oooOOOoooOOOooo Chapter 27
The next day was the day Harry's lads would return to France and Harry would return to Hogwarts. He wanted to spend all day sequestered alone with his babies. Being away from your brand new baby for five months was a very big ask but Harry didn't want his lads to stay around England anymore. They'd already been threatened by the government and almost captured by Death Eaters. Harry wouldn't have them under threat anymore.
"Harry?" Julia said, the morning before they were set to leave. "I hate to take time away from your children today, but you never met with Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel. You were unconscious during your originally scheduled meeting."
Harry cuddled the babies, both of whom were sitting in his lap, staring at a plushy quaffle puttering through the air.
"I suppose we could have lunch and then talk while the twins have their nap," said Harry, reluctantly. He wanted to check with the Grangers and make sure everything was set up for them and the twins. Moody's new hires, Durand, Garnier, Tonks and Proudfoot, would return with Harry's family to France. They would provide security but Harry still couldn't help but worry.
"I think that would be perfect. I'll make the arrangements for them to join us here for lunch," said Julia. She felt for the young father who would be leaving his children behind.
She turned and left the room.
"I think we need an emergency plan, Harry," said Hermione, seriously. "In case we need to escape the United Kingdom."
"What can we do?" asked Harry.
"We should do several things," said Gabrielle, seriously. "You should both get an emergency portkey. All beauxbatons students have one for their time at Hogwarts. It gives us a way to get back to the carriage if we get hurt or lost. I have one from papa that can bring me home to France, as well."
"That's a good idea. We should also get a tracking beacon of some kind. A way we can be found, even if we're unconscious or hurt," said Hermione, gravely. Harry looked angry at the very thought.
"Don't be angry. Be prepared, mon ami," said Gabrielle.
Harry snorted in annoyance but didn't argue with the wise witch. Harry's anger wouldn't solve their problems.
"Alright. Who can help us with this?" asked Harry.
"Papa," said Gabrielle.
Harry relaxed a little. He could trust Jean Claude. "Alright," he said.
The girls each kissed his cheek. Julia smiled to see the sweet gesture. She left Harry to spend time with his lads and his ladies until lunch.
Harry tucked his boys into bed and headed towards the dining room for a discussion he needed to have but dreaded to be a part of.
Harry went to the entrance hall to wait with his ladies by his side. They were all nervous about this talk. Julia smiled at them. She would facilitate the introductions but then would leave Harry, Hermione, and Gabrielle alone in a room with the Flamels. They certainly wouldn't want to talk about sex magic with their mother present.
Finally, the floo flared to life. A handsome older gentleman and a tall, striking older woman stepped out of the flames. Their exact age was something Harry couldn't guess. The only thing he could think when he looked at their faces that appeared around 40 years old was "older".
"Hello Seigneur Flamel, Dame Flamel. It is lovely to see you once more. Please, welcome to Harry's home," said Julia, curtseying slightly to the older couple, who both bowed in return.
"It is always a pleasure to see you as well, Dame Delecour. Is that a new Tuby? It is lovely," said Dame Flamel, looking at a sculpture in the receiving room.
Harry shrugged when everyone looked at him. Gabrielle answered.
"You have an excellent eye. It is a recent acquisition," said Julia.
She turned to the Flamels, "Please, allow me to introduce my daughter and her beloveds. This is Lady Gabrielle Delacour, Lady Hermione Dagworth Granger Ravenclaw, and Lord Harry Potter Black Slytherin Gryffindor Peverell," she said. She turned back to the Flamels. "This is Lord Nicholas Flamel and his wife, Lady Perenelle Flamel."
The Flamels raised their eyebrows. "Those are some illustrious lines, thought lost to history," said Nicholas.
"How fortuitous," said Perenelle.
Harry blushed and looked away. "Strange happenings often happen around me," said the chagrined teen.
"So we've heard," said Nicholas.
The Flamels politely nodded at each person who was introduced, but then they zeroed in on Harry. He noticed and looked uncomfortable. He knew he needed to act now before the entire thing became awkward.
"Lord Flamel, Lady Flamel, can I please just say, I'm so very sorry," Harry said, truly sorry. "It was my fault that your lives could have been stolen from you. If I had not unwisely and unnecessarily sought to protect what I believed was your stone, it never would have been destroyed. I cannot tell you my joy and relief to see you alive today."
Nicholas and Perenell exchanged a glance. They turned back to Harry.
"We can see this matters to you, so we will say, we accept your apology," said Nicholas.
"However, we think it only fair to say that we do not blame you for anything that happened to that stone. Albus Dumbledore is an adult who makes his own decisions," said Perenelle.
"He had many options and yet chose the path he did. You were not responsible for any of that," said Nicholas, seriously.
Harry still looked embarrassed and slightly ashamed.
"I understand, sir, but I had many options before me and I chose the path I did, as well," said Harry.
"You chose the path of stopping evil. It seemed to be a consistent indication of your character," said Perenell with a smile.
"I just get caught up in extraordinary circumstances," said Harry, truthfully. Nicholas and Perenell laughed.
"We completely understand, trust us. If you live long enough, you'll see strange times," said Nicholas.
"I would believe that," said Julia. "May I lead you to your luncheon?"
"Please," said Perenelle, inclining her head.
The group chatted lightly as they made their way to a private solarium. There was a lovely round table set up in the center of the room. She knew from previous interactions that the Flamels preferred a round table to showcase the equality of the people present.
"If there is anything you need, please call for Winky. She will assist you," said Julia.
With that, she left and closed the door behind her.
"I know we are in your home but, if you do not mind, we thought privacy might be best for this conversation?" asked Nicholas.
"Please, if it suits you," said Harry, with a small smile.
Nicholas did nothing but suddenly, the sound of a gently rushing river filled the room.
"That should do," said Perenelle. The soup course appeared.
"First, let us offer you our congratulations on your engagement. It is certainly a happy blessing to find the loves of your life so young," said Perenelle.
The three teens looked at each other with budding true love.
Nicholas smiled. He could see they would make a good go of it. "We understand your union is a love match but not merely so. The timing is also a necessity?"
Harry swallowed hard. He still felt guilty about the timing.
"None of that, now," said Hermione to Harry. He blinked and looked at her. "We would have ended up here no matter what. The timing isn't your fault. It is Dumbledore's for failing to search for a solution and Voldemort's for infecting you with that abomination."
"So it is true?" asked Nicholas, curiously.
Harry flinched. "I am a horcrux."
Nicholas furrowed his brow. "I understood you were infected with a soul leech."
"Oui, he is. He just has the incorrect word stuck in his mind," said Gabrielle, taking Harry's hand for a moment. He squeezed her hand and turned back to the Flamels.
"Ah," said Perenelle. She already could see this boy thought of the worst when he thought of himself.
Nicholas glanced at her then turned back to the teens.
"You will attempt the Trois Amants Purifier ritual to cleanse the infection, oui?" asked Nicholas.
"We will," agreed Hermione firmly.
"Oui," agreed Gabrielle, just as resolved.
"I don't know what else to do. I have children. I don't want to leave them as orphans, if I can try to find a way to do something else," said Harry.
"That is an understandable feeling. One that will help you fight so that you may succeed," said Perenelle.
"What do I need to do to?" asked Harry, desperately.
"What do you know about sex magic?" asked Nicholas.
The other two didn't open their mouths. Hermione took a deep breath to prepare to provide the answer. Nicholas and Perenelle exchanged an amused glance. These children were learning to be partners already.
"Sex magic is any type of sexual activity used in magical, ritualistic or otherwise religious and spiritual pursuits. One practice of sex magic is using sexual arousal or orgasm with visualization of a desired result," said Hermione, rather succinctly for her.
"Exactly," said Nicholas. "You must engage in sexual activity while keeping your focus completely on your desired result. The tools for this exercise are chanting, ritualistic movements, meditation, and guided visualization. Do you have experience with these tools?"
"Some," said Hermione.
"Not really," said Harry.
"Oui. These tools are taught at Beauxbatons," said Gabrielle.
"Hogwarts," spat Nicholas. "I understand you're considering moving on to a better educational institute?"
"We are," agreed Harry. "I wouldn't go back at all if it wasn't for this damn tournament."
"Have you considered returning for the tournament only?" asked a concerned Perenelle.
"We have not," said Hermione. "Do you think that would be the wiser path?" She looked at Harry and Gabrielle for a moment, then turned back to the Flamels.
"There is another reason we think we must stay," said Gabrielle, simply.
"Do you mind to share this reason?" asked Nicholas.
"Voldemort comes after me there every year. This year, I'll be ready for him," said Harry, determinedly.
"You realize that while you are not a horcrux, he most certainly has horcruxes?" asked Nicholas.
"We have suspected for some time he must have between 7 and 11 horcruxes," said Perenelle.
"You are wise, lady," said Harry, bowing his head. "I was gifted with a piece of knowledge by Rowena Ravenclaw. I found her diadem. It was infected with a horcrux. In reward for destroying it, Rowena Ravenclaw's spirit gifted me with one of the jewels from the diadem. It showed me what the horcruxes are. A book that I destroyed in second year, Hufflepuff's cup, Ravenclaw's diadem, Slytherin's locket, a Peverell ring, a maledictus, and myself," said Harry.
"That arrogant batard!" said Nicholas, shocked.
"Do you still have that jewel?" asked Perenelle.
"I think I left it?" asked Harry.
Nicholas laughed in shock. This lad apparently had no interest in magically powerful precious stones.
"I have it," said Hermione. "Winky?" she called.
Winky appeared, attentively. Harry would miss her. She would be going back to France to help care for the Grangers and the twins.
"Yes, Missie Hermione?" asked Winky.
"Could you bring me my jewelry box with the lock on it?" asked Hermione.
Winky popped away and back. She set the box down.
"Thank you, Winky," said Hermione with a smile. Winky waggled her ears and disappeared.
Hermione turned the combination lock and pulled the jewel out. She handed it over to Perenelle. Nicholas shook his head. The fabled blue moon diamond of Thoth was kept in a child's jewelry box full of beaded jewelry and plastic barrettes. How the mighty are brought low or brought safely home, depending on how you look at it.
"This is the blue moon diamond of Thoth. It is said to hold many magical properties, one of which is the power to recall. Do you mind if we view your vision together?" asked Perenelle.
"You can do that?" asked Harry.
"All you have to do is hold it in your dominant hand and visualize what you wish to see," said Perenelle. She looked into the diamond. An image of Harry's vision appeared above the stone. It played out for them all to see.
"He entrapped two living beings with his vile soul. This poor maledictus cannot be spiritually replaced the way a human can be. She can only be enslaved for her very long life. Will you free her?" asked Nicholas.
"Yes," swore Harry.
"How?" asked Perenelle. The answer to this question was important. Much like a house elf, only either death or a replacement binding would free a maledictus from a slave bond. Harry blushed again. His ladies smiled at him and squeezed his shoulders.
"I'llbindhertomeasavassal," said Harry, in a quick mumble.
"What's that?" asked Nicholas.
Harry sighed. "I'll bind her to me as a vassal. I have four other vassals," said Harry.
"You do?" asked a surprised Nicholas.
"I do," said Harry, hoping he wouldn't have to say who. Hermione didn't let him leave the information out.
"Remus Lupin, Bill Weasley, Regulus Black, and Albus Dumbledore are currently Harry's vassals, though we hope you will keep that information to yourself," said Hermione.
Nicholas laughed in shock for the second time in a long time. "That's one way to take Dumbledore in hand. I wish I had done it myself decades ago. Bound him as a vassal! Ha!"
Perenelle couldn't help her own pleasure at that thought.
"He owes Harry a life debt. When Harry bound Headmaster Dumbledore, it cured the man of a terrible wasting disease from which he was expected to die," said Gabrielle.
Nicholas chortled and slapped his knee.
"Brilliant. Have you claimed the debt?" asked Perenelle.
Harry looked uncomfortable. "I don't think that's necessary."
Nicholas sobered up. "I think you don't understand the power of a life debt, young man. It will prevent someone from being able to work against you to your demise. Can you honestly say you are certain Dumbledore doesn't mean you mortal harm?"
Harry shrugged. "Not if the Trois Amants Purifier ritual works."
"Hmmm, that may be true, but best to have all of the protection you can provide yourself and your family with," said Perenelle.
Harry grimaced but agreed. "What do I need to do?' he asked in a beleaguered voice. Nicholas grinned. He liked this kid.
"Just hold up your wand and say the words, I claim the life debts owed to me. Any claim that is valid will take hold," said Perenelle.
Harry did it. Harry's wand flashed four times. An image of Albus, Sirius, Ginny, and Ron appeared above his wand. Then Harry's wand flashed so many times with so many images it was too confusing to see who was claimed.
"That's the ticket," said Nicholas with a somewhat vicious smile.
"Wait, why did an image of Ginny and Ron appear, too? Why all of those other people?" asked a confused Harry.
"Have you saved their lives?" asked Perenelle.
Harry thought and groaned.
"He has," answered Hermione. "But he saved my life, too," said Hermione.
"He has claimed you in another way, my dear," said the woman. "My assumption is that the other people were the people you saved from the dementors."
"Now, let us tell you what we know about the Trois Amants Purifier ritual. You agree to let us oversee the ritual?" asked Perenelle.
The teens blushed.
"Oui, we do," said Gabrielle.
"Bien," said Nicholas. "We will teach you what you must do but only you can do it."
"With so much powerful help to ground you through your vassals, I can see that you will succeed," said Perenelle.
With that, the main course of food was served, which was perfect timing in the teens minds. They were able to keep their blushing faces turned towards their plates during the rather racy lecture.