Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

-oOo-

Chapter 2

10 Mar 2024

-oOo-

August 7, 1996

Paris, France

Relieved to have escaped and never been really anywhere outside of their little worlds Daphne and him had grown up in, they decided to spend a few days in Paris. It had been eye opening for both of them. Harry had never really eaten out at a restaurant and Daphne had never seen anything like the Louvre or the Tour Eiffel.

After spending a few days in Paris, Harry was starting to feel this itch between his shoulder blades. Daphne took that as a sign to move on, especially after the newspapers announced they were missing. Not really sure where to go, they chanced a trip in the magical district they had found out about in Diagon Alley. Neither of them expected to have their nice day come crashing down around them.

They had stopped by a shop and a news stand. Looking at the Daily Prophet, Harry stared a little dumbly at the headline.

Heiress Greengrass Kidnaps the Boy-Who-Lived! Potions suspected.

"Ah, Daph," Harry whispered as she was looking at a window with a few dresses in it. He pulled on her sleeve and looked up. His eyes scanned the crowds, the feeling of something wrong between his shoulder blades growing.

She turned to him. "Yes?"

He pointed to the paper. The woman working the stand was giving change to another patron. Harry didn't wait. He took her hand and pulled her away the second he heard her gasp. The first hint that they might be in trouble was a man pointing towards them while talking to several men in blue robes looking their way.

"Harry, I didn't kidnap you," she told him.

Harry grabbed one of the papers and left a few sickles on the stand.

"We can talk about that later," he said, pulling her into an alley. "Change." He waited to see Daphne start her change before he turned into a dog. A moment later the men in blue cloaks and robes poked their heads into the alley. They had to be Aurors by the way they held themselves. Daphne and him pressed in behind a few bins.

One of them took out their wands. He felt a Homenum Revelio wash over them. He was happy they didn't do a charm to look for animagus when they moved further down the street of the magical quarter.

Daphne brushed his side, whining to show she wanted to go. Harry just stood firm for a few minutes to make sure the Aurors wouldn't come back. He was sad he would never be able to tell Sirius how thankful he was for giving Daphne and him his notes and his father's journal on how they became animagus.

When he was sure they could go, he moved to the end of the alley. None of the Aurors were in sight. It took them a little bit to get through the alley and wait for a family to leave the portal, but within an hour they were on a train leaving the city. The sprawling expanse of Paris was quickly giving way to the countryside as the high-speed train sped them south. Neither of them still knew where they were going, but away from Britain still sounded nice.

"So, now that I've kidnapped you to have my wicked way, are you going make me a scarlet woman?" Daphne teased. Harry could tell she was still a little on edge after that close call, so he played along.

The slight blush was real though. Even though they had shared a bed a few times, or would sleep with each other when they were Animagus, they had not done anything that scandalous yet. "You know, for being a little Princess, you seem to want me to have my wicked way with you," he said in a suggestive tone.

Daphne's cheeks coloured a little. "Well, I didn't run just for the fun of it. There has to be perks somewhere."

Harry gave a nervous chuckle. "Fred and George really corrupted you."

"Are you complaining?" she challenged.

Harry leaned down, met her lips and gave her a little more of a kiss than normal on the train. Daphne melted into him, then quickly slapped his hand as his fingers ghosted up to run under the swell of her chest. "Harry! Not here," she whispered slightly scandalized, her cheeks brighter than before.

"But aren't I supposed to be some philanderer or something?" he whispered back with a cheeky grin.

She playfully hit his arm. "Not here… not where everyone can see. Besides, I kidnapped you."

"I know," Harry said. He looked around to make sure that no one was looking before he unrolled the paper he took out of a pocket. "I think we need to get out of Europe. Do you think this was your parents?"

She leaned her head onto his shoulder. "I don't think my family would go public like this. It would be unbelievably bad for me to be seen as a used woman by potential husbands. If my father really was talking with the Malfoys, then they will want compensation. Besides, if it had been my family, you would have kidnapped me."

"Who said I didn't?"

She gave him a look.

"I still can't believe your father would just sell you like that. That is so wrong. You aren't an animal to be sold," he said a little hotly.

She kissed his cheek. "I knew there was a reason I liked you. I think this is the minister or Dumbledore."

"Could be both. I'm sure if Tom knows, he'll want me too," Harry said with a frown.

Daphne wrapped her arm around his and squeezed. "We can't go into any more wizarding places for now."

"I know."

He was glad she had taken to wearing Muggle dresses, trousers and shorts. He enjoyed her smooth legs pressed against his. He enjoyed looking at her long, smooth legs. It had been hot in Paris so they both had shorts on today. She was still self-conscious at how many boys and men looked at her but was getting more accustomed to it. Harry only wished he could say the same. His hand kept wandering for his wand, wanting to curse all their eyes closed with conjunctivitis curses.

Looking out the train, Harry thought he caught sight of a white owl. He knew she would catch up with him and had told her to take her time, but Harry didn't like leaving her like this.

"I think I should send my parents a letter," she said.

"I thought you left them one," he commented.

Her arms wrapped tighter around him. "I only left one with Tori," she admitted.

Harry nodded. "I should send one to the Order too. Let them know I didn't kidnap you and that I wasn't kidnapped, but I am having my wicked way with you."

"Harry Potter!" she chastised him with a grin on her face and an attractive hue to her cheeks.

-oOo-

Later that day…

Wiltshire, England

Lucius was watching the man he called lord and master pace up and down the dark room. Much like his days in Slytherin, the place was a mass of black stone and tiles. Six columns with large black tiles flanked the large table made of a solid slab of black obsidian. At the far end of the room was a dais with a massive black stone throne. The only light in the room was from the fireplace. It cast a sickly red glow that gave the impression of blood rolling across the surfaces. The stark white face, hands and feet of the Dark Lord were in stark contrast to the rest of the room.

Lucius had been called into to attend to his lord almost twenty minutes ago. He didn't dare disturb the clearly upset man. He had no right. In the last few years, he had lost a great treasure that belong to the Dark Lord, failed to silence Harry Potter, failed to get the prophesy, failed to free three of the ones arrested in the DOM fiasco, failed to secure the Black fortune, and now, looking at the copy of the Daily Prophet, had failed to secure the Greengrass fortune and business. He had had to use precious resources to get Cornelius to give him a pardon, and then failed to keep the man in office after his lord had been revealed to be alive.

His string of failures was vast. His reasons for living were very few. Only the fact his lord needed the Malfoy wealth and properties was what was keeping him alive. If he were to die, Draco would not be able to take over anything until he turned seventeen next year. Lucius' time was marked, and he knew it.

When the Dark Lord spoke in his slightly high-pitched voice, he flinched. "Lucius, remind me again how negotiations are going with Greengrass?"

Lucius swallowed. "They were progressing well, my lord. The only issue we were still resolving was which daughter," he said.

The Dark Lord reached the far end of the room and turned. His red eyes landed on Lucius'. The man's white face was rather impassive, which was not a good sign. Lucius tried not to swallow hard.

"And why is that an issue?"

"Lord Greengrass was unwilling to let his eldest marry my son. He didn't want control of the family to revert to Draco should the worst happen," Lucius said.

"Then why not marry the younger chit and then eliminate the rest of the family?" the Dark Lord asked in a low tone. He took a step towards Lucius.

Lucius swallowed. "The clauses of the contract would either send the family to another relative or send it into a receivership that would be untouchable, unless we were to get the goblins to go along."

The man's nose less nostrils flared. "You are telling me that you are not a skilled enough negotiator to get around that?"

"My lord, the laws of the Wizengamot…"

"Can be changed, can they not? I thought it was you who told me you could do anything I wanted in the Wizengamot?" the Dark Lord questioned, stepping closer.

"My lord, with the change in the Wizengamot, I don't have as much influence," he replied.

"And how much of that is due to your absolute cock up to get the prophesy?" the Dark Lord demanded, anger starting to come through his words. It took all of Lucius will power to not wince or step back.

"That has some to do with it. Rufus Scrimgeour has also moved to find some of our spies since the death of Amelia Bones. Those that were once on the fence are coming down on the side of Albus Dumbledore," Lucius said.

"And Harry Potter!" the Dark Lord stated. It was full of malice. "And now the boy is missing! Kidnapped by the very family you said would be key to securing the finances I need! Why would your contacts not know this!"

Lucius did take a step back this time as the man slammed his hand onto the paper and his red eyes flared with power. "I don't know why I didn't know. What about Severus?"

The Dark Lord hissed at him. "Severus has his own tasks and is not required to report to me daily! You have failed me for the last time, Lucius!"

The Dark Lord's wand came up. Lucius hit the floor, screaming and arching his back as pain ripped down his spine. It felt like he was burning up from the inside. He hadn't even heard the curse.

After what felt like an eternity, the pain stopped. Lucius slumped to the floor, his body shaking with uncontrolled tremors. His lord's white feet came into view just under the man's black robes. He crouched down, the black tip of his wand pressing into Lucius' cheek. "You will procure the funds you promised. I don't care if Draco has a new bride, if you have a new bride or find Harry Potter and obtain the Black fortune. You have until September first to resolve your issue. If you do not, I will resolve it for you."

The wand dragged across his cheek. Lucius whimpered as he felt a hot mark trail the wand.

"If you do not want Nagini to have you for lunch, I would suggest leaving. NOW!" the man said in barely contained anger.

Lucius forced himself up, his arms shaking so that he almost fell again. "Ye… yes, my lord."

"Before you go," the man said, grabbing Lucius left arm. Lucius hissed in pain at the way his shoulder was yanked. The Dark Lord ripped his sleeve to get to his Dark Mark. The man's wand dug into it and Lucius grit his teeth as he tried to stifle the cry of pain. The man's cruel smile told Lucius he was in trouble. Lucius knew it didn't take this long to call another Death Eater, but the wand kept digging into his arm for almost a full minute. The Dark Lord was terribly upset.

When his master let go of his magic, Lucius fell to the floor again. "You have a minute before Nagini gets too hungry. Send in Avery once he arrives."

"Yes, my lord," Lucius said, forcing himself to his feet and then stumbling towards the main hall. Perhaps it wasn't too late to send Narcissa and Draco away?

Behind him he heard, "It is time to go hunting, Harry Potter."

-oOo-

August 9, 1996

Ottery St. Catchpole, England

It was a sweltering day. Ron was happy to have the shade and a cold glass of lemonade in the orchard. He was missing his two friends though. Hermione hadn't been home when his mum went to find her last week, and Pig hadn't even left the Burrow when he tried to send a letter, meaning she was hiding under a charm or was too far away for his little owl to find her. Since the house was empty the half-dozen times he knew the Order had checked, and her family usually went on holiday, he was thinking she was far away.

His summer was even worse. His best mate was supposed to have come this week, not done a runner. This meant he had no one to hang out with except Ginny, and she was still worried about Harry and furious with him for not writing to Harry. Ron still figured Harry would have written if he needed to talk.

Though, Ron was feeling he needed to talk to Harry about the non-sense the Daily Prophet was talking about. As if Greengrass could kidnap Harry? Harry had escaped You-Know-Who, duelled a dozen Death Eaters to a standstill in June and a slimy Slytherin girl would be the one to capture him?

Though, the paper had gone from her kidnapping him on Wednesday, to them being star crossed lovers today. Harry was only sixteen, why would he run away to marry anyone, and it wasn't like Harry would be with a Slytherin. Right?

He focused on Greengrass instead of his guilt that was starting to grow. He knew that Harry had just about abandoned him last year. The fact Harry had run off to the ministry on his own was proof enough. His best friend hadn't really forgiven Hermione and him for not contacting him at all last summer. Perhaps he should have sent a letter instead of waiting for Harry to contact him first?

As he thought on that, an owl flew out of the blue sky to land on a branch above him. "I'm down here, you know," he said to the thing when he noticed the roll of parchment on its leg. It made an indignant hoot towards him. "Fine, you ruddy thing!"

It was warm and he didn't want to move, so it took him a moment to sit up, another to stand and even longer to fumble with the knot. "Oi! Ruddy thing!" Ron cursed as it bit his finger before taking off for the trees on the edge of the property.

He sucked on his finger for a moment as he spun the scroll around. He recognized Harry's messy scrawl, but frowned when it said, 'To the Order'.

"Why send it to me?" Ron muttered.

Curious, he opened it, like he had the first one.

-o-

Dear Order,

I still quit!

By now you have seen that some think I was kidnapped by Daphne Greengrass. I was not. She is a willing companion of wherever I am, if she ever wants to return or go her own way, I won't stop her.

Can you please tell Susan Bones that I saw what happened to her aunt and I hope she is alright. I will point out though, that this is what happens when you decide to let Death Eaters live. The Order did that in the Department of Mysteries and we all almost died. Sirius did die!

I will warn you now, if you or anyone tries to bring me back when I or Daphne do not want to, I will defend us, and the people that come for us will not again.

Yours truly,

Harry Potter

-o-

Ron gulped. Perhaps Harry was with the snake, and she was obviously changing him. Though, Ron couldn't disagree with what Harry was saying about the DOM and the Order. Given some of the deaths this summer, perhaps the Death Eaters should just be killed?

He did worry about the tone of the letter though. If Harry said he would take care of things, Ron knew he meant it, and Ron wasn't sure it wouldn't be a non-permanent way.

"MUM!" He called out, leaving his half empty glass of lemonade under the apple tree.

-oOo-

The same day…

Marseille, France

Harry was panting. They had run from the train station after seeing someone Harry had not expected too. Having slept in Valence the night before, they had taken the first train south this morning, then saw an all too familiar head of blonde hair that was not Daphne's.

Daphne was panting just as hard as he was. Even in their dog forms, running like they had was demanding work, and the hot, dry Mediterranean morning wasn't making it easier. They padded into a shaded alley before stopping. Harry could feel the froth at the edge of his mouth. Daphne came to his side before flopping down onto the cooler cobblestones of the alley.

Unsure if they had been seen or not, Harry looked around, his nose going to see what he could smell. A second later, he growled, moving to protect Daphne. She whined but didn't get to her feet. Harry didn't want to use magic, afraid of being found.

Looking behind him, he could see there wasn't a straightforward way out. He hadn't meant to lead them into a dead end. Turning towards the front of the alley, he saw a tall, blonde woman in a nice summer dress, sky blue eyes and holding a wand. She had the wand pointing away from them and her hand up in a placating gesture.

"I mean you no harm," the woman said in French.

Harry growled at her. Daphne tried to get up, but they had pushed too hard.

The woman crouched down. "I saw you at the station. I think you are someone I know people are looking for."

Harry took a menacing step towards her. Bernese Mountain dogs were not small dogs, and he knew he could do some harm if needed. The blond woman defiantly stayed where she was, her palm still open and moved her wand to be behind her back. "If you are who I think you are, I can help."

Harry huffed, not believing anyone could help them. The last time he had seen this young woman she had thanked him, but that was over two years ago now.

"Harry?" she questioned, and his ears flattened against his head. She seemed to take his reaction as proof of her suspicion. Daphne stood, still panting, but a low growl came from her throat. The blond woman rose an eyebrow. "I assume this is your companion in the papers?"

Harry took another menacing step, baring his teeth and ensured he was between the woman and Daphne.

"I mean you no harm. If you want to follow, my family's home is not far away. I once said I owe you a debt for my sister and myself. I would honour that debt. It applies to both of you," the woman said.

Harry didn't know. Daphne came to his side and leaned against it, whining just a little. Harry wanted to keep moving, but if they could get some help to get out of the country, could this be worth it? He turned to look into the deep blue eyes of the Golden Retriever. She nuzzled him. Harry let out a snort.

The woman stood. After a quick look around, she slipped her wand between her breasts, and it disappeared into her shirt. Harry would have found that interesting if he wasn't already leaning against Daphne, who's scent was so much more intoxicating than the blonde veela that was now turning to walk down the street.

Harry nudged Daphne and they moved to follow.

Ten minutes later they were being led into a courtyard of a building close to the mountains. He could feel the power of the wards as they crossed the threshold of the stone passage. Four villas all pointed into it. The woman said, "We are inside the wards. My family lives here with three others. It is safe for you to turn back."

Harry looked around and shared a look with Daphne. She nodded her head. Harry stepped and a second later was moving to support Daphne as she changed back. She looked tired. In their run from Paris two days ago, they hadn't slept much. "How did you know it was us?" Daphne demanded right away.

The woman smirked. "I am veela. I can sense it. I also saw Harry push you around a corner, then two dogs came out a few minutes later."

"Bloody hell," Harry muttered. "Fleur, what the hell are you doing here and in a Muggle train station?"

Fleur gave him a wry grin. "It just so happens the public floos and the portkey point for the city are also in the train station. France does not try to separate us from the normal as much as in Britain."

"Bloody fuck!"

Daphne didn't flinch at his cussing. "Does that mean they track who comes and goes from those places?"

"Non, but it does mean there will be more magicals if you are trying to avoid them," Fleur said, coming too close to getting at what Daphne and him were doing.

"You aren't going to tell my parents, are you?" Daphne questioned, her wand coming out of the pocket of her shorts. Harry touched the tip of his wand in his forearm holster. The disillusioned holster came into view.

Fleur held her hands out wide, making no move to take her wand out of her dress. "I mean you no harm. I swear this, Harry. If I wanted to hand you over, I would have called the Aurors in the station the second I saw you. You are obviously running from something. All I wish to do is help."

Daphne raised her wand. Harry kept his at his side. "How can I believe you?" Daphne pressed.

"My family owes Harry a debt. Even if I did not, I would not betray you. That is not me or my family," Fleur told them.

"Do you trust them?" Daphne asked, her wand still not straying from targeting Fleur's chest.

Harry looked in the sky-blue eyes of Fleur. He didn't feel like she was lying to him. In the world, Harry could count on one hand those he truly trusted, and the only one he did was pointing her wand at someone offering them help. The four others had helped them escape, but Harry didn't fully trust them anymore.

"Fleur, we are not going back," Harry told her.

The stunning blonde nodded her head once. "Then let me help you. Many are looking for you and Miss Greengrass. They think that either you were both kidnapped, or your belle kidnapped you."

"We saw," Harry said. "If anyone kidnapped anyone, then I did the kidnapping."

Daphne rolled her eyes at him. "I think I was the one to suggest leaving."

Harry grinned. "Perhaps."

Fleur took a step forward and Daphne's wand jabbed towards her. A ball of white energy collected on the tip. "Don't come any closer!" Daphne warned.

Fleur's hands went up in a sign of surrender again. "I am not going to take you back. People are looking for you, Harry. Dumbledore and others."

Harry's wand came up now. "I will never go back to the Dursley's, and I won't ever go back to Hogwarts or anywhere where Albus Dumbledore is."

"And you will not because of me or my family," Fleur said.

After a moment, he dropped his hand and slid the butt of his wand into the end of his holster. The wand pulled up, ready to be used again. Daphne lowered her wand this time. "So, we are trusting her?"

"I would like to sleep in a bed tonight," Harry said.

Daphne let out a sigh. "If you betray us, I will make sure you never do so again."

"I swear as a Delacour and veela that your secrets will be my own. I will never betray you willingly or by coercion," she said.

Daphne gave a satisfied nod and finally put her wand back into her pocket.

"If you want to come inside, I'm sure maman will love to get you some café or tea. I don't know if Gabrielle is around today, but she will be happy to see you. She still talks about you and how you saved her. I can call papa at the ministry to come home early," she told them.

"Sure," Harry said. He moved in close to Daphne. She didn't complain about the hand on her back or the way he protected her. Hermione would have been bristling at his protective nature. Daphne leaned into him. He knew she could take care of herself, but she needed him as much as he needed her.

Fleur led them to the villa across from the passage they entered. Harry could feel the wards around the house. There had been some fairly powerful ones outside. Inside they hummed much like the wards around Hogwarts. His hand squeezed Daphne's waist. She looked at him curiously and he just shook his head. He didn't want people to know he could sense magic like he did. He was curious about Fleur though and how she had sensed him.

"I freely invite you into the House of Delacour. You are honoured guests and considered family," Fleur said. Harry felt the wards shift and accept them. They had walked into a small entry hall with a stairwell, hall and a few doors off the hallway.

"Fleur? Is that you? Who did you bring with you?" a voice as musical as Fleurs called out from down the hallway.

"Hello, maman. I have guests," Fleur called back.

Daphne reached to hold the hand on her hip. Harry knew it bothered her she couldn't understand French. The woman that came out the door at the end of the hallway looked barely over thirty, except for a slightly ageless look to her face. The yellow dress was modest enough, but failed to hide the figure that most men would drool over. Her daughter looked very much like this woman.

"Hello, Madam Delacour. I'm not sure if you remember me, but we met a few years ago," Harry said, holding out a hand to her.

"Harry Potter? I would never forget you! You saved my daughters," the woman gushed, moving down the hallway. Harry meant to just shake her hand. She went around it, grabbing his face with her hands then planting two kisses, one each on his cheeks. Harry felt his cheeks warm a little. "You are always welcome in this house. And who is this beauty with you?"

Daphne's eyes were narrowed at him.

"Madame Delacour, this is Daphne Greengrass. She doesn't speak French, if you don't mind," Harry said.

"Of course! Of Course! It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Greengrass. Yes. Now, none of this Madam Delacour. You must call me Appoline. Anyone that has done this family a favour as you have never needs to be formal. Have you eaten? I was just finishing baking, much to our beloved Esme's dismay," the woman said jovially. She took one of each of their hands and pulled them off down the hallway.

"Gabrielle! We have guests!" Appoline yelled up the stairs. "Gabrielle is still working on her English, so she will have issues. Do you like espresso? I am not sure if we have any tea. Fleur, help Esme get the good service out."

Harry felt almost as flabbergasted as he would have been if Mrs Weasley had taken him in. Though, this woman didn't seem as overbearing.

"Oui, maman," Fleur said.

"Do you have any bags? Are you staying for long? I can have two guest rooms prepared for you. You must stay here for as long as you are in Marseille," the woman offered. It sounded like a command, but Harry could tell it was their decision. For that alone, Harry relaxed some.

"Thank you, Appoline," Daphne said. Her cheeks flushed a slight tad. "But if you don't mind, I would prefer not to be separated from Harry."

Appoline looked at them for a brief moment before pushing the door open to the back of the house. "If that is what you want," Appoline accepted.

Harry felt slightly flustered too. Granted, they had spent the last eight nights together, but that had been more out of necessity. Fleur gave them a smirk as she went off to the right. There was a large kitchen with a house elf working in it.

"I will contact Jean-Paul. He will want to know you are here. You have been all over the papers the last two days, but you don't look like you are the captive," she said to Harry. "Well, not in any way that a woman wouldn't normally captivate someone."

Fleur snickered as they both reddened more. Appoline didn't seem to notice. They were just sat at a small oval table when the door to the kitchens slammed open. "Maman, we have guests?" a girl asked, barging into the kitchen. She was in a blue summer dress that matched her eyes. Her bare feet looked a little dirty, but the rest of her was clean. She was at that tipping point of a young girl starting to mature into a teen. Like her mother and sister, her hair was a silver blonde and her eyes light blue.

"Fleur found some strays to take home," Appoline said with a laugh as Fleur made an indignant sound. Harry stiffened, unsure if Appoline had seen them transform or not.

Gabrielle stopped in mid hop, landing a little heavily on the stone floor as she suddenly realized who was sitting at the table. Her eyes widened. "Harry? Sacre bleu! Maman! Harry!" she screamed before her hands went to her hair and a hand started to smooth the dress. She looked down to her feet, horror raced across her features and then she eked before running out of the room.

Daphne's eyes followed the girl out. "Is there any girl that we come across that doesn't have a crush on you?" Daphne said bitterly. Harry wanted to comment about all the boys and men that had looked at her over the last week in her shorts but didn't when Appoline and Fleur laughed.

"Gabrielle may still have a crush on you," Fleur said as she brought over a tray with six cups, a small thing of milk, sugar, lemons and some biscuits and pastries.

"Where is the espresso?" Appoline questioned.

"Esme threatened to hit me with her spoon if I didn't let her get it," Fleur said annoyed. "I think you annoyed her with the mess you made of her kitchen."

"I didn't make a mess," Appoline stated.

"Esme will be cleaning all afternoon," a squeaky voice called from the kitchen.

Fleur smirked at her mother. "You made a mess. I hope these eclairs are edible," Fleur said, eyeing them. "I also sent a message to papa."

"Good. Good. Now, Harry and Daphne, what brings you to Marseille?" Appoline asked.

Harry was trying to keep up with the whiplash of everything. "Well, ah… you said you read the papers?"

Appoline waved her hand. "Those rags from Britain are useless. You did make the Crieur National. Lord Greengrass is saying you kidnapped his daughter, while your rags are saying something different. If Fleur accepted you into this house, I assume it is something different or between?"

"We decided to leave," Harry said.

Daphne took his hand under the table.

"Can I ask why?" Appoline questioned. Esme came over hovering a glass carafe that smelled like coffee and a pot of an aromatic tea. The small elf placed them on the table. "Thank you, Esme."

Esme bowed and went back to what she was doing in the kitchen. "Maman is in trouble," Fleur said with a smirk and sounding much younger than the nineteen- or twenty-year-old woman she was.

"You, hush!" the elder veela told her daughter. "Please, guests first, then you can tell us what is going on."

Harry was happy for the tea while Daphne went for the coffee. After a few minutes, Daphne motioned for Harry to start. Harry let out a breath. "I can't tell you everything, but you know that Voldemort has returned?"

Both women frowned. "Yes, we know. I was hoping to help a group against him, but that has not worked out."

Harry looked at her curiously but didn't press her. "Last year, the ministry didn't believe it. They did everything they could to make me out as a nutter." Daphne ran her finger over the scars on the back of his right hand. "I proved them I wasn't, but I lost my godfather and just about everything else doing so."

Fleur frowned. "I was told about Sirius Black. I'm sorry for your loss, Harry. Can I ask though, why don't you trust Albus Dumbledore and the Order?"

Harry's eyes narrowed. "You know about the Order of the Pheonix?"

"Oui. I was dating William Weasley and had been approached to join. I turned down the offer. Both offers," she said. Harry couldn't tell if she was upset or sad, and wondered what the second offer was.

"Then you know what they were doing to Harry and what Dumbledore did to him?" Daphne asked, a venom she seemed to only reserve for her most hated enemies, coming out.

Both women looked concerned. "I do not know what Dumbledore did to Harry, but I know what he did to my daughters. Gabrielle was only ten and she is veela. It took my husband to keep me from burning the man."

Fleur put a hand over her mother's. "Maman, Gabrielle and I are safe. The judges didn't know, and papa wasn't told she would be put under the water."

"It does not matter, Fleur! To put a young veela under the water like that… for you to have to go down there… I will burn him alive if he touches either of you again. I am glad you came to your senses and came home," Appoline stated.

Fleur sighed. "I know, maman."

Daphne leaned over. "I like her," Daphne said loud enough for everyone to hear.

Appoline chuckled. "So, you do not like Albus Dumbledore. May I ask why?"

"I have my reasons," Harry said.

Daphne squeezed his hand. "I will not lie about what he has done to you. People should know he is not the good man that everyone thinks he is," Daphne stated.

Fleur rose an eyebrow at her. "Do tell…"

"Let's say that he blocked my parents' will, stole from me, sent me into deadly situations and kept stuff from me and others that caused a lot of people their lives," Harry told them.

Fleur's eyes grew wide. Appoline's pretty face grew stormy. "I told you he is not a good man!"

"Yes, maman, I know. Harry, I must tell you something," Fleur said. Harry looked to her. "William, Arthur and Molly work for the Order of the Pheonix. Dumbledore has been trying to get William and Arthur to find out anything he can about you. Your accounts, whether you are getting underage notices of magic and there are three Aurors looking for you and any information the ministry may have on you right now. When I was asked to do the same, I could not."

Harry's hand clenched.

"Ow. Ow. Ow," Daphne said, trying to pull her hand out of his.

"Oh, Daph, I'm so sorry," Harry said. She pulled her hand out and was shaking it.

"I know how you feel towards Dumbledork, but I like my hand," she complained. Harry took her hand when she let him, and he kissed it.

"Fleur, thank you. Dumbledore is going to have a tough time finding out about my accounts though," Harry told them. Daphne wove her fingers between his again with a warning look.

"What do you mean?" Appoline said.

Harry shrugged. "There aren't any more accounts. I need to find a new bank, but I won't ever trust goblins again and they refused to turn any more than a hundred thousand galleons into pounds."

Fleur sighed. "Yes, I have lost my trust in them as well. Papa has recently moved Gabrielle and mine trust funds to Switzerland. The gnomes are more trustworthy."

"The goblins are greedy, but they never break a solemn oath," Appoline said.

"The goblins are greedy. Like man, there are those that will do anything for the right amount," Harry said. He looked to Daphne. "I've never heard of the gnomes in Switzerland."

"I only know that those that use the gnomes are usually trying to avoid the goblins and the ministry," Daphne said.

Fleur snorted. "That is just something said because the goblins hate gnomes. The gnomes are trustworthy. I will be taking a job with them next week and working on my German and Italian instead of my English. If you don't have accounts, can I ask where your money is?"

"Safe," Harry replied a little slowly. Both French women rose their brow.

"Are you trying to say that you closed your accounts, and you have all your money on you?" Appoline asked.

Harry couldn't meet their eyes.

"Harry and I took all we could. We are not going back, but don't trust the goblins," Daphne restated.

Appoline looked to them. "We have a vault in the basement, if you want, until you decide what you want to do. I have a feeling that your accounts were not small."

"You can say that," Harry said, knowing that he had five expanded trunks of gems and coins alone, and another three with heirlooms. He had had to buy four extra trunks from the goblins, not having expected that much. Daphne had filled most of a normal trunk herself from her trust vault. Neither of them were supposed to be able to access their vaults like that. Harry hadn't been joking that some goblins would do anything for the right price. Of course, some of Sirius will had allowed him to do what he had as well. The bank manager had not been happy when he closed his vaults and took all his investments. The only thing the goblins were still managing was the various properties and rentals he still had under his family names in Britain and would be forwarding any bills or profits straight to him until they could sell almost everything. Daphne had convinced him to keep two properties in case they ever had to go back.

"I don't know if Harry and I will be staying long. If everyone is looking for us, we should be going," Daphne said.

"Nonsense. You can stay the night, at the least. Jean-Paul will want to meet you and we can help," Appoline said.

"Yes, papa and I will help. Now, what I would like to know is how you managed to run away with your striking beau," Fleur said to Daphne. Appoline looked interested too.

Daphne held her chin up. "We are both sixteen. It is not running away if we choose to leave."

Fleur snorted in mirth. "The people looking for you do not feel the same, and I was under the impression that you were still under-age in your home country."

Harry looked down. Daphne squeezed his hand. "Harry has been declared emancipated and I have chosen to enter an agreement with him. It is not running if we can both make our own choice."

Appoline's brow rose while Fleur stared at them. "Am I to understand you are in a betrothal? And your parents agree? The international papers seem to say your parents are searching for you."

"At sixteen I have the right to accept an offer," Daphne said rather imperiously. "If my father refuses to accept it as well, he can banish me. My betrothed is now my guardian."

"I see. And how did you get to this? No one in the Order even knew you were seeing anyone," Fleur said interested in their response.

"Last year was not an easy year for our Defence of the Dark Arts class. I was determined to pass with an outstanding. Harry agreed to tutor me…"

"More like was forced too," Harry muttered. Daphne cast him a nasty glance.

"Harry agreed to tutor me. Over the year, we got to know each other, and increased our studies. It was about Easter Harry kissed me for the first time," Daphne said, smiling at him.

"It was also around Easter when you suggested we leave with how everything was going," Harry told her.

"I wasn't wrong," she said. "I just wished we could have contacted your godfather in time," she said sadly.

Harry frowned. "I do too."

"So, you just fell in love and then decided to leave?" Appoline asked, as though understanding the ways of youth in a way none of the others in the room did yet.

"It wasn't as easy as that, but after my godfather died and I was sent back to my relatives and no one was responding to me, I decided I needed to leave," Harry said.

"And I was not going to let him go without me," Daphne said.

"And where are you going now?" Appoline asked.

Daphne and him shared a look. "We don't know," Harry said.

"Out of the ICW," Daphne stated.

"And nowhere that Britain has any influence," Harry added.

"I would like to get our NEWTS," Daphne said.

"I want to explore. I've never really been anywhere," Harry included.

"Do you need to be outside the ICW?" Appoline asked.

"Yes," they both said. Harry went on, "Appoline, Daphne and I can't take the risk of being caught and sent back. We know that other countries and regional groups don't get along with the ICW and Britain."

"So, where do you want to go?" Fleur asked.

Harry shrugged. "I don't know. South, I guess."

"We would most likely need to end up in an American Congress or a Pacific Alliance country so we can test for international NEWTS," Daphne replied.

"That is still a year or two away and we need to find tutors or something else," Harry told her. This had been a conversation they had had a few times in the last few weeks.

"Jean-Paul will know more. If you want out, our family will help you. If you excuse me, I should go see how Gabrielle is doing. I thought she would be back by now," Appoline said.

"She is probably hiding under her covers wishing she was dead," Fleur said with a smirk.

Appoline sighed. "Probably. I will get her down for dinner. Please get a guest room prepared and settle them in."

"Where are your bags? Do you have another place you were staying?" Appoline asked.

Harry patted his pocket. "We both have shrinkable rucksacks with expansion charms."

"When you are done, let Fleur get you settled into a room. We will do dinner about six," Appoline said before taking her leave.

Fleur was looking at them. "There is more you are not saying. I would like to know how you are betrothed when no one knew you were seeing each other. Though, I am starting to understand why Dumbledore and others are so interested in you."

"You don't know the half of it," Harry said a little darkly.

-oOo-

Next time on Dear Order: Not all is blissful in the Greengrass Manor while the first serious hunters are sent after the boy.