Ramblings and Dribbles

by WolfgangNH

This is a posting of ramblings, dribbles, one-shots, unfinished ideas or other stuff I just don't think deserves it's own storyline. Some I plan to finish someday, others are what they are. This is mature reading for some posts. Some items may be well developed, others are not yet, and may never be. There will many different pairings, and sometimes none.

45. Dear Order

Dear Order

-oOo-

Rambling and Dribbles: A dribble that I hope some enjoy.

-oOo-

Disclaimer: The world of Harry Potter does not belong to me.

-oOo-

Premise:

Harry has had enough and decided that the only way he can live is to leave. Leaving a note to the Order of the Pheonix, he declares how he is fed up. This sends them into a panic to find him, then come the allegations that he may not have gone willingly…

-oOo-

Chapter 1

-oOo-

August 1, 1996

Ottery St. Catchpole, England

Dear Order,

I quit!

Please inform the Chief Jailor that I am done. I have allowed myself to be deceived for the final time and have come to the realization that I do not matter, no one cares for me and that there is nothing for me. As such, I not so respectfully resign from everything.

If you receive this letter, then understand I am done being ignored and locked away. If I wanted to be a mushroom, I would have allowed Voldemort to kill me or the dragon to eat me before now.

If any of you survive the storm you wanted a sixteen-year-old to fix for you, then don't ever look for me. If not, I'll toast your passing like everyone did for my parents, and then not to another god-damned-thing for anyone. It all I have ever learned from anyone.

Sod off!

Harry Potter

-o-

"Oh, shite!" Ron exclaimed as he finished the letter. It had come into the Burrow on Hedwig. Ron had hoped hit was something from Harry, since he hadn't heard from his all summer, but this was not what he had expected. "MUM!"

An hour later fifteen people were in his house with Dumbledore standing at the end of the table trying to silence the rowdy crowd at the table.

"Why were we called for an emergency meeting? I'm supposed to be patrolling Diagon Alley," Tonks said, her hair a dangerous red with her mood.

"Albus, is he at his house? This must be a joke," his mother screeched.

"Bloody brilliant," Fred said.

"If you ask me," George added. Both were grinning.

"Bill is checking to see if Harry was seen in the bank today," Fleur said to a question Ron hadn't heard.

"SILENCE!" Dumbledore bellowed with use of a sonorous charm.

The room came to an anticipatory hush. "I am sorry to call you all in the middle of the day, but we have just recently received some disturbing news. It would appear that Harry is not at his relatives. Ronald has received a missive that is somewhat distressing." Dumbledore held up his hand to keep everyone from talking.

"Alastor is at Privet Drive talking with the Dursleys. The last time we can positively say Harry was there was yesterday morning with Alastor witnessed him in the house. After that, William Weasley was guarding him for a bit, but we have not been able to talk with him."

"Bill said he saw Harry go towards the library with a bag, but he came back before dinner," Fleur said.

"Thank you, Fleur. Did Bill say anything else?"

"No, headmaster," she said.

"Thank you. Mundungus was supposed to be watching him from midnight until about seven this morning, but we have not been able to contact him yet," Dumbledore said with a small frown.

"You trusted Mundungus after he left Harry last year to get some wanking cauldrons?" Hestia Jones questioned.

There was some grumbling in the kitchen at that statement.

"He was the only one available," Dumbledore said, sounding tired. "We are going to organize a search for him, but before we do, does anyone know why Harry would write a letter like this?"

"What does it say?" Tonks questioned. Everyone that lived at the Burrow already knew. Dumbledore gave a disappointed look and passed it to Tonks. As she read it, her eyebrow rose. "Well, he's growing more colourful."

"Harry can't be allowed to just traipse about," his mum demanded. "Albus, we have to get out there and find him."

There was a soft pop from outside. They all turned to see Moody and Kingsley approaching the house. "Alastor, what word?"

"What ever happened, happened over the night. There is no trace of magic, so if he went all coward, he did it muggle," Moody said.

"Harry is not a coward," Ginny exclaimed.

"Well, he ain't at home and left his aunt in a right state about him leaving and no longer considering it his home. All the wards are broke, Albus," Moody said, through a letter and a few envelopes on the table. Moody turned to him. "Did ye write to him at all this summer?"

Ron, feeling off footed, leaned away from the man. "What? No. Harry always writes to me first and then I write back. The last time I send Pig over he said his uncle almost killed him."

Moody glowered at him. "It looks like he's been trying to write his friends all summer. I told those waste of flesh muggles that he was to write every three days, or I would come to visit them. The alarm I set up never triggered, meaning he was sending out letters."

"But… but… I never got one. Did you?" Ron asked Ginny.

Her eyes were wide as she shook her head.

"We got one, but it came from Gringotts. The poor boy thought he could get rid of us," George said solemnly.

"Tried to return the stocks we gave him in Weasley Wizarding Wheezes," said Fred.

"We set him right though," George said with a wink.

"Right we did, brother," Fred replied with a wicked grin.

"So, no one has heard directly from Harry all summer?" Dumbledore demanded.

The room was quiet.

"Then who were all the letters too?" Ginny enquired.

"I found these unsent letters. One address to the lad over there and the other to Potter's lass," Moody said.

Potter's lass? Ron thought. "Harry's not dating anyone," Ron blurted out.

"It reads like a Dear Sally letter," Moody snarked. "The boy must have been besotted with her, but it seems no one wrote back to him. I told you we should have sent him back. The boy just lost his godfather, Albus."

"He had to return, Alastor. The wards would have fallen," Dumbledore said.

"Well, they have fallen now. I told them to get, like Potter said in his letter. If you want then alive, you better get over there now," Moody told the headmaster.

"We need to focus on finding Harry. Molly, you know Miss Granger. Please go and see her and see if she knows where he is. Alastor, I need you and Kingsley to go back and discover how he escaped and if there are any other clues. Fleur, can you go into work today and see if you can help Bill find anything?" Dumbledore ordered around.

"I cannot. The goblins are very particular about our work schedules. They do not mind if we work overtime but would be suspicious if I just show for a shift that is not mine," Fleur said.

Albus nodded. "Do what you can then."

"Fred and George, keep an eye on Diagon Alley and the surrounding area. He will need to get to Gringotts and probably doesn't know much about the magical world," Dumbledore told them.

"I doubt that matters," George said.

"Indeed brother, dear." Fred.

Dumbledore turned his full attention to Ron's brothers. "Is there something you haven't told us?"

"Nothing that we know," Fred said.

"Well, for certain, Forge."

"Indubitably, Gred."

"Fred!"

"I'm Fred!"

"No, I'm Fred. Its Friday."

"No, it's Thursday."

"Oh, right, you're Fred then."

His mum threatened then with a huge wooden spoon. Ron grinned at them. For some reason he didn't feel that concerned that Harry wasn't going to be ok. Tonks was sniggering at them all.

"I swear you two are not too old to be put over my knee," their mum threatened.

"Geez, woman! It's not like you are the only one confused," Fred... Ron thought it was Fred… said.

"I would trust my shorts, but they say Gred and Forge," George said having turned over the top of his trousers. "OI! Woman!"

Their mum had hit him.

"Enough!" Dumbledore demanded. "What do you know!"

Fred and George shared a look. "Well, we might have Harry."

"Mind it wasn't long," George said.

"It was rather short, and he was rather rude."

"Wouldn't you be if a goblin had just through you out of Gringotts?"

"He was thrown out but escorted."

"By the put of a poleaxe?"

"True, but I thought it was just the dog running around him."

"It did nip the poor thing."

"True."

Dumbledore stood, his hand slapping the top of the table. He was radiating a power as his face looked rather put out. "When did you see Harry at Gringotts?"

"A few days ago," Fred said.

"Monday, wasn't it?"

"I think so. We always do inventory Monday afternoons."

"True and were a few items down."

"I still say it was that one with Malfoy."

"Did you say anything to Harry or see where he went?"

"Say? I wouldn't say say, but we saw him. He was heading back to the Three Broomstick laughing at the dog that was following him."

"They did look rather comfy with each other."

"True."

"What dog?" Dumbledore demanded.

"It was a big one with golden curls," Fred said.

"Rather a nice-looking bitch, if you ask me."

"It was. OI! Will you hit Fred for once!"

Ron and Tonks were grinning at each other. Dumbledore pinched his nose. "Why didn't you tell anyone?"

George shrugged. "Didn't think it that important. Why would he care if he had business with the goblins?"

"He was supposed to stay at his relatives," Dumbledore just about growled.

"Well, we saw Moody nearby, so we thought it was allowed," Fred replied. Dumbledore whipped his head around towards the old Auror.

Moody was scowling at the twins. "What are you on about, boy! I never took Potter anywhere. And it was Monday, I was patrolling the alley for the DMLE."

"Oh, that explains why you didn't follow him," George stated.

"I didn't think of that," Fred.

"Enough! Fred and George, if you see him again, report it to us right away. Fleur, let Bill know of this. I want to know if Harry took out any money," Albus told her.

"You never said anything about his account information. I will not pry like that," Fleur said.

Dumbledore gave her a sharp look. The haughty French woman returned his stare.

"Very well. You all know what to do," Dumbledore told them.

"What about Ron and me? If he's missing, what can we do?" Ginny asked.

"Let us know the second you hear anything from him," Dumbledore snapped. "I must go to the ministry to make sure he hasn't been picked up."

The man turned and stormed to the floo, then disappeared into the green flames.

Everyone in the kitchen shared a look.

"You reckon we got to him?" Fred asked.

"If we were lucky." George said. "Oi! I'm leaving before I get more bruises."

"You get back here! Where did Harry… I swear I will have them over my knee," Ron's mum screamed as the twins jumped out of the open top half of the kitchen door then apparated.

Ginny gave him a glare. "Did you write to Harry at all this summer?"

"I always write when he writes me. I didn't get anything," Ron defended himself. He wasn't abandoning Harry like he had last summer, though he was starting to wonder. It had been almost six weeks since they had gotten off the train…

-oOo-

August 2, 1996

Calais, France

The rising sun shown in his face as the boat rocked to gentle waives. Whining, he pulled a paw over his eyes. The warm body of the golden hair retriever curled up to hide her snort under him. He let the gentle sway of the boat try to lull him to sleep, but it wasn't working.

Growling, he looked up bleary eyed at the sun as it disappeared over the side of the truck bed they were laying in. They had snuck on the truck last night, randomly choosing one so that it made it harder to be tracked. Who would be looking for two dogs when it was two sixteen-year-old magicals trying to leave the country. The sides and the warm body below him were keeping the colder winds from getting to him.

He put his head back down onto her side, only to growl again when the boat swayed back over and the sun, just barely above the horizon, warmed his snout and got in his eyes again.

The golden retriever shifted below him at his growl. He moved to see its dark blue eyes glaring at him. His green eyes glared back, even if it wasn't her he was annoyed with. She huffed before pulling her head back and giving a huge yawn.

Harry copied her.

After a few minutes, they poked their heads over the side to make sure that none was watching them. With a small yip, the retriever jumped over, and the larger dog followed. He had long hair, mostly black fur with a white belly and snout, brown socks and brown markings around his jowl. It had taken them a little bit to figure out he was a Bernese Mountain Dog. A Golden Retriever had been obvious the second she had changed.

In the still early light, they snuck off towards the passenger deck. They ducked into an alcove in a passageway before Harry took a step and two seconds later, he was trying to catch his step as the boat took a suddenly dip in the waves.

The musical laughter of the girl that had been his saving grace this past year came met his grab for the railing. "I can't take you anywhere, can I?"

He looked up to her, his green eyes reproachful. It didn't matter she was holding onto the railing on the other side just as hard as the boat when through a series of rather large undulations. At least to Harry it felt that way. "I don't see you dancing around."

She gave him a cheeky smile, so different than the much dower girl that she had been. Something had changed in her in the last month since they had decided to leave that he liked. "You haven't asked, have you?" Her brow rose in challenge.

He snorted in mirth. "Unless you want me trampling your feet, I think we should wait until we get on solid."

"As you say, but I'm holding you to that," she told him.

The boat gave a suddenly lurch and she let go of her rail. Harry reached out and pulled her to him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and put her head into his chest as he kept them from being tossed around the corridor.

When the boat settled a few minutes later, Harry kissed the top of her golden hair. He sniffed. "I smell food."

"I am famished." Her stomach growled.

He grinned but didn't say anything as she glared at him. "Let's go find the cafeteria."

"Is that a muggle place?"

"It's a dining area where we can get some food," Harry told her.

"You had me at food," she cheekily replied before kissing his cheek as he rolled his eyes at her. He had no clue that the Pureblood Princess could have such a wild and wreck loose side to her.

"Come on, princess," he told her, wrapping an arm around her waist and she kept one wrapped around him.

"So, do you know where we are going yet?" she asked.

"France," he replied.

"I got that much," she told him, sounding unimpressed.

Harry looked around them as they got to a glass door. "Well, you generally don't ask if you are sneaking aboard," he whispered into her ear. She shuttered against him.

"Yeah, that would ruin it, wouldn't it?" she asked.

"Reckon so," Harry replied.

The ship was much larger than Harry had expected it to be. It was two decks up and towards the stern they found a large dining hall. Princess stuck close to his side. As far as Harry knew, this was one of a handful of times she had been in the Muggle world. She was doing well, but like she had said the first time Harry had met her two weeks ago, Muggles Studies did nothing to prepare you to live in the Muggle world, or even interact with it properly. The normally self-confidence girl was hesitant.

Harry slipped a tenner into her free hand. She had money just in case they were separated, but Harry felt responsible for her until she was more comfortable in the world he grew up in. Though, Harry figured he would always feel responsible for her. "This will pay for breakfast and get you some change," he told her. "Once we get to France, we'll get some francs."

The girl looked at him. "Why do the Mug… normals," she said at his look, "have so many different currencies? Everyone in the ICW uses galleons, sickles and knuts."

Harry shrugged. "Everyone wants to be different, I guess."

They were trying to avoid anything in the magical world until they could get out of Europe, considering most governments in Europe were under the ICW banner. Harry didn't want to take the chance of them being caught and then sent back to Britain. They both had until next summer to turn seventeen, and even then, they would need to be careful where they were, since many Muggle governments didn't recognize them as being legal adults until they were eighteen or older.

The sat at a table, the girl looking bemused at the paper cups and lids that held their tea, the foil wrapped sandwich and the fruit they had chosen. They didn't say much as they started to eat, both being famished. He doubted she had ever missed a meal, but to make the boat, it had been an adventure that had taken them from late the night before to late last night since they were not using magic and had tried to stay in their animagus forms as much as possible to avoid detection. Through it all, she hadn't complained, which impressed Harry more than she already had over since last fall.

It wasn't until she was picking at the fruit and the boat seemed to be waking up when she asked, "Do you know where we are going yet?"

He looked up to her. A French family had sat behind them, and he had overheard them. "Saint Malo. I'm not exactly sure where that is, but it's in France."

She looked to him. "You need to teach me more French."

Harry nodded. He understood and could speak enough for them to get by from his primary school years. They had all been required to learn a foreign language and had enjoyed it. The year of the Triwizard Tournament had allowed him to revive his skills and bring them to passable levels. That was a pang of hurt to think Hermione had been as excited about it as him.

"Votre beauté est plus radieuse que le soleil du matin," he said in as husky a voice as he could.

He saw the glaze to her eyes and the way her she leaned into him. "What did you say?" she asked in an equally as husky a tone. He felt a shiver run through him.

"That your beauty is better than the morning sun," he said, a grin coming over his face as her gaze intensified and then she leaned forward. It may have taken them most of the year to realize that they liked each other, but Harry didn't regret it. She gave him a rather chase kiss, making him drop his grin.

"I won't snog you in the middle of restaurant," she told him.

"What about a closet?"

She hit his arm and pulled back, huffing. He didn't miss the smirk that quickly came over his face. "Only after your breath doesn't smell like dog breath anymore."

"And yours?" he asked.

Her chin went up and she looked like a pureblood princess. "I'm a lady. I never smell."

Harry laughed at her. She hit his arm again.

"You're a prat," she accused.

"Yet you came along," he said.

She sidles over on the bench to lean into him. Her right hand snaked into his. "You promise not to leave me?"

"Never," he said, kissing her forehead. He never though he would be so affectionate, but in the last few months, Harry had come to realize it was going to be just them and he needed her. Now that really was just them, with Sirius dead and the last betrayal from his friends, he had no one else. Well, Harry had Fred and George to rely on, but he still wasn't sure he fully trusted them. Not because of anything they had done, but who they associated with and who their family was. The Weasleys always put family first and Harry wasn't exactly their family.

"Do you think they know we are gone?" she asked, sounding a little frightened.

"I would imagine they would. I sent that letter with Hedwig. Did you leave a note for your parents?" he asked.

"Only one for Tori. She's going to be upset, but I just couldn't do it anymore," she said.

"I know. I still don't know where we end up," he told her.

"As long as I am with you, it won't matter," she said.

"We still need to finish our education," he told her.

"I want to get a Muggle education if we are going to keep hiding," she told him.

"We can do that."

They fell silent, watching the passengers come and go from the cafeteria for a short bit before making their way up the top deck. The day was clear with a stiff breeze. Princess shivered and he stepped up to her, putting his arms to either side and holding onto the railing to keep them steady as the boat swayed. The land was in view. The announcement just a short bit ago said they would make landfall in just over an hour.

The golden blonde shivered as she leaned her back against his chest. "Cold?"

"Not really. I just don't know what to expect."

"I don't either," Harry admitted. They were now further than anywhere he had ever wandered before, and he was starting to realize the world was a lot bigger than the small few miles he been confined to all his life.

-oOo-

The same morning…

Rotherham, England

The morning was foggy. Thick bands of it hung onto the fields, hills and woods around the manor. Looking out her window, she could see the greenhouses, crops and the flocks that had given her family the life they had now. From what she understood, her family had fled to England a little over three hundred years ago with naught but the clothes on their backs and enough galleons to start a small farm. In that time, The Greengrass name had become famous for their green thumb and had elevated themselves into the top tier of the magical society of Britain.

Her parents weren't quiet as snooty or as indoctrinated by the dogma of most of her pureblood friends and housemates, but it was there. She was sure that Daffy and her would be much the same if it hadn't been for the nanny that had practically raised them as their parents cavorted with their friends and associates or flitted around Europe and other places to keep the Greengrass import and exports thriving.

Unlike most other purebloods, her family didn't believe in house elves. Instead, they liked to hire the 'less fortunate', which meant half-bloods of good standing or less fortunate purebloods. Most lived on the property in the old stone houses down the lane. Four stone buildings, encompassing a bunk house, a potion ingredient and animal processing building, a barn and a warehouse, made up the core of the Greengrass business on the sprawling estate. Nearby was a large brewing house and a row of stone longhouses for drying herbs. She knew they had two other farms around Britain, but none as large as this one, and all the products came here before being shipped out around the world.

She watched as men took some tools, along with their wands, to head out into the fields and paddocks. They apparated once past the stone wall of the small central compound. Others went to the various buildings that fuelled the small empire her family had made. Two women stayed in the yard of the buildings as four children, not of Hogwarts age, ran around. She knew that three of her year mates lived in the houses, but they were not in Slytherin, and her parents hadn't encouraged them to play or become friendly with them when younger.

Her family wasn't 'blood bigoted', thus many of the families that lived on the land were half-bloods or highly skilled Muggleborn. After listening to Daffy the last few months, she didn't feel so benevolent about her family's non-blood bigotry, especially when she had found out that only the supervisors were all purebloods, even if they had become purebloods while living on their lands.

At least her family treated everyone well. Much better that it sounded like most families they would associate with.

Everyone worked under seven-year contracts that couldn't be renegotiated, but renewed. Per their contracts, they could stay in the bunk house for free or in one of the rental properties around the estate for a reduced rate, any children were guaranteed to go to the premier school in Britain, Hogwarts, for free tuition, and received a modest stipend. When she had asked what that was, Daffy said they earned a few hundred galleons a year and a cut of the profits. Daffy said most earned six to eight hundred galleons a year, then when you add in the benefits, most made far more.

Astoria had thought that a pittance until Daffy pointed out according to the ministry, the average witch or wizard earned seven hundred galleons a year. Then they had to use that to pay for everything themselves, which was why most were educated at one of the other schools around Britain. Hogwarts was a luxury the average person couldn't afford with the standard tuition being seven-hundred and fifty galleons for each student.

Astoria could remember her eyes bulging. Her allowance was eighty galleons a month. She got almost a thousand galleons a year, not to mention everything her parents bought for her, and paid for Daffy and her to go to Hogwarts and get tutors over the summer. She had never thought of money, their business or anything larger than herself until Daffy had educated her last Christmas. Daffy wasn't sure, but she was pretty confident that their family business was worth around six to seven-hundred thousand galleons a year, with probably more than a hundred thousand in profit.

She still found it hard to believe that her family brought in a hundred times or more a year of what they paid those that helped them earn their money, and the workers were being paid better than most. No wonder they were always so happy and defended her family so vehemently.

That conversation had then led into the larger economy, where she had found out that the top one hundred families, which they were part of, controlled more than half of the entire economy, with the Greengrass business being one of the larger businesses.

By then, her head had been spinning, then Daffy had said that even though they employed about sixty people on the grounds and up to a hundred and fifty or so total, their business impacted several hundred more. This all meant that the Greengrasses probably kept about seven or eight hundred wizards, possibly more, working in their world.

It had Astoria looking at the people in a much different light than the other purebloods she had grown up with. It also had her wondering about blood status as most of the people working for them were doing jobs she would have no clue how to do, or perhaps never want to do.

The one thing she understood now was that Daffy wanted to change things, but she wouldn't be able to. It had been a hard lesson for her sister this year, one that she was certain broke her sister. With the Dark Lord back and the pressure that was now being put on her family, there was no path for a woman to do what she wanted, even being a pureblood like them. Being so prominent, meant that the other prominent families would look to them to support the coming changes, and most supported the Dark Lord. Most of the old light or truly neutral families had been killed in the last war, or their power so corroded now the houses were shadows of what they once were. Astoria could see the writing, you either supported the Dark Lord or got out his way.

She could understand why Daffy did what she did. It didn't mean that she agreed or condoned what her sister had done. Actually, she was feeling quite furious this morning after one of their only two elves had handed her a letter shortly after she woke. Her sister was leaving her to deal with this all on her own.

Was that why Daffy had spent so much time with her in the last six month or so?

So, she could understand the responsibilities she was being left with? Or had Daffy really been trying to open her eyes, like her sister said?

She had known Daffy was seeing someone. It was a little too obvious. The uncaring nature of her usually cold sister had changed. Daphne had gone from biting the heads off the idiots, especially those that had supported the pink toad, to ignoring them. She didn't miss that the quieter she got around them, the nastier the pranks that started to plague them became. She didn't care about Pansy Parkinson, but had the girl deserved to be bald for three weeks before Professor Snape had found a cure?

Daffy had also become even more secretive. She had also been disappearing from the common room without Tracey or Lillith, leaving both looking a little lost at times without the protection of her older sister. Pansy and her lot hadn't moved in yet, but they had eyed the now vulnerable pair. Of course, the pranks had probably helped with that.

The letter in her hand would see Tracey and Lillith having issues. It could cause significant issues for her family. Sighing, as she knew she couldn't put this off any longer, Astoria made her way down to the small family tearoom. It was the main room that her family used to congregate.

It was mid-morning on a weekend, so her mother was already enjoying her tea and snacks. As much as her mother was a proper matron, she enjoyed the greenhouses and potions lab, so often was down in them first thing in the morning, often before any of the staff, and back up with the supplies she needed for her own research and in the tearoom by ten.

Her father was looking through a few international papers, probably looking for the current prices of herbs and other commodities, or something that he could use to help the business.

She sat in the chair across from her mother and straightened out her dress.

"I'm glad to see you didn't waste the entire day in bed," her mother said with a smirk. Saturdays and Sundays were the only days of the week that her parents didn't structure for them.

"I have been awake for a while," she told her mother, who didn't look up from the book she was reading.

Astoria took in a deep breath before saying, "Mother, father?" She waited until they were both looking at her. There was no safe way of saying this, so she did what she did best. State things in the way that would cause the most havoc and let the pieces fall. "Daphne has left."

They both blinked before her mother said, "I thought she wasn't even back from Tracey's yet."

Astoria had to hand it to her sister. She had covered her tracks well. Placing the letter on the table, Astoria stated again, "Daphne has left."

Her father's frown foretold the suddenly quick grab of the letter by her mother. A few seconds later, her mother took in a sharp breath.

"Tabitha?"

A hand went to her mother's mouth. Astoria reached for the hot water after making sure she had her favourite tea leaves in the cup before her.

"Grover, she's left," her mother said.

"What do mean Daphne's left?" he said, anger starting to colour his words.

"She's left. Oh, Merlin, she's left with Harry Potter! What is she thinking! That boy is going to get her killed!"

"She what!" her father bellowed. He stood up, knocking over the table with his papers and tea.

Astoria may be upset with her sister, but for once the perfect little princess was going to be in real trouble and Astoria was going to like this.

"She says she can't do this. She can't see our family go to the dark side. She won't marry Draco Malfoy or any other bigot," her mother said, looking up, a sudden rage on her face. "Tell me you did not try to sell one of my daughters to Lucius Malfoy!"

Her father took a step back, colour draining from his face. "That is hardly the point right now. Where is Daphne? She can't be with Harry Potter," he said.

Her mother's magic flared and the parchments in her hand burst into flame. "Grover Cleveland Greengrass! Did you promise Lucius Malfoy's arrogant sod of a son that he could have one of our daughters?"

"Well, it couldn't really be Daphne, not unless we wanted to merge houses," her father said. "That option is open, if you want."

Astoria started to choke on her tea and then spat it all over the table and her mother. Her mother didn't even notice as she started to yell at her father, her wand coming out, as Astoria coughed and spluttered. Astoria thought that just a joke on Daffy's part. "Merlin… Daffy! The kneazles… among the krups."

-oOo-

August 6, 1996

Hogwarts, Scotland

It had been five exceptionally long days since it had been found Harry Potter had gone missing. In that time, he had gotten extraordinarily little sleep. No on in the Order had. They were trying to find arguably the most famous person in their world without letting anyone know he was missing. If Tom and his followers knew, then the race to find Harry would become even more important than before.

He sat at his desk after surveying his domain. He really needed everyone out looking for Harry, but his staff had to prepare for the start of the year, and he was still in a quandary about his staffing for the year. Horace had not turned him down three times. He had hoped to entice the man with Harry, but without the boy, it was impossible to show the man what he was missing.

This put into jeopardy the promise he had made to Severus to finally give him the post he wanted, with caveat he had to try to find the curse on the position. If he couldn't find a potions master, Severus would have to go back to the position he hated and he would have to find another body to be sacrificed. For the better part of forty years, he had tried to find the curse, but been unsuccessful. At first, he had been able to keep professors for about three years. But for the last decade, he had barely been able to keep one the year.

He was pondering who he could approach, while searching for Harry, when the tawny owl with the Daily Prophet came into his window. He didn't really have the time to read it, but knew he needed to keep up with what the public knew. As unfurled the paper, his eyes grew huge to see the headlines on the first page.

Heiress Greengrass Kidnaps the Boy-Who-Lived

Torrid love affair or something more nefarious?

Are the Greengrasses followers of You-Know-Who?

"Oh, dear Merlin," he muttered before jumping up. "What has Rufus done now!"

He knew they should have tossed him out last month, but with the death of Bones, they didn't have a good option.

Dumbledore missed the ad for You-No-Poo. The constipation prank that his grasping the nation!

-oOo-

Chapter 2

-oOo-

August 7, 1996

Paris, France

After spending a few days in Paris, Daphne and him had decided it was time to move on. It had been fun, but they had had a close run in with some French Aurors after they had seen the headlines of the Daily Prophet this morning when they had made a quick trip into the magical district. He had been surprised to see both their pictures on the front page with Daphne being accused of kidnapping him.

Now they were leaving the city behind 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 make me a scarlet woman?" Daphne teased.

He blushed. 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.

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 said, her cheeks brighter than before.

"But aren't I supposed to be some philanderer or something?"

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 that was still in his hands. "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 Malfoys, then they will want compensation.

"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 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 get 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 though.

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

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

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

Harry nodded. He knew he didn't know everything about her yet but was getting there. "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.

-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 white face, hands and feet of the Dark Lord were in stark contrast to 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 were the only reason he was probably still 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 him 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 noseless 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 asked, 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 you 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 call another Death Eater, but the wand kept digging into his arm for almost a full minute. The Dark Lord was terribly upset.

When he let go, 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 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 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?

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. We did that in the Department of Mysteries and we all almost died. Sirius and Diggle 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. They should have done something. Ron couldn't bring himself to kill anyone, but if they had used something like the Drought of Living Death, it would be hours, at a minimum, before they would be lucid again.

He did worry about the tone of the letter though. If Harry said he would take care of things, Ron knew he meant it.

"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 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 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.

"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. "Don't come any closer!" Daphne warned.

Fleur's wand 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 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.

She 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. The yellow dress was modest enough, but failed to hide the figure that most men would drool over. Her younger 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 hers and 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.

"Yes, 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 more silvery 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 had 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 said a little dodgily. 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, and would be forwarding any bills or profits straight to him until they could sell everything.

"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.