Hey, everyone! Mystery Critic here, back at you with chapter twenty of Ma Fleur! Wow, twenty chapters. We made it this far. Throughout the hiatuses and the struggles with continuing to write this story, I didn't know if we'd make it this far. However, here we are. On the third rewrite, 1300 favorites, 1800 followers, and two and a half years later. This has been a long road, but we've done it. We've made it! I am so thankful to all of you for the love and support this story has received, all the well-wishes for my mental health, and all the constant pleading for more story. I jest, I jest. However, all of you are a very big part of keeping this story alive, and I would not be here if not for you. So, thank you all. Now that the mushy stuff is out of the way, I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the rights affiliated with it. Anywho, now that that long-winded author's note is done with, grab your Rock Cakes, grab your milk (I like milk, don't judge me. Sorry to any lactose intolerant fans here.) and enjoy chapter twenty!

Chapter 20

(The beginning of this chapter is dedicated to the love of my life.)

Slowly opening his eyes, Harry's sight is obstructed by a soft, squishy pillow. Remembering the previous night, Harry realizes he's still nestled in his beloved's wonderful cleavage. His eyes widening, he pulls his head back slowly before looking at her sleeping peacefully, a content smile on her face. Slowly turning over as to not wake his slumbering soulmate, he attempts to remove himself from her embrace. As soon as he tries to sit up, he's yanked back down and straddled as Fleur looks down at him, smirking down at her trapped mate.

"Good morning, magic fingers." Fleur purrs, leaning down to nibble on Harry's neck. "Last night was absolutely amazing, Harry. If I didn't know better, I'd say you've done that before."

"I promise I haven't, Fleur," Harry assures her, wrapping his arms around her waist before capturing her lips in a soft and loving kiss. "You're my first in everything, and I plan to keep it that way."

"I know, my love." She replies, sighing softly in happiness as she nuzzles against him. "I plan on being your first for everything, too. I'm so happy you're mine."

"I really did well?" Harry asks nervously, looking into her eyes.

"You did amazingly, love!" She exclaims, holding his face in her hands. "The way you touched me, oh my... I wished you'd never stopped. I can't wait for the main event, Harry."

"You're not upset about waiting longer for that?"

"As long as we can do that often, I can wait another year at least." She giggles, nipping at his neck softly. "I promised you I wouldn't rush you and I meant it, Harry."

"I love you, Fleur." He says, kissing her shoulder. "I don't deserve someone as incredible as you, but I'm damn glad I have you."

"I am just as lucky as you, Harry." She whispers, holding him tightly against her. "I never thought I'd find someone like you. It's not just your immunity to my allure, it's so much more than that. Yes, I am happy I can release my allure all the time now and not have to worry about anyone because of you, but that's a small thing. You treat me like a woman before anything else, you show me more respect and love than I thought I'd ever receive from any man. You value me as more than a piece of arm candy or a veela, you value me as me, and I am so in love with you, Harry."

"I feel the same way, Fleur." He answers, wiping her tears away. "I thought I'd have to settle for a fangirl for the Boy-Who-Lived. I thought I'd never even find love. I spent my whole life being told a freak like me doesn't deserve love, that I'll die alone in a ditch and no one would miss me. You changed my future Fleur, but more than that, you saved me. I'm going to be here for a long time, and I'm going to spend the rest of my life with you."

"I love you, Harry."

"I love you too, Fleur."

"Am I interrupting something?" A voice sounds out, causing Fleur to shriek and pull the cover up to her chest only for it to tumble her and Harry off the bed due to yanking it out from underneath them. "Well, that was graceful."

"Sirius, unless this is an emergency, run," Harry warns, standing up and forming balls of fire in his hands and glaring at his godfather. "Wait, Sirius?!"

"That's my name, don't wear it- Shit!" He cries, stumbling through the floo as Harry yanks him through and into a hug. After the initial shock, Sirius hugs his godson back, holding him close. "I missed you, pup."

"I missed you, too, Sirius," Harry says, before turning around after hearing Fleur clearing her throat. Clutching the cover around her, she has her wand pointed at Sirius. "Oh, right. You kind of did interrupt something, Sirius."

"I'll say, pup!" He guffaws and claps Harry on his back. "A veela? James and I dreamed of one day bagging a veela, but we never- Urk!"

"I'd appreciate you not talking about my mate like that, Sirius," Harry growls, pulling his elbow away from his godfather's stomach. "She's not some conquest, she's my girlfriend, future wife, and the woman I love."

"Noted..." He wheezes, coughing as he holds his stomach in pain. "I had heard about everything from Jacques."

"'Ow do you know my fazzer?" Fleur asks, her eyes widening as she lowers her wand.

"Fleur, maybe we should get dressed first?" Harry suggests, pushing Sirius out of the room. A few minutes later, the two young lovers walk out into the living room with blushes on their faces. "Not a word."

"Oh, come on!" He whines, throwing his hands up. "This is the epitome of Marauder success! None of us have ever done something even close to this amazing!"

"Sirius!" Harry snaps, glowering at his godfather before taking a deep breath and speaking calmer. "Please be an adult about this. She's not a conquest, she's not some broad, she's the woman I love."

"You really mean that, don't you?" He asks after a moment of silent contemplation.

"I hit you." He answers simply.

"So you did..." After a few moments of awkward silence, Sirius claps his hands together and walks up to Fleur, looking her up and down, his arms crossed and his eyes narrowed. He strokes his beard and hums in thought. "Do you love my godson?"

"Sirius, what are you doing?" Harry asks, raising his voice.

"Harry, quiet," Sirius dismisses him, not looking away. "I'm doing my job as your godfather. Do you love him?"

"Wiz everyzing in my 'eart." She says with determination, standing up straight and looking right into the eyes of the haggard-looking man in front of her.

"You'll stand by his side through everything, no matter who may turn on him?" He asks, raising an eyebrow. "No matter what happens in the future, you'll be by his side and support him and love him, putting him above all else?"

"I would rather die zen do anyzing else." She answers, not hesitating in the slightest. "'E is ze most important zing in ze world to me. Ze only zing zat means as much to me as 'im is my family."

"Alright, then," Sirius says after a few moments of silence before a grin nearly splits his face in half. "You both have my blessing. Now, what was happening when I poked my head in. Unless Harry was the one doing that. Yipe!"

Ducking under a spell fired his way from Harry, he shifts into Padfoot and runs into the bedroom and under the bed. Raising the bed with his wand, Harry raises his hand as Padfoot whimpers at the sight of a small funnel of wind swirling in Harry's hand. Flicking his wrist in the mutt's direction, the funnel whips Padfoot a few inches above the ground and spins him around rapidly. Shifting back into Sirius, he moans out queasily. "Harry, pup," He groans, covering his mouth before burping. "Unless you want to Scourgify the room, please stop spinning me..."

Letting him down with a smirk, Harry waves his hand and douses Sirius with ice cold water, drawing a high-pitched squeal from the man. "I think I'm done." He says before turning to his girlfriend. "Anything to add, mon amour?"

"Oh, I can certainly zink of a zing or two…." She responds, a malicious smile on her face. Sirius gulps, backing away slowly at the sight before it disappears. "On second zought, 'e's gone zrough enough."

"Oh, thank you!' He breathes out a sigh of relief before standing up with a grin. "Well, onto the good news!"

"Good news?" Harry asks, looking at his godfather in confusion.

"You didn't think a mass murderer would break into Hogwarts for no reason, do you?" He jokes, getting eye rolls from the two teens. "All joking aside, the news is... I'm getting a trial!"

"What?!" Harry shouts, his face breaking into a giant smile. "Sirius, that's amazing!"

"Seriously!"

"I'm so happy, I'm not even going to singe your fur off for that joke!" Rushing up to him, he hugs his godfather tightly, picking him up.

"Pup, ribs..." He wheezes out. "Too strong for the old guy!"

"You're not old," Harry scoffs, setting the man down. Sirius coughs and gasps dramatically. "Oh, please. If you're old, then I'm going to die at the age of seventeen."

"Zat will not 'appen," Fleur says, huffing. "You need to be 'ere to pamper moi."

"Well, that's that." Harry sighs dramatically, placing the back of his hand against his forehead. "Woe is me, to forever take care of the most amazing woman on the planet. Oh well, might as well enjoy it."

Growling playfully, Harry scoops her into his arms and picks her up bridal style before spinning her around and peppering her face with kisses. Giggling, she smacks his chest playfully. "You're impossible." She kisses his forehead before wrapping her arms around his neck and leaning in. "I zink I'll keep you."

"You two are worse than Lily and James were." Sirius rolls his eyes, chuckling at their antics. "Anyway, the trial is set for December fifth, and I'll expect to see you there, Harry."

"Of course." He says, smirking. "Who else is going to break your flea-ridden arse out if they find you guilty?"

"You cheeky little bugger!" Sirius growls, smiling at Harry evilly. "Wait until you don't have a veela in your arms, I'll get you back."

"I'd say the same to you, but you'll never get one." Harry pushes back, sticking his tongue out.

Shaking his head with a smile, he steps into the floo and disappears without another word. "Well, that was fun."

~Fleur~

Walking into the defense classroom, Harry sits down in the front of the class next to Hermione, a grin spread across his face. "Morning, Hermione!" Harry says cheerfully. "How was your night?"

"Fine, Harry." She says hesitantly, looking at her friend in confusion. "How was yours?"

"It was amazing, and this morning was almost as amazing as last night was!" He said, pulling his book out of his bag and placing it on the desk before leaning in close. I'll tell you about it later."

"Um… that's okay, Harry," Hermione says, scooching away a bit and hiding her smirk. "You can keep what you two did to yourself..."

"What?" Confusion graces his face before the realization hits him, a blush creeping across his cheeks. After a moment, his eyes widen and he panics. "No, that's not what I meant, Hermione! I'm not the kind of person that would share something private like that with anyone! You should know that by now!"

"So you did do something with Fleur." She quips, grinning evilly as Harry falls into her trap.

"Hermione, it's not nice to tease..." He mumbles, looking down in embarrassment.

Patting his head, she sighs. "I know, but it was still funny."

"Quiet down, you lot!" Moody yells, limping into the classroom, the voices tittering out into silence. "Good. Now, today is going to be rough. We're going to be learning about the Unforgivable Curses."

Mutters rumble throughout the classroom as Moody looks around at the assembled students before holding up a hand for silence. "Yes, I know," He says, walking up to the chalkboard and writing on it. "Most people would think you're too young to know about these curses. I say dragon shite! You're never too young to know how to protect yourself or others! You need to know what you're up against. You need to be prepared! You need to keep Playwizard in your room, Mr. Finnegan!"

"No way!" Seamus whispers to Dean. "He can see out the back of his head."

"And hear across classrooms, Mr. Finnegan." He snaps, waving his wand as the magazine erupts into flames. "Keep forbidden items out of my class from here on, understood?"

Nodding quickly in fear, Moody turns back towards the class, his eye zipping from student to student for a few moments. "Now, who can tell us how many Unforgivable Curses there are?"

"Three, sir," Hermione speaks up shakily.

"Why are they called the 'Unforgivables'?" He asks, acknowledging her.

"They're unforgivable, Professor." She answers, her voice quivering. "The use of any one of them on another human being..."

"Earns your arse a one-way ticket to Azkaban, correct!" He finishes before looking around at a few of the present Slytherins. "At least, for most. Who can give us one of the curses? C'mon, don't be shy. Hands up."

"The Imperius Curse?" Ron asks once Moody calls on him.

"Are you asking me or telling me, Weasley?' He says, directing his gaze on the shaking boy. "Be confident in your answers! If you get it right, bully! If you get it wrong, it's a chance to learn from your mistakes."

"The Imperius Curse, sir," He says a little more confidently.

"That's right, lad." Moody nods, writing it on the board. "The Imperius Curse. Lets you play god over your victim. Unless you have the strength of will to resist it or break free, you can be made to attack your best friend, kill your family, or any other depraved thing someone could think of. As Miss Granger said, the use of any of the curses against another human being is unforgivable. However, I have special permission to use them to teach you. I'm going to cast the Imperius on each of you, and you're going to attempt to resist."

Scrapes were heard as a few desks and chairs move backward. "Oh, relax!" He drawls, rolling his real eye. "The only things I'll tell you to do would earn you some jibes from your friends at most. Act like a chicken, bark like a dog, things like that. Now, you need to have a strong will to break free. Now sit down."

Walking around the room, he casts the curse on each of the students, keeping his promise to do little tease-worthy things only. He makes Parvati act like a cat, Seamus and Dean sing to each other one after another, and Ron pet a conjured spider. To the amusement of everyone, he sits in silence and shakes in terror once he realizes what he was made to do. After several minutes, he walks up to Harry and looks down at him. "Ready, Potter?"

Grinning up at Moody, he nods. "Hit me, Professor," He says, earning a grin in return from his teacher.

"Strong bravery there, lad." He says, pointing his wand at Harry. "Proud to see your parents courage in their boy. Imperio!"

Harry feels a sense of calm wash over him, ecstacy and relaxation blurring his thoughts. Hearing a voice in his head, it tells him to lick Hermione. Turning his head towards his friend, he stops after a second thought. 'Why, though?' Harry thinks, the voice urging him louder. 'I don't want to. I doubt she wants to be licked.'

Pushing him again and again, Harry gets angrier at the repetitive command in the back of his head. Staring at Harry, Hermione sees his hand twitch and his face contorting in annoyance, then aggravation, then anger. "Professor, is Harry alright?"

"He's better than alright, Granger!" Moody says excitedly, watching the teen. "He's resisting the curse! See, everyone? The curse controls you by relaxing your mind and body, making you susceptible to the compulsion of a suggestion from a small voice that overpowers the one in your head. That voice you all have in your head that you hear before you make a decision, the one that says this is what you should do. The Imperius Curse overwrites that and the caster's command becomes that voice. Because you wouldn't ever think twice about listening to that voice, you fall under the complete control of the caster. However, young Potter here is questioning my command. Potter is one of the few people who question everything, never accepting things for what they are. That's how you break the curse! Constant Vigilance! Question everything, trust nothing!"

"Shut it!" Harry yells at the voice, snapping himself out of the curse as he stands up quickly, and slamming his knee onto the bottom of the desk. Falling back into his chair, he groans in pain before panting heavily from the exertion.

"Bravo, Potter! Fifty points to Gryffindor for breaking out of one of the most dangerous mind curses there is!" Moody says, ecstatic. "There you go, everyone! That's how you resist the Imperius Curse! Potter, you want to give it another go? We do it enough, it'll slide right off you!"

"I actually have an idea, Professor," Harry says, motioning for his Professor's ear. After leaning down, Harry whispers in the professor's ear, his grin widening even further. "Do you think it'll work?"

"Brilliant idea, lad!" He says, clapping him on the back before pointing his wand back at him. "Ready?"

"Do it, sir!" Harry yells, grinning madly.

"Imperio!"

"Abso-fucking-lutely not, Professor Moody!" Harry says almost immediately after the curse is cast.

"Another twenty-five points for you!" Pointing his wand at him one more time, he calls out the curse and Harry brushes it off immediately once more. "Bravo, lad! As of right now, you're immune to the Imperius Curse. Next lesson, we'll be reviewing the other two curses. That'll be it for now, and for everyone else, I better not hear of anyone trying this or either of the other Unforgivable's on any student, or I'll haul your arse off to Azkaban myself!"

Walking out with Hermione, she speaks to him quietly. "Harry, how in the world did you do it?"

"Well, the first time, the voice wanted me to lick you," He says, chuckling at Hermione making a face of disgust. "Yeah, I thought you might not like it, so it took me a minute to connect that to losing your friendship, and it let me break out of it."

"Aww, Harry," She says, hugging him. "You wouldn't lose my friendship over that or anything."

"I know, I just tend to think the worst," He says with a shrug.

"What about the second and third time?"

"Well, the suggestion I gave Moody was to have me say something derogatory about Fleur," He said, grinning with pride. "I would never do that, so I was angry at the voice right away. I broke out and remembered how that felt. Now, I can associate the feeling with the Imperius and break out of it immediately."

"Harry, that's ingenious!" Hermione gapes, staring at him. "I'm so proud of you for figuring that out!"

"Thanks, Hermione." Harry blushes, bumping his shoulder against hers.

"Now, if you weren't doing something I never want to hear about with Fleur, what had you grinning like a fool?"

Casting a privacy charm around them with a wave of his hand, Harry grins at her before exclaiming. "Sirius is getting a trial!"

"Oh my God, are you serious?!" She shrieks.

"No, he is!" He says, earning a smack. "Ow!"

"That joke was most likely dead before you were born, Harry!" She snaps, rolling her eyes. "When is it, though?"

"It's on the fifth of December." He informs her, practically bouncing in excitement.

"Harry, how are you going to get there?" She asks dejectedly. "You're still a student, and I don't know if Professor Dumbledore will let you."

"That's the great part," He smirks. "It's not up to him! I'm emancipated, and even if I wasn't, Jacques would pull me out of Hogwarts the day of the trial anyway! I'm going there, and there's not a thing in the first task that could stop me from going!"

~Fleur~

The days pass quickly, the first task looming over the heads of Harry and Fleur as they train for dozens of different situations for the challenge ahead. After research weeks prior, Hermione tells the lovers that the first task of the Tournament has always included a dangerous creature of some sort. From dragons to chimeras, and even demonic entities, the pair make plans and backup plans for each one, playing to the best of their strengths for each situation. A few days before the task, Hagrid walks up to Harry after a Care of Magical Creatures class and gently lays his hand on Harry's shoulder.

"Harry, where have ye been?" He asks nervously, leading him away from the other students. "Why haven't ye come by for tea like I asked?"

"Hagrid, what are you talking about?" Harry asks, looking up at the half-giant in confusion. "You never asked me to join you for tea."

"Didn't Ron tell ye?" He whispers worry etched on his face. "He said he'd let ye know I was trying to tell ye something."

"That arse and I haven't spoken since he said I belong in the ground with my parents." Harry snaps, glaring out the window at an imaginary redhead to throttle.

"He said what?!" Hagrid bellows, standing up in an instant. "There are some things that shouldn't be said, Harry, no matter how angry you are! How could he say somethin' like that?!"

"I don't know, Hagrid." Harry sighs quietly. "I thought he was my friend, but I was very wrong. Anyway, what did you want to tell me?"

"Well, it has to do with the first task..." He says slowly.

"What?!" Harry yells, turning back to Hagrid. "What is it? Tell me, please!"

"I am, Harry." He says, gesturing for Harry to settle down. "The only reason Ron knows is 'cus his brother Charlie brought 'em over from Romania."

"Brought what over, Hagrid?"

"Dragons, Harry," Hagrid states solemnly. "Four of 'em, one for each of ye. From what I understand, ye have to collect a fake golden egg from the dragon's nest, and they're nesting mothers, Harry. I love dragons, and I've told ye they're seriously misunderstood creatures, but even I would think twice about messing with a mother's nest."

"Wow..." Harry breathes out, slumping back in his chair and breathing out. "Thanks for telling me this, Hagrid. You've really helped me out."

"It's not fair you were forced into this thing, Harry," Hagrid says, shaking his head.

"No, I mean I win the bet with Fleur!" He exclaims, pumping a fist in the air.

"Bet, Harry?" Hagrid asks, confusion clear on his face.

"She thought it would be chimeras, I said dragons." He explains, smiling widely. "You just won me a trip to the broom shop in Hogsmeade, Hagrid! Thanks!"

"Um, you're welcome, Harry..."

"Hagrid, I'm okay." He assures his friend, patting the giant man on the shoulder. "I promise."

"Harry, I know you probably have this in hand, but I want ye to remember to stay alive above everything else." He says, placing both of his hands on Harry's shoulders. "I don't care what ye have to do, just stay alive."

"I promise, Hagrid." He says, sitting back down. "Could you tell me some more stories about my mom and dad?"

"Always, Harry," Hagrid says with a smile, diving back down memory lane with his favorite student in the school. An hour or so later, Harry leaves Hagrid's hut with a wistful smile on his face and seeks out his girlfriend. Finding her amongst a group of girls from Beauxbatons, Fleur chatters animatedly with the girls, and they find it just as fun to talk with her, a conversation of gossip and girl talk long needed for the veela. Walking up to them, Harry clears his throat nervously.

"Excuse me, ladies," Harry says, coughing. "But I need to borrow this amazing woman for a few minutes."

"Ooh, he is rather good-looking." One girl says, eyeing Harry up and down before winking at him playfully. "You really weren't lying about how good he looks up close."

"Heel, Marie," Fleur says, smirking as she smacks the other girl on the arm. "He's mine, and I'm not sharing."

"Oh, come on! Not even a little?" She asks, pouting.

"You couldn't handle me no matter how hard you tried, Marie." Harry teases, smirking along with the laughs from Fleur and the others at the shell-shocked look on the girl's face.

"We've been trying for years to get her to shut up." Another girl says, patting Harry's arm in thanks.

"My pleasure." He smiles, placing a hand on Fleur's shoulder. "However, I really do need to borrow this amazing woman. I'll have her back as soon as possible."

Walking out of the Great Hall, Harry brings them to an empty corridor and sets up a privacy charm before turning to look at her with a grin. "You owe me a trip to the broom shop!" He teases in a sing-song voice.

"Dragons then..." She surmises with a sigh, earning a nod from her beau. "Well, that eliminates my fire conjuration, sleeping charm it is."

"Reckless and dangerous for me." He jokes, taking her hand and kissing it.

"If you do, you better hope that dragon burns you, or I will." She threatens, glaring at him with a poke to the chest for emphasis.

"I meant to say calculated and safe." Harry gulps in fear, nodding quickly. "Yes, dear."

"Good boy."

~Fleur~

Finally, the day before the first task arrives, and the two champions spend the end of the day before together relaxing in bed together.

"Fleur?" Harry asks.

"Hm?"

"This tournament won't change anything between us, will it?" He asks hesitantly, prompting her to turn over and face him.

"What do you mean, Harry?"

"I mean, what if this tournament winds up pitting us against each other at some point?" He queries, panic reigning free in his mind. "What if we have to fight each other? I don't think I'd be able to do that, Fleur."

"I don't think I could fight you either, Harry." She says, wrapping her arms around him. "If I have to, I'll throw down my wand right at your feet. After we beat the other two, of course."

"So will I." He says, nuzzling his beloved. "I'll fight anyone but those I love. I'd throw my wand to Voldemort before raising it at you."

"I know you would." She says quietly, moving closer to him and sighing happily. "Well, I guess we should get some sleep. You have to watch me win tomorrow's task."

"Watching my amazing girlfriend trounce a dragon?" He asks, pretending to faint. "Well, I suppose that staring at your butt is the best consolation prize I could receive."

"Don't you forget it, mister." She laughs, the two of them drifting off to sleep in each other's arms, the task, and the rest of the world forgotten as they enjoy the warm embrace of each other before the potential nightmare to come the following day.

Well, everyone! That was chapter twenty! This was one of my favorite chapters to write, and I can't wait for you all to see the way I have the first task planned. I won't give anything away, but I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. I still can't believe we've made it this far, and I am still blown away by all the love and new fans this story receives every day, even with a two-week gap between chapters. I'm glad to be back on a set schedule, and the chapters will be posted every two weeks, without fail (barring emergencies) from here on out. Constructive criticism is always appreciated, and flames will be used to scar the faces of haters like a Horntail. As usual, read, review, and spread this like wildfire! This is Mystery Critic, signing off.