Disclaimer: I own none of the things you already know of.
Harry Potter and the Smallest Change.
Chapter 38. Summer, Part 1. 1995.
Harry sat on the couch in the lounge room of Potter Manor.
Sirius and Amelia had already left, along with Susan and Orion.
Holly had taken Charlus up to bed as well, leaving Harry to sit across from his parents.
James looked tense and Lily bit her lip, a habit Harry knew she did when worried.
'Harry, what's wrong? Why did you want to talk to us in private?' Lily asked.
'Please don't tell us that Fleur is pregnant.' James asked, and Harry jerked back in his seat.
'No, no, that's not it at all.' Harry sputtered.
Lily's worried expression turned to confusion and James grinned, wiping his brow with an exaggerated motion.
Harry rolled his eyes and turned to his mother.
'A lot has happened since the Third Task. Fleur and I have come to the conclusion that Voldemort has been reborn.' Harry said.
His parents paled.
Harry took a deep breath and cleared his throat.
'Just hear me out. The Triwizard Cup was a trap. It took Fleur somewhere with dark wizards in wait. Someone entered Neville into the Tournament by a third party. His scar has been growing worse this year, and now since the Third Task it looks freshly made. I will happily show you the memories if you can get Padfoot's family pensieve.' Harry said.
James fell back against the couch, and released an explosive breath.
Both Harry and Lily turned to look at James.
'Dumbledore said Voldemort is back as well, and the Aurors office is getting increasing reports since the Third Task of gathering Death Eaters and sympathisers.' James said, and Harry sighed.
'Fleur and I have put together a rough plan to stop this madman from killing everybody.' Harry said and frowned at the disbelieving expressions on his parents' faces.
Harry huffed.
'I've read what happened in the last war. I can read between the lines when you guys talk to Sirius and Remus about the past. It's obvious how miserable Aunt Amelia is every Christmas when the anniversary of Susan's parents' death comes up. It's easy to have an idea about how bad it was.' Harry paused, meeting both their gazes.
'I know that if He comes back, our world will be plunged into darkness, whether or not he wins. If we win that war and he's no longer an issue, how long will it be before another Dark Lord pops up? It seems like one every forty or so years.' Harry continued.
James gaped and him while Lily cocked her head to the side.
'Go on.' She said, a frown on her face.
'I'm friends with a muggleborn girl who, as a fourth year, did not know how the Wizarding World works, how the Wizengamot is run. She knew nothing that every magical child is raised to know.' Harry said, and Lily's eyes widened while James stared.
'The plan that Fleur and I are working on involves cutting out the discrimination in Hogwarts and the wider Wizarding World, especially Britain.' Harry paused and noted how his mother's eyes shone and a small smile fought its way onto her face.
Harry ran a hand through his hair.
'The way things are now is a recipe for Dark Lords. I mean seriously, who could honestly believe that the Founders of Hogwarts sat there thinking "Well, we need a house in our School for the criminals and murderers."' Harry scoffed and Lily covered a giggle while James grinned.
'I have friends in every house. It is a school, nothing more.' Harry took a calming breath before smiling at his parents.
'But I'm going to need your help to make the plan work.' Harry admitted.
Lily leaned forward on the couch.
'What can we do to help in your revolution?' she asked, and Harry felt an involuntary shiver go down his spine.
He pushed aside the discomfort and forced a grin on his face.
Harry turned to his father.
'Dad, we'll need you to play politician, Sirius and Aunt Amelia too.' Harry said and James' face fell.
'Do I have to?' James whined and Lily rolled her eyes.
Harry laughed; his earlier discomfort forgotten.
'Yes, it's essential. I would do it myself, but the Wizengamot won't allow an underage Lord or representative. Feel free to appoint me to the stuffy old people's assembly when I'm officially of age.' He said, and his father's face brightened.
'Really? You'll take the Lordship?' he asked, hope in his voice.
Harry chuckled.
'I know you hate it. But I'll need it, or at least you, for my plan to work. Think of it this way, help with the plan and I'll take the Lordship off your hands.' Harry suggested.
James bounced in his seat.
Harry turned to his mother.
'Mum, for the plan to work, I think that we'll need to invest in the muggle world. They are having some amazing advancements, especially in medicine and it will make the family money. It will give us access to the muggle world which we can introduce to the magical world without them realising it.' Harry said and Lily beamed at him.
'If everything goes well, the Delacour's will be having this conversation right now. Fleur is confident they'll be involved.' Harry said.
Lily nodded.
'What else can we do?' she asked.
Harry sighed and looked at his father.
'Dad, I've got to take my OWLs this summer. I want to take my NEWTs at the end of my fifth year and that's the earliest I'm allowed to do it.' Harry said and James shrugged.
'So? I'll take you in to see old Marchbanks and do them then. Why do you look so down about it?' James asked.
Harry blinked.
'Really? I thought it was going to be harder than that. I thought I'd have to make a few shady deals or something?' he said, and James laughed.
'No kiddo, old Marchbanks owes me a few favours that she'll be happy to trade in so you can take your OWLs early. I know you could probably take your NEWTs now too thanks to your time shenanigans.' James added.
'There's not much left at Hogwarts for me to study, I just need to sharpen my skills.' Harry nodded.
Lily narrowed her eyes.
'Harry, you will not fight this war.' She declared.
Harry laughed, then blinked as he saw her face settle into a stern expression. He took a deep breath before he released it.
'Mum, this is what I've been preparing for since I was a little kid. To protect the ones that I love. If He is back, then we are in a war, whether or not we want to be. I'm not just going to sit by while He murders innocent people.' Harry declared, and James groaned.
'Harry, you can't beat him. He's too powerful.' James said, and Lily nodded beside him.
Harry ran his hands down his face.
'Guys, I'm not saying I'll go out and fight Him. I'm going to be involved and fight his minions. I'll let Dumbledore fight Him until he has no more minions, then weight of numbers will defeat him.' Harry deadpanned.
James blinked, and Lily laughed and smiled at Harry.
'How did we ever doubt you, Harry?' she asked.
Harry quirked an eyebrow in response.
'We thought you were just being a young overconfident teenager, rushing headlong into danger like a Gryffindor, like us.' She continued.
Harry rolled his eyes.
'That would be a horrible tactic.' He smirked and held his hands up in surrender as both parents glared at him.
Harry met his father's gaze.
'Have you read any books on muggle tactics?' he asked, and James frowned.
'Only the stuff in the Auror manuals, adapted from that muggle leader Julius Caesar.' James said and both Harry and Lily gaped at him.
'Maybe reach out to some squibs in the muggle military and have them instruct your Aurors on tactics.' Harry suggested.
James blinked.
'What would squibs be able to teach us?' he asked.
Lily glared at him while Harry facepalmed.
'Dad, that's the attitude that will get the Wizarding World into trouble someday.' Harry groaned.
James looked between both Harry and Lily.
'What did I say?' James asked, and Lily's glare intensified.
'You know what, you two can talk about that later. Right now, we have a few more things to discuss.' Harry said.
Lily blinked and turned her gaze from James to Harry.
'You've really thought this whole thing through, haven't you?' Lily asked.
Harry nodded.
'Fleur and I spent a long time working through these plans before the school year finished.' He said and James smirked.
'What else did you two do?' his father asked, and Harry blushed while Lily slapped the back of James' head.
James' grin faded after a moment.
'Harry, did you learn any more about what we talked to Dumbledore about in the Hospital Wing?' he asked and beside him, Lily's eyes narrowed.
Harry looked between the two.
'Can I assume dad has told you about conversation?' Harry asked, and his mother gave a small nod.
'Okay, I can tell you, but only with Fleur present, it's as much to do with her as me. I'll only tell the two of you if you really want to know.' Harry said, and both parents shared a quick glance.
'We want to know.' Lily said and Harry ran a hand down his face.
'This is more than my time shenanigans in the Room of Requirement. This is about Time Travel. If you still want to know, then I'll bring Fleur by at some stage this summer and we'll tell you about it, but it's not good.' Harry said, his gaze fell to his shaking hands.
His pocket vibrated.
Harry fumbled to pull out his ornate mirror Fleur gave him, and he turned back to his parents.
'It's Fleur.' He said, smiling.
Harry stood and turned to James.
'Dad, please get in touch with your friend Mrs Marchbanks about my OWLs and start thinking about how you'll make a grand entrance into the Wizengamot.' Harry said and turned to his mother, who wore a wide grin.
'Mum, can you consider some areas in the Wizarding World that would benefit from muggle innovations, then talk to dad about whether those things are done for a good reason?' he asked, and Lily blinked once before nodding with a confused expression on her face.
Harry grinned.
'Thanks guys.' He said before running upstairs to his room on near silent feet.
The next few days saw Harry fall into a routine similar to that of every summer before. Training with James and Holly on the expansive grounds of the Potter estate.
Except this time, Charlus demanded to join in and throw rocks at Harry alongside Holly.
A few days later, Sirius and Susan joined in on the morning training sessions and Harry spent hours dodging attacks, both spell fire and rocks.
He used his wandless magic to deflect what spells and rocks he could, often leaving him untouched by the end of the exhausting training session.
A week into the break, Harry stood on a hill overlooking the Delacour estate and the lake in the distance in which he could see muggle boats sailing on.
The mid-morning sun shone and warmed his skin. He remembered how warm France was compared to his chilly homeland.
Moments later, Fleur wrapped him in an embrace, a beaming smile across her face. She kissed him with a familiar passion, and he returned her kiss with equal fervour.
Their kiss was cut short, as Gabrielle wrapped them both in a hug.
'I'm glad that you're 'ere 'Arry. Fleur 'as been sad wizout you around.' She said in heavily accented English, and Harry looked down at the little Veela and returned her embrace.
'I've been sad too.' Harry said with a grin.
Gabrielle pulled away from him and looked up at him with wide eyes before turning to Fleur.
'Would you share him with me?' Gabrielle asked, falling back into French.
Harry blinked, and Fleur clamped a hand over Gabrielle's mouth.
'No, and don't say that anywhere near Maman or she'll be angry.' Fleur hissed.
Harry watched the two sisters as they stared at each other. Gabrielle wore a defiant expression for a moment before she let out a huff and hugged Harry again for a few seconds, then ran back toward the house.
Harry blinked and turned to Fleur, who wore a strange expression, almost shocked, but it was quickly replaced by determination.
'What just happened?' Harry asked, and Fleur sighed.
Fleur pulled him into a hug and buried her face in his neck. She mumbled something he couldn't hear.
'What was that? I couldn't hear you.' Harry said, pulling away to meet her eyes.
Fleur sighed again.
'Gabrielle has begun her maturity; she's started earlier than we all thought and she's considering staking a claim on you.' Fleur explained, and Harry blinked.
Fleur laughed. It was musical and filled Harry with warmth.
'You remember how Veela are territorial, yes?' she asked, and Harry nodded.
'But doesn't she already know we-' he began, but Fleur gave a grim smile.
'Yes, she does. But I haven't…' she trailed off and blushed.
Harry frowned.
'Haven't what?' he asked.
Fleur huffed.
'I haven't marked you. The mark shows other Veela that you are well, mine, for lack of a better term.' She explained, the blush crept up her cheeks.
Harry gave her a soft smile, leaning closer to her and he captured her lips in a kiss. It was gentle and spoke of more than just passion. He pulled back and looked into her eyes.
'Whatever this mark is, I'll happily bear it.' He said, and she buried her face in his neck.
'You're an idiot. Don't you want to know more about it before agreeing?' she asked, and Harry wrapped his arms around her waist.
'If it's a part of being with you, then I'll bear it.' He whispered.
Harry pulled away and cupped her face in his hands, his emerald eyes locked with her ice blue.
'I love you, Fleur. You are everything to me. Now, if it'll make you feel better, you can explain the mark to me.' He said, and her eyes watered.
'I can always ask your mother about it if you'd rather?' Harry asked and Fleur paled.
'No, no. Maman would give you every intimate detail and take great pleasure in explaining every aspect of the process.' Fleur whispered.
Harry laughed.
'How about we go inside, and you explain this mark to me later when we're alone?' he asked, and she grinned up at him and took his hand.
She batted her eyelashes at him and ran her spare hand across his muscled chest.
'We might be a little distracted later when we're alone.' She purred.
He grinned and leaned in closer to kiss her.
'Then that explanation will have to wait.' Harry whispered as he broke their kiss.
Fleur beamed and led him by the hand toward the Manor where Dominique stood by the door with a wide smile.
'Took you two long enough. Harry, I'm so glad to have you back here. I heard you two had a busy year at Hogwarts. Sorry I wasn't there as much as I would have liked.' He said and pulled both Harry and Fleur into a hug.
Harry smiled at the man after the hug ended.
'We did have an exciting year. But it gave us the opportunity to consider what we're going to do over the next few years.' Harry said, and Dominique gave him a quizzical look.
Dominique gestured for them to follow him as he turned and walked inside.
'Come, Apolline will be back soon.' He said as he led them to the stately lounge room.
Fleur led Harry to the two-seater couch and Gabrielle sat in a nearby chair while Dominique took a seat on the couch opposite to Harry and Fleur.
Apolline stepped into the room through the Floo and without breaking stride, she walked past Harry's couch and kissed the top of his head before she sat beside her husband.
Apolline beamed at him and Fleur.
'I'm sorry I wasn't present for your arrival. I had some issues to deal with at Gringotts.' Apolline said.
Her eyes darted toward Fleur for a moment before she looked down at the coffee table.
'Hopsy.' Apolline said and a moment later the House-Elf appeared in the room beside Apolline's couch.
'Mistress?' Hopsy asked, and Apolline smiled at the creature.
'Could we get some refreshments please?' she asked, and the little House-Elf disappeared with a pop.
A few moments later, the coffee table held three cups of tea and a coffee.
Apolline took the coffee and sipped at it.
'Fleur told us some parts of what happened at Hogwarts this past year.' Apolline said and blew on her coffee.
She placed the steaming cup on the coffee table.
'Gabrielle, can you please go to your room until we are done? I'll come up to get you when we are ready.' Apolline asked.
Gabrielle pouted and turned to Harry with pleading eyes, earning only an apologetic shrug from him. She sighed before she stood and hugged Harry. She gave Fleur a sweet smile, then flounced out of the room.
Apolline turned to Harry, her warm smile still on her face, but it hid something else that he couldn't see.
'Harry, what interested Dominique and myself is what my daughter didn't say in her tale. She told us of the two women who you confronted in the First Task and how they interrupted the other two tasks. But she refused to say any more on the matter.' Apolline said and from the corner of his eye, Harry saw Fleur's jaw clench at her mother's prying.
Harry smiled and placed a calming hand on Fleur's thigh.
He looked between Apolline and Dominique and sighed.
'The truth is not something that you will believe at first. I haven't told my parents, but they want to know. If they still do when I get back to Britain with Fleur, we'll tell them then. Dumbledore knows only the smallest part and does not seem to want to know any more than that.' Harry explained and turned to Fleur, who nodded at him before he turned back to her parents.
'Tell me to stop at any stage, okay?' he asked.
Harry waited until they shared and look and nodded at him.
Harry took a deep breath and squeezed Fleur's leg.
'Both of the women I confronted in the First Task were from the future.' Harry started and spent the rest of the day telling the elder Delacour's everything, with Fleur's assistance.