A/N: Wow. I am blown away by the response to this story. Every time I load I seem to see another 10 reviews. I am honored that you guys like it so much. Thanks for all the reviews, good and bad. I have gotten some good story bunnies from people's reviews.
One thing I have to respond to is the belief amongst the reviewers is that Harry shouldn't be telling all of his secrets and powers. So far, he has shown what? The Potter family charm, and some luck defeating a Basilisk. The story he tells the students, knowing Hogwarts, will be blown out of proportion by the time it reaches Dumbles. Whose to say he doesn't have more secrets? cue dramatic theme music
One other note: I don't know French at all, so from now on, I will put French speech in bold, so I don't accidentally confuse you guys.
Albus Dumbledore sat in his office, gazing out of his window on to the Hogwarts grounds. The early October sunrise stretched over the grounds. A lone figure was making its way around the lake steadily. Harry had begun this morning routine in late September, after the Beauxbatons students had settled in to the Hogwarts routine.
Dumbledore was used to having the majority of his life under his own control. Hogwarts especially was a center of Dumbledore's influence and the Headmaster had grown used to knowing the details to every relevant occurrence within its walls. Despite the Weasley twins' best efforts, their pranks had only succeeded due to willful ignorance on the Headmasters part.
But the new term had brought something to Hogwarts that was a complete and utter mystery to the Supreme Mugwump. The arrival of Harry Potter in Hogwarts, along with the entire Beauxbatons School, had surprised everyone, including the normally unflappable Headmaster. Dumbledore had been surprised to see the extent of Harry's powers though the story of the young man taking out forty French Dark Wizards to rescue Ms. Delacour was surely exaggerated.
The usual twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes was absent as he looked older than most were used to seeing him as. He watched as Harry reached the far end of the lake, near where the first years boarded the boats on September 1st.
Dumbledore sighed, absently wishing, not for the first time, that his mentor Nicholas Flamel was still around. Nicholas had decided to stop producing the Elixir of Life 9 years ago. He had died soon after and Perenelle had disappeared to their private estate, which not even Dumbledore knew the location of. Dumbledore and Nicholas had parted on bad terms, after Dumbledore had attempted to convince his mentor to continue to produce the Elixir. Nicholas had refused, saying that the rumors of a follower of Voldemort had been pursuing the Elixir were too dangerous. Dumbledore had offered Hogwarts as a resting place for the stone, but Nicholas had refused, citing that Dumbledore would probably place defenses in the way that a first year could get through. Just before his death, Nicholas and Dumbledore had reunited and said their goodbyes.
Dumbledore shook his mind from his memories. Harry had finished his lap around the lake and stretched momentarily before entering the castle. Dumbledore sighed once again, before putting his benevolent, confident appearance back on. It wouldn't be good for the students to see their Headmaster falter. Dumbledore took a deep breath before popping a Lemon Drop in. He relaxed as the calming draught took effect. Dumbledore left his office, making his way down to breakfast.
Harry stretched his back wearily, smiling as his spine popped. He entered the Beauxbatons quarters, whispering the French password to the dancing couple in the painting. His run had been refreshing as it always was but he looked forward to his shower. He entered the bathroom and disrobed, before showering luxuriously. He dried quickly and slipped back in to his boxers and tee-shirt. He padded in to the Head Boys room and slipped under the covers.
Fleur groaned and rolled back on to him. He smiled and kissed her head softly. She whimpered and wrapped her arms around his neck. He settled back in to his pillow, closing his eyes for the half hour or so he had before they had to rise to attend breakfast.
"Harry, wake up. We need to go to breakfast." The voice was high and excited and Harry opened his eyes. Fleur burrowed her head further in to his shoulder and mumbled against his shoulder. "Wake up sleepyheads." Arielle leaned against his doorpost, smirking at the two lovers. Harry waved halfheartedly to her, motioning for her to leave. She shook her head. "Sorry lover boy. Go get them Gabby."
A shrill yell and Gabby raced in to the room. She leapt in to the air and all Harry saw was a silvery-blonde flash before a weight landed on his chest. A whoosh on air escaped him as Gabby laughed as she rolled around on the two in the bed. Fleur leapt up and pushed Gabby off the bed, the two wrestling on the floor as Harry looked on.
He smiled as he watched. Fleur and Gabby fought as all sisters did, but they were immensely close. Their father was very kind but was very busy in both politics and his various businesses. Their mother had died when Fleur was eleven and Gabby was 2. The death was mysterious but officially labeled as an accident. Harry's smile dropped a bit as he recalled meeting Fleur for the first time.
Harry walked around the halls of Beauxbatons quietly, still marveling at the grand hallways that wove their way through the estate. He had been living here for 3 months but still loved just walking through the hallways
His thoughts were broken as he felt a strange inclination to make a left. Living on the streets taught him to follow his instincts a long time ago. He turned down the long hallway, knowing that there was only a bathroom down this hallway and a bunch of unused classrooms. Due to being far away from the main route through the building, the bathroom was usually not used.
He kept walking, his right hand trailing along the lines in the marble walls. He frowned and was about to turn back when he heard muffled sobbing from the bathroom. He kept going and entered the bathroom, making sure to make some noise. He didn't want to surprise anyone on the loo.
He looked around the room and saw a small girl sitting on the windowsill. Her silver hair hung in limp strands around her face and her face was covered by her hands. She shook with sobs though her cries were muffled.
"Are you okay?" His voice was soft but her head snapped up. Her eyes were red and puffy and there were noticeable tear stains running down her cheeks. She wiped her eyes quickly.
"I'm fine. Go away Harry." All of the girls knew his name as he was the only boy in the school. He stopped next to her and placed a hand on her arm. She shivered under his touch.
"No you are not fine. I'm staying here until you tell me what's wrong and I can help you feel better." Harry plopped on to the windowsill across from her and leaned against the pane of glass, his legs dangling off the sill. She glared at him before turning away.
The two first years sat on the sill for five hours, missing all of their classes that day. Fleur went from angry to complacent, then slowly her face scrunched up more and more as her mysterious sadness came back to her.
Finally, she couldn't hold them back and the tears started sliding down her face. She had forgotten Harry was even there and jumped as his arms wrapped around her shoulders. She tried to pull away for a moment but he held tight and soon she was leaning in to his shoulder, crying on to his shirt. He held her tightly, whispering calming words in to her ear. Living alone with other kids, routinely watching friends getting arrested or killed, one learns how to comfort girls in tears.
After a few minutes, Fleur's tears dried up and she just leaned in to his arms. He remained silent, allowing her time to gather herself. "I want to go home. I can't do any of the schoolwork here, and none of the girls want to spend time with me." Harry frowned against her hair but kept rubbing her back slowly.
"Why not?" Harry's question was simple and non-accusing. Fleur sighed against him before continuing.
"Well…I am part veela. Do you know what that is?" Harry nodded; he had read about the mysterious race in the library over the summer. "Well, all of the girls know I am a veela and some of the older girls said that I am going to steal all of their boyfriends when I grow up, since I am part veela. They are mean to me just because of something my mother is…" Harry sat back, pulling the girl slightly on to his lap. She burst in to a fresh set of tears as the thought of her mother crossed her mind.
"I just want to go home. Father sent me an owl…Mother was in an accident while she was shopping. She's…she's dead." With that, she burst in to another batch of tears and Harry pulled her closer, rocking her slowly as his heart burst for the sweet girl. She cried for another thirty minutes against him.
Finally she stilled and Harry lifted her head. He wiped her cheeks softly and left his hand on her neck. "Fleur, I am sorry about your mother. If you need to talk this year, or anything like that, I will be here. I won't abandon you. Okay? I can help you with your homework and if you need me, I will be here okay?" She smiled at him but looked unconvinced. Harry searched his mind for some magical vow and his mind alit on something.
He sat back and looked her in the eye. His mind paused, as he recalled her last name. He smiled at her. "I, Harry James Potter, vow that I will always be there to support Fleur Delacour when she needs me. So mote it be."Fleur gasped as a red glow surrounded Harry. Fleur gaped at Harry who smiled unsurely at her.
Fleur pushed Harry away for a moment and his heart fell. He didn't know why, but he needed this. "Harry! You know what you did?" Harry thought for a second before responding.
"Umm…I made a vow to help you." She gaped at him before smacking on the arm in indignation.
"You made an Oath on your Magic. If you don't fulfill it, you lose your magic." Harry gasped for a second then he shrugged and look of determination entered his face.
"It's okay. Then I'll just make sure that I don't break it huh?" Fleur couldn't resist giggling at his facial expression. He hopped off the sill and helped her down. They walked out of the bathroom quietly, Harry's arm draped around Fleur's shoulders.
Harry was roused from his memory as Fleur tugged on his arm. Apparently the fight had ended and they walked out of the room. Harry watched Fleur and Gabby as they walked. Fleur was Gabby's sister, mother and best friend. They crossed the common room and plopped on to the armchairs surrounding the unlit fire. Harry leaned back and Fleur dropped on to his lap, leaning against his shoulder. Gabby sat on the floor with her legs crossed. Arielle and Marie, who had joined them, sat in the two armchairs on either side of Harry.
The group was quiet for a moment before Fleur lifted her head and looked up at Harry. "Harry, how come you are telling Dumbledore so much? We should keep some secrets, no?" Harry smiled and kissed her head.
"Don't worry Fleur. I'm not telling him anything. So far, he knows what? That I got lucky against the basilisk, and the Potter Family Charm, which isn't that hard to find out about. He won't be learning all of our secrets." Fleur looked at Harry for a moment.
"You sure? Harry met her eyes for a moment. They seemed to communicate for a moment.
"Yes Fleur. He doesn't know about the important things, like my animagus form, or my mentor. That would knock his purple and pink socks off." Fleur rolled her eyes at Harry's attempt at humor but Gabby giggled. With that, the group stood and began the trek to the breakfast.
The breakfast went by quickly, as the main Beauxbatons group sat with the Ravenclaws today. Padma and Su Li were their main company, as the majority of the older Ravenclaw boys were still a bit envious of Harry's position in Beauxbatons. Su and Padma had originally been quiet but had warmed up to Fleur once she revealed that once she graduated, she had decided to gain an Ancient Runes Mastery. Along with Arielle who was chasing her Arithmancy Mastery, the four usually left Harry to play with Gabrielle while they discussed spell-casting and runes.
The Beauxbatons seventh years made their way to the DADA classroom. Harry found Professor Lupin's classes interesting. Sometimes they were a bit unnerving as Harry would find the Professor staring at him occasionally.
They walked in to the classroom and sat down. Lupin walked in smiling, but the class groaned as a shaking cabinet trailed after him. The Beauxbatons students stared around in confusion.
Finally, Lupin spoke. "Today, we are having a bit of a review. I was lucky enough to acquire a boggart for our use today." The French students' confusion cleared up, though they were a bit nervous. They never had the chance to practice against a boggart as the capture of one was a bit rare.
Lupin clapped his hands once for the class's attention. "Remember, the incantation is Riddikulus, and the wand movement is thus." He demonstrated. "The most important thing to remember is laughter. That is the best way to defeat a boggart. Alright, line up."
The class quickly lined up, the Beauxbatons students spread out throughout the group. Ron was the first and the giant spider that threatened him slid out on control on roller skates. Seamus' banshee turned in to an obese man in drag. Lupin smiled and encouraged the class, while flicking his wand. Pleasant music added to the fun atmosphere as laughs echoed around the classroom due to the various effects of the spell on the boggart.
Harry was laughing along with the rest of the class as Arielle's clown was doused with a bucket of water. Fleur stepped up and inhaled sharply as a young girl appeared with a striking likeness to Fleur, crying on the floor. Harry stopped laughing and moved to step forward but Marie, who waited behind him, grabbed his arm and shook her head.
Fleur shook slightly and the laughter died down a bit. Harry sent all the positive emotions he could towards Fleur and watched as she regained her composure. She shouted the spell out and the girl stopped crying and was gathered in the arms of a familiar boy with jet black hair. The class sighed as Harry blushed while looking down. Fleur beamed at him and kissed his cheek. Harry smiled at her before stepping forward.
The depiction of himself and Fleur spun in place for a moment before settling. The class fell silent as the boggart disappeared back in to the closet. Harry stole a glance at Lupin who shrugged and motioned back to the closet.
Harry whitened as a large man with an evilly grinning purple face stepped out. Behind him stood an equally obese son with piggish features and a thin horse-faced woman. Harry gulped as the visages of his family leered at him.
Petunia and Dudley stood with their hands behind their backs. Harry trembled as their hands were brought forward. The room stilled as everyone saw what they held. Petunia held a bloody and bruised Gabby, her dead eyes staring out at Harry. Dudley groped a dead Fleur, who looked abused and violated, only Dudley's arms covering her more feminine areas. Vernon laughed at Harry, before raising his arms and charging towards Harry.
The class watched as the apparently unflappable Harry Potter, dreamboat and panty-wetter of Beauxbatons, allowed his wand to clatter to the floor. The class watched as Vernon's fist seemed to connect with Harry's face. Though it really went through, Harry's head jerked back as if he had been hit.
Lupin leapt in front of the boggart, and, surprisingly to Lupin, it turned to a dead couple, the woman with red hair and emerald green eyes. Harry didn't notice as his dead parents appeared on the floor, or as Lupin banished them to the cabinet. The class could only watch Harry as he sunk to his knees before falling to the ground unconscious.
The room was still before Fleur raced back to the front of the line and slipped next to Harry. She cradled his head in her hands, crying softly as she stroked his hair. Lupin dismissed the class though the Beauxbatons students waited behind by the door.
Lupin carefully revived Harry, giving him a chunk of chocolate. Lupin explained that it was generally good for your mental health, not just for Dementor attacks. Fleur sat and held Harry for a moment. She leaned in and whispered in to his ear. "Harry, I am here. I love you. I am right here; your family will never touch me. You won't let them and neither will I. Gabrielle is safe. I love you. We all love you." He shivered for a moment but stood shakily.
Harry's eyes were clouded. Lupin gave him another chunk of chocolate and gave Arielle a note excusing Fleur and Harry from classes for the day. The French girl thanked Lupin and led the French students out after whispering a goodbye to Harry and Fleur.
The half-veela wrapped her arms awkwardly around Harry as they made their way back to the Beauxbatons quarters. The room was empty as the students were in class while Gabby was helping Hagrid for the day.
Fleur led Harry to their bedroom and they lay down, Harry shaking slightly in Fleur's arms. Fleur kissed Harry's cheeks over and over, occasionally touching on his lips. She knew Harry was in no mood to snog, let alone have sex.
They lay there for an hour and soon they just held each other. The door burst open and Gabby ran in the room. Harry opened his arms and Gabby leapt in to his arms. He rocked her slowly while Fleur rubbed his back. Harry held the younger French girl in his arms. He didn't know how much she knew but she clearly knew something was wrong so he didn't speak and just held her. Soon the three had scooted up to the head of the bed. Harry leaned back and wrapped an arm around Fleur, her head tucked in to his shoulder. Gabby sat on their laps, her head resting on Harry's chest. The three fell asleep like that.
Word soon spread throughout Hogwarts about Harry's boggart. Everyone was wondering who the people were, and Dumbledore could be seen looking a bit lost as he wandered the halls.
The next day, Harry strode through the castle, his hand firmly clasped around Fleur's. He was unbothered in class, not called on to answer a question at all. He felt both annoyed and thankful, the first because he didn't want to be treated as fragile class, the latter because deep down he felt a bit fragile.
His last class of the day was Potions and Harry was quite ready to finish the day and retreat back to the safety of the Beauxbatons quarters. The seventh years descended to the depths of the dungeons, the Beauxbatons carefully walking in the center of the hallway, avoiding the dingy and slimy walls.
They entered the classroom and sat down in the now customary seating arrangements. The Slytherins sat on the far end, talking jovially. The Gryffindors sat warily by the door, all seemingly ready to bolt at the moment's notice. The Beauxbatons students sat in the center.
Professor Snape silently strode in and spun to face the students. His eyes roved over the silent teenagers before his eyes alit on Harry. His black eyes widened in anticipation and Harry frowned.
"Mr. Potter, welcome back. You have decided to grace us with your presence. Apparently, glory has allowed you to skip classes whenever you wish. Your memories must have been awful?" Harry froze, unable to comprehend what the Professor was saying.
"Professor Snape, may we begin the lesson?" Harry's voice was on edge and Fleur held his arm comfortingly.
Snape glared at his lack of reaction. "Detention for ignoring a professor's question. Didn't your parents teach you better? How about your uncle and aunt?" Harry whitened as he slowly took in the professor's words.
Malfoy's laughter broke the silence and soon his group of Slytherins joined him. Snape sneered, apparent joy striking through him.
Harry sat, disbelieving. He had heard that Professor Snape was mean, and even cruel. But this was impossible. Regardless of his apparent use for the war effort, there was no way that the public would let this man continue to teach.
A voice broke Harry's thoughts. "Professor Snape, you would do well to shut up and apologize now." The voice was cold, the former French lilt entirely absent. Fleur was standing tall next to Harry, her blue eyes icy and blazing.
"Ms. Delacour, sit down. And you will learn how to speak to your betters and elders before you return to my classroom." Fleur remained motionless, not cowed by Snape's glare.
"Professor Snape, you will apologize. And you are not my better and are only my elder because your father had the misfortune of finishing inside of your mother, as opposed to on her face as he should have. If you ever speak to Harry like that again, I will not hesitate to bring the full wrath of the French wizarding government upon you." The class was silent, Malfoy openly gaping at Fleur who maintained eye contact with the shocked Professor.
Actually, shock couldn't cover what Snape was feeling. No person, let alone a student, had ever said anything remotely close to what she had said. He couldn't even formulate a response.
The Gryffindors were watching Fleur with looks bordering on awe. Ron was gripping the desk in front of him with both hands, his knuckles white as he tried to hold in his laughter. Hermione was staring open-mouthed at Fleur, her mind warring between grudging respect and irritation for insulting a professor.
A few silent minutes passed. Finally, Fleur pulled Harry up and for the second time that year, the entire Beauxbatons seventh year class marched out of the potions dungeon.
Snape sat still shocked for a moment. Suddenly he stood. "DETENTION FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR MS. DELACOUR!" The class was silent.
Finally Blaise Zabini spoke timidly."Professor…the French students left." Snape started, looking wildly around the room. His normally greasy hair bounced around.
"Get out of my classroom. And 100 points from Gryffindor for not stopping Potter." The Gryffindors smiled as they left, gladly taking the drop in points for what happened.
The news of what happened spread through the school like wildfire. The Gryffindor and Hufflepuff students looked at the French students, especially Fleur, with looks of adoration. The Slytherin students shot venomous looks at Harry and Fleur the whole day.
The French girl was at the end of her nerves all day, shooting death glares at anyone who so much as breathed wrong in her presence. Harry was constantly trying to settle her down, stroking her arms and planting kisses on her cheek.
Dinner was a tense affair as Snape spent the entire meal glaring daggers at Harry and Fleur. The two students were nonplussed, casually eating though Fleur kept some contact with Harry, either through shoulder-to-shoulder or by lightly running her foot up his calf.
They ate quietly and looked up when a large shadow fell across them. Madame Maxime stood grimly behind them. "Harry, Fleur, you have been…requested…for in Dumbledore's office after dinner." She shot a look at Fleur who met her eyes unflinchingly. Madame Maxime nodded and stepped back. Fleur and Harry wiped their mouths quickly and stood. Gabrielle grasped Harry's hand and the four left the room following the Headmaster and Professors Snape and McGonagall.
They entered the office silently. Dumbledore sat benignly behind his desk, his eyes twinkling mightily. Snape and McGonagall stood on the far side of Dumbledore's desk. Harry and Fleur stopped inside the door and shared a glance. Harry withdrew his wand and conjured a blue loveseat. The couple sank down on to it, Harry's arm curling around Fleur's shoulders protectively.
Madame Maxime stood behind Harry and Fleur, Gabrielle's tiny hand lost within the Headmistress' large one. The room was silent before Dumbledore leaned forward in his chair.
"Ms. Delacour, Mr. Potter, I wanted to talk about what happened in your Potions class this afternoon." The Headmaster paused, as if waiting for an outburst from either student. Both remained calm and collected, eyes pinned on a spot on the far wall. "Yes, well Professor Snape reported that Mr. Potter disrupted the class and when he was reprimanded, Ms. Delacour personally attacked him, saying disparaging remarks about his...conception."
Harry didn't bother to make an attempt to hide his grin. Fleur didn't blush, but her eyes danced lightly. Dumbledore met Harry's eyes. "Do you have anything you wish to say against these allegations?"
Harry arched an eyebrow emotionlessly. "Will it make a difference Professor Dumbledore?" The Headmaster cast him a questioning look. Harry sighed before continuing. "From what I have heard from the students of this school, matters concerning Snape tend to be judged on a slightly biased basis." Snape glared at him but a discreetly cast Silencing charm sent by Professor McGonagall stopped him.
Dumbledore sighed. "Mr. Potter, Ms. Delacour, may we have your story?" Harry pursed his lips before nodding. He leaned back and remained silent.
Fleur leaned forward and inhaled deeply. "We entered Potions and sat and waited for the class to begin. Professor Snape entered and glared at everyone. He saw Harry and insinuated that the reason for Harry's absence yesterday was unworthy. When Harry asked, in response, that the class could begin the lesson, Professor Snape gave him a detention and insulted his parents and mentioned certain other family members who he could only learned about from you Headmaster. I admit, I lost my cool and said something that was rude. But it was not undeserving. We left. From what students told me later, he dismissed the class, then took 100 points from Gryffindor for not stopping us, as if that was their job." She spoke quietly, pushing heavy emphasis each time she said 'professor.' She fell silent and Harry grasped her shoulder in support.
Snape finally broke through the charm. "Lies! Why would I insult someone like Potter?" He asked with a disdain-filled look on his face.
Harry arched an eyebrow at Snape but Madame Maxime broke in. "Please Severus, you have been nothing but rude to him since he arrived. Your business with his father is well-known; do not act innocent." Snape glared at the Headmistress, who met his expression with a smirk.
Dumbledore sighed and leaned back. "I am afraid that your detention will stand Mr. Potter. And Ms. Delacour, I am not happy about your actions. I believe that-"
Fleur stood angrily, cutting Dumbledore off. "No. You will not punish us. And I meant what I said. If this filthy excuse for a professor ever treats any of the French students badly again, I will go to the French Ministry and he won't be able to teach on this continent ever again. Goodnight." With that, Fleur pulled Harry up and walked out of the room. Gabrielle ran to the door but stopped at the threshold. She turned to Snape and stuck her tongue out before following her sister. Madame Maxime left as well, the corners of her mouth twitching upwards. McGonagall followed her, the curious tick occurring on her mouth as well.
A/N: The thing Fleur said to Snape came to me this morning and I thought it was hilarious.
On a sadder note, I finished this chapter Friday afternoon. I just wanted to mention the shootings at North Illinois University yesterday. I am a freshmen at Syracuse and this was the first school shooting since I began attending college. It shook me a bit, as I have been in a lecture of that size many times. It's a bit unnerving. I hope that everyone had a great Valentine's Day, especially those of us who are currently single. Thanks for reading and the reviews are amazing!