"You have been taught how to duel, Harry Potter?" said Voldemort softly, his red eyes glinting through the darkness.
Harry nodded, he knew the type of person that Voldemort was, he wanted to make a mockery of respect.
Both of them bowed at the waist, but neither removed their eyes from the other. They both knew better than to do that.
"Someone has been training you well Potter" commented Voldemort, "Are you sure I cannot tempt you to join me? With all the dead death eaters, there is room for you inside of my inner circle"
Harry gestured to the masked and cloaked bodies around them, the death eaters he had killed when they tried to steal his blood, "Good help is hard to find"
Voldemort let out a crackling laugh and the sky split with lightning followed by eardrum splitting thunder, "Last chance to take a spot in my inner circle boy"
Harry gripped his wand tightly as he nodded to the death eaters surrounding them, "Take a look around, I'm already inside your inner circle"
"So it would seem" said Voldemort, his tone devoid of amusement now.
….
Severus Snape was in one of his better moods, the start of Summer break was also something that he looked forward to. He was not all that fond of teaching or children, so this was also a much needed break.
He walked through the protective wards around his home, unlocking the door and slipping inside.
He could feel the cold angry presence from the moment that he entered his home, and he didn't need to turn to see who it was.
"Sit" hissed Harry, his wand trained on Severus' form
Green eyes met Onyx eyes and Severus nodded as he sat in his comfy one seater across from the seat that Harry must have conjured. He took in the young man, the casual muggle clothing, the jogging shoes, the unzipped jacket over the white t-shirt. His eyes landed on the back of Harry's hand, where a new splatter star-shaped scar sat. He had seen one just like it on the back of the hand of the Dark Lord less than 72 hours ago.
"Potter" greeted Severus
"Two faced fence sitting bastard" replied Harry
Snape opened his mouth to reply, but Harry cut him off, "Zip it, this is not the part where you talk yet"
Snape scowled but did as he was told, he was being held at wand point. A weight appeared on his shoulders and he felt the cold grip of magic wrap around his heart, his heart struggling to beat against the grip/
"I cannot trust entering your mind to verify if you are telling me the truth, thus I will have my magic tell me if you are lying to me" answered Harry to the unvoiced question, "If you reach for your wand, I will shatter it inside your hand"
Do not let your anger cloud your thoughts
Harry ignored Junior and glared at his potions' professor, "He has help inside the school, who is it?"
Snape blinked, "Surely, you have a less direct question than that, you know that I cannot simply tell you who is doing what"
The grip tightened and Snape wondered if Harry would just kill him in this moment, but after a moment, the pain faded and he found Harry's green eyes … Lily's eyes glaring at him with an intensity that he hadn't seen come from the young man before.
"This isn't a game" hissed Harry
"I am bound by the Dark Mark to hold all secrets that he does not wish for me to share" admitted Snape, "The mark is not something I can simply shrug off or refute, it is bound to my very soul"
He is correct Harry, but soul magic can be undone
"And if I was willing to free you from the bind of the mark?" asked Harry
"You cannot do that" replied Snape
"I did not ask if you had faith in my ability to do so, I am asking you what you would be willing to do in exchange" said Harry
"Anything" answered Snape
Harry's magic around his heart confirmed it was true and he thought inward, 'Is this something that you can guide me through?'
Of course brat, let's get into it together.
"Do we have a deal?" asked Harry as he raised his wand, "I remove the soul bind and you tell me what I want to know"
Snape nodded and both Harry and Snape's body glimmered as they both magically promised to uphold the agreement.
"I am ready whenever you are Potter" said Snape
Harry closed his eyes and his magic filled the room, thick and heavy like oil before it wrapped around Snape, very different than the thin tendril that had wrapped around his heart. This magic sunk deeper than the body, into his very soul before it found something located in his arm.
"Ok, that wasn't so bad" muttered Snape as his body spasmed as the magic grew harsh and painful, like touching ice for too long.
"Oh, we haven't started yet" replied Harry as the feeling intensified and Snape felt more pain than he had ever felt before.
Montpellier, France: The Delacour's Private Hospital Wing
Fleur sat in her empty hospital room, the pale white walls painted in a manner that didn't make the place look brighter than it really was. Her body shivered as another wave of tremble inducing pain flooded her body. It starts as a whisper, a ghost of sensation slithering beneath the skin, but soon it grows … becomes sharper, more electric, and as always … unrelenting. It is fire without flame, ice without relief, a constant gnawing that turns every breath into a test of endurance. The pain weaves through muscle and bone, threading itself into the very fabric of the body, as if the nerves themselves have been set ablaze.
At times, it is a dagger plunged deep, a sudden and merciless jolt that steals the breath away. Other moments, it is a relentless, crawling ache, a sickening throb that refuses to fade, pulsing in time with the heartbeat. It radiates, spreads, twists—one moment a searing burn, the next a sharp, electric shock, unpredictable in its cruelty.
Even stillness is no refuge. The body betrays itself, nerves firing signals of agony with no cause, no injury, no reason—only suffering. Clothing feels like sandpaper, a touch like a brand, every movement a gamble against the unseen tormentor lurking beneath the skin. Sleep is fleeting, rest a distant memory, for pain does not wait for permission to return.
It is a battle waged in silence, a torment unseen, a wound with no scar. To live with this manner of pain is to exist in a body that has turned against itself, where relief is a dream, and every moment is measured in how much one can endure.
The sad part was that Fleur knew that this was the pain after it had become heavily muted by the series of potions, elixirs, creams, and everything under the sun that her parents had gotten to treat her. All done by a healer who specialized in treating Veelas, everything had been done to perfection. It also let her know why the Cruciatus Curse was universally banned in every country and every nation.
Even in the dark arts tolerating Balkin nations did not allow the use of them. Not that it had stopped Krum once they were inside the maze.
She shivered once more and found her mind struggling to hang onto the real world as it begged to simply collapse in on itself and give up. She had always wondered how the spell … a quickly muttered Crucio could make wizards lose their minds so effortlessly. But as she struggled with the results of the spell now, she was more surprised that there weren't more wizards who gave up.
There was a soft ruffling of fabric and Dumbledore was inside of her room, his usual weird robes were nowhere to be seen as he looked more serious than she had seen him over the past 7 months she had spent at Hogwarts.
"How are you?" asked Dumbledore as his eyes roamed over her form, yet Fleur did not feel the normal male gaze with the scan of her body. Age did not lessen the impact of a Veela's appeal to anyone, so for him to be this neutral or objective … it honestly made his fashion sense make a lot more sense to Fleur.
"I … have had … better moments" said Fleur between moments of intense body shaking pain, her knees hurt so much that bending them hurt, unbending them hurt even more, and leaving them alone was somehow the worst option.
"You are not the first nor will you ever be the last to find yourself under that spell" stated Dumbledore, his tone was flat and somber. It was as if he was seeing more than just her in the bed, but an entire country's worth of school children.
Dumbledore reached into a fold of his robes and pulled out a small vial, inside was a pale blue potion that was twinkling with a glow that Fleur had never seen before. Dumbledore uncorked it and he placed it at her lips … when had he gotten so close again? Was it when Fleur had to blink?
The liquid hit her tongue and it was icy cold, then it burned her mouth, then it was incredibly smoothing to feel. Dumbledore pushed the end of the vial up and she was forced to drink the entire thing, her body shaking as she finished.
Dumbledore took a step back and Fleur shivered as she felt her whole body grow cold, then hot, then slowly all of the pain in her body faded away. She felt itchy and sweaty, but she didn't feel the pain that had consumed every cell of her body a moment ago.
"What … what is that?" asked Fleur as she rubbed her stomach that lurched with hunger unlike anything she had ever felt before. Apparently during all that pain, she had been starving underneath.
"This was an experiment that I have been working on since the end of the last war" answered Dumbledore, "Miss Delacour, how do you feel?"
"Like I could go for a Hogwarts feast" admitted Fleur as her stomach rumbled loudly, causing the French witch to blush in embarrassment.
Dumbledore let out a small chuckle that didn't reach his eyes, his body was still standing tall and alert. Fleur could understand it though, the war was just starting back up and Dumbledore needed to be at his most attentive now.
"That might just be the near week of no food" suggested Dumbledore, "But your pain level?"
"I feel almost normal, there is a faint echo but that is just my mind. It expects to feel pain, but the sheets no longer hurt my skin" answered Fleur
"That is very good, I was uncertain of whether or not the potion would work. You are actually not my intended patient" admitted Dumbledore
"No, if not me than who? Harry should be okay right?" questioned Fleur
"As far as I have been informed, Harry is good health in a bit angry about the ending of the Tournament. But a duel against Lord Voldemort will do that to you" said Dumbledore
"If not me and not Harry, then who?" asked Fleur
"I cannot tell you at this moment, Miss Delacour" said Dumbledore, "their identities need to remain a secret at this moment. In due time though, I believe that you will be meeting them"
"How can you think that?" asked Fleur
"While I do wear this stylist glasses" mused Dumbledore, "I am not, in fact, blind. There is no secret worse kept at Hogwarts how smite Young Delacour and Potter have become in one another"
Fleur burped and rolled her eyes, "I have no reason to hide that I like Harry, nor would I want to"
Dumbledore nodded, "I agree very much. Which is why I know when I invite you to join the Order of the Phoenix, I know that you will agree"
Fleur raised an eyebrow, "The order is real?"
"Depends on who is asking? Fleur Delacour, the talented enchantress and duelist who is a candidate to join or Fleur Delacour, the nosy school girl?" asked Dumbledore
"Does it matter?" asked Fleur
"Only in the manner of whether or not I can trust you" answered Dumbledore
"I will not lie to Harry" stated Fleur firmly
"Nor would I ask you to" said Dumbledore just as firmly, "Your vow would be to not disclose information not in the order or Harry James Potter. That is it"
"I will not spy on Harry either" said Fleur with narrowed eyes
"Mister Potter and I are not enemies, nor will we ever be" said Dumbledore, "I do not have the ability to pay attention to what he does in his day to day life, I do not have the ability to focus on where he goes every day while I keep my eyes on the Death Eaters who have slipped through the cracks like the bugs they are. If does something stupid like march to Malfoy Manor to challenge the Dark Lord in a duel, let me know, but I know that Harry can take care of himself at this point. He dueled Voldemort to a standstill and walked away with little more than a scar on the back of his hand"
"So, what are you asking me to do?" asked Fleur
"I am asking you to continue to be Harry's paramour, keep him out of trouble and keep him from doing anything particularly stupid if you can" said Dumbledore
"In exchange for what?" asked Fleur, "This seems to good to be true"
"In exchange for nothing other than having information about what the death eaters are doing. I do not want a war on two fronts, this is not some fairy tale where I need Harry to fail to win in the end. Harry is a smart capable young man who I do not wish to babysit, just keep him out of trouble"
London: July 3rd
Fleur glared up at the weak London sun, the middlingly 23*C weather was pathetic for summer. It wasn't sunny or breezy enough for her to wear any of her new sundresses, she was stuck wearing a pair of jeans, little canvas shoes, and a long sleeve baggy t-shirt. She was certain that she looked beautiful, but she was certain that she would have looked better in her sundress.
Her eyes dropped from the weak sun to the bad English parody of coffee (A/N: Went to London in 2023, Coffee was extremely mid and overpriced, but the Tea was actually really good) and then at Harry who was sitting across from her, sipping on a cup of Lemon tea.
"Are you gonna continue to mope and complain about the weather or talk to me about our summer plans?" asked Harry
"I just feel like this conversation could have been had in France" stated Fleur, "But atlas, we are here, so tell me what you've learned"
Her eyes paused as her vision locked in on the sight of his pale-skinned hand, positioned with the palm facing downward and fingers slightly spread. At the center of the back of the hand is a distinct, dark red to the point of nearing black mark in the shape of a four-pointed star, with each point extending outward in sharp, tapered lines. The scar looked as if it had possibly burned into the skin recently as if Harry had been branded right become coming to sit with her, giving it an ominous quality. Around the knuckles, there are faint reddish bruises or irritation, as if the hand has recently endured strain or conflict. A big contrast to his fingernails which were so well-groomed and clean.
"I can wear gloves in the hand is going to distract you" suggested Harry
"No, I just find the scar to be interesting, it is a sign that no matter what, you wouldn't lose to anyone. Not even snake faced dark lords" joked Fleur.
"Good, because I helped Snape and he helped me. There was a grand total of 5 spies for Voldemort inside of the castle this past year. Bradley Flint is the first and most openly sharing one, his older brother Marcus Flint graduated last year before the Tournament school year. I don't know if he was really spying and providing information to his brother in an innocent manner or if it had intent. But Snape was able to identify him as a mole inside of the school that gave information that Voldemort used"
"How old is he?" asked Fleur
"He is about to be 17, he's 2 years ahead of me" said Harry
"Old enough to learn that consequences have actions then" stated Fleur harshly
"We will punish before killing" stated Harry
"You need to crack the whip on those who oppose you, people who fear you do not openly challenge you. Make an example of someone who has influence, and the rest will crumple like a sandcastle" tsk'd Fleur
"I thought the French were non-confrontational?" joked Harry
"I never back down from a fight, if I was a better duelist, I would be whipping your arse up and down the island for thinking it was okay to duel a dark lord without me" said Fleur with a roll of her eyes.
"Notes for next time" promised Harry, "Anyway, after the younger Flint brother, there was obviously the LeStrange brothers which caused us to have that episode that made the news"
"Did the ministry kill them?" asked Fleur
"No, Voldemort with the help of Malfoy managed to free them before the Ministry could deal with them" answered Harry
Fleur smirked confidently, "Good, that gives us the opportunity to take care of them ourselves. We owe them more than just some spells for the way they got to us during the ball"
"Angry Fleur is hot" replied Harry
"I find you extremely attractive whenever you show command over older or powerful magic" admitted Fleur, "It is a sign that we find dominate traits in each other attractive, it is a good thing"
Green eyes met blue eyes, "Fleur, I will love you until my last breathe, then find a way to love you for another day"
Fleur felt all of her disappointment in being in London fade and she leaned across the table and kissed Harry on the lips, "And I will love you forever plus another day as well Harry"
Harry smiled at her, the pressure of the upcoming war faded and in this moment, he felt his body tingle.
That's what love feels like Harry
'I could get used to it'
You're blessed Harry, some people search for it their entire lives and never find this feeling. Cherish it, hold on to it, never let anyone take it from you.
'Are you okay Junior?'
I am just happy for you, neither one of us are parents but you are as a close to a child that a bodyless pool of magic could ever have. I am happy that you found someone to walk this world with.
'Oh, I think you're the closest thing to a parent that I have, I mean you've been there for as long as I can remember. Thank you'
Harry rubbed his chin, "Karkaroff is not a spy per say, but Voldemort threatened to kill him and Krum if they didn't do as they were told. Karkaroff handed over the plans for all of the tasks and that is how they managed to know all of the details on each one of those"
"A coward through and through" noted Fleur, "Is the last one the Malfoy brat, I wouldn't mind killing him after the nasty way that he talked about you and I"
"The last one was a mystery even to Snape" admitted Harry, "It was a sixth year student who had a deal with Voldemort and the Death Eaters to protect their family"
"They chose to sacrifice you over themselves, possible a Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff" mused Fleur as she twisted her mouth, her lip clutched between her teeth in thought.
Harry shrugged, "It could have been anyone to be honest, who wouldn't choose their family over me?"
"Speaking of family, when do you feel like is a good time to meet mine?" asked Fleur
"That depends? Do they like me? Like have they only heard good things?" countered Harry
"Other than you being a bit annoying, they have only heard good things" confirmed Fleur
"Then whenever you are ready" shrugged Harry, "I've never dated anyone, is this supposed to be making me nervous or something?"
Fleur shrugged as well, "I've never dated anyone, I've been on one or two dates with a person, but at no point was I dating that person. They never interested me or they didn't see me as me, they saw me as a trophy"
"Based on our TriWizard Tournament results, I'm the prize" said Harry with a smile, the result was a scone to the face.
Montpellier, France: The Delacour's Dining Room:
The Daily ProphetJuly 5, 1995DUMBLEDORE'S MIRACLE: LONGBOTTOMS HEALED BY PHOENIX-BASED POTION
By Rita Skeeter
In what can only be described as the most astonishing medical breakthrough in wizarding history, Albus Dumbledore has successfully healed Alice and Frank Longbottom, the beloved Aurors who had long suffered under the Cruciatus Curse at the hands of the notorious Death Eaters. The wizarding world is abuzz with excitement and disbelief at this unprecedented act of magical restoration.
For over fifteen years, the Longbottoms have resided in St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, unable to recognize even their own son, Neville. Their tragic fate has been a painful reminder of the horrors inflicted during Voldemort's reign. Many had resigned themselves to the idea that their condition was irreversible—until now.
According to sources close to St. Mungo's, Dumbledore devised a special potion derived from the tears of his legendary phoenix companion, Fawkes. Long associated with extraordinary healing properties, phoenix tears have been known to cure fatal wounds, but never before have they been used to mend minds shattered by dark magic.
Dumbledore, ever the enigmatic figure, has declined to provide details of the potion's exact composition, stating only that it was "a delicate balance of hope, love, and a bit of phoenix magic." He did, however, express his delight at the recovery of the Longbottoms, calling it "a victory not just for them, but for all who have suffered the scars of war."
The Longbottoms, now fully conscious and able to recall past events, were reportedly overwhelmed with emotion upon reuniting with their son, Neville. Witnesses describe a tearful and joyful scene at St. Mungo's as the family embraced for the first time in nearly two decades.
Neville Longbottom, now a rising star in the field of Herbology and a hero of the Battle of Hogwarts, has expressed profound gratitude toward Dumbledore. "I never thought I'd have this chance," he told reporters. "It's more than I ever dreamed possible."
While the discovery has sparked widespread hope, it has also raised questions within the medical and academic communities. Some Healers at St. Mungo's are demanding further study of Dumbledore's potion, eager to determine whether it might be used to treat other victims of dark magic. Others, however, caution against premature optimism, pointing out that phoenix tears are incredibly rare and difficult to harness in large quantities.
Regardless of the implications, there is no denying that this breakthrough has brought newfound hope to many in the wizarding world. With Alice and Frank Longbottom back among the living, many now wonder: what other miracles might still be possible?
Mr. Michel Delacour tossed the newspaper down onto the table, the table that was not as long as Harry had expected for a house this big, but it was still big enough to fit all five of them. Michel Delacour was not what Harry had expected, but was almost exactly what Harry thought a man capable of marrying a Veela could be like, if that made sense.
He was the embodiment of effortless French charm, it was a man in the mid-forties who wore his years like a well-tailored suit: refined and utterly unmarred by the time. With an angular face that had been softened by a frequent hint of amusement, that visage would be classically described as handsome with the kind of symmetry that models possessed. Chiseled high cheekbones, inheriting centuries of aristocratic history, framed a strong straight nose; lips slightly raised into a knowing half-smile, hinting at a mind as sharp as was his appearance. His hair, a deep chestnut with only the most dignified streaks of silver, fell in artfully tousled waves that implied equal parts both nonchalance and painstaking care. His piercing blue eyes matched those of Fleurs, flecked with stormy shades of gray-held intelligence, mischief, and solved by dark lashes that did grant an unfair level of intensity to his gaze. There was something other about the direct, appraising but never unkind look he gave you that made him impossible to ignore. The natural confidence of a man long accustomed to mastering not only his own presence but also the effect it had on others guided his movement. He was lanky, yet graceful, carrying himself with such deliberate grace that even the slightest gesture seemed purposeful. Whether adorned in a tailor-made charcoal suit that hinted at old Parisian money or wearing nothing more than a crisp linen dress shirt with a couple of buttons undone, implying he just got back from a Mediterranean sojourn, he was that kind of guy who made elegance look effortlessly natural. And then there was his voice: smooth, edged with the husky timbre that rendered every syllable a most unexpectedly dangerous invitation, whether he recited poetry over a glass of Bordeaux or simply ordered coffee.
If Harry was certain that men could not be Veela, he would have accused Fleur's father of being a Veela like his wife and children. Fleur's mother Apolline and her younger sister, Gabby looked like they had during the tournament, blonde and pretty.
"Your headmaster, Dumbledore is quite the wizard Harry" said Michel in his ever so slightly accented English.
"He is possibly the best to ever walk through London" nodded Harry, "At least, so far"
"I've heard outstanding things about your skill Harry" said Michel, "A young man skilled beyond his years, the Next Dumbledore as the tournament coverage declared you"
Harry shuffled in his seat, "The media tends to blow everything out of proportion. You know how the English are, every rugrat that becomes potty trained is the next merlin"
Michel let out one of those regal rich people laughs and Fleur flashed him a smile, "I agree but the media is not the only source of information that I use. I saw the memories of the tournament, you are quite the powerful wizard"
Harry nodded, "I am a bit more advanced than the average student, but I have a lot more to learn, a lot more to master before I take over for someone like Dumbledore"
Michel scratched his nose, "You are certainly not prideful like the English, that much is sure"
Apolline rolled her eyes, "Michel dear, enough. The boy has joined us for breakfast, and you are spending it trying to find out what is wrong with him"
"Any father is going to test whatever boy his daughter brings home" cut in Harry, "I would be surprised if he wasn't trying to figure me out"
Michel gave Harry a real smile, "You are vastly different than the world has painted you, Harry. Tell us, what is the real Harry Potter like?"
Harry thought it over as he took a sip of the orange juice in his cup, "The real Harry Potter didn't grow up slaying dragons and saving princesses like the story books tell. I grew up in the suburbs of London, with my muggle family from my mother's side. I mostly kept to myself and was an average student and kid until I made it to Hogwarts. From there, I kept finding myself in dangerous situations and found that the professors didn't believe me or help, so I threw myself into studying and becoming the best that I could"
Apolline smiled, "So, you're self-taught, that is quite impressive"
Harry nodded.
"Do you have any career thoughts already?" asked Michel
"I kind of have to kill a Dark Lord first, but I would like to go into Magical Research" answered Harry
"Really, I heard you are quite handy on a broom, I would have thought that you would have pursued a professional Quidditch career" said Michel
"Maybe if my good looks and brains fade first" joked Harry causing everyone at the table to let out a laugh.
Order of the Phoenix meeting:
"Every Death Eater has made themselves scarce, why? Because after technically not losing, but also not winning the duel against Harry Potter, the Dark Lord is rather less than pleased" reported Snape, "Nobody wants to be around to feel his wraith"
Dumbledore nodded, "Nobody can blame them, he is not the most merciful person"
"Am I the only one who is questioning how a 14 year old boy managed to do that?" asked Tonks, "Most of the people here in this meeting aren't capable of that"
Moody's swirling eye stopped moving to lock onto Dumbledore as everyone in the meeting's eyes landed on the Elderly wizard who resisted the urge to sigh in front of everyone, because what was he going to tell these people? That Harry had magically turned into a powerful wizard basically overnight without the help of anyone? They weren't going to buy that, because he didn't believe it himself.
He could reveal a bit of the truth, that Harry had been using some kind of time turner to extend his days and over the last 10 months had gotten over 1.75 years of experience and was closer to 17 than 15 at this point? How much did these people really have to know?
"Harry is not just a regular 14 year old boy, he has access to a time turner and is approaching 16 years old rather than 15 years old. He has been trained in secret due to the prophecy, he is the key to this war" answered Dumbledore after a moment of thinking of what he could tell them, a variant of the truth was the best option. Better to have them think he was training Potter than to think the boy was self-taught and a potential threat.
"Albus, are you certain there isn't any other way than to have a boy like Harry trained to fight" asked Molly
Why is she always asking these type of questions, if it was a simple as me simply winning, I would have done this decades ago
"Perhaps the prophecy refers to the power of friendship" said Dumbledore rhetorically, "Or maybe you think I am as insane as the kids at Hogwarts claim I am. Do you think I want to trust the fate of the world to a 16 year old boy who is trying to add a notch to his wand more than anything at this point?"
That brought an awkward silence to the entire room, because Dumbledore had a point. Sirius buried his face into his palms in frustration, something Dumbledore could understand. Molly was an excellent mother to her children, but she tended to forget that not all of the people around her were her children.
"If the noise complaints from the Beauxbatons' students are accurate, the wand has at least a single very impressive notch" added Snape, causing the room to crackle with laughter and Molly gasping in horror.
Dumbledore found himself curious about Snape's overall good mood, summer vacation was always a boon to the man's mood, but never this much. The man was an arse who was an arse all the time, yet he seemed to have mellowed out more than Dumbledore thought possible. Something to address and talk about after the meeting, the more pressing issue was using his people inside the ministry to protect the prophecy. Who cares if he had a copy of the full thing, the important thing is that Voldemort didn't.
The rest of the meeting was spent with a more productive edge. Moody was going to start scouting the Auror and Hit Wizards for potential members. Author, Tonks, and Shacklebolt would organize a rotation of less dueling inclined witches and wizards inside the Ministry to guard the doorway to the Hall of Prophecies. Remus and Sirius were going to be sent to Germany to talk with the largest gathering of Werewolves in Western Europe in hopes of getting them remain neutral. Hagrid was already in France, embarking on his journey to talk with the Giants. Aberforth was going to Rome to ask the vampires to stand down in this war.
That left Dumbledore and Snape to return to Hogwarts alone as only Molly was left without an important task. That was fine, Dumbledore knew that Molly was a capable dueler, but she was a mother first and he respected that even if he didn't have any children himself.
"So, why are you in such a good mood?" asked Dumbledore as he popped both of them into his office, taking a seat behind his desk as Snape stood across from him, but refusing to sit in the chair across from him.
"The brats are gone, no more poorly made potions, no more stolen ingredients, no misspelled essays" said Snape with a smirk on his face, "What is not to like?"
"And yet for the last decade, you've manage to be a miserable day in and day out. Even during the summer holidays, forgive me for not believing that the kids being gone from castle is the reason for the boost in mood" countered Dumbledore
"Perhaps … there is more to my good mood" admitted Snape, "Have you ever had something removed from your life or being … only for a massive fog to be lifted from your mind"
"No, that doesn't make much sense to me" replied Dumbledore, "Did something of this nature occur to you recently"
"Everything between us remains between just us, correct?" asked Snape
"Unless lives are at stake, yes" confirmed Dumbledore
"Potter removed the soul bind on the Dark Magic, for years that foul peace of magic was consuming bits of magic, clouding my thought process, dragging my mood down" explained Snape
"That is quite the ability in magic, I was unaware that Harry knew how to do that" said Dumbledore as he slowly chewed over this new piece of information, "I wouldn't know how to do it"
Snape gave a small nod, "I didn't think it was possible, it painful. It was worse than being under the Dark Lord's Crucio, the pain was not just in the body, it sank down to my very soul and it felt like he was ripping it apart to find a needle in the haystack as the muggles would say"
"Do you mind?" asked Dumbledore as he pulled his wand from his robes and gestured it at Snape
"Not at all, I'm actually curious of what the results will be" said Snape as he stood firm as Dumbledore scanned him with a wave of magic, it was pleasantly cool and swirled around his being. It felt nothing like the magic of the Dark Lord which felt harsh, bitter, cold, and jagged. Nor did it feel like Potter's magic which felt thick, overwhelming, hungry, and never-ending. The magic burrowed under his skin and he could feel it flow inside of his very being, much like Potter's had. However, Dumbledore's magic was not ripping or pulling, simply wondering about looking around.
Dumbledore lowered his wand and pulled all his magic back, "Whatever Harry did, it did no damage to your soul. At least none that I could find, but it seems as if he scrubbed and removed all of the imprints left by dark magic. He did a better job than anyone but myself or Grindelwald would have been able to. There is not many experts on Soul Magic left, outside of the two of us that I already mentioned and your other master"
Silence filled the room as both of them let that information settle, "He is no longer my master, the soul bind is gone as I mentioned previously"
"Interesting, where does a boy as young as Harry Potter who grew up in the muggle world learn how to transmutate a soul like this?" asked Dumbledore
"Are we open to revisiting the conversation that Harry Potter is not Harry Potter?" asked Snape
"And you think a variant of your master would simply free you from your bind to him? Tom was never that kind. If Harry Potter is not Harry Potter, I would have known by now. Besides for all of the charm and physical attractiveness that Tom possessed, he could never bother to become so attached to a female companion like Harry has with Miss Delacour. As you have already crudely joked, we know they have given into more basic teenage desires" dissed Dumbledore
"Then we are missing something, he is growing faster than it should be possible. Perhaps it is not the Dark Lord living inside of Potter's body, but some kind of latent ability and memories" suggested Snape, "The Dark Lord has conducted more experiments with rituals, dark magic, soul magic, and just magic than most people can even put into concept. Neither of us where there that night that he attacked the Potter house, we don't know what happened. All we have are theories about what could have been, but we don't know for sure"
"I agree that we don't know, but I do know that this exceptional boy is Harry James Potter and that his soul remains intact. In fact, my instruments have found that even the dark magic that lingered in his scar has started to fade as he grows. The memory and talent might be something that has merit but the boy has earned the benefit of the doubt from us. What has he truly done that is wrong?" challenged Dumbledore
"And what are we going to do if we are wrong and whatever Potter is, whoever Potter is, has been playing us for fools? Are you certain that you can beat him? You saw him in the duels, you saw him cast the Patronus Charm at 13 years old that pushed away over 100 of those foul beasts. Every day that we delay the responsibility of having a plan in place to deal with him if that is what it comes to" insisted Snape
Dumbledore frowned, "I am not worried about Harry being a threat, he is firmly on our side against Tom. The biggest way to create an enemy is to treat someone like they are already one. We attack Harry like he's a wild rabid animal and he will reply as one"
Snape felt his anger bubble up, but ultimately there was not much he could do. If he could not sway Dumbledore to take a firm stance against Potter, then there was no point in pursing this matter.
"Fine, but if things go poorly, I warned you" said Snape as he turned away, his cloak billowing in the air as he turned.
"I wonder what spell he uses for the dramatic flair" mused Dumbledore as he popped a lemon drop into his mouth.
Plage de Carnon, France: The Beach
Harry had joined the Delacour family in lazing about on the beach, the much warmer French sun blanketing his body in a heat that the English sun could never. He was laying on his stomach, his head resting on a pillow, a spell to prevent sunburn on his pale body as he napped beside the sunbathing Fleur.
Fleur was reading a book about enchanting when she glanced up as a bird invaded Harry's cone of privacy. Then in a burst of flames as the bird landed in front of their blanket, stood Albus Dumbledore.
"Ah Miss Delacour, I must say that this is a better vacation than what Harry is most likely used to" greeted Dumbledore
"Professor Dumbledore, to what do we owe the pleasure?" asked Fleur as she closed her book, her sunglass covered eyes locked onto the elderly wizard.
"Harry, I have something to ask him" said Dumbledore with a gesture to the slumbering boy next to her.
Fleur used her foot to shake Harry awake, where in response, Harry grabbed her foot and kissed it twice before sitting up.
His face turned red as he saw the extremely amused Dumbledore standing there watching him, "Professor, what brings you to the beach?"
"I have come to have a talk with you, Harry" replied Dumbledore
Harry nodded, "Ok, let's talk then, anything you might want to say to me in private, you can share with Fleur"
Dumbledore smiled, "I find the thought of honest open love in young adults like you two as a sign of the future being in good hands"
Harry nodded as he leaned backwards and laid side by side with Fleur, his right hand intertwining with her left hand, "She's proven to be a bit annoying but I really like her"
Fleur rolled her eyes at the joke and Dumbledore's smile grew even bigger, "Well, I shall not take up too much more of your time, you are on vacation after all"
"Thank you, Professor" replied Harry
"To make a very long story short Harry, I am an old man. This upcoming war with Voldemort might be my final chapter of life. I am starting to make arrangements so to speak" stated Dumbledore
Whatever Fleur and Harry had been expecting, based on their faces, Dumbledore could tell that this was not it.
"Are you sure?" asked Harry
Dumbledore chuckled, "I am asking to die, but I would be foolish to expect to walk away in perfect health"
Harry nodded, "Of course, but I am expecting … I believe and know that I am going to defeat him"
"I have complete faith in your ability to come out on the other end of this war without lasting physical or mental damage Harry, but I am an old man. I am not fast as I used to be, I am not as strong either magically or physically as I used to the be. I am not so prideful nor arrogant to believe that I might not perish in battle. Especially if the choice is between you and I, the world needs you more than they need me" explained Dumbledore
"You would die for me?" asked Harry in complete shock
"If it would help you defeat Lord Voldemort? Yes" confirmed Dumbledore, "You can easily live for another hundred and fifty years, I am old"
"Well, I want us to both survive this war" said Harry
"As do I, but I am being prepared for the unexpected" said Dumbledore, "Which brings us to today's task, Fawkes!"
Fawkes appeared in a burst of flames and Fleur gasped as she saw the beautiful phoenix fly down in a lazy series of circles until it landed on Dumbledore's shoulder, letting out a caw that sent goosebumps down her spine.
Harry smiled brightly at the sight of the phoenix, "Fawkes, it's great to see you again"
The phoenix let out a rumbling trill sound and Dumbledore smiled, "Fawkes is happy to see you again as well Harry. May you please hold out your arms Harry?"
Harry did as he was told and Fawkes flew to his arm and let out a loud echoing Phoenix Song, sending pulses of pure energy through Harry that made him filled with happy thoughts and energy that rippled with pureness.
"Wow, this feels unlike anything I've ever felt before" said Harry as he felt his face twist into the purest smile of his life, "This is almost what it feels like when I get to hang out with Fleur"
He blushed upon realizing what he said but Fleur leaned in and kissed him, feeling the splash of the energy coming from Fawkes as well, feeling the purity of the moment.
Fawkes stopped and flew back to Dumbledore, rubbing his feathered head against Dumbledore's beard as he let out low purring sounds.
"Fawkes has approved of you Harry, whatever happens to me, Fawkes will choose you as his next partner" said Dumbledore
Harry smiled, "I would be honored sir"
Dumbledore nodded, "Great, let me leave you to your vacation"
And with that, Fawkes and Dumbledore disappeared in a burst of flames, appearing back inside his office.
"How did it go?" asked Snape
Fawkes let out a soft caw and Dumbledore said, "The boy still has a soul as pure as can be, there is nothing to worry about"
Snape nodded and walked off with that billowing cloak effect as normal.
A/N: Another chapter down the books, the next chapter will get us into OoTP and more surprises.
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