Disclaimer: I own none of the things you already know of.
Harry Potter and the Smallest Change.
Chapter 47. Christmas. 1995.
A couple of days later, Harry sat in a compartment on the Hogwarts Express with his friends. Holly on one side and Hermione on the other.
For most of the trip, Hermione chatted with Holly and Harry. Opposite them sat Daphne and Luna, who were inseparable.
Susan sat on Daphne's other side and faced Hannah.
'How is Michael Cornfoot? You haven't mentioned him in a while?' Susan asked, and Hannah blushed.
Hannah glared at Susan.
'Michael is fine, thanks.' Hannah huffed and avoided everybody's eyes.
Hannah turned to Susan with a smug smirk.
'Who are you interested in these days, Susan?' Hannah asked, and her eyes flickered toward Harry for a moment.
Susan laughed and met Harry's gaze with a smile.
'Yes, I used to have a crush on Harry, but once I met Fleur a few years ago, it was clear he would never return my feelings. We're more like siblings. You don't accuse Holly of crushing on him, do you?' the redhead asked.
'Gross.' Holly called, and the others laughed.
Hermione looked down at her lap and let out a soft sigh.
Hannah turned to Daphne, who only glared at her.
Hannah sighed.
'Is anyone doing anything interesting over the holidays?' she asked.
Susan shrugged.
'Likely just spending time with family until the Christmas Ball, which I think is at the Longbottom's again this year?' Susan said, and Daphne nodded.
'Do you think Longbottom has grown up a little these past few months? He's been pretty decent in our DA meetings at least.' Daphne said.
'He seems to have gotten over himself and has stopped trying to lord his Boy-Who-Lived status over everyone.' Hannah agreed.
Luna shook her head.
'He has simply removed his infestation of Gibbering Humdingers and has finally seen what was right in front of him this whole time.' She said in a dreamy voice.
Everyone stared at her for a moment before Harry grinned.
'Yeah Luna, I think you're right. He must have been infested by something. What are these Gibbering Humdingers though? Where do they come from and how do we protect ourselves?' he asked.
Luna beamed at him.
'Well-' she began.
The next few days passed with all the joy the holiday period is known for. Harry spent his days getting up early and taking turns with Fleur having spells and stones thrown at them by the others.
After their morning training, Harry and Fleur were inseparable and were just as often seen spending time with each other on the grounds of Potter Estate as they were taking Charlus and Orion out to fly.
Each night, the extended family joined at Potter Manor for dinner and board games. Remus rarely joined them, though. He was busy studying and running the fledgling Crocus Industries.
After Charlus and Orion went to bed, the family often discussed their plans in the Wizengamot and Crocus Industries. They filled Harry, Susan and Holly in on what was happening while they were at Hogwarts.
Then they would all go to bed.
Fleur had been staying in Harry's room while he was at Hogwarts, and Harry shrugged as he stepped into his room and found her in there.
He'd half expected someone to tell him they couldn't share a room, but figured that no one wanted to broach that topic, and he was fine with that.
Finally, it was Christmas Eve, the day of the Christmas Ball at the Longbottom's Estate.
Harry stepped into the entrance hall of Longbottom Manor from the floo and took Fleur's arm as she followed behind him. She wore a brilliant silver dress that hugged her figure and kept her covered enough to not upset the mostly conservative British Noble Houses.
The Manor looked much like it had every other time he had been there. It screamed 'wealthy' while staying just below gaudy.
He idly wondered which Longbottom designed it originally.
He walked into the main hall with Fleur on his arm and tensed as he saw a pink clad woman standing beside the Minister of Magic.
'Calm yourself, my love. We are in their environment tonight.' Fleur whispered.
Harry forced a smile on his face and gave her a small nod.
Harry looked around the hall. He ignored the Minister and the pink monstrosity, and saw Hannah sitting at a table with Daphne.
They both looked bored.
Harry gestured with his head toward the two and Fleur grinned, then glanced around the room.
'Do you see my parents anywhere?' she asked, and Harry frowned.
'Gabrielle isn't coming with them?' he asked as his eyes darted across the room.
He searched for a familiar head of silver hair. Apolline would be easier to spot than Dominique after all.
Fleur shook her head.
'No, Gabrielle is not one for these events, and as second daughter, she isn't expected to attend them.' She explained, and Harry groaned.
'Of course, I'm not sure why I didn't think of that.' He admitted.
Fleur smiled and kissed his cheek.
'It's because you're distracted.' She winked at him, and he grinned.
'Well, can you blame me? I've been home for a week, and I've lost track of how many times-' he paused as she slapped his shoulder.
'Hush you. We can start counting again later, but right now we have a Ball to enjoy.' Fleur smirked, a hint of a blush on her cheeks.
Harry grinned.
'My lady, shall we join our friends?' he asked, and she rolled her eyes and gave a shallow curtsey.
'Of course, my lord, we shall.' She smirked.
The next few hours passed with Umbridge often glaring at Harry and Fleur from her spot beside the Minister. As the Ball came to an end, the pink clad woman left her spot beside the Minister and moved to stand beside Harry's table.
Umbridge looked around at Harry's friends, and her lip curled as she saw Fleur beside Harry.
'Potter, isn't it past your bedtime? What are you still even doing here, and with a half-breed, no less?' Umbridge sniffed as if she had stepped on something disgusting.
Harry smiled up at the Senior Undersecretary.
'Madame, neither the Potters, nor the Delacour's would appreciate your behaviour toward my date.' Harry said, the veneer of politeness as thin as silk, unable to conceal the rage that boiled below his words.
Umbridge turned red for a moment, then her features slackened, as if she finally understood what he had said. She paled as she stared at Fleur, then back at Harry.
The pink clad woman turned and left without a further word.
Harry shook his head and squeezed Fleur's hand beneath the table.
Fleur leant in close to his ear.
'For that, my love, you are getting very lucky tonight.' She whispered, and Harry shifted in his seat.
The next morning, Harry woke with Fleur in his arms and revelled in the smell of her hair. He tightened his grip on her naked form and she wiggled her behind into him.
'Merry Christmas Fleur.' Harry groaned as she pushed into him.
'Merry Christmas to you my 'Arry.' She purred as she wriggled her behind.
Fleur stopped and rolled over to face him.
'Which present would you like first?' she asked, a coy smile on her face.
'I get two?' he asked.
'Well-' she began and trailed her fingers over his chest.
'One is downstairs under the tree, and the other is in your arms.' She purred.
Harry quirked an eyebrow.
'I think I'll go for this present first if that is the case.' He grinned and pulled her toward him.
Christmas day saw the extended family at Potter Manor to exchange presents and indulge in a massive brunch afterward.
Harry was drawn into taking Charlus and Orion for a fly. Holly and Susan joined him. Fleur watched from below with Lily and Amelia.
After an hour, Harry noted that Orion looked tired. He called an end to the game of aerial tag the five had fallen into.
'Come on guys, time to head in.' Harry called and immediately received two inarticulate shouts of dismay from the younger boys.
Harry pointed at the sun as it approached the mountains in the distance.
'It's getting late. I know that Uncle Moony has a surprise for us after dinner. I figured you'd want to be ready for it or he might get sad.' Harry said with a wink to Holly and Susan, who floated behind the boys.
Both girls rolled their eyes.
Charlus pouted.
'But I want to keep flying. You won't be around much after today.' The red-haired boy complained, and Harry grinned.
'I know you do kiddo, and if you like I can go in and tell Uncle Remus that you'd rather fly than see his present if you like?' Harry proposed.
Charlus blinked, caught off guard by the suggestion.
'N-no. I want to see the present, of course I do.' Charlus breathed and Orion edged closer to Harry on his broom.
'Yeah, I wanna go in and see Uncle Moony's present.' Orion called and wavered on his broom.
Harry laughed.
'Okay you two, lets return these brooms to the shed and head in for dinner then.' Harry agreed and floated down toward the ground, followed by the two boys.
Holly and Susan shook their heads and sent fond smiles down toward their collective brothers and followed.
After dinner, the extended family sat down in the lounge room.
Harry entered and froze as he stared at the far wall opposite the fireplace. A box that he recognised as a television sat on a conjured table. On top of the TV sat a rectangular box attached to the television with coloured cables.
He turned to Remus.
'Is that what I think it is?' Harry asked, and Remus smirked.
''Arry, come sit down.' Fleur called and patted a spot next to her on a conjured yellow couch.
Harry stepped across Charlus and Orion, who looked excited, but not sure what they were excited about.
He sat next to Fleur and put an arm around her shoulder. She snuggled in closer.
Remus turned to Harry.
'I know you suggested Crocus Industries should start in the medical field, but I just don't know enough about it yet. These came from the first few areas that Crocus Industries is investing in, scientific instruments like seismometers and things, but right now, entertainment.' Remus said, and Harry shook his head.
'We have time Moony; this company is long term. Besides, this is pretty cool.' Harry grinned, then he frowned.
'How does it work?' Harry asked.
Remus coughed.
'I, uh, don't know.' The werewolf admitted and turned to Lily.
Lily rubbed the back of her head.
'No idea.' She shrugged and Sirius laughed.
'Quiet you.' Lily shouted and threw popcorn at Sirius.
Orion looked around the room.
'What's going on?' he asked, confused.
Remus cleared his throat.
'Kids, watch the box. Adults, hush.' Remus said and Harry heard chuckles throughout the room.
Remus flicked his wand at the TV and the screen lit up, bathing the room with light. The screen showed a well-lit castle with fireworks in the background and the word 'Disney' appeared under the castle while orchestral music came from the box.
Harry stared, as did everyone else, as an animated African sunrise appeared and showed plains-dwelling animals bending the knee to a pride of lions who displayed their cub from atop a massive rock.
It was, The Lion King.
The next morning, Harry and Fleur stood in the entrance hall of Potter Manor.
Holly and Susan hugged them both.
'Be careful and we'll see you in a couple weeks.' Holly whispered as she released Harry from his hug.
'We will be. Love you.' Harry kissed her brow as she stepped back.
Harry turned to Fleur and took her hand.
'Ready?' he asked, and she nodded.
Harry pooled his magic and with a deafening crack, he and Fleur disappeared from Potter Manor.
With another deafening crack, they reappeared on a hill overlooking Delacour Manor. It was bright and warm, and a light breeze ruffled their hair.
Harry turned to Fleur and smiled.
'We're here. Shall we go inside?' he asked.
Fleur shook her head, and her eyes grew wide.
Harry followed her gaze and saw a tall, stunning silvery blonde haired young woman run through the front door of the Manor.
He blinked.
'Is that Gabrielle?' he asked, and Fleur released his hand.
Fleur's hands covered her mouth and her eyes watered as the young silvery blonde woman reached them and caught Fleur in a tight embrace.
'Oh Fleur, I missed you so much.' Gabrielle gushed in French.
Harry watched the two sisters, who looked like they could be twins. Gabrielle was still a little shorter than Fleur and her eyes darker, with specks of brown in the sky blue.
But otherwise, the two could have easily been mistaken for twins instead of sisters with a five-year gap.
Gabrielle released Fleur and leapt at Harry, wrapping him in a hug.
'I've missed you, Harry.' She whispered in his ear, and he kissed her cheek.
'I missed you too, Gabrielle.' He said as she pulled back and held him at arm's reach.
Her eyes fell on the small wing shaped mark on his collarbone and an impish grin appeared on her face.
'My sister finally marked you then? About time. 'Ow was it? Was it magical? Was it romantic?' she gushed in English and her eyes shone.
Fleur gave Gabrielle a faux glare.
'Yes, it was magical, and you will not ask him any more on the topic.' Fleur declared in a stern tone.
Gabrielle laughed and kissed both his cheeks and stepped away.
She turned to Fleur.
'Relax, you've marked him, he's yours. But he's pretty much my brother, so I will always be affectionate with him.' Gabrielle said.
Fleur huffed, then grinned and pulled her sister into another embrace.
Harry watched the sisters and sighed.
'I don't think I'll ever understand Veela.' He muttered.
Both sisters turned to him and wore identical grins.
'As long as you know that's the case, there won't be any issues.' Fleur said.
Gabrielle smirked.
'Nobody understands Veela, least of all us.' The younger Veela said, and Fleur smacked her shoulder.
'Gabbi, really? We need to leave some kind of mystery.' Fleur pouted, and Gabrielle rubbed her shoulder.
Gabrielle turned to Harry.
'You should forget what I said. Veela know everything.' She said in a deadpan.
Harry laughed and wrapped an arm around the waist of both women.
'Come on, let's go inside and see your parents.' He said, and both sisters grinned at each other behind Harry's back.
Once inside the Manor, Gabrielle led them to a couch and sat down in a chair opposite them in the lounge.
'Maman will be down soon. Papa is still at work, apparently something came up.' Said Gabrielle.
A moment later, Apolline strode down the stairs and her blue eyes lit up at seeing Fleur and Harry. She rushed the rest of the way and pulled them both into a hug.
'It's great to see you two again. How long are you staying for?' Apolline asked as she released them.
Fleur beamed up at her mother.
'About two weeks, Maman, if that's okay?' she asked and Apolline's smile grew wider, and she clapped her hands together.
'That's wonderful news, dear. There is much to discuss, but most of it can wait until your father is back though.' Said Apolline, and she sat in a chair beside Gabrielle's.
Apolline shifted in her seat.
'Until then, please tell me what is new with the two of you? How did you get two weeks off from Gringotts Fleur?' she asked, and Fleur's gaze flickered to Harry for a moment.
Fleur grinned.
'The Goblins said that I am skilled for a new employee and that they don't have enough work for me to waste my time being there.' Fleur gave the faintest of shrugs.
'In essence, the Goblins gave me time off because they didn't want to waste their money paying to have me there with nothing to do.' She continued and her mother covered a laugh with her hand.
'But there's more to it than that, isn't there, honey?' Apolline asked, and Gabrielle leaned forward.
Fleur sighed.
'I must admit, I have been bringing some of the more difficult items with me when I visit 'Arry on the weekends so we can work on them together.' She said, and Gabrielle's eyes narrowed.
Gabrielle turned to Harry.
'So, she is just using that brain of yours 'Arry?' the youngest Veela asked, and Harry smirked.
'It has been an interesting learning experience, but yes, that's exactly what she's been doing.' Harry agreed and Fleur pouted.
'Hey, that's not fair.' Fleur huffed and crossed her arms under her chest.
Harry laughed, along with Apolline and Gabrielle.
Apolline's gaze flicked to Harry's collarbone, and her eyes sparkled with joy.
'She finally marked you then, my dear Harry?' she asked, and Harry gave a slight grin and nodded.
Apolline stood and walked over in front of Harry.
She knelt and pulled him into a hug, kissed both his cheeks, then his brow.
'Welcome to the family Harry, in a rather more official manner than before.' Apolline said, then stood and walked back to her chair and sat down.
Once she sat down, her gaze moved between Harry and Fleur.
'There's no need to force you to stay in separate rooms now.' Apolline said and Harry blinked.
The three Veela laughed.
Fleur patted his leg.
'I told you when I gave you the mark that I could never take another.' She said, and Harry nodded.
'The mark, for a Veela, is akin to marriage. It means that I will have only you for the rest of my life. I know I told you this.' She quirked an eyebrow.
Harry nodded and smiled at her, then the two other Veela in the room.
'Sorry, I must have forgotten that part.' He admitted and rubbed the back of his head with a hand.
Apolline huffed and looked at Fleur.
'He forgot?' she asked.
Fleur smirked and met her mother's gaze.
'See what I have to put up with?' she asked.
'I can take him if you like?' Gabrielle grinned, drawing a glare from Fleur.
'Gabrielle, he's mine.' Fleur sighed.
Harry turned to Gabrielle.
'I thought the mark stopped anything like that?' he asked.
Gabrielle laughed as she looked in his eyes, then Fleur's, then back at Harry.
'Yes 'Arry, it does, but my sister doesn't understand that I was joking. Even if there is an amount of truth to it.' She explained, and Harry blinked.
Apolline laughed.
'Girls, leave the poor boy alone. Besides, we have two more weeks where the two of you can confuse him.'
The next two weeks passed in a flurry of planning and relaxing with the Delacour's. They discussed Harry and Fleur's plans for the Wizarding World in detail.
Gabrielle enjoyed being a part of the discussions, though she wasn't informed about anything related to the future Fleur's appearance.
On the second day in France, Harry taught Apolline how to create the heart shaped charm he made for Fleur. It took most of the day, and a copy of his notes, but by the evening she had completed her first charm.
It went to Gabrielle.
The change in her ability to control her Allure was noticeable within moments of putting it on.
But eventually, the day came for Harry and Fleur to return to Britain.
They stood in front of Delacour Manor, opposite Apolline, Dominique and Gabrielle.
Harry shook Dominique's hand while Fleur hugged her mother and sister.
'Thank you for having me here, sir.' Harry said as Dominique released his hand.
'Nonsense son, you are as welcome here as my daughters. I admire your determination and what you plan to achieve with my daughter beside you. A man couldn't ask for a better son.' Dominique said with a solemn smile.
Gabrielle leapt at Harry and wrapped him in a tight embrace.
'I hope you two come back soon. I don't want to go back to school. All the boys are gross, and the girls are mean.' She complained, and Harry held her close.
'I'm sorry that you have to go through this, Gabrielle. If it was safe in Britain, I would suggest you come to Hogwarts, but it's not safe yet.' He murmured, and she gripped him tighter.
'Will this charm really 'elp at school?' she whispered.
Harry kissed Gabrielle's brow.
'You have more control over the Allure now. So I think the boys at least shouldn't be a problem anymore.' He said.
Gabrielle gave him a watery smile.
'Look after my sister, won't you?' she asked and kissed his cheek.
Harry pulled back to look in her eyes.
'I will protect her with everything that I am. I promise.' He said, and she pulled him into another hug.
'But you need to come back too.' She whispered before letting him go and standing a few steps away.
Apolline approached and pulled him into a hug.
'Be careful in your homeland. Whispers are even here in France of your Dark Lord having arisen. We will help you in any way that we can.' She whispered before releasing him.
Harry nodded.
'I will, we both will. There's too much at stake. I'll bring her back to you, I promise.' He said, and she smiled through tears.
'You should go before I never let you leave.' Apolline whispered and stepped away, where she was wrapped in a hug from Dominique.
Harry turned to Fleur and held out his hand.
'Ready?' he asked, and she nodded.
'We will see you soon.' Fleur said to her family and gave them a wave.
Harry channelled his magic and felt for Fleur's for a moment, then nodded.
With a deafening crack, they disappeared.
Gabrielle turned to Dominique.
'How do they do that?' she asked, and Dominique laughed and tightened his grip on Apolline's waist.
'How do they do half the things they do?' he said.
Gabrielle huffed.
'That doesn't answer my question.'
Harry and Fleur appeared in the entrance hall of Potter Manor with an echoing crack and, within moments, footsteps sounded down the stairs in the next room and Holly rushed into the entrance hall. She wrapped both Harry and Fleur in a tight hug.
'I missed you guys.' Holly said and released them.
Holly looked toward the floo.
'We don't have long until all the boys come back. They went to check out brooms. Dad said that he wanted to buy a broom for Charlus, not that he'll be able to take it with him next year when he starts at Hogwarts.' Holly huffed and Harry laughed.
'You know Dad, any excuse to check out a new broom. What's the bet he or Uncle Sirius will come back with one for themselves?' he asked.
Fleur scoffed, which drew an incredulous expression from Holly and a chuckle from Harry.
'Nobody is stupid enough to take that bet.' She rolled her eyes.
As she finished, the floo burst to life and James, Charlus, Orion and Sirius trooped out of the fireplace wearing wide grins.
Each carried a shining new broom.
Holly gaped at the four and turned to Fleur with wide eyes.
Fleur smirked.
'Oh 'Olly, I've been living here for a few months now, I probably know these boys as well as you do.' Fleur explained.
Charlus froze in place in front of the fireplace, staring at Fleur.
James and Sirius both performed a double take before they shook their heads while Orion looked confused.
'When did you guys get back? We would have waited for you if we'd known you would be here.' James said.
Sirius nodded, but remained silent.
Charlus' eyes remained rooted on Fleur.
Harry groaned and ran a hand down his face.
'We just returned, we had to at some stage.' Harry shrugged and raised his eyebrows at his dad, then motioned with his eyes toward Charlus.
James frowned, then looked at Charlus and nodded.
He gave Charlus a gentle slap to the back of his head.
'Charlus, hey kiddo. Let's put your broom away.' James said and Charlus jerked as if waking from a dream.
Charlus blushed and ran out of the entrance hall without meeting anyone's eyes and his face burning.
Harry leant in toward Fleur's ear.
'Sorry.' He whispered, and she turned to kiss his cheek.
'Don't worry about it my 'Arry. He will learn, as I must remember to reign in my Allure when around others.' She wore a sad smile.
Harry sighed.
'Still…' he trailed off, and Fleur winked at him.
Fleur turned to James and Sirius.
'We'll be right back; we have to drop stuff off in our room.' Fleur grinned, her hand gripped his and dragged him out of the entrance hall and up the stairs.
As they left the hall, Harry saw James and Sirius high-five each other while Holly face palmed, and Orion still looked confused.