For a long moment they all simply stared at the elf as it fell into the pile of Harry's birthday presents in shocked silence. Daniel and Marie's wands were still pointing where the elf had been standing as Harry did the same with his right hand until Astoria recovered first and twisted in her seat to give Harry an accusing look.
"Why is it that I got stunned within a second, but this random elf got a good two or three before you reacted? Did you want to stun me that badly?" She demanded to know, placing her little hands on her hips and looking sternly at him.
Harry stared back at her in disbelief, but Astoria's exclamation had roused Daniel and Marie who quickly jumped to their feet and distracted him from responding. They walked close to the elf, where Marie spotted an envelope that had fallen halfway out of its rags. Peering closely, she made out the word 'Potter' written on the front.
She crouched and pointed her wand at it, beginning to cast every detection charm she could think of whilst Harry held his hand out over it and released a small pulse of magic, checking it for himself.
When the envelope came back clean, she handed it to him and he opened it, his eyes darting to the bottom. "Oh, it's from Tracey."
"A friend?" Daniel asked.
"A pest," Daphne replied as Harry lightly shrugged.
Marie frowned, looking back down to the elf. "Could this be her elf? What's her last name?"
"It's Davis," Harry responded to the last question as he quickly scanned the contents of the letter. "Maybe it is her elf, it says here that she hopes her owl can find me, but maybe it couldn't and she sent it with...him? Her?"
"Him," Marie informed the boy as she pointed her wand at the elf again. Ropes erupted from the tip to wrap around the tiny body tightly. "Harry, can you revive him for me?" She asked the boy who quickly complied.
The elf's eyes fluttered open for only a second before Marie stunned him again. At the questioning looks from the children she shrugged. "Remember how I couldn't revive your father after Harry stunned him?" When she received understanding nods she levitated the elf and began to leave the room with him.
Astoria jumped to her feet. "Wait, where are you going?" She called after her mother.
"We're just going to ask him a few questions," Marie responded impatiently with half of her body out of the room.
"Interrogate him, you mean." Astoria corrected before she began to smile sweetly. "Can I help?"
Marie opened her mouth to deny her but then she paused, taking a step back into the room and giving her youngest daughter a considering look. Astoria began to look hopeful until Daniel cleared his throat pointedly.
Marie shook her head suddenly, regaining her senses. "No, you can't help, now sit down and listen to your father." She said firmly to her daughter before she turned and left the room completely.
Astoria sighed as she sat back down beside Harry. "Almost."
"Nowhere near," Daniel responded with a roll of his eyes. "Your mum might have gone insane for a moment, but I'd have put my foot down." Astoria nodded sadly. "Now, while your mum and I are gone do not leave this room." He told them, looking at each of his children but mainly Astoria, who nodded again indignantly. Satisfied, he then turned to Harry. "If anything else shows up, stun them."
"I understand," Harry said with a nod, accepting his duty. Daniel smiled and walked quickly from the room, only just catching the exchange between Astoria and Harry as he closed the door.
"Yeah, if there's anything you understand it's stunning first, asking questions later."
"Oh, get over it."
The little House-elf's bulbous eyes flittered open, dazed and confused for a only moment before panic set in and he began to struggle against the thick ropes binding him to a chair at the kitchen table. When he spotted the blonde man standing on the other side he tried to snap his fingers to escape.
CRACK
Daniel began to smile gently at the still-present elf, the corners of his eyes crinkling. "We figured you'd try that, but my wife and I are deft hands at charms. You won't be leaving until we allow it."
"If we allow it," Marie spoke from behind the elf, who heard soft footsteps starting from somewhere around his right ear and moving towards his left before the woman walked into view to stand beside her husband. She was also smiling, but this one was all teeth and no gentleness. It reminded the little elf of a predator.
"Did you say your name was Dobby?" Daniel spoke again, pulling out the seat opposite the elf and sitting down. Dobby nodded frantically. "Wonderful," He continued, his smile widening. "Well, we just have a few questions for you, Dobby."
Marie began to walk around the table again, all the while keeping and maintaining eye contact with the little elf. "Why were you trying to find Harry Potter?" She asked in a deceptively soft voice as she approached his right side.
"Dobby wanted to warn him! He is in great danger!" Dobby said vehemently to the woman as she walked, turning his head as much as he could to look at her beseechingly, but when she went too far and left his vision he turned back to Daniel. The man was sharing a look over the elf's head with his wife, both crossing the possibility that the elf was simply a messenger for Tracey Davis from their mental lists.
Daniel looked back at the little being with raised eyebrows. "That's concerning to hear, Dobby." He said in a soft tone before he leaned back in his seat, placing his hands in his lap one over the other. "What is this danger?"
Dobby struggled again in the chair, but this time it was not because he was trying to free himself. In a pained voice, he spoke quickly to the man. "D-Dobby cannot say, but there is a plot! A most terrible plot! Harry Potter must not return to Hogwarts, he must stay where he is safe!" Dobby began to breathe heavily, the urge to punish himself growing by the second, but in the position he was in he was quite incapable of satisfying the desire.
"And stealing his mail?" Marie questioned, once again from behind him, causing Dobby to jump in surprise and no small amount of panic. "Oh yes, we know about that. His letter slipped out of your rags when you fell. He's reading it right now."
Dobby tried to turn to look at her but soon gave up, turning back to Daniel who had an inviting look on his face. "You can tell us, Dobby, we're trying to look out for Harry Potter too. Why did you steal his mail?"
Dobby looked down for a moment, ashamed. "Dobby hoped that if Harry Potter thought his friends had forgotten him, he might not want to go back to Hogwarts and he would be safe." Dobby shook his head then, chest heaving. "But there was only one! Dobby was going to give it back to Harry Potter if he agreed that he would stay away and not go back to school."
Daniel tutted, looking away from him for a moment. "And you cannot tell us any more than that? Who is behind this plot?"
Dobby shook his head sadly and the man sighed, looking disappointed. Suddenly, the chair Dobby was in jerked forward as Marie grabbed it harshly from behind him, leaning in close to his ear. "Are you sure? Right now, your life is hanging in the balance. Is there nothing else you can tell us to tip the scales in your favour?" She whispered with malice, but to her surprise Dobby just turned to her and blinked, showing no fear at the threat of violence.
"I'm sure it won't come to that, Dobby just wants to help," Daniel said softly as Marie moved away from the elf, a concerned look on her face that only her husband could see before she began to walk back around to their side of the table. Daniel looked at the elf closely for a moment before smiling again. "He can't tell us who is behind it because he has been ordered not to tell anyone of their involvement, is that right, Dobby?" The man asked in an understanding voice.
Dobby smiled and nodded his head quickly, his ears flapping. "Yes! Dobby will have to punish himself for days for coming here but Dobby could not allow Harry Potter to come to harm! He is too great, too good to lose."
"I see," Daniel said, looking away and stroking his chin for a moment. Marie pulled out the chair next to her husband and cocked her head to one side slightly as she regarded Dobby, her face showing none of the danger it had before.
"Why would you not seek out Albus Dumbledore?" She asked, a light frown on her face. "Why would you not inform the Headmaster of the school where this plot will apparently take place?"
"Dobby cannot!" He answered quickly, his already large eyes somehow growing to an even greater size. "Master ordered Dobby never to speak to the Great Albus Dumbledore, master is-" The elf cut himself off with a squeak.
He began to shake again, much more wildly and dangerously. In a sudden movement, the elf slammed his back against the back of the chair, the force causing the chair to topple backwards.
Both Daniel and Marie jumped up from their seats to look over the table at the elf who was trying, and failing, to hit his head on the hard, tile floor of the kitchen, but tied up as tightly as he was he found little success.
They shared a glance before Daniel walked around the table to the chair, lifting it and the elf back into an upright position. "Now, what was that all about, Dobby?" He asked, standing a little behind the elf.
Dobby whimpered in despair. "Dobby had to punish himself, he almost spoke ill of his family!"
The man shared another glance with his wife over the elf's head as she sat back down in her seat. "Is there nothing else you can tell us, Dobby? She asked softly. Dobby shook his head sadly, his ears drooping as looked down at his legs, wishing there was more he could do.
"We believe you," Marie said with a small smile. Dobby looked up quickly, beaming with delight that he had managed to convince them of his sincerity, though his smile dimmed when he saw the woman's own smile had turned into a grimace. "We're sorry about this, Dobby."
The elf blinked in confusion, never even noticing that the man still standing behind him had removed his wand and pointed it at his back. The red light that burst from Daniel's wand only had to travel a short distance as it impacted the tiny elf's body.
Dobby's head slumped once again.
Whilst Astoria was grumbling to herself, promising that she would keep reminding him of his small mistake until the day she died, Harry began to read the letter from Tracey.
Dear Harry (and Greengrass, who is probably reading this over your shoulder),
He turned idly to his left to find Daphne doing exactly that and looking entirely unrepentant.
I'm just writing like said I would to see if you want to meet up. I've never written a letter before so you should feel honoured that it's you I'm writing my first to (stop rolling your eyes, Greengrass).
"Did you roll your eyes?" Harry asked the girl next to him who placed her hand over her heart, looking hurt at the accusation. Harry sighed, wondering just how dramatically she'd done so before he'd turned to her.
Hopefully, my owl can find you, Dad says it shouldn't be a problem but it helps if you can tell them where they need to go (no, I'm not prying Greengrass, I'm just saying).
"Oh, sure, I believe you, Davis," Daphne said scathingly, causing Harry to raise his eyebrow at her.
"You know she can't hear you, right?"
"What's your point?"
The book list hasn't come yet, maybe we could go to the alley when they arrive? I hope they'll come soon, I was planning on spending the summer reading ahead because I got a Poor in Defence (stop laughing Greengrass).
Harry turned with a sigh to the girl next to him, who was biting her bottom lip forcefully, her nostrils flaring as she tried to hold in the laugh he knew wanted to escape.
How has your summer been? You said you were going on holiday, did you go anywhere nice?
Anyway, I don't know what else to write and my hand is cramping after not using a quill for a few weeks (I did all our assignments straight away so I could be free all summer, smart right?) so send me an owl and let me know if you want to make any plans.
Or don't, you can just ignore me if you like, I'd understand (Greengrass, wipe the hopeful look from your face. Harry, slap her for me).
Harry turned to the girl beside him, who quickly wiped clear the predicted expression.
"We're definitely taking Tori with us if we meet with her," Daphne declared.
Y̶o̶u̶r̶s̶,
R̶e̶s̶p̶e̶c̶t̶f̶u̶l̶l̶y̶,
K̶i̶n̶d̶ R̶e̶g̶a̶r̶d̶s̶
BYE
Tracey
"She seems fun," Astoria said, having been reading unnoticed from over his other shoulder.
"We're definitely not taking Tori with us if we meet with her," Daphne declared.
Marie got to her feet and walked around the table toward her husband, who had lifted the little elf from the chair and laid him out over the table, removing his bindings with a flick of his wand. Once he had finished, his eyes focused on his wife who had come to a stop beside him and was staring down at the little body. "Let me do it, Marie," He said softly, laying his hand on her arm comfortingly.
"You know I'm better at it," She said in a tight voice as she tried to smile reassuringly at her husband. When she failed, she just sighed and turned back to Dobby, lifting her wand to his small head.
She screwed her eyes shut for a moment, breathing in and out slowly, before steeling herself as her eyes opened again. "Ennvervate," The elf's eyes opened again, but he had no time to become aware of his surroundings before she continued. "Legilimens"
Instantly she began to search Dobby's mind for anything to do with the family he served and what this terrible plot might be. Marie had never been inside the mind of one of these poor creatures, and as she tried to sift through the elf's thoughts and memories, she decided she never wanted to do so again.
Everything she saw was veiled in a frustrating haze, nothing was clear to her frustrated mind as she sifted through snippets of Dobby's memories, never seeing anything that could give away which family he served. The only information of note she could find was when she looked for clues as to what the upcoming danger at Hogwarts could be.
Watching the memory through the eyes of the little elf, she found herself standing in a dimly lit study, books lining the walls beside her. A figure much taller than Dobby was standing by one of the shelves, their head moving slowly from side to side as they searched for something in particular. Annoyingly, the elf did not look up at the person's face. Instead, his head was bowed in submission and his eyes were staring at his master's expensive-looking shoes.
As she continued to watch, she heard a faint hum of satisfaction but the sound was distorted, as if it were underwater. Luckily for her, the elf finally raised his head to look up at the left arm of the figure as it reached out and pulled a book from a shelf higher than its head. The book was small and made of worn brown leather but was otherwise totally unremarkable.
The elf looked up at its master's face, so blurred and shrouded that Marie couldn't even tell what colour their hair was, and listened as his master spoke. The words were garbled and indistinct, and soon the memory ended as the elf vanished from the room with a crack.
Pulling herself from the elf's mind, she found herself back in the kitchen of their rented villa and staring into the large eyes of poor Dobby. The elf scrunched them closed after a moment, moaning softly and lifting his skinny arms to cradle his head as he sat up.
"I'm sorry, Dobby," She whispered to the elf, who just shook his head again and began to sob. "Thank you for trying to protect Harry." She spoke again to the elf, who removed his head from his hands and looked at her with tearful eyes. She conjured a handkerchief and passed it to Dobby, who took it from her and looked at it oddly for a moment before he hesitantly reached up to wipe his tears with it.
Daniel smiled gently at the elf. "Don't worry, Dobby, we'll do everything we can to prevent the danger. We want to keep Harry safe, too."
"Your master," Marie started hesitantly, causing Dobby to turn back to her. "Is there really nothing you can tell us? Not even the area they live in?"
Dobby shook his head sadly. "Dobby cannot say, master ordered Dobby not to say anything about his family to others."
Daniel and Marie both sighed, knowing that an order like that would cover every possible avenue. "We understand, Dobby," Daniel told him. "But you've been gone from your master for a while now, will they notice that you're missing?"
Dobby nodded. "Master will punish Dobby, but Dobby had to make sure Harry Potter was safe."
"And if your master orders you to say where you have been?" Daniel asked. Dobby began to tremble violently, looking horror-struck as he realised what would happen.
Daniel and Marie shared a look, determination in both of their gazes. Marie turned back to the shaking elf and spoke softly. "Dobby, there is something we can do to stop that from happening, if you will agree to it?" She asked gently, even whilst she knew that the elf didn't actually have a choice in the matter.
Dobby looked up at her with his large eyes. "W-What does Scary Miss want of Dobby?"
Marie smiled at the name as she answered. "We can remove your memory of coming here, of meeting us and knowing where Harry is."
The elf's eyes widened and he began to shake his head, so Daniel hastened to reassure him. "It will cause you no harm, we promise."
However, Dobby continued to shake his head, his objection not being about the possibility of pain. "If Dobby does not remember, Dobby will try to come back to warn Harry Potter again."
"Okay, Dobby," Marie spoke, nodding her head at the elf's words. "Then rather than remove your memory, we can alter it. You'll go, believing that you had sufficiently warned Harry, but you won't remember where he is or who he is with."
Dobby's large eyes drifted from side to side as he thought about it before eventually he nodded slowly. "Dobby thinks that could work,"
"Then you agree?" Daniel asked, causing the elf to look at him. "We'll alter your memories?"
Dobby nodded determinedly, deciding that this was the best way for him to help Harry Potter. Daniel lifted his hand to the elf's shoulder for a moment before he began to walk from the room.
Marie raised her wand to point it at the elf's head, who watched it warily. She smiled as reassuringly as she could as she spoke. "Thank you again, Dobby, and I'm truly sorry that I hurt you before."
"Dobby does not mind," He responded innocently, causing Marie's heart to drop.
"Obliviate."
"So," Astoria started conversationally after a few moments' silence. "Where does this rank on the list of weirdest things that have happened to you?"
Harry hummed, considering the question. "5th, maybe?"
Daphne nodded. "Evil Defence teacher, Serana, Fluffy, Norberta... yeah, 5th sounds about right."
"Is the dragon that weird? From what you've told me about Hagrid isn't it weirder that he hasn't tried to raise one before her?" Astoria asked.
Harry and Daphne both turned to her. "It wasn't the dragon that was the weird bit," Harry said.
"It was Hagrid calling himself her 'mummy'." Daphne continued.
Astoria nodded her head in understanding. "Yeah, when you list them all out, a House-elf gatecrashing your birthday probably is that low down."
"That's actually the first House-elf I've ever seen," Harry told them. "Have you ever had one?"
The two sisters both shook their heads. "No, we asked Dad about them once, he said that they both had House-elves growing up but they'd never have another one," Daphne said.
"How come?" Harry asked with interest, receiving a shrug from Daphne.
"Because they probably remind him of the Imperius Curse," Astoria answered in a low voice. Both of the other children turned to look at her. "Think about it, what do you do with a House-elf?"
"You give them- oh." Daphne realised quickly what her sister was saying.
"Can they really not refuse an order?" Harry asked, frowning slightly. "They can't fight it at all?"
Astoria shook her head. "No, not unless they find a loophole. And none of them really do, they want to serve their masters."
Harry felt deeply uncomfortable by the description. He found himself imagining that he was back with the Dursleys, being ordered to perform all their chores, only this time he'd feel happy to serve them.
He couldn't think of a worse fate.
Suddenly, the door to the room burst open behind them. Harry jumped to his feet and raised his hand toward the doorway, a Stunning Charm ready to fire when the person who had entered dived back out of the room.
"Don't fire, don't fire!" Daniel called into the room before poking his head inside. "It's me." He stepped into the room fully when he saw Harry relax and smiled at him. "Harry, we need you for something."
Harry quickly strode over to him with a worried look on his face, mirrored by Daphne and Astoria. "No, it's fine, nothing is wrong, we just need your help." Harry nodded as he reached him, and without another word the two of them left, leaving Daphne and Astoria alone.
"So," Astoria started conversationally after a few moments' silence. "Who do you hate more, Tracey Davis or Fleur Delacour?"
Daphne hummed, considering the question. "Fleur, maybe?"
As soon as the memory charm struck him, Dobby's eyes cleared of all emotion and his mouth dropped open slackly.
"You found Harry Potter and told him of the plot at Hogwarts." Marie began quickly. "You spoke to him and were assured that he knew all about it and had the problem in hand. You are satisfied that Harry will be safe. Any plans you may have to check up on Harry or prevent him from attending Hogwarts will be forgotten. When you return to your family you will continue as if you had never left."
At that moment Daniel returned to the room with an apprehensive Harry in tow. Marie turned and beckoned the boy forward quickly, ducking down to speak softly into his ear when he reached her. "When his mind clears, thank him for coming to warn you, tell him everything will be okay and that he has to leave and go back to his family. Can you do that for me?"
Harry looked into her eyes and nodded slightly as he sat on a chair beside the elf, facing him. Marie nodded back at the boy before she reached out and shook the elf's shoulder to make him more alert. When his eyes began to regain focus and clarity, she quickly stepped back to stand next to Daniel and out of Dobby's eye line.
"Dobby," Harry started uncertainly, glancing at Daniel and Marie who both nodded encouragingly. "Thank you for coming to warn me. It's a very nice thing for you to do."
Dobby blinked slowly, continuing to sway in his chair, but his eyes focused more on Harry's open face. "T-The Great Harry Potter sir is thanking Dobby?" The elf said slowly, his words shocked but his tone dazed.
Harry nodded and smiled in a friendly manner at the elf. "Of course, but you have to go now, Dobby, your family is probably worried about you." Daniel and Marie both winced at this, but luckily the confused elf just nodded, reaching up slowly with his left hand and holding his thumb and middle finger together.
"Goodbye, Dobby," Harry said with a smile. To the side, Daniel and Marie were both moving their wands through the air, removing the charms that prevented Dobby from leaving.
"Goodbye, Harry Potter, sir," Dobby returned absently before clicking his fingers, vanishing with another loud crack.
As soon as he was gone Harry turned to the couple, looking between them questioningly. Daniel and Marie shared a glance with each other, silently deciding between themselves before they turned back to him, both walking over to the boy. Marie sat down in the seat Dobby had just left, while Daniel stood by his side, his hand on the back of his chair.
"We need a few minutes to ourselves to discuss it," Marie started, smiling softly at her son. "Go back to the girls, when we've finished we'll come back and tell you what you need to know,"
Harry nodded quickly whilst Daniel moved his hand from the back of the chair to his shoulder, squeezing it softly. "You did well, kiddo. You can go back to Daphne and Astoria and continue opening your presents." He said with a smile to the boy who had turned to look up at him.
Harry shook his head firmly. "Not without you two."
Marie's smile widened, and she reached out her hand to his cheek, cupping it softly. "Then we'll try to be as quick as we can. Go on, before Astoria decides to open them for you." Harry began to laugh softly but stopped abruptly when he noticed the serious expression on Marie's face. "I'm not joking, there's a good chance she's opened them all while you've been gone."
Harry nodded and got to his feet swiftly with a panicked expression, quickly leaving the room to check if he still had any presents left to open.
Daniel chuckled at his hasty retreat as he sat down in his vacated chair, though he sobered when he saw the look of frustration on his wife's face. "What did you get?"
She breathed out heavily, shaking her head. "Everything I tried to look for was clouded, I could never get a good look at his master."
Daniel nodded along as he thought about it. "That makes sense, he was under orders not to reveal who his master was. His own mind must have been protecting his master's identity so that he wouldn't fail his directive."
"There was one thing it didn't hide, however," Marie spoke with a slight smile. "Dobby's master is a Death Eater."
"How do you know?" Daniel asked quickly, frowning lightly.
"I tried focusing on what the danger was and found myself watching a memory through Dobby's eyes. His master," She paused to hold up a hand, forestalling her husband's questions. "No, I couldn't see their face or any features. Even the bloody voices were disguised." She recounted in an annoyed voice. "Dobby's master was retrieving a small, brown-leather book from a shelf." Marie paused again, looking into her husband's eyes meaningfully. "With their left arm."
Daniel tilted his head back in understanding. "The mark," He realised. "You saw it clearly?"
Marie shook her head. "No, only when the sleeve fell down, it was as blurred as anything else but there was definitely a tattoo on their left forearm. And, from what Dobby said before about his master ordering him never to speak to Albus Dumbledore..." She said leadingly.
"And them ordering their own House-elf not to reveal anything about them, his master is likely a Death Eater, or at the very least a criminal." Daniel finished, nodding his head and seeing the logic of it. "We can't be sure of it, but it makes sense."
"And whatever the danger is has something to do with a seemingly innocuous book," Marie said as she sat back in her chair, tilting her head to look up at the ceiling and biting the inside of her cheek as she thought.
"So, what we have is a possible Death Eater and a book, a plot that apparently will put Harry, and therefore the rest of Hogwarts, in danger but he isn't the focus." Daniel summarised slowly, as much to himself as to his wife. Marie nodded slightly but stayed silent, still deep in thought.
The silence stretched for a few minutes until Marie lowered her head and shook it with a sigh. "We make the kids aware of the potential danger and when we get back home we tell Dumbledore."
"Is that it?" Daniel asked, frustration evident on his face. "Is that all we can do?"
Marie shook her head, mouth quirking as she answered. "Until we speak to Dumbledore and see what he makes of it, there isn't much we can do, there are too many free Death Eaters for us to know who it could be ourselves," She blew out a frustrated breath before continuing. "After everything with the stone, I had hoped that the kids would have a nice, normal, quiet year this time."
Daniel snorted mirthlessly. "If only it were that easy."
Marie went back to biting her lip as her mind repeated her thoughts from earlier. Daniel, recognising the look on her face, breathed in and out slowly as he braced himself. "What is it?" He asked with trepidation.
Marie's eyes looked past him as she spoke. "If it turns out that Dobby is right and something else happens at that school that puts our kids in danger, then that's it. We'll pull them out and teach them ourselves." She said firmly as her eyes moved back to his face and settled on his own.
Daniel looked stunned, but the father of three quickly thought about it and began to nod. "To keep them safe." He smiled sadly at his wife. "So let's hope that Dobby is wrong."
Marie shook her head slightly. "The poor thing, he didn't even flinch when I threatened him, it's like he was used to it."
"I did wonder why you went back to your normal self so quickly," Daniel said with a small smile.
Marie breathed in heavily and looked down at her lap sadly. "It visibly hurt him when I looked in his mind, and he is likely no stranger to pain," She said in a whisper. "It must have been awful for him. I should have been more gentle."
Daniel reached out and took her hands in his, beginning to rub his thumbs on the backs softly as he spoke. "It had to be done, love."
Marie sighed as she lifted her head, her gaze finding the blue eyes of the man she loved. "If we have to do it again, I'll listen to you and let you do it." Daniel smiled sadly as he looked back at her.
They both knew it was not an if, but a when.
When Daniel and Marie walked back into the living room they quickly retook their seats and faced their children.
All three looked at them questioningly, wanting to know what that had all been about. With a sigh, Daniel started the tale. "Dobby came to warn Harry about a possible plot that will put Hogwarts, and him by extension, in danger."
Marie took up the explanation. "We don't know who is behind it or who Dobby's master is, but we will inform Dumbledore and take the necessary precautions. All we know about the plot is it involves this," She took out her wand and, after a moment of concentration, conjured a book that resembled the one from Dobby's memory. "Keep your eyes open for a book that looks like this. Somehow, the plot has something to do with it."
Harry reached out and took the book from her, turning it this way and that. There was nothing special about it, other than how old and worn it looked. He passed it to Daphne who did the same, who then passed it to Astoria, each of them committing it to memory.
When they were finished, Marie vanished the book and turned to her husband, who swallowed heavily. "There is something important we need to discuss." He started, quickly getting the children's full attention. "Your mother and I have decided that, if this potential danger is anything like what happened last year," He continued, looking to Harry and Daphne. "Then we will remove you from the school and educate you ourselves."
Daniel and Marie had expected outcry, denials and arguments, but instead, all they got were three solemn nods.
Marie blinked. "You're...taking this better than we thought,"
"I'm not that excited about Hogwarts anyway, I just want my wand," Astoria told them seriously.
"Yeah, I'd miss some of the classes and teachers but if we're in danger again I understand," Daphne added.
Harry shrugged. "I'm just happy someone actually cares about my safety."
Daniel and Marie smiled at each of them in turn. "Thank you for being mature about this" Daniel started. "But we hope it doesn't come to that. Hogwarts is important, not just for learning, but for your socialisation." He turned to his daughters. "You two spent the first decade of your lives alone in our house, and," He turned to Harry. "I know you were isolated too. We want you to make friends,"
"But we want you safe more," Marie said earnestly. The children all nodded again and she shared a look of pride with her husband before she turned back to Harry. "Now, you still have a lot more presents to open, Mister."
Harry smiled and began to dig into his horde. They spent the next hour happily watching him open his gifts, but when Daniel began to nervously check his watch, Harry turned to Astoria. "I might need some help,"
Astoria was a blur as she attacked the nearest present with ferocity.
The family were once again gathered in a tight circle with Daniel and Marie's hands firmly on Astoria's shoulders as they all held onto a replica wand that would act as their Portkey to the duelling championships.
With a final check, Daniel activated the Portkey in a clear voice. "Duel."
After another disorienting journey, the five of them landed on solid ground once more and quickly looked around them. Immediately, their eyes found the huge, custom-built stadium that would host the duels, before looking around at all the hastily-erected merchandise stalls and food and drink stands.
Daniel looked at his watch again. "We have forty-five minutes before the first duel, we should find our seats so we don't miss it. We can explore during breaks." He told them as he looked around before settling on Harry. "Where does it say we need to go on the tickets?"
Harry removed the envelope with the tickets inside from his pocket and took one out to read it. "Box 2...that's it, it just says Box 2."
Daniel just nodded and began to lead them to one of the entrance stalls and the wizard in dark blue robes. When he saw them coming the man smiled at them and held out his hand. "Tickets, please?" He asked in accented French.
Daniel smiled at him. "Sorry, we just wanted to know where Box 2 would be?"
The man dropped his hand and nodded, turning to his right and pointing a little way away at a cluster of benches. "Box 1 and Box 2 are over there, monsieur, opposite the benches."
Daniel nodded again and thanked the man, leading them away again and toward where they had been directed. Along the way, they traded nods and short greetings with the people passing them.
When they arrived at the indicated point they quickly walked over to the wizard standing at the entrance stall. "Excuse me, sir? Is this Box 2?"
The man nodded and held out his hand. "Oui, monsieur. Tickets?"
Daniel turned to Harry who started and pulled out the envelope again, quickly retrieving the tickets and passing them to the man. The wizard inspected the tickets before nodding and handing them back. The wizard turned to an oblong stand behind him, indicating them forward. "Please place your palms flat on top of the stand." They each did so in turn, closely watched by the wizard. Once Marie, who was the last, had done so he smiled and beckoned them onwards. "Now the enchantments will only allow yourselves or employees to enter your box. Please enjoy the tournament."
"Thank you," They all said before turning and entering through the metal stall and entering the stadium. They found themselves in a short corridor, with a door on the left that looked like it led to the men's toilet and one on the right that led to the women's, and at the end of the corridor were two doors that led to their destination, which they made their way through quickly.
They found themselves on a small balcony, with plush, dark-blue carpets and white walls behind and to the side of them. At the front of the balcony where they would watch the duels were five red, comfortable-looking armchairs awaiting them with small tables in front of each.
Marie looked around at the colour scheme and snorted. "How very patriotic of them." She walked over to the furthest left armchair and took her seat, the rest of the family following suit, Daniel sitting to the furthest right with Astoria beside him, while Harry sat next to Marie with Daphne in the middle. Looking down at the tables in front of them they each found a menu, blessedly in English, listing different snack foods and drinks.
"If you want anything, just hold the menu and say what you want in a clear voice," Daniel told them all, picking up his own menu and perusing it. "These are luxury suites so our needs have all been catered for."
"Wine," Astoria said clearly, holding her menu and looking expectantly at the table in front of her. When nothing happened, Marie turned to smirk at her daughter.
"Nice try," Marie said mirthfully. "That only works for adults." She picked up her own menu and said clearly. "Merlot, one glass."
A glass of red merlot appeared on her table and she picked it up with a smile, lightly swishing the contents and sniffing it. Astoria grumbled but looked back down at her menu before eventually deciding on butterbeer.
A cool bottle appeared on the table instantly so Harry and Daphne both took her lead and ordered a bottle for themselves.
"So, how does this work?" Harry turned to Daniel, who looked back at him inquisitively. "The tournament, I mean."
"Well, today and tomorrow will be the group matches. Europe is lucky that there are 40 countries, so they just make eight groups of 5 with the top 2 from each group qualifying for the knockouts."
"Wait," Harry interrupted with a frown. "There are more than 40 countries in Europe." All of the Greengrass' looked at him with confusion and his frown deepened. "Well, maybe it's different in the wizarding world then, but in the muggle world there are way more than 40."
Daniel looked like he wanted to enquire further but instead shook his head and continued the explanation. "Anyway, 40 countries, 5 to a group, 2 from each group advance to the knockouts. The group matches will be today and tomorrow, the second round will be on August 2nd, the quarters the day after, then the semi-finals the day after that and then finally, it's the grand final on August 5th."
"So how do the groups work?" Daphne asked.
"Before the opening match, names will be drawn one by one, the first five will all be in Group 1, then the next five in Group 2 and so forth. They prefer having the competitors not know who they will be facing before they arrive, it makes the matches more unpredictable and exciting. They will duel each person in their group once, getting a point if they win. Then they'll draw again before each knockout round, except from the final, of course." Daniel finished his explanation, turning to look at the field down below. "It looks like they're getting ready, look, the stadium is filling up."
They all turned to look to find that Daniel was correct and many of the spectators were already in their seats and those that were not were either quickly hurrying toward them or looking around blankly and wondering where their seats even were.
Marie's keen eyes were looking above the larger sections of the crowd to the other boxes on their level. "Look! Over there, to the right." She pointed and they all followed her line of sight, quickly spotting the Delacours cheerfully waving from their own box at them.
They all waved back as Daniel laughed. "They didn't even have to pay for the box, Patrice told me that the French Ministry just sent him the tickets,"
Just then, a smiling man in dark blue robes began to walk into the center of the field below them which they all quickly averted their attention to. By the side of the field stood the competitors, 40 men and women in robes of their countries' colours. Once the man came to a stop, he looked around for a moment at the vast crowd before lifting his wand to his throat and beginning to speak in a loud, magnified voice.
"Mesdames et Messieurs..." The man began to greet the crowd, which none of the five understood other than a few words here and there. Once the man had finished his introductions he summoned a podium with an ornate golden goblet sitting atop it from the side. When it reached him he tapped the side of the goblet once with his wand and stepped back.
A slip of paper emerged from the goblet and floated into the wizard's outstretched hand. He glanced down at it quickly before announcing the first competitor of Group 1 to the crowd. "Jana Izmailova, Russia!"
A tall witch in blood-red robes stepped out from the line of competitors and raised her hand to the crowd as a small contingent cheered uproariously while the rest clapped politely. The witch walked a little away from the rest to stand alone and turned to the tournament official intently to await the announcement of her opponents.
The man in the dark blue robes tapped his wand on the goblet again, and a moment later a new slip of parchment emerged. "Francesco Rossi, Italy!"
A shorter, olive-skinned man in royal blue stepped out from the larger line and greeted the crowd, receiving a similar reaction as the Russian competitor. He walked over to Ismailov, shaking her hand and standing beside her.
The draw continued, and as none of them knew anything about any of the competitors they just clapped politely until the final participant of Group 2 was drawn.
"Alex McClair, Scotland!" A fiery-haired man in dark blue stepped out of the line, receiving louder cheers from the Greengrass box for their fellow Brit, along with small pockets of the rest of the crowd.
It continued on this way for the family throughout the draw - polite applause for the rest of the competitors and louder applause when "Katherine Collins, Wales" was announced in Group 3 and "Aisling Byrne, Ireland" joined Group 5.
Finally, it was time for the final group to be announced. Daniel turned to them all excitedly. "England, France and Germany are in the same group! One of them will be out early."
"Why's that a good group? Other than England being in it, of course" Harry asked with interest.
"They're the three most successful countries in the competition," Daniel explained as the draw for Group 8 began with "Luís Borges, Portugal." They exploded with cheers when "Leonard Oakes, England," was announced next and a tall, well-built wizard in white robes with red trimming stepped out.
Their loud cheers were put to shame however when the next duellist was announced, "BERTRAND LANDRY, FRANCE!", resulting in the partisan stadium erupting in cheers for their champion. A man in dark blue robes walked out of the line, bowing to each side of the stadium before joining his fellow competitors in Group 8. He was quickly followed by "Tobias Zweig, Germany" and "Nemanja Milenkovic, Serbia."
"How do the groups work then?", Harry asked once the competitors had left the field. "With," He paused, screwing up his face as he did the math. "20 duels per group."
Daniel chuckled. "Yes, it will be hectic the first two days. The duels are usually no more than ten minutes each during the groups, the best usually show it rather quickly."
"How long will we be here for?" Astoria asked.
"They will do all of the duels for Groups 1-4 today, and then 5-8 tomorrow, so it'll run as late as it needs to. There will be breaks in between, the duellists will need to rest and get any injuries treated after all."
The three children quickly made a huddle. "So, say it's ten minutes a duel..." Daphne started
"And there are 80 duels today," Harry continued.
"Which means we're here for at least the next six hours." Astoria finished. They all shared an agreeing glance, quickly grabbed a menu each and began calling out for snacks.
"Caudron cakes, as many as you can give me."
"Pumpkin pasties, one."
"Wand pretzels, two."
"Butterbeer, three, nice and cold."
"Strawberry ice cream, four scoops."
"Mint ice cream, three scoops."
"Firewhisky, make it a double."
"Why did you think that would work, Tori?"
Over the next ten minutes, tournament officials began to erect protective charms around the perimeters of the field to protect the spectators from any harm caused by errant spellwork.
When the officials left the field the noise in the stadium began to rise as the crowd buzzed in anticipation for the first duel. Daniel and Marie turned to look at their children and saw the excitement on each of their faces.
"Are you all looking forward to it?" Daniel asked redundantly, receiving three vehement nods.
"It'll be fun to see how good professional duellers are," Harry said.
"And any new spells we could learn," Daphne added.
"I want blood," Astoria stated with a wide grin.
Before anyone could express concern and or lack of surprise, a loud booming voice echoed around the arena to announce the first duels of the tournament.
"Mesdames et Messieurs, veuillez accueillir Jana Izmailova de Russia!" The voice announced, and they clapped for the Russian witch as she entered the field and walked quickly and determinedly to the center of the field and the waiting official in black robes. "Et son adversaire, Goran Ilievska de Macedonia!"
Ilievska entered and quickly strode to the center and his opponent. The official spoke lowly to them before they both bowed to their opponent and returned to their end of the platform.
A loud, shrill whistle sounded and the duel began. Rather than immediately firing off powerful spells, they traded light spells back and forth for a minute or so, testing the strength and reactions of the other. Neither raised a shield and instead chose to move ever so slightly out of the path of their opponent's spells.
The feeling-out period ended when Izmailov had apparently seen enough and stayed in place as the Macedonian man's stunner raced toward her, derisively batting it aside with the tip of her wand before sending four rapid spells back toward her opponent, who was forced to raise a large, shimmering shield to protect himself.
After that the duel amped up in intensity, the Russian witch having signalled to her opponent that it was time to get serious. They both cast silently and fluidly, impressing the watching crowd with their skill.
After five minutes of trading powerful spells, Ilievska drew first blood when he sent a blasting curse at the Russian witch who had to quickly dive to the side, but unfortunately for her, she had not moved quick enough to avoid the Cutting Curse that followed it. The curse cut through her hide trousers, leaving a large, bloody gash on her left calf.
She stumbled as she got back to her feet, an angry look on her face as she sent a purple spell back toward the Macedonian who hastily raised a shield. The crowd around them gasped at the spell and Harry quickly turned to Marie. "What was that?"
"A skin-flaying curse," Marie told him, her eyes still fixed on the ongoing match.
"That's allowed?" The shocked boy asked.
She nodded absently as Ilievska responded with a series of Blasting Curses designed to keep the Russian moving. "They are, if one lands it's a guaranteed win most of the time, and they can be treated with quick medical intervention. Nasty, though."
Izmailov got her revenge for her injured calf, and the victory, not a minute later. Within a chain of simple Stunners and Cutting Curses that Ilievska was dancing around she managed to hit him with a spell that slowed his movement dramatically, making it easy for her to quickly disarm the man and win the duel.
The Russian witch waved her wand again, dispelling the effects on her opponent who looked disappointed as he raised his hands in the air, signalling his defeat and the end of the match. The whistle blew again and the two walked toward the center of the field, where Izmailov returned the man's wand and the two shared a handshake and a bow.
As Ilievska was walking off the field, his head bowed, Izmailov raised her wand in the air as the crowd congratulated her with approving cheers. Marie turned to the boy beside her who was grinning widely. "Do you recognise what she did?"
Harry turned to her and answered quickly. "A Slowing Charm, she made it so he had no chance to react to her finishing spell."
Marie nodded with approval. "Correct. What did you think of the duel?"
Harry smiled as he considered her question. "It was exciting, but I don't know how good they are."
"They're both national champions, they're very good Harry," Marie chuckled.
"Really?" Harry said, turning to her with a frown. "From what I saw you'd have beaten both of them." He told her honestly. Marie laughed loudly as she reached out to ruffle his hair fondly.
"Well, yes, but you don't need to point out the obvious, dear."
Over the next few hours, the duels for Groups 1 and 2 were completed. Izmailov of Russia and Rossi of Italy advanced from Group 1, whilst Peter Eriksen of Denmark and, to their happiness, Alex McClair of Scotland advanced from Group 2.
A half an hour break was announced for the crowd to stretch their legs, attend to their bladder needs and, most importantly, buy more merchandise from the stalls.
"Come on, we should have a walk around ourselves," Daniel told them, getting to his feet. They all quickly followed, walking from their balcony and out into the warm evening air.
They made their way over to the benches and huddled around one, though none of them sat as they stretched their legs.
"I think McClair was the best out of all of them," Harry said as he laid one leg on the seat of the bench.
Daphne nodded her agreement. "Well, yeah, he's the only one who didn't lose a duel."
Astoria turned to her father. "Would any of them have beaten Patrice?"
Daniel shook his head quickly. "Not a chance, he'd have beaten most of these using third-year spells."
"Why thank you, my friend, you are too kind," The voice of Patrice Delacour called, causing them all to turn quickly and witness the man himself approaching with his family in tow. "Hello again, Greengrass family."
"Salut," They called in return to the Delacours.
Rather quickly, the adults migrated to another bench to talk amongst themselves, leaving the five youngsters alone. They all sat down, Fleur and Gabrielle on one side facing the other three.
"N'est-ce pas génial!" Gabrielle exploded as soon as they were all sat down. "J'adore les duels, j'ai hâte d'être à demain quand on pourra voir Landry!"
Harry and Daphne found themselves just smiling at the girl whereas Astoria dropped her head onto the table with a loud thud and a groan. "How difficult is it to learn French?" She asked slowly.
"Not very difficult, I learned it when I was two," Fleur responded with a laugh before she translated for her little sister. "She says that she loves watching the duels and she is looking forward to watching Landry tomorrow."
"Is he any good?" Harry asked Fleur curiously.
Fleur nodded firmly. "Yes, he is very good. He is the favourite for the tournament, and we are all very excited. We have not had a European Champion since Papa."
Daphne winced slightly, remembering how it had been her uncle that had ended Patrice's career. "What about Oakes, do you know anything about him?"
Fleur shrugged idly. "Only that he won his first national title this year. He will likely not win, but he may become a strong duellist as he gains more experience." She predicted before smiling at them all. "Have you enjoyed it?"
"Oh, yeah," Harry nodded as Daphne did the same beside him. "We've never seen any duelling before."
Fleur made a noise of understanding. "We watch them often, Papa still adores it,"
"Do you plan on duelling yourself?" Harry asked the girl, who quickly shook her head.
"Non, it is enjoyable to duel but I do not think I would like to spend my life doing so," Fleur told them.
"What do you want to do, then?" Daphne asked interestedly as beside her Astoria finally lifted her head, a bright red mark adorning her forehead where it had impacted the table.
Fleur hummed. "I am not sure, I enjoy Charms and I am talented with them but I have not yet decided what career I would like," She shrugged again. "I still have three years to decide after all."
"You're about to start your fifth year, right?" Harry asked, receiving a nod from Fleur. "We're going into our second, and Astoria is going into her first."
Fleur turned to Astoria. "Are you looking forward to it?" She asked politely to the girl who had still barely said a word to her since that night at the restaurant.
"Not really," Astoria responded flatly before looking past the French girl. "You've got an admirer," She said, nodding her head toward a boy standing a little away from their table.
They all turned to the boy, who was holding a baguette limply in his hand, the filling of which was beginning to fall out and onto the floor as he stared open-mouthed at Fleur who blew out a huff of air and turned away from the boy pointedly.
"That must get annoying," Harry said sympathetically, remembering how people had stared at him last summer in Diagon Alley.
"Oui, it is," Fleur said with a shake of her head. "I am not looking forward to growing up, it will be men as well as boys who stare at me then. It is hard to find a boy who does not, and harder still to find female friends who understand that I do not want the attention."
"Fleur, Gabby, viens maintenant." Apolline called from the other table, and when they turned they found the adult Delacours had gotten to their feet, intending to go and return to their seats in the stadium.
The Delacour sisters got to their feet quickly. "I hope we will see each other tomorrow," Fleur said with a smile to the three of them. "Au revoir!"
"Au revoir!" Gabrielle echoed, receiving the same from the three of them before the two sisters hurried away from the table to reunite with their parents.
The second she was gone, Astoria turned to the other two and scoffed. "She's joking, right? How can she say she doesn't like attention after how she acted trying to get Harry's?"
Daphne made an agreeing face while Harry frowned. "I know, but she made a mistake. It could have been out of character for her, we barely know her."
"Still, it was pretty funny to hear her complain about getting attention to you, Harry," Daphne said with a smile. "I'm surprised she hasn't worked out who you are yet."
"See, that's why I have a fringe."
After another few hours of duelling, Wolfgang Theiss of Austria and Katherine Collins of Wales qualified from Group 3 and were soon joined by Adile Dervishi of Albania and Klaudia Rukowska of Poland.
Quickly leaving the stadium once the final duel had been completed, Daniel retrieved another Portkey from his pocket and soon the family of five were back in their sitting room at the villa.
"Well, was that fun?" Daniel asked once he had checked that none of his family had gotten lost in the void.
He received a nod from each of his children. "Yeah, it was fun. Frustrating, but fun." Harry responded.
"How was it frustrating?" Marie asked with interest, her head tilted slightly.
Harry grinned as he answered. "Well, as the duels were going on, I kept just wanting one of them to throw a wandless spell at their opponent. I know most people can't do it, but still."
"Not everyone is you, Harry," Daphne said with a fond smile.
The children led the way into the living room, though when they sat down on their settee they blinked when they saw that only Daniel had followed them in.
"Where's Mum?" Daphne asked, looking toward the doorway.
"She's...doing something," Daniel answered limply, which of course the children all picked up on.
"What's she doing?" Astoria continued the interrogation, narrowing her eyes at her father.
"Something important," Daniel tried, looking intently at his two daughters, his gaze boring into each of theirs in an attempt to get them to shut up. Luckily for him, his wife finally entered the room and he was able to nod his head toward her.
When they did, they saw her walking slowly into the room and holding a large chocolate cake with twelve lit candles atop it.
"Ohhhh," Daphne and Astoria said together before they both turned and smiled at Harry, who had a look of astonishment on his face. It hadn't occurred to him whatsoever that he would be getting a birthday cake, the very first he'd ever had.
"Happy Birthday to you..." Marie glared around at the other members of her family as she began to sing, causing them to quickly get her meaning and join in. Harry was open-mouthed as the woman reached him, Daniel also getting to his feet and standing at her side. Once the song had finished, he looked up at Marie's smiling face.
"Well, make a wish and blow out your candles, dear," She told him gently.
Harry swallowed and looked back down at the lit candles after blinking away the sudden wetness in his eyes. Quickly deciding on his wish, he took a deep breath and blew out all of the candles in one burst of air.
Daniel, Daphne and Astoria clapped and cheered wildly whilst Harry ducked his head slightly, embarrassed. Marie just smiled at the boy, carefully moving the cake to one hand so she could ruffle his hair with the other.
"Well, does everyone want a slice now?" She asked the room, receiving an eager nod from Harry and 'duh' looks from the rest. Rolling her eyes, she left the room again to cut the cake.
As they sat in the living room, laughing together and enjoying his birthday cake, Harry hoped dearly that his wish would remain true. After they had all finished, Daphne got to her feet and yawned.
"I'm going to bed, I'm exhausted. Goodnight, everyone." She said before turning back to Harry. "Happy Birthday, Harry."
"Thanks, Daph, and goodnight," He smiled back at her before she turned and walked away up the stairs, quickly being followed by Astoria who had also decided to go to bed.
After the sisters had departed Daniel and Marie both got up from their armchairs to sit on either side of the smiling birthday boy.
"Did you enjoy your birthday, dear?" Marie asked, hiding the hope in her voice as she pulled her feet up under herself.
Harry nodded quickly, a wide smile on his face. "It was amazing, thank you both." He said sincerely, turning to each of them. Marie kicked him lightly with her foot while Daniel just chuckled.
"You don't need to thank us, kiddo," Daniel said with a shake of his head. "So, reckon you'd be interested in duelling yourself?"
Harry shrugged. "Maybe one day, but it's not something that overly interests me. I like the lessons I have with you two more, you're teaching me how to fight rather than how to duel."
"Yes, and after a nice two-week break I'm going to put you through your paces as soon as we get home," Marie promised, grinning widely.
Harry just smiled happily. "I've missed it, I still want to beat you." Marie laughed and pulled him into a one-armed hug.
"It's sweet that you think you even could," Marie joked, beginning to lightly stroke through his hair.
"I don't know, Marie, he can beat me fairly consistently now, he'll get you by the end of the summer," Daniel said with a laugh to his wife, who looked down her nose at him.
"Yes, well, he beat you the very first time he tried to so that's hardly a glowing recommendation of your skill, is it dear?" She said sweetly, receiving an exaggerated scowl from her husband.
"The little sod surprised me, that's all." Daniel defended himself, looking down at Harry to speak to him but pausing at what he saw. "Marie, he's asleep."
Marie blinked and moved forward slightly to see that her husband was correct. Idly she lifted the hand she had been running through his hair and inspected it before she turned to smirk at her husband.
"Oh, look, he has the same off-switch as you."
The next day they impatiently sat through the duels for Groups 5, only really coming to life to cheer for Aisling Byrne of Ireland, who luckily advanced to the next round after finishing in second place behind a talented witch from Iceland, Eivor Sigurdsson.
Groups 6 and 7 were next and they clapped politely as the duellists from the Netherlands, Norway, Croatia and Spain advanced before finally, it was time for the group they had waited all day for.
The announcer's voice boomed around the stadium to announce the first competitor of the opening match in what Daniel had decisively told them was the 'group of death'. "Mesdames et messieurs, joignez vos mains pour le champion national de France, BERNARD LANDRY!"
Landry entered in his dark blue robes to thunderous applause and cheers from the home crowd, a wide smile on his face and his hand held high in the air in thanks as he made his way confidently toward the center of the field and the waiting official.
"Et maintenant, place à son adversaire..." The announcer began when the cheers died down.
"Please be England, please be England, please be England." Astoria chanted.
"...Leonard Oakes de England!"
"YES!" Astoria shouted as they all jumped up and cheered wildly for their countryman whilst the rest of the crowd clapped politely. Oakes entered and looked around with confusion when he heard the loud support from a section of the crowd before he spotted their box and gave them a cheery wave as he made his way toward his opponent and the official.
The two bowed to each other once they had received final instructions from the official before swiftly turning and returning to their own ends of the field. As the crowd eagerly anticipated the opening whistle some began to chant Landry's name over and over.
Astoria, apparently taking issue with this, jumped up and leaned over the railing of their balcony. "KILL HIM, OAKES!" Her young voice rang out clearly enough for Oakes to hear her and he took the time to give their box a quick salute, grinning to himself.
Daniel jumped up and pulled his daughter backward. "Are you trying to cause a riot!?"
"No, I'm being patriotic." She replied as the whistle blew to start the duel.
Landry went on the attack first, quickly sending a multitude of spells towards Oakes who lithely twisted out of their path. The Englishman sent a weak Stunning Charm in return, which was batted aside by the Frenchman who then continued his assault, chaining together a multitude of spells toward his opponent. Oakes continued to dodge everything he could without moving more than a few feet from his starting point, only raising a shield when he had no other choice.
"He's trying to tire Landry out," Daniel told them all.
Landry seemed perfectly willing to go along with Oakes' desires, sending spell after spell toward him, quickly growing frustrated when he didn't manage to land a hit. Finally, when his attacks began to slow, Oakes began to return fire with a Blasting Curse which exploded against Landry's hastily erected shield. Landry waved his wand to clear the resulting smoke from his vision but had to dive out of the way of the Disarming Charm that was sailing toward him.
Oakes seized the chance offered to him and began his own assault on the Frenchman who was forced to keep his shield raised. After a full minute, Oakes began walking his opponent down, sending spell after spell toward Landry who was quickly backpedalling with a panicked expression.
"Oh, no," Marie said quietly to herself. Harry and Daphne were leaning forward eagerly in anticipation of the end of the duel whereas Astoria once again jumped to her feet and leaned so far over the railing that her legs ended up higher than her head.
"CURSE HIM! CURSE HIS WIFE!"
"ASTORIA!" Daniel roared as he bodily lifted her away from the railing and placed her firmly back into her seat.
When Oakes got within five feet of Landry, the Frenchman suddenly dropped his shield and began to fire spells rapidly toward Oakes, who quickly came to a halt and tried to raise his shield in time.
Unfortunately, he did not succeed, and the first of Landry's spells, a Cutting Curse, tore through the Englishman's shoulder, opening up a wide, bloody gash on his flesh. The Disarming Charm that followed ripped the wand from his grasp and the final spell of Landry's attack, a Stunning Charm, dropped the defenceless Oakes like a stone.
Landry quickly pointed his wand away from his felled competitor as he caught Oakes' and within seconds the whistle blew to announce his victory, causing the crowd to release a deafening cheer. The Frenchman did not acknowledge his fans as he instead walked the short distance over to Oakes and revived him, helping him back to his feet and handing him his wand back.
The two were sharing a short conversation as the three children in the Greengrass box sat back heavily in their seats, sighing in disappointment.
"He was playing possum," Harry realised, turning to Marie who was nodding.
"Yes, Oakes was doing the same but got too excited and allowed Landry to take it up himself, but much more effectively." She said with a sigh. "He still did well, depending on what the other duellists in the group are like he should still advance."
Daniel got to his feet after he had finished giving Astoria his best Disappointed Dad look. "There's going to be another break so that Oakes' injury can be treated, let's go and stretch our legs." The rest of them stood and began following him out of their suite. "So, what can you all learn from this duel?"
"Never assume you have your opponent beaten," Daphne said after a moment's thought.
"Tricking your opponent nearly always works," Harry said with a grin at Daniel who rolled his eyes at him.
"That Oakes is an idiot," Astoria said sadly.
Daniel turned to his youngest daughter as they walked through the stalls. "And you were cheering as he made his mistake, what does that make you?"
"Loyal."
Hey.
First things first, yes I only mentioned a few of the countries present because I didn't want to list them all and upset anyone from the now-in-this-story-non-existent countries. To my loyal reader from Malta, just know that I tried very hard to get your lovely nation in but it just wouldn't fit.
Anyway, the Dobby bits were fun to write but I did worry that cutting away to the kids would ruin them, but my lovely beta-reader (Hi Mum!) said it worked so here it is the way I originally wanted it.
In canon it's never really mentioned why Dobby couldn't just tell Dumbledore or why he couldn't tell Harry who his family were, so I had to come up with a reason why. Thanks for leaving it to me, Rowling, you make my story so much harder to write sometimes.
Also, when these chapters get posted it's probably a good idea to wait half an hour before you read it because I'm better at catching mistakes once they've been posted and I can read it on the main site format. These chapters get posted and then quickly edited a lot in the first half and hour or so, as well as sometimes going back and changing some things in previous chapters.
Hopefully by the time this story is listed as completed it'll look somewhat coherent.
Next chapter will be Astoria's birthday and the rest of the tournament (it's not going to be that in-depth despite me coming up with names for every single duellist), the end of their holiday and coming back home. There are training scenes, occlumency scenes and the trip to Diagon Alley to come but they might be in the chapter after the next one depending on what ideas pop into my head when I sit down to write.
Thank you all for your response to the last chapter and I hope you enjoy this one as much, let me know what you think of it.
Enjoy!