Disclaimer: I own none of the things you already know of.
Harry Potter and the Smallest Change.
Chapter 41. Fifth Year, Part 1. 1995.
July ended with Harry's OWL results, straight O's. In the same envelope with his results, came his Apparition licence.
August saw Harry popping between Potter and Delacour Manors. The first few days had left him tired with the long-distance apparition, but he soon grew used to the strain and his magic sung as he used large amounts of his power with each trip.
Harry held off from using his wand for magic in case the Trace was still connected to it.
While at Delacour Manor, he spent most of his time with Fleur, who was preparing to move to Britain. Harry had convinced her to move into Potter Manor. There was plenty of room.
When he wasn't with Fleur, Harry was with Gabrielle, helping her to harness her growing powers.
Toward the end of the month, Gabrielle was familiar enough with her power and Occlumency that she could keep her growing powers in check.
Eventually, August thirty-first arrived. Harry and Fleur stood outside of Delacour Manor, while Apolline and Gabrielle joined them.
Apolline held Harry close while Gabrielle held Fleur.
'We love you Harry. You're like a son to us and if you ever need any help, we will be there for you, no matter what.' Apolline whispered in his ear before she released him from her embrace.
The older Veela wiped a tear from her eye.
'We would also like to receive letters from you from time to time. Gabrielle would too, I'm sure.' She said.
Harry nodded and blinked away his own tears.
'Of course, we'll send letters as often as we can. And the same goes for you guys. Just call for me and I'll be there.' Harry said.
Apolline smiled and looked down at a wet patch on his shirt.
'Oh, I'm sorry about the tears on your shirt dear.' She looked embarrassed, and Harry laughed.
'Don't worry about it.' He grinned.
Apolline and Gabrielle swapped, and Harry caught Gabrielle in his arms. She was growing fast, hitting her maturity quickly now. According to Fleur, she would be finished by Christmas and would then look much like Apolline and Fleur.
Harry hugged the girl as she clung to his waist. She still appeared to be a child, but closer to twelve than the ten-year-old she'd seemed for the last four years.
He dropped to one knee and held her close as she cried into his neck.
'Don't go 'Arry. You've been so good to me and I'm going to miss you.' She whispered and pulled back to look into his eyes.
'What will happen when the girls are mean to me and the boys are gross?' she asked, and Harry held her tighter.
'You tell them loudly that you're not interested and kick them really hard in that place.' He said, and she giggled through her tears.
'If anything happens, let your mother know and she'll tell me. I'll come and yell at them for you. Fleur will even come with me.' Harry continued.
Gabrielle giggled again before she hugged him again.
''Arry, if she 'asn't marked you by Christmas, I'm going to.' She whispered in his ear.
'Gabrielle, I heard that. You will not be marking 'Arry.' Fleur glared at her sister, and Apolline laughed.
Harry released Gabrielle from his embrace and kissed the girl's forehead.
'Remember Gabrielle, you've got control of this power. According to these two, you have more control than they did at your age. That's very impressive and something to remember when the little girls around you are being mean. That's their problem, not yours.' He said and she beamed at him.
Harry stood and Fleur took his hand.
'Kopsy will be bringing your bags to Potter Manor at some stage today. Not everyone can apparate as far as you can Harry.' She said with a wink, and Harry smirked.
Harry turned to Fleur.
'Are you ready?' he asked.
Fleur took a deep breath, and nodded. She waved at her mother and sister.
Harry pooled his power with Fleur through their joined hands and a moment later, disapparated with a loud crack.
With a deafening crack, Harry and Fleur appeared in the entry hall of Potter Manor.
Sirius poked his head and wand around the door frame from the lounge before letting out a breath as he saw the two.
'Did you two just apparate together?' he asked.
Harry nodded with a small frown.
'Yeah, why?' he asked.
Fleur covered a laugh with her hand.
Sirius threw his hands up in the air.
'Dammit Harry, that's something that normal people can't do. I'd explain it to you, but you'd only give me that blank expression that you're already doing.' Sirius huffed before he stomped back into the lounge room.
Harry turned and leaned into Fleur's ear.
'Is this another of those things I shouldn't be able to do?' he asked, and she smirked.
'Yes, I figured I'd just follow along, but at least they all know that you're a magical impossibility as well.' She said, and Harry frowned.
'I feel like I should be insulted.' He muttered, and she kissed his temple and ruffled his hair.
'If that will make you feel better, my love.' She said and he faux-huffed.
'I think it will.' He grumbled, and she rolled her eyes.
Fleur took his hand.
'Shall we go into the lounge?' she asked.
Harry grinned and pulled her along with him.
They entered the lounge to see Susan and Holly together on a couch, their heads close together. On the other couch sat Charlus and Orion. Charlus had 'Hogwarts: A History' open on his lap and Orion looked on in fascination.
Susan and Holly looked up and a moment later, both girls had Fleur wrapped in a hug. A few seconds later, the two boys hugged Harry, their book left abandoned on the couch.
Charlus looked up at Harry with puppy-dog eyes.
'Do you have time for flying today? You'll be at school until Christmas.' The red-haired boy asked.
Orion did his best beside him to mirror Charlus' expression.
Harry groaned.
'Fine you two, I'll take you two flying later, as long as none of the adults disagree.' Harry said.
Both boys nodded emphatically, Orion copied every movement Charlus made.
The two boys whooped and ran over to Sirius.
'Can we go flying with Harry?' Orion asked and Sirius quirked an eyebrow.
'I don't have a problem with it, but you'll have to wait until Charlus' parents come back too.' Sirius said, and the two boys deflated.
Harry felt arms wrap around him and found Holly and Susan hugging him.
'We missed you.' Holly whispered before letting him go.
Susan looked between Harry and Fleur with a glint in her eye.
'So, what have you two been up to for the last few days?' she asked, and Holly wore a wicked smirk beside her.
Harry groaned and ran a hand down his face.
'Not you too Susan? It's bad enough that Holly has joined in with Sirius' antics.' Harry complained.
Susan gave her best faux-innocent expression.
Susan frowned for a moment and cocked her head to the side.
'Did you get made a prefect too?' she asked, and Harry laughed.
'Definitely not. I specifically asked Professor Sprout not to consider me for it before we left. Can you imagine me patrolling on weekends? I have other things to do.' Harry said, and Holly rolled her eyes.
'So, who is going to be the other prefect for your year then?' Holly asked, and Harry shrugged.
'No idea… Justin?' he suggested.
Susan rolled her eyes.
'You only say him because you don't actually know who the others in your dorm are.' She scoffed, and Harry shrugged.
'Yeah, pretty much.' Harry admitted, and Fleur quirked an eyebrow.
'Do you have any male friends 'Arry?' she asked.
Harry looked at Holly, then at Susan, before he turned back to Fleur.
'No, not really.' He said, and Fleur gave a soft laugh.
'It's a good thing that I'm not the jealous type.' She muttered, and both Susan and Holly scoffed.
'Ever since he met you, you've been the only one for him.' Holly said, and Susan nodded beside her.
Harry looked at Sirius with a red faced, pleading expression.
Sirius chuckled and lunged back in his chair. He turned to Fleur.
'When do you start your new job?' he asked.
Fleur laughed and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and led Harry to the couch. She sat down beside him with her hand joined with his on his lap.
Sirius' eyes unfocussed a little and Fleur sighed.
Harry saw a cold look of focus cross her face for a moment, then Sirius' expression returned to normal.
'Sorry about that.' Sirius mumbled as he rubbed the back of his head.
Susan and Holly glared at him.
Fleur shook her head.
'Don't worry about it, I'm going to have to get used to keeping the Allure contained again.' She said.
Harry squeezed her leg, earning him a smile from her.
She turned back to Sirius.
'I start at Gringotts next Monday. This will give me the rest of the week to settle in here and prepare for my new role.' She said, and Holly grinned.
'Harry said you were going to be a curse breaker. That'll keep you busy for sure, but at least it sounds interesting.' Holly said and fell onto the couch opposite Harry and Fleur, followed by Susan.
Fleur nodded.
'I hope so.' She muttered, a hint of nervousness in her voice.
Sirius smirked at Harry, then back at Fleur.
'How does it feel to be dating someone still in school?' he asked.
Harry scoffed while Fleur laughed and patted Harry's leg.
'I'm looking forward to Hogsmeade weekends for sure.' She said and Sirius looked disappointed.
'I know a few secret passages you could use to go see him?' Sirius asked, and Fleur smirked.
'Non, I already know of the ones on the maps that you created for the Professors, unless there are any others?' she said, and Sirius pouted for a moment.
'I could show you how to not show up on the maps?' Sirius suggested.
Both Harry and Fleur froze.
'How can you do that? Dad never said anything about being able to do that. Neither did Pettigrew, for the matter.' Harry demanded, and Sirius' smirk grew.
'Prongs doesn't know. I was the only one of us that wanted to sneak away without the others knowing. Prongs was only interested in your mum after all, kiddo.' Sirius said.
Susan quirked an eyebrow.
'What exactly did you do when you snuck away from your friends?' she asked, a hint of a smile in her voice.
Sirius paled.
'Can we all just forget I said anything?' he asked.
Harry shook his head, mirrored by the girls.
'How about I show you two how to do it?' Sirius asked, pointing at Harry and Fleur.
Harry looked to Susan and Holly, who wore smug smirks, then turned back to Sirius.
'Agreed, I won't tell Aunt Amelia about any of this conversation.' Harry said and Sirius wiped his brow.
'Okay, I'll teach you two when there are less impressionable ears around.' Sirius said and Harry shrugged.
Holly pouted.
'Padfoot, that better not have been directed at me.' She said as the fireplace burst to life, flashing green for a moment.
Lily stepped into the room and beamed at Fleur as she sat next to Harry. Lily ran over and hugged both Harry and Fleur over the back of the couch.
'Fleur, honey, I'm so glad that you decided to stay here with us for the year. We'll make sure we stay out of your way, but it'll be nice to have someone other than these Marauders loitering around all the time while the others are at Hogwarts.' Lily said and Fleur leaned her head into Lily's embrace.
Fleur turned to Lily as she released them and walked over to the chair next to Holly's couch.
'Thank you for letting me stay with you, finding a place to rent for the year would have been a bother, as would furnishing it.' The Veela admitted.
Lily shifted in her seat and leaned forward.
'Have you two decided whether you'll take over the Manor once Harry takes up the Potter Lordship?' Lily asked.
Fleur turned to Harry, who shrugged.
'We haven't really discussed it yet, but we'll get back to you at some stage.' Harry said, and Holly rolled her eyes.
'Haven't discussed whether you're going to kick us all out of the Manor?' Holly said with a smirk and Harry laughed.
'Well, you and Sirius for sure.' He joked.
Both Holly and Sirius pouted.
The rest of the day passed with the Potters and Blacks enjoying each other's company, which Remus joined later in the afternoon.
After dinner, Sirius pulled Harry and Fleur aside, away from the others.
Once the three were in one of the spare rooms of the Manor, Sirius turned to them.
'Okay, I'll show you two the spell to hide you from the Marauders Maps for three hours, if you're ready?' he asked, and Fleur frowned.
'Is there a way to make the spell last longer than three hours?' she asked.
Sirius shrugged.
'No idea. I made the spell, but I never needed it to last longer than three hours, so I never thought about increasing the duration.' Sirius said.
Harry narrowed his eyes in thought.
'Any chance you still have your notes? That way we could tweak the spell ourselves.' Harry asked and Sirius paused.
Sirius frowned and rubbed his chin in thought before a wide grin split his face.
'Yep, I remember where I left all that stuff. I'll dig it out in the next week or so and get it to you, Fleur.' Sirius said, smiling at the Veela.
Fleur looked relieved.
'Thank you, I would much rather not have to evade Professors or have them think I am there for nefarious purposes.' She admitted, and Sirius's gaze moved between the two and sighed.
'Neither of you are any fun. You're both far too serious all the time.' Sirius huffed and flung his hands in the air.
Sirius left the room and turned toward the lounge where the others would be.
Harry turned to Fleur.
'But he didn't teach us the spell?' he asked, and Fleur shook her head.
'Oh well, he did say he would get me the notes for it, so I guess it doesn't really matter.' She said, and he shrugged.
'I guess you're right. Should we join the others?' he asked, and she nodded with a smile.
'Lets.' she said and held out her elbow for him to guide her.
A knock on the door drew their attention to James Potter standing in the doorway.
'Hey guys, did you want to come with me for a few minutes?' he asked, and Harry thought he looked a little nervous.
'Sure dad, lead the way.' Harry agreed.
Fleur took his hand, and together, they followed James upstairs.
Harry frowned as his father walked into the Lord's study, somewhere his father rarely entered.
Harry couldn't remember a time he'd been inside the room himself.
Harry and Fleur entered the study and Harry blinked; the room was spartan.
A desk sat at the far side of the room with a simple wooden chair behind it that James sat in, with his fingers steepled in front of his face. The rest of the room held no decorations or personal touches. There weren't even any bookshelves.
The study held a desk and a single chair.
James waved his wand and two comfortable looking overstuffed chairs appeared in front of the desk.
Harry focussed on his father as he led Fleur to a chair.
'Dad, what's going on?' he asked.
James sighed.
'Your mother and I have talked about it over the summer. Right now, I don't think we need to know about the future. Your mother was going on about Paradoxes and I think it would be best not to tell us for the time being.' James said.
Harry frowned and cocked his head.
James held up a hand to silence Harry.
'That might change later, but right now, we're fine with knowing whatever you tell us. We trust you to tell us what you think we need to know.' James explained and Harry deflated.
James stood and walked around the desk. He stopped in front of Harry.
'As far as we're concerned, with all of your time shenanigans, you're an adult. The two of you have a lot on your shoulders and we will help you, in whatever way we can. You'll be taking up the Lordship soon, then it'll be you who has to deal with all the responsibilities of running the House. That day can't come soon enough in my opinion.' James said, then turned to Fleur.
'I know you two told the Delacour's about the future, and we think that's great that you did. Someone needs to know.' James said and Harry nodded.
Harry's mind raced, he'd expected to tell his parents, but with them not wanting to know the details. Where did that leave his plans?
He frowned.
His parents not wanting to know the future, didn't change his plans at all. They were willing to continue with the plan, just without knowing the finer details.
Fleur squeezed his hand and Harry looked up to see James watching him with an expectant look.
'What?' Harry asked and his father frowned a little.
'Did you guys know the results for the next World Cup?' James asked.
Harry groaned.
'It never came up, dad.' Harry said and glared at his father.
James retreated a step under Harry's and Fleur's combined glare.
'Okay, okay, I'll stop. Geeze, you two are perfect for each other. You're both too serious.' James said with a grin.
'All right, on that note, bedtime. Goodnight you two.' James said as he ruffled Harry's hair and left the room.
Harry led Fleur to his room and sat on his bed with the door open.
'I don't want to go.' Harry whispered as he stared down at their joined hands.
Fleur lifted his gaze to hers with a finger under his chin.
'You need to protect your friends at Hogwarts.' She said and kissed him, soft, gentle.
'Yeah, but I won't have you with me.' Harry muttered and Fleur laughed.
'Oh 'Arry, I will join you every weekend in the Room of Requirement and we'll call each other every night to tell each other everything that happened each day during the week.' She said.
Harry rolled his eyes.
'Yeah, I suppose you're right. We can even be together in public on Hogsmeade weekends. It's only for this year. I'll do my NEWTs next summer, unless I can find a way to do them earlier. We have too much to do for me to stay at Hogwarts.' Harry said.
Fleur wore a small smile, tinged with sadness.
'True. But even with everything we have to do, we still need to make sure that we make the time to just be us.' Fleur whispered and Harry lifted her gaze with a finger under her chin, like she had done earlier.
'Fleur, you are everything to me. My best friend, and maybe if I play my cards right, my Mrs Potter someday. I will always have time for you.' He said, and she smiled at him with tears in her eyes.
Fleur wrapped him in a tight embrace.
'You'll remember me when all the schoolgirls are vying for your attention?' she asked in his ear.
Harry pulled away and kissed her nose.
'They can vie all they like; they can't compare to you. Besides, you just said it. They are schoolgirls. How could they compare to a goddess like you?' he asked, and Fleur laughed.
'If you continue on like that, I won't be able to let you go.' She purred.
'Maybe I don't want to go.' He whispered, and he felt a shiver run down her spine.
'Eww.' Holly shouted from the corridor outside the room before she laughed and ran to her room.
Harry sighed and turned back to Fleur.
'Are you sure you're going to be okay staying here all year?' he asked.
Fleur gave him a quick kiss before she cocked her head to the side.
'I'll only be sleeping here, really. I'll be at Gringotts all day, then weekends with you. The only time I'll see your family is the morning and evenings, so I think I'll be fine.' She paused and looked around his room.
Harry followed her gaze as it travelled over bookshelves and scrawled notes littered on most surfaces.
She met his gaze.
'I may even take over your room while you're gone.' She said, and Harry gave her a lopsided smile.
'I like the sound of that.' He said.
Fleur stood with a grin.
'Now, I need to let you sleep, otherwise we'll get distracted.' Fleur said as she stepped away from the bed, the now familiar look of hunger in her eyes.
Harry stood and moved in close to her.
He pulled her in for a long kiss.
'You're right, we can't have us getting distracted.' Harry murmured in her ear, and she shivered.
Fleur pulled away with a smirk and a wink.
'Sweet dreams.' She purred and turned to leave the room; her rear swayed more than necessary.
After she was gone, Harry groaned and waved his hand toward the door, closing it.
It was going to be a long year.