A/N: Well hey guys! This chapter took me a while mainly because I've been working on a project that has pulled my entire attention aside from a few writing prompts here and there and updating another story and posting a new one. But I've recently put my focus on Ghastly Artifacts and I'm shocked to say this chapter equals up to twelve pages so it's fairly meaty!!! I hope you enjoy and thanks for sticking with my procrastinating self!!!
Fleur's P.O.V
A frantic knocking startled Fleur from her haphazard room cleaning, Harry's voice called out from the other side of the door," Fleur, we need to talk about something."
"Oui, come in 'Arry," Fleur called out tossing one last errant skirt into her blue wicker hamper.
The door slowly opened, Harry stood on the other side looking extremely pale and sickly.
Fleur sucked in a worried breath of air hurrying over to hover her hands over his arms," What is ze matter 'Arry?"
The shaky airless laugh he let out made Fleur flinch slightly," I think that thing possessing me has gotten worse."
Fleur could feel her blood drain out of her face, and in a panic she almost flooded her senses over Harry before thinking better of it," May I look?"
Harry's hesitant nod reassured Fleur as she allowed her senses to wash over him, the telltale familiar roiling mass of blue with spiderwebbing red cracks met her senses, but what truly worried her was the entity that had been circling his core. It was no longer hovering over the mass that was invariably "Harry" it was now tightly coiled around his core, a sickly green seeping inside from the aberration.
'What have I told you about your wandering curiosity girl,' the entity hissed making Fleur flinch in fear as it struck at her. But what truly terrified her was the hand that wrapped around her throat, driving the air from her.
"'A-Arry," Fleur gasped slapping her hands frantically against his, trying to break his grip. Tears spilled from her eyes running down her cheeks in crystalline trails," p-please."
Red rings rimmed Harry's irises and he grinned madly at her pleading, a voice not his own sent shivers down her spine," I told you to curb your curiosity girl, now I'll make the boy kill you with his own hands."
She could feel her consciousness slipping away as her vision blurred, she scratched at his hands with panic-stricken desperation but his grip was unyielding. Ideas flitted in and out of her head every single one less viable than the last.
Turning into her Veela form would wreathe her in flame and sear him horribly, she could not reach her wand which she had left more than a foot away on her bed, she could not pry him away because he seemed unnaturally strong, so she put her entire last few seconds of consciousness into her last ditch effort.
Fleur thrust herself forward, slamming her lips into Harry's, causing a startled gasp to escape his lips. The grip he held on her fled, instead redirecting to push her away from him with such force that she was flung to the middle of the room onto her back.
Fleur groaned, raising herself with her elbows to stare horrifically at Harry. The terrified expression on his face as he looked down at his hands made her heart twist in agony.
"I-I'm a monster," Harry whispered, causing Fleur's heart to nearly shatter.
"N-No 'Arry," Fleur coughed, her voice coming out in a rasp that made him flinch," Voldemort is ze monster, zis is not your fault."
He choked back a sob, his shoulders shaking in fear, bringing new tears to Fleur's eyes. Harry fled the room, his hurried flight carrying him down the hall towards the foyer stairs.
"'Arry!" Fleur cried, chasing after him as he sped through the house.
Harry's P.O.V
'I can't stay here! I'll end up killing her if I do,' Harry quickly thundered down the stairs passing a confused Marcus Delacour. Harry flew out the door Marcus had left ajar, he allowed his legs to carry him faster than they had before and he was already nearly at the end of the Delacour driveway in moments.
"Where is ze fire," Marcus called in confusion as Harry looked back seeing Fleur hot on his heels.
"Leave me alone!" Harry yelled putting his head down as he ran harder.
"No," Fleur called back, panting lightly as she slowly gained ground on him," I will not leave you to suffer, 'Arry!"
Harry frantically turned his head in every direction as he cleared the gravel driveway of the Delacour Manor, passing through a light forested clearing. He could hear Fleur right behind him and just as her fingers brushed over his arm, he twisted, wishing he were somewhere he could be by himself.
Crack*
The world seemed to whirl around him, tearing past in a blur that nearly made him vomit as he fell to a cold stone floor. Harry retched trying, and failing, desperately to keep the food from this morning down.
"Harry?" A familiar drawl made him flinch in surprise.
"Salazar?" Harry looked up confusedly, not knowing how he had gotten to the Chamber of Secrets.
"Did you just apparate?" The portrait asked, stroking his beard.
"A-Apparate?" Harry wheezed through the acrid taste of bile in his throat.
"It is magical travel, using your magic to spin the world, folding the spaces of two points so that the witch or wizard may travel instantaneously. I am surprised you can use it at your age, although it seems you have splinched yourself slightly," Salazar pointed to Harry's arm, where a thin, yet deep gash welled with blood. The crimson stream, which began to pool onto the ground, flowed from the wound.
Harry wobbled drunkenly to his feet, pressing cold pale fingers to the cut to stem the flow," I've had worse, but I need your help, Salazar."
The portrait's eyes narrowed, passing over Harry in a worried frown," tell me."
Harry explained the situation, having realized he hadn't kept Salazar up to date on the situation with the voice he often heard. Salazar was deeply unsettled by the news that the voice was that of his old heir, Tom Riddle, and that it had somehow progressed from just a voice to being able to even control Harry in his waking hours and that somehow it was due to the ring on Harry's finger. And then he told Salazar his horrific recollection of having nearly killed Fleur.
Salazar sat in a pondering silence for a moment before he turned to Harry," I… may know what this aberration inside of you is."
Harry blanched, looking up to see Salazar's worried frown," what is it?"
Salazar swallowed," I believe that ring," he pointed to Harry's hand," and you are both Horcruxes."
Harry frowned," Horcruxes?"
"They are an abominable type of soul magic, used to sever pieces of the soul from the body and place them into a receptacle to keep the witch or wizard's soul tethered to this realm. They are created in a horrible fashion, using the deaths of others to cut away pieces of the soul. I do not know the exact process, because I never fell so far in life to create one, but I read extensively on wizards of past ages and learned Herpo the Foul, the wizard who first discovered them, created one of his own. As far as anyone knows the man may even still be alive, there was no record of his own Horcrux being destroyed."
"S-So I have a bit of Voldemort's soul in me," Harry cried horrified, looking down at his chest as if he would be able to see the soul.
Salazar nodded grimly," Rina did say when she first met you that you smelled like Tom. I suppose now we know why."
"W-What can I do," Harry shuddered clutching his head in agony.
"I do not know of any way to remove pieces of a soul from an item that has been turned into a Horcrux- aside from…" Salazar paused not wanting to elaborate.
"What? Just tell me, Salazar, please!"
Salazar hung his head morosely whispering," destroying the container with something that can completely obliterate the soul fragment, basilisk venom, fiendfyre, and perhaps a goblin blade imbued with basilisk venom are but a few examples."
Harry laughed, a dry mirthless sound, that made Salazar flinch," So death, then. That's just typical," Harry stood for a moment before bursting into action, grabbing the chair at the desk in Salazar's study, and slamming it against the wall.
Salazar winced as shards of wood flew in different directions and one even embedded itself in Harry's palm, not that the boy seemed to notice," Perhaps ruining my furniture is not the best solution."
Harry laughed yanking the piece of wood from his hand," I guess you have a point, but what do I do?"
Salazar thought for a moment the snake in his portrait winding around his shoulders as he stroked his beard," I suggest using the library in Hogwarts, it is as good a place as any to start."
Harry stared incredulously at the painting," I don't think any books in that library will help Salazar. Fleur and I combed through it for months looking for any hint of what the voice could've been and never even heard a whisper of Horcruxes."
"Ah, but did either of you venture into the restricted section," Salazar smiled smugly as Harry shook his head hesitantly," Well, there you go."
Harry grumbled about abstract paintings of bearded grandmothers, causing Salazar to begin a tirade about the younger generation respecting their elders and knowing when to keep their little mouths shut. Harry would have let him continue, but as his mind wandered, he remembered what had happened with Fleur and he started to panic again.
"Salazar I almost killed Fleur," Harry panicked grabbing fistfuls of hair and tugging at them, blood matted his hair where his cut had trailed blood down between his fingers.
"I am not surprised, Tom was ruthless at times and I imagine as Voldemort he has only grown even more callous," Salazar said, stroking his beard. "I can understand your panic, I don't believe I need to remind you not to push your friends away, but you are just as stubborn as I am when it comes to certain things. Listen to me well, brat, that girl loves you." Harry could feel his face burning. "That means whenever you experience anything—happiness, pain, or sorrow—she will feel it with you. That is what love is, and it can be an amazing but terrible burden."
"I-I understand, thank you Salazar." Harry hung his head shamefully, disgusted with himself that he had taken Fleur's feelings so lightly.
"Good," Salazar smirked shooing Harry away with a gesture of his hand," now go, and do not forget my words."
Harry nodded, stepping out from the study and deciding he may as well visit Rina.
The tunnel leading to her nest was bare and devoid of bones since Harry had thankfully swept it clean before she had woken up. So he didn't need to pick his way through piles of stinking rotted meat and sinew.
"Rina," Harry called down into the tunnel in parseltongue," I'm coming to see you."
A low amused hiss met his ears," very well child."
The circular chamber for Rina was far more inviting since Harry had scourgified the floors and walls of all muck and grime. The cushions he had enlarged for her while she hibernated were now back to the size they had previously been, so Harry re-enlarged them and set them around her.
"You do not need to do that hatchling," Rina sighed with a serpentine lilt.
"I know, I just want to make sure you're comfortable down here, is there anything else that might help?"
She seemed to contemplate this for a second before nodding," if you would, could you cassst warming charmsss on the wallsss and floor. The cold ssseeps uncomfortably into my ssscales."
"Of course," Harry smiled casting the charms in quick successions on the floors and walls.
A quick flickering tongue slapped Harry lightly making him sputter as Rina laughed," thank you, child. That isss all I require, now hurry back."
Harry nodded and left Rina to warm comfortably in her nest. The warmth of her tunnel really made Harry realize, as he stepped out into the chamber proper, that the air of the Chamber of Secrets was bone chillingly cold.
"I'll have to fix that later," Harry sighed," but first I need to figure out how to apparate."
Harry mulled over Salazar's description of it, and thought hard about wanting to be back at the Delacour Manor. The world skipped and jumped around him, spinning, stretching, but rubber banded him back into the chamber and Harry fell over. Bile rose in his throat but he swallowed it back down.
"That sucked," Harry sighed and practiced a few more times, this time restricting himself to the confines of the Chamber of Secrets.
The next few attempts were just as successful as the first, but then he was finding himself two feet further than he had been, then ten feet, and finally he was able to apparate the entirety of the chamber without difficulty. So, Harry summoned up his image of Fleur in his head, her soft flowing silver hair, her delicate warm smile, and the calming feeling of her embrace.
Crack*
Fleur's P.O.V
Fleur paced restlessly in front of the fire place in the sitting room, her shoulders tight and worried.
"Mon Cher, you must calm down," papa sighed for the hundredth time it seemed," I'm sure he is fine."
Fleur whirled on him so fast and so furious that he scrunched into the plush luxuries sofa he sat on," Oui, papa? And who is to say 'e isn't in danger? I should never 'ave chased 'im. I must 'ave frightened 'im so much."
"Fleur," Maman sighed next to papa as she held Gabby in her lap," whatever 'appened I'm sure 'e is alright. But won't you please reconsider telling us what did 'appen to frighten 'im so?"
Fleur worried at her lip feeling as if she were being pulled into a hundred different directions," I cannot, it is 'Arry's own business and I only know about it because I am to nosy for my own good."
"Well at least she finally admits it," papa laughed and then coughed to cover it as Maman gave him a reproachful look.
A sudden bang shook the manor causing both Apolline and Marcus to shoot up with their wands at the ready.
"What was that," papa shouted looking around startled.
"Zat was ze sound of someone 'itting ze anti-apparition wards on ze manor," Fleur huffed stepping around the pair to make her way outside.
Sure enough, a small form lay dazed and bloody faced on the ground about thirty yards from the manor entrance. The figure wore familiar black jeans and a blue hoodie.
" 'Arry? Is zat you?" Fleur called over to the prone figure.
"No, it's the queen of England," he groaned nasally.
As Harry sat up fleur gasped at the rivers of blood that trickled down his nose and over his mouth staining his hoodie a rusty brown where it landed. She rushed to his side and conjured a small handkerchief for him to staunch the bleeding.
"I need you to sit very still," Fleur produced her wand very quickly and pointed it at his face," zis will 'urt. Episkey!"
A sharp cracking noise and Harry's startled yelp let her know the spell had worked as intended, so she slowly moved his hand from where he pressed the handkerchief into his nostrils. The bridge of his nose was now straight and unbroken, and while it had sounded painful, Harry didn't look any worse for the wear. It made sense, from what he had told her about his time with his relatives, Harry was no stranger to far more severe injuries than a broken nose.
"Thanks for that," Harry grinned at her, but the normally heartwarming spread of teeth was marred by crimson that made Fleur wince.
"Of course, who else is zere zat will mend broken bones for you if not me?" Fleur held her nose up a fraction as if she were boasting about some great feat.
"I suppose madam Pomfrey, but I suspect she wouldn't be too pleased about having to tend to me before the school year even started."
They laughed about that for a second before a tense silence settled around them that Fleur was more than willing to break," what made you decide to come back? I know 'ow you are when you 'ave made up your mind; almost nothing can change it once you 'ave decided."
Harry worried at his bottom lip for a moment before locking gazes with Fleur steadily," a friend convinced me it's better to pull friends closer when horrible things happen, rather than pushing them away."
"You 'ave a very reasonable friend, so not the Weasley boy or Terry. Hermione, perhaps?" Fleur mused watching Harry look away uncomfortably.
"Not exactly, but I trust them with my life as much as I trust you honestly."
Fleur felt a rush of something hot and prickly in the back of her head but stamped down on the feeling," I would like to meet zis person someday if zey 'ave gained your hard won trust."
"I don't doubt you'll meet eventually, but for now we need to talk about what happened earlier," he turned his gaze down to the rapidly drying stains of blood on his sweatshirt before frowning and pulling his wand out," turgeo!" The blood on his hoodie faded and evaporated into a cloud of rusty red, the garment smoked for a fraction of a second and then returned to its previous pristine condition.
"I think zat aberration inside of you is growing stronger," Fleur grimaced rubbing at the still raw flesh of her throat," zat is ze first time since your duel with Malfoy zat I 'ave seen it take control."
Harry nodded twisting something on his right hand absently," I know this ring has something to do with it." Harry held up his right hand and showed Fleur the ornate family ring he wore. It was the first time she had ever seen him wear it, and the ominous cold coming from the heirloom seemed to lend credence to his assertion.
"May I?" Fleur reached for the ring, but Harry quickly snatched his hand back.
"I don't think it's the best idea to have you messing with the thing after what happened earlier. But my friend said we might find some answers in the restricted section of the library in Hogwarts," Harry's conspiratorial look vanished as a pair of footsteps behind Fleur alerted her to her parents presence.
"Hello Harry," papa greeted, patting the boy on the shoulder, but stopping as soon as Harry tensed at the contact," it's nice to see you not running like a bat out of hell, or threatening to turn Dumbledores phoenix into a Christmas diner."
Harry grimaced at the memory before giving papa a very awkward smile," of course Monsieur Delacour. I'm very sorry about earlier, something unsavory happened and I had to leave."
Papa smiled down at him," oh please, call me Marcus! With how much Fleur talks about you it's like you're already part of the family, and I'm happy to say I have some business to attend to this evening regarding you and your families… situation. So with how entwined my work is with your life It's the least I could do to treat you like one of my own."
Harry grew still at the mention of his family, but aside from that his polite smile never wavered," thank you then, Marcus. And I am sorry in advance that you will need to deal with my relatives they can be… difficult."
"Please, I've dealt with all manner of unsavory witches, wizards, muggles, and everything between in my day as a member of France's magical law enforcement. I doubt there's anything that they could do to even ruffle me slightly." Marcus held his nose up in much the same manner as Fleur often did when she bragged.
Marcus' P.O.V
Number 4 Privet Drive
4:35 p.m.
'These are the worst people I've ever had the misfortune of meeting in my entire life!'
Marcus was silently cursing his luck as he sat across from this shallow bony excuse for a woman, her red faced beluga whale of a husband, and their little angry hog of a son. They had been pleasant enough when Marcus had first rung their doorbell. The man had taken in Marcus' designer suit, carefully waxed mustache, and fine polished shoes and been delighted to invite him in. But the minute Marcus had mentioned Harry was friends with his oldest daughter Fleur, the man had grown cold and derisive of Marcus.
"So, you're one of them are you?"
"One of them?" Marcus asked knowing fully well what the man was implying.
"One of those freakish types. Like the boy." He said 'boy' as if it were some curse word that aught not be brought up in civilized company.
"If you mean a wizard, then yes. I am a 'freakish type' as you put so eloquently." Marcus schooled his features and placed the smooth black suitcase he had been carrying onto the garish coffee table in front of him.
"What business do you have here then? The boy isn't here and we haven't seen him since that nutter in the red getup took him."
Marcus smiled a thin, dangerous smile that meant only business. "I'm not here for Harry, but in a way, I am. If you would be so kind, could you please send your son to his room or somewhere he won't hear our conversation? These are matters best kept out of a child's ears."
Vernon seemed to turn the request over on his little mind before deciding he wasn't being ordered around," Dudley go to your room."
"But I wanna know what's going on," the boy squealed his greasy blond hair making him look like a pig in a wig.
"Now now Duddykins, go to your room and we'll go out for ice cream later," Petunia Dursley bribed using her son's gluttony as leverage.
The boy seemed to mull that over in his head, like his father, before nodding and stomping his way upstairs.
Once the thundering stopped Marcus looked to the pair and dropped any form of civility," your nephew will not be returning to this home ever again."
Vernon at first seemed enraged by the drop of politeness, but his expression of anger changed to one of gleeful jubilation. Petunia however, looked as angry as Vernon had at first and her expression wasn't changing.
Marcus gave her a hard look and growled out his next sentence," if it were up to me you two would be put before Britains magical government, tried, and convicted for the horrifying treatment of your nephew."
The pair looked at Marcus very shocked and terrified at the implication of his threat," that's right, I know exactly how he has been treated in his time under your care," Marcus turned his gaze to Petunia and glared so hard he was surprised he didn't set her on fire," I know everything."
Vernon frowned between Marcus and his wife, clearly not knowing what he was talking about.
"What rubbish, the way you're talking makes it clear you can't do exactly that so you must not have any hard evidence," Vernon sneered trying to climb to his feet to no doubt try and force Marcus out of the house.
"Oh, but I have very solid evidence. Evidence so damning that you would never see the light of day again in your pitiful lives, and even if you did you would be hollow husks devoid of soul and conscious thought. You see Britain's prison system is far less forgiving than any other country's, and the only prison here is overseen by foul creatures called Dementors. These creatures invoke the worst memories a person has, trapping you in them, feeding on any positive emotions you may have, and leaving you a howling, terrified wreck. Imagine every day of the rest of your life being nothing but that; I imagine you would beg for death after only a day."
The Dursleys both paled and shook under Marcus' intense hateful stare. Petunia was the first to speak," b-but you can't take us in front of Britain's magical government?"
Marcus let his hard stare bore into her for a moment before smiling placidly," no, I can't," the pair seemed to relax at that admission," but if you ever try to contact your nephew in any way, if you ever try approaching him if you see him in public, or if you ever try threatening him indirectly in any way, do not think I will leave you to anything but the worst of fates."
Marcus sent one last hateful look at the pair before standing to his feet and pulling his wand from his sleeve," and if your nephew decides charges may be pressed anyway. Your fate literally rests in his hands, I do hope you weren't too cruel to him for your own sakes. Because if it were me I would already damn your souls for the little I already know."
Both Dursleys paled. Marcus decided he didn't want to be polite in this situation, so he apparated away without venturing outside first.
Crack*