January, 5th

Fleur's P.O.V

The train back to Hogwarts seemed to be crawling compared to when she had left at the beginning of the Christmas holidays. Fleur had tried convincing Harry he should join her and her family for Christmas, but of course he thought he would be a burden and not let Fleur convince him. The last she had heard from Harry was Christmas Day when he had sent a school owl along with a letter to her, and she hadn't heard from the boy since.

Each time the train rattled even slightly Fleur tensed thinking she had arrived at the Hogwarts station, only to be disappointed when seeing she hadn't arrived yet. More and more of the Scottish countryside passed her by as she furiously worried about Harry.

'What if that evil thing attached to him did something?' Fleur gasped quietly to herself at the very thought,'but surely someone would have noticed and word would be out by now. He seemed just fine the day before I left, so what could've happened?'

Finally the familiar rattling of the train coming to a stop along with the boisterous and dejected voices of students preparing to disembark. Thankfully once the train had come to a stop the carriages that would take students up to the school had been waiting on stand by. As usual no one had worked up the courage to try and sit by Fleur in her own carriage meaning she sat by herself in worried silence all the way up to the looming school.

Fleur shivered in the still cold air as ribbons of wind flowed around the large stone walls of Hogwarts, blasting her with even colder winds. The atmosphere of unwavering silence and cold didn't give Fleur any flashes of optimism where Harry was concerned.

As her carriage came to a stop before the castle doors of Hogwarts Fleur was one of the first arriving students to enter the entrance hall of the castle which thankfully was warmer on the inside than the cold exterior.

To Fleur's great surprise Harry stood right at the entrance to the great hall grinning at her as she strode toward him," where 'ave you been?" Fleur asked furiously," you 'aven't said a single thing since Christmas 'oliday started I was so worried!"

Harry's bemused grin fell a fraction before it came right back in full force, making her heart jump in worry at its hidden strain that only she could see.

"Something 'appened," Fleur said with utter surety that made Harry look at her very alarmed.

"I thought I said you should ask when you use your emotion sense thing on me," he said with a steely gaze.

"and I didn't use it," Fleur replied crossing her arms and raising her nose a fraction in prideful stubbornness," I know you well enough to tell when you are lying."

Harry's hard gaze wavered under her own stern look which made him deflate fractionally in comparison," I don't really want to talk about it right now," he said rubbing at faint lines she had only just now noticed on his face.

"What are zese?" Fleur worriedly asked rushing forward rubbing her thumbs over the fading yet still visible scratch marks," 'Arry zese we're very bad!"

"It's nothing," Harry said pulling away from her very afraid for the first time, since he had grown used to her closeness.

Fleur's eyes grew very wide at the frightened vulnerable look Harry was giving her as he backed away, it was as if he had been struck," 'Arry?"

He hesitated for a moment his feet slightly shifting as if he wished to run to her, but he seemed to change his mind in that same instant turning and rushing away from her. A whirl of sad and confused thoughts lingered around Fleur as she watched him retreat up toward the second floor.

Fleur stood for a few moments her eyes never straying from the stares Harry had climbed, her stillness unnerving every student entering from the castle doors and filing into the great hall.

Then once the stream of students had subsided and no more people were loitering in the halls, Fleur let out a muffled and frustrated scream stomping and causing the ground to erupt in flames at her feet.

"I believe that to be a rather understandable reaction dear girl, but do forgive him please," said the wizened and now melancholic voice of Hogwarts' Headmaster.

Fleur flushed in embarrassment making the flames around her feet sputter and die with her tangled emotions," I am sorry."

"Heavens don't apologize, I will not reproach you for such outbursts we are in a school after all, and I've come to expect them every now and then," Dumbledore said his eyes twinkling in mirth before the sparkle dimmed a tad," now about Harry. I am sorry to say his state is due to my own negligence in more ways than one I'm afraid."

"What do you mean?" Fleur asked not able to suppress the biting anger behind her words and only barely remembering a curt," sir."

Dumbledore seemed to wither under Fleur's stare, as if he wasn't the most powerful wizard of the century, before clearing his throat and motioning for her to follow him," as I'm sure Harry has let slip every so often, his family is not kind to him, and while I admit I had known they did not treat him as fairly as I had hopped they would. I did not know the extent to which he has suffered under my negligence, and now it seems my curiosity has only served to harm him further."

Fleur could feel the intense want of her avian nature plucking at the strings of her mind, longing to surge forth and burn the elderly wizard trudging in front of her toward his office," I ask again, sir. What do you mean?"

"Of course, forgive my rambling. You see Christmas night I had left an obscurely dangerous magical mirror in an abandoned classroom sure Harry would make use of his fathers last gift to him, and I was pleased at first to see he had joined me in the classroom within hours of me placing the object there. However, you can imagine my alarm at his reaction. Upon seeing what the mirror had to show him he yelled his hatred for his father and the face he had cursed him with scratching furiously and violently at his face. When he had finally regained a measure of calm I dare say he saw your horrified expression at his actions and now feels ashamed to face you," at this Dumbledores own face fell further than it had already sunk, the thick aged lines around his face thickening further with sadness," he also mentioned his aunt, and the things he alluded to both confused and puzzled me so I gazed into the surveillance spells I had placed on the Dursley residence, and what I saw I cannot unsee my dear. The mistakes I have made in Harry's upbringing will follow me for the rest of my life, along with how I saw him being treated."

Fleur had to stamp down on her Veela nature wishing to tear forward and light the old man in front of her on fire, he had only barely touched on how Harry had reacted in the abandoned classroom and now he was dancing around his mistreatment at the hands of his relatives. His grandstanding was beginning to vex her and she would only endure so much before lighting anything near her on fire," what did zey do to 'im? You are alluding many vague possibilities to me, but I am not a child tell me or I will bluntly ask 'im now zat I know it is zis bad."

"Of course, but please sit down in my office with me first I'm afraid none of what I have to discuss is pleasant," Dumbledore turned away from floor to look at the gargoyle guarding the entrance to his office," candy floss," the gargoyle sprang to the side leaving Fleur bemused at his choice of password as he strode inside.

The headmasters office was very different compared to Madam Maxime's at Beauxbatons, where hers was neat and proper, Dumbledores seemed utterly disorganized and cluttered with whirling magical instruments making odd noises every now and then. Beside his desk perched languidly was the red plumed form of a phoenix that trilled at the old man's passing.

"Hello to you too Fawkes," Dumbledore said a bit of mirth entering his voice for the first time Fleur had seen him today," I'm afraid I'll need you to fetch Harry from wherever it is he is hiding for me."

"I don't think 'e will be able to find 'Arry," Fleur smiled slightly," when 'e doesn't want to be found 'e stays 'idden."

"I think he will find it very difficult to hide from Fawkes within the castle grounds," Dumbledore smiled and then grimaced as Fawkes burst into a very bright pillar of flame that filled the office with light and then abruptly the room darkened at the absence of the flame," he does that when he is told to do things for me, phoenixes are free spirits and he reminds me every time I ask a favor of him. Now onto this unpleasant business before Harry is fetched, you see I knew Harry was somewhat neglected by his relatives…"

"Wha-," but before Fleur could get the full angry question out of her mouth Dumbledore rose a forestalling hand.

"However, I did not know he was not in fact neglected but intentionally mistreated, and I am sad to say to a rather disgusting degree," Dumbledores sad eyes grew hard as he gazed into a device which she could see was playing a distorted scene she could not make out aside from the crying face of Harry," it's cases like these that make me glad what my father did years ago, and it makes me think perhaps my old friend and I weren't mistaken in our ideals, but that is unfair to muggles on the whole."

Dumbledore had said that so quietly Fleur wasn't sure she had heard right, but it hardly mattered to her what the old man meant," and what does zis mean for 'Arry?"

"I am afraid very little, you see my listening devices are not what some would call legal," Dumbledore grimaced," and while I could most certainly bring it before the wizengamot anyway, I fear it may be buried by Cornelius Fudge until such a time as it would not besmirch his reputation. You see he's recently been aiding the integration of muggleborns into our society and while that is a noble pursuit, I fear it is merely for appearances in the rapid rise in muggleborns and by proxy their support as voters."

Fleur frowned at Dumbledore upon learning nothing would be done for Harry even though he was being mistreated," 'ow does zis 'ave anything to do with 'Arry?"

"Well you see if it came to light that muggles, and Harry's relatives no less, were treating him so poorly then imagine the backlash Fudge could incur due to his recent support of muggleborn witches and wizards. I dare say some pureblood elitists could use Harry as a symbol to begin passing laws on muggleborns, so that they would not have the rather tenuous social standing they already have in Britain."

"Zen we are to do nothing?! No! I will not stand by and watch my friend be mistreated by 'is family I will burn zem myself if I must," Fleur furiously simmered from across the desk at Dumbledore, a voluminous plumage of feathers sprouting from her collar rising to the sides of her neck.

"Calm yourself dear girl," Dumbledore whispered softly," I will in fact have this matter investigated although it will not produce immediate results I dare say the man I have for the job is more than competent in his field."

At this Dumbledore allowed his chair to slightly swivel sideways, allowing Fleur to see a very familiar man standing some ways behind the headmasters chair that had been obscuring his form.

"Papa," Fleur called incredulously to the man whose carefully twirled mustache crinkled at her voice.

"Hello Mon Caneton! It's so good to see you, even if it is a bit earlier than you expected," her father said jubilantly rushing to her side and enveloping her in a hug.

Fleur's initial shock was overtaken by joy when she returned her fathers hug in kind," papa! Que faites-vous ici?"

"Comme d'habitude mon petit poussin, au travail," he smiled down at her.

"Very sorry to cut the greetings short but we have urgent business to attend to, Marcus," Dumbledore apologized a small smile at the warm family greeting on his bearded face.

"Of course Dumbledore. But what am I here for I know you said it was of utmost importance, but why ask me to investigate something when I'm sure you have your own contacts in Britain's Department of Magical Law Enforcement to investigate for you?"

"Indeed, but you see this is a very delicate matter that if not properly investigated could lead to an enormous backlash we may not recover from anytime soon."

Marcus' eyes widened in shock," this is that sensitive? What will I be investigating?"

"Strictly speaking you will not be investigating so much as 'visiting' your daughters friends relatives at crucial times of which I will alert you of this summer."

Marcus frowned looking at his daughters stern and determined scowl," this is about Harry Potter then," he said solemnly.

"I'm afraid so and I ask that you steel your heart and come to my side of the desk to see what my hidden monitoring devices have seen. I warn you, it has turned even this old man's stomach."

Marcus' jaw set in solemn duty as he strode over next to Dumbledore, Fleur could see her fathers face grow paler and paler by the minute before he turned away before the recording had finished.

"I understand, but surely you've seen the problem of intervention Dumbledore. While necessary, he has nowhere else to go isn't that correct? That's why he was placed with those muggles in the first place."

"Yes," Dumbledore nodded tiredly," I am making preparations, and upon seeing this error of judgement on my part it has made me wonder what else I may have missed simply because of my initial assumptions. I have another matter I wish for you to look into after we help young Mr. Potter."

"What would that be?"

"I found it odd how easily he turned himself in, and the lack of a trial never sat well with me. I'd like you to investigate Sirius Blacks case in thorough detail, please leave no stone unturned and if you wish to interview the man please give this to the unfortunate young Auror they have guarding the front gate to Azkaban," Dumbledore said writing on a sheet of paper and passing Marcus the slip, which he took without hesitation.

"What about me," Fleur asked almost petulantly, which made her father give a slightly strained chuckle.

"Just be sure to keep helping Harry as much as you can dear, I'll handle the rest."

This answer did not satisfy Fleur or her curiosity at what her father had seen on the old headmasters recording device. Marcus Delacour was not a weak man despite his short and slightly rotund appearance, you didn't become Frances head of Magical Law Enforcement for no reason after all.

Sadly all she could do for now was just nod and agree to her fathers request, she silently swore to do everything within her power to help her friend. As the silence of the room stretched on a very loud squawk and flash of red flame alerted the rooms occupants to Fawkes' return with Harry. Well that and the boys startled exclamations.

"Let me go you bloody fire chicken," the boy yelled while Fawkes flapped in place with his talons gripping either of Harry's shoulders. The pair hovered in place with Harry frantically struggling, and Cobalt trying to take swipes at the bird from Harry's shoulders as he struggled. When a light scratch finally landed on the bird it gave a frustrated musical trill and unceremoniously dropped the boy and his cat.

"I'm gonna pluck you like a Christmas dinner," Harry threatened raising his wand as he jumped to his feet, but he just as quickly lowered the dangerous length of wood when seeing the rooms occupant," just kidding," he weakly joked looking at Dumbledore.

"No need for that Harry," the old man smiled amicably at the young wizard," Fawkes was merely retrieving you on my request. Now if you would please leave Ms. Delacour I'm afraid these sensitive matters are not for young ears."

Fleur could feel a hot rush of plumage try to escape her school robes sleeves at the old Headmaster's dismissal of her, but when she looked to her father, defiance burning in her eyes, she saw the intense stare he was giving her and she backed down under the gaze.

"Oui, I will wait outside," she glumly whispered glancing at Harry who looked away from her in shame when she had seen him looking at her. This made Fleur wish she could stay and tell him how foolish he was to think she could think any less of him for any reason, let alone the problems his 'relatives' had caused him. She would have a stern talk with the boy before telling him exactly how foolish he was to be ashamed of himself.


Marcus' P.O.V

It was strange seeing the boy before him after having only heard of him from newspapers and his own daughters and wife, but now that he had seen what the boy had been through he could see why Fleur's allure had no effect on him. At a glance he may appear to be an average, albeit borderline malnourished, boy but the glint of wary alertness never left his eyes even when turning away from Fleur's worried glance as she left the room. That level of alertness would never let something like a compulsion for attention and affection slip past his defenses.

He seemed to not have any idea what he should do while Marcus and Dumbledore both gazed at him. His hands fidgeted and his eyes never met theirs, but he didn't seem scared, only restless and nervous.

The boy who lived seemed at a glance far less than the stories would have you believe, but under his awkward gaze Marcus could feel the boy was only slightly nervous and when he had first entered the room he was sure the boy had allowed his eyes to dart in all directions taking in the rooms entire contents before threatening Dumbledores phoenix.

Marcus smiled, yes this boy would be an interesting friend for Fleur.


Harry's P.O.V

'Well this can't be good,' Harry thought as he felt both occupants of the room gazing at him as he tried and failed to suppress his worried fidgeting,' does Dumbledore know about Salazars chamber now that his phoenix has seen it? Is that why I'm here?'

"Harry," Dumbledore said very gingerly," you are not in trouble in fact it's quite the opposite. We need to discuss some things with you pertaining to your residency at Privet Drive, and some… sensitive matters that have come fully to light for me. You see Harry I know how your aunt has been mistreating you now," the old man said now softly staring at the young man.

Harry was dumbfounded at the headmasters statement, it felt as if his heart had paused mid beat at the man's calm and frank words. It wasn't a question of if anyone would find out or how, but a curt to the point fact that people now knew and he didn't know how to feel about it.

Harry didn't know how to feel. Relieved? Upset? He had been suffering so long in his silence that he had never thought of how to react if anyone ever uncovered this terrible secret of his. But he found himself oddly calm yet also numb at the fact.

"So what happens now," Harry asked in a dead quiet whisper that was only heard because of the all encompassing silence of the room.

"Now, Harry, I think I should like to remove you from residence at your relatives residence in all due haste. If it were left to me I would repair your family home in Godric's Hollow and establish equally significant wards to keep you protected. However, the curse damage your family home sustained was significant and irrevocably unrepairable, so while the school year is still ongoing we will be searching for lodgings to accommodate you. If worse comes to worse you may merely need to stay in your dorm until the start of next years term, I understand it is highly irregular but I believe an exception can be made," Dumbledore said, his beard crinkling in a very melancholic smile as he made his way over to Harry so he could place a comforting hand on the boys shoulder.

Harry had no words. He had wished this very day would come for years now, and now that it had arrived he was speechless.

"Now while you will not be returning to Privet Drive I'm afraid to say we will not see your relatives punished until Monsieur Delacour is able to finish his investigation," Dumbledore said patting Harry and moving back behind his desk," do you have any question Harry?"

Harry just stared very dumbly at the pair before remembering Fleur who was waiting outside the Headmaster's office," is there an empty classroom we can hold the dueling club in sir?"

Both Dumbledore and Monsieur Delacour looked at Harry as if he had grown a second head for a moment, but Dumbledore recovered quickly answering his question," yes, I believe arrangements can be made. Perhaps we could use the room you discovered during Christmas break?"

Harry visibly paled at that.

"No need to worry Harry the mirror has been summarily removed and relocated."

"T-thank you sir."

"Of course, now I believe Monsieur Delacour and I have some rather dull business to attend to, perhaps you should bring Ms. Delacour to the great hall for breakfast.

Harry nodded stiffly leaving his seat. He wasn't particularly looking forward to the girls tirade, she was most likely going to scald him for running from her not even half an hour ago without explanation.

When Harry exited the office after a few minutes of stalling he could see Fleur standing right outside glaring at the gargoyles who seemed to be sweating pebbles underneath her gaze.

Even Harry felt like sweating pebble sized droplets when Fleur turned her gaze on him, and then her glare thankfully melted when their eyes met.

"I'm sorr-"

"I'm sorr-"

For a few seconds the two of them stared at one another, both very confused.

"Why are you-"

"What do you-"

Again they both paused looking at one another dumb struck, they had both known what the other was trying to ask and their mirrored sentiments made them both laugh with mirth.

Fleur's lovely tinkling laugh sounded very much like a melodic bell in Harry's ear, as she calmed herself down she gave Harry the warm and thoughtful look she often did while they talked," 'Arry Professor Dumbledore told me a little of why you ran from me, I don't blame you. But I do 'ope you will tell me about some of it later when you are ready."

Under the gentle caress and honesty of those cerulean eyes how could he not relent, Fleur had been and continued to be his very best friend. Thankfully he now realized how much he had left unaddressed of his old life in the whirlwind that was now his new one, and he would need to come to terms with himself. Whatever that meant.

"I-I don't think you'll want to hear this here, we should go somewhere private to speak. Luckily I can solve two of our problems at the same time this way," Harry chuckled moving toward the castles moving staircases where he began retracing his route he had taken on Christmas night weeks ago.

"When I said my family doesn't treat me well, that was true but it's a lot worse than you might think. I'd be lucky if a broken bone or hit upside the head with a frying on was all I got. I can't really blame Dudley for how he turned out with his parents, but still him ganging up on me with his friends and beating me up wasn't really necessary with how Uncle Vernon treated me. But it was life ya know, I wake up, make breakfast for everyone, go to school, get beat up by Dudley and his friends, then I go home do chores and if I mess anything up then Uncle Vernon corrects me,and once my chores are done I can go back into my cupboard and sleep. It was simple like that for the longest time. It wasn't good but it was my life, and while I didn't like it or know why it was my life I just dealt with it ya know. But then I started getting older, looking like my dad more and more, and then all the weird stuff started happening around me when I was in danger or hurt; I'd be running from Dudley and his gang wanting to climb a fence to get away in the school yard, then poof I'm on the school roof, Uncle Vernon got a bit to rough pulling me outside into the garden because I had cut the wrong head off a rose in Aunt Petunia's garden, and then he pulled a little to hard and my arm came out of its socket. They had both worried about wether or not they should take me to the hospital, eventually they decided to sleep on it and over night my arm had reset itself," at this Harry turned to Fleur making a poof sound and splayed out his hands," as if by magic. That really upset Uncle Vernon, and after that he never beat me the same way as he did before, where he would've slapped me before, he punched me, where he might've only slapped me on the hand with a ruler, he crushed it under his boot, and god forbid I go anywhere upstairs without his permission."

As Harry went on the side passages and corridors of Hogwarts seemed to pass him by along with every beating, curse, or punishment from Aunt Petunia. These latter ones making him shudder worse of all.

After a while he lapsed into a sort of unknowing silence that filled the space between the pair as they walked through the halls of Hogwarts. They traveled in this manor for a few minutes neither wanting to break the uneasy silence that Harry's confession had made, and then he saw the familiar and dreaded outline of the abandoned classroom ahead of them.

Harry reluctantly grasped the handle of the rooms door. Many irrational thoughts invaded his mind, what if the mirror was there despite Dumbledores assurances to him, what if he saw his father in that mirror again, and worse of all what if the real Fleur saw his reaction.

"I will open it for your 'Arry, if zat is what you need," Fleur smiled coming forward placing her delicate hand over his own.

"T-thanks," Harry nodded as with her help they both turned the doorknob to enter the room.

Thankfully that damn mirror wasn't there this time, all they greeted the pair was a bare and empty classroom as Dumbledore had said.

Fleur lightly closed the door with both hands as Harry walked to the middle of the room. It seemed so much bigger now without the desks shoved off to one corner and no mirror to take up its middle space.

"I feel zat zere is more you are not telling me, and zat makes me more terrified for you if zere is something worse zan ze beatings you received," Fleur whispered not turning from the door she had closed, her hands still pressed against its wooded surface.

"There is," Harry whispered sitting down in the middle of the floor where the mirror had stood.

Fleur sighed morosely as if she had dreaded that would be his answer. She turned to gaze at his sitting form her eyes filling with tears that Harry's own eyes would not produce for some odd reason. Perhaps he had lost all ability to cry anymore after his mental breakdown weeks ago.

'Or maybe I'm just to broken,' Harry laughed to himself,' not like I wasn't already, I just know it better now.'

"Where should I start," he asked looking into her tremulous blue pools.

Fleur wiped at her eyes setting her features into a determined stare," I want to know about ze parts everyone 'as been dancing around zis entire time."

Harry sighed unhappily," I figured that'd be where you'd want to start. Do you want the long or short answer?"

"Leave nothing out."

He grimaced knowing that would be her answer, so he did exactly as she asked and told her everything that had happened to him at privet drive. The first time Aunt Petunia had raped him, the way she often called him by his fathers name, and the subsequent times she had done it since.

All the while she looked more and more horrified as he went on, sure he may have left a few details out but that was to spare her from her ever growing horror. By the end of his monotone and robotic telling of the truth she had sat across from him clearly wanting to embrace him, but also clearly seeing that was the wrong thing to do at the moment.

"I'm sorry 'Arry," she whispered.

This only made Harry wince, if he had been looking for sympathy with this confession he supposed he would be exalting right about now. But all he felt was numb and small at being seen as someone to pity.

"It's fine," Harry winced yet again," I don't mean it's fine but I'm better now at least a little bit more than I was while still at Privet Drive. I think being taken out early to stay in Diagon Alley was really good for me, to be honest I wouldn't have half the friends I do now if I hadn't. I think I would've been far to skittish to talk to anyone, let alone you."

"Don't say zat 'Arry," Fleur balled feathers rising along her neck and proofing out in indignation.

He let out a low chuckle absently smoothing her feathers down as if silently telling her about them," I'm sorry but it's true, it would've taken me at least a month to be able to talk to Hermione let alone someone as pretty as you."

Fleur's bright red face was funnily framed at his statement by yet more feathers blooming along her cheeks, a stark white contrast to her rosy tinted cheeks.

Harry laughed," well it's true, but seriously I'm getting better now and I think telling you is going to help… but could we leave it just between us? For now anyway?"

"Yes, of course whenever you want to talk about it just come to me."

"I will I promise, and now to the serious conversation," Harry said setting his face into a firm grimace that showed the gravity of the upcoming conversation.

He could see Fleur swallow heavily at this, her feathers that had been poofing were now laughing flat along her neck and cheeks showing her seriousness. She seemed to be leaning unconsciously as Harry himself did to build suspense for her.

"What should be our first lesson in Dueling Club," Harry asked in all serious solemnity.

"Conard," Fleur breathed out in exasperation at him," don't do zat 'Arry I nearly 'ad a 'eart attack in worry."

"It worked though didn't it," Harry laughed as Cobalt finally came out of his hiding spot in Harry's hood.

"Yes, yes I suppose it did, and it's as good a time as any for zis is suppose," Fleur sighed leaning forward cradling her head in her hands as she leaned on her elbows, sending her pleasant smell into Harry's nose.

"Well," Harry clapped rubbing his hands vigorously together," let's work this out then I guess cause this is gonna be a nightmare to work around Quidditch."