Disclaimer: I own nothing other than the plot. The original concepts belong to JKR and Warner Brothers. Any concepts brought from other fictions are either coincidental or will be used in their own way, and no plagiarism is meant.
A/n: Make sure to read the bottom note, as it might have something of importance.
Chapter 25: Contest of Champions
July 20th, 1994
Saint Denis, France
Harry stared at the stage, knowing today would be the last day of the elimination rounds before they went to finals. Only thirty two were left of the over one hundred and twenty that started two days ago following the World Qualifiers as they called it. Today would be taking it down to eight, meaning three duels if he won. Then, there will be only three more tomorrow to earn first place.
So far, he had eliminated one of the major threats to his victory, a Russian named Ivan Rokovitch. He had been a challenge as he had kept pressure, making Harry dodge or shield constantly. But after a solid counterattack and putting the boy on the defensive, at four minutes and twenty three seconds, he had been frozen to the ground after being sprayed with a torrent of water and disarmed. Now, Harry had only two major threats. One was the previous champion, Michael Vesely, and the other was the most recognized dueler, and also the top student at Beauxbatons, Fleur Delacour. While the other duelers were good, and he would need to put in effort to win, Flitwick didn't believe them to be the best there, nor better than Harry.
Not to mention, Harry still had a few tricks up his sleeve.
"Harry Potter, Champion of World Dueler Filius Flitwick, versus Alexander Dupont, France Dueling Runner Up." The announcer called.
"Good luck Harry. Do your best." Flitwick said as Harry dropped down to the staging area, and then up to the platform. The other dueler was larger, and a bit taller than Harry, who had a shorter build and was more lean.
Aim for center mass, and fast fire because he won't be able to dodge as quickly, though prioritize using shieldbreakers. Drain and detain. Harry thought. It was a motto he came up with when he dueled another kid earlier who was twice the size of Goyle with more power than most kids had. He shielded far too much and it drained him out.
"Bow." The referee said, both giving a customary bow, "On three you will begin. Ready?"
"3. 2. 1. Duel."
Both moved sideways as spells flew, and Harry conjured a marble block to use as a shield against an explosive curse, transfiguring the debris into knives and banishing it, and then following it up with two confringos, and then a Fulmen sol.
While the latter wasn't necessary against the rules, it also was never used because of the power it required, something Flitwick made clear when Harry had asked why there hadn't been any others using the spell.
He sent some nuisance spells following it, dislocation hexes and bone breakers, and watched as the explosive spells missed, and Dupont shield the lightning spell. His shield barely held through the spell before fading, and it cost him as a bone breaker caught his left arm, snapping it above the wrist.
The man grimaced, but retaliated with some particularly nasty spells, including one that mimicked acid and another that ripped out all nails painfully. Harry deflected the last but dodged the others as he pressed in, sending more spells.
Dupont shielded again, moving sideways on the large platform. Harry quickly noticed a knife laying on the ground close to where it was moving, and with a small flick, turned it to a snake, which wrapped around Dupont's legs.
The boy sent a stunner as he fell, but missed by a mile and was quickly disarmed, Harry catching his wand as it flew at him.
"End of match by disarming. Winner is Potter!" The referee called out.
Harry walked over and handed the wand back, nodding before leaving the stage and returning to his seat.
"Good job Mr. Potter." Flitwick said. "You used his inability to dodge to tire him out, and well placed your other spells to keep him from regaining his footing. Good use of Transfiguration as well, not only using it as offensive but using it to trap your opponent."
"Thank you." Harry replied, watching as Delacour defeated her opponent with several stunners. Her wand was fast and she had the ability to dodge. Dancing lessons most likely. She stays on her toes and moves further than necessary. If I can predict where she goes, I can time spells to prevent her from stopping or instead force her to shield.
She turned ever so slightly, her eyes crossing the crowd as she stepped down from the stage. Her eyes momentarily stopped on Harry, before continuing through the crowd.
"She sees you as a threat." Flitwick commented quietly.
"Good." Harry replied, "I am aiming to win. I still have some tricks up my sleeve though, even if I would rather not use them yet."
"Do what you must to win. I expect nothing but your best. Especially today and tomorrow." Flitwick replied calmly.
Nothing more was said as Harry observed the other duelers, noting their patterns and tendencies. Overall, they were all good, especially Vesely, who had only been hit three times through the whole tournament, compared to his eight. Likewise, Delacour had only been hit once less, at seven times.
Stepping down from the platform for the second time, he was rather disappointed. Parker Smith, a MACUSA dueler, had been underwhelming compared to his last duel. Either he had tired himself out, or something else had happened, but regardless, it had been an easy win.
"Well, are you ready for tomorrow?" Sirius asked him, the Alexander's talking between themselves.
"Of course. I've trained hard, haven't I?" Harry replied with a smile.
"Yea. I just wanted to make sure you were ready." He said, smiling. "Now, I think we all should go out to eat, enjoy our night." Sirius said, lacking anything his name might imply.
They enjoyed their dinner, Harry asking the Alexanders questions the whole time. They seemed like good people, but he still felt something off with them.
"Are you alright, Mr. Potter?" Kevin asked with a frown.
"I'm fine. Just a bit out of sorts." Harry said hesitantly. "It still astounds me that I am doing so well."
"Fair enough. A shame England doesn't have any minor league dueling, only dueling for adults." He said, "It would make you more accustomed to the feeling."
Harry nodded, though he was quite sure the man didn't understand why he was astounded. He looked at Flitwick as the part goblin responded. "Agreed. I have even talked to Albus about starting a minor dueling league within the school, but other than the occasional and not-lasting club, nothing truly comes from it."
"Ah. Beauxbatons has had something similar for years, but their courses are more widespread than Hogwarts, and they can continue to learn within the school for years, earning masteries and such." Samantha said, "A shame there isn't something similar."
"Well, there is, sort of." Flitwick replied with a thoughtful expression. "Each of the teachers may have up to three apprentices, though we rarely take any. Harry is my apprentice for dueling, and I have no doubt that after this year, we will continue to train though on a lesser scale. Typically, an apprentice stays for upwards of five years, more of they are taking other apprenticeships alongside it. Personally, I hope that once he has taken his OWLs and NEWTs that he would be willing to take a mastery course for Charms, preferably under me." Flitwick said hopefully.
"Something to consider Harry." Sirius said with a grin, "I never took an apprenticeship, going into training for being a Hitwizard right from school with James, but Lily was hoping to do her charms apprenticeship after you turned four, and if the war had calmed down."
"I will definitely consider it." Harry replied, "After all, I still haven't thought about what I might want to do after I finish school."
The conversation continued long after they had finished eating, and Sirius ensured to give the waitress a large tip for her patience. It had been a pleasant evening, and did a number for calming Harry's nerves.
June 21st, 1994
Saint Denis, France
Harry watched as the first duel went underway, and it was a surprising even and intense match. He was actually incredibly disappointed, as it was Fleur Delacour versus Michael Vesely. "I wanted to duel them both."
"It was a luck of the draw kind of thing, but remember, it will keep your chances hi-ouch." The professor and dueling master changed at the end, watching as Delacour landed a deep cut into Vesely's leg, making him fall.
He recovered himself while holding a shield up, but was on the defensive and lacking the mobility he needed to win, and it seemed he knew it. After thirty seconds more, at nearly the four minute mark, he allowed a disarmer through, losing his wand as he intentionally fell back.
Harry knew the boy had no choice though. While the injury wouldn't kill him, he was bleeding significantly, as there was a small pool of blood surrounding his leg. The healers were quick to heal the wound, one going to Delacour to heal her side and arm, her side which took a bludgeoner, and her left arm which had been broken by a piece of conjured metal.
"Well, it looks like you will most likely face Delacour in the final match." Flitwick commented. "The only real threat besides her now is the German girl, Emilia Weber and the Australian David Scott. She is likely to use some less than savory spells and take cheap shots, as they are firm in their belief to use every advantage they can. David is fast though, and despite his younger age, a fast nonverbal spellcaster.
Harry nodded. He noted her earlier in case he had faced her. She wasn't particularly special in her form or methods, but her cheap shots had made him wary. Now, it was likely he would face her or David. They were both handle-able, but she would be the bigger issue.
And would luck ring true when it was his name called after hers, along with a three minute warning.
Again, they went through the same process as every other duel, bowing, or for her, curtsying, before waiting on the referee. I will win. I will not lose.
"3. 2. 1. Duel." The referee said.
Instantly Harry launched a completely different spell chain, one he hadn't used yet. The first conjured a several feet thick mud wall, using a rather simple and easy set of spells, before hardening it with a drying spell. He heard several spells hit it, but none broke through as he conjured smoke, filling the whole stage to the ceiling with it. Followed by sending a dozen spells, all following a single heavily overpowered piercing curse, through the hole in the wall.
He heard a single angry exclamation, before shielding as the wall exploded. The smoke wasn't abating yet, and he knew he had time still. With a nonverbal tap. He felt the egg trickling feeling down his body, and moved around the stage. He could hear the announcers calling out, stating they had no idea what was happening, as the crowd fell silent.
Harry watched as several jets of light went off to his left. Not bad. Her memory was good, but I'm not staying in place. I wonder if she knows the detection charm?
I guess not… he thought several seconds later as spells flew through the smoke. He was close to where he wanted to be. Having edged his way around the platform to a good spot, only six feet from where the detection spell told him she was.
With a flick, he shot a spell, twisting as one returned to him. Somehow, she had known he was there, and the spells collided and exploded into sparks of multicolored light.
"Ich weiß, dass du da bist." She called out. (I know you are there.)
A pale orange light flew to his right, and a black bolt of light followed it seconds later, both missing by less than a foot. While neither curse was banned or lethal, instantly anyways, the first would cause him to have a seizure, while the latter would put him into pain that was between the stinging hex and the Cruciatus curse as it would make him feel like his skin was being peeled off.
With a small smile, he sent a spell chain nonverbally, 'Fulmen Sol, Diffindo, Confringo. Stupify, Incarcerious, Relashio.'
"A shame you aren't better." He replied vocally, hearing her hiss in pain. He had no idea what spell connected, and didn't care as he fired stunner after stunner. Each one with enough power to knock out a troll. Well, maybe not literally, but close to it.
Eventually, he heard the thump, and with some effort, vanished the fog. He saw her on the ground unconscious, a deep cut in her right arm going from her wrist to midway to her elbow.
He felt a small surge of pride at having won, and once both were awake, they viewed the memories of each, verifying there hadn't been any cheating. "Harry Potter wins by KO after a memory reveal, verifying a clean victory."
Harry returned to his seat, watching the next two duels. Both had been close, and both winners were tired, meaning whoever he faced would be easy prey. He could only hope that it would be him and Delacour in the finals. Despite her beauty, he was more interested in winning.
Two hours later…
"Congratulations pup." Sirius said. He was now allowed in the lower level, both him and the other finalist's parents were. "Are you ready for the last duel?"
"Yeah, but Padfoot?" Harry asked hesitantly, "Can I use some of those spells you taught me last week?"
"Of course! Just because it is the Black family magic, it doesn't mean you need my permission or any privacy to use them. They are all nonverbal anyways." He replied. "Use anything you can. I have a feeling she will be a tough fighter."
Harry nodded, feeling reassured at that. Some of the magic would be a good boon to him.
"In five minutes, we will request Fleur Delacour and Harry Potter to the staging area. Please be there by then." The announcer tonelessly.
After some final words of encouragement, he made his way towards the staging area, right next to the dueling stage. This stage, unlike the rest of the duels, would be nearly twenty feet wide, and have the same length. It was to encourage the duel to be better, with more space. Delacour walked up a moment later, standing in her spot facing him.
"So you are 'he leg-legendary? 'Arry Potter?" She asked with a scrunched face.
Harry had been warned by Flitwick about her, and like the teacher predicted, he felt a small wave of magic come over him, warm yet influencing. It also didn't seem intentional, but more natural towards her own magic, urging him to look at her and see her beauty. If it were more powerful, he would think it intentional. So this is what a veela is? Interesting.
"Oui." Harry replied with a smile. "C'est un plaisir de vous rencontrer." (It is a pleasure to meet you.)
Her eyes widened, either at the resistance to her allure or at the french. Thank you Salazar for that spell.
The spell wasn't hard to learn or use, but it had fallen out of time, and was a creation of Rowena Ravenclaw's, who was not about to allow language to stop her from learning. The spell itself lasted about two hours, and he had kept it active the whole time he wasn't in his hotel room, allowing him to understand and speak most languages, including French, most Russian, and some German. It was only so useful, as some languages hadn't been around back then.
"Oh? Les anglais savent le français? Eh bien, alors savez-vous comment perdre?" She replied. (Oh? The Englishmen knows french? Well, then do you know how to lose?)
"Non, je n'ai pas encore connu la perte." Harry replied with a smile, "Nous saurons bientôt si j'apprendrai, oui?" (No, I haven't experienced loss yet.) (we'll soon know if I'll learn though, yeah?)
She grinned, replying in only slightly broken English english. "Oui. I ecept a good fight 'hough."
"I expect the same, Miss Delacour." Harry replied. A minute later, the announcer came on.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the Under 18- World Dueling Finals. Our finalists are Harry Potter of Britain, the Boy-Who-Lived, representing Filius Flitwick, a World renown dueler with eleven championship wins. Our other finalists is Fleur Delacour, who is the Champion Dueler of Beauxbatons and the top student at Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, and the eldest daughter of Senior Master Auror and Head of Magical Defense, Sebastion Jean Delacour."
Of course they mention that stupid moniker. Interesting thing about her father though. Perhaps that's where I saw her name before. I am surprised Filius didn't know that.
"Everyone give a round of applause to these two for making it so far!" Cheers from the stand became louder for a few moments, before the announcer continued speaking. "Alright. On Referee Dumas's mark, the duel will commence."
"A clean duel between you both!" The female yelled, "Now lets see some manners."
I like this referee, she is a bit of a joker. Harry bowed a slight bit more than necessary but nothing that could be deemed as insulting as she curtsied.
"Very well. On the count of three. One. Two. Three." Harry felt his hand twitch.
"Duel."
Instantly two bone breakers flew from his wand, twisting as a stunner passed his head. His spells flew, a chain followed by a shield, and then a blast of lightning. For several minutes this continued until he pressed, breaking a shield she conjured. His spells following it missed as she twirled to the right, sending spells back at him as she did. His eyes widened as he saw a very interesting spell come at his chest, and he deflected it with a smirk.
Who knew you would use something that could risk a foul. The acid cutter burned a hole in the platform.
He retaliated equally, several more questionable spells leaving his wand, before he whispered a final spell, "Expecto Patronum."
It cost him though, as a fire cutter sent in retaliation sliced his right arm, cauterizing it instantly from the heat, yet thanks to the ritual, it didn't cut too deep. He watched as she stopped momentarily, seeing the bright white Basilisk flow from his wand and charge at her.
In her moment of distraction, Harry began working his other magic. Weaving several spells together, he watched as his patronus faded.
"An enteersting… treek." Delacour called out with a smile. Harry noted the announcer making a big deal about the spell and how he used it.
Harry grinned in reply, focusing his control on the spells. Everyone stopped, and Fleur did too from casting, as several Harrys appeared from the center on. "I have a few tricks, Miss Delacour."
The spell in question was from the Black Family Grimoire, making a duplicate of the person and being controlled by the caster. It required a strong mind to hold, but it was something Harry was capable of doing, if only barely.
"Oui. Tees is-"
She was cut off as seven jets of red light flew at her, and though she panicked, she managed to dodge as Harry continued the bombardment, adjusting his aim on them all before firing. He felt his control slip, and two clones lost their form, disappearing into thin air.
She gained more confidence at that, pressing harder despite her need to dodge. A Diffindo grazed her cheek when she leaned too far to the side. It didn't stop her determined fighting though as she fired sporadically back at him, different spells going through the illusions. Two more were gone, leaving Harry to the far side.
Finally a spell came towards him, and he had no choice but to release the spell, causing the two clones to fade as he conjured an ethereal green shield. He felt his shield buckle and crack as the several spells slammed into it, each causing another crack until the shield reached its breaking point. He dropped and rolled before kicking himself back up, and launching a stream of water to meet the oncoming torrent of fire the veela sent at him.
They both stopped within a second of each other, leaving a cloud of hot steam floating above them. He saw her sway slightly from the drain of the spell she used, and he felt sweat drip down his face. He didn't slow his pace though, and focused. First, he used a Glacius freezing the steam into small droplets before condensing them together, and then a general nonverbal transfiguration spell making the now frozen mist into a large flat sheet of ice, which he banished at the girl.
She dodged… and fell into a second banisher he casted a second later, which threw her against the platform shield. She threw a ribbon cutter in desperation, and it made a small slice in his right side as he fired several stunners.
It took nearly thirty seconds to tire the girl out the rest of the way, forcing her to shield and dodge spell after spell with little reprieve. In a last ditch effort, he felt the force of her allure which caused him to hesitate, before a Confringo flew at him. He recovered himself quick enough and dodged it easily as a final disarmer flew from his wand, and hit her in the chest.
Clearly she had not expected him to be able to resist or recover from her allure, much less be able to fire back so suddenly, if her gobsmacked look was anything to go by. Her wand clattered to the ground next to him as the crowd cheered.
"Harry Potter wins by disarming!"
He watched as she fell to the ground, exhausted and worn out. Healers hadn't made it out yet, as they seemed to not believe either was suffering any lasting harm. Harry flicked his wand, healing his side, though the cut to his arm was still beyond him, and summoning her wand, before walking over to her. With a small flick, the cut on her cheek and leg was healed, and a second flick caused what likely was bruising on her chest and back to numb slightly.
None stopped him, but they also knew after an earlier match that he would often do this. He held his hand out to her, along with her wand. "Merci madame, pour un combat incroyable." (Thank you madame, for an incredible fight.)
"Non, merci Héritier Potter, d'être un adversaire honorable." She replied, taking her wand first, then his hand. (No, thank you Heir Potter, for being an honorable opponent.)
Of course, by the time he let go of her hand, Sirius had run up and tackled him to the ground, and through slightly blurred vision, he saw his godfather, and adoptive father, hugging him while having a tear run down his cheek.
"Lils and Prongs would be so proud of you pup. You make them and me so proud." He said, though it was muffled by the fact he was speaking into the dueling robes.
Harry felt his heart lurch, much like it had done before, when someone expressed such a thing. "Thank you Siri, but could you please get up. My arm still burns from the flaming cutter she hit me with."
"Right." He said, pulling himself up before helping Harry back up.
It was nearly two hours later, or one in the afternoon, when they did the award ceremony. After being handed a small golden cup, along with a certificate for ten thousand galleons, he was asked to give a speech. He nodded, and applied a Sonorus to himself.
"Thank you all. I am aware that in the past years, I've not been speaking publicly, nor have I been seen much until I returned to Hogwarts in my first year. However, I am happy to be back, and to be here today. Truly, it is thanks to my professor and mentor, Filius Flitwick, and my adoptive father, Lord Sirius Black, that I was able to win. They were what motivated me to do well, and I think my parents would be proud of this accomplishment." Harry said calmly.
"Heir Potter!" A reporter yelled. "Marie Compton, International daily press. Who were you staying with in the past years and why?"
Harry sighed, almost visibly. "I was staying with my muggle relatives until this summer, as Lord Black was indisposed. I was… unaware of my heritage and status until I returned to Hogwarts, and then spent the past two years learning and trying to catch up. Things have been much smoother with having Lord Black free and being under his care."
Another reporter immediately spoke up. "Daniel Briggs, Duelers Global. "What was the hardest part of the event?"
"Hm. It's a tough question. It'd be a split between the last duel with Miss Delacour, and initially adapting to Master Flitwick's training. She provided me with the hardest challenge by far in the tournament, and forced me to reveal some of my best tricks, but my trainer was determined and the regiment was definitely hard to get into and the first weeks, and some of the later training, often made me question my decisions. I regret nothing though." Harry replied thoughtfully.
"Thank you all for coming!" The announcer called, stopping all questions, "This has been an amazing year, and we can't wait to see you all again in two year's time."
"Good job pup!" Sirius said with a grin, "You handled yourself well up there."
"That you did Heir Potter." Another voice agreed. Harry turned to see a dark haired man, built similarly to Sirius, though he had noticeably tanned skin, piercing blue eyes, and a thick but short trimmed beard.
"Ah. I am sorry, you look familiar but…" Harry replied.
"Sebastian-Jean Delacour." He replied, holding his hand out, "A pleasure to meet you."
"It's good to meet you too." Harry replied, Damn. If it weren't for the rituals, his handshake might hurt.
"My daughter spoke highly of you, and requested that we invite you, Lord Black, and Master Flitwick to dine with us here tonight." Sebastian said with a smile.
Harry glanced at Sirius, and left the decision with him. "We would be happy to join you." Sirius replied with a smile.
"I will be unable to." Filius spoke, "I have plans with old friends tonight who are here in the country, but thank you for inviting me Monsieur Delacour."
He nodded. "Well, dinner is at seven, but feel free to join us any time after six, on the sixth floor, room thirty one."
"Alright, we will see you then." Sirius replied. Sebastian made his way out of the area after excusing himself to see his daughter.
"Interesting. I wonder why he invited us." Harry commented.
"He didn't Harry, his daughter did, though I think it was more of inviting you, with the courtesy extended to both of us." Filius replied.
"Oh." They made their way back to their rooms, Flitwick branching off to his own as Sirius and Harry entered their own.
"Who knows, maybe you impressed her enough for a not-date." Sirius said suddenly. "She would be a good score."
"Really Padfoot?" Harry rolled his eyes. He couldn't deny that she was beautiful, and the idea wasn't unappealing, however, she is also sixteen if he remembered right, and also not from Britain. He wouldn't see her enough for a relationship.
"Really pup. Even if it is a one night stand, have some fun." Sirius said absently, "Hell, my first was the day of my fourth year Halloween feast in a broom closet."
"I don't need to hear about your exploits."
Sirius pouted. "You're no fun. Besides the point, you can't deny that she was probably the prettiest looking girl there."
"I'm not denying it, but her family will be there." Harry huffed out.
It was five hours and some minutes later that the two made their way down to the sixth floor with a bottle of more expensive wine, or so Sirius said and found the room at the far end of the hall from the elevators. Only moments after knocking did a beautiful woman that looked like an older sister to Fleur, answer the door.
"Ah! Lord Black, Heir Potter, come on it." She said warmly, though with a noticeable french accent. "Thank you for coming."
Harry noticed Sirius tense slightly, and he felt the allure wash over him. He held his composure quite well though. "Thank you-"
"Appoline, Appoline Delacour." She said with a smile.
"It is a pleasure to meet you. As a thanks for your hospitality, I've brought a gift for the House of Delacour." Sirius said, holding out the wrapped package.
Sebastian walked around the corner at that moment, and smiled. "I forgot that was a tradition in the isles."
They watched as she unwrapped it. Harry didn't understand the name on it, but was quite ecstatic as she spoke in french. They were shown to the dining room where they all sat down. "My daughters will be down in a minute, they seem to take their time getting ready."
"Us women need more than thirty minutes to be dressed and presentable." Appoline said, pointing her nose in the air. "We can't just run our fingers through our hair and say… what is the word… voilà."
Harry chuckled. "I wouldn't have a clue what you mean Madame Delacour."
"Oh no. No titles here. Sebastian and Appoline only." She said immediately.
"Sirius and Harry then." Sirius replied.
Fleur, and a younger girl, perhaps nine or ten years old, came through a door a few minutes later. Harry stopped his eyes from leaving her face, even though the combined forces of their allure, the stunning silver dress, and his own hormones made it hard.
"Ah. Monsieur Potter!" She said, "Thank you for accepting the invite, and you as well Lord Black."
After dropping formalities, and being introduced to the youngest daughter, Gabrielle, they ate. It took a bit of effort to ignore the allure, but Harry did well enough, or so he thought. He noticed Sirius seemed to struggle some staying focused, but he held himself together respectably, though Harry noticed he sometimes looked past the women instead of at them.
It was surprising how easily dinner flowed. For the most part, they spoke English, with Sebastian and Appoline having a good grasp on English, and Fleur not being far behind. It seemed that Gabrielle had yet to learn much, so Fleur translated for her when Harry wasn't switching back and forth. Most of the conversation for varied though, politics and being aurors was the main topic between the adults, while Harry and Fleur talked about dueling tactics, spells, and schooling. It was later in the evening when Harry finally asked.
"Not that it isn't appreciated, but may I ask why you invited us to dinner?" Harry asked. Appoline didn't say anything, only frowning slightly, and Fleur seemed nervous, but Sebastian nodded.
"I am sure you both are aware that all three ladies here are veele?" He asked, a slight warning to his voice.
"Of course. But I wouldn't think it matters much?" He replied with his brow furrowed.
"It does Harry." Sirius said, "Apologies to you all, but Harry, it is taking much of my self control and Occlumency to not do something foolish or disrespectful. That you aren't losing your mind as a teenager in puberty is incredible."
"No offense taken Sirius." Appoline replied with a smile, "And he isn't wrong, Harry. And I owe you an apology as well. The reason we chose to have dinner was to test both of your resistances to the allure. Her and I are powerful when it comes to our allure, even while we hold it back with Occlumency. Gabrielle has yet to mature, so at the moment she isn't… radiating any." She explained, looking hesitant.
"Why though? I resisted it fine in the duel." Harry replied. He noticed Sirius had a small frown, but the man refrained from saying anything yet.
"I… struggle to make friends. My allure causes issues. The boys can not control themselves, and girls get… I theenk the word is jeeleus." She replied hesitantly. "You were kind to me when we fought, and I 'ad hoped you might be 'illing to be friends."
"Jealous." Harry corrected absently, something Hermione had caused him to do thanks to her own behavior. "And I think I understand for different reasons."
"Besides. I believe I 'ill be at Hogwarts this year." She said nervously, "It 'ould be nice to have a friend there."
Harry nodded. If what Sirius said was true, then it was likely that Beauxbatons would be a part of the Triwizard tournament. And with Britain's stance on veele, werewolves, and those with mixed blood, she would likely be subject to a lot of prejudice.
Well, I think we can be friends, as long as there aren't any hard feelings about today's duel?"
"Non! It was… fun." She smiled.
Tension seemed to reduce as Sebastian spoke. "I thank you for being understanding. We are protective of our daughters because of things that have happened to others. I hope neither of you hold any ill will against us for the test."
"Of course not. I am just as protective of Harry, and if I had been in your shoes, I likely would have done the same." Sirius replied with a nod.
It was only a short bit later that they left. Harry promised to write once they were back home, and it seemed to excite Fleur. Walking back to their room, Sirius spoke. "I think you both will be good friends."
"Why is that?" Harry asked with a frown.
"Because, they weren't lying. Appoline and Fleur aren't the first veele I've met, and without flaring their allure, it was enough to encourage me to attempt to say something stupid, or flirt terribly. Occlumency held me together. That you are able to dismiss it so easily, it is no wonder she wanted to meet with you and be friends, especially if she has such troubles and will be coming to Hogwarts for the event."
"Well, hopefully it works out well then." Harry replied.
That night in bed, Harry wondered what would become his future. Voldemort was still a threat, and would be until the horcruxes are gone. He had friends, and was making new ones and even ones in other countries, and was now the dueling champion.
If someone told me I would be here today, I'd laugh my ass off. He thought, falling asleep once more.
July 20th, 1994
Albania Ministry of Magic
Walden Macnair felt his feet hit the ground, and nearly toppled over from the feeling of the international portkey. Having been spinning for nearly five minutes, the ground was a blessing to him.
But even the dizziness and nausea couldn't diminish his excitement as he made his way through the Albanian security checkpoints and outside where he disapperated to a lodge near the place of his vacation.
He was a hunter after all, and enjoyed killing. It didn't matter what it was, or how difficult the kill was, it only mattered that he felled it. Yet there was something exquisite about killing something stronger or faster, and even more so if the thing was rare.
Sure, muggles made good sport as they tried to fight, hide, or even run, but those days had long passed with the Dark Lord. Nowadays, it was creatures, often elves, acromantulas, and the odd thing here and there that he dealt with. His job enabled it of course, working in the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures as an executioner.
I will get something new this time though, something dangerous! His heart rate increased at the thought.
He had heard rumors the past two years of something lurking in the forests of Albania, and had saved up gold and vacation time to come and hunt it. Rumor was that it had killed over a dozen muggles, a wizard, and that animals had been found dead from magically caused rotting.
Hm. Maybe I should capture and torture it first. Perhaps it is a new specimen? He pondered, Na! I want it dead.
Once he had warded his room with some basic privacy charms, he set out. He didn't worry about getting into his room, as it was a muggle motel. While he detested being near the muggles, it was cheap and closer to where he wanted to be.
A/n: So this now marks the end of the Prisoner of Azkaban Arc officially, even if the Summer would technically belong to the fourth book. As I said before, votes for the Animagus form will no longer be counted since the tournament is over.
Personally, I did my best to include elements of which will be developed in the next two years. The inclusion of Fleur in this is for a reason, and before anyone asks though, Fleur will only be a friend.
On a last note, things will change from canon for the Goblet of Fire arc, though only to a degree. The base story from the books was well set, but this will add more depth. I'm not sure how long the GoF arc will be, but it will likely be the same length, if not longer than the PoA arc. Each task will likely be its own chapter, and with its own twist, it is my goal, though I cannot promise it, to include more of Voldemort's POV.
As always, thank you for reading (and reviewing if you do) and I will see you all in a week!
Buckeye out