A/N: Song title comes from the UK band 'The Automatic'.
As always, thanks to chem prof for his beta work, making this story far more readable than it would otherwise be.
Chapter 8: Recover
Harry felt like crap.
He had endured the Cruciatus before, a couple times within an hour, too, at the hand of Voldemort on the night of his return. Nevertheless, the spell was designed with one purpose and one purpose only – to cause immeasurable pain – and it was very, very effective and it.
Naturally, the more lengthy the exposure to the Unforgiveable, the greater the impact and required recovery time. After running on adrenaline for much of the evening in the graveyard, Harry had crashed following his confrontation with Barty Crouch Jr. It had taken forty-eight hours to properly recover. While his exposure today had been on a lesser scale, it still left him sore and drained nonetheless.
Then there was the fact that he had Apparated, for the first ever time, across the English Channel. That in itself was a respectable accomplishment. When coupled with a passenger, even more so, and after exposure to the Cruciatus Curse, again even more so. Consequently, the entire experience led to Harry collapsing from exhaustion upon appearing in Fleur's expansive, exquisite front garden.
A moment after arrival, Fleur was on the grass beside Harry. He could feel her delicate, but firm hands lift his head into her lap.
"'Arry." Fleur breathed, voice filled with immense concern.
"That was… exhausting." Harry said between heavy breaths. "Think you can help me up?" He tried to sit up, but his head swam and vision clouded over. Groaning, he laid back and stared into Fleur's azure eyes. They were rather captivating. But his body wasn't going to last long enough to enjoy the view.
"Don't tell anyone I'm here," he said, followed by unconsciousness claiming him. Fleur called his name a few times, but garnered no response. She cursed in French at being helpless to do anything, again.
She bent over and checked his breathing. It was clearer than it had been a few minutes ago, but still laboured.
He's alive. He's just exhausted. He'll be fine.
Fleur cursed again. Harry had taken the Cruciatus Curse that was meant for her. It should've been her on the ground unconscious, not Harry. Guilt threatened to overcome her but she swallowed it and clamped down on her emotions.
There'll be time for that later, she chastised herself. Get him help first.
It took some effort, but Fleur, filled with resolved to make certain the young man under her watch recovered properly, managed to pick up Harry. He was lighter than she expected. She could feel bones through his clothing easier than she should have been able to for some his age.
Those thoughts distracted her long enough to carry Harry the hundred meters or so up to the front doors of the Delacours' mansion. Their home was large by anyone's standards. The entire property was approximately two kilometres square, all heavily protected courtesy of the French Ministry of Magic's finest. The grounds were carefully maintained, mostly by magic, and the lush green fields and gardens were truly a wonderful sight.
Magic noted her arrival, and intricately crafted wooden doors opened as Fleur climbed a couple of stairs leading to the front veranda. The entrance hall was large enough to hold a hundred people comfortably. There were two staircases leading to a second floor in both far corners of the room, doorways to living rooms on either side of the hall, and an elaborate chandelier in the centre of the room.
"Mama! Papa!" Fleur called desperately, switching back to her native language. Her parents were both competent at speaking English, but Fleur and her parents were more comfortable speaking in French.
Several long moments passed before the sound of hurried footfalls hit Fleur's ears. A tall, slightly rotund man emerged from a living room on her left. At just over forty years, Henri Delacour was beginning to age, but maintained some of his youthful energy and exuberance.
"Fleur?" Henri caught sight of his dishevelled daughter, and then young man in her arms. His heart sped up, thinking of what could have happened. "Fleur, what was happened?"
"Papa, we were attacked in Diagon Alley." Fleur hurried explained. Harry's weight began to burden her and so she strode towards the staircases. Henri followed close behind. "We need somewhere to take care of Harry." Fleur hesitated a moment on the stairs. Henri drew up behind her, curious.
"Nobody outside this house can know we are here, Papa."
Henri raised his eyebrows at his daughter's no-nonsense tone. She had only ever used that tone a handful of times in her life, and he knew better than to oppose it without more information.
Fleur took off again, turned to the right and entered her room a moment later. The room was decorated with a heavy emphasis on the colour burgundy. The king size bed directly across from the door was made with burgundy wood, coloured sheets and pillows. A chifferobe was on Fleur's immediate right, and a dresser and study desk on the left walls. She lay Harry down on her bed, explaining to her father the remainder of the story.
"This boy is the Harry Potter?" asked Henri, with a certain amount of curiosity. Very few European wizards didn't know the name Harry Potter and the story that went hand in hand.
"Yes, Papa," replied Fleur curtly. "He gets enough people staring mindlessly at him in Britain. Try and restrain yourself."
Having known his wife for twenty years, Henri knew when not to talk about to an upset part-Veela. He learnt that lesson the hard way in his youth.
"Where's Mama?" Fleur asked, shuffling pillows on her bed in an effort to make Harry more comfortable. "I need a pain relieving potion now." Fleur paused for a moment, then added, "And a dreamless sleep potion if we have any."
Henri nodded and rushed off to get the potions and his wife, Anastasia. On his way, he passed by his youngest daughter's room. "Gabrielle?" he knocked quietly, opening the door a crack.
"Yes, Papa?" came the small voice of his ten year old daughter.
Gabrielle Delacour had not changed dramatically over the past year and a half. She was slightly taller, her hair more silvery and an inch or two longer. Henri inwardly sighed, knowing full well that after the next year or two his daughter would reach the age where she would begin a rapid change in appearance. It was another trait passed on through to any Veela, quarter or otherwise. Children grew too quickly as it was.
"Don't go into Fleur's room unless she tells you." Henri warned, putting aside his thoughts.
"Yes, Papa," Gabrielle sighed. Henri hesitated at his daughters' tone. He often wondered what his youngest daughter thought of the man in her sister's life. His mind drifted back to Fleur and remembered what he had been asked to do.
Not willing to risk an argument with an already distressed Fleur, he closed the door and moved at a half jog down the hallway.
Back in the bedroom, Gabrielle stopped reading and glanced out her window.
I suppose that red-headed Englishman is here again. Gabrielle sighed.
-x-x-x-x-x-
With a few flicks of her wand, Fleur emptied Harry's robes of his shrunken shopping items, wand and other various knick knacks and set them on a chair in the corner of the room. Another flick removed Harry's robe, which was neatly folded onto the same chair.
Underneath the robes, Harry wore the standard black long pants and white buttoned shirt worn by all Hogwarts students. Around his neck was a red and gold tie she had never seen before. Then again, she had never seen Harry in anything besides robes and a few of his oversized regular clothes during the summer. Nevertheless, it was prompted removed, along with Harry's shoes and socks.
Harry lay still, quietly breathing, and Fleur, after watching him for a moment, couldn't honestly tell if he was unconscious or had fallen asleep. Nevertheless, he would wake soon from the after effects of the Cruciatus Curse. Sleep deprivation was a side-effect of exposure.
Taking a few steps back and standing beside her chifferobe, Fleur crossed her arms and waited.
She felt horrible. She'd told Kingsley that the two of them would be another half hour in Madam Malkin's and would head straight back to the Leaky Cauldron. She'd told him to not worry. He was safe with her. But the moment she was in charge, the two of them were attacked and Harry was subjected to the Cruciatus Curse.
She had panicked. She was completely unprepared for an attack in the middle of Britain's major wizarding shopping district, and completely unprepared to deal with Death Eaters who would cast Unforgiveables without batting an eye.
A slight scowl crossed her face, more at herself than anything. Inwardly, Fleur was now cursing herself.
At Beauxbatons, duelling classes were a cinch to her. The knowledge that it was all just a contest with rules and restrictions made it far easier to be confident than in real life. Real life offered no such comforts. One mistake and you could very well end up dead.
For the Order of the Phoenix, Fleur served primarily as an information gatherer. Despite her reluctance, she had occasionally used her Veela influence to coerce the subject into giving up certain information. Then all it took was a Memory Charm so the victim would be none the wiser unless a powerful Legilimens was intentionally searching for it. She wasn't half bad at those.
This was the second time Fleur had been forced to duel, and what happened on both occasions wasn't something she found herself proud of.
Fleur froze on the battlefield. She was well aware the stakes were higher now. While for some that compelled people to move, to stay ahead of their opponents, for others like Fleur, they froze. The only reason she remained unharmed the first time was because of her backup, a middle-aged witch by the name of Emmeline Vance.
And now she had frozen again. And it had cost Harry significant pain.
It was another couple minutes before Fleur heard another sound besides Harry's and her own breathing.
"Mama," Fleur said softly, uncrossing her arms as her mother entered her room.
Anastasia Delacour was gorgeous. Her was was adorned with aristocratic features, with the same azure eyes as her daughter. Trademark Veela silvery-blonde hair fell to her waist. Her body resembled someone in their early twenties, not forty. It was a fortunate side-effect of her Veela heritage.
"Fleur, dear, what's this Henri says about you being attacked?" asked Anastasia, wrapping her daughter in an embrace.
"I'm fine, Mama." Fleur replied with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. Anastasia noticed but spoke nothing of it.
"Fleur's fine, Ana. It's Mr. Potter that needs assistance." Henri stepped into the room, carrying a handful of potions.
Anastasia checked her daughter briefly before turning her attentions to their unexpected guest. "Pass me the pain relieving potion, Henri," Anastasia ordered. Her entire demeanour quickly changed now that she knew her daughter was all right.
Henri passed his wife a flask filled with a dark purple potion from one his pockets and said, "He was hit with the Cruciatus Curse." Anastasia looked between her husband and daughter, shocked.
"I see." Anastasia said. She drew her wand and cast a few diagnostic spells. "How long?"
"At least ten seconds," Fleur replied immediately, watching her mothers' movements carefully. The room was silent for several long moments.
Anastasia sighed and turned to her daughter. "He's going to be in pain for a considerable portion of the next day, maybe slightly more, and the sleep deprivation will only compound the length of recovery."
"Is there nothing we can do?" asked Henri. He lifted one of the vials of Pain Relieving Potions. "Should we wake him? To give him the potions?"
"No." Anastasia shook her head. "The Cruciatus Curse is highly resistant to all forms of magic. I doubt even twenty of the potions will be able to completely relieve the pain, if one could stomach that much without consequence. This is terrible magic. He's best left to enjoy whatever serenity can be found in unconsciousness, for the waking world won't be pleasant."
Fleur swallowed that piece of information and fell into her thoughts. Henri set down the potions on Fleur's bedside table but did little else. Neither Anastasia nor Henri bothered her for several minutes.
Then Henri asked the inevitable question. "Why can't we let anyone know he's here?"
"We were attacked, Papa," Fleur patiently explained. "One of the attackers escaped and might still be a threat. The Death Eaters will know that Harry is hurt. It is best for him to be out of sight until he recovers."
Henri nodded in agreement. "I understand the logic, Fleur. But why here?" Seeing Fleur's expression he backtracked, "Not that I mind, but why here of all places? We've never met him, nor had any contact with him."
Fleur softened her expression. It was a legitimate question. "Harry asked to come here."
"What about the Weasleys?" Anastasia countered, curious herself. "Aren't they very friendly with Mr. Potter? You said he was there most of the summer."
"I suggested that, but he said no." Fleur didn't know why Harry had refused the Weasleys' house as refuse anymore than her parents. "There was no time for argument. Perhaps it would be too obvious."
"And Hogwarts?" asked Henri.
"Harry says there are Death Eaters at Hogwarts." Fleur replied stoically. "It would not be safe."
"Death Eaters?" Henri repeated. "Under Albus Dumbledore's nose?"
Fleur scowled at the sceptical tone in her father's voice. "He has not yet lied to me. I see no reason to distrust this claim any more than any other he has made."
A moment passed.
"Alright then," Anastasia said. "He can stay till he recovers. Any friend of yours is welcome."
Fleur's faced filled with happiness. "Thank you, Mama, Papa!" she hugged both of them. "Remember, nobody can know. Even if you're asked directly, lie. I owe him this, at least."
Fleur's parents exchanged a look and nodded to their daughter. Their other questions could wait until later.
"Call us when he wakes." Anastasia said, and then left the room with her husband. Fleur followed them to the door and closed it with a click. She cast a Silencing Charm on the door and slumped to the floor beside her bed.
She looked up at the deceptively peaceful looking young man on her bed. He'd be in pain again soon enough.
Am I really cut out for this? I keep freezing… All this fighting, seeing injured friends, death… I may have graduated, but I really don't know how to deal with real life and death duels. If this is what happens when I am in charge of someone's safety, how can I possibly be of any use to the Order, Harry or Bill?
Tears of frustration and guilt threatened to be released. She grabbed onto the edge of her sheets and tried to hold them back. Harry had been hurt on her watch. How could she honestly hope to help him?
A groan from the bed startled Fleur out of her downward spiral into depression. Her bed cover ruffled with movement. She heard a grunt of pain.
Fleur wiped her eyes and looked up on the bed. Harry had sat up slightly and was facing her. His glasses were askew, but his eyes were open and staring at her.
"Fleur?" he whispered, wincing at an aching pain in his leg. "You okay?"
"You idiot, 'Arry!" Fleur yelled, switching back to English. "Why did you take zat curse for me?" Her eyes started watering again. She brushed her eyes, irritated at herself.
Merde, I'm nineteen and I'm acting like a damn child.
"Not so loud," replied Harry. He visibly winced at an ache in his arm. "I wasn't thinking. Spur of the moment."
"I'm so sorry, 'Arry." Fleur latched onto one of his hands. "I was supposed to be protecting you, not ze ozzer way around."
"It's alright," Harry whispered. He winced again as more aches made their presence known. "Dear God that's annoying," he said disdainfully. He turned back to Fleur. "I couldn't do a thing without help the first half dozen times I wound up in a battle. It wasn't until last year I was able to start to hold my own." Harry shrugged gingerly. "It takes a bit of getting used to."
"I won't let this happen again." Fleur swore. And she meant it. She wouldn't, couldn't let this happen again. Next time her mistake might cost her, or Harry, much more.
"That's great." Harry smiled at her, though it was disrupted due to another wince. "If you don't mind passing that pain relieving potion from the desk…"
Fleur got on her knees and passed across one of the vials of said potion.
"Thanks." Harry said, unstopping the cork and swallowing contents. "Gah. Horrible as always. I know it won't help much but it's better than nothing." Slughorn's lessons were useful after all.
Harry closed his eyes and let the potion work its magic. Fleur did not disturb him.
After several minutes, Harry opened his eyes. He already felt slightly better, though the aches were still distractingly painful.
"Nobody knows I'm here?"
"Oui. Just my parents and probably Gabrielle."
"Good." Harry replied tiredly. He yawned and winced again.
Fleur grew pensive. She gathered her courage and asked, "'Arry, why did you ask to come 'ere and not to ze Burrow?"
Harry's expression darkened ever so slightly for several moments. "Has anyone told you anything about Ron in the last week?" he eventually asked.
"Non, I 'aven't 'eard anyzing." Fleur shook her head. "I wasn't aware you required replacement possessions until last night."
"You remember mentioning how Hermione and I weren't as close?"
"Oui," she replied, curious to where this was going. Those two other Gryffindors had mentioned that Ron and Hermione were dating now.
Harry took a breath and licked his dry lips. "Ron and Hermione were going out. Ron tried to force her to kiss him when she hesitated and she broke it off. He completely destroyed our dorm room, beds and belongings. He stole my Invisibility Cloak and went off to find Hermione."
Fleur was surprised at the behaviour of the youngest Weasley male. She wasn't particularly fond of the kid, nor she didn't claim to know him, but this wasn't something she believed he was capable of. He was harmless, drooling, somewhat rude and disgusting. But not this.
"I have a map of the school." Harry moved one of his arms to his pocket, only just noticing he wasn't wearing his robes. He looked around frantically for it. "Did you take off my robe?" Fleur nodded confusedly in confirmation. Harry noticed the chair with his belongings. "Did you find a parchment in a pocket?"
"Oui," Fleur nodded. She stood up and crossed the room to the chair. She returned with the Marauder's Map in hand after a moment of searching.
Harry sat up in bed, wincing again in the process. Fleur stood up, picked up a pillow and put it between his back and the headboard. Harry shuffled over a bit, winced and offered the other side of the king size bed to Fleur. She prompted lay down beside Harry, her head one of her pillows beside Harry's right shoulder.
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." Harry muttered, taping it with his finger. Ink seemed to spurt from his finger, which quickly, purposefully filled up the page. Fleur looked in wonder at nametags of students wandering about the castle. Most of the students were still outside on the late Saturday afternoon, except for Hermione who was mysteriously in Dumbledore's office. It was only then Harry thought about those back at Hogwarts.
"Do you have an owl I can borrow?" asked Harry, turning to Fleur. Not expecting her to be as close as she was, he jumped a little, compounded by a painful ache in his left arm, that was holding him up, and nearly fell. Fleur grabbed onto his white, buttoned shirt and pulled him back upright.
She smiled amusedly and Harry resisted the urge to blush. Fleur righted Harry and then retrieved a quill and some parchment from her desk.
Harry scribbled a quick note to Hermione. He was fine, but couldn't say where he was, and he'd return in a few days.
"I'll return to London and send the letter soon." Fleur said after Harry was finished.
"Thank you, Fleur." Harry said sincerely. "For everything."
"You're welcome." Fleur smiled, and it reached her eyes. She felt considerably better than she did half an hour ago.
Then she remembered what they were talking about and her smile dropped. Harry seemed to be thinking along the same lines as his expression returned to that slightly darkened expression again. She returned to her spot beside him on the bed.
"I used this map to find Ron before he found Hermione. He never said what he intended to do, but we have our suspicions," Harry finished bitterly. "We're not friends anymore."
"Oh, 'Arry," Fleur whispered, her earlier disbelief multiplied.
"It's okay," said Harry softly. "I feel like some part of the puzzle is missing. However, that may be hoping that Ron isn't that kind of person. I never believed it to be, but he's never acted that way before."
"At least nobody was 'urt, oui?"
Harry nodded. Fleur let the new silence continue for a moment.
"I must inform my parents that you are awake. I'll be back soon."
Harry shuffled back down the bed, making an absolutely wreck of the covers. He was still exhausted. Fleur helped him get comfortable before leaving.
As soon as she left, Harry let out a groan. Madam Pomfrey had kept him asleep as much as she could the last time he'd experienced the Cruciatus so he had essentially missed most of the pain in the aftermath of the curse. This time he had no such luxury.
Aches and pains were everywhere, and they showed little signs of slowing down any time soon. Progress was, literally, painfully slow. Then, the potion was already losing its effectiveness. Fifteen minutes, tops.
He rolled onto his side again and curled up, closing his eyes. Every minute or so another part of his body would ache. He let out another groan after a particularly painful twinge. He was in for a long night.
Unbeknownst to Harry, Fleur had removed the Silencing Charm on the door as soon as she was outside. She had stayed for a moment, to make sure he was alright. She stood there for five minutes, hearing him occasionally groan in pain.
He hadn't blamed her. He said it was okay.
Fleur Delacour still felt guilty. She still blamed herself.
She was in for a long night.
-x-x-x-x-x-
Fifteen minutes later, Fleur returned with her parents. Their guest was sitting up in bed, having abandoned the idea of resting for the time being. The potion had fully worn off, and Harry was attempting Occlumency to drown out the pain. The aches, however, were maddening.
"Isn't there some way to stop the aching?" asked Harry. "I think I'm going to go insane."
"I'm afraid zere is no effective treatment to ease ze pain, Mr. Potter," replied Anastasia, who was sorting through a collection of potions Henri had brought in. "Ze best I can offer is ze dreamless sleep potion, which will provide a few hours of solace."
Harry sighed. "That'll do. Madame Pomfrey kept me asleep for most of the duration of the after-effects last time." He locked eyes with the two adults. "Thank you."
Anastasia and Henri shared a look and smiled. "You saved our daughter. It is ze least we could do."
"I'll take care of 'im," Fleur announced, giving her parents a 'no argument' expression. "Can we 'ave our dinner 'ere?"
"Oui. I'll start organizing it," Anastasia replied, and then proceeded to leave.
"If you need anything, ask," Henri told the two of them and then followed his wife's lead.
The two were alone again. An uneasy silence grew, until Harry spoke up.
"I'm sorry, Fleur."
"For what?" she asked confusedly.
"I've probably made you a target for Voldemort," he replied solemnly. "Bellatrix escaped, didn't she? She'll inform Voldemort you were with me. Now he'll know you're an ally. You'll be a target to get to me."
Fleur shook her head. "I became a target, 'Arry, when I joined ze Order and again when I joined your group. Zis changes nozzing."
Harry remembered Padma's similar statement from the other day. He didn't know what he'd done to deserve such trust and loyalty from these wonderful people, some he'd chosen on faith alone. Yet he'd heard several pledges to assist him, to follow him no matter what. All he could say was, "Thank you."
Fleur smiled and sat on the edge of her bed.
"This isn't quite what I'd pictured." Harry remarked a moment later. At Fleur's questioning glance, he elaborated. "This is the first time I've been in a girl's room. It's not pink and fluffy like my dorm mates have led me to believe."
"I've never been a fan of pink."
Harry examined the room again. "I'll take a stab and say burgundy is your favourite."
"Oui." Fleur smiled. "I'm honoured to be your first."
Harry blushed at the connotation. He received a laugh in response.
The two sat in silent in a moment, Harry again taking the room, attempting to ignore the aches and only partly succeeding. Fleur was watching and pondering the teen before her.
"I 'ave only had one ozzer male in 'ere." Fleur admitted.
"Bill."
"Oui."
Still somewhat disoriented, it took Harry several moments more to realise what that implied. Fleur's room, her bed, with Bill having been here before...
He knew what sex was, partly thanks to Seamus and Dean's ever riveting late night conversations. With everything that had occurred in his life at Hogwarts, the possibility of actually being near (let alone experiencing) sex had rarely crossed his mind. But Fleur and Bill were fully fledged adults, and the idea of being on the bed they'd slept in made him somewhat uncomfortable.
A laugh drew him out of his thoughts. "Do not feel uncomfortable, 'Arry. Bill and I 'ave not made love or anyzing else in this bed." She frowned by the surprised expression she received in response.
"You haven't?"
"Oui. We decided to wait till we are married."
Well, that was a half-truth in her case. Her heritage came at a price. Fleur had to make certain Bill wanted her for her, not for her body, as was generally the case. Bill was unaware of this. He probably wouldn't appreciate the lack of trust, but Fleur couldn't help it. From an early age her mother had drilled into her the importance of giving herself to only someone who would love her for who she was and not her looks. Some habits were hard to break and she didn't even want to break this one, having heard a hundred tales about such incidents.
Harry flushed, realizing he'd stuck his foot in his mouth. "I'm sorry; I don't know anything about relationships."
"You've never 'ad a girlfriend?" Fleur asked, as surprised as Harry was a moment before.
"Well, one, very briefly last year," Harry acquiesced. "It was a total disaster though." He spent the next ten minutes giving Fleur a cliff notes, and then, at her prodding, a full account of his and Cho's 'relationship'.
"She sounds very 'igh maintenance." Fleur shook her head. "'owever, she might not 'ave been ready to date again after Cedric. This Cho might not 'ave been over his death. I'd say it wasn't 'er fault ze relationship didn't work out. It couldn't 'ave worked in ze first place, at least so soon."
Harry pondered Fleur's words for a moment. It had only been a summer since Cedric's death. Maybe she hadn't been ready for a relationship after all? Maybe he had just been one of those 'rebound' people? Whatever the case, he had no feelings for the Ravenclaw anymore, he knew that much.
He sighed. Maybe he should have a chat with the girl sometime after he returned. Both sides were at fault, but it wouldn't hurt to be the first to apologize. It would take away the need to avoid each other constantly. That had gotten quite bothersome already.
There was a knock at the door.
"Come in," Fleur said in a loud voice. Henri entered with a large tray with two plates which he placed on the bed in front of Fleur.
"Alright, 'Arry?" he asked. Harry nodded, and then grimaced. He was doing his best to hide how much pain he was in, in front of Fleur. "Gabrielle was asking for you, Fleur," Henri added before leaving. "I zink she zinks Bill is 'ere. I'll let you decide what to tell 'er."
With that, he quickly asked a few direct, clinical questions, no doubt originating from his wife, got an answer and left, closing the door behind him.
"Your mother," began Harry. Fleur was using her wand to levitate the trays in front of them. "She knows a lot about Healing."
Fleur took a bite of her meal. "My mozzer has a lot of free time now she no longer works as a model. She took a few courses, and then after a few years ago... Well, it became more important to her."
Harry glanced at Fleur side on and noted the darkened expression on her face. The urge to inquire to the event a few years ago was near overwhelming, however Harry reined it in. She'd talk about it if and when she wanted to.
"Has she changed at all?" Harry asked conversationally, carefully partaking in his meal so as not to spill anything. "Gabrielle."
"Non, still short and annoying, but what sister isn't?" replied Fleur. She was smiling, however.
Harry thought of Ron complaining about Ginny. "I suppose so," he picked a fork and began eating. The two chatted while they ate. Twice Harry dropped his fork when his arm suddenly ached on him. He refused Fleur's offer of feeding him. He wasn't that handicapped.
The night passed both slowly and quickly. Fleur kept Harry distracted by talking about anything while lying on the bed beside him. She disappeared for half an hour with their dirty plates and returned with the news that Gabrielle knew he was here and wanted to see him. Harry grimaced and said he'd see her tomorrow, when he wasn't aching all over.
While Fleur had been gone, Harry had replayed the day in his mind. He was exhausted. Nevertheless, a few questions cropped up, that he asked on her return.
He discovered Fleur's house was connected to the Floo, but only the four family members were permitted access, due to an attack on the family several years ago during Henri's campaign for the French equivalent of the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Harry didn't press for details, and Fleur offered none. Despite the attack, or perhaps in spite of it, Henri was chosen for the position six months later.
Anastasia, on the other hand, had been pulling out of the model business for the two years prior to the attack, having grown tired of it. She retired immediately following the attack and, after several months, opened her own fashion line, but refused to work away from home. Her dedication to her children had been reinvigorating at their near miss, and Fleur claimed their home life was the most stable thing in her life.
As the night continued, Harry grew more exhausted and frustrated as the aches and pains ever so slowly died. Fleur noted this and eventually ordered him to retire and try regardless of the after-effects to sleep.
"'Arry, what's wrong?" Fleur asked seeing him sit up and start to get out of bed.
"I just remembered that this is your bed," Harry said over his shoulder. "I'm not letting you get kicked out of your bed for me. I'll take a guest room."
Fleur quickly walked around the bed and pushed Harry back down. "Non, ozzerwise I'd follow you. I'm staying wiz you in case you need anyzing during ze night."
Harry tried to get up again but was pushed down by Fleur a second time. From his laid down position, staring up at the part-Veela, he said, "Then I'll try and conjure a bed for myself. This is your bed after all; I'm not letting you sleep on the floor."
"I'm not letting you sleep on ze floor in your condition eizzer," Fleur replied steadfastly, crossing her arms defiantly.
A puzzled look crossed Harry's face. "Then how are we going to do this?"
"I'll be in ze same bed," Fleur announced. Harry tensed up and had to rein in his rapidly wandering mind.
"What about Bill?" he asked, worried that if Bill found out he'd be back in a hospital bed soon enough.
"What about 'im?" Fleur asked back, enjoying Harry's discomfort despite herself. "There are no sexual intentions involved... Or are zere?" She grinned at the furious blush that now graced Harry's features.
"Not that I'd do anything if there were." Harry muttered. "You're engaged."
Fleur cocked an eyebrow and uncrossed her arms. Curious as to the answer, she asked, "Does zat mean if I wasn't zen you would?"
Harry didn't answer.
"Come, on, 'Arry." Fleur chided, leaning over him and running a finger down his right cheek. "We're going to be sharing a bed, ze least you could be is honest for me."
Since Harry wasn't certain she was teasing, that put him in a tight situation. He slightly, almost imperceptibly, nodded his head. Quietly he said, "If I could get the courage, and knew that you liked me back."
That was good enough for Fleur. She stood back up, removed her finger and crossed the room so she was behind Harry, who had sat up again.
"Close your eyes, 'Arry. I'm going to get changed."
Harry continued to blush further. He tightly closed his eyes and put his hands over his face, just incase. Fleur laughed at his actions. She removed her jeans and shirt, removed her bra and put on a different top that she wore to bed.
"You can open your eyes now," Fleur announced. Harry, very slowly, took his hands away, turned around slightly and opened his eyes. They widened as they drunk in the sight of Fleur in nothing but a longish top that dropped to her thighs, leaving a lot of leg exposed, with very short sleeves. Harry immediately looked away and buried his face into the bed, the same blush causing his heart rate to double. Fleur laughed again.
"You're enjoying this aren't you?" Harry mumbled into the sheets.
"Oui," she replied, her pleasure evident in her voice. Fleur reached out and moved the sheets down, then climbed in. She grabbed her wand off her bedside table and transfigured Harry's school uniform into a shirt and pants more suited for bed. Harry fought the urge to look at her again. He had seen her in her current attire for only a second and the image was burned into the back of his irises. He knew she was beautiful, but never imagined seeing her like this.
He felt her hand on his side and tensed further. Another ache in his arm made him hiss suddenly.
"I trust you," Fleur whispered into his ear, surprising Harry at her closeness. "Zat is why I know I can sleep in ze same bed as you and know I'm safe. Ze same goes for my… attire." She added with a grin Harry could feel.
Slowly he managed to relax. He hadn't noticed how tense he had been since Gringotts. It all began to seep out of him as Fleur slowly pulled him into an embrace.
Hopefully her idea would work. Keeping Harry preoccupied with the sensations of close contact would hopefully reduce his awareness, and therefore reception, of the pain from the after-effects on the Cruciatus Curse. Using that same logic, she could have made love to him right there and then. Fleur, however, was engaged, like Harry had said. Besides, she believed neither of them would want their first this way.
Fleur shuffled closer until she felt Harry softly against her. She felt him tense again and then relax after he got used to the contact a few minutes later.
"Nobody has ever held me like this," Harry whispered after awhile. Fleur didn't answer. Instead, she held him closer. The aches continued to slowly die down as time passed in sometimes silence and sometimes idle chatter. Whether because he was healing or because of the physical contact with Fleur was diminishing his awareness, Harry didn't know or care. Unfortunately, he now had a very attractive woman pressing her body against him which was causing other problems. He shifted uncomfortably, hoping Fleur wouldn't notice.
Very slowly, Harry began to drift off. Just the presence of Fleur, let alone her body pressed against him, was calming, knowing that she was taking care of him, except for one particular area. After awhile he could hear Fleur's rhythmic breathing against his back. One of her hands was draped across his side, laying to rest in front of him. He moved his own hand and grabbed hers, interlocking his fingers. Fleur made a noise in her sleep and unconsciously shuffled a little closer, pressing her body even more against Harry's back.
The Delacours only had the one dreamless sleep potion in the house, and Harry had been entirely ready to use it until Fleur had lain with him like this. There was still pain, but it was dulled by her presence. And now he didn't want to wake her to retrieve it.
Ten minutes, then thirty passed. There were no noises heard in the Delacour mansion. Harry assumed Fleur had cast a silencing charm for privacy. He was glad, since this was one scene he didn't want anyone walking in on.
It took him far longer than normal to get to sleep. When Harry finally did, he didn't dream about Cedric or Sirius or Voldemort.
Instead, he dreamt of a large house in the country, where he stood in a garden, nothing too grandiose, but pretty nonetheless. He felt something he couldn't describe, something he hadn't felt in such a long time, perhaps not ever in living memory. For a moment, he wondered if it was love, until he was distracted when a presence appeared beside him. It was Fleur. She didn't say anything. She just smiled and held his hand. Harry just smiled at her in response. He was safe here. No Dark Lords, no pain. He was happy.
-x-x-x-x-x-
Fleur woke soon after dawn. She blinked her eyes a few times and noticed a few rays of morning sunshine passed through her drapes, sporadically lighting up the room. Normally Fleur was a morning person, however this morning she sighed in dissatisfaction with the early hour. Saturday had been a long, tiring, stressful day for her, though nothing compared to Harry's.
Speaking of Harry, Fleur became aware of his presence beside her. The two appeared to have moved little in their sleep, except that Harry had turned over, now facing her. Several minutes passed as Fleur simply watched him sleep.
The only other person she'd slept in the same bed with was Bill at his apartment in London, and he fidgeted in his sleep, more than once disturbing her in the process. Fleur loved the man; however some of his habits and idiosyncrasies bothered her. Harry, it appeared, moved precious little in his sleep, for he had not woken her at any point during the night. It was nice, to have a night of uninterrupted sleep with another person, even unromantically.
An indeterminate amount of time passed before Harry awoke. He groaned and rolled onto his back, stretching his legs out under the sheets and yawning.
"'ow iz ze pain, 'Arry?"
Harry started a little. He turned in Fleur's direction and blinked a few times. Fleur smiled a little at him, presuming he'd forgotten she was there.
"Okay, I think," replied Harry with a shrug. "We'll see when I try and move around a bit. For the moment, I'm simply tired."
"That's good news!" Fleur exclaimed, reaching out and giving him a half hug. Though in itself it made her feel guilty, her guilt lessened slightly with the news that he was, at least mostly, better.
Several moments passed until Harry made to sit up, ending Fleur's hug. He was a little embarrassed, having enjoyed the feeling of her in nothing but a t-shirt far too much, garnering a certain reaction. Trying to hide the reaction until it passed, he sat up, crossed his arms and leant on his knees.
Fleur sat up as well, placing a hand on his shoulder. "What iz wrong?"
"Nothing," replied Harry, shaking his head quickly. "I'll be fine in a minute."
"'as it started 'urting again?" she asked worriedly. Her response was another shake of the head. Fleur frowned in thought, wondering what could possibly be wrong with him. Then she realised.
"'Arry, zere is nozzing to be embarrassed over." Fleur said softly. "You have ze... morning problem, you call eet?" Harry remained unresponsive, trying to not give way to his surprise and embarrassment at being caught out.
"You said zis was your first time in ze same bed as anozzer…and ze first time someone 'as 'eld you. I am aware I am attractive. It is not unexpected, non?"
Harry didn't answer. Her forwardness was not new, however it was still disconcerting. Perhaps, he figured, she does it for a reason, to keep people off balance.
As the silence progressed, the pair went on to think over different things, enjoying a companionable silence. Harry eventually lay back down again when he was comfortable again and closed his eyes. Abruptly, as he replayed the previous day, he opened them again and turned to face Fleur.
"Hey, Fleur, I was the one that Apparated us both here wasn't I?"
"Oui," confirmed Fleur. "I was quite impressed. Few are capable of Apparating on zere first attempt, let alone crossing ze channel."
"Right," Harry replied, ignoring the praise. "Does that mean I could Apparate again if I tried?"
"I would assume so, 'Arry," Fleur answered, wondering what he was getting at.
"Can a British citizen get a French Apparition license, and would it apply everywhere?"
Then Fleur caught on to his idea. "You wish to acquire ze licence while in France to avoid dealing with your Ministry?"
"I hope to," he said. "That is, of course, dependent on whether Apparition licences are international or not. Now that I'm legally an adult I can apply, and it would be useful to have it under my belt and not worry about it for... later."
"I can ask Papa," replied Fleur thoughtfully. "My licence is acceptable worldwide; however I do not know whether a foreign citizen can take our test. Rest for now, and if it iz pozzible, I'll take you tomorrow."
"Thanks, Fleur."
-x-x-x-x-x-
An hour later the pair showered and dressed (or, in Harry's case, Fleur transfigured his clothes back to his white button shirt and black pants). Harry's body was stiff and ached intermittently, but he felt considerably better than the previous evening.
Henri and Anastasia appeared to have been patiently waiting as the pair was seated in the dining room downstairs when the two of them finally emerged. The four of them ate a late breakfast together and shared polite conversation. In hindsight, Harry believed Fleur manipulated the conversation in the direction of Henri's work at the Ministry and eventually to the topic of Apparition licences, only then politely and unobtrusively inquiring as to whether it were possible for Harry to acquire his in their country.
The meal finished shortly afterwards, and Henri left to make inquires at the Ministry. Anastasia left Fleur and Harry to their own devices, cautioning them to not do anything strenuous. Despite her renewed dedication, her mother, Fleur explained, let her do her own thing, firmly believing in Fleur's ability to make her own decisions and be responsible for her mistakes.
The pair spent the day exploring the Delacour property. Fleur acted as a particularly enthusiastic tour guide, relating story after story about her and Gabrielle playing together. Harry admired and envied the close relationship between the two sisters, despite nearly a decade separating the two. More than once he pondered whether or not his parents would've had a second child had things turned out differently.
Lunchtime arrived in no time at all, and the pair ate in the back garden, enjoying the sunshine. Gabrielle joined them for a short time. She spent most of the time talking rapidly in French and bouncing around Harry, hugging him a few times and generally acting like an excited, hyperactive child. She, however, soon tired herself out and went inside, leaving the two alone again.
Harry's respect for Henri and Anatasia Delacour steadily grew as Fleur continued to relate stories from her childhood and family history. Their family seemed so perfect, and Harry could not have been happier for her, given the challenges she faced in day-to-day life because of her heritage.
By evening, the day had become one the best in Harry's memory, and perhaps the best since prior to the Tri-Wizard Tournament, where everything had changed. There was nothing here, nothing but peace. It was something he knew he'd sorely miss as the shadow of the prophecy and what needed to be accomplished remained in the back of his mind.
Henri bore good news that night at dinner.
"Ze Minister 'as allowed you to take your Apparition test on Tuesday."
Harry, who had a fork halfway to his mouth, almost dropped it in surprise. "Seriously?"
Henri chuckled good-naturedly. "Seriously."
"Excellent!" Harry responded, grinning, leaning back into the comfortable chair. He knew next to nothing about the laws for the British Ministry let alone the French Ministry and so he wasn't expecting to be granted the opportunity to test.
"Zere is one condition 'owever," Henri added, immediately bringing Harry back to earth. "Ze Minister wishes to speak wiz you after your test. 'E said to consider ze favor returned if you met wiz 'im."
Harry sighed. Nothing came for free, it seemed. "I accept," he said, and offhandedly added, "It can't be worse than a meeting with Fudge."
The dinner continued onwards in a generally positive mood. Soon enough, the meal finished and the Delacour family minus Gabrielle, who returned to her room, retired to a lounge room.
Harry steadily became less involved in the conversation as the evening continued. The Delacour parents seemed to be wonderful people, however he grew tired and longed to be alone with Fleur again. Perhaps sensing this, Fleur soon bade goodnight to her parents and led Harry outside for a short stroll.
The garden was beautiful in the day time, and gorgeous in the evening. Fairy lights, the same type used during the Yule Ball, moved from garden bed to garden bed, sometimes following the pair and sometimes not.
"Ze world is no longer safe," remarked Fleur, staring into the night sky several minutes later. The two stood in front of one of the garden beds.
"It will be again," replied Harry, standing beside her, giving her a glance every now and then. "Darkness doesn't last forever, right? It comes and goes, just like the light."
"Non, 'Arry, it does not." Fleur said softly. "You are wise for your age, 'Arry."
Harry grimaced. "I had to grow up quickly."
"Will we survive?"
"There's no correct answer for that."
Fleur shook her head hard, silvery blonde hair flailing everywhere, reflecting magically in the bathe of moonlight. "You may be wise but you lack tact."
"I have my own strange sense of humour," Harry replied with a shrug. He grinned slightly at Fleur, who turned her head with her own smile on her face.
"Do you remember what I said zat time over ze summer?" Fleur asked, turning to face Harry properly and meeting his eyes. He looked at her, and really looked. She was slightly taller than him still, wearing a different pair of jeans and a white top. She was beautiful, plain and simple, when dressed up or not at all.
Harry nodded, now facing her properly. That one line had kept his mind occupied for much of the following week.
"I meant it," whispered Fleur. Harry's heart skipped a beat. Several fairy lights flew by, one lingering around Harry's head for a moment before rejoining the rest, dancing over the flowers in the garden bed to the side.
"Bill…" Harry started, and then trailed off. What was he going to say? Say that she was engaged to him already? They both knew that. She could just be saying that she liked him, but she was in love with Bill. Either way, it was impossible. He didn't, couldn't say anything.
Neither did Fleur. Her captivating blue eyes reflected in the light given off by the fairies at Harry, adding to the wondrous picture before him. Harry didn't have the energy to bring himself to look away. But he did have the energy to gather the courage to take a step closer.
A cold, strong breeze blew from behind Harry at that moment, catching him off guard and knocking him off balance slightly. He took a step forward to balance himself. Fleur reached out and steadied him at the same time, her slim hands tightly holding onto his arms. Harry looked sheepishly into the older woman's eyes.
"Fleur!" Gabrielle's voice cut through the near silence. Fleur quickly released Harry, and both looked away, the moment gone.
"Coming!" Fleur called back. "I'll go see what she wants," she added to Harry. Harry nodded and watched her go. He was still staring after her even after she'd disappeared from view.
What in the name of God was that? He asked himself. It felt like we were going too…felt like it was…right…
Harry sat down on in the middle of the garden, mind furiously debating over what had just happened. He didn't notice when Fleur returned fifteen minutes later and sat beside him, watching him curiously, until she put a hand through his hair.
"It really is untamable, non?" she asked softly.
"You've seen it in the morning; this is it at its best," replied Harry, unconsciously leaning into the touch. Before yesterday, the most intimate contact he had ever had was either when he was sitting with Padma a week ago, when she hugged him, both of which felt like months ago now, or when Hermione had first hugged him before he went forward through the ring of fire.
Fleur chuckled. "I wonder 'ow many women can claim to know ze state of your 'air in ze morning." Harry resisted the urge to blush, concentrating on the feeling of Fleur's hand.
"You and Hermione," was the honest response. "She had a habit of waking Ron and me up early at the Burrow." Regardless of how much he wanted to forget Ron, he had been a part of his life for five years. A lot of his best memories had him there. Would they be tainted forever because of him?
Fleur seemed to be thinking along the same lines. "We, and your other friends, will make memories anew, 'Arry. Zose zat truly care for you…"
"It's hard… knowing that my first ever friend has turned out that way," said Harry wistfully. "Sometimes I feel like sharing a joke like I used to with him, before all this Tournament and Voldemort business, but when I turn to talk to him he's gone and I have to remind myself. It's been only a few days yet it feels much, much longer. So much seems to have happened."
"Eet is 'ard to lose a friend." Fleur thought of the many friends she had lost because of her Veela nature. "Especially ze first time and ze first friend."
Harry caught on to what she had half said. "You know more about that than any one person should."
Fleur blinked in surprise, momentarily forgetting how observant this Harry was than the one she first met. "Zere are a lot of zings in life zat aren't fair. We've both 'ad our fair share, non?"
Harry just nodded. He leaned into Fleur and closed his eyes. The cold eventually got too much for them and they retired to Fleur's bedroom, not encountering any other Delacours on their way.
"Um…" Harry said, suddenly feeling very nervous. "Do your parents know that we're staying in the same bed?" he asked once Fleur had cast a Silencing Charm on the door.
Fleur smirked. "Worried if zey zink zeir eldest daughter is two timing 'er fiancé?"
"Close enough," Harry replied briskly.
"Non, zey zink I am sleeping on a conjured bed."
"You know I wouldn't allow this if the situation was different, right?" Harry asked. He was actually looking forward to sharing the same bed again. It was wrong to think the way he was about someone who was already with another, but he couldn't help it. The comfort he felt when she was holding him the previous night was remarkable. He wanted to feel that again.
"Oui, whezzer eet would work or not we'll 'ave to find out anozzer time." Fleur smiled, turned and walked to her wardrobe.
Harry turned away and closed his eyes, getting somewhat used to what he considered as her teasing. He could hear the ruffling of clothing as Fleur undressed. His mind, thanks to the still vivid recollection from last night, went into overdrive at those sounds. He shifted uncomfortably.
"Going to be as nervous as last night?" Fleur asked when she was done, crossing the room, placing a hand on his shoulder. It tensed briefly under her touch, but relaxed almost instantly.
"Any reason I shouldn't be?" he asked back, still looking away.
"You didn't do anyzing wrong last night." Fleur turned Harry around to look at him in the eyes. "You're a perfect gentleman. Zere is nozzing to be nervous about." Harry begged to differ but didn't bother bringing it up.
Fleur then turned away while Harry changed into pyjama pants and a shirt that Fleur and Henri had provided him instead of constantly transfiguring his clothes. When he was dressed, he climbed back into the surprisingly warm bed; Fleur joined him a moment later.
"I can't say I saw this coming," remarked Harry, staring at the ceiling.
"Sleeping in the same bed as moi?"
"Yeah," breathed Harry, rolling over to face her.
"Nor 'ad I," offered Fleur, rolling over to face him.
"I felt like I was living someone else's life today. It has been one of the best days of my life."
"Despite ze circumstances zat brought you here?" Fleur asked, surprised by the statement. "And ze pain zat persistently at least through ze morning?"
"Yes." Harry replied confidently, resolutely. He shuffled a bit closer until he was just out of direct contact with Fleur.
Only Fleur's breathing could be heard for several minutes.
"I'm glad I could 'elp," she replied eventually.
For the next hour, the two lay in the same position, occasionally talking, slowly winding down.
"You know your way around France far better than I ever will," said Harry softly. "Think you can find a place to get me some better regular clothes?"
"Of course. We can go in ze afternoon, after your test."
Harry mumbled an incomprehensible reply. Quicker than the previous night, the two fell asleep. Neither discussed what nearly happened, nor mentioned that there was no need for them to be sleeping in the same bed.