I don't own Harry Potter, and I'm doing this for fun, not profit. Please let that be a sufficient disclaimer!
...
Oliver Wood, Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team, was confused. No, he was more than confused, he was... what's a stronger word for 'confused'? 'Baffled'? 'Astonished'? Whatever the word was, Oliver knew that was how he felt. Here was a little firstie, who had barely any hours on a broom under him, who was probably the best seeker he had ever seen at Hogwarts already, and he... he... he wasn't sure about being on the team. He wasn't sure about being on the team!
Fred and George had made some kind of deal just to get him to try out, and after their first game – where Harry caught the snitch before the Hufflepuff seeker had even seen it – Oliver knew Harry was destined for Quidditch.
But after excitedly describing their new training regime – which would help them be the best! – Harry Potter had told Oliver he wasn't sure he wanted to be on the team!
"But Harry! This is Quidditch!", Oliver explained eloquently.
Harry gave an apologetic smile. "So you've told me. But with all the practises, I won't have enough time for everything else I want to do."
Oliver looked incredulous. "What could be more important than Quidditch?!"
Harry gave Oliver an 'are you serious' sort of look. Figuring the question might be genuine, he answered. "Plenty of things. Learning magic, spending time with friends and family, honouring my promise to my Godfather... lots of things."
Oliver sat down in shock. Thankfully, he was currently in the Gryffindor common room, so at least his chair was comfortable. After a few minutes, during which Oliver's brain had grappled with the complex paradox he had been presented with, he responded. "Is there anything I can do to convince you to stay on the team?"
Katie, who had been shamelessly listening in, suggested the obvious. "Oliver? How about only scheduling in one or two short training sessions a week? Two hours maximum per session?"
Oliver managed an expression that combined both horror and something akin to swallowing an entire bowl of lemons.
...
A few days later, Harry sort-of made a new friend, though he wished it had happened another way. Harry was thinking about his magical family, and perhaps Fleur in particular, on his way to the great hall to meet Cheveu for breakfast. He'd almost arrived when he saw a familiar head of rich, silvery-blonde hair in front of him. Without even thinking of the impossibility of his assumption, Harry had run towards the person. "Fleur?!"
No, it was not Fleur. It was a fellow first year; Slytherin, from the robes. As the young girl turned round, Harry noticed two things: 1. The girl's face looked very different to Fleur's; and 2. The girl was irritated. "Excuse me? I know I'm not as famous as the Great Harry Potter", the girl said, stressing Harry's name sarcastically, "but if you're going to randomly call out your classmates you could at least get their names right!"
Harry cringed internally. "Sorry, Daphne," Harry replied, glad he did at least know the girl's name! "I, erm, thought you were someone else. Your hair looks really similar to my best friend's, from the back"
Daphne, if anything, looked more irritated. "I look nothing like your friends. Who did you mistake me for?! Hermione? Katie? Neville?! Ron?!", she replied, stressing each name in turn. Daphne was feeling quite put out, internally: She had spent an hour on her hair that morning, and it looked particularly sexy if she did say so herself. If she could be confused for someone like Katie (she refused to believe Harry had mistaken her hair for Hermione's bushy mane!), she had done a far worse job than she imagined! Or Harry needed new glasses!
Harry shook his head quickly, recognising Daphne's rising irritation. "No, no, no-one you know. Fleur goes to Beauxbatons, so you've probably never met her."
Daphne gave Harry an 'are you an idiot?' look. "Then why did you think I was her?"
Harry blushed in embarrassment. He was an idiot! "Erm... because I was thinking about her, and she often has her hair like yours, and I guess I miss her, and... well..." Harry trailed off.
Harry was relieved when Daphne's lips turned up in a barely-concealed smile. He was less relieved when Daphne asked the sort of question all boys consider 'One Of Those': "So what does this 'Fleur' look like? Am I prettier than her?". Daphne knew full well what she was doing, but the opportunity to tease a celebrity like this was rare.
Harry, being only eleven, hesitated. It was exactly what Daphne had hoped for, and she schooled her features into a pretend outraged expression that Harry didn't see through. "You think she's prettier than me, don't you?!" Daphne accused.
Harry started stuttering. "Erm... But... That's not... I didn't say..."
"Fine!" Daphne demanded. "I bet you one Galleon I'm prettier than this Fleur!" She stuck out her hand, her expression demanding Harry accept.
Harry, with an expression of a deer in the headlights of a car, slowly reached out then and meekly shook Daphne's hand whilst replying, "Well, I didn't say... But, erm... Ok...".
Daphne could only hold her stern expression for so long, Harry's expression was just too funny. After a few seconds, she burst out laughing, and to Harry's horror and embarrassment he heard Cheveu's laughter from behind him a half-second after.
"Oh well done, Miss...?" Cheveu asked, through her laughter
"Greengrass. Daphne Greengrass. And thank you", came the entertained reply.
Harry took a few more seconds to realise that Daphne was teasing him, then his half-embarrassed, half-horrified expression turned to fully-embarrassed.
Daphne just laughed again. "Thanks for the morning entertainment, Mr. Potter. It was most satisfactory. If I ever meet this 'Fleur' in person, you can give me my Galleon then", she teased, then walked into the Great hall, carefree.
Harry just put his head in his hands, wishing to restart the day.
"New friend?" asked Cheveu, merrily. Harry merely groaned in reply.
...
The next day, in the Hogwarts Kitchens, four students were completing a business transaction.
"We've spent the last week..."
"...ignoring our studies..."
"No change there, brother of mine"
"Quite right"
"...so we could copy every secret passage marked on the map."
Cheveu asked carefully, "You've finished now?"
Reluctantly, the Weasley twins nodded, then slid the parchment across the table. Harry and Cheveu picked it up, then together said the magic words: "I solemnly swear I am up to no good!"
Immediately the marauder's map came to life, showing the whole of Hogwarts school (minus the chamber of secrets, Harry noted), along with every person currently within. It was done – Harry and Cheveu had retrieved the powerful magical artefact.
Fred and George stood up, mourning the loss of such a treasure. "Well, we best be off. Pranks to pull, and all that", George said, in an uncharacteristically sombre tone.
Harry held up a hand. "Wait a minute, guys." Then, holding up his mirror, he addressed someone else. "Uncle Sirius, are you there?"
A few seconds, and then Sirius appeared in the mirror. "Hey pup. Mission successful?"
Harry held up the map, smiling. "Mission Successful! But I have a problem, and a question."
Sirius sounded worried. "There's nothing wrong with the map is there? Was it Filch? I swear, if he's done something to it..."
Harry smiled and shook his head. "No, no, nothing wrong as far as I can see – though you'd know better than Cheveu and I!"
"Hi, by the way!", called Cheveu, popping her head in view.
"Hey cous'! Nice work, by the way – both of you" Sirius cheerfully replied.
"Anyway, back to the problem." Harry continued. "We obtained the map, but the only problem is that we believe you'd think the previous owners were worthy too.
"Cheveu and I wondered: if you had the map back, could you and Uncle Remus make a copy?", Harry asked, getting to the point.
The twins gave a look of hope and amazement to Harry and his mirror. However, before they spoke, Sirius had a question. "I don't suppose the previous owners are hot? Is that why you're going out of your way to help them?"
Cheveu laughed. "They're not bad looking, but Harry and I had something else in mind we might want from them."
...
Sirius and Remus promised to work on the map over Easter break. Given that Harry had already completed one of his main aims for the year, he was able to spend the rest of the term focussing on his other priorities – building friendships, doing well in classes and speaking to his magical family. And it turned out that the latter two could sometimes be done together.
"Uncle Remus, what about other uses of animal transfiguration?" Harry asked through the mirror, eagerly.
Remus chuckled. "How many more inches to go?"
Harry measured his essay, then replied. "One and a half?", he replied optimistically.
Remus smiled and shook his head. "Better make that two, knowing McGonagall. How about dealing with house pests?"
Harry gave his honorary uncle a curious look. "How do you mean?"
Remus began to explain. "Imagine you found some mice had gotten into your house. If you transfigure them into, let's say a fork, not only have you stopped the mice getting into your food, but you've gained something useful, too."
Harry nodded thoughtfully. "That makes sense. Thanks, Uncle Remus! Wait, but what happens when the transfiguration runs out?"
Remus grinned. "That's the second idea – doing that in someone else's house for a laugh. Imagine cancelling that same transfiguration mid-meal, then seeing your friend trying to eat potatoes with a knife and mouse. Sirius only laughed much later, after the bite marks had healed."
Harry was now giggling. Uncle Remus liked to pretend he was a sensible adult, but Harry had long ago learned he could be just as bad as Sirius!
After the call with Remus, Harry checked the time. It wasn't too late, so Harry tried calling Fleur.
"Fleur, are you there?", Harry called gently.
"One moment, my cherished!", Fleur called. The sounds of rustling fabric were heard, and then after a minute Fleur appeared in her nightie. "Good evening, 'arry!"
Harry smiled happily. "Hello Fleur! It's not too late, is it? You're already in your night clothes", he asked, making sure.
Fleur gave a sad smile. "Just tired after a long day, though talking with you would help."
Harry gave Fleur a concerned look. "Is everything ok?"
Fleur nodded, then explained. "It's just Pauline, that girl who dislikes me. I beat her in a test, and she was particularly mean because of it. It's nothing serious."
Harry frowned. Fleur had mentioned the girl a few times – for some reason she had taken a disliking to Fleur almost immediately; something about Pauline thinking Fleur was a liar?
Before Harry could respond, Fleur changed topics. "But enough sad talk. Tell me something good."
Harry thought for a moment. He had already told Fleur about Quidditch, the map, his lessons; maybe he should go for a failsafe option. "When I next see you properly, I'm going to spend an hour playing with your hair?", he offered.
Fleur's face held a pleased blush. He really did know how to make her feel better.
...
Fleur only had to wait a few weeks, as Dumbledore had again checked the blood wards around Privet Drive and concluded that Harry could stay with the Delacours over Easter, though he would likely need to spend most of the summer with the Dursleys in order for the wards to recharge.
When the Easter break arrived, Harry sat with Hermione, Ron and Neville on the train ride back. Hermione was keen to discuss homework assignments and Ron was keen to discuss anything except homework assignments. Unfortunately for Ron, Harry was willing to talk Potions and Neville was keen to talk Herbology. On the plus side, there were frequent visitors to their carriage, so conversations couldn't get too involved before there was an interruption.
Cheveu was the first to visit, checking in on her brother and planning when they might meet up over the holidays.
The twins visited next. Ron thought it was to see him, until the twins sat next to Harry and started talking animatedly with him; it was only when Ron voiced his disbelief that the twins started laughing and then talked to Harry and his friends for a few minutes.
Katie dropped by too, with the other two Gryffindor chasers – Alicia and Angelina. And if Katie received some suspicious looks from her fellow chasers, Harry didn't notice it.
Several other first years dropped by to say hello, including - to the surprise of most of the carriage – Daphne Greengrass. She had asked Harry something about a galleon, but Harry merely hid his face and refused to explain, whilst Daphne smirked and left.
Eventually, the train arrived in London. Harry saw that it was Appoline who had come to meet him; as soon as he noticed her he ran over and joyfully greeted his Godmother with a big, warm hug.
Appoline laughed and wrapped her arms around her Godson. "Hello 'arry, it's good to see you. Why don't you introduce me to your friends?"
Harry turned and saw that Ron, Hermione and Neville had come over to say hi. "Aunt Appoline, this is Ron, Hermione and Neville; they're first year Gryffindors like me. Ron, Hermione, Neville, this is my Godmother, Appoline."
"Erm, h...hello", greeted an awestruck Neville.
"Hello Appoline. You are Fleur and Gabrielle's mother, yes?", greeted Hermione.
Ron looked gobsmacked, except for his eyes which had glazed over.
Appoline chose to ignore Ron's reaction; she had experienced this enough times to be only slightly irritated about it. "'ello Neville, 'ello Ron, 'ello 'ermione. Yes, I am Fleur and Gabrielle's mother. I assume my Godson 'as talked much about them?"
Hermione smiled. "All the time, though I've also spoken to them both briefly through Harry's mirror."
Appoline smiled happily, and was about to reply when Harry asked a question. "Aunt Appoline, why are so many people staring at you?"
Appoline noted she was drawing a lot of stares, and sighed. "It's my allure, 'arry. We'd better go before I attract any more attention.
Harry nodded sadly; he had seen this reaction enough times over the years.
Saying goodbye to his friends, he held Appoline's hand as she whisked him away to France.
...
Within two minutes of Harry's arrival, he and Fleur were sitting on her bed. Harry was leaning against the headboard with Fleur in front of him, whilst Harry's hands were running through Fleur's hair.
Fleur was basking in pleasure, especially when Harry's fingertips began playing with the roots of her hair, massaging her scalp. And when his fingers caressed the side of her neck she moaned out loud.
"I'm sorry, did that hurt, Fleur?", Harry worriedly asked, stopping for a moment
"No, do it again, my cherished!", Fleur urged, a little desperately. "It felt so good!"
Harry smiled in relief, then added a light massage of Fleur's neck to the routine. Harry experimented a little, gently running his fingers up and down the sides of Fleur's neck, which she enjoyed; but when he ran his thumbs in small circles around the nape of her neck, Fleur moaned a little louder and Harry smiled happily at the achievement.
With the combination of hair playing and light massage, Fleur felt like her body was melting into a puddle of warm, pleasurable goo; when she moved in with Harry – which was still very much the plan – she vowed to herself that she would get him to do this every day, no matter what she needed to offer in return.
Harry, for his part, was enjoying the feelings that shot through his fingertips as he played with Fleur's hair. Her magic seemed stronger, as the sensations coursing through his fingertips felt even better than last time, a few months ago. Maybe, when they bought their house together, Fleur might be willing to let him do this every day.
...
A couple of days later, Gabrielle could be found giggling and laughing joyfully.
This was mainly because she was riding down the street on Harry's back – what five year old girl would turn down a piggy back ride from her big brother? – on their way to get an ice cream.
"Gabrielle, make sure you hold on tight! I don't want you to fall off", Harry advised.
"Ok 'arry!", Gabrielle merrily replied, then linked her hands together near Harry's neck, whilst Harry's hands supported her little legs.
"So, what flavour ice cream would you like?", Harry asked his little sister.
"Well, I like the strawberry and the chocolate, and I also like the pistachio", wondered Gabrielle allowed.
Harry thought for a moment. He risked spoiling Gabrielle's dinner, but it would guarantee him as the preferred sibling for at least the next few hours. "Why not all three?", Harry asked casually.
"Can I really? Do you really mean it?", asked Gabrielle, disbelievingly.
Harry laughed happily. "Anything for my wonderful little sister. Just try to leave space for some dinner, no?"
After arriving at the ice cream cafe (where Gabrielle was sad to climb down off of Harry's back), ordering their treats, and sitting down, Harry was reflecting on his relationship with his little sister. She was just so cute! He really loved Gabrielle dearly: how easily excited she was, how she would talk animatedly in their regular mirror time, how she would climb onto his lap and cuddle for stories, how she would give him an extra big squeeze goodnight...
Even sat here, eating ice cream together and hearing her chat away about her dreams ("maybe I can open my own ice cream cafe when I'm bigger!"), Harry's heart warmed. He knew that he would always be Gabrielle's big brother, and that he would need her to come visit often when he and Fleur got their house together.
...
The two weeks passed too quickly, and before long Harry was sat on the Hogwarts express, this time sharing a carriage with Cheveu and the Weasley twins.
Sirius and Remus had succeeded in creating another copy of the map; two in fact. It would have possibly taken years without the original map as a reference, but with it the two friends had recreated their prized possession. It was agreed that Harry should have the original, as his father had actively been involved in its creation. Cheveu had the second, so that she didn't need to share with Harry. And in Cheveu's hand was a third, for her and Harry to do with as they wished.
The twins were practically drooling at the thought of getting 'their' map back, even at such a high price.
"So we're all agreed?", asked Cheveu.
Fred and George nodded. "Absolutely. You drive..."
"...a hard bargain...
"...but the Marauder's map..."
"...is worth it."
Harry and Cheveu shared a glance, then both nodded. "Ok, you have a deal", Harry and Cheveu said together.
Fred and George took out their wands. "I, Fred Weasley, agree not to knowingly target Harry Potter or Nymphadora Tonks with any pranks. I also agree I owe Harry Potter and Nymphadora Tonks one legal, non-questionable favour each, to be collected over the next five years. So mote it be." A flash of light, then George repeated the same oath.
Harry and Cheveu handed the map over. "Pleasure doing business with you both!", Cheveu smiled.
"Oh no, the pleasure..."
"...is ours!"
"Just one question", Harry said. "What does 'non-questionable' mean again?"
Cheveu replied, "It means nothing sexual, nothing that would likely lead to physical harm, and nothing that would cause significant financial stress."
The twins nodded. They wouldn't have agreed to just any favour, even considering they trusted Harry and Cheveu. Even as it was, they hoped the favour was collected sooner rather than later.
...
The summer term passed without much fanfare. Harry's studies were going well, and in Potions he was starting to touch on some third year material. Harry was continuing to make friends, including some Hufflepuffs in his year. Harry easily won his second Quidditch game, outflying the more experienced Ravenclaw seeker; though Ravenclaw still won the cup, given how badly Gryffindor had done in their first game and how badly Slytherin had done since losing their captain. And Harry had spent plenty of time talking to his magical family, and making the most of time he could spend with Cheveu – often in the Hogwarts Kitchens.
Before long, Harry's first year was over. He had scored top marks in Potions (obviously) and even Defence Against the Dark Arts, and had done well in his other subjects too. He imagined things may have been a bit different if he had to endure the sort of Quidditch regime Oliver had initially planned!
On the train back, Harry spoke to several of his friends. There were many promises to write soon, some offers to meet up over floo (though that would need Sirius' help as the Dursleys didn't have a connection), and even invites to come stay from Ron and Neville (politely turned down, due to the need to recharge the blood wards and then spend time with the Delacours).
As Harry said goodbye to various friends at platform 9 ¾, Harry smiled happily. He was content.
...
Author notes:
I continue to be so grateful to those who favourite or follow Delacour Godparents – the reaction to the story continues to bring me happiness and motivates me to write faster. And thank you to those who motivate me the most – the wonderful ones who have reviewed – jimmy oz, healeroffates, N7 Greek-Valkyrie and Longerstrides; and to the hugely appreciated Arnie1701, Urgazhi, SKFF, alix33 (x2), Spider of Dreams, Smutley Do-Wrong and magitech who re-reviewed since last chapter.