I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.

Extended Family

Chapter 6 - Alternate Universe: A Flower's Delight, Part 2

This is set at the start of the second term of fifth year.

Dedicated to: DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles

Harry smiled softly at the first and second year Gryffindor students greeting him as they trooped into the great hall. It really did make him feel warm inside, seeing them greet him eagerly. He still felt a little raw over what happened over the Christmas Holiday. The Tonks family had saved it completely for him and again, he thought he understood why Sirius did what he did. It did not mean he did not feel bad about it however.

Especially when he had the stunning realization that he had grown so used to having friends and family, that he was actually capable of feeling lonely.

Andromeda and Tonks amd Ted, and the girls on the train, had all assured him it was normal. It was a novel experience to say for sure. He could not say he liked being lonely, but perhaps he really was getting better with everything.

He sat at the table with his friends, stomach growling lightly. When he saw Dumbledore rising to speak, he looked away. He still did not know how to speak to the headmaster after this last Halloween. While he was grateful things ended the way they did, he was still trying to cope. Luckily Katie, Angelina, Alicia, and Hermione were helping, as were the Weasleys. Still, he had mixed feelings when it came to the venerable wizard.

"Welcome back," Dumbledore said warmly. "I hope all had a good holiday. I wanted to make an announcement. Hogwarts has decided to open her arms and accept prospective witches and wizards working on their masteries. Some will even come to be assistant professors and will aid the current staff at providing excellent education to the students. It is our hope that in the coming months, there will be at least one assistant for every subject with more for the core subjects. These assistants will provide more time and their own experiences with the students."

"Oooh," Hermione said. "Masteries sound really nice."

"Huh, you could have stayed here," Angelina said to Alicia.

"Ugh no thank you. Apprentice to Snape?" Alicia shuddered.

"He's gotten better," Harry smirked.

"A bat that bites less is still a bat," Alicia sniffed.

Katie snickered. "Well, this sounds good to me. Sometimes the current professors don't have enough time to meet with everyone."

"Allow me to introduce our first mastery student who has already been approved for assistant professorship," Dumbledore said. "Some of you will recognize her. She was once a visitor and will now join our ranks as a student and attendant to the school and will be working with our Professor Flitwick on Charms. Please join me in welcoming Miss Fleur Delacour!"

"What?!" the girls said in surprise. Harry's head snapped up.

Fleur stood by the headmaster's side. She looked out over the tables with a cool polite smile, her hands clasped before her. She wore robes of pale blue, similar to the ones she wore at Beauxbatons, but from a heavier material. She acknowledged the applause she got.

However, as soon as her eyes drifted over Harry and his friends, they focused. Her smile became warm and sincere and she even waved to them. That started more whispers and comments, ones she ignored as she drifted to the teacher's table, sitting primly beside a grinning Flitwick.

"Did you know?" Hermione asked Harry.

"No, she never mentioned it in her letters. She said she had a surprise but I assumed it was her Christmas gift to me."

"Wow, I never thought she'd come back," Angelina remarked. "Didn't she hate it here?"

"She got used to it." Katie's eyes sparkled. "Maybe she came back for someone else."

"I wonder who that could be," Alicia continued, giving Harry a look.

He flushed. "I'm sure she missed talking to all of you."

"Oh I can believe that," Alicia said. "She missed talking to us and she missed 'talking' to you."

"How do you manage to actually sound like you're using air quotes when you talk," Harry asked, trying to look dignified while the other girls giggled. "It's actually kinda impressive."

"It's all in the inflection," Alicia smirked.

"Right. Anyways, 'we' talk all the time. It's 'nothing' like how you miss 'talking' to Oliver," Harry replied with a smile.

Katie and Angelina shrieked with laughter at Alicia's bright red face. Hermione buried her face into her hands, stifling her own laughter.

"You're not funny," Alicia sniffed and took his plate of food away.

Dinner continued leisurely but every so often, Harry would sneak a glance up at the teacher's table. Whenever he did, he managed to catch the eye of Fleur who would smile a little more broadly every time their eyes met. He always looked away first, cheeks pink, but glad to see her all the same.

When the welcome back feast ended, Hermione stood first and looked behind him. She smiled. "I'll get everyone back up. It seems like one of the instructors wants to see you."

"Already?! I didn't do anything yet!" Harry protested.

Katie laughed. "Better get rid of that guilty conscience before you confess to something you shouldn't," she teased.

Fleur's throat clearing cut off his reply. "It is good to see all of you," she said happily. She hugged the girls fondly one by one, even Luna who dashed over for a hug and a greeting. After she let them go, she turned to Harry and her smile was warm. A lot of the boys walking past stumbled a little, gasping and gaping at her.

Harry staggered a little, but he smiled sincerely back and was wholly happy to see her. "It's really good to see you." He hugged her gently, then coughed when she squeezed him hard about the middle.

"Surely you can be more affectionate than that," she scolded lightly. "It has been many months after all."

He laughed and hugged her harder. "I'm really happy to see you. I didn't know you were doing a mastery, much less with Professor Flitwick."

"He is well renowned," Fleur said as she let go. She tucked her arm into his and walked with him, ignoring the looks of others. "My professor at Beauxbatons was a bit upset but she will live. She has many mastery students and apprentices. It has been some time since Professor Flitwick accepted one so I will work my hardest to earn his time and trust."

"I'm sure you'll do great," Harry said. "You were the Tri-Wizard Champion after all."

She smiled. "I was. And I am quite good at Charms. I do plan on learning much."

"What are you going to do with your mastery?"

"Unsure yet. Many I know go into enchanting and artifice. However, I do like to teach. I was a tutor for the underclass at school. I hope to see if I can continue to be a proficient teacher here. I will be aiding the first years through the fourth years primarily, on top of my own work."

"Hopefully the boys here won't give you too much trouble."

"I would not mind if one specific boy does," she murmured. She chuckled at his confusion. "You have allowed your French to suffer it seems."

"I guess," he laughed ruefully. "Didn't have much reason to speak it every day again."

"Perhaps I can provide an incentive. But I do not anticipate too much trouble. I am allowed to assign certain punishments if I am harassed and I was told that I can rely on the aid of prefects." She tapped a finger on his badge. "Ones such as you?"

"You can count on me."

"I know." She stopped at an alcove at the corner of one of the halls. A statue of a raven stood there, carved from marble with eyes of onyx. "This is where I am staying while here."

"I hope you have a nice fireplace inside. I know you hate the cold."

"It suffices to fight the abysmal weather," she said wearily. "But perhaps things will warm up soon."

"Not for a few months unfortunately," Harry said.

Her eyes twinkled. "Perhaps. It is good to be near to you again. See you tomorrow." She kissed him on the cheek and left him standing there, winking at him as the door closed behind her.

-0-

Katie watched Lyla and Mirabelle finish a Charms essay. "How's Fleur as a teacher?" she asked them.

"She's brilliant!" Mirabelle said. "She's super nice and explains things really well. She says she has to think carefully on what to say in English so it helps her explain things in good detail."

"She's really funny. She caught a couple of boys drooling at her and she told them they were too young to learn the Aguamenti Charm yet!" Lyla burst into giggles and Mirabelle and Katie joined in.

"That's really good," Katie said as she sat down beside them, pulling out her own homework. "Too bad she isn't teaching my year. I bet she could help me too."

"Oh she wanted me to tell you that if you wanted her to tutor you, she'd be happy to. Same with Angelina and Alicia and Hermione," Lyla said.

"That's nice of her. I'm going to take her up on that." She stopped, noticing something. "Did she offer to tutor Harry?"

"Actually no, she specifically didn't mention him." Lyla looked concerned. "Do you think she's mad at him for something?"

"Harry wouldn't do anything mean!" Mirabelle said hotly.

"I didn't say he would or did!" Lyla argued back. "Hey, where are you going?" she said to Katie as the older girl gathered her things.

"Going to take Fleur up on her offer," Katie said. She smiled. "And going to be a little nosy too."

-0-

"Damn, I really wish you were helping my year," Katie said. "You really know your stuff."

Fleur smiled happily. "Thank you. Charms is my favorite school of magic and I am very good at it."

"Such modesty," Katie laughed.

"Modesty? That is an English trait, not a French one." Fleur giggled and waved her wand. Two mugs drifted to the table from the kitchenette in her quarters and landed neatly on the table. A pot of coffee followed and poured two steaming cups of potent hot liquid. Another wave summoned sugar and cream.

"I love your quarters," Katie said. "I wish I had a private room with a kitchen and a bathroom."

"It is much nicer than what I was thinking of. You will forgive me for thinking that hopefully, considering I never ventured into the living places save for the brief glance into your common room that one time."

"Are the warming charms enough?"

"Barely." Fleur shivered lightly. "This place is so cold."

"We're actually having a mild week." Katie laughed at Fleur's look of horror. "I'm not kidding."

Fleur cursed in French.

Katie, not understanding a word of it, took a sip of coffee and smiled. "So I heard something interesting from Lyla. That you're willing to tutor all of us despite not teaching the upper years."

"Of course. You all were very kind to me last year and I count you as friends. Some more closely than others but I do not forget those that were kind to me. It would have been dreadful to not have your friendship last year."

"I'm glad to hear it." Another sip. "I have to admit that I was surprised to hear that you won't be tutoring Harry."

Fleur's coffee cup rattled slightly as she picked it up. "Oh, well, Professor Flitwick tells me he performs very well so I do not think he needs extra tutoring."

"Is that the only reason? He hasn't done anything to offend you has he?"

"Certainly not. He is very sweet." She took a sip, trying to not look at Katie.

Katie tried her hardest to not snicker. "So, the fact that he…performs very well in Charms is the only reason you won't tutor him?"

"It is a major reason," Fleur said slowly. She sighed and rubbed her face. "I am being silly. You are very close to Harry, yes?"

"Yes, I'm lucky to say that."

"Something he would say of you I am sure. He is incredibly fond of you."

Katie warmed at that. "The feeling's mutual."

"Please forgive me for being so…rude…but I feel compelled to ask. The feeling of fondness, is there anything more?"

Katie suppressed a squeal. "No, nothing more. He's my little brother in everything but name and blood. I love him to bits but it's the same with how I feel about Lyla. At least he doesn't annoy me like Lyla. What about you Miss Delacour?"

Fleur blushed but something seemed to relax deep inside of her. "There is something more, at least I think there is on my end. Why else would I return to this frigid place?"

Katie laughed. "That's so romantic."

"I am French," Fleur said pertly before laughing with Katie. "Is he seeing anyone? I do not wish to cause any trouble."

"He's not. I mean, I can't say he isn't crushing on anyone right now, we don't talk about that really. I do know that he was very fond of you last year and was sad when you left." Katie's smile grew broad at how happy Fleur looked. "Just to warn you, our boy is a bit dim when it comes to girls."

Fleur waved a finger. "I can work with that. I did not wish to be the cruel foreigner running roughshod over any local women. Especially being Veela as you know. Being shy and reserved is something I have no problems with. It is one of his charms I will admit." She looked solemn for a moment and looked Katie in the eye. "I remember our conversation before the Ball. I swear, I will never actively hurt him and I have no intentions in playing with his feelings."

"I'm glad to hear it," Katie said frankly. "He's gone through some really rough stuff lately."

"I can tell," Fleur said sadly. "He has something weighing heavily on him. It clings to him."

"Well, you being here can actually help him. Give him something to distract him, keep him from brooding."

"I am told I am very good at being distracting," Fleur joked. She refilled their coffee cups.

"So, what's the real reason you aren't tutoring him," Katie asked with a smile.

"Well," Fleur blushed again, "I did some research and as long as I am not directly responsible for his performance or marks, us seeing each other is not unethical. Professor Flitwick is well aware of my affections. I was very honest with him about all my reasonings to being here. To my surprise he was delighted and was more than willing to accommodate my motives."

Katie laughed and laughed. "Harry is going to be mortified when he finds out!"

"I confess, I look forward to it," Fleur laughed. "I will have to act professional during school hours and swear to some form of propriety in the off hours, but, well, it's possible at least."

"If you were sorted, I bet you'd be in Slytherin," Katie said.

"I look dreadful in green," Fleur replied.

"I think you'd look amazing in anything," Katie said.

"That is so sweet of you to say. Still, I rather gaze into something green than wear it."

"You're so French," Katie said and the two witches laughed brightly.

-0-

"What am I doing," Fleur muttered rebelliously.

"Supporting Harry of course," Luna said.

"I wish this could be played indoors," Fleur grumbled. The winter air was particularly biting today and she shivered under her thick cloak, pulling her hat down low and her scarf up. She wrapped an arm around Luna's pulling the smaller girl to her for warmth.

"It wouldn't be as exciting," Hermione said.

"Less chance for them to kill themselves you mean," Daphne said.

All their complaints fell aside when the Gryffindors flew onto the pitch. Fleur joined them in cheering for them and Harry, clapping and screaming as he flew about. She felt her heart stop as he plummeted to earth and just barely managed to avoid getting slammed into the ground. She bit onto her scarf as he flew upside down for long moments before straightening.

"Do not tell me he does that often," Fleur muttered, hand over her heart.

"Not that often thankfully," Hermione gasped, mimicking the gesture.

The watchers exploded into laughter at Lee's commentary. "Now he can say he nearly got plowed by Cho Chang, not something every lad can say!"

Fleur noticed the red faces on her friends and she knew it was not from the cold. "What does that mean? 'Got plowed'?"

"It means to make the earth ready for planting seeds," Luna said. "It's also a euphemism for intercourse."

Daphne and Hermione sputtered at Luna who looked serene as she waved to Harry.

Fleur spent a fair amount of time glaring at Cho and growling almost inaudibly at her. Her anger dissipated at Harry's dramatic Zipper maneuver. She cheered wildly with the others at his flying ability and she screamed with delight when he caught the Snitch.

"This is rather fun," she confessed as the Gryffindor team took a victory lap. "I could do without him trying to injure himself however."

"We've been wanting that for years," Hermione said ruefully.

-0-

Fleur could not remember the last time she was this content. Everything was wonderful. She came to enjoy teaching the lower years, finding them fun to teach. She enjoyed how happy they were when they learned something, eager to ask her for help and advice.

Flitwick was truly a Charms Master. He taught her things that she did not even think possible with Charms. She learned how to weave spell-chains and combinations that boggled the mind. One of his most famous chains almost mimicked a complex Transfiguration spell. As much as she adored her past professor, she really loved working with and learning from Flitwick. He was a kind man, very funny, and incredibly talented. She felt like she learned more in the half year working with him than she did in several years as a student.

Being able to see Harry every day, chatting with him, eating with him and his friends, was a balm for her soul. She did miss Colette and Aimee a lot but they exchanged letters often and Floo called each other every week. She missed her parents and Gabrielle though she Floo called them every week as well. However, being able to be with Harry was something she had sorely missed. Now that she was one of them even, a Hogwarts witch and not a Beauxbatons witch, made it feel even closer and nicer somehow.

It was the end of term and Harry was visiting her in her quarters. "What are you doing for the summer?"

"I will spend half of it here and half of it at home. I'll be doing some work with my old professor and of course catching back up with my family and Aimee and Colette. But the other half I will be here pursuing my independent study projects. I have papers to write and will be planning the next year's lessons with Professor Flitwick."

"Sounds busy," Harry said. "You like being busy though right?"

"Typically, but I do enjoy lazing about here and there." She fluttered her eyelashes at him. "But I will be ever so lonely here at the castle this summer. With hardly anyone to keep me company."

He laughed. "Well, you're always welcome to visit me at Grimmauld and I can try to come visit you. We can go to Hogsmeade or something. Well, I better check with Sirius first about Grimmauld but I can't think he'll say no. Well," he winced lightly, "he might."

Fleur narrowed her eyes. She had heard what happened over the winter break and she had been more than a little upset when she did. "If he is unreasonable then you can come visit me or I will have Papa beat some sense back into him."

"I'm sure that'll go well," he joked. "I appreciate the offer though."

"Which?"

"Both."

Fleur noticed his light blush when he confessed to that last part. She briefly examined her memories of the last term, how she was feeling about things, how she and Harry interacted. The myth that Veela were masters of love had a grain of truth. Veela were a little better at reading certain emotions. Usually, it was born from intense observation, skills cultivated in the face of public discrimination. Of course, some were better at it than others.

Fleur knew she was very good at it.

She decided to take a chance.

"Harry, do you know why I came to do my mastery with Professor Flitwick?"

"He's one of the best Charms Masters."

"Yes. Can you think of another reason?"

"You had a change of heart and decided Britain wasn't as bad as you thought?" He snorted at her look. "You like the cold more than you claim you don't?" He wriggled away from her trying to pinch him.

"I cannot tell if you are being coy or being oblivious," she said with an irritated huff. "It is vexing."

"Usually the latter," he said. His face was deep red. "Is…is it because of me?"

She smiled and it lit up the room. "Yes. Yes it is. Did you come to this conclusion yourself or did you have assistance?"

"I might've had some help yeah," he laughed. He rubbed his neck and tried to look at anything but her.

She reached out gently and rested her hands along his face. She waited for him to look at her directly and she sighed softly at his green eyes. "Harry, I like you."

"Y-you do?"

"Is that so impossible?"

"Honestly, yes." She laughed and he sheepishly smiled. "You're beautiful, really smart, super talented. You're the Tri-Wizard Champion, first one in over a century, right? Why would you like me?"

She preened as he praised her then huffed again at his ending statement. "Because you are kind, you are warm. You see me for who I am and not what others say I am. You make me happy and I am selfish and want that happiness every day, forever. I want to make you as happy as you make me."

"You do?" he whispered.

"I do," she said firmly. "Only if you do of course. I am forceful but will never force you to do anything you do not want." Her confidence began to falter. "How do you feel about me?"

After a moment's hesitation he rested his hands on hers. His eyes never left hers. "I like you too," he said softly. "I feel like you really understand me sometimes, and I can understand how you feel sort of. I like how you look at me, like I matter. Like I'm important. I like how warm you make me feel."

Her heart sang at his words and she could feel her Aura pulse. It filled her room, making the air shimmer ever so slightly.

He grinned. "Your magic feels incredible."

"You are the reason for it," she said throatily.

He smiled broadly before it diminished slightly. "You won't get in trouble for this will you? You being an assistant professor and me being a student?"

"As long as we behave appropriately during regular hours and I am not directly in charge of your marks, it is fine."

"And here I thought you weren't tutoring me because you didn't like me."

She gently pinched his cheeks. "No, there was reason for my thinking." Her smile faded a little. "Harry, if you get involved with me, there will be many who claim I used my Veela nature to…ensnare you. There will be gossip and talk about you being with a Veela." She hesitated. "If…if we have children, then it will be a part of their lives too."

He had looked mildly panicked at the talk of children but he shook his head, keeping her hands on his face. "I'm used to being gossiped about and people spreading stories about me. Don't you have a set of those terrible books about my alleged childhood?"

"I will get you for this Maman," she muttered with a red face.

He laughed. "I don't care that you're a Veela. I mean, I know you like your heritage and I'm not trying to diminish that. I mean, it doesn't bother me." His eyes became haunted. "You're more human than a lot of people I know."

She wanted nothing more than to get rid of the ghosts that still haunted him. She never wanted him to look like that again.

He shook his head, visibly shaking the past away. "And if we have children," his eyes hardened, "no one will bother them."

Her heart melted at his expression and his words. "You really mean that," she said, awed.

"I do."

After a long moment she gently pulled his face to hers, leaning in. Right before contact she stopped pulling. He leaned in, closing the final distance of his own volition. Their lips met and she sighed into him, breathing him in. She kissed him, her confidence growing and roaring. He kissed her back, gently, shyly, but oh so willingly. She sank into the kiss, pushing him back into his chair, melting into him.

They finally broke apart for want of air. She never let go of him the entire time. They panted, out of breath, exhilarated.

"Wow," Harry stammered.

"That was good, yes?" she said with a smirk.

"Amazing," he smiled.

She cuddled against him, almost purring when he slid his arms around her. She wrapped an arm around his shoulders, resting her other hand against his heart. "You are so warm," she said softly. "And you let me freeze all winter alone."

"I let you?!" he sputtered. "But we weren't even, what?!" He groaned as she giggled, her sounds turning into full laughter as she looked at his expression. "You're doing that thing that Colette does where you tease me because it's fun."

"Yes. However, I am a little upset that I could have had a very nice bed warmer."

"Is that all I am to you?" he asked, a smile on his lips.

She dipped her head down to kiss them. "Not all that you are, but it is certainly high on the list."

-0-

Fleur sighed as she watched Gabrielle tackle Harry to the floor. He had barely stepped out of the Floo and her hooligan of a little sister already assaulted him. "Gabrielle! What is the matter with you?!"

"You get to see him all year! It's not fair!" Gabrielle scolded, doing her best to squeeze the life out of him.

"That is no excuse in being a pest!"

Harry chuckled. "It's okay Gabrielle, I'm here to spend time with you too." He coughed as the little girl squealed louder and somehow squeezed him harder.

"Ah your accent improves," Apolline said as she walked into the room. She smiled broadly at him. "I thought you weren't allowed to tutor him."

"Not on Charms Maman," Fleur said with a blush. "Besides, he has actively learned how to speak French on his own."

"Still not the best," Harry said, rising to his feet. It took a bit because Gabrielle clung to him the entire time. "But it's nice to learn."

"I applaud the effort. Welcome Harry. It is good to see you again and under slightly different circumstances."

He blushed. "I hope it's okay," he started.

"My daughter finally finding someone to call her own is here to visit and it would not be okay? Do not be so silly." She patted his cheek. Her eyes narrowed slightly. "What did that husband of mine say?"

Harry laughed. "Mr. Delacour was very nice. We had a brief chat earlier and he said I was a fine young man and knew I would be respectful. He said he didn't need to put the fear of magic into me because Fleur can take care of herself and you would do it admirably."

The trio of Delacour ladies all rolled their eyes in the same exact way. "He does enjoy his jokes," Apolline sighed. "Well Fleur will show you where you will be staying. Gabi, let them have a moment. Fleur has been quite despondent having been here without you for a few days."

"It has been ten," Fleur said testily.

"Oh so you were counting then?" Apolline teased.

Fleur sniffed and tucked her arm into Harry's, taking him away. Gabrielle and Apolline argued behind them and their voices faded as they walked up the stairs. "My mother has been insufferable. Teasing me so much. One would think one would get tired of saying "I told you so" again and again."

Harry smiled and kissed her cheek. "She's just happy for you."

Fleur rolled her eyes again before returning the kiss. "As am I but she is still being insufferable." She opened a door and led him within. The room was large and well lit, a large window letting in the sunlight. A large bed dominated the back third and everything was colored in blues and whites. "This is where you will be staying."

Harry looked askance at the women's robes hanging off the wardrobe and other articles of clothing scattered about. "Uhm, this looks like your room."

"Because it is."

Harry's eyebrows rose. "I'm staying in your room?!"

"Is there a problem?" Fleur asked with a smile.

"Is it normal for boyfriends to stay in the same room with their girlfriends at her parents' house?"

"I have no idea. I have never asked others and I have never brought a boy back before. Besides," she draped her arms around his neck and looked down at him slightly, "it was Maman's suggestion."

"I'm torn between being honored at her trust and feeling a little weirded out by her trust."

She laughed throatily before kissing his nose. "She likes you. As do Papa and Gabi."

He gently encircled her waist with his arms. "Do you like me?"

"I find you tolerable." She kissed him as he laughed.

-0-

She looked at him, faintly incredulous. "Harry, that sort of pajama is tolerable in the freezing north but you will boil alive if you wear that here."

He looked down at his long-sleeved pajama top and long pants. "I never really thought about that."

"Clearly. If you need, I have some thin night-shirts you will look very fetching in. Very gauzy and light. Might need to expand them to fit you however." She took pride in making him laugh but she could sense some reservation in him. "We have napped together on couches, yes? Are you so uncomfortable with sleeping beside me in bed?" She spoke with a teasing tone but it held a hint of uncertainty in it.

He sighed deeply. "It's just, well, I guess…"

She reached out and took his hand. "What is wrong?"

He looked inexplicably weary. "I suppose you'd find out sooner or later." He slowly took off the pajama top.

At first, she was going to make a quip about finally seeing him shirtless. Make a suggestive look or comment about how toned he looked. Harry was not a man covered in muscle but he was lean and trim, not a stranger to physical exertion. However, her joy at seeing him like that was clouded as she saw the thin scars that he had on his front. There were not many, but they were noticeable.

When he turned however, she stifled a gasp. His back was covered in thick scars and what looked like burns. There were many, too many. He turned and flinched at her look of horror and tried to pull his shirt back on. "Sorry," he said quietly.

"No! No please. I was just…" She reached out and touched them with trembling hands. She hated how he flinched from her touch, how his body shook. She turned him around and sat him before her on her bed. He would not look at her directly. "How did that happen?" she asked, dreading the answer.

He told her of his past. What the Dursleys did to him over those years. He spoke of what he endured.

With every word she grew more angry. Her skin rippled. Her bright blue eyes became pale amber. Her hair floated, buoyed by her magic. The air felt thick and hot as her rage spilled from her. She clutched his hands in hers and he could feel her getting hotter and hotter. Yet he did not try to break away.

"How dare they! How could they treat a poor boy like that?!" Her chest heaved. "I will kill them!"

"Please don't. Not that I don't think you could, but I don't want you to get in trouble," Harry pleaded.

"It is what they deserve!"

"Maybe, but I don't want the people I care about be hurt because of me."

She took several deep breaths, trying to calm down. The air stilled, her skin cooled.

"I'm sorry," he said softly.

That made her stop completely. She looked at him, astonished. "Why are you sorry?"

"For ruining things, for just dumping all that on you. For being…" he waved vaguely at himself, "damaged."

"You have nothing to be sorry for. I asked and you were honest. You ruined nothing. I understand why you have not spoke of this before." Her eyes opened wide. "This is why you stood in for Gabrielle. When you said children should be protected."

He nodded.

Her heart melted and she pulled him to her. Her lips sought his and for a moment all was forgotten. "How are you still so kind?" she asked after they broke the kiss.

He grinned sheepishly. "I had good role models eventually."

She knew of who he spoke of and swore to spoil them the next time she saw them. "Harry Potter, you are not damaged. You have suffered but you are not damaged. And I swear that I will ensure my best to soothe your hurts and take care of you." She cut off his protest. "I want to. You will not stop me."

"That does sound nice," he admitted. "Thank you, Fleur."

She laid back onto the bed, pulling him with her. She deliberately maneuvered him so he faced away from her. She tucked her left arm around him, putting her right over him, and hugged him to her, cuddling him close. Her body curved around his, a perfect fit in her mind. She rested her lips at the back of his neck. "I have you in my arms," she said with finality. "I am not letting you go."

He was glad she was facing his back so she could not see his crimson face or the tears in his eyes. "You're really warm," he said instead, his hands on hers. He could feel her smile.

It felt wonderful.

-0-

Sunlight woke him. It fell over him from the window and he blinked for a few moments, disoriented. They had shifted in the night and he found himself on his back. Fleur's head rested on his chest, her arm and leg thrown possessively over him. She mumbled in her sleep, her platinum blonde hair fanned out.

He gently brushed her hair back, smiling softly. He liked the way her hair felt running through his fingers. Eventually his ministrations woke her. She blinked a few times, sleepily focusing on him. "What is so funny?" she asked, seeing him chuckle.

"I like how you look in the morning," he said. "You usually look so proper and immaculate. I like seeing you…rumpled."

"I am not rumpled!" she growled.

"Disheveled?" He hummed at her look. "I don't know what the word is in French. Ow!"

She bared her teeth at him. "I see someone does not care if he spends more time in my bed!"

"I do," he protested laughing. He pulled her up his body and kissed her sweetly.

"Mmm, I could get used to this," she purred.

"So could I," he said softly. He nuzzled her neck. "Thank you so much Fleur."

"You are welcome of course," she breathed. She felt him murmur something into her neck and her breath caught in her throat. "Say that again," she demanded.

"Je t'aime," he whispered shyly.

Her smile was brighter than the sun. "And I love you," she said before her lips found his.

-0-0-0-

diffident-serpiente - What a tweest!

alix33 - I thought it would match them.

Urgwaew - I do like a good flowerpot so hope this scratches that itch. It was nice to revisit the French trio and see how they are away from the usual point of view. I knew it would be fun to see that side of them and see how they interacted. Hm. I may try to work in a Percy chapter sometime. Nothing more that it was a lily and the symbolism of him giving her a lily and that being his mother's name. A bit of sentiment that touched her romantic side. Glad to hear you're doing better and wish you the best.

DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Hope you continue to enjoy then.

Yose Hyuann - He certainly does. I'll try to think of something that works well. Want to do the idea justice.