Edited 25 Aug 2024
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Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
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A/N: I will plan on posting 2-3 chapters a week but can't promise that is a hard schedule due to life.
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Chapter 3
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December 31, 1998
Tinsworth, England
The night was not the best to be out. A howling gale was whipping up the channel. Sleet and ice were being driven sideways, stinging anyone daring to venture outdoors that night. Harry gently pushed on Daphne's back to usher her into the house. Once the door was closed, Daphne shook from the chill.
"I swear the gods are upset tonight," Daphne muttered. Harry had luckily thought to cast a weather repelling charm on both of them before leaving Hammersmith but forgot the warming charm. Luckily, she had dressed more casually in tight fitting jeans, a blue and white knit jumper and a heavy blue peacoat.
"Here, I'll take that," he said as she moved to take her coat off.
"Thanks," she said.
He hung it on top of his dragonhide coat. Being made of dragonhide, it was naturally resistant to temperature changes, so he didn't feel as bitterly cold as Daphne looked. He would have to pay more attention to that next time, perhaps giving her his coat?
Laughter was coming from the sitting room as a redhead came out. He had a huge smile on his face. "I thought I heard someone come in. Happy New Years," Bill said, moving to greet them.
"Happy New Years," Harry said with a grin.
"Happy New Years. Thank you for inviting me," Daphne said.
"Anytime. Harry is always welcome to take his friends over. Fleur will be happy to see someone else too. It's killing her that she has been stuck in the house for the last month," Bill told them. He led them into the sitting room. "I'm glad you two could join us. I could use some partners for the charades Tonks and Lupin started. They are killing us."
Daphne held up her hands. "Oh, no. I don't do that," she said.
"It will be fun," Harry encouraged her. When they stepped into the room she stopped just before him, her back against his arm and partly across his chest. He liked the contact.
Inside the room were all the people that Harry considered family. Tonks, Remus, Andi, Bill and Fleur. The Delacours were still here as well. His eyes immediately fell on Gabrielle who was in a cute, long sleeve dress that showed her shapely calves. Gabrielle gave him a beaming smile, looking ready to jump up to greet him, but then stopped, her smile turning confused to see Daphne with him. Harry felt his heart clench. He hadn't told either girl what he hoped was going on yet. He probably should have before tonight, but wanted to see how things went.
"You don't understand. I shouldn't play charades," Daphne told him.
"They are here!" Tonks excitedly said, getting up to come hug him.
"Hey Tonks," Harry cheerfully greeted her. "Where's Teddy?"
"Upstairs sleeping. Who's the hot bird?" she said, waggling her brow as she pulled back.
"You've met Daphne," he told her.
"I know, but you've never brought a girl around before. You must come join our team," Tonks said, taking Daphne's hand.
"I really can't," she protested.
"Non-sense," Tonks insisted.
"I think Bill drafted us first," Harry said, wrapping and arm around Daphne's waist to keep her from being pulled away. The butterflies that had been building in him for months now all took off to feel her slim form for the first time like this.
Tonks pouted. "But you have too. Would you deny a pregnant woman?"
"I am larger than you and need another teammate," Fleur shot out.
Daphne looked beseechingly to him. "I really shouldn't."
"Why? It will be fun," he told her.
She moved into whisper in his ear when Tonks gave up. "The last time I did, Tracey and I drew wands."
He looked at her curiously. "It was that bad?"
She had that cute, abashed look to her. "I'm a little competitive," she whispered.
"Then you are in good company. Let's go join Bill and Fleur," he told her.
She didn't look certain about it, but didn't protest anymore, instead wrapping her arms his.
"Happy New Years, Harry," Jean-Paul said, giving Harry a little bit of a hard look. "Who is this charming young lady with you?"
Approaching the other side of the room, he could that tell the Delacours weren't as receptive to him as they had been this week. He sighed internally. He should have done what Andi had been telling him to do. How could he face down Dark Lords like Voldemort and Dumbledore without breaking a sweat, but he did the most un-Gryffindor-ish thing when it came to the two young women he liked? He just hoped this didn't blow up in his face.
"Happy New Years, Jean-Paul. This is Daphne Greengrass," he introduced her to Jean-Paul, a curious looking Appoline and a guarded Gabrielle.
FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! he screamed in his head.
Daphne, oblivious to what was happening, greeted them with a smile and polite handshake. Fleur greeted Daphne by getting up over the protests of Bill and her maman. "I am only pregnant," she said rather indignantly. "I remember you from the summer cotillion."
Daphne smiled at her. "I met many people there, but I could never forget you, Misses Delacour."
Fleur fluttered her hand. "It's Fleur, and most don't seem to forget me," she said with a smirk. The knowing look she gave Harry had him wince. She knew, meaning either Tonks or Bill told her. "Now, you need to join us. Those two are beating us all."
Daphne gave him one more pleading look. He tried to give her an encouraging look. Tonks and Fleur could be extremely competitive as well, and there were enough people here to keep anything really serious from happening.
He shook Ted's hand and hugged Andi as he joined Bill and Fleur, with Daphne sitting rather closely to him on the love seat they were given. "What are the teams?"
"Remus, Tonks and Jean-Paul. Andi, Gabrielle and Appoline. Me, Bill, you and Daphne," Fleur told him.
Tonks looked rather pleased with herself. "We are up four to two."
Fleur huffed, getting a few sniggers and playful comments from the group. Daphne looked nervous. He gave a look to Gabrielle, who hadn't given him her normal greeting of rushing to him and hugging him tightly. He could see hurt in her eyes and her cheerful demeanour was falling into a taciturn mood.
Harry was starting to feel about two feet tall.
"It's your turn," Tonks said to them.
"Bring it," Fleur told her.
"Alright, since you have new members, it's Daphne's turn first."
Daphne's pleading look grew. He took her hand to give it an encouraging squeeze. Gabrielle's face grew dark. "It will be fine," he told her.
"I'm blaming you if spells start to fly," she warned him.
"I won't let that happen."
Appoline shared a concerned, but curious look to Fleur, who was intently watching Daphne and him.
"Here you are," Tonks said, handing Daphne a sheet of paper while wearing a cheeky grin.
Daphne rolled her eyes. "I don't lose," she told Tonks.
"Neither do I," Tonks replied with conviction.
Daphne looked at the page.
"You have five minutes," Remus said, sharing a look between Harry, Daphne and Gabrielle.
Harry pleadingly looked at the man.
He gave him a disapproving shake to his head.
BLOODY HELL!
"And start," Tonks said, tapping her wand on the side table next to her and a large silver stopwatch materialized. It was ticking as it counted down the five minutes.
Daphne started to mime driving. Bill and Fleur immediately shouted out, "The Knight Bus!"
Daphne shook her head. Harry waited for her to look about, then go back as if she was holding a steering wheel.
"You're driving somewhere," Harry suggested.
Daphne grinned, nodding her head. She suddenly jerked her head, looking surprised. Then mimed rapidly turning the wheel. "You have to drive back?" Fleur asked.
Daphne shook her head. She mimed the action again.
"You missed something," Harry said.
Daphne grew excited.
"You are driving and missed something?" Bill asked, sounding perplexed.
Daphne shook her head.
"You are driving and had to go back… Are you backtracking?" Fleur guessed.
Daphne shook her head.
"Driving…" Harry contemplated. Daphne started to get excited. "Driving… and you missed…" Daphne made a signal that said he was getting close… "Missed… Missing… miss…" he started to say. She got all excited at that. He liked how her body moved as she jumped, signalling for him to go on.
"Driving miss…"
She nodded emphatically, then then started to mine something… growing?
Fleur watched her with a lost look. "You are driving and missed a tree?" Bill suggested.
Daphne vehemently shook her head.
"You missed your destination?" Fleur put to them.
She shook her head, then continued to mime something growing and then opening… "A flower?" he suggested out of nowhere.
Daphne excitedly hopped again. He was growing excited at her enthusiasm. She kept miming.
"One minute," Tonks said with a cocky grin.
"You can do this," Andi encouraged.
Harry missed the growing looks of concern from Remus, Jean-Paul and Appoline. Or the building tears in Gabrielle's blue eyes.
"A flower… rose?" Fleur shouted excitedly.
Daphne shook her head.
"Daphne," Bill put out there.
"Tulip."
"Lily."
"Daisy," Harry put in next.
Daphne grew even more excited, them mimed putting them all together. Harry grinned. "Driving Miss Daisy?"
Daphne squealed in excitement. "You got it!"
Tonks looked livid. "How the bloody hell did you get that!"
"What is Driving miss daisy?" Fleur questioned.
Daphne was too excited and rushed to hug Harry.
"Bloody hell if I know," Bill commented.
"It's a movie. Dora's seen it a few times," Ted explained.
Gabrielle got up and left the room.
They all stopped to hear her sob. Appoline shot up, giving him a reproachful look. Harry closed his eyes. Now feeling about two-inches tall. He knew she should have told others, but thought this might go better… well, actually, in probably the least Gryffindor thing to do, he hadn't told either girl, still fighting what he had to do.
Daphne stood up, looking around the room. Most were looking at Harry in an uncomfortable way for him. Daphne seemed to get something was up. "What am I missing?" she asked.
"Just Harry being a complete prat," Tonks angrily said.
"I should go to her," Fleur said, struggling to get up. She gave a reproachful look to Harry.
Tonks got up. "I'll go help Appoline. You stay there."
Fleur gave her an appreciative look.
Andi glared at him. "You didn't tell them, did you?"
Harry rubbed the back of his neck.
Daphne looked confused, then hurt, then took on a cold mask he hadn't seen since Hogwarts. "Harry, am I the only one you are dating?"
He let out a long breath. "For now," he admitted.
Her nostrils flared. "Right. I thought you someone I could trust. You are just an arse, like all the others."
"Daphne, it's not like that," he tried to protest. Her hand was moving quickly. He could have blocked it. Instead, he let her smack him across the face.
"Fuck off, Potter," she spat, then moved towards the door.
"Bloody hell, Daphne," he exclaimed.
Andi was already up. She put a hand on his chest. "You. Sit! If there is any chance of salvaging this, you will not move from that couch."
He flopped down before putting his head in his hands.
-o-
She felt tears biting at her eyes as she angrily put her shoes on. She could hear the woman that had chased after the younger girl calling out for her daughter. The younger Delacour girl was the most beautiful girl she had ever seen. She hadn't missed how Harry had looked at her, but so far, he had had the same eyes for her, so was willing to over look it.
She hadn't believed the articles that he was some big playboy… how wrong had she been?
Reaching for her coat, she only stopped when Andromeda Tonks said, ""Daphne... Miss Greengrass," she amended when the young woman gave her a nasty look. "Please don't go until you know why Harry asked you here tonight."
"What is there to explain? I thought Potter different, but all the papers are right!" she spat at the woman, feeling more hurt than she thought she ever had. Tracey and Astoria had been working on her until she had finally decided to chase him. At their urging, she had allowed herself to slowly get closer to him over the last few months, and then opened herself to him in ways she had never to a guy on their first date. She was only glad she hadn't slept with him, like she had seriously thought about the other night.
Andi sighed. "Please, just listen. If you don't want to stay, Harry will understand."
Daphne's nostrils flared. "Why should I?"
"Because Harry likes you, and he doesn't invite just anyone to meet people he loves" Andi softly said.
"And what about that other girl!" she snapped.
"Will you come and have a cuppa? I can explain."
Her heart was breaking, but something compelled her to stay. "One cuppa, then I'm gone."
"That's all I ask," Andromeda said.
When they walked past the door of the sitting room, she could see Harry was in a heated discussion with the others. She wanted to pull her wand on the arse but followed the woman instead.
In the kitchen, she sat at the table, her arms across her chest and looking ready to fight. Andromeda got two cups and a tea kettle. Once the tea was steeping, the woman said, "Are you familiar with the old pureblood laws and family laws?"
She glared at the woman. "I am a pureblood and my family has its own contract. What is your point?" She was bound by the stupid family laws until she married and had an heir for the family. It was why she finally decided to go after Potter.
"This will make it easier then. My birth family is the Blacks. We are one of the oldest pureblood families and have safe guarded that name and bloodline for many generations," Andromeda said.
A sinking realization was starting to come over her as a pit in her stomach. "What does that have to do with the arse in the other room?"
"I'm not sure that many know this, but Harry is the current heir to the Blacks. He was declared by his godfather and is the last male with true Black blood in him," Andi explained.
Daphne took up the teacup, her hands shaking as she had an inkling where this was going. "What about the Malfoys?"
"Their daughter can be heir if Harry doesn't fulfil the family laws on succession and inheritance. Sirius didn't know about it when he declared Harry. Our grandfather changed the family charter before he died."
She took a sip to steady herself. "What does Harry have to do?"
"He needs to marry by his nineteenth birthday, and his wife give him a child with the name of Black within three years. Otherwise, it will go to the next heir until the family charter is met, or the name and bloodline dies," Andromeda told her.
She sat for a long few moments and Andi let her absorb it.
"My family has a similar clause, but I have until I am twenty-one," she told her.
"I'm not surprised. I have done some digging and found many families did that during the Blood Wars of the seventies," Andromeda said.
Daphne looked up, tears still biting at her eyes. "And what does Delacour have to do with this?"
"Do you know Harry has decided to use his name and family connections to change things on the Wizengamot?" the woman enquired.
"That is a poorly kept secret. Many at the ministry support him, but a fair number are not pleased by it," Daphne stated.
"I'm not surprised. To keep the goblins and the other races represented directly in the Wizengamot and the ministry, they need the Potter seat. Harry needs to keep his family name and magic alive."
Daphne swallowed. "He needs to marry for both lines, doesn't he?"
Andromeda nodded.
Daphne took in a deep breath. She shut her eyes for a few. This wasn't exactly what she had thought, but not exactly what she wanted either. She couldn't claim her family's seat on the Wizengamot until she was married and had a man to represent her. Her grandfather had made sure of that. Out of all the men within five years of her age she had scouted out over the last year, Harry was the only one that appeared to be acting on what he truly stood for. He came off as honourable, respectful, witty and driven.
She could understand why the sorting hat had considered him for Slytherin.
With a deep sigh, she said, "Will I have a say in any of this if I choose to chase him?"
"I'm sure that Harry will prefer that. Daphne, he wants to love someone more than just marry for some political gain. I think he would give up his claim to the Blacks if he couldn't find the right woman," she told her.
"And when does he have to marry someone for the Potter line?" she questioned.
"There is no set time. He was able to change the charter when he came into his full inheritance when he turned seventeen. It is only the Black line. Would this interfere with your family laws?" Andromeda questioned.
Daphne shook her head. "I only need an heir. They can either carry the Greengrass name or a combined house, but I need to marry before I can claim my family's seat on the Wizengamot and have an heir before I change the charter."
The two-woman sat there, regarding each other for a short bit. The argument in the other room had died down. Eventually, Andromeda asked, "Will you give him a chance?"
Daphne sighed, finishing her tea. "I need to think on this for a few days."
Andromeda nodded. "I can understand. Thank you for listening. Even if you don't want him, he is a good man and will work with you once you can claim your seat. Just… give him a chance."
"I'll think on it," she truthfully said.
When she went to say her good nights, she found the room to be rather sparsely populated. "Where is Harry?" she asked of Bill and Remus.
Remus sighed. "He left a little bit ago."
She gave a curt nod, unsure if she wanted to see him at the moment or not. She understood the situation he was in but wished she had known before. She could even understand that he might not be totally pleased with the situation himself. Still, he should have told her on their date.
"Let him know I'll contact him in a few days. Bill, thank you for inviting me tonight," she said.
Bill got up. "I'm glad you could come. I thought he had told you, so I'm sorry for all this."
"It's not your fault," she said. Bill took her hand and kissed the back of it. "Should I escort you out?"
"I think I'll be good. Thank you again," she said, moving to get her coat. She had a lot to think about.
-o-
"Gabrielle, please let me in," Appoline said, knocking on the door again.
"Is she coming out?" Tonks asked.
Appoline angrily said, "I do not know. What was that of Harry taking that other girl here? I thought he was courting my daughter!"
Tonks sighed. "Yeah, the bellend cocked that all up."
Appoline's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?" she said in a heavy French accent.
Tonks moved to sit on the floor. "Harry. He must marry two girls," she said, not pulling any punches.
Appoline took in a sharp breath. "Impossible. Ce n'est pas correct."
Tonks looked up to her. "My French is really rusty, but I don't think you know of the laws here."
Appoline crossed her arms across her ample bosom. "What do you mean?"
"Harry is trying to change things. He's trying to make this place better for people like my Remus, you and your daughters. The only way he can do that is through the Wizengamot," Tonks explained.
"Oui. Oui. We have been seeing that. That is why we thought him suitable for our Gabrielle."
"Then you know that all the seats on the Wizengamot are hereditary?" Tonks queried.
"What does that have to do with all this? He is a Potter. He has already given his seat to the goblins," Appoline stated.
"He has leased out his seat to the goblins. For it to remain in his family, he eventually needs to marry and have children, otherwise the seat will go to the next oldest family in England when he dies," Tonks said.
"That is interesting, but I still fail to see…"
"Harry is actually Harry Sirius Potter-Black. He holds the seats to the Potters and Blacks. By family law, he can't marry just one woman and have their children take whatever name they want. The Blacks made sure of that. He has to marry two women, or he loses the Black family and it goes to the Malfoys, or the Potter name dies out. Those are his only options. He's not happy about it, but is trying to make the best of the situation.
Harry will not abandon the Potter name as he has allied himself with the goblins and will not go back on his word with them. Having the Black seat on the Wizengamot gives him real power to affect the changes he is striving for. My mum would love to inherit the Black family, but my grandfather disowned her, and unless Harry marries me or her, then there are no other options," Tonks explained.
There was a rustle against the door and no more sobbing.
Appoline realized that Tonks had been talking to her as much as the door.
"You are saying that he will need two wives so that he can keep changing things?"
"It doesn't hurt to control two seats. He has also been building up a solid base," Tonks told her.
Appoline considered the metamorph as her hair took on the pink she was known for. It had been an attractive brown, like her mother, until then. "And this Daphne Greengrass? Is she part of him building up his base? I know that name. Do they possess a seat on the Wizengamot as well?"
Tonks bobbed her head as though partially agreeing with where her thoughts were going. "The Greengrasses do have a seat, but Harry won't be chasing her for that. He's had a hard life. Personally, I think all he wants to do is find a hole to hide in, find someone to love, and leave everything to be, but he cares to much for everyone that is in his personal life. Remus and Fleur are why I think he's started this crusade to protect anyone classified as less than a wizard. It would be important for him to marry Daphne, but he will never do that unless he really liked her. He wouldn't be pursuing Gabrielle, either, if he didn't really like her."
The latch to the door clicked. Appoline took a step back. Gabrielle was sitting on the floor. Tear streaks were on her cheeks. She was still upset. "Harry really needs to marry two women?"
"Yeppa," Tonks said, leaning over to look at the girl through the open door.
"And he likes me?"
Tonks gave her a cheeky grin. "Have you seen the way he looks at you, besides him putting up with your demands to keep drawing him without making a fuss. He hates any attention like that, but from you, he genuinely smiles."
Gabrielle sniffed. She wiped at her eyes.
"But he looked at that girl tonight the same way," she said, sounding unsure.
"Sure he does. Harry has a huge heart that has been tramples over, and over, and over again. Even despite all that, he wants love. He wants people that love him, and he can love. He's going to treat anyone that he marries the same way he wants. If that turns out to be only one woman, then that is what it is, but he wants to change the world. Having the political power of both his bloodlines would allow him to do that easier," Tonks told her. "Either way, he will keep fighting for people like you and Remus. You are too important to him not too."
Gabrielle sniffed again. "You really mean that?"
"I wouldn't say so if I didn't," Tonks told her.
A small smile came across her daughter's face. "I should go talk with him."
"That might be best. Though, he should have told you this himself. I'll beat some sense into him too," Tonks told her.
Gabrielle gave a watery giggle. "I doubt he would allow you to beat him."
"I wouldn't be so sure. He may be the biggest bad arse around, but he's a softy when it comes to us," Tonks said with an even bigger grin.
Gabrielle giggled again.
When she left to go downstairs, Appoline looked to Tonks. "Tell me that everything you said is true," she demanded, not wanting to see Gabrielle's heart ripped apart like hers was when she was younger.
"I have said nothing that Harry wouldn't say himself once he gets his head out of his arse and tells those two," Tonks told her.
After a moment, she was satisfied and nodded. "Bonne. If he breaks her heart though, I will be coming for you, as well as him."
"I'll let you have what's left of him once my mum and I get through with him." Tonks held up a hand. "Can you help me up?"
Appoline shared a sympathetic look. Even though the younger woman was only about four months along, she could remember having her own issues carrying her girls. Taking Tonks hand, she helped the woman before going down the stairs.
-oOo-
A brief time later…
Nottingham, England
He was sitting in a chair by his fireplace when he felt them cross over his wards. Harry should have kept them out, but if Bill and Remus were with the other man, then he had no reason to keep them from coming in, besides the fact he didn't want to talk to anyone.
Swirling the slightly smoking clear liquid in his glass, he didn't say a word as the three men walked into his study. Bill went straight to the liquor stand he had insisted a man should have.
Remus came to sit in the chair next to him. A rather pensive Jean-Paul stood by the fireplace. The three of them waited while Bill poured them all some of the top end fire whiskey he had left out on top of the cabinet.
It wasn't until he joined his father-in-law, did Bill say, "You shouldn't have run out."
Harry snorted. "Does it matter?" he asked, feeling rather down on himself. He had berated his stupid cowardice for most of an hour and two glasses of fire whiskey.
"It matters a great deal. Daphne came back to see you before she left," Remus told him.
Harry rubbed his bruising cheek. "I bet she wanted to make it even."
Bill shook his head. "She had calmed down. Daphne said she would contact you in a few days."
Harry knew that meant never. Wasn't that what it was in the series and movies. Someone says they will call after a bad date, and they never do?
He didn't say a word.
The fire crackled as they all nursed their glasses of alcohol.
"Is it true?" Jean-Paul eventually asked.
"That I'm a coward and couldn't man up enough to risk putting my heart out there… yeah," Harry morosely stated.
Jean-Paul gave a look to the others to not say a word. "Is it true that you are really making a better world for my wife, my daughters and their children?"
Harry looked up to the man. His blood shot eyes were more from the alcohol and anything else. "Why wouldn't I? Remus is one of my parents' best friends, but until recently, he could never find a stable job. I saw the way everyone treated Fleur the year she was at Hogwarts. The goblins barely put up with wizards because of how much they have been put down and denied rights that any magical should have. Most house elves are treated worse than slaves. Centaurs don't trust the word of any wizard. The selkies in the Black Lake won't even talk to anyone from Hogwarts or the ministry anymore after what happened in the second task. Without all of them, we would have lost the war, and most still won't recognize that."
Harry had formed alliances with all the downtrodden people of their world to take down Voldemort's minions. Very few, like the giants, hadn't formed a treaty with him, and now the giants were just about extinct because of Voldemort and the battle of Hogsmeade last October.
Jean-Paul regarded Harry. "Do you like my daughter?"
"Fleur is great," he said, avoiding the question.
Jean-Paul didn't look impressed. "Do you fancy Gabrielle? Are you trying to court her?"
Harry put the glass to his lips and a finger to his forehead. "That doesn't matter anymore."
"Harry, it matters a great deal," Remus gently said.
"Remus, it really doesn't. I buggered everything tonight," Harry shot back.
"Only if you think you did," Jean-Paul said. Harry looked up to the still rather muscular French man. Harry didn't feel fear when facing an opponent, but he feared what this man could do to him if he hurt Gabrielle because Harry knew he wouldn't fight back. If he hurt Gabrielle, then he deserved whatever came his way.
"I'm pretty sure I did," Harry bitterly snarked.
"Are you trying to court my daughter?" the man asked a little more forcibly.
"I was hoping too," Harry replied.
After a moment, the man nodded. "Tres bien. What are you waiting for then?"
Harry felt a little confused. "What?"
Bill shook his head. "You may have cocked it all up, but you are lucky Tonks and Andi like you so much."
"And my daughters. Otherwise, I would have been here to duel you," Jean-Paul said.
Harry looked between the two men. Remus answered the question he didn't ask. "They know what you are up against. Gabrielle is now moping because you left. I'm not sure about Daphne, but I think you still have a chance if you give her a few days."
Harry let out a long breath. He looked to Jean-Paul. "I didn't mean to hurt Gabi."
"May haps not, but you did. No father likes to see their children heartbroken, but if you want to court her, I will not stand in your way. If you dare hurt her like that again…" the man said in a clear threat.
Harry toasted the man before downing what was left in his glass. "Suppose we should head back," he stated.
Bill chuckled. "We just got here, and I'm not half done," Bill commented.
"I think he needs to talk with Gabrielle," Jean-Paul said.
"We can stay for a few to finish our drink. Tonks isn't letting me until she can drink again," Remus told them.
"I just can't drink wine. Fleur is craving it and knows she can't because of the baby," Bill remarked.
Jean-Paul just grinned. "I do not have to worry about an insane woman about to have a baby. I don't miss those days."
"How did you get through it?" Remus questioned.
Jean-Paul took a drink of his fire whiskey. "I belong to a gentlemen's club. When I could sneak away, it was nice to get a drink and talk about our wives."
Remus leaned towards Harry to give him a pointed look. "What are you still doing here?"
"I thought I was waiting for you and learning?" Harry put to him.
Bill made a tsking sound. "Until you are married, you can't learn these secrets."
"They are very much for only married men," Jean-Paul said.
"Hey, if this is for married men, where's Ted?" he asked.
"He was rocking his grandson. That is a good excuse to not be here. When you stormed out of the house you woke him," Jean-Paul informed him.
"Oh, I didn't mean to do that."
"Yeah, you owe Tonks an apology and a certain blonde a real explanation," Remus said rather significantly.
Harry let out a long breath. "Fine," he groused. "Just ask Dobby to clean things up when you leave."
"We'll leave things as we found them," Jean-Paul said.
"It will make his night to have to clean stuff up," Harry told them.
A brief time later, he was stepping back into the house. Fleur, Tonks and Andi were in the sitting room. None of them looked that impressed with him.
"Hey," he said rather lamely.
"I am not saying anything else to you until you clear things up with my sister," Fleur said rather coolly.
"You are a total burke, Harry. I should punch you. A slap is too easy," Tonks angrily chastised.
He winced. "Fair enough."
He looked to Andi. She just gave him a look that said 'told you so'.
"We have done what we can to fix your issue. It is up to you what happens next," Andi told him.
He nodded. Out of the three women, Andi knew best that he wasn't a completely whole person and this whole mess probably had more to do with his loving relatives than anything he meant to, or didn't, do to hurt the girls.
"Where is Gabrielle?"
"Talking with maman in the kitchen."
"Thanks," he told them.
He knocked on the door before opening it. The soft conversation he had caught stopped. Appoline gave him a look he didn't know how to interpret. Gabrielle was looking at him, her eyes hopeful, even with the tear streaks still on her cheeks. His heart twisted in his chest. She was even beautiful in her current state.
Appoline got up. He braced himself as she walked up to him. Her hands cupped his face. "We have been told what you have to do." She tapped his bruised cheek a little hard. He didn't show any sign how it hurt. "You hurt her again, and they will not find the ashes."
He swallowed. "Yes, ma'am."
Satisfied, she left him with Gabrielle, alone, in the kitchen.
He cleared his throat. "So, you know?"
That hopeful look hadn't died in her eyes. "I overheard Tonks and maman talking. Maman and I were just talking about it."
Harry let out a long breath. He moved to sit on the other side of the table, but she pats the seat next to her. Harry resolutely sat where she wanted him too. Andi had been telling him he couldn't afford to be uncertain. Sirius had been telling him the same before that night in the DOM.
She shifted a little closer. "Tell me the truth," she insisted.
"I like you, Gabrielle. I like you more than I know what to do with. But I also like Daphne," he said truthfully.
Her deep blue eyes searched his. "Do you need to marry two women?"
"No, but I want too."
"Why?"
"You know that I am the Black heir?"
"Tonks and Andi has told us about it now. Why didn't you tell me?" she pressed.
"I didn't want to scare you away," he told her. Her eyes kept boring into him as though looking for something deeper. "I was scared."
She reached out a hand. He let her weave her fingers between his. "You need to marry by your nineteenth birthday?"
"Only for the Blacks. I have changed the Potter's charter to allow me to do what I want. Would you want me if I had to marry two women?" he questioned.
She leaned in towards him. "Do you know why I like you?"
He shook his head, his eyes not leaving hers.
"A scrawny boy once pulled me out of a freezing lake in the middle of February. He didn't know about my heritage. He didn't want anything for his heroic deed. I was down there for hours. I think you know enough what that means," she said.
Harry did now. He didn't at the time.
"You wrote back to a lonely girl when she sent you letters after pulling her out of that lake. I look forward to them every day, even if they are weeks apart. You have been nothing but kind to my family. When others would pester my sister, you stood up for her. When her husband's family tried to break them up, you stood up for them. When most would classify us as beasts and worse, you fight to give us true freedom. When the world around you was threatening to burn up, you stood up to the darkness.
I know you don't really see yourself as some greater than life hero, but to me, there could be no greater.
Despite all of that, I see the man you are. I know I am still young, but I see your heart, Harry Potter," she said, putting her other hand over his heart. It started to pound in his chest. He felt her heat through his jumper and shirt.
"I see you. Fleur has told me how much you hate it when others only see the Boy-Who-Lived, or the Man-Who-Conquered, or the next dark lord rising. That is not the Harry Potter I have come to know… and love…" she said rather uncertainly.
His breath caught a little. "Love?"
She gave him a smile that melted something in him and had the butterflies going crazy. "I am still unsure if it is the love you need, but oui. I love you."
"Are you sure? I mean, you're only seventeen. I'm only eighteen," he said.
"Yet your soul is old and veela are forced to grow up quickly to deal with the hardships of this world. I am sure I love you. I will support you in what you want to do. I only ask that if you love me, don't hurt me like that again or push me away," she pleadingly requested.
"Gabrielle, if you want, I will only love you," he offered.
She shook her head. "Your heart is too big for only me. You care far more for others than anyone I know. What you are trying to do, you will need all the help and support we can give you. If this Daphne Greengrass is who you need to fill both sides of you, I will accept her. No others though," she said rather fiercely.
Harry gave her an uncertain smile. "But…"
She moved her hand to his lips. "There is no but. You either tell me right now you want me by your side, and that you want to court me and this Daphne, or I will not be able to take it should you reject me in the future."
He could see how vulnerable she was. She didn't take her fingers off his mouth, forcing him to think before he responded. When he looked ready, she moved her fingers to cup his cheek. Her thumb traced the scars left by Greyback. "I want to court you and Daphne," he told her.
She gave a resolute nod. "Then that is what you shall do."
He grinned at her. "Just like that?"
"Oui," she told him.
He took in her floral scent, the way her fingertips left hot trails of pleasure on his skin, her deep blue eyes that were becoming lidded, her pouty rosy lips…
Leaning in, she closed her eyes. He hesitated for only a moment before gently touching her lips with his. It was the most pleasant feeling in his life. He had always been resistant to the veela's allure, but in that second, he experienced the bliss and desire the lust evoked in men. Instead of giving into it, he used it to deepen the kiss, gently putting a hand on her leg as she pulled him closer with her hand still on his cheek.
When they finally separated, he had his eyes closed to lean his forehead on hers. "It won't be easy. It will probably take years to change things here, and maybe a lifetime to bring it to the ICW."
"Then it will take us a lifetime," she said. He opened his eyes to see her cerulean eyes already intently staring at him.
He gave her a silly grin. "I promise to not make you cry again."
"Non," she snapped. "Never promise that. I have seen how maman and papa are. They love each other, but at times drive each other crazy."
Harry laughed. "I can't see your maman being that intense. Fleur isn't."
Gabrielle giggled. "I like this sillier side of you."
He grinned. "You know me, always up to no good."
"Perhaps."
They sat in a comfortable silence, staring into each other's eyes from only inches apart.
"Do you want me to marry you?" she asked.
"Someday," he confessed.
"Not now?" she questioned. She sounded hopeful, but scared.
"You want to finish school. You could have an opportunity to study under one of the greatest magical painters of our time. I only want to propose to you and marry you when we are both ready," he told her.
"But you have to marry by next August," she said.
"Like I said, only for the Blacks. I want you to be Missus Potter. I want you to do what you want," he told her.
She leaned in to peck his lips. "I don't want to be separated from you for that long."
"I will find ways to see you."
"And what about Daphne?"
"I will find ways to give you both the time you deserve, if she will have me," Harry promised.
She pecked him again.
They shot away from each other when the door to the kitchen burst open. Harry had his wand out and pointing towards a flustered Appoline before she was even two steps into the room. She pulled up short, staring at the wand that was lit with a golden glow at the tip.
His thudding heart had gone from ecstasy to panic, especially at the look on the woman's face.
"Maman, what's wrong?"
Tonks came in a few steps behind Appoline. "Harry, put that away. I'm sure Gabrielle likes looking at your wand, but now is not the time."
"HEY!"
"TONKS!" Gabrielle screamed.
"Oh, shove it. Fleur needs you. Bill is getting her upstairs and Remus went to get the Healer," Tonks told them, moving to the stove then filling a pot with water.
"What is wrong with Fleur?" Gabrielle worriedly exclaimed. "It's not the baby, is it?"
Appoline shook her head. Harry lowered the knobby white wand. "It is nothing to panic about. The baby is coming."
"Merde!" Gabrielle exclaimed, moving to rush out of the room.
"Grab the towels in the cupboard in the bathroom," Tonks yelled after her. "Harry, will you get Bill and Jean-Paul out of our hair? Bill's already panicking."
"Uhm, sure," he told her, moving to follow the blonde hair already disappearing up the stairs.
-oOo-
Next time on the Angels of the Black Knight: Harry has a talk with Daphne and deals with some old acquaintances.