Hey, everyone! Mystery Critic here, back at you with another chapter of Ma Fleur! Last chapter's cliffhanger was a doozy, huh? It kind of pissed my girlfriend off, so success…? Anywho, I'm glad I was able to get a chapter out and I'm even happier it was loved. Two reviewers mentioned something about how Harry would react to Apolline going nuts on him. One of them also mentioned half correctly about knowing his family wouldn't actually hurt him. Harry is extremely powerful as you've all seen, and as such she couldn't really hurt him. She knows that as well, which is why she was able to chase after him like that without him reacting in a negative way mentally. Also, he lives with Veela. You think he's not going to make himself fireproof? He may not belong in Ravenclaw, but he's not stupid. Usually.
By the by, I had to adjust the last bit of the chapter. I realized they were in their apartment and not by the Black Lake, I don't know why that wasn't the Black Lake. It's corrected now, though. In addition, I apologize once more for having to take another hiatus. I got sick AGAIN and writer's block flashed her tits at me AGAIN! Needless to say, it's been difficult to write. Anywho, with that over, on to the disclaimer. I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the rights affiliated with it. With that over, sit back, relax, and enjoy chapter thirty-three!
Chapter 33
Italics – French
A pin could be heard in the silence that permeates the air following Scrimgeour's declaration. The air around Harry and Fleur begins to sizzle as Fleur narrows her eyes in anger. "I'm sorry, would you care to repeat zat?" She hisses venomously, glaring daggers at the haggard Auror. "It sounded like you said 'Arry kidnapped me and attempted to interfere wiz ze tournament!"
"That's exactly what I said, Miss Delacour," Scrimgeour says, raising his wand at Harry. "Now please move away from him so we may take him into custody."
"First of all, lower your wands before I have to hurt you," Harry practically growls, the heat around the pair growing in intensity. "Second of all, who the hell claimed I kidnapped her?"
"I did!" Madame Maxime says, walking forward with a smirk. "You kidnapped my student and tried to tip the scales in 'Ogwarts's favor for zis tournament. I want 'im arrested now!"
"'E did not kidnap me, you stupid woman!" Fleur snaps at her headmistress, Maxime turning red in anger. ""E took me someplace special for my birzday, and I went wiz 'im willingly! 'E also doesn't care enough about zis stupid farce to try and cheat!"
"If that's the case, I will need you to tell me where he took you, Miss Delacour," Scrimgeour says, lowering his wand but still keeping it in hand.
"I do not 'ave to tell you zat at all," She snaps at him. "I am 'ere and zat is all you need to know. Where we went is none of your business!"
"Actually-"
"It isn't," Jacques interrupts, pushing past the Aurors. "All of you, get your wands off of my children zis instant!"
"Who are you?"
"Unless you're deaf, I just told you I am zeir papa!" He snaps, raising his wand at Scrimgeour. "As well as a foreign diplomat! Lower your wands zis instant!"
"Be that as it may, I still have the right to take Mr. Potter in for questioning." Scrimgeour says.
"No, you do not!" Jacques snaps, his wand glowing an angry red. "Ze alleged kidnapping never took place, as such you 'ave no right to take him for zat! My daughter admitted to going wiz him willingly, and ze alleged "tampering" as a result of zat is also false! You 'ave no legal right to do anything but ask my son questions, ones 'e does not even 'ave to answer! If you continue to press zis, I will blast my way zrough all of you and take zis up wiz your Ministry. Stand down, NOW!"
"Damn, dad," Harry chuckles. "You're right scary, you know that?"
"Zank you, son," He answers, smiling a little without his eyes moving from Scrimgeour. Glaring back at Jacques, his eyes scream for a desire to take Potter and show them all why he is the current Senior Auror. "Do not do it. Even if you could take me out, you will never get a single spell out before my son 'as you bloody and broken."
An eternity passes by in a matter of moments as Scrimgeour weighs his options. Glancing back and forth between Jacques, Harry, and his Aurors, he sighs in defeat. "You should know that this isn't personal, Jacques," He says, raising his wand towards Harry. "I'm just doing my job."
"I understand, Scrimgeour," Jacques responds, raising his wand back at the head Auror as fire roars to life in Harry's palms. "I'm just doing mine, too. My job as a fazzer."
Snapping a stunner off at Scrimgeour, Jacques begins engaging the Auror in a heated duel. Harry throws one of the fireballs in his hands in front of the other Aurors as they move to help their superior. Covering their faces as it explodes in front of them, Harry rushes forward and steps in between the other Aurors and his father's battle. "How about we let them have it out, eh?" He says, dispelling the other fireball and pulling out his wand. Lightning springs to life in his upraised palm, bolts crackling against the ground around him as he pours magic into the element. "We can have some fun here, just the… Twelve of us. Sound good?"
Turning towards Fleur, he smiles and kisses her softly. "Can I ask you to stay out of this one, Fleur?" He asks, stroking her cheek with his thumb. "They're only here for me."
"Normally I'd set you on fire for even suggesting that before incinerating them myself," She grumbles before placing a quick kiss on his nose. "Since you asked so nicely, fine. I'll let you do this one on your own. You'd better make this up to me, though."
"A year's supply of foot rubs it is."
"Oi, don't ignore us!" One of the Aurors shouts out.
"Do you mind?" Harry calls out sarcastically. "I'm trying to discuss my punishment for kicking all of your arses on my own!"
"Do you really think you can take us on, boy?!" One of the Aurors snaps at Harry. "We're all fully trained Aurors. You're nothing but a boy with a light show!"
"I take it he's the one who didn't see the first task?" Harry asks, a few of the others paling. "Who wants to enlighten him?"
"Boggs, he punched a dragon..." One of the other Aurors mutters. "He just… He literally punched a Horntail in the face. The bloody thing went reeling back!"
"I don't buy it! He's just a kid!" The Auror snaps, waving angrily at Harry. "He's nothing but a glory hound, they probably staged the whole thing for him! Shut up and take him down!"
Turning back towards Harry, he opens his mouth to cast a spell but has a fist crash against his jaw before he can even open his mouth to utter the first syllable. The Auror flies back dozens of yards from the force of the blow before rolling to an agonizing stop on the ground. Groaning in pain, he tries to sit up before slumping back down onto the ground in unconsciousness. The Aurors turn back towards Harry, crimson serpents writhe all around him while the lightning crackles furiously on all sides, his wand glowing an angry red. "Who's next?"
Dropping into a roll, Harry avoids several stunners that fly over where his head was a moment ago. Snapping back up onto his feet, Harry slashes his wand sideways in front of him and a shockwave of force bursts towards the Aurors. Most of them raise a shield in time but a few of them are knocked off of their feet. Lowering their shields, they raise their wands to press an attack on Harry. A volley of spells is exchanged between the group of Aurors and Harry, a stray spell connecting with an Auror every few seconds.
Harry practically dances around the deluge of magic being thrown at him, slashing his wand in defense as he uses his wandless magic to counterattack. One by one, the Aurors fall to Harry's speed, power, and stamina. Raising his wand upward, Harry shouts out; "Aegis!" A dome of crackling blue energy jumps to life around him, the spells being absorbed into the shield rather than dissipating. Holding his wand in front of his face pointing upwards, Harry takes a deep breath. Dispelling the lightning from his palm, Harry mutters out Stupefy and a pulsating red orbs appears in his hand. After a moment, the orb spreads apart and surrounds his hand before he wraps the spell covered hand around his other hand, the energy flowing around the wand. Pointing his wand straight up, he shouts out while staring at the Aurors with determination. "Burst!"
The stunner erupts in a wave of power from his wand, pushing the dome out with it. The stunner travels behind the dome as the shields of the Aurors shatter from the power they poured into into the dome. The shockwave of the stunner makes contact with the Aurors before they can even register their shields breaking and they fall unconscious. Taking a deep breath, Harry dispels the serpents before turning back towards Jacques and Scrimgeour. Running towards them, Harry stops next to Fleur and places a hand on her shoulder.
"Are you okay, Fleur?" Harry asks, squeezing her shoulder gently.
"Kick his ass, papa!" Fleur shouts at her father. "Show him the power of the Delacour family!"
Smirking at the encouragement from his children, Jacques begins to press his attack against Scrimgeour. His wand twists and slashes faster than before, spells flying towards the haggard Auror while all of Scrimgeour's spells miss Jacques as he weaves in between them. The battle continues on for another minutes before Jacques fires off a spell chain that knocks Scrimgeours' wand out of his hand, knocks him to the ground, and binds him. Panting in exhaustion, Jacques stretches and cracks his back with a groan of relief.
"I haven't dueled like that in quite a while. I have to admit, it was quite exhilarating," He says with a chuckle. "I might have to get back into the dueling circuit. I miss this adrenaline rush."
"Great shot, dad," Harry says, clapping his father on the back. Hearing a voice shout a spell from behind them, Harry snaps around and knocks the spell away with his hand. Spinning his wand around quickly, he snaps his wand in the direction of the attacker and a funnel of wind slams into the intended target. Madame Maxime is lifted into the air and sent flying backwards into the shallow water of the Black Lake. Sputtering in anger, the Beauxbatons headmistress growls in anger as she raises her wand to attack again.
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Dumbledore roars, the power in his voice halting any further action. "Madame Maxime, why are you attacking my student?!"
"'E was resisting arrest, I was only helping out!" She snaps at Dumbledore, pointing at Harry. "Why were YOU not 'elping your law enforcement arrest zat criminal?!"
"He is not a criminal, he is a student of my school, first of all," He says angrily, stalking towards the giant woman. Despite her size, she begins to back away in fear of the old warlock as the power rolls off of him in waves. "Secondly, that arrest was as fake as a joke wand. Thirdly, as Chief Warlock, I cannot simply intervene in an investigation when I feel like it. There are laws and regulations I must follow. Finally, I had no need to intervene as Jacques and Harry had the situation well under control."
"Wait, you were going to let me wipe the floor with them?" Harry asks in shock.
"I believe I have made my willingness to care about the government well known in the past, Harry," Dumbledore says with a genial smile. "As I said, the arrest was unlawful, you were within your rights to defend yourselves against unlawful arrest, and I must say I enjoyed seeing your duels. May I ask about that dome spell, Harry?"
"I can teach you later, if you'd like," Harry says with a grin. "I created it myself."
"You never cease to amaze me, Harry," Dumbledore says with a chuckle. "I'd love to learn that spell from you in the future. For now, I am going to go back to the DMLE with these Aurors and explain the situation. Madame Maxime, I am going to warn you one time only. Raise your wand to my students again, and I will make sure you do not come within a hundred yards of the castle again. Have I made myself clear?"
Ignoring the headmaster, Maxime scoffs in disdain and stomps away towards the Beauxbatons carriage. Waving a goodbye to Harry with a small smile, Fawkes flashes in and disappears in fire once more with the unconscious Aurors and Dumbledore in tow.
"Well, that was fun," Harry says, clapping his hands together. "Anyone for lunch?"
~Fleur~
Walking into the Great Hall with Fleur, Harry is stopped by Fred, George, and Hermione with their arms crossed and irritated expressions on their faces.
"Harry?" Hermione huffs, glaring at him.
"Yes, Hermione?"
"Would you mind accompanying me to Madame Pomfrey?" She says, practically seething.
"Um, I'm not injured, Hermione..." He says in confusion. Turning to Fleur, she only offers a small shrug. "Why would I need to go to see Madame Pomfrey?"
"Because you must be sick in the head if you think attacking Aurors was a good idea, you complete and utter prat!" She shrieks, smacking him with a book that seemed to appear out of nowhere. "You stupid, reckless, uncaring, idiotic prat!"
"'Ermione, stop!" Fleur snaps, grabbing Hermione's wrists.
"No, I won't!" She snaps, tears falling from her eyes. "What would I do if he was in prison? What would I do if my best friend was out of my life? I couldn't take it, Fleur! Harry has been the biggest constant in my life and I will be damned if I am going to let him go without punishing him for being so stupid!"
"I understand, 'Ermione," Fleur says soothingly. "But you can't use a book, they're too precious. Conjure a stick and beat 'im wiz zat."
"Fleur!" Harry whines, feeling betrayed.
"Well, you do need to be punished, 'Arry." She says with a shrug, as if it was obvious.
"Run, Harry Potter," Hermione says, pointing her wand at him. The tip glows an angry red as she glares at him. "Run and you might just live."
"Oh, balls…" He mutters before turning and running out of the Great Hall, Hermione hot on his heel and flinging spells after him.
"I never said I would give you a head start, Harry Potter!"
"Fred?" George responds a few moments after the event, the Great Hall deathly quiet.
"Yes, George?" His brother responds.
"Should we help him?"
"I'm not getting in the way of my girlfriend, are you?"
"Too right, brother of mine."
"Exactly. I don't have a death wish, either."
A few minutes later, Harry is sitting in the Hospital Wing with his hair spiky all over and a burnt smell coming from his head. Crossing his arms and pouting, Harry turns away from an apologetic Hermione.
"Harry, please forgive me! I thought the heat from the fire spell would have dried you off!"
"Even so, you thought it was a good idea to risk using a lightning-based spell after using Aguamenti?" He grumbled at her. "Look at my hair, I don't think it'll ever be the same again!"
"I think it looks… nice?" She says half-heartedly, only to receive a glare from Harry. "Shutting up."
"Really, Miss Granger," Madame Pomfrey says sternly as she hands Harry a pair of potions, giving him a stern glare that promises suffering if he doesn't take them immediately. Not one to bring on more pain than he has to, Harry chugs both of the potions quickly. "Did you have to use a lightning-based spell after using a water-based spell? Someone of your intelligence must have known that wasn't a very bright idea."
"That's what I said!" Harry says in exasperation.
"What do you have to say for yourself, Miss Granger?" Madame Pomfrey asks, crossing her arms in front of Hermione.
"I was angry?" She says half-heartedly, not even convincing herself.
"Clearly," The matron of the infirmary scoffs with a roll of her eyes. "What you obviously neglected to think of in your bout of anger is that even though Harry is apparently fireproof, he still conducts electricity."
"Ma'am?" Hermione asks in confusion, looking up at the pissed-off witch.
"Miss Granger, lightning is much hotter than fire," She explains with an annoyed sigh. "He may be fireproof, but he can only withstand so much heat. Would you dump magma on Mr. Potter if he was fireproof? Of course not, he can't withstand that much heat. His fireproofing would shatter in an instant.
"Lightning is not only much hotter than both of those, but it's also transferred internally. Throughout his bloodstream, Miss Granger," She says, the implications of what she could have done dawning on Hermione. "Ah, I see you've realized how bad this could have been. That's right, lightning spells don't just travel through just water, Miss Granger. They can easily travel through bloodstream whether Mr. Potter is dry or not."
"I could have killed him..." She whispers in horror.
"Yes, you very easily could have," She answers seriously, looking down at the young witch. "However, you haven't. Be thankful for that, Miss Granger. Take care with your spells in the future. Our wand is not just a tool to help make our lives easier. As easily as it can heal the deadliest of wounds, it can cause them. Our wand is a weapon as much as it is a tool."
"I'm so sorry, Harry..." She mutters, looking away from him.
"You don't have to be sorry, Hermione," He says, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
"Maybe she needs to be sorry, Mr. Potter. It might help her realize which spells are appropriate for the situation in the future," She says seriously, before a smirk appears on her face. "I suppose you'll be thinking about that while you're in detention tonight, won't you?"
"Yes, Madame Pomfrey," Hermione says dejectedly, looking down. "It won't happen again, I promise."
"Yes it will," Madame Pomfrey says with a smirk. "Just keep it below lethal. Merlin knows Mr. Potter needs to be kept in check."
"I'm the one that keeps him in check..." Harry grumbles under his breath.
"What was that, Mr. Potter?" The elderly witch asks, turning her gaze on the young wizard. "Was that something along the lines of 'I'd like to join Hermione in detention?'"
"No, ma'am!" He says quickly, holding his hands up in surrender.
"I thought so," She smirks, waving the pair off. "Shoo, I have other things I need to do."
"Thank you, Madame Pomfrey," Harry says, walking off with a quiet Hermione. Walking throughout the halls in silence for a few minutes, Hermione opens her mouth to apologize, but is cut off by Harry. "You don't have anything to be sorry for, Hermione."
"But, I-"
"Nope, not another word," He says, putting his open palm in her face. "You just got a bit overzealous. Happens to the best of us."
"I could have killed you, Harry!" She shrieks, practically losing her mind. "I could never have forgiven myself if I really hurt you!"
"You could never hurt me, Hermione. You have a very special place in my heart, one you could never abuse in any way," He says with a smile, hugging her briefly. "Any real physical damage is accidental, fleeting, and can easily be healed. Just take it easy on me next time, okay? I'm fragile."
After a moment, Hermione shakes her head with a chuckle. "Fragile, sure," She says, hugging her best friend. "If you're fragile, I'm Morgana Le Fay."
Staying silent for a moment, Harry turns towards Hermione. "I can introduce her to you, if you want,"
"What was that, Harry?" She asks, turning towards him.
"I can trust you, right?" He asks, holding her shoulders gently. "With anything?"
"Of course, Harry," She responds without hesitation, confusion sprouting on her face. "What in the world is going on?"
"Tomorrow," He tells her, smiling at her. "I'll give you the greatest gift I could ever give you."
"Alright, Harry..." She says hesitantly, giving him a small smile. "I trust you."
"There's just one condition," He says.
"What is it?"
"You have to forgive yourself, Hermione," He says, smiling warmly at her. "I forgive you if you really feel that you have a reason to be sorry. However, you need to forgive yourself. It was an accident, Hermione. I'm fine and you no longer have a reason to beat yourself up over this. So forgive yourself, and I'll give you the greatest gift I could ever think to give you."
"Greater than one of Merlin's own journals?" She asks skeptically before scoffing. "I think not, but I encourage you to try."
"I'll make you eat those words tomorrow, Hermione Granger!" He declares triumphantly. "As Ananke as my witness, I will make you speechless!"
"If you says so, Harry," She says, rolling her eyes.
~Fleur~
"So. Are you ready for something even more amazing than one of Merlin's journals, Hermione?" Harry asks, crossing his arms and grinning at her.
"Harry, if you can show me something more amazing than one of Merlin's journals, I'll jump up on Professor McGonagall's desk, kick her papers off of it, and dump a bowl of pudding on her head." Hermione says with a scoff.
"Is that a promise?" Harry asks, holding his hand out for her to shake.
Rolling her eyes, she takes his hand and shakes it. "Sure, Harry," She says. "I swear if you can top Merlin's journal, I will do it."
Grinning wildly at her, the pair disappear in an instant and reappear on a cliff overlooking the rundown ruins of Camelot. Shrieking in terror, Hermione takes a moment to regain her composure before glaring at Harry and smacking him on his shoulder. "Harry, you prat!" She snaps, hitting her best friend repeatedly. "You need to warn me before you just Shimmer me somewhere! It's so rude!"
"I'm sorry, Hermione," The boy chuckles, not sorry in the slightest.
"No you're not..." She huffs, crossing her arms with a pout.
"You're right, I'm not," He says, giving her a small hug. "But look, we're here!"
Looking at where Harry gestures, she raises an eyebrow in confusion. "Um, Harry? Those are… nice ruins and all, but I don't see how this tops Merlin's journal."
"Oh, it's not the ruins, Hermione," He says, pushing her forward through the barrier. A soft gasp escapes the young bushy-haired witch's lips as she takes in the sight of Camelot for the first time. Staying silent for a few moments, she absorbs the beauty of the most beautiful castle she's ever lain eyes upon. Silence permeates the air as for the first time as long as she could remember, Hermione is speechless. No words to describe the beauty in front of her, she simply squeaks in shock. "I take it you like it?"
"It's incredibly beautiful..." She whispers, shuffling forward slightly only to have Harry stop her.
"Careful, now," He warns, gesturing down. "Don't want you falling over."
"Oh, thank you," She mutters before regaining her composure and clearing her throat. "You still haven't topped Merlin's journal, you know."
"Oh, this isn't it, either," He says with a smirk. Grabbing her hand, they disappear for a moment before reappearing in the courtyard of the castle. "Emrys! Get your shaggy old ass out here!"
"Wait, Emrys?" Hermione asks in confusion. A calculating look crosses her face before realization dawns on her. "Wait, as in-"
"Gods above, Harry," Merlin grumbles, stepping out into the courtyard. "It's my nap time, you couldn't have come a few hours later?"
"Merlin, you're over a thousand years old," Harry jokes with a roll of his eyes. "Beauty rest doesn't apply to someone who's atoms should be dust by now."
"You- You're-" Hermione stammers, raising a shaky finger at the ancient warlock in front of her.
"Merlin Emrys, at your service!" He responds, bowing extravagantly with a roll of his hand. "You must be… Hermione, correct?"
"Merlin knows my name..." She mutters, before straightening up. "Um, yes sir, Mr. Emrys! Sir!"
"Oh, none of that, now!" He says with a smile, waving his hand at her. Walking forward, he envelops her in a warm hug. "Any friend of Harry's is a friend of mine, and he's told me quite a bit about you!"
"Bad touch!" Harry shrieks jokingly. "Nasty old man touching young girl sighted!"
Rounding on her best friend, her hands strike out like lightning, pummeling Harry like a storm in an instant. "Harry James Potter, do not talk about the greatest wizard to ever live like that!"
"Ow! Hermione! OW!" He yells, blocking her blows as best as she can. "Lay off, would you? I was making a joke!"
"Still, Harry!" She huffs, turning around and crossing her arms. "That's no way to speak to him! I apologize on behalf of Harry, Mr. Em- I mean, Merlin. Apparently, he's forgotten the manners I've taught him and we'll need to review those lessons again. Won't we, Harry?"
Gulping in fear at the look she gives him, the one that appears to pierce into his soul and strike terror in his heart. Thousands of years of evolution come crashing down as his mammalian survival instinct kicks in immediately. "Yes, Hermione. Whatever you say, Hermione."
"Good boy," She nods with a smile. "By the way, this is amazing, but only on par with the journal. It's still knowledge directly from Merlin himself."
"He's not the surprise either, Hermione." Harry chuckles.
"What could possibly be better than this?!" She squeals, rounding on him so fast her hair smacks into her face.
"Perhaps I can answer that." An angelic voice calls out from behind them. Hermione turns around slowly as she sees a tall woman with hair as black as Harry's, an elegant crimson dress draping over her and clinging to her skin. Her eyes shine like silver as she smiles warmly at the young duo. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Hermione."
"Hermione, may I introduce your surprise?" Placing a hand on his best friend's back, he gestures to the angel walking on Earth in front of them. "Lady Morgana Le Fay."
"Harry?" Hermione squeaks in shock.
"Yes, Hermione?"
"Remind me to write my will, would you?"
"Why…?"
"When I keep my promise, Professor McGonagall is going to kill me." She says simply before falling forward in a dead faint.
"Huh, that's new," Harry observes after catching her. "Hermione stopped working."
Well, everyone. There's chapter thirty-three! It's a bit shorter than I would have hoped, but I wanted to get some content out for you. Once again, sickness and writer's block are rampant problems in my day to day life, but I'm going to keep working on the chapters for you. I'll try my best to have a new chapter every two weeks, but I don't know if that'll be realistic at this point. I'm fighting writer's block every day, and I have a lot of concern flowing through my head for my family, friends, and every one of you. Please stay safe and keep healthy. Wash your hands often, and follow appropriate protocols. Please stay inside, if for nothing else than to be safe, even if your state or country isn't in quarantine.
As for the story, for the time being, I can't promise any set timeline, but I will try my best as I said before. I hope you all enjoyed that chapter, and if you have any ideas, please don't hesitate to ask. If I enjoy it, you will see in a future chapter. Constructive criticism is always welcome, and flamers? This next message is for you. The story just recently hit 700,000 views! Let's keep this going and as usual, read, review, and spread this story like wildfire! This is Mystery Critic, signing off.