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 Nine: The Hooded Man
-Duchy of Brittany
A hooded man was spied upon as the figure stepped from one shadow into another.
Two weeks has passed since the Battle of Chesapeake and the French are still celebrating their victory against the English. The party was non-stop as the people stumbled around outside the bars while the children were running around the courtyard of the town.
The hooded man pushed through the crowd and stood outside a local pub named Fleur de Lis.
Seeing the hooded man approach, the guard standing beside the entrance made a move to stop this unknown figure and asked, "Who goes there!"
The hooded man smirked, which went unseen due to his cowl, before replying, "Francois! You already forgot about me?"
Francois, the bouncer, quickly placed a hand on this man's shoulders before replying, "I didn't recognize you for a second there. I though your business here is done?"
The hooded shook his head, "Apparently not."
"Who is it this time?" Asked Francois as he punched a person who was sneaking into the pub.
The man shuffled around, trying to reach into his pockets, before pulling out a letter with a seal on top. Francois took the letter and examined the seal before whistling, "What did you do this time?"
The hooded man just laughed before replying, "Nothing illegal if that is what you're thinking."
"But this is the seal of-" The hooded man cut off Francois as he gestured towards some men who were listening in.
"Not here, my friend." Whispered the hooded man as he pulled the letter from the bouncer's hands and folded it neatly before placing it into his pockets once more.
Francois could only nod before opening the door into the pub and saying, "Enjoy your stay then!"
The hooded man nodded before pulling out twelve pieces of gold and discreetly pushing them into the bouncer's pockets. The bouncer only saluted before closing the door behind the hooded man.
-Fleur de Lis
The hooded man stood in front of the door for a second, scanning the room, before walking towards one of the unused booths.
Sitting down, he was immediately approached by the barmaid, "What would you like for starters?"
The barmaid winked at him. Studying the barmaid, he could see she was in her short skirt uniform that distinctly resembled the barmaids in Northern Ireland.
He shook that train of thoughts in his head before replying, "Do you have a bottle of Chardonnay?"
"Oui! We do have a crate of them that was delivered last week." Replied a very eager barmaid before continuing, "A bottle of just a glass?"
The hooded man scratched his chin before replying slowly, "How about a bottle. Bring two glasses as well, I am expecting company."
"Tres Bien! Is that all for now?" Asked the barmaid.
The hooded man nodded, dismissing the barmaid. It took less than five minutes before the barmaid came back with the bottle and two glasses. He just shook his head when the maid, once again, tried her best to flirt with him.
Just then, his musings were cut off when man sat down across him and said, "Lord Potter. It is nice of you to contact me. But, why a bar of all places?"
Harry pulled back his hood to reveal his messy black hair and shining green eyes. He reached into his pockets before handing a letter to the man in front of him before saying, "I need someone to deliver this to the Lady Fleur. Discreetly of course."
The man took the letter before replying; "You do know I am risking my life just by being here and talking to an Englishman. A noble no less!"
Harry laughed loudly before replying, "We both know you are much more devious than me, Lord Malfoy! I am sure you left a 'copy' of yourself for others to see and therefore, cannot prove that you were here even if you are seen here."
"Too true, Lord Potter." Replied a smug Lord Malfoy.
There was a tense silence that passed rather quickly. Harry knew that they both do not see eye-to-eye but with Fleur, they at least have a common ground.
"How is you marriage to the Lady Valentinois?" Asked a very curious Harry.
Draco smiled for once before replying, "It is going great! We are expecting our first born soon. Although problems are occurring in the French Court and the nobilities that has increased tensions."
"Napoleon?" Asked a weary Harry.
"Indeed." Replied Draco as he took a sip of his Chardonnay; "He still is holding the King under his Imperious Curse."
"Has he much power in your Court?"
Draco sighed before replying in a low tone, "He was summoned by the King the day before and given a powerful position in the military. Many question this but the hold of his Imperious on the King is strong and he is a mere puppet for him."
"I feared as much." Replied Harry.
Another bout of silence washed over the conversation. Draco was lost in his thoughts while Harry downed another glass of Chardonnay. This time, it was Draco who broke the sound of silence, "When do you plan to see her?"
"As soon as I can." Replied Harry as he poured another glass of his wine.
Draco looked into his eyes before asking once more, "Why not now? Two weeks you have been hiding! She has received news that you have died and has gone into depression and yet you do nothing to calm her?"
"I have no choice!" Snapped Harry as he clenched his fists, "I must do what I intend before going to her! Do you not care for your country?"
"I do, Lord Potter!" Snapped Draco back, "But if she is so important, then you should at least see her soon!"
"I know, Draco, I know." Replied Harry as he scratched his head; "I just don't know how to get pass the security and into her manor.
Draco looked at him briefly before asking, "Do you love her?"
"Do you even need to ask that?" Asked a very irritated Harry, "I am betraying my country just to be with her and yet you ask that question!"
Draco smiled before replying, "I just had to be sure."
Downing the last drops of the wine; Draco stood up and gestured for Harry to follow him.
Exiting the pub, Harry gestured a thanks to Francois, who only nodded, before following the Lord Malfoy into a back alley.
When they reached their destination, Malfor gestured towards the carriage before saying, "I will take you to her tonight. We will be able to bypass any security and see her directly if we use my family's carriage. It symbolizes my status and no one will question the Duke of Valentinois.
"Bloody brilliant!" Exclaimed Harry as he ran his hand across the intricate patterns along the carriage doors.
"Hop in! We have a Duchess to see!"
Harry grinned before replying, "I owe you one Malfoy!"
-House of Lords
"The passing of Lord Potter has been a very grievous experience for this House. I ask everyone to stand up and give respect to the young Lord who risked his life for this country." Announced a very grave Lord Speaker.
Every Lord and Lady stood up and prayed for the loss of a very promising Lord. Everyone in the House was wearing black, which was uncommon and only happened when someone of their status died.
After a few minutes, everyone sat down and the session once again began.
"Who is to take Lord Potter's place?" Asked Lord Bones, albeit sadly.
Lord Bones knew the significance of the Lord Potter and had fun when they were debating. The young man had a brilliant mind on his head and it was a big loss for their House to have at this time of war.
"The Longbottom heir would be taking his place while his accounts are being settled." Answered Lord Williamson.
Lord Black stood up and asked while tapping his cane, "How about the Potter ring? It should have already chosen the next Lord."
Lord Howe shook his head before replying, "His ring would not choose the heir. It only happens when there is none or if the current Lord is alive."
Lord Bones looked up and asked, "Could it be a possibility that the Lord Potter is still alive? No one saw him die and his body has not been recovered!"
Mutterings started as everyone started talking of the possibility that the young Lord Potter was still alive.
"Indeed, we can never rule out that he could have possibly survived. Maybe he was washed off into the islands?" Asked Lord Granger.
Lord Williamson sighed, "We have sent people to check those islands near the battle site."
Lord Granger stood once more and asked, "Why not do another sweep? It would not hinder the war if we sent a few merchant ships to check the area once more."
"Lord Granger! We could not risk any more ships. Our loss at Chesapeake has dwindled our ships as it is. We have already sent messages relaying that every merchant ship is to be armed and ready to do battle." Replied the Lord Williamson.
The Lord Granger just sagged in his seat, knowing that he could not fulfill his promised to his daughter.
"How is the King faring of this news?" Asked Lord Howe curiously.
Lord Williamson visibly sagged before replying, "He has recessed into his delirious state once more and has become more volatile since the news of his nephew's death."
"Does he blame himself?" Asked a neutral faced Lord Black.
"Her Majesty Queen Charlotte has reported of him blaming himself of his death and of the banishment of the Lady Fleur instead of keeping her here in England." Answered Lord Williamson.
Lord Black nodded before asking once more, "How of our American Revolutionaries? Are we surrendering since Lord Cornwallis has surrendered himself?"
Everybody went silent as they heard this piece of information. It was a grave news indeed since the ships in the Battle of Chesapeake were supposed to reinforce the men of Lord Cornwallis. Their defeat meant that the Lord Cornwallis and his men would have to surrender or die in a foreign land.
Before anyone could have said anything, a messenger arrived at the doors and bowed before the Lords, saying, "My Lords and Ladies, the Lord Potter has been spotted in the Duchy of Brittany!"
This statement shocked everyone. Silence reigned the room before Lord Williamson stood up and asked, "What did our spies say?"
The messenger fidgeted nervously before replying, "The spies report that the Lord Potter is spying for us against a new enemy rising in France. A General named Napoleon Bonaparte. He is collaborating with other French Lords against this new threat."
Most of the people present sighed in relief that the Lord Potter was alive before Lord Granger stood up amongst his peers and asked his own question, "How were we able to come about of this information?"
"The Lord Malfoy sent a message and proof of this. He is seeking refuge for his wife and child if worse comes to worse and they are not able to stop this Napoleon." Answered the messenger.
Lord Williamson gestured towards the doors and said, "Very well, you may leave."
After the messenger left and the Lords were all settled once more, Lord Howe spoke up, "With this new piece of information, we must decide if we will help Lord Potter or not."
"Indeed." Answered a very eager Lord Williamson, "A vote then! A vote if we should help Lord Potter and if we should harbor the Lord and Lady Malfoy."
Right there and then, the votes were casted out with a majority towards the aid of a certain Lord Potter and Lord Malfoy.
-Delacour Manor
The carriage passed by the gates without any suspicion.
Everyone in the manor and outside knew of the close ties of the Delacour and Valentinois family. It was no surprise for a member of the Valentinios to come visit the Lady Delacour.
Harry fidgeted as he tried to fix his coat and tie. He had been given a new set of clothes for this meeting and he was still very uncomfortable with the fabric. But he could never complain, he was visiting his love with the help of a friend who was risking everything for him. Even if the clothes Draco got for him were not to his liking, he would manage.
Arriving at the double doors, Harry quickly hopped off the carriage and swept towards the hallway where he was met by an old maid who told him that the Lady Delacour would be seeing him inside her library.
Harry obliged and was led towards the library that was on the north side of the manor. Draco had refused to be part of this reunion and was currently going back towards his own manor, promising to come for Harry when he called for him.
-Library
Harry looked through the books on the shelves and was impressed with the conditions they were in.
Before he could get any further in his investigation of the books, he was stopped by a voice he had not heard and yearned for so long.
"Bonsoir! Who has come from the Valentinios to see me?" Asked a very light and beautiful voice.
Harry smiled before walking towards the woman who had let the glass that she was holding fall to the ground.
"My Fleur! I am keeping my promise." Smiled a very ecstatic Harry as he saw his love once more.
Fleur could not keep her joy inside and ran towards Harry who swung her around while laughing. He then shared a passionate kiss with her before setting her down and asking, "How are you faring, my Fleur?"
Fleur closed her eyes before replying, "The best I have felt since I left you, my Harry! How were you able to come here?"
"It is a long story, my Flower." Replied Harry as he carried Fleur bridal style and started walking towards one of the couches, "Do you really want me to bore you with it?"
"For now, just hold me." Replied Fleur, who still had her eyes closed.
Harry obliged and whispered in her ear, "I will never let you go, my Fleur. You are my heart, my first and last love."
Fleur opened her eye and looked at the pair of emerald eyes before replying lovingly, "And I you, my Harry. And I you."
Harry captured her lips once more, not caring about tomorrow. He knew from this day forth that he would fight for her and would never let her go. God forbid anyone who stood in his way.
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.