Harry's Future, Part XIV
Harry awoke from a light doze to see the countryside of southern France quickly slipping by the window. He, in the company of the entire Delacour family, was on his way to Beauxbaton Academy of Magic as a guest of Professor Jacque LeMond as he had promised all those months ago. It was the Monday after George and Angelina had been married. The wedding had been a complete success with both the participants and weather cooperating to produce a truly memorable event. The timing of the two events had allowed the Delacours to act as Harry's companions and guides for his first trip outside of Great Britain. They had taken the Channel Tunnel train from London to Paris and were now rolling south to Marseilles. Fleur assured Harry that the Academy would provide transportation the rest of the way. He thought about what lay ahead and he let out a sigh.
"Such a big sigh, 'arry. Does sometheeng bother you, mon frère?" Fleur asked as she sat next to him in the compartment.
"I guess I'm just a little nervous, Fleur. I just hope I don't do anything to embarrass myself or anything," he said with a little smile.
"'arry, 'ow could you theenk such a theeng?"
"I don't know. I guess seeing you and your classmates arrive for the Tournament and how you've described the school and all, it all seemed so sophisticated, you know? I don't want to come across like some kind of clown or something."
Fleur had been sitting somewhat close to Harry and now she slid back on the seat so she could look at him more fully.
"Mon Dieu, 'arry. Eef I did not know you better I would 'ave said you are making the joke. Yes, Beauxbaton ees a magnificent place and we take great pride een our school and ourselves. Thees does not mean that you should feel embarrassed or, what? You feel inferior? 'arry, remember they weell be measuring themselves against you, not the other way around," she finished, holding on to Harry's forearm and smiling at him.
Harry looked across the compartment to see the other Delacours looking at him. Gabrielle was nodding as she understood most of what was said. The parents looked over to Fleur obviously for a recount in French. After Fleur did so, Mr. Delacour looked back at Harry and said something which Fleur then translated.
"Papa says do not be concerned, they weell not know what 'it them," and then she giggled.
Harry looked at Monsieur Delacour and said,
"Merci."
Gabi was nodding emphatically. Harry decided he could still be a little nervous. It wasn't much longer until the train glided to a stop at the Marseilles station and the five got off the train. Fleur spotted something and she grabbed Harry's arm excitedly.
"'arry, look," she said as she pointed to a small group of inconspicuously dressed people who were standing off to one side on the platform. "There ees Professor LeMond. Eet looks like 'e 'as bought several other teachers and students to greet you. I told you you 'ad notheeg to worry about."
As Harry and the Delacours approached the small party, Professor LeMond stepped forward and offered his hand to Harry. Harry took it and as they shook hands the Professor said,
"Welcome to France, Monsieur Potter."
He then finished his welcome in French.
"'e says that 'e ees most pleased that you 'ave taken the time to come to Beauxbaton and the entire school ees most excited to welcome you. Transportation ees waiteeng."
The Professor smiled and after Harry shook hands with the others that had come to meet him he was escorted to a pair of small vans. Harry and the Delacours, along with the Professor, got into the first and the others in the party took the second. The Professor said something and Fleur translated,
"The muggle vans weell take us outside the city, yes, and then more suitable transportation weell be used," she said with a knowing smile.
"What aren't you telling me, Fleur?" Harry asked a bit suspiciously.
"You weell love eet, 'arry. I weell not ruin the surprise," she said with an impish grin.
Harry gave her a 'look' and then settled back in his seat to watch the famous, and infamous, port city of Marseilles go by. Eventually they reached a spot outside the city where they could pull in under the trees and they got out. They walked to a small clearing and after the Professor called out the air shimmered and there before them was the hugely ornate carriage that Harry had seen when the Beauxbaton team had arrived at Hogwarts. The massive horses stamped in their traces as if impatient to be off. Harry saw the carriage shift a bit and then the large door opened and an imposing figure emerged.
"Madame Maxime?" Harry said incredulously.
"You are surprised to see me, 'arry Potter?" she said with a laugh.
"I was expecting to see you at the Academy, ma'am," Harry said, trying to hide his embarrassment.
"Oh no, that would be very bad manners. You are our guest. Please, everyone, entre' and let us leave immediately," she said, waving them all toward the carriage with her large hands.
She allowed Harry to enter first, then she climbed in behind him, followed by the others.
"Please, Monsieur Potter, sit across from me so we may speak more easily."
"Yes, ma'am."
Harry took a seat across from the massive Headmistress with Fleur taking the one closest to his side. The rest found chairs and couches in various places about the massive carriage. With a wave of her hand the horses strained and the entire assemblage lifted off the ground and began the journey in the gathering darkness. Madame Maxime looked at Harry as if appraising him.
"You have grown much since I last saw you, Monsieur Potter. When we buried poor Dumblydore," she said the last with a sigh.
"I think I'm pretty much the same size, Madame Maxime. And please, just call me Harry."
"'arry? Yes, but I did not mean your stature, 'arry. But grown you most certainly 'ave."
Having made the one observation the Headmistress changed the tenor of the conversation to light pleasantries often engaging Fleur or one of the others in French. The journey was a pleasant one. The massive carriage did not react to the movement of the air around it so there were no bumps or dips to disturb them. It wasn't a long trip and soon Harry could feel the change in direction as they began a curving glide down to the grounds of the Academy. With a single gentle bump the huge carriage came to a rolling stop. To no one in particular Harry said,
"I wish I could fly and land so smoothly."
Madame Maxime beamed. The door was swung open and the professors and students hung back as Madame Maxime made towards the door. As it swung open she stepped down and then turned to indicate Harry should come next. As he emerged he was struck by two overwhelming sensory impacts. The first was sound. A resounding roar went up from what appeared to be the entire student body. The second was sight. Behind the students stood the imposing edifice of the Beauxbaton palace. The marble exterior gleamed golden in the reflected light of the full moon. All the windows were brightly lit. Towers soared into the night sky giving the whole structure an airy, almost delicate appearance. Harry could only blink as he tried to take it all in.
What Harry wouldn't have been aware of is that the assembled students and faculty considered him just as impressive. He had slipped into his new formal robes as they flew and the black with dark gray accents gave him a dignified air. The long time seated during the day had stressed his leg almost as much as walking so he was forced to use the twisted wood cane that Madame Pomfrey had first given him. It added to his serious demeanor and served as a reminder that here was a wizard who bore the scars of combat with both dark wizards and magical beasts. He moved along at Madame Maxime's side, the Headmistress moving with a studied slowness. The students stood straighter as she passed but continued their applause. Madame Maxime escorted Harry up the steps leading to the main door followed by the others with the student body closing in behind. At the top Madame Maxime turned and Harry followed her lead. Fleur came to stand next to Harry. In a booming voice, Madame Maxime addressed the assembled students and Fleur offered Harry a running translation. It went something like this.
"We are privileged to welcome Mr. Harry Potter, graduate of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the current Chief of Magical Law Enforcement for the British Ministry of Magic. His reputation far exceeds these few simple words but I wished to thank him for accepting the invitation of Professor LeMond to visit us here and share with us his experience and knowledge. I trust you will all afford him every courtesy and make him welcome."
The Headmistress then turned to Harry and said,
"Would you like to say a few words, 'arry?"
"Oh, ok," he then looked at Fleur who smiled and produced her wand and lightly tapped both Harry and her throat and said 'Sonorous' each time. Harry smiled.
"Merci beaucoup, Madame Maxime. I'm honored and humbled by your reception and I hope that I can fulfill your expectations. I look forward to meeting as many of you as I can. I also want to thank the Delacours for accompanying me on the trip here to make sure I didn't get lost," the last said with a small grin.
When Fleur's translation finished the students laughed.
"Lastly, my thanks to my big sister, Fleur, for providing the translation and to my little sister, Gabrielle, for helping me feel at home here. Thank you again."
Fleur blushed bright red as she made the translation and Gabi almost passed out when she heard Harry refer to her as his little sister. When Fleur finished there was another round of applause and the Madame Maxime turned and with a wave of her hand opened the large double doors and escorted her guest of honor through the large entry hall and into the Great Dining Hall for the grand dinner that was prepared to welcome Harry.
It was unlike anything Harry had ever experienced before. Fleur's descriptions of the palace did it little justice. The interior marble gleamed more brightly then did the outside. The perpetual ice sculptures looked as if people and animals had been turned into the ice itself, they were so lifelike. Great chandeliers hung from the high ceiling to cast a soft illumination on the rows of tables below. The sounds of chamber music drifted around the hall as the students and staff and their special guest entered. Once Harry and the Headmistress were past the ends of the tables the students were able to fan out and take their places while the mismatched pair continued their stately pace to the head table. Harry was feeling more then a little conspicuous walking next to the towering Headmistress and it didn't help that he was moving slowly with the cane. When they finally were able to sit down Harry did so with a sigh of relief that did not go unnoticed. From her large ornate chair, some might call it a throne, Madame Maxime looked down at Harry and asked,
"The leg, eet bothers you still, 'arry?"
"Yes, ma'am. It's been a long day so it tends to get fatigued and a little sore."
"We have a very gifted 'ealer 'ere at Beauxbaton. I am sure she would be glad to try and 'elp you," she said with obvious concern.
"Thank you, Madame. I've been to St. Mungo's and they are trying to help with therapy but it wouldn't hurt to get a second opinion," he said with a smile, which she returned.
When all the students and faculty were seated the Headmistress tapped her goblet with a silver spoon and the tables filled with all manner of dishes, bowls and platters. Harry wondered if there were house elves here at Beauxbaton or did they do it some other way. The variety was bewildering and the dishes weren't anything that Harry had seen before. Fleur had taken a seat next to Harry on the side opposite her former Headmistress. She leaned in and whispered to Harry telling him what each item was and what she thought he might find enjoyable. Harry had to concede that Fleur was either a very good guesser or she knew him far better then he had thought possible.
As he sampled the various dishes he let his gaze roam about the hall. He didn't know if it was normal or because this was a special event but the students appeared to be more subdued during the meal then their British counterparts. Conversations were muted and generally confined to immediate neighbors. He happened to make eye contact with Gabi and he gave her a smile and he saw her struggle to stifle a giggle which set off some of her neighbors as well. Gabi had removed the light cloak that she had worn during the trip and Harry noticed a pin on her robe just above the Beauxbaton crest. He noticed that many of the students sitting around Gabi wore a similar pin as did a number of students scattered about the tables. Harry looked over at Fleur.
"Fleur, what does the pin that Gabi and the others are wearing mean?" he asked.
Fleur's eyes flicked out to the students and then back to Harry. He heard her mumble,
"Mon Dieu." Then she sighed. "I am sorry, 'arry. I did not theenk to tell you. Do you remember what we talked about after my family came for that wonderful Christmas?"
Harry got a sinking feeling and said,
"Oh, no, not that."
"Oui, mon frere. That is the official pin for members of the 'arry Potter Fan Club," she said as she watched the look of dismay flow across Harry's face.
"I thought that would have died out by now. That was what, three years ago?" he said in a strangled voice.
"I am afraid not, 'arry. Eet ees a very popular club 'ere and eet was officially recognized by Madame Maxime last year. That ees why they can wear the pin on their robes. Gabi ees 'oping that you weell be able to meet with the club but I warned 'er that you 'ave a very bizzy schedule. I 'ope you are not angry with me, mon ami, for not telleeng you sooner but with all you 'ave 'ad to deal with these last years I did not want to add to your concerns."
Harry looked at the beautiful young woman that had become so important in his life. He took a deep breath and let it out as he thought of a comment he once made to Ginny about how she should never be surprised at what he would do for his family, they meant so much to him.
"Tell Gabi I will be glad to meet with her and her club at some point his week. Having come all this way and not doing it would probably disappoint her tremendously and I couldn't live with that."
Fleur's face lit up like one of the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. She gripped his forearm and gave it a squeeze. Harry had a thought and turned to Madame Maxime.
"Excuse me, Madame. Who is working out the schedule for my visit?"
"Ah, that would be Professor LeMond. Ees there something you would wish to know?"
"I thought I would try to set aside some time to visit with some friends that I guess I have here," he said with a crooked smile.
He saw her turn her head and look out to the tables. She nodded and then called out,
"Gabrielle Delacour."
She gave a wave to summon the girl to the head table. Harry could see her struggle up from the bench and hurry to where they sat.
"Monsieur Potter 'as something 'e would like to say to you," Madame Maxime said.
Gabi tried to control her expression as she looked over at Harry expectantly.
"Gabi, your sister tells me the Fan Club is still going strong?"
"Oui, yes, 'arry, eet es," she said breathlessly.
"Well, I thought that while I was here that it might be nice to meet them. Could you arrange that for me, please?" Harry asked.
Gabi's eyes almost popped out of her head and her smile could have lit up the night sky. She was so excited she couldn't speak in English. She rattled off a stream of French to her sister but was interrupted by Madame Maxime who said something that included the name of Professor LeMond and waved Gabi down the table. The young beauty quickly moved to stand before the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who produced a folded parchment that they both began to examine. Madame Maxime simply smiled at Harry and when he turned to Fleur she too smiled at him and added,
"That was very kind of you, mon frere."
"Family, Fleur, anything for family," Harry said with a shrug.
Harry saw Gabi finish her conversation with Professor LeMond and then return to face the Headmistress who apparently dismissed her to her table. Gabi dropped a quick curtsy and with a last smile at Harry hurried back to her table. She immediately began an intense conversation that seemed to spread like ripples on a pond. Harry could only shake his head.
The meal ended shortly thereafter and with a last statement of welcome for Harry, the Headmistress dismissed the class. The elder Delacours bid Harry and Fleur good night as they were returning home. An older student wizard escorted Harry to his guest room where he found his luggage had been placed and someone had unpacked for him. Harry grew suspicious at this point and said quietly,
"Kreacher? Are you in here?"
"Yes, Master Harry," the little elf said, his head popping up from the other side of the bed. "Master Harry is here, Kreacher should be here."
"You can Disapparate this far?" Harry asked, amazed.
"House elves do not Disapparate, Master Harry. House elves just move."
Harry gave a mental shrug. He knew house elf magic was different than human but this was pretty impressive stuff. He was, however, happy to have Kreacher around. It had been a long day and he was certainly in need of a good nights sleep. He was also glad he had the presence of mind to pack Madame Pomfrey's heat bag. He changed into his sleepwear and propped himself up on the bed with the many large pillows at his back. He placed the bag on his weary knee and sighed as he felt the heat immediately begin to penetrate and sooth. He glanced around the rather spacious and ornate room. The bed could easily accommodate three adults and had half a dozen large pillows. There were no curtains as it was a private room. The other furnishings, including an armoire, desk and night tables were made of finely crafted woods that were highly polished. As the heat seeped deeper and deeper into his leg he felt the miles catch up with him and within half an hour he was asleep.
Professor LeMond had requested Harry to conduct several sessions for his DADA students. The first was to be similar to the very first he had given during his seventh year giving an accounting of his encounters and the outcomes. The professor had indicated in correspondence funneled through Fleur that there was not a great deal of information available on many of his activities and even for the most famous, or infamous as Harry saw them, the accounts received in France seemed to contain as much fancy as fact. The second was to be a series of practical exercises along the lines of the session that Professor LeMond had witnessed and the last would be several small classroom sized discussions with various years in attendance. He also invited Harry to sit in as an observer for some of the regular classes.
His first morning was one of these observation periods and with Fleur providing a whispered translation Harry watched and listened as Professor LeMond delivered a masterful, to Harry at least, lecture and discussion recognizing the effects of various curses based on the reactions of the cursed. The Professor had just begun to discuss the lack of visible effects of 'Avada Kedavra' when he suddenly stopped and looked at Harry with obvious embarrassment and discomfort. Harry looked at the Professor and nodded his encouragement and gestured that he should continue. As the Professor continued Harry watched the students, many of whom were stealing furtive glances in his direction. When the professor completed his discussion he looked over at Harry as did the entire class.
"If I may, le Professor?" Harry asked through Fleur.
"Oui, Monsieur Potter," he replied.
With Fleur translating Harry began,
"I can confirm what the professor is saying is true. Victims of the Death Curse show no sign of having been cursed other than perhaps looking surprised. Muggles tend to attribute death to heart seizures or being frightened to death," he said. "I suppose, however, that some of you may be curious about this," he said pointing to his scar.
Several students nodded as Fleur completed the translation. Harry proceeded to describe what Professor Dumbledore had explained to him all those years ago. With a smile he said,
"Why the reaction between the Death Curse and whatever ancient magic my mother released through her sacrifice left this scar, I've never found out. But what I can say for certain is that I'm able to be here and speak with you today because of a mother's love for her son. That might be the most powerful magic of all."
Later that day Harry delivered his first lecture to a packed amphitheater that appeared to contain the entire student body. Harry was beginning to worry that Fleur was going to wear out her voice translating continuously for him and anyone who was speaking to him. In this instance he had no need to worry. Thanks to a marvelous enchantment placed on the room Harry could speak in English and the audience would hear the instant translation in French. So he gave his presentation much the same as he had that first night at Hogwarts and the invitation to ask questions at the end opened up a floodgate.
It was evident to Harry that indeed many of the tales of his adventures and misadventures had been distorted and he spent a fare amount of time ensuring the students that the version he had just related to them was indeed how things had transpired. Fortunately, the true versions didn't seem to disappoint anyone. One young witch, no more then a second year, had asked if he had been scared during his encounter with the 'altered' dragon. Harry smiled at her and said,
"Not then, no, because I didn't really have time to be. Too much was going on at once. But every time I think about what happened I get a cold shiver up my back. Like right now," he said and he visibly shuddered, which got a laugh from the audience.
Things took an unpleasant turn the following day. A small lunch had been arranged so that Harry could interact with the faculty without all the students present. Professor LeMond officiated and Fleur was there to translate. Introductions were made and pleasantries were exchanged and all appeared to be going well through the meal. As tea and coffee and desert were being served a wizard who appeared to be in his late thirties with a tall wiry build approached Harry from one of the other tables and spoke,
"Excusez-moi, Monsieur Potter. My name is Giles Fromage, Charms Professor 'ere at Beauxbaton. You 'ave gone to great lengths to, 'ow you say, correct misimpressions about the stories we 'ave 'eard about you. One wonders if the same should be done about your reputation as a master of the wand, eh?"
Harry looked up at the tall wizard from his chair. He could feel the tension rise around the table. From the corner of his eye he could see the disdainful looks on the faces of some of the other professors and since the Charms Professor was standing just behind Fleur he could see her tense up. With a less then sincere smile he replied,
"That would be difficult for me to say, Professor. I wasn't aware that I had any kind of reputation at all where wand use is concerned."
"Assurement, Monsieur," the professor replied. "We 'ear that you are perhaps the finest in all of Grande-Bretagne, Great Britain."
The tone indicated that this was considered a less then paramount honor. Before Harry could reply Professor LeMond broke in and Fleur translated through an obviously false smile.
"Professor Fromage is renowned throughout Europe for his skills as a duelist. 'e never loses," Fleur concluded.
"Dueling, I see. I'm afraid we never did much in the way of dueling at Hogwarts. I only ever did it once and that was as a second year. We tended to concentrate on the more practical applications," Harry said and then in an uncharacteristic jab to the jugular he continued. "My adoptive mother, on the other hand, seems to be quite a fine duelist. She out dueled one of Voldemort's Death Eaters and killed her. It seems that all the time using her wand in the kitchen and around the house really honed her skills."
"Outrageant!" the wizard exclaimed. "You would compare the skills of an 'ousewife to that of a true duelist?" he sputtered.
"As I said, my experience with dueling is very limited. All I know is that she was in a fight for her life and she won by out dueling her opponent. That tells me something."
"Per'aps if your experience is so limited you would care for a lesson, a very pointed lesson," Fromage said as his hand began to slip inside his robe.
Professor LeMond began to protest but Harry held up his hand to stop him.
"Understand something, Professor. As far as I'm concerned if someone draws his wand on me, I assume he intends to do me harm and I react accordingly. Do you think you're ready for that?" Harry said with his green eyes fixed on the taller older wizard.
Their eyes stayed fixed on each other a moment longer and then the older man moved with lightening speed to draw his wand. Just as the wand cleared the folds of the wizard's robe Harry said softly,
"Expelliarmus."
The wand kept coming and continued in an arc as it left the wizard's hand and flew across the room as the taller man staggered back a step. Harry then muttered,
"Immobulous."
The French Charms Professor froze in place, except for his eyes which were glaring down at Harry.
"Wingardium Leviosa," Harry said to finish things.
The professor drifted up about six inches off the floor. Harry stood up and moved to within a step of the other man. Around him the small dining room had gone completely silent. More then one professor was staring wide eyed and open mouthed. Fleur, well aware of her 'brother's' abilities was trying very hard not to break out in a huge smile. Her sister had told her about the Charms Professor when he first arrived the previous year and while some were quite taken by his dashing nature and good looks, anyone with some perception could see he was a swaggering braggart who never failed to use his admittedly superior skills with a wand to satisfy his towering ego.
"You see, Professor Fromage, one thing that I've learned is that no matter how good you are there is always going to be someone, somewhere who is better or can do something differently that can get the better of you. I guess one part of my reputation that you hadn't heard about is that I don't need to use a wand all the time. Like I said, to me, using a wand isn't about sport or showing off, it's about using a practical tool that sometimes can save your life," he said and then turned to Professor LeMond.
"My apologies, le Professor. If you don't mind I think I'll ask Fleur to take me on a tour of your magnificent grounds. I'm meeting with the Fan Club this afternoon and I'd like to be in a better mood when I meet them," he said with a strained smile.
Professor LeMond merely nodded and smiled a bit in return. Harry then offered his hand to Fleur and assisted her from her seat. With a flip of her long silvery hair she took Harry's arm and they walked slowly out of the room.
Once they were clear of the palace and walking amongst the wonderfully sculpted greenery and colorful flowers Fleur began to laugh, a low throaty chuckle, a sound Harry wasn't used to hearing. He looked over at her and she wore an unusually nasty smile and an evil glint in her eye. The unpleasant side of her veela heritage was coming through like he had never seen before.
"Are you alright, Fleur?"
"Oh, oui, 'arry. Never better, mon ami," she replied. "Gabi has written to me many times and 'as often mentioned Professor Fromage. When 'e first arrived everyone thought he was so magnifique. But soon eet became clear to many that 'e was a rather nasty man with a big ego and always sought to show off with 'is wand. You 'ave never taught a better lesson to a more deserving student, 'arry. I imagine that Madame Maxime will 'ave some very 'arsh words for embarrassing 'er and Beauxbaton this way."
Again she laughed that nasty little chuckle and gave Harry's arm a tight squeeze. Harry could only laugh a bit himself. When the time came for the meeting with his fan club Harry was in a decidedly better mood. A large classroom had been set aside and when Harry entered with Fleur all the students stood up as they did whenever Madame Maxime entered a room. Harry knew that a lot was riding on this meeting for Gabi and he was going to do everything he could to see that it went well. As president it was Gabi's task to formally greet Harry and she did so with the traditional brief hug and kiss on the cheeks. Harry responded by saying,
"Bon jour, Gabrielle," and he wrapped her in a hug and kissed her forehead.
Gabi went bright red, then white, then red again. She giggled a bit into Harry's shoulder and when he released his hold on her she stepped back with a huge smile. Harry thought she must have the entire male population of the school in thrall. She then indicated the floor was his so he turned and faced the room full of students.
"Good afternoon, everyone. I'm very happy to be here and to meet you all. I have to say that when I first found out about your club a couple of years ago I was very surprised, pleasantly surprised, that you were doing this. The present that you gave me for Christmas that year is hanging on the wall in a special place in my house in London," which it was, right next to his framed get well parchment. "I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to do here with you today, so I guess it's up to your president to help me through this."
As Fleur finished the translation he could see the many smiles at the idea that their present had been given a place of honor in his home. The last statement seemed to push a button for Gabi and she was soon arranging her schoolmates for a group photograph and then each member was introduced and Harry shook hands with the wizards and kissed the cheeks of the witches. Each presented some personnel item that Harry obliged to autograph and then he sat and chatted and answered questions. Some of the students had a fair-to-good command of English and for those that didn't their classmates would offer the translation. This afforded Fleur the luxury to just sit and watch. While it was obvious to her that Harry wasn't reveling in all the attention she could see that he was doing a wonderful job of setting aside his usual reticence for this kind of attention and giving of himself to these young people in the name of family. Her smile was soft and warm and nothing like what she displayed at the thought of what awaited Professor Fromage.
As the hour for dinner approached Gabi brought the meeting to a close and suggested they all proceed to the Dining Hall together. So it was that Harry led the small parade with Fleur and Gabi on either side and the rest of the club spread out behind them. Since he had spent most of the afternoon in relaxed conversation with the students his leg wasn't bothering him much so he could move at a better pace and was just carrying the cane. Once inside the Hall the students split off to make their way to their places at the tables with many words of thanks and wishes for a pleasant evening for Harry. Gabi was the last to take her leave saying,
"Merci, bother 'arry. This 'as been a wonderful afternoon, yes?"
"Yes it has, little sister. I enjoyed it a lot. Thank you," he said and gave her a one armed hug around the shoulders.
Gabi blushed red to the roots of her hair, giggled a bit and then recovered and with some show of dignity made her way to her table. Her arrival ignited a great deal of conversation. Harry just smiled and shook his head and went with Fleur to the head table. They were the first to arrive so Harry could watch as the room filled. As newly arrived students took their seats near their club member classmates he could see quiet but animated discussions take place. This all came to an end as Madame Maxime and the faculty arrived. All the students stood until Madame Maxime arrived at her massive chair at which time she indicated they should sit. She remained standing and as she towered over Harry she looked down and said,
"Monsieur Potter, I believe Professor Fromage 'as sometheeng 'e wishes to say to you."
It was obvious that the Headmistress was trying to disguise the anger she was feeling. From behind her came the tall wizard. Harry politely focused his attention on him.
"Sir, I weesh to apologize for my actions earlier. I 'ave no excuse and 'ope that the experience does not deeminish your regard for this Academy, eet's staff and students."
Harry kept his green eyes fixed on the face of the apologetic wizard and while there was no break in eye contact Harry could see subtle shifts in expression that suggested the apology was not so sincere. Without changing his own expression and pitching his voice so it wouldn't carry beyond those around him he replied,
"It's a funny thing about apologies. Quite often the words don't reflect the real feelings. But out of my deep regard for this school in general and Madame Maxime specifically I'll assume this isn't one of those times. I would hope, however, that you might consider what happened today and decide to use your skills to improve the capabilities of your students instead of your own reputation. As for me I officially consider this episode forgotten."
As he concluded his comment he extended his hand and after a moment of hesitation the professor took it and as they shook he looked away from Harry towards the floor. Then he turned and walked to his place at the table. Madame Maxime looked down at Harry and said quietly,
"Merci, 'arry. You 'ave been most gracious. This 'as been very embarrassing."
"I understand, ma'am and like I said, I consider it done and forgotten," he replied with one of his half smiles.
The rest of the meal passed uneventfully if you consider being served a bewildering variety of foods cooked to perfection uneventful. At one point Harry leaned over to Fleur and whispered,
"Is the food always like this here?"
"Dineeng ees taken very seriously 'ere, as eet ees een all of France," she said with a smile. "But I think they 'ave, 'ow you say, stepped eet up a bit for you."
"Well, I appreciate that but it makes me wonder how you managed to go through seven years here and still come out looking as good as you did," Harry said, then realized what he said and started to blush.
Fleur looked at him wide eyed and then began to giggle which turned into a poorly executed attempt to stifle her laughter which then had Harry laughing as well. Madame Maxime chose not to notice since she was relieved that Harry was in a good mood after what had occurred. The laughter died away after a moment and the meal concluded without further incident.
There was no activity planned for Harry after dinner so it was suggested that he might like to visit the faculty lounge where he could relax. Harry found it to be an amazing place, just like the rest of the palace. Large, high backed, deeply cushioned chairs were arranged around the room in small groups as well as some that were more isolated. Fleur was permitted to accompany Harry as his interpreter. When he entered there were perhaps half a dozen teachers already seated and although they all acknowledged his arrival no one invited him to sit near them. He and Fleur took seats towards one side of the room. Harry found the chairs to be incredibly comfortable. The room was warmed, even on a spring day by two fireplaces. Harry was reveling in the feel of the chair and was seriously considering asking where they had been made when he heard his name being called.
"Monsieur Potter?"
"Over here," he called out softy.
A short, portly, elderly witch bustled over to where Harry and Fleur sat and came to stand in front of them. With Fleur translating she introduced herself as Madame Chevalier, the Academy's healer and Madame Maxime had asked her to see if she could offer Harry any help with his leg. Harry asked if they needed to go someplace and she said they could take care of things right where they were. Harry indicated that she could begin. The healer pulled up a padded ottoman and sat down in front of Harry.
While Harry and Fleur watched she took her wand and as Harry had seen before she made passes over his leg and knee while mumbling incantations. Harry could feel strange tingling sensations that ranged from chills to heat to goosebumps. The healer then put the wand away and placed her hands so that the fingertips touched lightly along each side. She closed her eyes and began to mumble again. To Harry's surprise he could feel strange spasms in the muscles as if the nerves were firing at random. The she opened her eyes and pulled her hands back. She sat back on the ottoman so she could look at Harry's face. She looked over and Fleur and asked a question.
"Madame Chevalier asks if you would permit 'er to touch your scar, 'arry."
"The burn scar or the one…" and he made a motion with his hand to his forehead.
"Oui, 'arry, the one on your fore'ead," Fleur replied softly.
He nodded to the healer to go ahead. With the gentle hands of an experienced healer she brushed his unruly bangs aside and laid the tips of the first and second fingers of her right hand on the infamous scar. She closed her eyes and began to mumble again when without warning the scar on Harry's forehead flared for the first time in years and more strongly then he could remember. His head snapped back into the cushions of his chair back and he heard the healer exclaim and then curse in French. Fleur gasped and grabbed Harry's arm and asked,
"Mon frere, are you alright, 'arry?"
Harry's eyes popped open and he could see the healer sitting back on the ottoman holding one hand cradled in the other. Fleur turned on the healer and snapped out a phrase in French. Harry looked over at his 'sister' and asked,
"What did you say?"
"I asked 'er what the 'ell she thought she was doeeng," Fleur said heatedly.
Fleur turned and to Harry it seemed that she was again demanding an explanation. He could see that the other occupants of the room had their attention fixed on the trio. The healer began to speak and Fleur translated.
"She says she apologizes. She did not expect to get such a strong reaction. When she was touching your knee, she was attempting to magically 'eal your injuries."
Harry shook his head and said,
"The doctors at St. Mungo's said that too much time had passed for magic healing to work."
Fleur relayed this to the healer. Madame Chevalier shook her head and then began to speak again.
"She says that may or may not be true but when she tried to 'eal you she felt something odd, like you were pushing back. That ees why she wished to touch your scar. She attempted to 'eal eet and you pushed back, 'ard, very 'ard," Fleur said.
The healer talked more and Fleur appeared to ask her to repeat what she said. Fleur looked at Harry and began to speak, but more softly.
"Madame Chevalier ees aware of your past, 'arry. She knows about your mother and the ancient magic she released. Eet would seem that the magic ees still working."
"I don't understand, Fleur. I have had all kinds of healing potions used on me and Dr. Medford and the others don't have any trouble using their magic to examine me," Harry said.
This was relayed to the healer and she began to speak again.
"She says she believes the magic ees such that eet works against someone trying to change you, 'arry. To kill you, injure you, that ees a change, oui? So ees 'ealing eet seems. Potions are not the same as spells and examining ees not changing. Thees ees what she believes."
"Well, please tell her that I appreciate her trying and I hope my 'pushing back' didn't hurt too much," Harry said.
Fleur delivered Harry's comments and the healer smiled at him and patted him on the knee as she stood up and left the faculty room. Harry slumped back in his chair and looked over at Fleur.
"Just when I think I'm getting a handle on things, something like this comes up. I guess I'll need to check with Madame Pomfrey. I know I've had different potions but I don't know if she's ever tried a healing spell," Harry said and then shuddered.
"What ees the matter, 'arry? You look like you just swallowed a bug," Fleur asked.
"I was just thinking about the time I had to drink Skele-grow potion in my second year. It was horrible stuff," he said with a grimace.
"Why did you need that, 'arry?"
"You never heard that story, Fleur?" Harry asked, surprised.
He proceeded to tell the story about the bewitched bludger, his broken forearm and the botched healing job by Gilderoy Lockhart.
"So Madame Pomfrey gave me Skele-grow potion to drink and I wound up spitting the first mouthful all over the place and had to swallow a second dose. Very nasty stuff."
"Gilderoy Lockhart? That name sounds familiar, 'arry."
"Yeah, he was a very famous author that became our DADA teacher in the second year," Harry replied.
"Oh, oui, yes, I remember now. Bill told me all about 'im. 'e was a big fraud with a bigger ego. Brother mine, you do seem to attract the most unusual people," Fleur said with a smile.
"Yes, I do, but unusual isn't always bad," Harry said looking over at Fleur and giving her a little smile. "I'm feeling kinda tired now, Fleur. I think I'll go to my room, put that heat bag on my leg and try and get a good night's sleep."
"Oui, 'arry, that's a good idea, I theenk," she said as she stood up and offered Harry her hand to help him stand.
When he was standing she hooked her arm in his and with nods to the faculty members they left the lounge. Fleur walked him to his door and with a kiss on the cheek wished him a good night.
The door swung open and Kreacher bowed Harry into the room. His sleep clothes were laid out on the bed and the heat bag was placed next to them. Harry nodded and thought 'unusual isn't always bad'. Within minutes he was laying on the bed, propped up and the heat bag working its magic on his now sore leg. As it had in the past, the heat of the bag lulled Harry into that place between fully awake and deep sleep. The dark behind his eyes lightened to gray and he heard a familiar voice call to him.
"Sir? Can you hear me, sir?"
"Abagail? Are you asleep, too?"
"Yes, sir. I'm in the Ravenclaw common room. It was a busy day and I still get a little tired early if I've been busy. Are you ok, sir?" Abagail's voice asked.
"Not too bad, little one. Why do you ask?"
"I thought I felt a sharp pain a little while ago. I thought that something might have happened to you, sir," her voice said softly.
"Well, something unusual happened," Harry replied and he proceeded to explain the events with the healer.
"Wow, sir, that's amazing. Do you think that might be why you were able to see your mum the last time we did this?"
"What do you mean, Abagail?"
"Well, sir, I remember you talking about how you were able to see into old Voldemort's mind and I figured if maybe the magic that your mum released trying to save you might be having the same kind of effect," the soft voice said thoughtfully.
"Maybe, little one. I don't know but it is something to think about," Harry replied, then he was taken by another thought. "Abagail, would you do me a favor?"
"Of course, sir."
"Would you send Ginny an owl and let her know we had this little chat and I said everything is going fine and I should be home late in the day on Sunday. I'll have lots of interesting stories to tell her."
"I'd be glad to do it, sir. When I wake up I'll do it right away and send it tonight," Abagail replied happily. "In fact I think I'm starting to wake up now. Good night, sir. I can't wait to see you again, in person."
"Good night, little one, and thank you," Harry said, noticing the end of Abagail's last statement seemed to come from farther away.
He received no reply so he assumed the girl had or would soon awaken. He allowed himself to drift about in that gray place for a while until he slid deeper into sleep. He woke up around midnight and found that the bedcover had been pulled over him. He put the heat bag on the night stand and climbed more fully under the covers and was soon back to sleep.
Thursday was to be a big day. Professor LeMond had set things up so Harry could repeat the session that the French DADA teacher had witnessed at Hogwarts and prompted the invitation to Beauxbaton. After breakfast Harry was once more in the large amphitheater where he delivered his lecture on the integration of the various aspects of magic as they pertained to fighting the Dark Arts. He fielded some questions and one in particular illustrated one of the differences between the two schools. A witch, most likely a fifth year, indicated that at Beauxbaton they are taught that diplomacy and negotiation are important elements and she wondered if any attempts had been made in dealing with Voldemort.
"I'm not familiar with all the details of what went on before I was born as he began his campaign to take over about a dozen years before my first encounter with him, but by the time I was aware of what was going on I think things had gone beyond the point where diplomacy would have been of much help," he said with a wry smile. "I admit I don't know a lot about diplomacy and negotiating but it seems to me in order for it to be successful both sides need to be ready to stick to whatever agreement they come up with. Voldemort wasn't about to accept anything less then his total domination of our magical community and the complete suppression of any non purebloods. Not a very diplomatic point of view, I'd say. This was a fight, and to the death as it turned out," he finished.
They all left the amphitheater and went to a large ballroom down the hall that had been set up in similar fashion to the Room of Requirements and Harry and Professor LeMond watched and participated as needed while the senior students conducted exercises for the younger students. Harry provided a number of tips and pointers and in one instance prevented a potentially dangerous accident. A fifth year wizard was attempting a charm but his wand technique was extravagantly overdone in what was apparently a poor imitation of Professor Fromage and if allowed to continue would have resulted in a severe hexing of one of the senior students. Harry patiently explained that someone as gifted as the Professor could get away with the more theatrical style but most wizards, himself included, needed to keep things simple in order to get the proper results. The idea that Harry 'kept things simple' seemed to make a great impression on the young wizard and on his next attempt his wand work was tight and controlled and accurate.
After lunch, as had been done before at Hogwarts, the senior students were treated to a bewildering variety of exercises that pushed them to their limits. Harry was surprised at the extent that Professor LeMond had gone to for this session. It was made clear about half way through the afternoon when he was informed that unknown to the students this was going to serve as the practical portion of their NEWTs and OWLs equivalents. Next week they would only have to complete the theoretical sections.
The results were generally excellent. All of the students had been challenged to the maximum and most performed well above standard. It seemed that the combined influence of not wanting to look bad in front of the 'famous', if not legendary, Harry Potter, and not wanting to embarrass the school before a foreign visitor was enough to extract the last measure of performance from the students. All were dirty and sweaty, some were singed and a few required treatment by the healer but the looks on their faces reflected their pride in jobs well done. As the session came to an end Harry took the opportunity to express his admiration for their efforts.
"Before we bring things to an end I just wanted to tell you I'm very impressed with all of you and I think you did a terrific job during both sessions today. I'd be happy to have any one of you working on my team."
The last resulted in a number of smiles and more then one thoughtful look.
"Also, Professor LeMond asked me to inform you that this afternoon's session will serve as the practical portion of your exams," he said with a smile.
This got a number of ragged cheers. This was one group of very tired students. Professor LeMond dismissed his students and as they filed out he gave Harry a companionly clap on the shoulder and smiled broadly.
Friday was given over to more class observation and participation with the younger classes. Harry particularly enjoyed a session with a class of first years. Their enthusiasm and curiosity was contagious and Harry was in a particularly good mood as the day progressed.
Saturday, Harry's last full day at Beauxbaton, promised to be an interesting one. Harry had been invited to attend a Quidditch match and was offered the opportunity to be the guest referee. He was a little reluctant at first but after he thought about it a while he decided to accept. The game was scheduled to commence at ten in the morning. Harry had been lent a set of flying robes, a whistle and a Firebolt broom. Harry promised himself he would take it easy; after all, the game was about the Quidditch flyers, not him. He was assured that language would be no problem if he stuck with the international standards for hand signals and phrasing.
At the appointed hour the two teams, one in blue, the other in green, were assembled, hovering above the pitch, the stands crowded with students. Unlike the Hogwarts stadium, there was only a single VIP section, which was raised above one side of the stadium and slightly lower then its English counterpart. When Harry saw all was in order he released the snitch, bludgers and quaffle and the match was on. Harry went to a middle altitude to keep an eye on the action below. It was immediately clear that one team, the green, clearly outclassed the other. Their chasers were dominating the action with smooth ball handling and superior flying skills. The opposing team in blue had one advantage in that their beaters were larger and stronger and their use of the bludgers as offensive weapons was masterly. A number of green scoring attacks had been broken up with well placed bludger assaults. He also watched to see how the seekers were doing. Apparently the snitch was well used and cagey and had the two seekers trailing after it in almost hopeless frustration.
Harry returned his attention to the action below in time to see the first foul of the game. Obviously annoyed at the way the beaters of the blue team were breaking up scoring drives by the green, a green beater intentionally rammed one of the blues from behind disrupting his attempt to stop a green scoring attack. Harry whistled the game to a halt and flew down to hover in front of the offending green beater. He signaled illegal contact, negated the green score and awarded a penalty shot to the blues. The green beater looked indignant but Harry's green eyed stare forced him to temper his outrage at being penalized. The green fans shouted their displeasure while the blues bellowed in approval. After the successful penalty shot play resumed. Harry was kept busy as the brute force of the blues battled the skilled work of the greens. Penalties were not infrequent; it was a tough battle.
The match was a few hours old when a significant event took place. The snitch had been playing with the seekers, dragging them all over the pitch from high altitude to ground level and had taken its toll on the usually smaller, lighter framed flyers. The blue seeker was tired and this likely led to her unfortunate meeting with a bludger at about ten feet above the pitch. The impact was enough to knock her off her broom and land with a thud on the grass below. Harry whistled the game to a halt and dropped down to her side. The portly healer was bustling out from the stands and came to kneel on the seeker's other side. A quick examination indicated that she had suffered rib injuries but nothing dangerous. Madame Chevalier helped her stand and walked her off the pitch. Harry signaled for a substitute and he saw a blue blur speed into the air. He got back into the air and he got a closer look at the substitute seeker. It was another witch, perhaps a third year astride a broom that looked a great deal like a Nimbus 2001 but made by another company, most likely one here on the continent. She flashed Harry a huge grin and then slipped on her game face. Her look of determination was almost frightening. Harry signaled for resumed play and he was amazed at how fast the new seeker was off the mark.
She was hot on the trail of the sneaky little snitch and left the green seeker well behind. Harry had never been able to determine exactly but he always suspected that part of the little golden orb's enchantment was to sense the flyer chasing it and ratchet up its performance appropriately. The buzzing ball went into a frenzy of changes in direction, speed and altitude. The substitute blue seeker was stuck on the snitch like glue and while Harry would have loved to watch longer he was forced to pay attention to where most of the action was occurring. Perhaps the greens sensed a change in fortune with the new blue seeker but they were in a panic trying to score goals but it was too little too late. A huge roar from the blue section of the stands signaled the end. Harry looked up and saw the little blue seeker holding the snitch high in the air as she made a tight spiral in his direction. He whistled the game concluded.
Harry hovered and waited for the seeker to come to a stop in front of him and offer him the snitch. He took it from her and her face exploded into that huge grin again. Harry smiled back and said,
"Congratulations."
"Thank you, Monsieur Potter. I am so glad I 'ad the chance to fly today."
"I may be wrong but I think I'm looking at a future seeker for the French national team," Harry said.
The young witch's eyes went wide and her grin slipped to a look of awe and then snapped back again.
"Merci beaucoup, Monsieur Potter," she said breathlessly.
"Come find me this afternoon. I'd like to talk flying with you if you would."
"Oui, yes, I most certainly will," she said and then floated off to join her teammates to celebrate their upset victory.
Harry landed and walked into the dressing area and he returned the flying robes and broom. Fleur was outside waiting for him when he was done.
"Hi, Fleur."
"'ello, 'arry. You did very well today. Everyone was commenteeng 'ow you kept the game under control. Eet was expected to be a very tough match."
"Yeah, it could have turned into a brawl, that's for sure. Did you see that substitute seeker for the blue team? She was incredible wasn't she?" he asked excitedly.
"Oui, 'arry, she could grow to be almost as good as you."
"Almost? Come on, Fleur, she was unbelievable," Harry said.
"'arry, 'arry, 'arry," Fleur said shaking her head. "Geenny 'as a saying about you. She says you are so cute when you are so clueless. Believe me when I tell you she ees very very good but she steell 'as a ways to go to reach your level. No, no. Do not argue. I am 'ungry and eet's time for lunch. Come along."
Harry and Fleur walked along to the Dining Hall in silence. He wasn't sure why but he knew that Fleur was upset. When they arrived Harry noticed someone was at the head table that he didn't recognize from the school staff. Madame Maxime waved him over.
"'arry. That was an excellent job today. Thank you for being our referee. Now I would like to introduce you to Monsieur Pierre LeClerq. 'e ees the Minister for Magical Law Enforcement 'ere in France. 'e wished to meet you."
"Minister LeClerq, it's an honor to meet you, sir," Harry said extending his hand.
"Merci, Monsieur Potter. The 'onor ees all mine. We 'ave 'eard much about your efforts to reform your department een your Ministry of Magic. I found the story about the smugglers most disturbing. 'ave you 'ad any success een determining what their full plan was?"
"Not beyond that they were from Belarus and the material was from all over Europe, and parts of Africa and Western Asia. I'm hoping there will be more information when I get back. Are you having problems here?"
"Some strange items of contraband 'ave been showing up 'ere and there. I'm 'oping that we can arrange some form of cooperation in this case," the French Minister said.
Harry nodded and said,
"I'll be in the office on Monday. I'll talk to my boss and the Director for International Cooperation about making arrangements."
"Excellent. Many thanks, Monsieur Potter."
Madame Maxime shooed everyone to their seats so that lunch could begin. Fleur sat quietly to Harry's left and Minister LeClerq was on his right and the two 'cops' kept up a running discussion on current cases, the problem of contraband and ideas for increased cross channel cooperation. Harry had a thought and said,
"I don't know if you were aware, Minister, but yesterday Professor LeMond and I conducted some practical exercises and I was really impressed by how well the students did. I even suggested I would be happy to have any of them working for me. I wonder if we could work that out."
"'ow do you mean?"
"Since I graduated from Hogwarts I've been conducting sessions there with the DADA classes. My boss feels that's been very important and he even suggested that we have internships for the students between their sixth and seventh years. I was wondering if we could make arrangements to expand that between our two countries. Student interns from Hogwarts and Beauxbaton. Even exchanges between our two departments. Learn from each other; establish contacts and that sort of thing. What do you think?"
"I theenk eet ees a tremendous idea, Monsieur Potter. I will bring it to the attention of the High Minister of Magic when I return on Monday."
"I too theenk eet ees an excellent idea, 'arry. I will discuss eet with our governing board and make contact with 'eadmistress McGonagall. You know we 'ad 'oped that reviving the Triwizard Tournament would increase cooperation but we all know 'ow that ended," Madame Maxime said.
"Well, it did bring us something special," 'arry said turning to smile at Fleur who returned a brief but frosty smile, her eyes still hard and causing Harry to mentally, if not physically, flinch.
Harry's attention was brought back to the Minister when he heard,
"Monsieur Potter, I am pleased that we 'ad this chance to talk. I am sure we will 'ave many more discussions and I look forward to our future cooperation."
"Hmmm, yes, sir. I'll make sure to get things moving from my end starting Monday," Harry said with a smile offering his hand to the Minister.
As the diners at the head table began to disperse Harry was about to say something to Fleur when the blue team flyer hurried up to them.
"Monsieur Potter, if you 'ave the time, please, perhaps we can 'ave the talk you mentioned now?" she said respectfully but with obvious excitement.
"Oh, yes, sure. I'd just like a moment with Mrs. Weasley here. I'll meet you over by your table, how's that?" Harry asked.
"Oui, yes, that would be fine. I will wait for you there," she said with a bobbed curtsy and then she hurried away.
"Fleur, I'm not sure what I've done to upset you but I think we need to talk about it. Can we, after I'm done here?"
"Why do you theenk I am upset, 'arry," Fleur asked, the tone of her voice already providing the answer.
Harry just gave her a 'look' with his eyebrows up and a slight tilt to his head.
"Oui, alright, 'arry. I will be outside in the garden. Come to me there when you are done 'ere. And 'arry. Remember that that girl ees 'oping for some guidance from the 'famous 'arry Potter'. Be 'er teacher, not 'er fan," she said and with a flip of her hair she turned and walked out of the dining hall.
Harry watched her walk away, shaking his head and wondering what stupid mistake he had made this time. He turned around and walked towards the nearly empty dining table where the third year seeker sat expectantly. Whatever was going on with Fleur she was right about one thing, the youngster would be hoping for some pointers from Harry. He smiled as he took a seat across the table from her.
"Perhaps we could start with you telling me your name and how long you've been flying," Harry began.
"My name is Collette Dubois and I've been flying ever since I was able to sit on a broom. My mama and papa flew for their 'ouses 'ere at Beauxbaton and they got me started early," she said.
Harry nodded.
"My dad was a flyer as well; he was seeker for his, our, house at Hogwarts. But I didn't start until my first year," Harry said.
"Oui, yes, sir. I know all about your flying at 'ogwarts for Gryffindor 'ouse. Every seeker at Beauxbaton knows these theengs."
"Really? I hadn't realized that," Harry said, fighting down the blush he felt rising.
"Oh, yes, sir. I was 'oping, sir, that you might have seen enough of my flying to perhaps make some suggestions for improving?" she asked expectantly.
"Well, Collette, I didn't get to see a great deal since you finished off the game fairly quickly," he said with a smile that had the third year smiling and blushing. "Let me see what I can recall. This should take just a minute."
Harry closed his eyes and let the later portion of the match run through his mind. He could see Collette zip out into the stadium, the wide grin, the game face, then her taking off after the snitch. He watched with his minds eye as she followed after the snitch matching it move for move and then he saw it. He saw the flaw in her technique that if not dealt with would prevent her from moving to the next level. His eyes opened and he saw the girl staring at him intently.
"It's something I do to help me recall things I've seen. It's kind of like watching the event over again," Harry explained.
"It was a leetle strange to watch, sir. I could see your eyes moving back and forth under your eyelids," the girl said breathlessly.
Harry smiled again and said,
"Ok, well it's obvious that you are very quick and agile in the air and possess a lot of speed. But what I saw was this, Collette. You are a reactive flyer. When the snitch makes a move you match it and your speed and agility allows you to stay with it and eventually catch it. But if you grow much bigger your likely to lose some of that edge. You need to learn to anticipate what the snitch is going to do next and make your move before it does."
"'ow is that possible, Monsieur Potter? I thought the snitch was enchanted to be unpredictable," Collette said anxiously.
"That may have been the intention, Collette, but it doesn't exactly work that way. I have to admit that some of it seems to be instinct, a skill you're born with. But from what I've experienced and what I've learned from others there are things to look for. Have you ever heard of Charlie Weasley from Hogwarts?"
"Oui, 'e is well known as a great seeker, nearly as good as you, sir, or so they say," then her eyes popped open. "Mrs. Weasley? Was that…?" she tailed off.
"No, Fleur is married to Bill Weasley, Charlie's older brother. I've know Charlie a long time. The Weasleys sort of adopted me. But anyway, he and I have talked a lot about being seekers and there are some things you can look for that give clues as to what a snitch is about to do. Do you have anything to write on and with?"
Collette nodded and she produced a bag from under her bench and took out parchment, quill and ink. Harry began to dictate a list of things to look for in a snitch's behavior that would help the girl take her game to the next level. When he was done he said,
"Knowing those things will help, Collette, but in the end it's about practice and more practice. You have to spend a lot of time chasing after that pesky little ball so that you see as much as you can of its behavior. That's when it will get to be almost automatic."
"Oh, yes, sir. Merci, this 'as been wonderful," the girl said happily and then looked down at the table and then back up a bit apprehensively. "May I ask one more favor, please?"
"Sure," Harry replied.
She reached into her bag and brought out a copy of the Daily Prophet that contained the article about Harry playing in the blizzard and crashing into the tower. She slid it across to Harry.
"My aunt is a witch married to a muggle. They live in England and she subscribes to the Prophet. She gave me this copy. Would you please sign it for me?" Collette asked quietly.
"I'd be happy to, Collette."
Harry took the offered quill and ink and wrote the following in the margin above the story.
"To Collette, hoping to see you fly for the French National Team some day soon, Harry Potter."
He handed back the pen and ink to the girl then slid the paper across the table. She looked at what he wrote and that huge grin exploded across her face again. She looked up at Harry, wide eyed.
"Merci beaucoup, Monsieur Potter. This 'as been a wonderful day," the girl enthused.
"You're very welcome, Collette. Good luck," Harry said, and then with a sigh said, "Now I need to go find Mrs. Weasley and find out what stupid thing I did to get her mad at me."
Collette frowned, "You could not 'ave done sometheeng stupid, sir."
Harry laughed.
"I'm afraid I manage to say or do something stupid on a fairly regular basis, Collette. It comes with being human I think," he said with a rueful smile as he stood up.
He reached across the table to shake hands with the young seeker and then began his trek to the garden for whatever grief awaited him. He walked in the garden for a bit and then found Fleur sitting on a stone bench that looked out over an extensive flower bed that was a riot of spring color. It was obvious to Harry that she was still upset from the tense nature of her posture as she sat. The sound of his footsteps got her attention and she looked up at him. While not the nasty veela tinged expression that he saw when she was contemplating Professor Fromage's fate it did remind him all to well of the look she gave him that Christmas eve when she threatened to strangle him for going out against the three would be housebreakers alone. With a sigh he walked over to the bench and sat down next to her. He looked out over the flowers for a moment and then looked over at his 'sister'.
"Ok, Fleur, what stupid thing did I do this time that has you so upset?"
She didn't answer at first, but continued to look out over the flowerbed. Then without turning to look at him she said,
"I do not know eef eet was sometheeng stoopid or not, 'arry. But what 'as me upset ees sometheeng you do more and more. When we talked about that young seeker you made eet seem like you thought she was nearly as good as you are. I thought not. I watched her and yes she ees very good but she has a long way to go to reach your level of flying. As usual you seemed to be pulleeng yourself down and eet makes me angry."
"What do you mean, pulling myself down?" Harry said, perplexed.
"'arry. We are a very close family, yes? Especially where you are concerned. We all know about your moments of doubt. The times that mother Weasley 'as come to you to talk you out of your dark moods. 'ow you question whether you deserve what you 'ave or can you cope with the work you 'ave to do. And I begin to wonder eef you do thees so that you can 'ear someone tell you 'ow extraordinaire you are. Then I get angry with myself for theenking that about you. So you tell me, 'arry. Why do you do thees theeng?"
When she turned to face Harry she was looking into a pair of green eyes that could have cut through stone. Most people would have flinched away from that stare but Fleur was equal to the task and glared back at him. When Harry spoke his voice was low.
"You think that I say these things because I want to hear someone tell me how great I am? Is that what this is all about?" Harry said as he stood up and began to pace back and forth in front of the bench without his cane.
After a few circuits he stopped and looked down at his 'big sister'.
"Do you think that I don't know what I've done and gone through and am capable of doing? I know the story of my life, Fleur. I was bloody there. Let's go down the list, ok? I was the boy that lived because of the magic my mother's death infused into my very skin. It might still be there. I then survived ten years of emotional neglect by my so called family until I get my letter to Hogwarts. There I start a career of amazing events to include brilliance on the Quidditch pitch, multiple life and death encounters with Voldemort in various incarnations, and let's not forget the whole TriWizards Tournament fiasco. Then I spend almost a year trudging around the countryside with Hermione and Ron tracking down Voldemort's Horcruxs and in the end he and I wind up facing off and I help him kill himself. Which brings me to my stunning seventh year of off-the-chart Quidditch play, teaching so well that the Headmistress wanted to keep me there and then scoring some of the highest NEWT scores anyone had ever seen. Oh and by the way I find out that I can chase a snitch with my eyes closed, did you know about that one?"
Fleur shook her head slightly, maintaining her eye contact with Harry, which was getting more difficult to do under the onslaught of his emotional venting.
"Let's see, so that brings me to graduation and awards and acceptance to Auror training even though they'd rather I went someplace else. And I'm successful at that and next thing I know I'm the Chief of Law Enforcement and I'm reorganizing the whole department and the fate of the Ministry rides on how well I do. Not to mention pretty much killing a giant mutated dragon single handedly and nearly killing myself in the process. I dunno, is there anything I'm leaving out about me, Fleur?"
"You didn't mention how compassionate and caring you are, 'arry," Fleur said quietly. "'ow you look after your adoptive family, all of us and Abagail and the theengs you've done for all the witches and wizards with your business dealeengs."
"Oh that's right, I forgot. Harry the Serpent Slayer is also Saint Harry. Killing dragons with one hand and raising up the downtrodden with the other," he said as he began pacing again but continued to rail.
"I know all these things, Fleur and obviously you know them, too. But I know something else that I bet you don't. Would you like to know what that is?" he said with some heat.
"Oui," she replied calmly.
"I know that in a dark corner in here," he said as he pointed to his head "that there is a piece of me that is terrified every waking moment that if I start to behave like I know these things I'll have taken the first step on the same path that Tom Riddle took."
This obviously shocked Fleur as her eyes widened and her mouth tightened. Harry didn't notice as he was still walking back and forth.
"Tom Riddle didn't die from the Death Curse, not really. He died from arrogance. He knew how strong and talented he was and he reveled in it. He enjoyed the idea that he was more powerful than just about anyone else and the hold that gave him over other people. Do you know why the idea of your sister's fan club bothers me so much? The Death Eaters were Riddle's fan club, that's why. He thought he deserved their adulation, and their fear."
He stopped and looked out over the flowers again but not really seeing them.
"He thought everyone should do the same. That it was his destiny to rule over all of us and only pure bloods deserved to be able to do magic. What a joke. I'm closer to being a pure blood and I know how little it really means. Here's something else you probably don't know," he said as he turned and looked at Fleur. "My dad, my real dad, was an arrogant little prat when he was first at Hogwarts. I saw some of the things he did to Professor Snape when he was trying to teach me about Occulemency. He grew out of it over time and turned into a pretty great guy so I'm told, but it makes me wonder how much of that is in here," he said, tapping his forehead. "So, when you hear me saying those things what you're hearing is me pushing myself back away from that path that Voldemort took all those years ago."
He took another walk back and forth, his limp becoming more pronounced.
"So you tell me, Fleur. Am I being stupid?" he said.
"Yes, 'arry, you are," she said quietly.
Harry turned quickly and winced as he had twisted his bad leg as he did.
"How can you say that? Why am I'm being stupid not wanting to got that way," he said angrily.
"Because, mon frere, you 'ave completely missed the point. You tell me that thees Riddle enjoyed the theengs he did and the way eet made 'im feel. 'owever, you are scared to death at the thought of eet 'appening to you and that ees all the difference you need. You know eet to be the wrong theeng for you and that will keep eet from 'appening, 'arry."
Harry flashed back on the conversation he had with Professor Dumbledore after he had rescued Ginny from the Chamber of Secrets. How they talked about his fears of how much he had in common with the young Tom Riddle and how the important difference was that Harry didn't want to follow in those footsteps by begging not to be put in Slytherin. That life was about the choices you made. He looked at Fleur.
She stood up and the look of anger was gone. So was the one of shock. Instead the calm clear gaze of the young woman that had taken such an intense interest in his well being regarded him. She reached out and brushed away the unruly locks of hair that hung down over his forehead and then ran her hand down his cheek.
"The difference between you and Riddle, 'arry, ees that 'e knew these theengs about 'imself and didn't care what eet meant to other people. You know these theengs about yourself and you care so much about what eet could mean that you are nearly sick with fear. You would never take that first step, mon ami. Geeny tells me that you make the joke that she needs to open the air valve in your 'ead to keep it from getting puffed up. There ees a problem 'ere though, 'arry. There may come a time when you need to take a step een a different direction to do what needs to be done and your fear will 'old you back. That you can not let 'appen," she said, looking deep into those green eyes.
"How do I know the difference, Fleur?" he said softly.
"By talking, 'arry. To Geeny, to me," she said with a small smile. "You have Mum and Dad Weasley and your brothers, too. You 'ave 'ermione and your friends as well. So many people who would do anything to 'elp you."
He looked at her a long time and then simply nodded and gave her one of his lopsided grins and shrugged a little. She laughed; the clear silvery tone full of joy and love. She spread her arms and stepped forward to sweep him into a tight embrace which he gladly returned. Unfortunately Fleur leaned into him a little too hard and he yelped as he left knee buckled.
"Mon Dieu, 'arry, I am so sorry. Seet down," she said apologetically as she helped him to the bench.
"It's my own fault, Fleur. Too much stomping back and forth," he said.
"Can I get you anything, 'arry?" she said anxiously.
"No, but I know who can," he said, then to the air he said, "Kreacher, I need your help."
In an instant a pop announced the arrival of the house elf.
"Master Harry calls?"
"Yes, Kreacher. Would you please get my heat bag from the room?"
"At once, Master Harry."
By the count of five Kreacher had returned with the blessed bag. Harry took it and placed it on the aching knee. He let out a sigh as the heat began to seep in and he looked at those big sad eyes and said happily,
"Thank you, my friend. You're always there when I need you."
Kreacher looked back and said,
"Riddle would never call a house elf 'friend'."
Harry just smiled and Fleur, who had her arm around Harry's shoulder to offer some support, tightened her grip. Kreacher squatted down next to the bench wanting to be at hand if Master Harry needed something. After a few moments Harry turned his head a little towards Fleur and said,
"I'd like to ask you something, Fleur. It's something that Abagail asked me a little while ago."
"Oui, 'arry, ask."
"Why do you care so much? About me I mean."
Fleur laughed a bit and then looked out over the garden. Then she said,
"When I was a young girl just starting at Beauxbaton and conveenced that I was perfect," she said with a laugh that Harry shared, "I was sure that I would do great theengs and I thought I was well on my way when I entered the Triweezards Tournoi. But eet didn't turn out so well but then I met Bill and my thoughts turned een another direction. But then I learned what you were all trying to do by fighting Riddle and, 'ow you say, 'is gang of thugs. That was something important and I did what I could and I deescovered sometheeng about myself. I was good at taking care of others."
"Yes, you certainly are," Harry replied.
"To put eet simply, 'arry, eet ees your job to protect the world from dark magic. Eet ees my job to protect you from the world and when necessary, from yourself."
Harry leaned away from Fleur and turned fully to look at her. She looked back calmly with one eyebrow raised as if to invite a comment or question. Harry just smiled and said quietly,
"Maybe I don't have so much to be afraid of after all."