Harry Potter: The Unchained Flower
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the items and such that is not and will never be used by J.K.R.
A/N: If it would be possible, could the readers leave responses to my writing? So I would know if I am doing everything right or not. No worries if you guys don't want to though, I don't live by Reviews but I do want to know if I am doing thing right. Thanks!
Chapter Six: The Story
-Potter Manor
Fleur sighed as she stretched her legs while leaning back on the hot bathtub that she was given.
It was a few hours after her arrival on her betrothed's manor and he had been quite adamant about her getting a bath and for his servants to fetch a new set of gown for her to wear instead of the rags that she had been parading around with.
She swished her wine as she tried to grab the towel before a voice sounded outside the room, saying, "My Lady, the gown that Lord Potter has chosen is now on the bed."
She pulled herself out of the bath and immediately, a group of handmaiden wrapped their towels on her body and started drying her while a single maiden dried her hair for her.
"You have beautiful hair, My Lady." Exclaimed the maiden who was drying her hair for her.
Fleur smiled at her while the others immediately agreed with the statement, "Thank you for the compliment."
Another handmaiden smiled at her humbleness before saying, "Its no wonder why Lord Potter would choose you as his Lady to be. You are the most beautiful woman we have ever gazed upon!"
"Indeed! The fairest of all maidens!" Agreed another.
"Lord Potter did not choose me for his wife. The King personally engaged us when the treaty was being drafted for both our countries." Answered a blushing Fleur.
The maiden who was drying her hair once again spoke, "And yet he still is pining for you! He has received vast amounts of engagement proposals and he chose yours!"
"I hear the Lady Granger and the Lady Lovegood are still trying to see if Harry would take another wife or even a concubine!" Said another maiden as she dried Fleur's legs.
Fleur laughed out loud before spinning around for them to dry her back. "My Lord Potter would never agree to a concubine! He is a virtuous man!"
"Stop talking about such gossip, Marianne! Such talk would only lead us to trouble in the future!" Scolded the older handmaiden as she slapped the girl on the arm.
Fleur smiled lovingly at the older maiden before saying, "Listen to her wisdom, it is true. Now, let me see the gown that my betrothed chose for me!"
She was led out of the bathroom and into her room. Her room itself was a large one, even in Victorian standards. In the middle of the room was a four-poster bed with rich silk covers. The room was adorned with Persian rugs while everything was kept up in style with the norms.
She walked towards the bed where the gown lay. It was of light blue hue with curls adorning the collar. The sleeves were of fine silk with intricate patterns on the end of the sleeve itself. It was of rich materials and yet so simple and elegant.
Fleur took the dress into her hands and marveled at the texture of the silk. Even Fleur, who was so acquainted with different types of silk for her gowns, was very much surprised at the richness of this set of gown. She laid it back down on the bed before asking, "Where did Lord Potter get this marvelous gown?"
The older maiden walked up to her and put a hand on her shoulder before saying, "That gown was worn by the late Lady Potter, Lord Potter's mother."
Fleur was shocked for a moment before exclaiming, "Then I should not wear it! Something so valuable should be kept safe!"
"The Lord Potter would have wanted you to wear it. He loves you too much to even care if you wore his mother's gown. In fact, I think he would like you to honor his mother by wearing it!" Exclaimed Marianne, the young handmaiden.
"And of course, it would look wonderful on you!" Added the old handmaiden with wink towards her.
The other maidens agreed immediately and started dressing Fleur with the gown. She could only nod dumbly at the questions that were asked of her. She couldn't believe it! Harry loved her so much that he would like her to wear this gown, the finest she has seen, and his mother's!
"It is done, My Lady." Said Marianne as she guided the Lady Fleur towards the large mirror that adorned the west side of the room.
She looked at herself and almost gasped at the being that was staring right at her. She was literally glowing as the blue hue of the dress matched her light blue eyes. Her golden hair only strengthened the natural beauty that she was exuding.
"You look like a Goddess, My Lady!" Exclaimed Marianne as she stared at the reflection with her sister maids.
The other maidens could just stare at her beauty in awe and start giggling with themselves. The oldest of the them, smiled at Fleur kindly before saying, "Lord Potter has chosen well, don't you agree My Lady?"
"He certainly has taste!" Replied Fleur cheekily as she twirled around in her new dress. It really looked wonderful on her with the dress hugging her on the right curves of her body, although not revealing anything.
The old maiden laughed at her childish ways before exclaiming, "Come! We must dazzle the Lord Potter with your beauty! He would be captivated in such a way as that every command you give, he will surely follow!"
Fleur laughed at her before replying, "I am certain that even if I am not dressed in this, he would do everything I say!"
"More so if you are not dressed!" Exclaimed Marianne as everyone in their group giggled with delight.
Fleur, herself, was giggling while the older maiden was shaking her head, with a hint of a smile on her face.
-Potter Manor Study
Harry sighed as he downed his French grown Chardonnay. It had been a stressful hour as he tried contacting the King of France, Louis the Sixteenth. Initially, he had thought that it was just a misunderstanding but, with his floo calls being blocked, he was sure it was really a declaration of war on them.
He looked up as Neville walked into his study and cat down on one of the seats in front of his desk.
"What news from France?" Asked Neville as he helped himself with a glass of Chardonnay. In grave times like these, he always acted like a friend to his Lord, instead of a servant, which would just anger Harry more. He needed a friend and Neville was the closest he would ever have.
Harry looked up from his seat before sighing once more, "I absolutely do not know."
"Have you tried flooing them?" Asked a hopeful Neville.
"YES! A MILLION TIMES!" Shouted Harry as he slammed his fist on his table; "I just don't know why they would wage war on us at a time like this!"
Neville shook his head before replying, "What should we do with the Lady Delacour? Her being here would seem that we kidnapped her."
Harry stood up before pacing on behind his desk, "I know Neville. But I love Fleur and I would never return her to France if that means I would never see her again."
Neville swished his Chardonnay before replying, "Then you must face the House of Lords and plead with them to protect the Lady Delacour. You do know the French would demand her back due to her being the 'Gem of France'."
"I know Neville. And yet, I must protect her. This is so troublesome." Sighed Harry as he sat back down his chair.
Neville got up and said, "Harry, if I may, you must decide on your own if you want to put your own happiness before the good of your country. We all know that the French would definitely invade us if they knew we harbor the Lady Delacour."
"So many lives would be lost if that happens, Neville. I could never do that!" Harry exclaimed.
"And yet, the House of Lords would decide if that should happen or not. We all know that the French have been trying to find a means to engage in another war with us."
Harry nodded, "But all the same, they have declared war first before she came here. They would view it as kidnapping still and use that to incite another war that would kill thousands! Even millions!"
Neville looked up as a knock on the door was heard. He stood up once more before saying, "You must take her to the House of Lords as soon as possible."
He looked at Harry, who nodded, before walking out slowly and pushing the door open.
Neville looked at the beautiful lady that was standing before him before bowing low and saying, "My Lady Delacour. Lord Potter is ready to see you now."
Fleur looked at the young man before replying, "Thank you."
She then pushed open the door and watched as Harry stared at her. She smiled to herself as she walked towards the desk and sat on the chair in front of his desk, all the while with Harry staring at her every move.
"Close your moth, Lord Potter! Lest an insect of some sort wound up inside of it!" Joked Fleur as she placed her hand on the desk.
Harry smiled at her jab before grabbing her hands and squeezing it lovingly, "Care to tell me what happened?"
Fleur frowned before saying, "Well then, if you must know, it started out when-"
-Flashback
-King's Court (France)
"THIS IS WHAT WE MUST DO IN ORDER FOR FRANCE TO BECOME ANOTHER POWERFUL EMPIRE ONCE MORE! WE CANNOT ALLOW THE BRITISH TO OPPRESS US ONCE AGAIN!"
The shouting politicians did not unnerve King Louis, as he himself was not interested in their dealings. All he wanted to do now is to send a message to Lord Potter that his niece is dying to see him once more.
Comte de Grasse stood up and spoke, "If we want to destroy the British, we must try aiding the Revolutionaries in the American Colonies! Then can tip the balance of power!"
Almost everyone agreed to the statement as Louis stood up and addressed them, "Lords and Ladies, I have already told you all about the treaty that I have made with King George the Third of the British Empire! Why do we still speak of this war against the British?"
Comte de Grasse looked at him before saying; "We cannot support you, My Lord, on this treaty. You have to see the truth that the British would still be the greatest Empire if we do not try to topple them and replace them!"
Louis was about to speak but a sudden green light hit him behind, which was unseen by all but the Comte de Toulouse, Lord Malfoy, who decided not to say anything. He knew of the person who did it and if he were to say anything, he would surely lose his head now.
Louis stood slightly dazed but soon came back into his normal posture before saying, "I have made up my mind. Start sending supplies to the American Revolutionaries."
Cheering started as Draco Malfoy slowly walked out to the rooms of the Lady Delacour. He must warn her of the sudden change of her uncle and advise her to flee.
Back in the chamber, Pierre Beaumarchais stood up among the crowd and spoke up loudly, "My Lord! We must start drafting documents so that we may borrow some money for the ammunitions that we plan to send!"
Another bout of cheers were heard when Louis smiled and asked for his personal assistant to draft up some papers for the borrowing of money from their neighboring countries. They do, indeed, need the money to send those supplies and when they win, the amount of gold from the British Treasury would pay them all and they would still have enough for his pockets.
-End Flashback
Harry looked shocked for a second before asking, "So the Comte de Toulouse was the one who saved you and sent you here?"
Fleur nodded in agreement and shook her head, "I know it is unbelievable for Malfoy to do something so noble, but after he had been engaged to the Duchess of Valentinois, he became a new man. So maybe her soft heart has softened his as well."
Harry sighed and pulled her into his lap and said, "At least you are safe for now. With this turn of the tide, you are not engaged to marry me anymore."
Fleur just huffed before replying, "Do you want to get rid of me that quickly? I hear there is a certain Lady Granger who would want to marry you. Or maybe the esteemed Lady Lovegood?"
Harry laughed at her, which she took as him mocking her. He took her head and kissed her deeply before saying, "You are the only woman for me. I would die a thousand times before even thinking of marrying another woman!"
"What if we are separated?" Asked a very emotional Fleur as she buried her head on the crook of his neck.
Harry patted her back as he soothed her before replying, "Then I shall find a way to get back to you! "
Fleur looked up and gazed upon Harry's eyes before asking, "Do you promise?"
"My Jove be witness, I promise you this!" Harry replied before taking Fleur and carrying her to their bed for the night.
Overview of Major Characters:
Lord Harrison Evans Potter: Duke of Clarence
Lady Fleur Delacour: Heiress to the Duchy of Brittany
Lord Draco Malfoy: Comte de Toulouse, Married to the Duchess of Valentinois
Master Neville Longbottom: Confidant and Right-hand man of Lord Harrison Potter
King George the Third: King of England, Husband of Queen Charlotte
King Louis the Sixteenth: King of France, Husband of Queen Marie
Sir Weasley: Knight under Lord Potter
Lady Longbottom: Mother of Neville
Lord Black, Lord Bones: Magical Blooded Lords in the House of Lords
William Pitt: Prime Minister of England
Lord Howe, Lord Williamson: Non-Magical Blooded Lords in the House of Lords
Lady Hermione Granger: First born Magical in the House of Granger
The Statue of Secrecy: Still in effect but very light in terms of Magical Use in front of Muggles.
A/N: Historical inaccuracies and accuracies are solely for the purpose of this story. Although "most" of the Historical References I am making are true, just not the timeline and the way they are arranged.