I don't own Harry Potter, and I'm doing this for fun, not profit. Please let that be a sufficient disclaimer!
...
Vernon Dursley was relieved. He had spent the last week stressing over a serious problem, trying to find a solution that didn't seem to exist, but it had been neatly solved for him. Yes, other people solving his problems was for the best.
The problem was simple to describe: despite Doing The Right Thing by taking in his nephew, Vernon (and Petunia) did not like the idea of magic, at all. But now Harry had spent a year at that... place... he would surely be doing magic all the time! He couldn't force his nephew not to do magic (after all, he may get an unwanted visit from those French sorts), and he couldn't just throw his nephew out (as he was one of Dudley's friends, as well as family).
But Harry had solved the problem as soon as he got home. "It's ok Uncle Vernon, I've given my Godfather all my magical things so you don't need to see them", stated Harry. It wasn't quite true – he still kept his mirror and his Delacour wand – but Vernon would be happier living in ignorance.
Harry watched the tension plummet off of Vernon's face, then saw... was that a smile? "Oh. Well. Yes, that's... Yes, that's very decent of you Harry. Well come on in, and welcome home."
Harry stepped inside, then heard rapid footsteps. "Harry!", cried Dudley. "I missed you! Tell me all about your year!"
Harry and Dudley shared a warm but brief hug, then Dudley led Harry upstairs, for the cousins to properly catch up... away from any grown-up who might not like parts of the conversation.
"So, Harry", began Dudley eagerly. "How is magic school? Have you made friends? Have you got a girlfriend yet? Is it Fleur?"
Harry was eager to answer the first two questions, but blushed at the second two. He hadn't really began Noticing (with a capital N) girls yet, but it was still an embarrassing conversation! Well, this was Dudley, his only blood cousin and one of his best friends, so he would try not to get too embarrassed.
...
Something was not right. Harry had asked her to write him a letter, which she had done within a day or two – something her mother found far too interesting – but almost two weeks later there had been no reply! She knew boys could be dense sometimes, but she thought better of Harry.
She was a little worried if she was honest – what if something had happened to him? Maybe she should check in – after all, she had his address to write to him, and there were a few transportation options she had.
So, after a few minutes of planning, and checking in with her mother ("I don't see why not, it sounds like a sensible thing to do"), a determined witch started the journey to number 4 Privet Drive.
...
Dobby, a mistreated house-elf, was panicking. He had been intercepting Harry's owl mail, in an attempt to make Harry believe his friends didn't really care about him, but that clearly wouldn't work now, as a young witch had just stepped off the Knight Bus and was walking towards Harry's house!
Dobby watched as a man opened the door, then a half-minute later Harry appeared and the witch threw her arms around him in a hug. The two had started talking, but Dobby couldn't hear from where he was, so he popped closer.
"...to see you! I was getting a little worried when you hadn't replied to my letter", Harry stated.
"Your letter? I didn't get any letter! And I did send you a letter, and was wondering why you hadn't sent me a reply!", replied the witch, confused.
Harry looked very confused. "What's been happening to my mail then?", he wondered aloud. Then, in a minor panic, "Who else has tried sending me a letter that I don't know about?!
"Well, come on in and we can catch up properly", Harry invited.
The two went inside, and a minute later went up into Harry's room. Dobby needed to pop closer again, but he would be seen when he did – there was no hiding in a bedroom. Making up his mind for a minute, Dobby nodded in determination – he would keep The Great Harry Potter safe!
...
Harry was feeling pleased and relieved. He had been a little worried when he hadn't got any letters, but the fact that one of his friends had cared enough to check on him made him feel warm and fuzzy inside. But what had happened to his letters? The answer came sooner than expected when a small creature appeared literally out of thin air.
"The Great Harry Potter, sir, and The Great Harry Potter sir's Caring Friend!", cried Dobby.
"Woah, who are you, and how did you get in here?", asked Caring Friend.
"I is Dobby, miss, and I be here warning The Great Harry Potter of great danger at Hogwarts!", stated the creature, dramatically.
"Great danger?", asked Harry. "What danger?"
Dobby started twisting his ears painfully. "Dobby can't be telling you! He's being a bad house elf just coming and warning you!"
The witch held up her hand. "It's ok, Dobby. What can you tell us?"
Dobby twisted his ears a little more. "There will be a great danger at Hogwarts this year, and Harry Potter can't go back! He won't be safe!"
The witch tried a different approach. "Is it a magical artefact?" Dobby stayed still. "An evil wizard or witch?" Dobby stayed still. "A magical creature?" Dobby started twisting his ears even harder, then whimpered, "Dobby shouldn't be telling you!"
The witch looked concerned at the information, so carried on the questioning, carefully. "So a dangerous magical creature. Is someone bringing it to Hogwarts?" Dobby stopped his whimpering, shaking his head a little. "It's a dangerous magical creature already in Hogwarts?" Dobby pulled at his ears so much Harry was afraid he would rip them off.
But Harry now had a suspicion, and with a curious look he asked a very direct question. "Is someone planning to release the Basilisk that was hidden in the school?"
The witch gave Harry a confused look, but Dobby's mouth just fell open in shock. "How did the Great Harry Potter know?!"
Harry's reaction was one that neither Dobby nor the witch had expected – he laughed! And not just a little laugh, but Harry had collapsed in laugher!
"Harry, a basilisk is no laughing matter! Bloody hell, I'm not sure I want to go back to Hogwarts!", the witch stated dramatically.
Harry tried to slow his fit of laughter enough to get out a reply between laughs. "It's already dead, Katie! I helped Dumbledore access the secret chamber years ago! Whoever goes into that chamber looking for a basilisk..." Harry started laughing again, and barely managed to finish his sentence, "... Can you imagine their face?!"
Katie Bell snorted. Then she started giggling. Then she joined Harry in full-blown laughter.
...
Harry spent a fun day with Katie, with Harry showing her his neighbourhood, introducing her to his Dursley family, and talking about Quidditch. Katie even treated him to lunch, given that it was nearly his birthday. Sadly, the day ended all too soon, and as Katie hugged Harry goodbye and shyly waved goodbye from the Knight Bus, Harry was hit by a worrying suspicion...
He was correct: he had a lot of letters to write, according to the stack of mail Dobby had surrendered back to him.
There were so many, in fact, that it took Harry two weeks to write all them all. It would have been sooner, but even more letters and packages came on his birthday, and he was trying to spend time talking to his magical family regularly, having the occasional dinner with Sirius, Remus or Cheveu, and spending quality time with Dudley.
Before Harry knew it, his time with the Dursleys was over, and he was saying goodbye to a saddened Dudley.
"I'll miss you, Harry! It's sad we only see each other in the summer", Dudley complained.
Harry nodded his agreement, then thought about it a little. "We could always try and meet up over Christmas and Easter, even just for a day", Harry suggested.
Dudley nodded eagerly. "Yes please, Harry!", then in a whisper, "Will you travel by magic?"
The doorbell sounded at that moment, so Harry just smiled and winked as a reply. One last hug between cousins, and Harry said goodbye, opened the door, hugged Sebastian and was whisked away to France.
...
"Fleur!"
"'arry!"
The two best friends ran towards each other and hugged tightly. Without the need for a word, the friends ran upstairs together to Fleur's bedroom, shut the door, dived onto Fleur's bed, cuddled up with each other very tightly, and started chattering away about the last four months... as if they hadn't spoken most days via the mirror.
Fleur was feeling torn. In some ways it was bliss to be like this with Harry: lying down on her bed, her head resting on his shoulder, her left hand running up and down Harry's arm, her legs entwined with his, and with Harry's right hand stroking her back. But in other ways it was exquisite torture: he still didn't show any desire to kiss her! He was now twelve, he should be thinking about girls non-stop! Especially when a fourteen year old, stunning, French girl was practically drooling over him! And given that he was drenched in her allure right now, he should be feeling something!
As if reading her mind, Harry's next comment proved he was feeling something, at least. "Fleur, I love it when I can feel your allure. It's stronger than before, and I feel like I can almost taste it." Then, as if unknowingly to tease her, Harry pulled Fleur tighter against himself, so that she could almost feel his heartbeat through their clothes.
Oh, if only he would try and taste her lips, Fleur thought! "Mmm... I'm glad you enjoy it. And I love when you hold me tight like this. But tell me, my cherished, what does my allure taste like?"
Harry chuckled, and given their closeness Fleur keenly felt the vibrations. It did not help her torture. "I said I could almost taste it. It makes me feel warm, and loved, and sometimes sort of makes me feel almost... I don't know", Harry explained.
Well, this could be progress, Fleur thought. Far from where she wanted to be, but then again her head still thought a long-distance relationship would be too hard. Her heart however, vehemently disagreed.
Sadly, Fleur didn't get to experience the pleasurable torture of being held by Harry for longer, as Gabrielle's voice called up impatiently, "Fleur! Stop keeping 'arry to yourself! I've missed him just as much as you have!".
Doubtful, Fleur thought, but not an argument worth having with her six-year-old sister.
...
Gabrielle was in heaven. She was sat sideways on her brother's lap, her arms wrapped around his chest whilst one of his arms cradled her and another ran fingers through her hair; Gabrielle was practically purring her contentment. And she smiled a big, adorable smile whenever Harry would absentmindedly kiss her head, right on the crown, like he always did.
They were chattering away, or at least Harry was – Gabrielle was just feeling too relaxed, as Harry fingers slid up and down through her long, silvery-blonde locks.
Harry was enjoying himself too – Gabrielle's hair was starting to feel a little more magical, and whilst it was nowhere near as strong as Fleur's, it still felt enjoyable to play with. Though it was making him feel a little calm and relaxed, which was strange – that was different to the tingling which Fleur's hair caused when he played with it. Something to consider another day.
The pair could easily have fallen asleep like that, with Gabrielle curled up on her big brother's lap, but Harry's chattering had just caused Gabrielle to have a Great Idea.
"Wait... say that last bit again?", Gabrielle asked a little sleepily.
"I said I wonder if I should try to learn how to give Fleur a better massage.", Harry repeated. "Just because she really seemed to like it when I massage her neck", Harry explained quickly.
By now, Harry's hands had stopped moving, allowing Gabrielle to come out of her relaxed stupor. "I think it's a great idea! And I think I know a book that might help", Gabrielle stated importantly.
Harry was now very curious. It hadn't occurred to him that a book might help, but now Gabrielle had suggested one it sounded obvious! Even better if there was one he could start reading later today! "Can you show it to me?", asked Harry eagerly.
Gabrielle nodded. "I'll go get it!"
A minute later, Gabrielle came back carrying a book. "Mama and Papa have this in their bedroom", Gabrielle explained.
Harry looked at the book curiously. "What does that word mean?" asked Harry, pointing to one of the title words of the book. "I know the first word – massage – but what's the other word?"
Gabrielle looked curiously. She tried sounding the word out, but no luck. "I don't know, I've never heard it before."
Shrugging, Harry opened the book. The first picture had him a bit worried. "She looks like she's frowning. That's not a good thing, no?"
Gabrielle returned Harry's shrug, then replied, "Maybe if you start reading, it will make sense?"
Later, Appoline would thank the fates that it was less than a minute before she and Sebastian came to see how Gabrielle and Harry were doing. They immediately spotted the book Harry and Gabrielle were sharing, and after squeaking involuntary Appoline rushed over to take it away.
"Mama, it's rude to snatch!", declared Gabrielle, outraged.
Appoline hastily thought up an excuse. "Sorry my little fly, but I'm not sure that book is one that you want to read."
Gabrielle replied determinately. "Yes it is, Mama! 'arry wants to learn how to give Fleur a massage, and your massage book would be perfect!"
Appoline had to try very hard not to either blush or laugh. Sebastian fared worse, as she heard him snort from just behind her. "I'm sure Fleur wouldn't mind", muttered Sebastian quietly.
"Sebastian! That's your daughter you're talking about!" exclaimed Appoline, half outraged and half amused.
"But am I wrong, my cherished?", Sebastian replied, amused.
Appoline tried not to giggle, and instead turned to Gabrielle and Harry. "These massages are much more difficult to do, and they're only for adults", Appoline explained, bending the truth a little. "You wouldn't want to hurt Fleur, would you?"
Harry shook his head rapidly in reply.
Appoline smiled, a little relieved. Sebastian then offered his suggestion. "Perhaps we could find you a more suitable massage book. We could go to the bookshop today, and choose something for each of you?". A classic distraction technique, and one that worked again.
However before they left, Appoline made sure to hide the book in a locked drawer. "Sensual Massage" was a very good but very adult book. She and Sebastian had put its information to lots of use, but it was not a book she wanted her children to read... at least not at their ages!
...
Harry had mixed emotions at the bookshop. Gabrielle had chosen another Harry Potter book, and had given him an unfairly adorable, wide-eyed gaze when she asked if he would read it to her at bedtime. But he had found a book called "Beginners' Massage", which Aunt Appoline had checked through and declared suitable.
The remainder of the day was good – dinner was Fleur's favourite fish stew, which Harry enjoyed. Harry was able to avoid reading Gabrielle the new book, at least for that day, as they had three chapters remaining from the book they had started earlier. And Harry even got a little time to read his new massage book, before he and Fleur went to bed.
...
A week later, and by unanimous vote, the Delacours and Harry were off to one of their favourite locations.
"HE HAS RETURNED!"
"Oh hell, not Idiot Simon again?! Quick, Barry, pretend you're asleep! Pretend you're dead! I can't eat another rat!"
"Not Idiot Simon, Geoff! It's The Chosen One – it's Harry!"
"YES! Oh, sweet merciful cobra! Harry, we've missed you so much!"
"Do they seem particularly excited today?", asked Fleur.
"Yes! They must be happy to see us!", exclaimed Gabrielle, excitedly.
"Hi Geoff, hi Barry. I missed you too. How are you?", Harry asked his favourite snakes.
"...well...", the snakes paused politely.
Harry laughed. "I understand. When did you last eat?"
"Six weeks ago", muttered Geoff.
"Why so long?", asked Harry worriedly.
"Because Idiot Simon tried to feed us rat again! And they weren't even nice rats, they looked like they died of plague!", replied Geoff.
"Smelled like something had chewed it and thrown it back up already", stated Barry, nodding wisely.
"But it'll all be alright soon, won't it, Harry?"
"Yeah, you're here to save our lovely, shiny skins, aren't you?"
Harry grinned, then called out, "Oh Godfather, are you there?"
As Sebastian walked round the corner and into view, the snakes cheered.
"VOLE WIZARD!"
"YES!"
Sebastian, who was chuckling at the snakes' obvious excitement – even if he couldn't understand what they were saying – turned to Harry. "Please ask these fine gentlemen what they would like for their dinner."
"Vole Wizard would like to know what...", Harry began, but was interrupted.
"V! O! L! E! VOOOOOOOOLE!", came Barry's usual request.
Harry laughed, then finished his sentence, "...what you fine gentlemen would like for your dinner."
"Did Vole Wizard really call us fine gentlemen?", asked Geoff?
Harry nodded. "Yes, because you are!"
"Oh, Harry, you charmer! But you already have a girlfriend!", teased Geoff.
"Wait, is Harry finally dating his best friend?", asked Barry. "I bet she was really pent up, Harry, you kept stringing her along for ages!"
Harry, blushing deeply, shook his head. "No, we're still just friends! And I'm not stringing her along!", Harry protested.
"Whaaaat? Boo! We really need to get your hormones working properly! Unless she's ugly, of course."
"Doesn't look ugly to us, but you can never be sure"
Harry shook his head quickly. "She's not ugly, she's really pretty! I mean... but..." Harry felt mortified; he needed to change topics. "ANYWAY, weren't you two hungry? What are you having, Geoff?"
Harry was pretty sure the snakes were laughing, but tried hard to ignore them. Eventually, an answer came. "You know what? I'll have vole, too. It's been a while."
"Yeah! Three cheers for voles!"
"Come on 'arry, you need to translate everything for us!", declared Gabrielle.
Inwardly, Harry knew there were parts of that conversation he would never reveal.
...
It was the evening before Harry would return to Hogwarts. He had enjoyed his four weeks with the Dursleys and his two weeks with the Delacours. He had finished all his homework, practised flying a little, and gotten even further ahead with potions. He had written to all his friends, with several letters each to Neville, Hermione, Katie and Ron. And he had been reading the massage book in his spare time.
He wasn't sure why he'd waited so long – he'd used the excuse of wanting to buy some almond oil for the massage, though perhaps he was a little nervous he wouldn't do a good job – but once Gabrielle was in bed, Harry told Fleur he wanted to try something with her.
So, a few minutes later, Fleur's bare feet were resting in Harry's lap. Then Harry warmed the oil in his hands, gently took Fleur's left foot, and began.
Over the next hour, Fleur decided she was going to marry Harry. There could be no other acceptable outcome. She had loved when Harry played with her hair, but this... Harry had gone out of his way to learn something new just for her, and it felt divine! Her feet had never felt so good!
Harry fingers had worked tension out of her that she didn't know she had! He had massaged her soles, her instep, even her heels! And he had done so lovingly, careful to work each and every tired muscle on each foot, applying just the right pressure – firm pressure on her heels and her soles, lighter pressure on her instep; he had even carefully and delicately massaged her toes, one by one!
Fleur had heard some of the older girls at Beauxbatons talk knowingly about foot massages, and she now understood. Had Harry wanted, and had he been less innocent in his ministrations, Fleur suspected he could convince her to try many things with him tonight. Though, if she was really honest with herself, that might not really be much different to any other night.
For his part, Harry was pleased Fleur was so obviously enjoying the massage – her quiet moans and whimpers told him everything he needed to know, and encouraged him to keep going, even when his hands started to feel a little tired. He also knew he would be returning to Hogwarts tomorrow, so wanted to treat his best friend in some way, before they were separated for a few months.
...
Author notes:
A huge thank you to those who follow or favourite Delacour Godparents – seeing more people doing so every day is a huge motivator that I'm so grateful for. Even more so, I'm grateful to those who motivate me most by reviewing: LorenzoRLima, Magnus Whitlock, Northmanlv, wowens and Earth Guardian 28; and the titans that are Arnie1701, Z-Arc34, Spider of Dreams, Urgazhi, SKFF, magitech and alix33 for re-reviewing since last chapter.
Magitech – hmmm... I think I might just have to include one of your mirror ideas.
Alix33 – Noted, and thanks. Sometime soon I'm going to have to blitz those typos... but for now I don't want to slow the story down!