The Alchemist Apprentice

by Aragon Potter

Having enough of the abuse of his relatives a young Harry Potter decides to leave Private Drive. Shortly after leaving, Harry meets a strange couple who take him in and introduce him to a whole new world…the world of Magic and Alchemy.

3. Chapter 3 Friends and Family

The Alchemist Apprentice

By Aragon Potter

Chapter 3: Friends and Family

"Thinking/French"

"Spells"

Summary: Having had enough of the abuse of his relatives a young Harry Potter decides to leave Private Drive. Shortly after leaving, Harry meets a strange couple who take him in and introduce him to a whole new world…the world of Magic and Alchemy.

Previously:

Once they had decided on the finer details of the plan, such as when they would leave and when they would all meet up again, along with some other details. The sounds of several stomachs growling were hundred.

Realizing that it was already long past lunch time, Perenelle decided that they would have a late lunch, and insisted that Sh'lainn stay and make it a family meal. Not one to turn down a home cook meal, the red headed Dhampir agreed.

Getting up from her seat, signalled Harry to follow her, "Come on squirt, let go set up to table while mom cooks lunch."

"Squirt?" Harry repeated, failing to understand why Sh'lainn was calling him this now.

"Yea, Squirt, your basically part of the family now, so that means, I reserve the right to tease and annoy you whenever I want" the red headed witch replied with a mischievous smirk.

Still getting use to the idea of actually being part of a family, Harry just smiled and nodded, before following after her into the kitchen with the Flamels.

"Family...I definitely like the sound of that!"

-Upper room of Hog's Head, Order Headquarters - 4th December 1987-

Remus Lupin sat at the main table of the room, going over reports for the second time. It had been three months since they learned that Harry had run away. But despite all the resources at their disposal, they had failed to locate his best friend's son.

Several of the reports that Remus was looking through had interviews with local people that had seen a boy that looked similar to Harry at one time or another, but there had been no one that had seen anyone looking like him recently.

Emmeline Vance, Hestia Jones, and Kingsley Shacklebolt entered the room and sat down at the table near Remus. Kingsley sighed as he saw the stacks of reports on the table. "I've talked to over a dozen people the past week, and no one has seen anyone matching Harry's description for over a year. With all of this press coverage, the Auror's office has received hundreds of people, all claiming to have seen Harry, but when we check them out, only a few actually matches what we know."

"It's the same at the Three Broomsticks; the Inn is filled with people claiming to have seen Harry, Rosmerta has been complaining that her regular customers can hardly get in, let alone eat or drink. Dumbledore might have to consider moving our office from there if this keeps up" Emmeline commented.

At the mentioned of Dumbledore's name, a low growl could be heard coming from Remus. Every time he heard the headmaster's name, Remus's wolf side reared its ugly head, causing him to growl angrily.

None of the others remarked, since everyone knew Remus's feelings when it came to the Headmaster, not that any of them blamed him for being angry. He had let them all down, especially Harry.

Two weeks after they had discovered that Harry had gone missing, the news of Harry being abused by the Dursely's leaked out.

No sooner had the news broken, people immediately began asking questions, like why the Ministry allowed their saviour to be sent to live with Muggles, and why they had let him be abused by them.

In response, the Ministry wasted no time in throwing Dumbledore to the wolves, revealing that he had been the one who placed Harry with the Dursley's and that he had assured them that he was perfectly safe there.

Once Dumbeldore's part in Harry's abuse was revealed, including how he had neglected to even check up on him. Public opinion for the Headmaster almost immediately plummeted; for the next two weeks the entire main section of the Daily Prophet was filled with articles and radical editorials demanding that Dumbledore resign from his Headmaster position and be brought up on charges. The most vocal of these being from a reporter named Rita Skeeter, who went out of her way to dig up even more dirt on him, which included the Headmaster's former friendship with the Dark Wizard Grindelwald. She even went on to accuse him of playing a part in the death of his younger sister Ariana Dumbledore, who died unexpectedly and suddenly when under his care.

Dumbledore's trouble from the paper eventually died down though, but other problems weren't as easy.

Shortly after the Prophet began its campaign against him, Albus was bombarded with hate mail from almost every magical person in the country. His entire office was completely filled with letters, and howlers screaming for his head, and shouting about how he should be carted off to Azkaban for what he had done. Even now, the Headmaster was continually sent hate mail from people, and had to be mindful when disposing of them, since many of the letters had powerful curses and hexes placed on them.

If that wasn't enough, he lost his position as Supreme Mugwump, after the other members of International Confederation of Wizards, who were unwilling to be involved in such a scandal, voted to have him removed as head. He had also been put under a cursory investigation by the rest of the Wizengamot concerning the use of power of his position as Chief Warlock. And his position as Headmaster was also under threat with the board of governors watching him and reviewing every decision he had ever made since becoming Headmaster of Hogswart.

These problems had given Remus a sort of satisfaction at what Dumbledore was receiving, but knew that nothing that happened to him could even come close to what had happened to Harry at the hands of the Dursleys.

Feeling his anger on the rise, Remus glanced over at a page from the Daily Prophet, which he had torn from the paper and stuck onto the wall several days ago. On the page was a large moving picture of Vernon and Petunia Dursley being dragged away by a group of Hit Wizards, with the heading "ABUSERS ARRESTED!" written in large bold letters.

After the news of Harry being abused by his relatives was revealed, the entire magical community of Great Britain began baying for the Dursleys' blood, demanding that they be punished for their crimes. But when Minister Bagnold explained that the Dursleys' could not be brought up on charges due to several Muggle protection laws that were placed, that was when, to quote a Muggle phrase, the shit hit the fan. The Durselys' residence was vandalised on a daily base by unknown wizards and witches, and was flooded with hate mail and howlers, most of which had curses and hexes placed on them. They couldn't even leave their house without being under the threat of being cursed from angry witches or wizards. The nastiest of them being a potion which had been somehow planted on the Dursleys' food, without them knowing, causing them to break out in huge boils. The Potion was similar to the Pimple Jinx, only much worse. According to what Remus had heard, the boils would cover every part of their body and every so often would explode spilling out green pus which would burn skin and create even more boils around the affected area.

It took over a week for the healers at St. Mungo's to finally find a cure for the potion, since Boil-Cure Potion seemly made things worse, although even after they had found a cure, they couldn't get rid of the scars and burn marks left by the boils. From what a friend in St. Mungo's had told him, whoever had given them the potion, knew what he or she was doing and was a highly skilled potions master, since none of the healers had seen potion like this before. (1)

On more than one occasion, the Ministry was even forced to send teams of Hit-Wizards and Aurors to deter lynch mobs that had formed outside Dursleys' home.

Realizing that public outcry would not settle unless action was taken, the Ministry quickly capitulated to the public's demands and began renewing the Muggle protection laws. It was probably the first time Remus could ever remember seeing the wizard community standing so united on any issue.

Within a week, the Ministry renewed the Muggle protection law, allowing wizards to arrest any Muggle guilty of harming underage wizards and witches, and became known as the Potter Act. The Act was openly supported by Pureblood and traditionalist supporters within the Wizengamot, who saw this as an opportunity to further their own political views.

Dumbledore of course openly opposed the act, stating that it was too open to abuse and could be easily used to promote anti-Muggle laws later on. But due to his failing popularity, few people were willing to listen to his opinion, and his resistance to the act only proved to strengthen its support.

Lucius Malfoy was of course the most vocal of those in favour of the Potter Act, seeing it as the best way to discredit Dumbledore even more, given how the elderly Headmaster had often blocked legislations that the Malfoy head had tried to get approved. Lucius openly criticised Dumbledore's opposition to the Potter Act, stating that the act would not have been even needed had Dumbledore done his job correctly or sent Harry to live with a "proper" magical family.

Shortly after the debate, the Potter Act was able to pass through the Wizengamot with little resistance, and Dumbledore fell into further disgrace in the public's eye.

Despite his own reservations towards the Potter Act, and what it could mean for the future, Remus took some solace in the fact that through it, the Durselys' finally got what they deserved.

One day after the Potter Act came into effect, a team of Aurors arrived at No. Four Private Drive and arrested Vernon and Petunia Dursley for crimes of Child Abuse and neglect, while their son was placed under the Ministry's care until the fate of his parents was decided.

At the trial, Vernon had refused to have and legal counsel for himself or his wife, stating that they did not what any "freaks" giving them legal advice. The man even had the gall to state that he refused to even acknowledge the Ministry's authority. Stating that they had no right to drag "respectable" and "normal" people like them out of their home, in front of their neighbours, like common criminals.

Remus remembered the trial well, he had been allowed to attend, being a personal friend to the Potter family and one of the leaders searching for Harry. Vernon's little rant had of course not gone over well with many of the Pureblood and traditional members of the Wizengamot, whom Remus remembered, looked like they were tempted to curse the man on the spot for what he had said.

When the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Bartemius Crouch Sr, read out the list of charges against the Dursleys, Vernon had of course violently denied them, stating that they were lies. (2)

During the course of the trail, evidence was given by Dumbledore and Professor Mcgonagall, who left Harry at their residence, and Arabella Figg, whom the Dursleys' were shocked to learn had links with the magical world and had been sent to monitor them. The three witnesses of course did not paint a pleasant picture of the Dursley's character's and how they had mistreated Harry, while spoiling their son, who was nothing short of a thug in the making.

But the most damning thing came, when the Dursleys were each forced to drink Veritaserum, where they admitted to not only verbally and physically abusing Harry on a daily basis. But also to starving him, forcing him to live in a small cupboard, and forcing him to work around their house, treating him like the lowest of house elves.

When the two Dursley's had finished, Remus remembered how angry he had felt, and how much he wanted to make them pay for what they had done. He also remembered how angry everyone else in the chamber was, as the entire court was glaring down at the two.

Before the verdict was given, Remus remembered Crouch asking the Dursleys' if they had anything to say before the verdict was handed down on them, Petunia had shook her head. Remus had guessed that the woman had realized that nothing she could say would change the verdict. Her husband on the other hand, had plenty to say, where he gave a long winded rant about how they could do nothing to "normal" people like him and this trail was nothing but a farce. He even went on to state that his only regret was that he didn't beat the "boy" harder and stamped the freakiness out of him.

Needless to say, if people didn't have enough reason to hate the two Dursleys', Vernon's rant gave them more than enough reason to, as almost everyone in the Wizengamot exploded in anger. Remus himself had to be held back by both Dumbledore and Mcgonagall, while the entire chamber was filled with the voices of furious members, who had stood yelling and shaking their fists at Vernon. Had any of them been carrying a wand, Remus was certain that Vernon Dursley would've been nothing but a black stain on the chamber floor.

Later after Crouch had regained control of the court, he had asked the members' to vote, which was unanimously guilty. Crouch then sentenced Vernon to ten years in Azkaban for Child Abuse and Cruelty, while Petunia was sentenced to five years for Child Neglect.

Remus remembered the sentencing well, if anymore deserved Azkaban, it was the Dursleys. At the mention of being sent to Azkaban, Petunia had turned ghost white and was seemly on the verge of fainting, which indicated to Remus that she had some idea of was going on. Vernon on the other hand remained oblivious and continued to taunt the Wizengamot. But that soon changed when the Hit-Wizards began to take them away. Both Dursleys' had tried to struggle, but were quickly restrained and dragged away, it took four Hit-wizards to drag Vernon, as the overweight man began yelling at them to let him go and shouting that they had no right to do this. Petunia had responded in much the same manner, where she kicked and screamed as the two Hit-wizards dragged her away, telling them that they couldn't do this, and that she needed to be with her son, who sadly was not spared from wizarding community's wrath.

Shortly after handing over Dudley to the care of his father's sister, a Marjorie Dursley, whom Remus recalled raised pit bulls for a living. The Ministry was called back to her residence when they heard reports of two people flying in the air, like balloons, The following week the Ministry was called back again, where they found the two Dursleys' and the dogs spitting up slugs, and the week after that, Dudley woke up to find himself with long pig's ears, a pudgy snot and a long curly tail on his rear.

Despite being able to remove the snout and ears from the overweight boy, the healers at the St Mungo's struggled to remove the tail, since no matter what they did, the tail continued to grow back.

Later the Ministry was even forced to permanently station a member of the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes at the residence to undo any damage that was done, as people continued to target the two.

Again Remus couldn't help but feel some satisfaction at punishment the two other Dursleys' received, but he soon broke from his musing when he heard Emmeline speaking to him.

"I'm sorry Emmeline you were saying?" turning to the young women.

"I was saying that Mundungus has been talking to his contacts in London, but none of them reported ever seeing a boy looking like Harry. The last confirmed sighting of a boy matching Harry's description was in London and if he left there, I don't think we'll ever find him. For all we know, he could be… dead."

"It has only been a few months," said Lupin. "I refuse to give up looking for him until I find him, whether he is dead or alive."

"I know, Remus, I don't want to give up on him either. Hopefully we'll get a break soon, and find a recent sighting." Hestia said.

Remus nodded tiredly. "I really hope so" before starting back to work.

-France-

Following the events in England, with Harry being taken in by the Flamel's and then leaving the country with them. The Boy-Who-Lived was currently sitting in a large study room with Perenelle, who was helping him with his French.

The Flamel's plan for sneaking him out of the country had thankfully gone off without a hitch, as the focus of the Wizarding world was in London, according to what Sh'lainn had told them, allowing them to leave the England without incident.

Unlike their previous residence, the Flamels' French home was a much larger and older looking. Nicolas had inherited an estate long ago from a old friend, a Nicolas Flammarion, who like the Flamels was a wizard, and was known both in the magical world and the Muggle world for is work in Astrometry.

The estate was ideally suited for the Flamels, it was located and hidden in the middle of a large dense forest, with only a small hamlet nearby. It was unplottable and well protected with powerful wards and magical barriers, including Muggle repelling barriers and was equidistant from the cities of Dijon and Nancy.

The primary exterior of the building was polychrome brick with few wooden accents and a tiled slanted roof. Most of the windows had overhangs to provide shade in a sunny climate, while the two main first floor windows had oversized planter boxes, flanking the front entry porch. The estate also had a large open U-shaped courtyard, with a fountain in the centre, and surrounded by rose bushes which created a very private yet generous back yard, suitable for outdoor entertaining and relaxation.

The inside of the house was equally and impressive, both the formal dining room and the study were in a symmetrical arrangement around the centre entrance, and a more informal arrangement for the great room, kitchen and breakfast nook. The left wing included a hallway that led to the mud room, a small bathroom and a second informal stairway that led up to the second floor near the garage, where the Flamels stored three old cars, a 1958 Facel Vega HK500, 1936 Hispano-Suiza K6 and 1947 Citroen Traction Avant. Also next to the garage were a laundry room and storage room, where the Flamels kept unneeded items.

The right wing was where the master suite was located, where Mr and Mrs Flamel slept. The suit included a very large bedroom and walk-in-closet with the bathing and toilet functions extended rearward in a long slender wing which ended in a spectacular niche for the master tub. The second and third floors had an additional four bathrooms, six bedrooms, a storage room, a second laundry facility and an observatory with a large telescope to look up in the sky and night. Beneath the estate was a large basement, split into two separate large underground rooms, the first had been converted into an underground laboratory, much like the one the Flamels had in Devon, while the other room had been converted into exercise / duelling room. (3)

"Bonjour, Je m'appelle Harry Potter" (4)

"Good and how would you respond if someone were to say that to you?"

"Ravi de vous connaître."

"Acceptable," nodded Perenelle, "And what about, Quel âge avez-vous?"

"Ehhhh, Je suis âgé de sept ans"

"And what would you say if I were to say, D'où venez-vous?"

"Je suis de Angleterre"

"Very good and what you were to say if I asked you, Quel temps fait-il aujourd'hui?"

"Il fait bon"

"Très bien" beamed Perenelle, pleased with Harry's answer, Harry still not use to being praised by people, just smiled shyly.

"Now then Harry, I think we will call that for a day, why don't you go and wash up, and I will go and get dinner ready, Nicolas should be home soon from the Ministry.

Nodding, Harry lifted himself up from his chair and moved towards the door. But before he could place his hand on the door handle, the door suddenly open, knocking the young boy onto the floor, and revealing Nicolas Flamel.

Seeing what he had done, the elderly man quickly apologised, having no idea that Harry was behind it. Harry of course assured him he was fine and that it was an accident, after which he then excused himself so that he could wash up for dinner.

After Harry had left, Nicolas closed the door behind him and walked over to his wife, who was cleaning up some books and parchment from her lesson with Harry.

"So how is Harry coming along?" Nicolas asked as he helped his wife tidy up.

"Slowly, but he is doing reasonably well, he mainly lacks confidence, but with enough time he should be fine" said Perenelle as she placed one of the books back on its shelf.

"I'm certain that in a few months time, with your help, he'll be speaking it fluently" Nicolas assured his wife, after putting away the parchment.

Once they had finished tidying up, Perenelle turned to her husband. "So how did the meeting go in the Ministry, were there any problems?"

Taking the seat at his desk, the elderly Alchemist shook his head, "Thankfully nothing serious. In the beginning my contacts at the Ministry were a little reluctant when I told them who we were adopting. But once I explained the circumstances to them and assured them that none of this would blow back on them, they eventually agreed, and said they would have the necessary documents ready within a few weeks. I also gave them a little "incentive" to ensure that they kept the adoption to themselves."

Pleased that their plan for adopting Harry as their grandson was going well, the female Flamel nodded. Although she did frown slightly when Nicolas mentioned giving his contacts an incentive, she of course disapproved of Nicolas using their wealth to bribe public officials, but sometimes it was a necessary evil. "And what about Harry's citizenship?"

At the mention of Harry's citizenship, Nicolas sighed, "That I am afraid that is a little trickier. As you know for Harry's citizenship to be legal, we have to give him his legal name; otherwise Albus or the British Ministry could use a certain legal loop-hole to nullify his citizenship. If we went through the normal legal channels not only could it take years, but it would reveal that we have him. According to my contacts, the quickest and best way to get Harry's citizenship without raising much notice is to have a notable family sponsor Harry's citizenship. We of course could do it ourselves but that would raise too much notice, which means we would need someone else to do it."

"Who do you suggest, the La Fayette's, the Capet's, the Gourgue, the Laval, the Ficquelmont?" asked Perenelle listing several notable wizarding families, whom Nicolas and she had good relationships with. Although it had been many years since they had dealings with any of the families, she was certain they could get one of them to help them. The only problem was whether they could trust one of these families enough with their secret of adopting Harry, especially since both she and her husband had been staying out of the social limelight for almost a century."

"For the sake of secrecy, I think we should stay with family" Nicolas replied, causing his wife's eyes to widen slightly.

"You mean Marquis" Perenelle answered, where she received a nod from her husband.

Marquis was the last direct descendant of her late elder sister Joan, who had married a young Muggleborn wizard and had a family of their own. After becoming immortal Perenelle was forced to cut her ties to her sister's family, but from time to time over the centuries she found herself yearning to make contact them, being the only blood related family she had left in the magical world.

About fifty years ago, Perenelle made contact with Marquis's Grandfather, but after he and his wife were killed by Grindelwald's followers in the First Great Magical World War. Perenelle took it upon herself to help care for Marquis's father, until he came of age. She was even there at his father and mother's wedding and was there when he was born. Even now she kept in contact with her decedent and would write to him and his family from time to time.

"Marquis would be ideal, his family is well known and respected here, he sits on Conseil duMagicien (5) and if what my contacts in the Ministry tell me is true, he is now a deputy head of Department of Magical Law Enforcement. He could easily push Harry's citizenship to go through, without anyone noticing it or raising any flags. I'm also certain we can even trust him to not tell anyone of Harry" argued Nicolas. But despite his sound argument, Perenelle remained reluctant to involve her Great nephew. (6)

"It's not that I don't see your point Nicolas, it's just that I am worried that if things don't go the way we want, this could destroy not only Marquis's career, but also ruin his family. If it was just us and things went wrong, we could easily weather anything that happens, they can't."

"I understand your concern Perenelle but I can assure you what I have planned will not backfire on Marquis or his family, in fact it will have the opposite effect" assured Nicolas.

After a much heated discussion Perenelle eventually agreed to Nicolas plan, despite remaining somewhat sceptical of what he had planned, and agreed to go ask for Marquis's help.

---

Next day, the Flamel's and Harry appeared outside of a small country estate, located just outside Fontainebleau, near Paris.

"Are you alright Harry?" Perenelle asked with some concern when she saw Harry stumble from the Side-Along Apparition.

"Yea, I'm okay" assured Harry, while trying to keep his breakfast from making a second appearance and messing up the new clothes that Perenelle had bought him. His outfit was simple but stylish enough; he wore a striped purple button shirt, with a grey jumper over it, black jeans and grey sneakers.

In the beginning Harry and tried to tell Perenelle that he was fine with what he had, and that they didn't have to go to that trouble. But Perenelle would hear none of it, and the next day took him to the city of Nancy to buy him new clothes.

By the time they were finished, Harry was certain they had bought almost half the clothes in the city, as Perenelle, who was in her element, dragged him to every clothes shop there, and bought at least a dozen different outfits from each shop. If it weren't for a spell that Perenelle used to shrink all the clothes they had bought, they probably would've needed a truck to carry it all. But despite all the hassle it caused, Harry was grateful for everything she had done for him, and enjoyed wearing clothes that actually fit him for a change.

Once he was certain that he wouldn't be throwing up, Harry notice of the large wrought-iron gatesin front of them, that glowed purple indicating that it was magical. In the centre of the gate was what looked to be a family crest, the crest was primarily blue with two yellow circles separated by a diagonal yellow line. Behind the gate, Harry could see a large house, surrounded by large open gardens filled with various different flowers. Before he could ask about how they would get in, Nicolas waved his wand, causing the gates to open up, allowing them to enter.

With the gates now open, Harry and the Flamels made their way up the pebble driveway towards the large house. Like the Flamel's home the house was surrounded a magical aura, which Harry could see thanks to his aura sight, indicating that the house was magical.

Although not as large as the Flamel's home in Montigny-le-Roi, the house was far from small and elegant in design. It was cross-gable in design with a very steep roof pitch for front-fencing gamble and a shallow roof pitch for front facing eaves. Tapering piers for the front porch, cottage style shutters windows, planter box, and integrated walls, stone foundation transitions to brick first floor and half-timbered second floor, flat ceramic tile roof decorated barge boards on the gable, shed dormers on the third floor, stucco chimney, and informal buttresses at the corners, with a shed to the right, garage in the back. (7)

After walking up the driveway and onto the porch, Perenelle raised her fist to knock on the door, but before she could, the door suddenly opened, revealing one of the strangest creatures Harry had ever seen.

The creature had wrinkly green skin and was not very tall, being no more than two or three feet, it had spindly arms and legs, an over-sized head that seemed too big for its body and large blue eyes, along with pointed bat-like ears. It wore what looked to be a purple cloth with a capital "D" in the centre and was surrounded by a greyish magical aura.

"May Flipsy help Madam?" the creature asked in a squeaky voice.

"Yes" Perenelle replied in perfect French. "Could you please tell your master that we wish to speak to him?"

"May Flipsy, asked for Madam's name?" the creature named Flipsy asked.

"Please tell him that Perenelle and Nicolas Flamel are here to speak with him."

Upon hearing who Perenelle and Nicolas were, the creature's eyes immediately widen in surprise, before bowing to the two. "Of course, my master would be delighted to have Monsieur and Madam Flamel in his home, please wait here, while Flipsy informs his master." After which the creature disappeared with a small pop.

After the creature had disappeared, Harry turned to the Flamels, "What was that?"

Realizing that this was Harry's first time seeing a House-elf, Nicolas chuckled lightly. "That my boy is a House-elf."

"An Elf?" asked the still confused Harry, since this was not what he imagined an elf would look like.

"Yes" said Nicolas, with a sympatric smile, knowing that like most Muggles, Harry probably imagined elves to be small people with red hats and pointed ears, "As you can see, they are not like the ones that you would read about in Muggle fairy tales. House-Elves are magical creatures that serve certain magical families, and act like servants, where they help take care of and maintain their house."

"Do you have a House-Elf?"

"No, neither Perenelle or I have ever desired a House-Elf, we prefer to do things ourselves" Nicolas answered.

Understanding their reasons, Harry nodded, but before he could quiz the Flamels any further on House-Elves, Flipsy returned with his master.

"Aunt Perenelle!" said the man in a thick French accent, before walking over to Perenelle and hugging and kissing the elderly woman on each cheek.

"Marquis" replied Perenelle, as she hugged the man back and kissed him on each cheek.

Marquis was a tall clean-shaven man, with short dark hair that was slicked-back and slowly turning grey. He wore a purple Victorian style outfit with a white cravat, and a large red jewel around his neck. Like everything else in the magical world that Harry had seen or met, Marquis also had his own unique magical aura, dark purple, which was fitting given his style of clothing.

After letting go of Perenelle, Marquis quickly turned Nicolas, where he shook hands and smiled at the elderly man.

"Tell me, to what do we owe this surprise visit?" asked the man. But before the Flamels could answer, another voice was suddenly heard from inside the house "Marquis! Who are you talking to, do we have guests?"

Shortly after, a woman, whom Harry guessed was Marquis's wife, appeared in the hall. The woman was breathtakingly beautiful. She was tall and willowy, with an air of grace that made her seem like she was gliding as she walked. She had long silky silvery-blonde hair that fell down to her lower back, large, deep blue eyes, fair skin, a petite frame, very white even teeth, and wore a purple Victorian style dress, which matched Marquis's. But what caught Harry's attention the most was the woman's aura, which shine almost pure white, with a hint of gold, making her seem almost angelic in Harry's eyes.

In the woman's arms she carried a small baby in her arms, dressed in white, and looked to be no older than a year. Like the woman, the child was surrounded by a magical white aura, although was nowhere near as strong the woman's aura and was almost completely obscured by it.

Upon, seeing the two Flamels, the women smiled brilliantly, which Harry though made her, seem even more beautiful. "Monsieur and Madame Flamel, what a wonderful surprise."

"Apolline please, I told you to call me Perenelle, we're family after all" Perenelle scolded lightly, before noticing the small baby in Apolline's arms, where she then quickly brushed passed her Great Nephew and over to Apolline.

"Is this your new little one?" Perenelle asked in a low voice, seeing how the infant was sleeping.

"Oui" nodded the woman, as she smiled down at her sleeping child, "Her name is Gabrielle."

"She's beautiful" cooed Perenelle as she gently traced her fingers over the sleeping child's brow.

Following after Perenelle, Nicolas and Harry entered the house and stood next to her, which caused Marquis to finally noticed Harry, who had remained silent and unnoticed the entire time, due to the fact that he couldn't understand what everyone was saying most of the time.

"And whom may this young man be?" Marquis asked, eyeing Harry curiously.

"Ah yes forgive us..." said Nicolas, realizing they had completely forgotten about Harry with all the excitement of the new baby. The elderly man then changed to English, so to allow Harry to understand them. "Marquis, Apolline, may I introduce to you our new charge, Harry Potter...Harry, may I introduce you to Perenelle's sister's descendant, Lord Marquis Delacour , his lovely wife Lady Apolline Delacour, and their baby daughter Gabrielle."

"Ravi de vous connaître, Madame Apolline, Monsieur Delacour" Harry said politely, using his limited French vocabulary

No sooner had the Delacours heard who Harry was, they immediately went to look for his lightning bolt shape scar on his forehead, hidden behind his fringe. The Flamel's had of course told him to expect this whenever someone heard who he was, given how everyone knew his story and would instinctively look for his scar. But even so, Harry still couldn't help but feel uncomfortable with the way they were staring at him, which made only worse when he pulled back his fringe to show his scar, where their eyes immediately widened.

After a moment or two the Delacour's realized what they were doing, and felt somewhat embarrassed for staring at the young boy.

"Ahem, eh yes, it's a pleasure to veet you as vell Monsieur Potter, both vy wife and I ar pleased to zee zat you're alive and vell, given recent events. But zat does beg the question as to vhy you're here?" said Marquis in English, his thick accent showing, where he then turned to look at his Great Aunt and husband.

"I can assure you Marquis, we have a perfectly good reason for why we've come here" Nicolas assured.

"I should hope so" replied Marquis, frowning at the elderly man.

"Perhaps we should all move into the sitting room, where we can discuss this matter in comfort?" offered Apolline, hoping to placate her husband's anger until they heard the Flamels' reasons for bringing the missing Harry Potter to their home.

"An excellent idea Apolline my dear" agreed Nicolas.

"And perhaps Monsieur Potter would also enjoy a tour of estate while we talk?" Apolline offered, glancing at Harry, who was obviously lost with what everyone was talking about.

"Yes, I believe Harry would enjoy that" said Perenelle, where she then asked the Harry if he would enjoy a tour of the Delacour's home, while they talked.

Knowing that they were going to discuss him, Harry of course wanted to stay and hear what was being said, but due to his limited French vocabulary, he doubted that there would be much he could understand. So he decided to appease the adults by agreeing, and perhaps learn more about the magical world.

Once everyone had agreed, Apolline called Flipsy over, who was standing quietly behind Harry, who had completely forgotten the House-elf until he moved passed the Boy-Who-Lived.

"Flipsy, would you please put Gabrielle in her crib and then get Fleur, tell her that we have guests and that we would like to see her in the living room."

"Oui Madam" the Elf replied, as he gently took the baby girl from her mother.

"Also" added Lady Delacour, "Could you please bring us some tea and snacks, we'll have much to discuss," where she then gave the Flamels and Harry and strange look.

Nodding again, the Elf then disappeared with a pop.

After the House-elf had disappeared with the baby, the Delacours then lead Harry and the Flamels to their living room. The room was spacious with a small table in the centre, surrounded on three sides by three couches; with a large window that overlooked the wide open back garden. In the far left hand corner there was a small armchair, which Harry guessed was used for reading, due to the small bookshelf next to it, and to the far right was a large fireplace, which Harry guessed heated the room in the evening.

Shortly after arriving in the room, a young girl, dressed in a periwinkle blue dress, with matching shoes, hair band and white socks, entered the room. The girl looked to be about ten and was only slightly taller than him. Yet despite her young age, she was already remarkably beautiful and walked with an elegance of a princess. Like Mrs Delacour, the girl had silver-blonde hair, which fell down just below her shoulders, fair skin, almost pale-like, large, deep blue eyes, fair skin, white even teeth. Also like her mother, the girl emanated an unusual strong white aura, the only difference being that instead of a hint of gold, like Mrs Delacour, the girl's was silver and was more apparent than her mother.

For a brief moment Harry felt himself suddenly drawn to the girl, where he couldn't take his eyes off her and had a sudden urge to walk up to her. But just as the quickly as this feeling came, a small voice in the back of his head suddenly shouted at him to wake up, snapping him out of the near trance.

After shaking his head a bit, and blinking several times, the feeling dissipated, although there was still a lingering pull at the back of his mind. Before Harry could even ponder what had happened to him, caught Mrs Delacour staring at him, giving him a strange look, as if he had done something to surprise her. But her attention soon turned away from him and onto the girl.

"You called for me Papa, Mama?" the girl asked politely, while glancing curiously at the Flamels

"Oui" replied the mother, before gesturing towards Nicolas and Perenelle. "Fleur dear, I would like you to meet your father's Great Aunt Perenelle Flamel and her Husband Nicolas Flamel. You would not remember them, since the last time they were here; you were only Gabrielle's age."

Turning to the Flamel's the girl preformed a perfect curtsy "It is a pleasure to meet you Aunt Perenelle, Uncle Nicolas."

"The pleasure is ours Mademoiselle" returned Nicolas, bowing slightly to the young girl, while Perenelle beamed at her young descendant, who was almost like a perfect little doll.

Smiling at the two, Fleur finally noticed Harry, who was standing a few feet away from the Flamels. "And who are you?" Fleur asked in a bored, drawling voice, without any of the warmth she had shown her parents or the Flamel's.

Although the question seemed harmless enough, the way the girl had said it seemed to irk Harry a little. The way she was looked at him remained him of the way the Dursleys would act and talk to some people, snobbish and superior, like they were better than everyone else around them.

But before Harry could answer, Mr Flamel answered for him, "His name Harry, he is staying at our home with us."

"I see" replied Fleur, her voice now dull; as if she had lost what little interest she had in him, she then turned her attention to her mother. "Was there anything else you wanted mother?"

"Yes there is" replied the mother, who seemed somewhat disappointed with her behaviour towards Harry. Not that Fleur noticed, since Apolline did not comment on it and raise an incident in front of their guests. "I would like you to give Harry a tour of the house and grounds while we speak with your Great Aunt and Uncle."

"You'll also have to try and speak English my dear, as Harry is from England and is only learning to speak French" Perenelle added.

"Of course" Fleur politely replied, before excusing herself.

At the same time, Perenelle explained to Harry that Fleur would be showing him around the house.

Nodding his head, Harry quickly followed after the older girl who was seemly tapping her foot impatiently as she waited for him. "Vell?" she asked in English, her French accent showing when she spoke.

"Excuse me?" Harry asked, not knowing what the girl was talking about.

"Ze door, Ze door!" the girl exasperated, "Ave zu no etiquette? You ar zuppoze zo open a door for a lady!" she then folded her arms across her chest in annoyance, and waited for Harry to open the door.

When he opened the door, Fleur walked right past him, without so much as a thank you, and told him to "Come."

"This should be fun" Harry dryly said to himself, closing the door behind him as he followed after Fleur.

---

As Harry expected the tour around the Delacour's estate wasn't as enjoyable as he hoped it would be. Fleur Delacour was by far one of the most spoiled obnoxious, self-centred insensitive, condescending person he had ever had the ill luck of meeting, second only to the Dursley's.

Throughout the entire tour of the estate, the girl did not hesitate to brag about the nobility of her family or how wealthy they were. One of the very first rooms she showed him was her own room, just so that she could show off how big her room was and how many toys and clothes she had. Fleur also did not hesitate to demean and belittle him during the tour, where she would talk to him slowly, as if he were an imbecile.

The girl's comments of course did little to hurt or anger him, thanks to his time with the Dursley's Harry was use to taunts and snide remarks. Compared to them, the arrogant French girl was amateur, but still her remarks did annoy him. It was obvious by Fleur's attitude that her parents had spoiled her silly, much like his Aunt and Uncle had with his cousin Dursley. Harry also suspected that due to her family's status and natural beauty, which she clearly inherited from her mother. Fleur was well use to being the centre of attention with people and was often use to getting her own way, which was probably why she had such a high opinion of herself and a low opinion of others. This of course made Harry "somewhat" grateful for his more humble past, since he suspected that if he had grown up the wizarding world, with the kind of attention that Fleur had, he might have ended up becoming like her.

"An' zes is ze garden" said Fleur as she led Harry out to the back garden, the cool crisp air blowing in their faces.

The garden itself was obscenely large, almost a hundred foot in length; the garden was mostly a wide open field of grass, with flower beds flanking both sides of the garden and surrounded by a dense forest all around.

"Wow its big" Harry remarked.

"Yes, Yes it is" Fleur replied rather smugly. Harry just ignored her and walked over to the flowers, which were obviously magical given how they were in full bloom, despite it being winter, and would change colour every few minutes. Before he could make any kind of remark towards them, he heard Fleur speaking to him.

"Tell me 'ow is it zat you come to live vith papa's Great Aunt, ar you zeir servant or zomething?"

"No I'm not their servant" Harry coolly replied, slowly losing his patience with the French girl, while at the same time feeling somewhat insulted by Fleur's suggestion.

"Zen ow...?" began Fleur but was almost immediately cut off by an annoyed Harry, who had no wish to share his past with the arrogant girl.

"That's none of your business."

Angered by how Harry had snapped at her for asking a simple question, Fleur raised herself up to her full height and placed both her hands on her hips, in an attempt to look more imposing as she glared down at him.

Sadly though for the young girl, Harry was not the least bit intimidate by her glare, and defiantly stared back at her.

"Ow zare you!" shouted Fleur, feeling her anger rising how disrespectful Harry was being with her. "Do ze not understand 'ow I am, I am Fleur Delacour, eldest daughter of Marquis Delacour, deputy head of de Department of Magical Law Enforcement, an 'eir to Delacour family, un of de most oldest an respected families in France. Vhilst zu un ze other 'and ar just a lowly commoner, vhom vy Great Aunt and 'er 'usband probably took in off ze ztreet."

Feeling angrier than he had ever felt before, his blood pounding in his ears, Harry took a step closer to the taller girl and looked directly into her eyes. "I don't care who you are or who your father is, and just because you come a wealthy and noble family doesn't give you the right to look down on others."

"Uh?" the girl replied, raising her right eyebrow high. "Zo you zink you ar vy equal? Fine, zen prove it!"

Had Harry not been so angry, he might have thought things more calmly and clearly, he might have realized that Fleur was only baiting him. Unfortunately he was unable to think clearly at the moment, and could only think of how much he wanted to shut Fleur up. "Fine I will."

"Good" the young girl replied smugly. "Zen ze vill 'ave a vatch on broomsticks, you do know 'ow to fly un a broomsticks don't you?"

"Of course!" retorted Harry, his anger still ruling him.

"Good, then I zhall get ze broomsticks, vait 'er until I return" ordered girl, before going back into the house.

Shortly after Fleur had left, Harry began to slowly calm down, allowing him to think about what had just happened rationally. When the realization of what he had just agreed to finally sunk in, a sense of dread began to form in the pit of his stomach. "What have I done?"

---

After Harry and Fleur had left the room, Marquis turned to his Great Aunt and her husband.

"I apologise for Fleur's behaviour toward Harry just now, she is normally more respectful towards others. But I fear as of late she has become somewhat conceited."

"I assume that it is due to her coming into her Veela powers?" Perenelle asked. Knowing that young Veela girls, regardless of being full blooded, half blooded or even quarter blooded, often started to come into their powers near their pre-teens. Perenelle suspected that Fleur had just awakened them and was still learning how to control her influencing powers.

"Yes" nodded Apolline. "But we would be lying if we said that this was the sole reason, unfortunately Marquis and I spoiled Fleur when she was younger, all the attention she's received from other children and people have made things worse."

"I see" Perenelle replied, this was exactly the reason why she wanted to keep Harry out of the spotlight for as long as possible. She also suspected that this was also one of the reasons why Albus decided to have Harry live with his Aunt and her family. So much attention would simply overwhelm a child, causing them to become obnoxious and spoiled, Fleur's attitude just proved that.

"Still," continued Apolline. "I must confess I'm impressed that young Harry was able to throw off Fleur's influencing powers so well. Most boys his ages would act like a puppy in her hands."

"Indeed" added Nicolas with an intrigued smile, "Harry is a remarkable young man." Like Apolline, he had noticed how Harry threw off Fleur's influence, which surprised him, since he had thought that given his aura sight Harry would become more susceptive to Fleur's Veela powers.

Eventually, the topic of conversation turned away from Harry and Fleur and to why the Flamels and Harry were here. After taking a set, Nicolas and Perenelle spent the next twenty minutes explaining how they met Harry and why they took him in and fled to France.

When the Flamels finished explaining everything, Marquis let out a deep tired sigh. "Let me see if I understand things correctly? After you found out whom young Harry really was, instead of informing the proper authorities. You decided to take the boy in because you did not trust Dumbledore or the British Ministry of Magic, and when they did learn of the boy's disappearance you decided to flee the country and come back here to France."

"Well I wouldn't put it exactly like that..." Nicolas returned, but stopped when Marquis slammed the tea cup he had been holding onto the tea tray, which had been brought in earlier by the House-elf Flipsy.

"And how exactly would you like me to put Nicolas?" Marquis retorted.

"Marquis, please, it is much more complicated than it seems, as we told you, Harry was being abused" Perenelle explained.

"Yes I understand, and I sympathise with the boy's plight, truly I do. But what you did was still against the law and would be considered kidnapping. The moment you learned who the boy was you should have contacted the proper authorities."

"And what then?!" rounded Perenelle, causing the Delacour head to stiffen at the harshness of her voice. "He'll go to some run down orphanage run by the British Ministry, or worse sent to some dark pureblood family. You're no fool Marquis, you know that not all of Voldermorts followers were caught and used their wealth to bribe their way out. If we handed him to the British Ministry, families like the Malfoy's would've used their influence to take custody of him, and Merlin knows what they would do to him once they had him in their clutches. And in case you have forgotten Marquis, Nicolas and I faced a similar situation when we took your father in, but we still took him, despite the risk."

Marquis of course had no counter to this, during the First Great Magical World War, Grindelwald's forces invaded and took over much of the magical France. His parents had been among the few notable magical families who resisted his rule, and for that they were killed. His father, a young boy at the time, had barely escaped with his life when Grindelwald's and his followers attacked their home, killing his parents, older brother and younger sister. It was only by sheer luck that he had been found by the Flamels, who took him in and hid him from Grindelwalds forces. Had they not acted, his father would probably have been killed along with the rest of his family, and he would never have been born. Marquis also knew that many of Voldermorts followers, like the Malfoy's, had escaped justice for their crimes.

The Malfoy family had once been a small minor wizarding family in France back in the early tenth centaury, located in Normandy. To further their status in the magical world, they joined William I, better known as William the Conquer, in his invasion of England in 1066 and helped him secure his position as King of England. As a reward for their services he gave them a plot of land, along with a sizable amount of gold, which they used to elevate themselves to a prominent and powerful wizarding family in both England and France. But their influence in France ended in the late 13th century, when they fell out of favour after several notable members of the family were accused and found guilty of several crimes, such as corruption and practicing the Dark Arts. But despite their fall from grace in France they continued to have an enormous influence within the Britain, and were regarded as a "respected" magical family there.

"What is it that you wish Marquis to do?" Apolline asked, hoping to calm her esteem in-law down, after seeing how uncomfortable her husband was under Perenelle's withering stare. Not that she blamed him, although not as famed or as prominent as her husband, Perenelle Flamel was a formidable witch and was not a person that one would take lightly. Like her husband, Perenelle was a skilled and capable alchemist in her own right, but was more well-known for her unmatched duelling skills, something that many pureblood radicals, who discriminated Muggle-borns, learned firsthand when they challenged her.

"Nicolas and I need your help in making Harry a French citizen; we've already used our few remaining our contacts in the Ministry to adopt him without notice. But making him a French citizen without raising suspicion has proven difficult" explained Perenelle, after which Nicolas then took over.

"For Harry to become a citizen, without be bogged down by the usual red tape, he needs to be sponsored by a notable and respected wizarding family, like yours. Also with your newly established position as Deputy Head of Department of Magical Law Enforcement you could easily push his application through without alerting anyone."

"But surely you could do this yourself?" Apolline questioned. The Flamel's were regarded as two most respected and revered people in the country, and were regarded in much the same manner as Dumbledore was in Britain.

"Unfortunately due to our rather hermitic lifestyle for the past two centuries, our influence and connections within the French Ministry is rather limited right now. The only way for us to reclaim much of our former influence is to reveal ourselves to the public, but that would then expose Harry, which is the very thing we wish to avoid."

Seeing Nicolas's point, Apolline nodded, but before she comments further on the matter, her husband suddenly spoke.

"Nicolas, Aunt Perenelle, although I understand your reasons for doing what you did, and in some way I admire you for them. I would do almost anything for you, after what you did for my father. But I 'mafraid I cannot do what you're asking me to do, if I did, I would become an accomplice in all this. Sooner or later this will all come out, and when it does, not only would it destroy my career, but my family would become disgraced, and I cannot do that to Apolline or the girls, I'm sorry."

The Flamel of course expected this, Marquis was a good man, he believed in law and he loved his family. What they were asking him to do was not easy, although he would technically not be breaking any laws by pushing Harry's citizenship through. He would indeed become an accomplice in what many could consider kidnapping and would face disgrace and possibly prison time, if found guilty.

"And what if we could assure you that you and your family would not be disgraced for helping us, and instead would be seen as heroes?" Nicolas asked, hoping to persuade his wife's descendant.

Narrowing his eyes, Marquis stared cautiously at the man, although not widely known, due to his famed skill in alchemy and generosity with how he spent his wealth, Nicolas's Flamel was an exceedingly cunning man. After creating the Philosopher's stone, Nicolas put his newfound fame and wealth to good use, making him one of the most powerful and influential wizards in magical Europe in his time. Marquis often wondered why the man never entered politics; he clearly had the skill and mind for it. But if he believed some of the rumours said about the man in the French Ministry, he suspected that Nicolas wouldn't have needed to.

According to the rumours, Nicolas was said to have secretly run the French Ministry from the shadows, several centuries ago. Many people in the Ministry even considered Nicolas a sort of Kingmaker, who could make careers or destroy them. If true, it would certainly explain how certain officials with revolutionary ideas, who came from humbler background, rose to important positions around his time, allowing for much needed change in the country. It would also explain how certain Traditional/Dark families, like the Avery's, the Travers, the Malfoy's, the Lestrange's and others had all fallen from power and in disgraced, and were forced to leave the country.

"And how would you do that?" Marquis asked cautiously.

"That I cannot say" the older man replied.

"Can't or won't?"

"Both" Nicolas answered, since for what he had planned, he needed to rebuild his network of contacts, and did not want to make any false assurances. "But I can assure you, if you can help us, we'll all benefit from it."

"I'm sorry Nicolas, but that is not good enough" Marquis replied. "I have my family to think about and I will not risk them. But out of respect for you and my Aunt I will keep your secret about Harry, but that is as far as I will go."

Unwilling to give up, Nicolas was about to argue, but his attention quickly turned to the window overlooking the back garden when he saw something whoosh past it.

"What the...?!" Before he could say anything further, another object suddenly flew past the window, flying just as quickly.

"What's going on?!" asked Marquis, where he and his wife stood up from their seat and walked over to the window, where they saw their daughter and Harry flying around the garden on broomsticks.

"Harry! Fleur!" shouted a shocked Perenelle Flamel when she saw Harry and Fleur speeding across the garden on broomsticks, "Where on earth did they get those broomsticks?!"

"Fleur, must have gotten them from the broom shed" Marquis replied, who began to feel more than a little uncomfortable when his Great Aunt turned to him.

"Didn't you think of locking it?" rebuked Perenelle.

"She's knows she isn't allowed to go on the broomsticks alone" Marquis argued weakly, but was quickly chastised by his furious Great Aunt.

"Yes, and every child does "exactly"what his or her parents tells them to do!"

Feeling his face heat up with how he was being lectured to by his Great Aunt, the now humbled Marquis tried to divert his Great Aunt's attention. "Ahem, young Harry flies very well, would this be his first time flying?"

"Of course it is!" Perenelle rounded, causing Marquis to cringe slightly. "He's lived most of his life with Muggles and you know how I feel about broomsticks!"

"Impressive, he's a natural" remarked Marquis as he watched Harry stay closely behind his daughter, who was already a skilled flier in her own right. But quickly went back to watching his daughter and Harry flying around the garden when he caught the sharp angry glare that his Great Aunt was giving him, who clearly did not like his comment.

---

When Fleur returned with two broomsticks, (having changed outfits where she wore a sky blue top with brown pant and boots), Harry felt a tightness in his stomach, he had never ridden a flying broomstick and had only heard about them from the Flamel's. He had considered giving up, but his pride had refused to allow himself to back down to the older French girl, even if he would probably make a complete fool of himself.

After Fleur handed him the broom, a Comet 220, she explained the rules of the game. The rules were simple; Fleur would hold a small blue ribbon and have to circle around the garden five times to win. Harry in turn would have to take the ribbon from her and do the same for him to win.

As soon Fleur took off on her broom, Harry mounted his own broom and followed after her, the air rushed through his hair – and in a rush of fierce joy he realized he'd found something he could do without being taught or having to learn –it was easy, it was wonderful. He pulled his broomstick up a little to take it even higher and then turned sharply to face Fleur in mid-air, who looked stunned.

Judging by the look on her face, Harry could tell that like him, she had expected him to fail the moment he kicked up off the ground, and make a complete fool of himself. But after seeing how well he handled himself on the broomstick, she quickly realized just how badly she had misjudged Harry and that the competition wouldn't be as easy as she first thought.

Recovering from her shock, Fleur narrowed her eyes, "It zeems that you ar more capable zen I expected. But let us zee 'ow vell you really fly." After which she then took off like a shot, with Harry follow after her.

After taking off after Fleur, Harry somehow instinctively knew what to do. He leant forward and grasped the broom tightly in both hands and it shot after the older girl, matching her speed and movements, staying right behind her. It was easy, frightfully easy, and almost seemed second nature to him.

-Enter How to Train Your Dragon Score: Test Drive-

As Harry continued to follow after Fleur, the young French girl couldn't mask her surprised with how well Harry was keeping up with her. They had already circled around the garden three times, but had failed to increase the distance between the two of them.

Hoping to catch Harry off-guard Fleur made a sudden sharp left turn, but when she looked back she found Harry right behind her, getting closer.

Deciding to try something else, Fleur lowered her broom and moved closer to the ground, seeing that Harry was still sticking close to her the French girl then moved toward the surrounding trees. Just as she was only a few feet away from the trees, Fleur made another sharp turn, thinking that if she got close enough to the trees and turned quickly, Harry wouldn't be able to act in time and would crash into them.

But when she looked back, instead seeing Harry crash into the trees, she found the raven haired boy right behind her. Before she could even think of what to do next, Harry suddenly turned his broom sideways and preformed a perfectbarrel roll right over the stunned girl.

"I'll be taking that!" said Harry, snatching the ribbon right out of Fleur's hands and then shot up high into the air.

"Uh no you don't!" shouted Fleur, she then pulled her broom handle up and flew after Harry.

The two flew higher and higher until they were over 500 feet above the Delacour estate.

Looking back, Harry could see Fleur catching up on him, he then pulled his broom handle up further and preformed a classic loop right over the older girl, who could only watch in disbelief, and then dived down towards the ground at high speed.

Turning her broom, Fleur tried to follow after Harry, but before she could catch up to him, the young boy made a sharp turn to the right, halting his power dive and furthering the distance between him and Fleur.

This continued for several minutes as Harry led Fleur around in the air, laughing and enjoying the feeling of excitement and freedom he felt from flying in the air, performing different aerial manoeuvres, all thoughts of the competition gone.

"How is he doing this? How can he be so good?" Fleur asked herself, as she was watching Harry do a loop the loop, while trying desperately to catch up with him. She had never heard of anyone being so skilled at flying at such a young age. She eventually began to catch up to him and was only a few feet away from him, but before she could reach him, Harry suddenly made a quick sharp turn, catching her by surprise. Before she could even react and follow after him, a small brown bird, which had been flying near them, crashed into her face, causing her to panic momentarily and lose her grip on her broom and fall.

Turning to the sounds of Fleur's scream, Harry watched, as though in slow motion, the small bird, which he had avoided moments ago, crash into Fleur's face, causing her to fall off her broomstick.

Shouting her name and without even thinking, Harry turned his broom around and leaned his broom handle down – next second he was gathering speed in a steep dive racing towards the screaming girl to the ground.

"Go! Go! Go!" Harry urged his broom – the wind whistling in his ears. They were gaining on Fleur...Harry flattened himself to the broom handle...he was at Fleur ankles...then her waist. He stretched out her hand and shouted "Grab on!" Desperate, the panicking girl quickly grabbed Harry's outstretched arm with both hands, he then swung her onto his broom behind his back, allowing her to wrap her arms around his waist. He then grabbed the broom handle with both hands and pulled it upward.

With being only seconds away from crashing into the ground, Fleur closed her eyes and yelled "Ve're not going to make it!" as she buried her face into Harry's back.

"YES...WE...ARE!" shouted Harry, as he summed up every ouch of strength he had to lift the broom handle up, pulling them out of the steep dive, racing across the garden, their feet inches from the ground.

Realizing that they hadn't crashed into the ground, Fleur opened her eyes and saw them speeding straight for the trees that surrounded the garden.

"Vhat ar you vaiting for? Ztop!" shouted the girl.

"I can't!" yelled Harry, knowing that they were going too fast to stop in time or to turn away. With only one option left, Harry tightened his grip on his broom hand and shouted "Hold on!" as they headed straight into the forest.

Unable to watch, Fleur closed her eyes and she buried her face into Harry's back again, while tightening her grip around his waist. Feeling each and every sudden movement Harry made as he manoeuvred through the trees, avoiding them by mere inches, her legs and arms brushing against the branches.

Using what remaining courage she had left, Fleur opened her eyes and was horrified to see them heading straight for a massive tree. But before she could even yell at Harry to move, the raven haired boy suddenly pulled his broom handle up, causing them to shoot right up through the tree tops and into the open air.

Once they were out of the forest and levelled, Harry pumped both his fists into the air and yelled "ALIGHT!" adrenaline and excitement flooding his entire body. Shortly afterwards, he turned to look at Fleur, who still had her face buried deep in his back, and clinging onto him for dear life.

"It's alright now, we're safe."

Slowly opening her eyes, Fleur looked around and saw that they had indeed made out of the forest and were hovering over it.

Grinning, Harry then asked "So how about we do that again?" to which Fleur responded with a loud "NO!" causing Harry to laugh as they slowly made their way down to the garden.

-End How to Train Your Dragon Score: Test Drive-

As soon as the two adolescences landed back on grassy lawn they saw both the Delacours and the Flamels racing towards them, with frightened looks on their faces.

"FLEUR!" cried Apolline Dealcour as she grabbed hold of her daughter and pulled her close, her beautiful face etched with worry after seeing her daughter nearly die. Shortly after, an equally frightened Marquis joined them, warping both his arms around his wife and daughter.

At the same time Harry found himself being pulled into a strong hug by Perenelle, who was ghost white, speaking in rapid French, looking him over for any injuries. Even the normally calm and relaxed Nicolas seemed to have aged fifty years in just a few minutes.

"Harry are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?" Perenelle asked in English with obvious concern in her voice.

"Yea, I'm fine."

"What were you thinking flying around on brooms without someone watching you?!" the elderly woman yelled. Her heart had nearly leapt out of its chest when she saw Harry perform a hundred-foot dive to catch Fleur. "Never - in all my years –"

Perenelle would have continued with her rant but struggled to find the words, she was almost speechless with shock, her glasses flashed furiously, "-The two of you could've died!"

Harry felt horrible for scaring Mrs Flamel so much, he had wanted to say something, but before he could, Fleur suddenly spoke.

"It's not 'is fault, I vas ze une who challenged 'im, and it vas I vhom got ze brooms."

"Fleur what were you thinking?!" scolded her father in French, looking angrier than she had ever seen him. "You know you're not allowed to fly on your broomstick without your mother or me watching you."

"I'm sorry Papa" said Fleur, clearly regretting her actions as two small tears fell down her cheeks. But before she could say anymore, she was pulled into another strong hug by her father, showing that he more relieved than angry with her. He did however explain that he would have a stern word with her later and punish her accordingly.

Fleur did not argue, the fact that she had nearly fallen to her death proved that what she and Harry had done had been foolish, and would accept any punishment her father handed her.

When Perenelle finally let go of him, Harry found himself being pulled into yet another strong hug, this time by Fleur's mother, who then proceed to kiss him on each cheek and on his forehead, saying "You zaved 'er, you zaved 'er , you zaved 'er" over and over again with each kiss. After a few more minutes Apolline eased her hold on Harry and looked directly into his emerald green eyes, causing Harry's face to heat up as he was still not use to such attention. "Zank you, I zhall never forget zis."

"Indeed, ve're in your debt Monsieur Potter" added Marquis, while still holding his daughter, who gasped in shock when she heard her father say Harry's surname.

"Potter? As in 'Arry Potter?" looking at her father in surprise before turning to Harry again, who was still being held by her mother.

"Oui" replied her father, smiling at the confused and shocked look on his daughter's face.

"But I thought 'e was missing!" remembering all the articles she had read in the La Revue Magique (The Magical Journal) about how the famed Boy-Who-Lived had disappeared without a trace from his abusive Muggle relatives and had all of magical Britain looking for him. (8)

"Vhy did you not tell me?"

"I'm afraid that is my faultMademoiselle Fleur" Nicolas answered, causing Fleur to turn her attention to him. "You see we were here asking for your parents help with a matter of great importance involving Harry and did not wish to cause a scene."

"But 'ow is it that Arry is staying with you?" Fleur asked curiously.

"That my dear is a very long story, one that would be best told through over a nice cup of tea" explained Nicolas before glancing over at Marquis and smiling. "And perhaps something stronger for us."

"Indeed" agreed Marquis, who needed a still drink after all this, he then led the group back inside where he planned to open a bottle of Greenore Whiskey that he kept in his study, having developed a taste for muggle Irish whiskey several years back.

---

Three weeks later on Christmas morning, the Flamel's estate was bustling with activity; the estate and the surrounding forest were covered in several feet of snow. The inside of the house had been decorated for Christmas, with decorations covering the house, and Christmas trees in each room with fairies acting as lights for the trees and the rooms.

With this being Harry's first Christmas with them, while also having both the Delacours and Sh'lainn over, Perenelle Flamel went all out with the cooking, wanting to make this a day no-one would ever forget. Harry of course tried to help in the kitchen, but was quickly shooed out by the woman, who insisted that she do it herself.

It was only later that he learned from Nicolas, that Perenelle loved nothing more than cooking for celebrations, especially since this was the first time in many years that they would have so many people over for the holidays.

The first to arrive was Sh'lainn, who appeared through the Flamel's private floo network, bearing gifts and dressed in brown jeans and a white jumper with a green Christmas tree on it.

After greeting everyone, Sh'lainn informed them that the search for Harry had been called off for the holidays. Only a few members of the volunteer group would be continuing the search, led by a man named Remus Lupin, whom according to Sh'lainn had been an old friend of Harry's father.

Naturally Harry had been surprised by this, and had asked why Remus had never once visited him when he was living with the Dursley's or even tried to take him in.

Sh'lainn sadly had no answer for him, saying that she did not know why, but seemly there was some reason that prevented him from doing so.

Shortly after, the Delacours arrived, having apparated outside the estate gates. Upon entering the house and seeing Harry, the eldest Delacour daughter ran over to him a hugged him.

Fleur had greatly changed in a short amount of time, having lost much of her former arrogance after the broomstick incident. It had been a humbling experience for the young girl, given how Harry had risked his own life to save hers; even after all she had said and done to him. It also made her re-evaluate how she treated others and judge them.

Once everyone had arrived, Perenelle quickly called the group into the dining room for dinner. Harry had never in all his life had such a Christmas dinner, as Perenelle had truly gone beyond expectations. A fat roasted turkey, mountains of roast and boiled potatoes, platters of fat chipolatas, tureens of butter peas, silver boats of thick , rich gravy and cranberry sauce – and stacks of wizard crackers every few feet along the long dining room table.

These were nothing like the feeble Muggle ones that Harry had seen the Dursleys use, with their cheap little plastic toys and flimsy paper hats. When Harry pulled one with Fleur, it didn't just bag, it went off with a blast like a cannon and engulfed them all in a cloud of blue smoke, while from the inside exploded a pointed wizard's hat for Fleur and a flower bonnet for Harry, along with several white mice. Fleur although did not appreciate the mice very much, and leapt onto Harry's lap in fright when she saw the small creatures, which were quickly banished away by Marquis.

A flaming Christmas pudding followed the turkey, where Sh'lainn nearly choked on a gold galleon embedded in her slice.

Once all the food had been finished, Harry and Fleur spent an enjoyable afternoon having a furious snowball fight on the grounds. Then, cold, wet and gasping for breath, they returned to the house to dry and warm up. After they had warmed up, the group went into the main living room, where all the presents had been left under the Christmas tree. The adults then sat back and watched as the kids tore open their presents.

Fleur had received a silver locket from the Flamels, with an etching of a flower on the front and her initials on the back, from her parents she got a princess style dress. The dress had halter-style straps where the bodice was covered with an array of fine sequins, giving the dress an enchanted look. The sequins had an ombre effect, ruche fabric wrapped the waist and a cluster of stones sat at one side. The skirt was full with an overlay of tulle sprinkled that shimmered.

Fleur sister's Gabrielle on the other hand was more interested in the sparkling wrapping paper that covered her presents, where she tore the paper apart and threw it around the room giggling happily.

The first present Harry opened was from Sh'lainn, which contained an assortment of different wizards sweets, like Chocolate Frogs, Shivering Snackboxs, Cauldron Cake, Peppermint, Fizzing Whizzbees, Acid Pops, Sherbet Lemons and a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans.

The second present was from the Flamels, containing a box of different wizard games, like a pack of Non-explodable, luminous balloons, a pack of exploding snap cards, a Wizards Chess set, where Nicolas promise to teach him how to play, and a grow-your-own-warts kit.

The next present was from the Delacours, who gave him a book called "Quidditch through the Ages." Harry had of course heard about the wizard's sport from Sh'lainn and was of course curious about it.

Harry thanked the Delacours for their gift, where the French couple smiled and nodded, pleased with the fact that Harry liked his gift. Mr Dealcour even went on to suggest that he should consider playing the sport later on, stating that he had never seen anyone short of a professional player fly as well as he had, and would be a natural at the sport.

The suggestion of course received a sharp rebuked from Perenelle, who responded by saying that the only way Harry would ever get on a broom again was over her dead body, which basically meant never again, given how she was technically immortal.

After all the gifts had been opened, Marquis took out a large brown envelope and handed it to Harry.

"What's this?" the boy asked

"Open, an' you vill zee" Marquis answered cryptically.

Doing as he was told, Harry tore open the envelope revealing two large sheets of paper.

"What are these?" Harry asked, looking at the sheets; due to his still limited French, he couldn't fully understand what was written.

"Ze first is a certificate of citizenship, declaring zat you ar a French citizen, ze zecond is a certification uf adoption, declaring zat you 'ave now been legally adopted by Aunt Perenelle and Nicolas as zeir Grandson."

"Really?" asked Harry as he stared at the two pieces of paper, still not quite believing that this was actually happening.

When Marquis nodded, Harry found himself a loss for words, holding back the tears that were threatening to fall. For as long as he could remember he had always dreamed of someone one day taking him away from the Dursleys and adopting him. Now that it had finally happen, he had trouble believing it. Looking over at Mr and Mrs Delacour the emotional boy and croaked out a "Thank you," unable to say anything more.

"Zere is no need to zank us, I vainly only 'elped vith your citizenship, Aunt Perenelle and Nicolas deserve vost of ze credit" Marquis explained.

Unable to hold himself any longer, a teary eyed Harry went over to the elderly pair and hugged them, thanking them over and over again. Causing an equally emotional Perenelle Flamel to become teary eyed, as he hugged the young boy back, while Nicolas smiled and patted him gently on the back

Watching from her seat, Sh'lainn smiled at the scene, which remaindering her of the time when the Flamels adopted her as their daughter. She knew that with her parents help, Harry would eventually overcome the hardship that he went through with his relatives.

Shortly after, the group returned to the dining room, where they had turkey sandwiches, crumpets, trifle, Christmas cake and hot coco with mini marshmallows.

While they were eating, Sh'lainn discretely used her wand conjure some mistletoe and hung it directly above Fleur and Harry, while they were talking and eating. She then caught the two's attention by calling them and pointing up above them.

Upon seeing the small floating plant, Harry's began to blush, knowing the tradition behind mistletoe at Christmas and what people would have to do when caught underneath it. Before he could open his mouth in protest, Fleur suddenly pressed her lips on his.

At that moment everything seemed to dissolve around him until he could see nothing but the girl in front of him, whose hands where hold his face. Harry of course tried to resist at first, but was unable to focus on anything other than her soft lips, which were still pressed against his.

After what felt almost like an eternity to young boy, Fleur pulled back from the still stunned Harry. Before he could say anything, a series of flashes snapped him out of his trance-like state and saw a grinning Sh'lainn holding a small camera, which she had secretly conjured along with the mistletoe. "Awe isn't that sweet, this will make a great picture for the family album, don't you think mom?"

Perenelle only nodded as she and Nicolas continued to chuckle, along with the Delacours, at the embarrassed Harry, who had turned bright red. Even Fleur joined in the laughter, which led Harry to believe that she and Sh'lainn had been in on it together, and had set the whole thing up.

Determined to get humiliating evidence, Harry leapt out of his seat and attempt the snatch the camera out of Sh'lainn's hands. But the female Dhampir was much too quick for him and jump out of her chair before he reach it.

Smirking at Harry, Sh'lainn waved the camera in front of him, "Nice try squirt but you'll have to be quicker than that if you want to get this."

Harry's features turned dark as he glared at the young woman. "Sh'lainn...give me that camera!"

Sh'lainn smirk became challenging and she tossed the camera in the air a couple of times, her gaze never once leaving Harry's. "Make me."

Desperate to get the camera, Harry leapt forward, but missed as Sh'lainn sidestepped him, "I'll give you points for effort, but that's it," and then moved to the other end of the room as Harry chased after her.

Bystanders all laughed as they watched Harry chase the cackling Sh'lainn around the room, in a futile attempt to take the camera off her, while at the shouting out curse at her.

"I hope that getting Harry's citizenship passed through without any notice wasn't too costly" Nicolas said quietly as he leaned over to Marquis.

"You need not vorry Nicolas," Marquis assured, tearing his eyes away from his youngest daughter, Gabrielle, who giggled loudly in her mother's arm as she watch Harry fall over himself after another failed attempt at getting the camera from Sh'lainn. "I vas able to call in zome favours in vy department to get Arry's certificate through vithout notice, zey did not ask any questions."

"Besides" continued the man, looking at the irritable Harry who picked himself up off the ground. "I owe ze boy a debt, ver it not for 'im, vy daughter vould be dead, zis is ze least I can do for 'im."

Understanding where Marquis was coming from, Nicolas simply nodded. But at the same, the elderly man couldn't help but feel guilty at feeling grateful for the incident happening. In the beginning Marquis had been reluctant in helping them, but after Harry saved his daughter, the head of the Delacour family all but agreed to help them in whatever way possible.

Had it not been for that incident, Nicolas was certain that Marquis would never have agreed to help them, which in turn would have made his future plans very difficult. But with that no longer being the case, Nicolas could go on to the next phase of his plan, having now reconnected with some of his old allies.

Leaning over to Marquis again, Nicolas then asked him, "Tell me Marquis have you ever considered going into politics?"

N/A.

Well that's it for another instalment of The Alchemist Apprentice; I sincerely hope that you all enjoyed it, especially with Harry meeting Fleur and her family, being adopted by the Flamels and becoming a French citizen and of course the Dursleys punishment.

The next Chapter will have another brief time skip, but only a year. The next Chapter will also have Harry learning some magic, learning about Alchemy and of course learning more of Sh'lainn.

Again as always, read and review, I enjoy reading people's opinion of the chapter and on the story in general. I will do my best to reply to all your reviews, as I believe an author should respond to his readers. But please note that I cannot respond to anonymous reviews and if you wish for me to respond to your questions you must become a member of Fanfiction.

Suggestions are welcomed and will be given serious thought.

In regards to my grammar and spelling mistakes, I am well aware that both are far from perfect and that it may be a problem with some reader. But they cannot be avoided I have no official Beta to help me, and I am doing my best to make as few mistakes as possible.

Now in regards to any flames, they are as always not welcomed on this story or on any of my other stories. If you don't like the story that's your opinion, and it is fine, I do not force anyone to read my stories. But I do not like reading people trash talking my stories, and acting like they are experts on writing, especially from people who have never written a story themselves. If I receive any flames, the review will be either deleted or the flamers will be flamed back by me, I am not afraid to stand up for my stories and defend my actions.

Again hope everyone enjoyed the Chapter, and please look out for my other stories, The Raikage, Rise of The Raikage, Rogue Shinigami, White Fire Prince, Brother's Bond and Hope of the Senju Clan.

Author's Note:

(1). I'll give you three guesses who was responsible for this.

(2). Bartemius Crouch Senior was still Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement at this time.

(3). Go to Larkin 2727 Photobucket and look up the Alchemist Apprantice Album for image of the Flamels estate

(4). The translations for French are below

(5). This is basically the French's version of the Wizengamot, now the reason I called it Conseil duMagicien is because the word "Wizengamot" portmanteau formed with the words "wizard" and "Witenagemot." The Witenagemot was a council of powerful nobles who convened to advise and appoint kings in Anglo-Saxon England. The word derives from the Old English for "meeting of wise men" - Witan, meaning "wise man" or "counsellor", and Gamot, means "assembly". So it can be said that "Wizengamot" means "assembly of wizards." Given how the word is derived from Old English it wouldn't make much sense for the French Ministry to call their council that, hence the new name. For the English translation of "Conseil duMagicien" please scroll down to the French Translation section below, but I think the name itself is fairly obvious.

(6). Although is not technically accurate, it close enough since Marquis is the descendant of Perenelle's sister, and it makes more sense than calling him her descendant.

(7). Go to Larkin 2727 Photobucket and look up the Alchemist Apprantice Album for image of the Delacour's home

(8). The French version of the Daily Prophet

French Translations:

Bonjour Je m'appelle Harry Potter - Hello, I call myself Harry Potter

Ravi de vous connaître - It is nice to meet you

Quel âge avez-vous – How old are you?

Je suis âgé de sept ans – I am seven years old

D'où venez-vous – Where are you from?

Je suis de Angleterre – I come from England

Quel temps fait-il aujourd'hui? - How is the weather today?

Il fait bon - It is nice

Très bien – Very Good

Conseil du Magicien – Wizard's Council