pocket and made a big deal about showing it to him.
"And zis iz where I stayed last summer, 'arry." She said in a loud voice. She winked at him and pulled him into an empty street. Harry was caught off guard by the sudden movment but quickly regained his balance. "I 'ope you were not just trying to eempress me by saying you can apparate?" She said with a mischievous grin. Harry returned the smile and disappeared.
When they reappeared they were in a confortable, if not oversized, house. Harry immediately recognized it as Madame Maxime's not because he had seen it before but the only other person with furniture that size was Hagrid.
"Allo, 'Arry!" Madame Maxime said in a very cheery voice as she entered the room. Harry wasn't sure whether he was supposed to try to shake her hand, hig her, or give her a kiss so he just stood there and let her make the first move. She held out her hand, palm down, and Harry wasn't sure if he was supposed to shake it or kiss it. He remembered the sight from fouth year of Dumbledore, as tall as he was, barely having to bend to kiss the large hand. Harry decided to do the same and kissed the offered hand. Apparently it was the correct choice because Madame Maxime usherd them into two seats looking happier than Mrs. Weasley whenever Harry showed up.
"How have you been, Madame Maxime?" Harry asked kindly.
"Very well, merci. I understand zat you have a meeting with ze Chancellor, so I will not keep you long. I wished to introduce you to one of ze friends zat I mentioned in ze letter." At that point the door opened and a black haired, bearded wizard walked in. He walked quickly and his eyes darted around the room before settling on Harry. "Zis is Francois, 'e is a member of a razzer secret organization here in France. If he wishes to explain it to you zat iz his choice. I will leave you to it." She got up and walked back through the door.
"I'm sure you've got a busy schedule so I'll make this quick." He said in perfect English. "A few of my friends and I have been keeping track of what is going on with Voldemort, frankly it's our jobs to know what happens in other countries. We do not have to directly report to anyone unless we discover something of national interest. In my opinion if we happen to be in the battle when it begins there is not much we can do but fight." Harry understood what the man meant but he continued anyway. "What our employers don't know can't get us fired." He said with a smile.
"I appreciate the offer. When you say friends, how many people do you mean?" The man smiled.
"I advice you not to ask questions like that to the Chancellor, he will see it as very arrogant and too straight forward. Including myself five men wish to join your ranks. Five may seem like a small amount but I assure you we are battle tested and very good under fire. We've also all been highly trained in covert operations, mainly sneaking around in a jungle or forest somewhere."
"Good to know. As I said I appreciate the offer, we could use any help available. You may want to get to the school as soon as possible, Voldemort could attack any day and I want to make sure you can find your way around the school and grounds."
"Of course. If you need any help finalizing the battle tactics I would be glad to help." Harry smiled realizing that he had promised every ally a look at the final plans.
"I'll make sure to run them by you." The man stood and offered his hadn to harry, concluding the meeting. He shook hands with both haryr and Fleur before exiting.
"Take a look at zis picture, it is our next stop. We are running late so we better hurry."
When the two reappeared Fleur once again linked arms and began strolling. They only had to walk a short distance before Harry realized where they were.
"I recognize that! I saw it in a picture!"
"Zat is L'arc de triomphe. Many people zey believe zat zis structure was commissioned by Napoleon to 'onor his victory at Austerlitz. Ze real reason iz zat he wished to be ze first Chancellor of Magique so he had zis built as ze ministry."
"I didn't know Napoleon was a wizard." Fleur flashed her beautiful smile at him.
"Zat is because we do not parade ze fact. How do you think he controlled all ze soldiers? He was not a brave or smart man, he was powerfully magical. 'E was a…how you say…megalomaniac?" When Harry nodded she continued. "'E 'oped zat his victory for France and zis building would be enough for his election, but it was not." Harry took in the giant structure and the story behind it.
"So how do I get inside?"
"You see ze door over zere?" She said, pointing to a small, metal door at the base of the arc."
"Yes."
"Good, ze muggles cannot. Walk through ze door and you will be inside ze ministry."
Fleur led Harry through the door and into a brilliantly lit lobby. At the far end of the lobby was a large desk with a sign that said Bienvenue. Fleur led him through the hallway, which waas bustling with busy looking wizards to the desk.
"Bienvenue à la Ministrie." Fleur spoke in rapid French to the welcome witch who waved towards the elevator.
"She says zat ze Chancellor will see us in a few minutes. Until zen we should just wait by hiz office, 'Arry." She grabbed his hand and led him towards the elevator. Harry tried to pick up snippets of conversation between the two elderly wizards riding with them but they were speaking too fast. When Harry looked up he realized that Fleur was watching him. "I am coming to 'ogwarts to help."
"Fleur you don't-" Harry began but he was interrupted by a dismissing wave by the blonde.
"I know zat I do not have to, but I wish to help. You were very good to me when I visited, it iz only right zat I help you now." Harry considered her for a minute before responding.
"Thank you. Viktor will be coming too I think."
"I've not seen Veektor since ze triwizard tournament! C'est fabuleux!"
'Does that mean fabulous?" Fleur laughed.
"Oui. I'll make a deal with you. When I come to 'ogwarts you can help me with ze eenglish and I'll help you with French." Harry smiled as the doors to the lift opened.
"It's a deal." Harry responded following fleur into the corridor. After a very short walk they arrived at a set of large, decorated double doors. In front of the double doors was a very young, pretty secretary who spoke with Fleur in rapid French. Harry took a seat in a rather uncomfortable high backed wooden chair. Harry realized that it was more for decoration than comfort.
"Ze Chancellor iz just finishing up a conference call. 'E will see us soon." Fleur leaned in towards Harry to whisper in his ear. "But do not hope for it to be a long meeting. Eef you 'ave no miracle up your sleeve 'e will kick us out like zat." She said, snapping her fingers for emphasis. After a short wait the secretary called over to Fleur and beckoned them towards the large double doors.
"Here we go." Harry said with a grim smile on his face. It was odd, he thought, that he didn't feel nervous at all. He assumed it was because there was no real pressure on him, no one expected him to actually get the Chancellor to help.
The doors opened and Harry found himself stepping into a huge room with a Persian rug in the center where a large desk sat. The desk had quite a few instruments on it including several phoenix feather quills, which were supposed to be impossibly difficult to get, a few photographs of the Chancellor and other important people, and dragon hide suitcase.
Looking around the rest of the room Harry saw that the wall paper was a light red with gold colored borders. Upon further inspection Harry realized that the borders were actually gold fixtures, not just paint. There were several portraits of past Chancellors, all of whom were eying Harry suspiciously past their upturned noses.
"Monsieur Potter, it is nice to finally meet you." The Chancellor said, standing from his plush looking chair and walking around his dsk to greet the visitors. He shook Harry's hand quickly with a firm hand, completely ignoring Fleur. A lightbulb flashed and Harry had the strange feeling that he would soon be on the Chancellor's desk. When the Chancellor turned to walk back around his desk Harry made eye contact with her.
"'E does not like to meet wiz women, just pretend zat I am not here." Harry, upon hearing this, had a better idea.
"Where are my manners." Harry said in a self-deprecating voice. Mr. Chancellor, I forgot to introduce you to Miss Fleur Delacour. I met her at the triwizard tournament two years ago. She was the champion from Beauxbatons." The Chancellor stopped abruptly and turned to eye Harry. He shifted his gaze and looked at Fleur before bowing his head ever so slightly.
"How do you do? Please take a seat, would you like anything to drink?" He said in his flawless English.
"No thank you, Mr. Chancellor. I wouldn't presume to waste your time so why don't we get straight to business." The Frenchman narrowed his eyes at Harry and watched him before responding.
"Yes that would be best, I have a very full day. It was something of a wonder I was able to fit you in at all."
"Well I do appreciate that, Mr. Chancellor. You have heard, I am sure, of the man who refers to himself as Lord Voldemort?"
"Yes of course, he caused quite a ruckus with your ministry a few years ago, did he not?" Harry nodded glumly.
"Unfortunately it was something more than a simple ruckus, Mr. Chancellor. He went on a rampage killing any person who wasn't a pure-blooded wizard or who didn't agree with his beliefs or methods."
"But he was killed when he fired the curse at you, I am familiar with the story, Mr. Potter." He sneered.
"No, he wasn't killed. Voldemort had certain protections that kept him from being killed. He was biding his time until he could regain enough power to return. When I took hold of the triwizard cup two years ago he had his servant do a ritual that gave him that power. Last year he made his first appearance to battle Albus Dumbledore. No, Mr. Chancellor, Voldemort is alive and kicking."
"And you think he is up to the same old tricks?"
"Yes, Mr. Chancellor."
"Well than why have I heard nothing of mass murders? If he was truly the monster you say he is than wouldn't he have made some progress towards his old goals?"
"He's preparing for war. He's not acting in the shadows like he did last time, he isn't settling for killing half-bloods and muggles. He wants everything, complete power. He can't do that by killing a bunch of civilians, he can only do that by waging war with the ministry and with Hogwarts."
"Why would he wish to do battle with a school? Sounds silly to me. If he wants control he will fight your ministry."
"If he wants to destroy our ministry he has to destroy the only wizards that can stand up to him. He has to destroy Albus Dumbledore and I. With us in the picture he wouldn't dare try to assume control."
"You give yourself quite a bit of credit. If he really feared you as you say why hasn't he sent his assasins after you?"
"He has, repeatedly. Aside from the Lethifolds that failed to kill me last week I've killed three of his most trusted lieutenants when he sent them. He has to do it himself and he knows that so he's mustering a force that can bring him the opportunity to destroy us."
"And you want me to help by giving you some of my men to repel this assault?"
"Yes, Mr. Chancellor."
"And when is this attack going to happen?" Harry shook his head.
"I don't know for sure, but he won't waste time. He'll probably attack before the end of the year."
"But you don't know?" Harry shook his head again. "So you mean to tell me that you wish to borrow some of my best fighters for an indefinite amount of time when this foe of yours hasn't even been able to kill a sixth year student or some muggles?"
"He has killed a few muggles but he isn't coming out in the open long enough for us to strike back, not yet. He comes out to kill people that he needs dead. He killed a friend of mine who happened to be Hogwarts Champion in the tournament two years ago. He killed my aunt and uncle because they gave me protection, he killed two aurors and a teacher that sided with Dumbledore and I, and he killed my girlfriend to try to rattle me. If he came after me personally he might succeed in killing me, but he hasn't yet. He is waiting for the right time to strike, but when he does make no mistake, a lot of people will die."
"And you wish me to risk the lives of my own men for a battle that will have no affect on France?"
"If you honestly believe having Voldemort in control of Britain will have no affect on France than there is no point in speaking with you any further. You're obviously too stupid to see what is going on. Honestly I don't know why you agreed to see me, you had already made up your mind before I got in here." Harry spat as he stood up to leave. The Chancellor jumped up in outrage, his face turning purple just as Uncle Vernon's had when he got mad at Harry.
"How dare you speak to me like that! You had your chance and you made no worthwhile argument to change my mind! Get out of my office!" Harry bowed in a mocking gesture and turned to leave. On the way out the Secretary handed him an envelope.
"Zis is ze photo of you and ze Chancellor. 'E is vairy egotistical, 'e thinks it iz a great gift." Fleur whispered to him. For some reason Harry held onto it.