"You know we have no idea how to deal with a giant three-headed dog right?" Harry asked Fleur as they collected themselves before the large wooden door.
"I'm well aware, but in situations like zis it pays to be a Veela," Fleur strode forward at Harry's puzzled look and swung the door open.
Harry could see vague shapes moving beyond Fleur that he held no question about; in the black inkiness of the room, he could hear a twanging melodious instrument echoing inside. Accompanying the instrument was a deep stale wind that nearly knocked Harry and Fleur over.
"I think he's already asleep. It's a good thing we headed back as soon as possible," Harry sighed, releasing the tension from his shoulders. He stepped closely behind Fleur as she made her way to the giant rising and falling wall of fur.
"Well at least I didn't need to sing, I 'ate doing zat," Fleur made her way to Fluffy's enormous heads and knelt beside his equally large paw," I think zere's a door 'ere."
Sure enough, underneath the dog's giant paw Harry could see the silhouette of a trap door," What exactly do you suggest we do?"
"Wingardium Leviosa," Fleur whispered levitating the dog's paw. As it hovered to the side of the door Fleur gave Harry a very smug grin that made him cross his arms," easy as zat."
"Very impressive, can we please continue," Harry chuckled stepping to stare into the far deeper blackness of the now open trap door. He couldn't make out any discernable bottom but could hear a coiling and slithering mass of something unseen far below," …nope."
Harry made to walk away but Fleur grabbed his robes hauling him over with a stern look," Fine, fine. Lumos," a ball of white light sprang from Harry's wand to illuminate the mass of coiling vines many miles below.
"Devil's Snare zen," Fleur sighed stooping down to let her legs swing over the long fall," we better 'urry, zat 'arp will only stay enchanted for so long."
"Well let's not dally," Harry sighed, jumping feet-first into the trap door eliciting a very bird-like squawk from Fleur that made him laugh despite the situation," Wingardium Leviosa."
Harry's robes fluttered around him as he slowly descended, now that he had fallen a few yards before slowing he could see the large mass of vines. They seemed to be able to sense him because even far above them they still stretched upward, no doubt wanting to strangle him.
"No thank you, Chorus Flamma," Harry allowed a rolling mass of bright flames to collect on his wand becoming far more powerful by the second than the regular dancing flames spell. The ball of fire shot from his wand in an erratic corkscrew, just before impact the ball burst apart bathing the Devil's Snare in the scorching fire that scoured it from the stone floor.
"You are insufferable," Fleur called from beside him as a pair of enormous white wings flapped behind her in rhythmic intervals. The light of the fire below cast sparkling orange, red, and yellow patinas that hallowed her luminous silver hair. The smile on her lips left a lasting impression on him reminding him very closely of classical paintings of smiling angels.
Harry quickly looked away very aware he had been staring quite dumbfounded at her. He slowly felt outward for the magic in the flames and crushed them with a single word filled with intent," finite."
In an instant, the flames guttered out leaving only withered and twisted vines that writhed in agony," well at least we didn't need to worry about zem," Fleur sighed flapping her wings one last time; the power of the gust sent the remains of the vines away from the pair.
"I suppose we should continue," Harry looked at her half expecting the glow he'd seen around her before to still be present.
"Yes, who knows 'ow far ahead Quirrell is."
Harry and Fleur walked along the path, their wands outstretched with balls of light illuminating the stone walls around them," what were these chambers even used for before the Philosopher's Stone was put here?"
"Who knows, you silly English wizards make all sorts of unnecessary things," Fleur puffed casting her light around.
Harry rolled his eyes and just before he was about to retort they both caught sight of torches flickering ahead casting light over what looked like a dueling arena. At the far end stood a very familiar-looking wooden dummy with a large crater on its left side, the enchantments holding it together seemed barely active, but still working.
Both groaned, knowing full well who had made this trial," Flitwick," they said in unison.
"It's all yours," Harry laughed knowing if he could barely fight Fleur's toughest training dummy he wouldn't stand much of a chance against Flitwick's.
"Good call," Fleur's nose rose slightly as she stepped onto the dueling platform.
The dummy bowed and Fleur followed suit raising her wand and stepping into a dueling stance that meant offense. The first one to move was Fleur as she stepped into a crouch," Reducto!"
The spell was narrowly avoided by the dummy who had moved its head a fraction and cast a frigid blue spell that had been avoided by Fleur with the crouch she had stepped into. Harry noted the dummy had a few seconds lag that Fleur had capitalized on immediately.
'Can she see enchantments?'
The next few spells were a flurry of quick wand twists, twirls around spells, and deflected spells that were sent back at each opponent. Fleur was far more skilled than the dummy, but it seemed to anticipate her moves after a few maneuvers. It seemed to have a learning enchantment allowing it to slowly close the gap between their skills. Fleur would need to finish the duel soon or it would quickly become a stalemate.
She seemed to reach the same conclusion because she drew a breath in and began casting in lighting quick successions that Harry could barely follow. A spell slammed into the wall behind the dummy, then another hit the floor just between its feet, another spell was deflected by the dummy's wand, and then a jagged lance of ice pierced the poor thing's head sending it to the floor like a marionette whose strings had been cut.
"That's horrifying," Harry rubbed his forehead where the dummy had been impaled.
"But effective," Fleur sighed stowing her wand away into her sleeve," now let's continue."
"Yes ma'am," Harry laughed following along after the girl.
The next hallway was filled with rubble and standing wizard chess statues, the floor was a huge, marbled onyx and ivory chess board that made it clear what they had to do. Rubble littered the left and right walls of the chamber making it clear a game had already been played, and with the lack of a body, both Harry and Fleur could only assume Quirrell had made it through.
Harry groaned," I'm awful at chess."
"I'm not much better I imagine, but we may not need to play," Fleur mused walking along the edge of the large board, inspecting something Harry couldn't see.
"I meant to ask after seeing how thoroughly you evaded that dummy, but can you see enchantments?"
"Oui, I noticed ze dummy 'ad damaged enchantments regarding reaction time, so I used zat as an advantage. If it was not damaged ze fight would 'ave been 'arder."
As Fleur walked around the perimeter, she flicked her wand intermittently while mumbling something that didn't seem to be a spell, so much as congratulating whoever had made the enchantments that allowed the board to function. All the while each chess piece followed her as she walked. Thankfully after a few minutes of her making a circuit along the entire board, Fleur stopped to stand beside Harry as she sent one last flick of her wand that caused all the chess pieces to become inert.
Fleur smiled to herself," and zat is zat."
"You are entirely too smug," Harry sighed," but should this be this easy? It's like Dumbledore wanted this thing to get stolen."
Harry and Fleur froze looking at one another," you don't think- "Harry trailed off leaving the question unanswered although clearly understood.
"It would not surprise me. Zat old goat left you in an awful situation at worst, and a 'orrific one in practice," Fleur's face became crowned in indignant feathers that puffed up like an agitated owl.
"Right," Harry's mouth thinned into a firm line," well a bit too late to realize, now that we're here."
The next chamber was identical to the previous save for the giant mountain troll that was passed out with a sizable lump on its head. This was surely the chamber Quirrell himself had made and it seemed cruel to Harry that the teacher hadn't just come up with a failsafe he could use to incapacitate the troll without harm. This was just barbaric and cruel to witness.
"Seems rather excessive," Harry sighed covering his nose with the sleeve of his robe at the stench of the unconscious troll.
"I agree," Fleur nodded doing the same with her sleeve," but we 'ave no time to 'elp the poor brute."
The saving grace of having Quirrell ahead of them meant a few of these trials had been made far easier for the pair and the ones that weren't affected greatly had proven little challenge for the pair. The next chamber was clearly Snape's as it held seven unlabeled potions on plinths in the center.
Just as they stepped over the threshold of the chamber entrance became engulfed in purple flames while the exit was wreathed in black flames," well we seemed to have walked right into this one."
"Oui, but I imagine we will muddle through," Fleur smiled at Harry," Danger lies before you, while safety lies behind. Two of us will 'elp you, whichever you would find. One among us seven will let you move ahead. Another will transport ze drinker back instead. Two among our number 'old only nettle wine. Three of us killers, waiting 'idden in line. Choose, unless you wish to stay 'ere for evermore. To 'elp you in your choice, we give you zese clues four: First, 'owever sly ze poison tries to 'ide you will always find some on nettle wine's left side; Second, different are zose who stand at either end, But if you would move onwards neither is your friend; Third, as you see clearly, all are different sizes, neither dwarf nor giant 'olds death in their insides; Fourth, ze second left and ze second on ze right are twins once you taste them, though different at first sight."
"So, the purple bottle lets you go back and the… blue bottle lets you go forward," Harry asked looking to Fleur to confirm or deny his answer.
"Zat was my understanding as well," Fleur nodded stepping forward to grab the blue bottle but her hand froze just short of grabbing the bottle.
"What's wrong?"
"Zis bottle 'as a new enchantment on it," Fleur cursed looking the container over carefully," merde! Zat rat Quirrell placed an enchantment to repel magical creatures!"
"So what? We're not mountain trolls or anything," Harry laughed.
Fleur's pained smile dropped Harry's heart, "I am not human 'Arry. I am Veela remember?"
"Oh," Harry looked down sheepishly. It was hard to consider his friend as nonhuman, but she had a point she could transform into a fire-throwing bird woman. That wasn't exactly something anybody could do," so what do we do now?"
Fleur bit her bottom lip in thought. Small tufts of white feathers sprouted along her neck and jaw as she looked from the bottle to Harry," I do not like zis, but you may 'ave to go ahead while I try to dispel ze fire so I can follow."
Harry gulped nervously," is that the best idea? I'm not too certain I'll be a match for someone qualified to be the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
"Zat is where you are wrong 'Arry. I believe you are more zan a match for zat cowardly professor," Fleur smiled encouragingly at Harry.
"I-I don't know Fleur," Harry shivered taking the blue potion bottle in hand and turning it over.
Harry's nervous fidgeting stopped when Fleur approached him. She reached out a gentle hand and lifted Harry's chin with a finger so they could lock gazes," I believe in you 'Arry, so please believe in yourself," and then she did something that made Harry's mind both short-circuit and run a million miles a second. She kissed him softly on the lips.
The kiss was the gentlest he had ever experienced and lasted only a few seconds, but the way it differed from all the previous kisses he'd experienced was that it held only pure intent and all of Fleur's care. The soft smile Fleur gave Harry as she broke away made his heart race just as fast and before he knew it Fleur was guiding his hand to tip the potion down his throat.
The ice of the potion entered his veins making Harry feel like he was both burning from the kiss and freezing to the bone from the liquid. But Harry stepped dazedly toward the black flames as his mind raced memorizing how Fleur's lips had felt a moment ago. And then he was stepping into the flames Fleur's voice soft behind him.
"I will not be far behind, but be careful please, 'Arry."
"Hello, Harry," Quirrell smiled all traces of his stutter erased and an evil leer replacing his usual nervous smile," I wondered how long it might take you. I'm assuming your freakish friend is on the other side of the flames trying to get through. It was a rather brilliant idea to cast the enchantment on the potion bottle. She may be sub-human, but your friend is far more trouble than you."
Harry frowned for a second wondering what he was talking about before he realized who exactly Quirrell was talking about," Fleur? You just called Fleur sub-human?'
Harry's frown turned down into an icy glare that seemed to unnerve Quirrell for a moment as he stepped back an inch," c-come now Harry surely you can't be upset at the insult, her kind is little more than pretty distractions for upstanding wizards, and entertaining toys for the less upstanding."
If Harry had been upset before he was certain he was enraged now," decrusto," Harry hissed jabbing his wand at Quirrell's chest fully intending to end his life for the insult.
"Move fool," hissed a voice from near Quirrell, making Harry shoot his gaze around to find the speaker.
Quirrell listened to the voice immediately throwing himself away from Harry's spell as it splashed against a column almost immediately it began to crumble to dust.
"A rather harsh spell Harry," Quirrell laughed nervously as sweat began to build on his face.
Harry's cold gaze fell on him as he stopped looking for the owner of the voice he'd heard," Why don't you stand still and find out how nasty it can be."
"I'd rather not," Quirrell smirked sending a wordless purple spell at Harry.
Harry effortlessly batted the spell away sending one of his forwards," Expulso!"
The spell splashed against the far wall sending chunks of stone in all directions as Quirrell dodged. The blue light of the spell's impact cast shadows over Quirrell's face making his sneer more sinister.
"Not bad Harry, but- "a small barrage of spells leapt from Quirrell's wand.
For a moment Harry was overwhelmed, a searing pain jolted up Harry's nondominant arm, but just as quickly he recovered batting two spells away. The rest he could ignore as they were a means to keep him from moving to one side or the other, so as Harry batted the occasional spell away, he formulated a plan looking at the mirror behind Quirrell.
'Well depending on that mirror, I may or may not have a plan,' Harry took a breath and cast a quick expelliarmus just to the right of Quirrell's shoulder. The spell sailed harmlessly over his shoulder making the man laugh in amusement.
"What are you aiming at Harry? Surely this isn't all the Great Harry Potter has to offer?"
Harry panted from his effort of blocking spells, watching Quirrell, and the trajectory of his spell. Just as the spell collided with the mirror the spell ricocheted up and away silently sputtering out against the ceiling,' yes! I just need time now and a distraction.'
"Why, are you doing this Quirrell?" Harry asked panting exaggeratedly holding his injured arm.
The Defense teacher guffawed," Why? Because my master was correct all along! That is why. Dumbledore preaches about good and evil, but he refuses to hold himself accountable! And where Dumbledore only sees me as a bumbling fool my master has seen my potential! He promised me a great deal for only my help in retrieving the stone. And of course, killing you, boy."
"What do you mean Dumbledore doesn't hold himself accountable," Harry asked shifting slightly to the left so that when Quirrell moved with him he was moving to stand in front of the mirror.
Quirrell glowered at Harry," Don't pretend Harry. I have heard whispers of your life with your muggle relatives. Who do you think left you there all this time? Do you think the 'oh so mighty and all-seeing' Albus Dumbledore didn't know? When dealing with someone as important as you are, do you really think Dumbledore would ever leave anything to chance? No, I think not Harry. Dumbledore's crimes don't end with you either, in the war with Grindelwald scores of innocent people died before he stepped in and just as many died while my master rose to power while he stood by and did nothing. Including my parents."
Harry froze as he gapped at Quirrell," Voldemort killed your parents and you're working for the bloody git?!"
"I wouldn't expect you to understand, boy! My lord is far greater than you could ever know!"
"Great at killing parents apparently," Harry mumbled to himself as he shifted a bit more to the left.
"The boy stalls Quirrell," a voice whispered from under Quirrell's turban.
The voice sent a shiver down Harry's spine at the familiar alluringly violent hiss. Harry's mind raced as he could feel the blood rushing away from his face,' the voice in my head!'
"Lacero," Quirrell sliced his wand through the air as if swinging a sword, and out from his wand tip sprang a curved line of purple force that cut a stone pillar in half as it approached Harry.
He narrowly dodged as the spell passed over him cutting lightly into his cheek and continuing past him to scour a deep line into the stone wall behind him. Another purple line was approaching as Harry frantically sliced his wand in the same manner Quirrell had.
"Lacero," the light that sprang from Harry's wand was far more of a light lavender color than the deep purple of Quirrell's spell. When the spells collided Harry's shattered into shards as if a pane of glass had been broken. Quirrell's spell had continued after colliding with Harry's, but it faded before reaching Harry.
"Clearly you've never cast this spell yourself, Harry. But an admirable attempt," Quirrell taunted stepping a bit more to the side so that he was now fully in front of the mirror.
"Let me speak to the boy," the hissing voice demanded causing Quirrell's face to spasm.
"B-But master! You are not strong enough!"
"I have strength enough for this," the voice whispered and just as Harry was sure Quirrell would object again, the man shut his mouth and began unwrapping his turban.
As Quirrell turned his back on Harry the horrifying realization of what he was looking at slammed into him making him nearly vomit. The sinister red slit eyes of another person gazed at Harry. The twisted mouth sneered, and the face was made all the more horrible by the slits it used for nostrils as if the face were half serpent.
A rasping wheeze came from the face," hello, Harry."
Harry frightfully studied the face as it did the same. For a moment a deep sense of familiarity passed over Harry before it came and went with Harry's reply," Hello, Voldemort."
The face smiled grotesquely at him," How polite, and yet I see your parent's brave insolence is alive and well with you, Harry. Anyone else in your place would not have the courage to speak to me, let alone utter my name with such reckless abandon."
"Well, that tends to happen when you don't grow up hearing about a wizard Boogeyman all your life," Harry gulped seeing the calm nonchalance in Voldemort's eyes as he gazed at Harry thoughtfully.
"Do you think your words can enrage me, Harry? They only add to my vengeance that will be enacted on anyone and everyone you love. I make this promise only once, surrender to me now and your death need only end with you. I will even be merciful if you assist my servant in retrieving the Philosopher's Stone, I will make your death swift and painless."
Harry was very certain that somehow Voldemort thought this was a generous offer and that Harry should be grateful he'd been given it," I'm surprised you didn't try making a pitch about bringing my parents back with the power of the stone or giving me riches beyond my wildest dreams."
The leer Voldemort gave Harry sent a shiver up his spine," You are far too much like me to believe something so shallow Harry."
"I'm nothing like you," Harry spat tightening his grip on his wand.
"Believe what you will Harry but make your choice now. Assist me and die swiftly or resist and die slowly in agony."
Harry paused looking between the mirror and Voldemort thinking frantically,' I need to keep him from the stone. Even if he kills me, he can't get it.'
As Harry caught sight of himself in the reflection of the mirror, he could see himself smiling, holding something red and gleaming that his reflection slipped into his pocket. Harry could feel the weight of the thing he had seen in the mirror, and he knew in that instant he had gotten the Philosopher's Stone somehow.
Harry smiled taking in a deep breath summoning all his intent, wanting nothing more than to kill the thing in front of him," Avada Kedavra!"
The harsh green light surged from Harry's wand roaring toward Quirrell and Voldemort. For a brief second a look of shock and fear flickered across Voldemort's face. Just before the spell would hit the pair, Quirrell's body seemed to be jerked to the side by some invisible force that allowed them to dodge the spell.
"I must say Harry; you are full of surprises. But it seems that the last gamble was all for not. Quirrell finish the boy and let us be done with- "Just as Voldemort was beginning to gloat and Harry slumped to the ground extremely exhausted, he caught sight of his last spell colliding with the mirror causing it to shatter as the spell ricocheted back, straight into the unsuspecting chest of Quirrell.
For a second Harry expected Voldemort to make some last noise as Quirrell's body fell, but the pair was silent as they fell. Harry stood slowly to his feet feeling very tired as he trudged slowly toward the prone body and now shattered mirror.
"I hope that wasn't expensive," Harry laughed to himself as he walked to stand fully in front of the broken glass. Looking at the frame Harry realized it was the mirror that had given him a mental breakdown all the way back during the Christmas holidays," now I'm suddenly less sorry."
The constant roar of the flames Harry walked through subsided all at once, making Harry look to the entrance and just as he saw the silhouettes of two people his vision began to fray at the edges. His legs felt like lead, and he could see the floor rushing toward him as he lost his balance. He could swear for a moment a voice called out to him as his vision went completely black," 'Arry! 'Arry!"
June 8th
Clean white marble was all Harry could see and for long seconds he didn't try moving his head because a pounding headache was currently pickaxing against the backs of his eyes. But eventually, he grew curious and slowly looked around the room seeing multiple empty beds with clean white sheets and curtains hanging around them for privacy. Harry could see piles of sweets and a few cards of obvious well wishes on the table standing next to him.
'The hospital wing,' Harry's mind helpfully posited as he continued looking around at the nurse's desk at the far corner along with shelves filled with potion vials.
A slight shift in weight and a low groan turned Harry's attention to the sleeping form of Fleur to his right. She was sitting uncomfortably in a chair, her head resting lazily on the bed in front of her. Cobalt was comfortably coiled atop Harry's chest his small chest rising and falling in sync with Fleur's.
"She was quite worried about you, Harry," Dumbledore smiled as he approached the bed from the doorway," and quite a few of your other friends have been by to check on you namely, Mr. Weasely, Ms. Granger, and Mr. Boot."
"Professor Dumbledore! What happened?"
"Young Ms. Delacour and I found you just as you were falling unconscious, and I hesitate to, but I fear I must ask Harry. How did Professor Quirrell die?"
Harry gulped, feeling like mentioning he had killed him with the same curse that had killed his parents would be a poor idea, so Harry thought quickly and came up with a quick lie that would be believable," he was casting dark spells at me, and I was barely able to deflect or dodge a majority of them. I saw spells ricocheted off the mirror and I came up with a plan to make him cast one back at himself, and it paid off."
Harry was very glad he had taken the time before he had passed out to stand in front of the mirror, putting himself between it and Quirrel's body. It would make his story far more believable.
The light beaming smile Dumbledore sent Harry made him feel bad but not so bad as to come clean about what had truly happened," I am exceedingly glad you were relatively unharmed when Ms. Delacour and I arrived. However, you had sustained a rather nasty bone-breaking curse to your left arm. Thankfully Madam Pomfrey is very proficient in mending broken bones as you can see," Dumbledore's last statement was accompanied by a wave of his hand to Harry's left arm that no longer hurt.
"What happened to the Philosopher's Stone sir," Harry asked as he lightly placed his hand on Fleur's head working his fingers through the tangled mess it had become in her sleep.
"After you successfully retrieved it from the Mirror of Erised I retrieved it from you. Once I sent word of what had happened to Nicholas, he rather thought it a good idea to destroy the stone."
Harry stared owlishly at the wizened headmaster," destroy it? But Fleur told me all about the stone and from the way she talked about it made it sound like it was all that was keeping Mr. Flamel and his wife alive. What will they do without it?"
Dumbledore removed his half-moon glasses cleaning them ponderously on his star-speckled purple robe," I suppose after they have put their affairs in order and said their goodbyes, yes they will pass from this life."
The utter look of astonishment that Harry sent to Dumbledore made the man laugh lightly," Death is not something to be avoided forever, Harry. To the well-organized mind, death is nothing, but the next great adventure."
"Voldemort doesn't seem to think so, based on the extreme lengths he's gone through to stay alive," Harry shot back wondering what the older man would say.
Dumbledore's lips turned down in distaste," Yes, well. Did he seem very well organized in the moments he spoke to you, Harry?"
Harry shook his head remembering the rather demented logic Voldemort had about doing Harry a favor by killing him quickly.
Dumbledore's small smile returned as he gazed absently at the pile of sweets by Harry's side," if you have any other questions for me Harry, I think it only fair I try to answer to the best of my ability."
Harry thought absently as he ran his fingers through Fleur's silver hair and a thought occurred to him," I understand Voldemort was using Quirrell's body to keep him alive, but how was it that he could even be around to possess Quirrell if he died trying to kill me?"
Dumbledore smiled apologetically at Harry," Alas that question I can not answer. Not because I cannot but because you are far too young to know. And I already fear my gross negligence has already placed you in great harm both in your personal and school lives."
"I understand the sentiment sir, but at this point forewarning me is far better than leaving me to stumble blindly in the dark," Harry watched the series of emotions that crossed the headmaster's face before it finally fell into one of resignation.
"Allow me one concession at least Harry. I will not tell you now, but I will swear to tell you in three years you will no doubt be far more prepared. I have seen your progress this past year and you have grown leaps and bounds from the boy who first arrived in this castle," Dumbledore's eyes rested mirthfully on Harry's hand that ran through Fleur's hair making him freeze as he remembered what his hand was doing," I have no doubt you will be ready in no less than three years if you continue to excel as you have."
Harry pursed his lips thinking pensively for a second then nodded he had only learned about the magical world this last year and if the wizened man didn't think Harry was prepared, he was willing to believe the man. But that didn't mean he wouldn't look for the answer outside of Dumbledore's promise, it just meant if Harry himself couldn't find the answer he could always wait for Dumbledore to explain himself.
"Thank you, Harry. Not many people your age could accept such an answer so easily," Dumbledore smiled warmly," do you have any other questions, my dear boy?"
Harry shook his head smiling down at Fleur," none, sir."
"Then I must bid you both fair well," Dumbledore's quiet steps receded and ended once the hospital wing doors shut loudly startling Fleur awake.
Fleur stretched lightly, her arms raising above her head and a tired sigh passed through her lips.
"Good nap?" Harry asked very amused.
Fleur sleepily nodded yawning before realizing Harry had asked the question and she rushed forward hugging him. Cobalt yowled in protest squirming out from under her and making his way to lie on Harry's pillow.
"You silly boy," Fleur sniffled and shook under him as Harry slowly allowed his arms to circle her back in a light embrace. The fact Fleur had kissed him the last time they had seen one another made his face burn in embarrassment.
Harry cleared his throat awkwardly making Fleur shoot back into her seat and smile just as bashfully at him. This was one of the only times he had seen the girl so flustered, the only other time being when he had wanted to see her while she had been partially transformed into her Veela form.
They both sat in an awkward silence before Harry thought about something," how long was I unconscious?"
Fleur's bashful face fell away as she looked over to Harry," you've been unconscious for four days counting ze day we went after Quirrell," Harry could see the worry in Fleur's face as her fingers worried at her school robes," I was very worried about you."
The tears that sprang to her eyes made Harry feel very ashamed of having exhausted himself so much, he had been unconscious for so long and it clearly worried her. Harry steeled his nerves and reached out both hands to wipe the tears from Fleur's cheeks. She looked at him very surprised at first but in a matter of seconds, she pressed her own hands to his nuzzling against his touch. Harry felt like if his face could get any hotter, he might very well set his bed on fire.
"Good lord can you two not be awake around one another and not flirt for even a second," Terry's loud voice boomed throughout the hospital wing making the pair jump.
"Leave the two lovebirds alone, Mr. Boot," Septima laughed with Terry, Ron, and Hermione on her heels," doing all right, Harry?"
"Yes," Harry smiled looking at the woman he had come to see as more of an older sister than a professor," I'm sorry if I worried you terribly.'
Septima laughed and shook her head ruffling Harry's hair, making the other students look very confused at them. Septima answered their questioning stares," I was the one who picked up Harry when he needed help getting his school supplies. I was even the one who gave him that bloody chupacabra he calls a cat."
"Septima's kind of like an older sister," Harry smiled up at the woman," sorry I couldn't see you much during school Septima it was hectic."
"That's fine. I can guess how overwhelming everything was. Did you have fun, all things considered?"
Harry thought about that for a moment looking at Fleur's serene smile, Terry's annoyed face, Ron stealing glances at Fleur, and Hermione who was tugging worriedly at her bushy hair," yep it was interesting all things considered."
"Well good. For now, we should all get to the end-of-year feast you haven't had anything to eat for days so you must be hungry."
Now that she mentioned it Harry did feel very ravenous so he threw his bed sheets to the side and asked the others for a bit of privacy so he could change out of the hospital clothes and into his school robes. As he changed Harry noticed the robes he had been wearing had been cleaned thoroughly and the cut from the spell that had hit his arm was repaired.
'Well, that was nice of them,' Harry thought absently as he pulled his pants on and then began buttoning his dress shirt,' I hope the feast goes well. I haven't checked the house points in a while, so I wonder who'll win the house cup.'
Harry stepped out of the Hospital Wing seeing his friends standing out in the hall waiting for him. Ron and Terry were arguing over something about chess and Fleur, Hermione, and Septima were all talking animatedly about Arithmancy, which was Septima's field of study.
Fleur quickly realized Harry had stepped out into the hall. She quickly disengaged from the conversation, getting everyone's attention as she grabbed Harry's hands pulling him along toward the Great Hall. The large group fell into step as they marched along, the halls echoing with their conversations and footsteps.
Harry smiled contently as he walked along hand in hand with Fleur," I was worried about you, you know," Fleur whispered drawing Harry's attention.
Harry looked over at his friend, maybe it was just the flicker of the torch light, but he could swear he saw the watery shimmer of unshed tears in her eyes," I know," Harry whispered squeezing her hand reassuringly," I was worried too."
Fleur's features made a complicated array of emotions as she seemed to debate saying something and then she seemed to decide," should we discuss what 'appened just before you went into zat chamber with Quirrell?"
Harry frowned looking up at the girl for a moment before realizing what she was referring to, and then he could feel his face turn beat red as his eyes wandered down to Fleur's soft pink lips. He cleared his throat awkwardly," i-if you want to."
To be honest, Harry had no idea how he should feel about the kiss they had shared, on one hand, it had been the single most tender gesture of intimate affection he'd ever experienced, but on the other, he wasn't sure he was the person Fleur should be sharing such important emotions with. He was damaged goods after all. Harry wasn't even sure he could love anyone in the sort of way that other people loved one another, but he was also only eleven and that didn't help uncomplicate matters.
"I am sorry if it 'as unsettled you. I know of course what you went through at your relatives 'ome," Fleur spat at the word relative like it was a particularly nasty cockroach she had stepped on," and I do not want you to think I would ever use you as she did."
Harry blanched at the way Fleur's hand shook, clearly worried Harry thought the worst of her for what she had done," No! Fleur, I would never think that of you! I never felt that way when you k-kissed me, it felt… kind and nice," Harry stammered blushing furiously at his admission.
Fleur seemed to blush just as deeply as she turned her gaze down to her feet, a small, lovely smile on her face colored prettily by the blush. She cleared her throat not looking at him as she spoke," well zat is good," they both walked in slightly awkward silence before she broke the tension speaking again," what- what does zis mean for us? Do you think?"
Harry smiled sadly," I don't think it can mean anything for now. I-I'm not alright, Fleur, I'm broken, whether you agree or not with that statement it doesn't make it any less true. I've seen how the other kids act and I'm nothing like them I'm… less childish and that Isn't a good thing. Well, I guess it can be, but it's not by choice, I was forced to grow up and I'm just now able to act my age."
Fleur wiped at her eyes nodding in understanding," so it is a no," Fleur smiled just as sadly as Harry himself was.
"It's… not a no. It's just a… not right now. You're amazing Fleur don't doubt that. I've always thought you were brilliant, and anyone would be lucky to have you show the kind of interest you've shown in me. I just need some time and then I can answer you properly, that's no less than you deserve," Harry smiled holding Fleur's hand a bit tighter.
She smiled nodding at him as they approached the large looming doors of the Great Hall, behind the doors a raucous din made Harry shudder at the number of people in one place. Fleur bumped shoulders with Harry sending him a reassuring smile as Septima opened the doors allowing the group to enter. Ron and Hermione scampered over to the Gryffindor table wishing Harry well as they went. Harry, Fleur, and Terry all made their way to their usual spot at the Ravenclaw table.
"Are you both alrighty," Lisa Turpin asked her worried gaze flicking to both Harry and Fleur.
"We're alright," Harry smiled pulling a few pieces of chicken, ham, and mash onto his plate digging in ravenously. He had been asleep for four days after all," the last few days kind of got away from me though."
Lisa looked at Harry very owlishly before Dumbledore stood to his feet approaching the dais," Ah, yet another year gone and I'm afraid I must burden you with this old man's wheezing waffle," he laughed looking around, his eyes twinkling," I believe we have need of passing the rather cumbersome burden of the House Cup onto a worthy winner! The points stand as thus in first place Gryffindor with five hundred and sixty-two points," Gryffindor roared with approval," in second place Ravenclaw with five hundred and twenty-six points," again Ravenclaw roared in pride at their placement," in third place Slytherin with four hundred and seventy-two points," the cheer from Slytherin was extremely subdued and for good reason," and in fourth place Hufflepuff with three hundred and fifty-two points," this was the most subdued reaction Harry had seen barely a few students from Hufflepuff even clapped slightly.
"And while this would normally be the end of house points appointment, I believe I would be remiss without acknowledging two students and their stellar bravery and wit in the face of danger! For their bravery and guile, I award fifty points each to Mr. Harry Potter and Ms. Fleur Delacour of Ravenclaw for using their heads in the face of danger and their hearts in the needed use of bravery! And so with that said I believe a change of decoration is in order," Dumbledore cheered merrily swishing his wand and turning the banners in the hall into the royal blue and bronze of Ravenclaw.
The uproar at the table was now at an all-time high as people crowded Harry and Fleur jostling the pair slapping him on the back and the crowd backing away as Fleur turned on them with a glare promising death if she was touched further.
The rest of the feast continued in excited murmuring, Harry noticed coin pouches changing hands as McGonagall handed a cheerfully smiling Flitwick a hefty-looking pouch that nearly made him fall over at its weight. It seemed the teachers had made a bet on which house would win and Harry and Fleur had helped their head of house involuntarily. Harry smiled giving the man a thumbs up as he smiled back jovially.
June 11th
Harry had nearly forgotten about the exams he had taken near the beginning of January. The thoughts of the tests had completely left his head in the uproar around Quirrell and the stone. Thankfully Harry had studied extensively for each test and managed to pass with flying colors gaining an O in each and even an O in both Charms and Transfiguration. Hermione was the only person in their year to get grades as good as Harry's and had managed her own O in both Charms and History of Magic.
Fleur had been a veritable academic monster gaining O in every class she took making Harry blanch in wonder at his friends' talent. Fleur in turn upon having Harry ask her how she had done it had been very insufferable in her reply.
"It wasn't 'ard 'Arry if you just study and apply yourself anyone can do as well as me," she smirked haughtily flipping her hair over her shoulder.
"You are insufferable," Harry deadpanned at her obvious condescending attitude he hadn't seen rear its head in a while.
"Zis coming from you Mr. 'I can use any spell in at least one try'," Fleur huffed.
"Touché."
The rest of the time flew by quickly and everyone was packing up ready to leave for the summer holidays and return to their homes. Harry half expected himself to be sad he didn't have a proper home to go to over the summer, but he found himself far happier than he thought he would be. It most likely helped that Fleur and Ron promised to have him over at their houses for the summer to pass the time.
Harry found himself down at the station waving Hermione, Ron, and Terry goodbye as they boarded, and as he went to turn to Fleur he was grabbed lightly and gently then pulled into a soft warm hug that made his eyes water.
"Promise to visit me, yes?" Fleur asked a bit of a sniffle in her voice from her position a bit above him.
"Of course," Harry smiled patting her back lightly," try not to kill anyone if they try bothering you on the train."
Pulling away Fleur smirked shaking her head," no promises."
Harry laughed smiling and waving as Fleur boarded the train herself. He waved at all his friends as they stuck their heads out the window smiles growing fainter and fainter as they pulled away. The last sight of his friends he saw was the bright beautiful smile of Fleur as her silver hair whipped around her head as if made of flame.
Harry's waving hand fell to his side limply realizing he was alone for the first time in a great many months. It was a sad thought but he knew it wouldn't be long before he saw his friends again, and in the meantime, he could see both Salazar and Rina who were both no doubt worried about his long absence.
Harry let a small smile flit across his face,' I guess I'm not so alone.'
'Not nearly as alone as you might think,' hissed the voice in his head causing him to flinch.
A/N: Alright everyone this is the conclusion of book one in this crazy book series I'm writing and hopefully you're enjoying it so far!!! I think later on I'll go through and correct a lot of the chapters but until then I hope you enjoy and look forward to chapter one of book two very soon!!!