April 25, 1998
Paris, France
Harry sat in Alain's study. It was the first time they had been able to sit and talk in the last week. Admittedly, it had allowed a little time for Harry to calm some, but the pain of losing Ron was still raw.
Alain poured a clear liquor into a tumbler. "I think this is going to be a hard conversation. Would you like some?"
"What is it?"
Alain took a can and opened it. Harry rose an eyebrow. The Delacours had no issues with Muggles, but he didn't usually see them have Muggle foods or items. Alain grinned. "I am not totally ignorant of the Muggle world. This is gin and a lime bubbly water."
Harry shrugged. "Please."
He waited for the man to make another glass and then put it before Harry before taking his seat on the other side of the desk. "How are you? I know the last few weeks have not been easy on you."
Harry shrugged again before taking a sip of the drink. It wasn't bad, but he had never liked pop that much. It was probably because he had never grown up drinking it. Unlike people he never thought about anymore. "It's been rough. I don't like leaving Hermione and Luna back in England. I'm glad that Lisa is being taken care of but can't help feel I am responsible for her. I'm just thankful that Gabi has been there. I really love her, Alain, and don't know how I would have made it through the last two weeks without her."
Harry knew he wasn't usually this open, but he honestly needed someone to talk to and Sirius was still in Serbia. Harry wanted him back, least of all for Renee, but he was feeling a little selfish and wanted his godfather. He may be an adult but that didn't mean he didn't want an adult to talk too. For the first time in a long time, he was feeling young.
Alain nodded. "I know you love Gabrielle. Apolline is my rock. She has been there when I have lost people I care for. I don't blame you for feeling this way but know that Hermione and Luna are under our protection. Aurors have been posted at Hogwarts until we can understand this new threat. The Turpins are also being protected. The child she carries will be a Weasley and we are family with them."
Harry swirled the cocktail in his hand. "I feel that I let them down. I was so intent on seeking out Tom and the others that I left them."
"You did not leave them, Harry. As we grow up everyone must go their own way. Hermione is still there, and I have no doubt you would run to her if she needed, but unless you plan to marry her or otherwise live with her, we all have our own families and lives. Your friend Ron would have done his own thing. I am certain he would have married Lisa and would have found a job. You may have stayed close, or you may have drifted apart, only to see each other now and then. It is just the way life is. It doesn't mean that we don't still care for them," Alain said wisely.
Harry just sat, still swirling the liquid in his glass.
It was a few minutes before Alain said, "You put an official transfer in. Does Gabrielle know?"
Harry winced. "We have talked about it."
"And what does my daughter think of this, if you don't mind me asking?" Alain questioned,
Harry took another sip. He didn't really taste the gin. "She is against it."
Alain waited a moment before asking, "Why?"
"She doesn't want me to become a Hit Wizard. She thinks I am doing it for revenge," he honestly told the man. Harry found that he trusted his future father-in-law as much as his godfather.
"And is it?" Alain softly asked.
Harry thought about it. Gabrielle had not been incredibly pleased with his sudden need to be a Hit Wizard and to hunt down everyone that had hurt him. Harry had to admit that he felt uncomfortable with it the more she made her opinion known.
Alain patiently waited for Harry as he pondered it.
"I don't want anyone else to get hurt. I know what happened at the ministry had nothing to do with me but the cochons were on trial because of Hermione's and Ron's association with me. Malfoy and the lot hated me from the first day I rejected the idiot. If they weren't friends with me…" Harry said, trailing off.
Alain sighed. "I think you are taking to many sins on your shoulders. You are young. I know what you have been through, but you are still young. The boys that attacked your friends are still young. If they hadn't targeted your friends, I believe they would have done that to someone else. Just because you are involved, it doesn't make it your fault, Harry. Because they are your friends, they were able to get training and teaching that made them more than a match for those schoolboys, and even fully grown and qualified wizards. Would anyone else in Hogwarts been able to make it out of an ambush like that without any major injuries?"
Harry pondered that. His friends knew how to defend themselves and mopped the floor with the arses because they were just that, his friends. As such, he had included them in his training and life. After a moment, he reluctantly admitted, "Probably not."
"Then it is not your fault," Alain said. "Your friends are better off for knowing you."
Harry felt his eyes burn a little. "But Ron is dead. How is that better off?"
"I am truly sorry that your friend is dead. I know the pain of that. He was better off for knowing you. From what I understand he was a rather lazy boy." Harry snorted remembering what Ron was like the first few years at Hogwarts. "Because he knew you, he started to apply himself. Arthur and I had a long talk about this. Ron rose his grades and studied to remain your friend because he treasured you and Hermione. He got up in the summer when he didn't need to run and workout. He went to your lessons and sparring classes, taking the bruises, and beating to learn to be better to stand by your side. He was a better man for knowing you, Harry. Don't ever doubt that."
Harry was fighting the tears in his eyes. "He was my brother, Alain. Are you saying that I shouldn't try to hunt down those that hurt my family? I want to kill them all."
He knew his anger and pain were bleeding out through his words.
Alain nodded. "I am sure you do. I would not say I wouldn't feel the same if one of my brothers were killed, but you must ask yourself. Is that person who you want to be?"
Harry looked into Alain's dark eyes. "What do you mean?"
Alain took a sip of his drink. "You are a good man with a huge heart for someone that has been through all you have. You don't see the prejudices that so wrinkle our world and cause issues like this. I understand your desire to get revenge and eliminate the threat. I can assure you that is what I am working for, but do you want to be the type of man that gives into his anger and sense of revenge to drown out your pain? Do you want to be a man that sacrifices his humanity to satisfy those base urges? If you are, then I don't think you are the man for my daughter or the man I thought you were."
Pain rippled across his face. It hit him like a ton of bricks. If he did this, he was looking to become what he was fighting against. He wanted to become a Hit Wizard to be become death to those that deserved it, but if he did, would he become any better than those animals? He knew how he was feeling right now. He would do whatever it took to eliminate the Death Eaters, Tom, and the Woodmen. He would sacrifice everything for his revenge. How much had he lost to all these people?
Harry closed his eyes. "I would become a monster," Harry said.
Alain nodded. "I promise you that we will find all those that have hurt you and others, but not in the way you want. I have seen men walk the path I see in your eyes, and they don't walk away without being monsters themselves. If you still want this transfer, I will allow it, but I would reconsider your betrothal to my daughter. You agreed to certain stipulations, and I need you to follow through with them. I will not always be around, Harry. I want to see my family live and thrive. You are the best path. While you do that, I can give you the influence and knowledge of how to achieve your goals, while making sure the world that is on the other side is better. I would like to change our world. I know you do as well."
Harry opened his eyes to look into Alain's. The man hadn't said that to him before. "What do you mean change?"
Alain was profoundly serious. "I am not allowing you and Gabrielle to go through the normal training path for no reason. I could have gone against the headstrong wishes of the youth you and my daughter are and just put you straight into my office. I want you both to understand what the world is really like. How people really think. How petty many can be, while there are those like you and me that want to see a better world and are willing to sacrifice and not compromise on our morals to see it done. I am not going to retire or die any time soon, but I will someday. You and Gabrielle are the legacy I would like to leave. A legacy that keeps both our Houses alive, the wizarding world a better place than when I was born and to know that there are good people out there that will do the right thing."
Harry blinked at Alain.
"This legacy is not an overnight thing. It will take years to achieve it. We will fight the evil when it arises, but to change the hearts and minds to be more tolerant, it may take generations, but we can be the spear to make it happen," Alain told him. "Will you help me? I would rather see you besides my daughter than buried in the ground when your fire burns out or your luck finally gives."
Harry was seventeen. He was an adult. He knew that Sirius treated him that way. Alain and others did too, but for the first time, he was being asked to take up adult responsibilities. He was being challenged to think beyond the immediate.
"I would really like to see if your green eyes sit inside a blonde girl. I would help you beat off the suitors," Alain said.
Harry gulped. "Merlin, I am going to marry Gabrielle in a few months."
"Only if you are the man I think you can be," Alain told him.
Harry kept looking into Alain's eyes for a few. "I want to be the man worthy of Gabrielle. You promise me that we will capture the men that did this?"
"I give you my solemn oath that we will root out the evil. I can't promise it will be tomorrow, but everything I ask of you to do is to reach this goal," Alain told him.
After a moment, Harry nodded. The light in his eyes was a determination that burned in its intensity. "Will you allow us to train with the Aurors? It's been nearly a month and we have only learned the diplomatic rules and what to do in our department."
Alain nodded. "I will organize that. If you and Gabrielle pass the exams next month, I will ensure that you both start going on missions."
"Serbia or Albania?" Harry questioned.
Alain shook his head. "It is too dangerous. I know you can handle yourself, but I would prefer you wetting your feet first."
"What about Sirius?" Harry questioned.
"The ICW is in session on Monday. We will decide upon a commander to lead our Aurors and I am pushing for one of my top diplomats to take over. Sirius is being given a commission as a diplomat and will be sent back to England. If you want, I can organize that to be your first posting?" Alain told him.
Harry raised an eyebrow. "I thought you didn't want us to go to a dangerous area?"
"It is different to send you into a war zone than to a place where terrorists are still getting a foothold. There are dangers like that in many places. Plus, Fudge has finally agreed to certify your early acceptance of your full inheritance. The Wizengamot will induct you in June. I would like you to take up your seat and have Sirius guide you for a year or two before you are to sit in the ICW," Alain told him.
"You mean we will have to live there?" Harry asked, starting to really like Paris and France, not to mention living in Delacour Manor.
Alain smiled. "At times, but as a diplomat for the ICW and my department, I can tell you that you need not stay there for long, and I will need you at times for other missions. I would like you wetted in politics, and I have a feeling you may get a chance to help take in those that killed Ron. I meant it that I would work with you to see everyone get the justice they deserve."
Harry nodded. "And what about Tom in Serbia?"
"Sirius severely hurt him and the Aurors are very certain he has lost the ability to take over the Council there. I can't guarantee that he won't be a nuisance, but for now he has been set back. The ICW has named him our top Undesirable. This has opened resources that we didn't have before. I want him gone, but if you seek to oppose him, I still think you need more training," Alain told him.
Reluctantly Harry nodded. "If he comes out in the open or challenges my family, I will face him."
Alain sighed. "Let us face that if it comes. I will deny your transfer and organize the Auror training."
"Thank you, Alain," Harry said.
The man inclined his head. "If you ever need to talk, I am always here."
-oOo-
April 26, 1998
Pristina, Kosovo
It had been almost a week since the attempted coup that had nearly brought the Southern Council under the control of a mad man. In that time Sirius had used more of the skills his mother and grandfather had taught him than he ever wanted to in his life. He wasn't a politician but had learned how to be one to protect Harry. He hoped the little shite appreciated what he did for him.
Though, now he was doing this for his wife and their family. Eliminating Tom was an imperative to ensure they had a long life together. He never really thought he would love anyone as much as he loved James or Harry. Renee, and his unborn child, was so much more though.
Thus, he was sitting in the ministry building in Kosovo. Each of the Council members had their own seat of power, with Belgrade, Serbia being the main seat of the Council. The building in Kosovo was unlike most he had been too. For one, it was above ground. For two, it was in the small magical community. For three, he just found out there were eight more Aurors that he hadn't known about.
"Wait, you are telling me that each member state has its own Auror force?" Sirius said, trying hard not to pinch his nose.
"Of course, Representative Black. We may all agree on a single Council and Minister, but we do have our own resources," a man in bright blue pants, thigh-high boots, a red shirt with a short cloak over his shoulder and with a long knife in an ivory sheath said. Sirius was here because this man was one of five remaining Council members.
"And what other resources do you have?" Sirius questioned the representative.
"Five Obliviators and six Magical Reversal officers and about forty workers to handle the base requirements for our people," Representative Shala said.
Sirius did pinch his nose. "Why wasn't I told about this?"
"The Albanians are currently in control of the Council. Serbia gave them their twenty Aurors while they sat the seat. Bosnia has another six in their DMLE and Herzegovina eight," the man replied.
"Bloody hell," Sirius griped. "We could have used you last week. Why the bloody hell didn't you respond?"
The man leaned back in his chair and took up the overly sweet coffee that had been offered to both of them. "The minister didn't want our help and the Council states are not bound to act unless they are threatened or requested by the current Minister. With you being the appointed representative until we can fill the seats in new elections, I am informing you now that we stand ready to serve," Shala replied.
Sirius was forced to close his eyes and count to ten. He was understanding why Tom had targeted this region. It was rife for the picking and the corruption he had found had made it amazingly easy for Tom to infiltrate the main council. He had to wonder if the other member states were as bad. Listening to the man before him he had to believe it was.
"Right. As the ICW Representative, I am officially requesting that you lend your forces to the defence of the Southern Council and give me who to contact in your other states," Sirius demanded.
"Of course, Representative Black," the man said in an irritatingly calm voice.
Sirius took in a deep breath. "Thank you, Representative Shala. Now, we have reports of men in green hoods being seen in the mountains around here. Do you know anything about that?"
"Those reports have been circulating for months. We have not been able to find any trace of them and they have not caused any issues here yet. Are these the men that almost took over the Council in Serbia?" the man asked.
"Yes. They call themselves the Woodmen and are led by a terrorist by the name of Tom Riddle, but he goes by Leder," Sirius informed the man.
There was no flash or recognition in the man. "We have not heard of anyone like this. Where is he from? That is not a name from around here."
"Britain, then he recruited in the Scandinavian states and is now here. How do you not know any of this?" Sirius asked.
"Myself and Representative Myiosk have been in protest with the Council for several months now and have not been to any sessions or votes. Without us there they cannot pass anything we do not agree with," the man said.
Things suddenly made so much more sense. This was some petty squabble between politicians that was exploited by a very devious man. He did pinch his nose this time. "And will you continue to protest the Council?"
"With Minister Gilinsky dead, I see no reason too. I do hope that not many died that night," the man replied.
Sirius growled, finally losing his cool. "Not many died! The entire council almost fell. The Ministers family, eight councillors and almost three dozen others. No, not many died," he snapped.
The man's eyes widened a little. "The Princess?"
"I mean his entire family," Sirius said. "The Albanian royal family is threatening to reveal the entire Wizarding world if we don't deliver Tom's head on a platter in a fortnight."
Representative Shala bowed his head. "I am truly sorry to hear that. She was a good woman. My argument was with her husband. I know that Albania will not be able to raise more Aurors quickly, but they will call upon our nation for support. Things are more dire than I thought. How many more Aurors and other DMLE staff do you need? I will do all I can to get the elections called in the next month and you shall have our support to hunt this Leder down."
Finally! They were getting somewhere! "Any support you can give will be appreciated. My captain, Captain Franco, is coordinating the Council Aurors and other support staff. You will work with him. Captain Wu of the ICW Aurors is charged with hunting Tom Riddle. Please give them any intelligence you have."
Franco stepped forward. All this time the man had silently been standing next to the door. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Representative Shala. As Representative Black has said, I have been organizing what is left of the Council DMLE forces. Any personnel you can give us will be appreciated."
"Yes. I will ensure you get half of our forces. How many do you need me to raise in the Council?" Shala questioned.
"I would think fifty Aurors, ten more Obliviators and the same Magical Reversal Officers. If history proves accurate, Tom Riddle will not hold back to go after wizards in Muggle areas, or even Muggles, if he gets desperate enough," Franco told him.
Shala frowned. "Kosovo doesn't have that much in our coffers to keep a force that large for long."
"What about the Council," Sirius asked. "Don't the Aurors work for the Council, or only the member states?"
"Only the member states, Representative Black. Most times one or more will band their forces under the current Minister, but that is all," Shala said.
"Brilliant," he snarked. "Anything the Council states can put at our disposal will be appreciated."
Shala nodded. "I will do all I can."
-oOo-
The same day…
Outside Toulouse, France
Gabrielle waited for Harry to come out of the fireplace. He hadn't been here yet and the distance to get to their country estate was too far for a single apparition, or even three jumps. When he stepped out, she took his hand. "Welcome to the Villa of the Sun. This was the Delacours seat of power before we moved to Paris," she happily told him.
It had been almost a year since she had been here and found she had missed it. It was a large villa that dated back to the time of King Louis VIII when her family was still part of the French royal family and the Court Wizards of the crown. The lands and the small town down the hill were all Delacour lands, though papa leased most of it now. The only part of the lands that were still worked were the orchards and vineyard, though that was managed by a the Freneaus with their own label.
Harry looked around at the grand entry hall. This was where her family had poured their wealth into for generations, and it showed. There was gilded sconces and décor, expensive tapestries, antique furniture of such quality that each would feed and take care of a normal family for months. He gave out a low whistle. "You didn't tell me you owned Versailles," he said.
She smiled at him. "It is a quarter the size of Versailles, but it is where my family ruled from for many years."
Harry rose an eyebrow. "I didn't know you were a queen."
She stuck up her nose. "Princess. Maman is the queen."
Harry chuckled at her cheek.
Maman spoke from a door off the entry hall. "And you would do well to remember that, mon petite oiseau."
Gabrielle didn't put her nose down. "I will be the queen someday," she said. Since Christmas she found that her veela was starting to exert itself more. Maman was the queen over them, but Gabrielle was accepting the fact she would be the one to lead the family when it was her time. The closer they got to the wedding, and the more Harry showed his power, she felt her confidence growing and the need to claw her way to the top. Harry was making her fear her heritage less.
Her maman rose an eyebrow. "You are not ready to challenge me yet. Until you are, you will do as I say."
Gabrielle looked challengingly at her maman. Her maman didn't usually talk to her like that. Perhaps Gabrielle was reaching, but she would be top of their pecking order in a decade or so. "I am of age and will be married in July. My husband will be the only one to tell me what to do."
Harry held up his hands. "I don't remember signing a betrothal like that."
Her maman looked at them for a moment before snorting. "There is still much for you to learn, my son. If you are done trying to display your feathers, I have café and tea ready. The planner will be here in a little bit, and I would like to go over the final guest list before Madam Escourfier arrives."
Harry leaned over and whispered, "What did I miss here?"
She flushed a little. Her maman and her usually got along very well, but veela-blood did have a tendency to seek out the strongest as the lead of the group. Maman was that right now. She would be in the future. "I think my veela is coming out more."
Harry's gaze turned more heated. She hadn't really seen this side of him since the attack of the ministry. Whatever Harry and her papa had discussed yesterday had changed him back into the man she loved, not the broody man that wanted revenge over everything. It was the first time she had really seen that dark side to Harry. It had scared her some. It had caused her veela to become weary. For the first time she had felt he could be dangerous to her. It was a feeling she didn't like.
Now though, her Harry was coming back. He was still sad and angry, but the determination in him was not that of destruction, but of living. In a way, it made sense. She could be an agent of destruction or life herself, so her mate would naturally be so as well.
"Does your veela coming out need a strong man to contain it?" he asked in a husky voice that sent a pleasant thrill through her.
"Not at the moment. Maman would be upset. I am unsure if I will be so constrained later," she purred back, not wanting to wait. She kissed him for a moment before following her maman into the drawing room. There were a few couches around an intricately carved and gold inlaid coffee table. A few drawing boards had been moved in with folders, pictures, lists and all the things it took to plan the large wedding that would be happening here in July.
Maman was drinking a very fragrant dark roast that had her wanting some right away. Harry settled in with his tea. He was not a café drinker. "You are going back to the ICW tomorrow?" her maman questioned. They had been out since being hurt.
"Yes, Apolline. Gabrielle and I will be doing our classes to pass the basic attaché test next month," Harry told her.
"Bonne. How is Hermione and Luna?"
"As best as can be. Hermione is still taking it a little hard," Harry said, sadness tinging his voice.
"I imagine she is. Losing someone close to you is never easy. Do you still want to invite the Turpins?" maman questioned.
"Of course. Lisa and her child will be family. I will not allow her to suffer or go without," Harry said in his no argument tone. Merlin, she found her veela calling for him when he was like this.
"Bonne. Alain and I agree. If you are ready, I would like to go through this list," she said. "Do you still wish David to be part of your wedding party?"
"Yes, maman," she said, missing her best friend. They hadn't been able to see him in months now. They were supposed to over Easter, then everything happened. "I know that Fleur and Renee will be much further along, but I would like them to stand by me, as well as Hermione."
"And you, Harry," her maman asked in a soft voice.
Harry's fists clenched. "I don't know. David and Sirius. I don't know who else," Harry said. He had asked Ron to be his best man.
"I understand. If you decide at some point, we can work it in," her maman said. "Now, I have your list, Harry. You don't have many."
"That is all those close to me. I'm sure Sirius would say I should invite some of the older families that I will need to get along with on the Wizengamot," Harry replied. She knew his list consisted of less than twenty-five people, and most of them were the Weasleys, who were already family.
"I would agree. What families would you recommend?"
Harry thought about it for a moment. "The Longbottoms, Bones, Abbotts, Greengrasses and Patils. As much as I hate it, Minister Fudge."
"And the Professors you listed?" she asked.
"Oui. I do hope that they will come," Harry replied.
"I will ensure they are invited. There is a lengthy list of all the important people we will invite. I have a brief list of our family and friends. Would you like to review it, Gabrielle?" maman asked.
She shook her head. Maman didn't ask about friends. Pretty much all the ones she had now were on Harry's list and David was coming. "I know everyone you and papa will want. How many are on the list?"
"Two hundred and seventy-seven. I would expect most to come," her maman told them.
A house elf came into the room. "Madam Apolline, your guest is here."
"Great, you can show them in, Madeline," her maman said.
They all stood to greet Madam Escourfier. The woman was short. Dressed in a very flattering and stylish witch's robes. She came off as a woman in her middle years that was very personable and social. "Apolline, it does me well to see you, mon chere," the woman said, coming up and giving her maman kisses on each cheek, who returned it.
"It is nice to see you, Amerie. You look lovely as always," her maman said.
The woman laughed. "It is impossible to look lovely when you are in a room full of veela, but I do my best. Is this Gabrielle and her beau?"
"Oui. Amerie, you should remember Gabrielle," her maman said.
The woman moved to greet her and kiss her cheeks. "It has been a few years. You are just as stunning as your maman. I also see that light of a woman in love. Who is so special to capture a heart like yours?"
The woman looked from her to Harry. She was going to show off her man, not her maman. "Hello, Madam Escourfier. This is my betrothed, Seigneur Harry Potter."
Harry stood tall and bowed to the woman. "Bonjour, Madam Escourfier. It is good to meet you."
The woman waived her hands in excitement or agitation, Gabrielle wasn't sure which. "None of this madam business. Apolline and I have been friends and worked together for years. You and Gabrielle call me Amerie. You have excellent taste, Gabrielle. Just like your maman. Now, have you gone through the plans we have, Apolline? We have much ground to cover today and must get the final orders in shortly."
By the time they were done, Gabrielle was leaning her head against Harry's shoulder as her maman and Amerie talked about flowers for the tenth time. She never knew planning could be so exhausting. She had a new appreciation for her maman, and an even larger aversion to never be this type of woman. Her maman was hired for everything, and if she refused, Gabrielle would find someone to do this for her.
"You still awake?" Harry asked.
"I am not ready for bed," she told him.
"Can you show me around?"
She brightened up at this, sitting up and getting her maman's attention. "Do Harry and I need to decide on anything else?"
Her maman didn't look pleased. Gabrielle knew she wanted her to be the debutante's wife, like her, but Gabrielle didn't. Amerie gave them a salacious grin.
"We are not done yet," her maman informed them.
"Let them go, Apolline. We can work on the final details. We are only young once and I am sure your daughter wants some time with her beau," Amerie said.
"I would like to get up and stretch my legs," Harry told her.
Her maman didn't looked pleased but waived them away. "Very well. Show Harry around. We will be eating dinner at the manor at six. You are to be on time. We have a few guests tonight."
"Oui, maman. Who will be at dinner?" she asked getting up and pulling Harry up.
Her mother made a noise in her throat. "The hag and her ambassadors. Your papa needs then for something."
She made the same face. "Joy," she said, pulling him away.
"Who is the hag?" Amerie enquired.
"That American woman, Hepper," her mother said with disgust.
Amerie sounded scandalized. "You don't mean President Hepper of the MACUSA?"
"That would be the hag," Apolline stated.
Harry chuckled as they got out of ear shot. "Your maman really doesn't like her, does she?"
"Non, she does not. I do not." Her statement was full of the same disdain as her maman.
"Good, I can't stand her either," Harry said. "So, where are you taking me?"
"The orchards. I remember you saying they were your favourite and wanted to show you ours," she said, unsure if this would be a sore subject or not.
Harry gave her a reticent smile. With a grin, she pulled him through the villa. It was large, with well over a dozen rooms on the first floor, three of them being long galleries that had interlocking doors that used to be used for large parties. They would soon be used for their wedding. She could see three elves working to clean and polish the rooms. She knew there were a half dozen house elves here, but she had to admit she really didn't know their names having only spent weekends or week or two here over the years.
Out the side door, she pulled him through the south garden to an arched trellis. To the side was the old barn and stables from when this used to be a working farm. Harry didn't say a word as his head looked all around.
Through the trellis, she stopped at the top of the hill. Below them, hundreds of trees where in bloom or already bearing fruit. Lemons, apples, pears, and limes were in neat rows. A few outbuildings for supplies were dotted along the outskirts of the orchard.
"Whoa," Harry said.
She smiled. "It is impressive. Fleur and I used to run through here, stealing the ripe fruit. It used to make maman upset when we would come back and not eat our meal."
Harry laughed. "I don't see Apolline being like that at all."
She laughed, more to hear his mirth than anything else. "Come along."
She pulled him down the hill.
"Where are we going?" he asked her.
"A special place," she said coyly.
Harry followed along trusting her.
Towards the centre of the orchard was the place she was looking for. It was an old faery ring that had been there for no one knew how long. It was ringed in stones and colourful mushrooms. Wildflowers filled the circle and there was a pleasant scent in the air. Fleur and her had played around this every time they could.
Harry looked at. "A fairy circle? Is it active?" He looked around for signs of the little creatures.
"I have never seen a fairy around here. It is said to bless the orchard though. All year this orchard bears fruit and flowers. Frosts never affect the trees, and the fruit is always just what it should be. If you step in, you can feel it," she told him. She slipped her shoes off. It was warm this far south this time of the year. Harry did the same. She pulled him in, both careful to step over the stones and mushrooms. Once in, she let go of his hand and started to dance around the circle. She used to do this when practicing her latest ballet routine, always careful to not disturb or damage the flowers.
Harry watched as she let the feel of contentment, birth and rebirth fill her. There was no doubt that this was the centre of the world for the trees around them. It was a magic reminiscent of her family, so as she danced around, she let her magic join with it.
A few moments later, she felt another magic joining the circle. She whipped her head around to see Harry kneeling down with his hand on the ground. He was offering his own magic to join her families. She smiled, doing a leap, and joining him. She knelt across from him.
"There is so much life and plant energy here. This place misses your family," he told her.
She looked at him curiously. "What do you mean? I only feel the joy of being here."
Harry took her hand, gently placing it so that her palm was against the bare dirt. His hand covered hers. "I feel how happy this place is to have you. But it feels…" he seemed to be looking for the right phrase. "It feels happier with you. You are feeding its magic and its desire to keep this place healthy has grown. It's like it missed your family."
She could feel the magic being stronger, but she wasn't sure it was her. Harry was bleeding off magic, much like he had for the last week or more. The circle and land soaked it up. Like her family had accepted him, her family's home was as well.
"This land accepts you," she told him.
He looked around. "It would be nice one day to just take care of this orchard."
Gabrielle suddenly had a vision of several kids. Green eyed and blonde hair girls and a dark hair blue eyed boy running through the trees. They would be laughing and playing as Harry tended the trees and she danced around with the kids before helping Harry.
She shook her head. "Oui, that would be nice."
Harry gave her a smile that had had real joy in it. "I also liked seeing my little ballerina again. You haven't been that free for a while."
Looking into his green eyes, she could see the signs of happiness returning to him. She knew it would be a while a longer for him to mourn for his friend, but the Harry she loved was back. Without hesitation, she leaned over, her lips searching out his. Harry met her. It was a slow kiss that she poured her love into with Harry returning it. As she leaned more into him, he lifted his dirty hand to cup her cheek. They stopped a moment later, their foreheads on each other's as they looked into each other's eyes from only a few inches.
"I love you, Gabrielle," Harry told her. There was a tenor to his voice that spoke of that love and his need for it.
"I love you too, mon bonheur," she replied, playfully rubbing her nose against his.
"My little ballerina."
"My green-eyed man."
He gave a goofy grin. "My blonde goddess."
She giggled. "My strong champion."
"My rock."
"My love," she said, rubbing their noses together again before kissing him. She meant it to be a sweet kiss. It started that way. Harry gently met her lips. They kissed a few times before she could see the passion igniting in his eyes. When next their lips met, Harry pressed in harder. When his tongue ghosted her lips, she suddenly jerked forward, making sure her lips were in constant contact with his.
His magic responded. Its power pulled her in. Where a veela was supposed to attract men, she felt intoxicated with how his magic pulled her when they were like this. She wasn't sure he wasn't infected by her either as his hand moved into her hair and held her close.
Their tongues met and she could feel the fire in her gut start up. It wasn't the fire of her veela, but it was part of her and her other self. She pressed forward, letting Harry's hand pull her to him. As she got onto her knees, Harry fell back some. Their lips didn't part as he pulled her with him. She moved to straddle his hips, her hands snaking up to his hair as she felt her body heat up.
She moaned into his mouth to feel him through their pants. He other hand lightly drug up her arm. She shivered as it sent a pleasant feeling through her. Her hips moved some as his hand brushed her breast through her clothes.
As they kissed, her need for Harry rose with the feeling of rightness in the circle. Her knickers grew moist with her need. Harry bucked into her crotch. When he moved his hand off her head, it was to grab the bottom of her shirt and move to take it off.
"That is not fast enough," she told him, her hand moving towards her wand.
Harry's magic flared. She was so sensitive to it as they snogged among the flowers that her body suddenly burned for him. Like he had done before, her clothes were suddenly gone. She took in a sudden breath to feel his skin on hers. Her magic called to him, and it was like small electric prickles where her breast touched his chest, and she could feel him resting between her folds.
"Fast enough?" he asked.
"Oui," she said. She needed him in her. Her magic and body were screaming for him. She shifted, taking his length into her hands and guided him into her as she claimed his mouth. Harry groaned into her as she sank onto his shaft.
"Merlin, I love you," he said.
She smiled as she lifted herself to be over him and started to lift and them impale herself onto him. His hands came up to cradle her breasts as they bounced. His magic, so wild and unstable since the ministry, focused on her as they approached their climax together. Her magic centred in her belly. She started to come undone a second before Harry grabbed her waist. He guided her the few more times it took for him to cum inside her as she was already riding her high. Her veela screamed for him to take her like this, still forcing her to rise and fall as she felt his warmth and magic fill her as hers just bled out of her, happy to find its release in its mate.
He grunted before lessoning his grip and allowing her to settle so that their crotches were touching. They were both heaving. She leaned down, her body shaking a little at the afterglow of such a strong climax. Harry's eyes were locked on hers. The green orbs of liquid fire had her shiver again at the need and love in them.
She put her hands on his chest, still enjoying that he was inside her as she fully leaned over to softly kiss his lips. It was a sweet, gentle kiss that only spoke of love. Harry wrapped his arms around her shoulders to hold her close.
They lay like that for a short bit before Harry stirred. "If we are going to be at the dinner tonight, we should go to get ready."
"I don't care about the dinner. You are mine and if I say stay, you stay," she said rather possessively.
He chuckled. "I can see I will need to firmly hold your veela back."
"Only if you don't value your life," she told him, her hips starting to move again as she felt him stiffen in her. "Make love to me."
Harry kissed her. "Onto your knees," he told her. She shivered at his command. Yes. She would only listen to her husband once they were joined.
Neither of them noticed the glow of the ring around them. From the villa, more of a chateau, her mother watched as the next ones to take up the reigns of the Delacour family claimed the land that was rightfully theirs.
Apolline started to make plans to make the La Soleil de Ville inhabitable as more than just a vacation or special function home.
She also planned excuses on why they would be late.
-oOo-
May 2, 1998
Hogwarts, Scotland
Hermione was studying. Notes and arithmancy tables were all over the desk in her Head Girl quarters. She was going to be taking the International Advanced Wizarding Level in a month. She had to pass them. Joining the ICW was going to be the best way for her to get where she was going. She had spent to many years to not do well, and she needed to be back with Harry.
Luna was at the table before the couches, but for weeks now, Hermione had mostly been studying. It was the only way she didn't think about… things.
Her only real goal at the moment was to be near Harry again. She needed to know he was safe. She missed her best friend and brother. Luna had more than filled that best friend spot, but she still needed Harry, and the best way to get to him was to get into the ICW and look at moving out of Britain.
She shook her head to refocus on the proof she was doing.
Luna shut the book she was reading and leaned back into the couch. "It's almost dinner. Let's go get a drink and some Yorkshire puddings," the blonde said, turning her head to Hermione.
"I need to finish this. Another hour or two," she told Luna.
Luna didn't move, her sky-blue eyes regarding Hermione with some concern on her normally placid face. "You need to eat," Luna told her. She hadn't missed that Hermione had lost a little weight over the last few weeks. It hadn't been that long Ron had died, but since the funeral, Hermione had buried herself in her work. Luna didn't normally mind, but Hermione wasn't coping with Ron's death, she was avoiding it.
Two weeks ago today he had been buried, and for the last thirteen days Hermione had hardly slept, only went to classes, ate little and was starting to look frazzled around the edges.
Not liking to see her Hermione so out of sorts, she got up and hopped over to Hermione. Wrapping her arms over the pretty brunette's shoulders, she put her head on her arms and against Hermione's.
"Luna, not now. I need to finish this," Hermione said in an annoyed tone.
Luna couldn't help but feel offended at this. "Hermione Granger, life has not stopped because you lost a brother. You need to eat. Let's go out."
Hermione huffed. "I'm not hungry. Just another hour or two."
"You made a mistake up here," Luna said, pointing to a line that was backwards, making the rest of the proof invalid. It was fifteen lines up from where Hermione currently was.
"I did not... OH! For Merlin's sake!" Hermione exclaimed. Her fountain pen clattered off the wall after she threw it. Her hands were a blur to pick up the paper, ball it up, then toss it across the room. It was one of the few times that Luna had seem Hermione lose control of her magic and the paper ball rocketed across the room, smoke trailing behind it.
Luna didn't let her go as Hermione put her head in her hands.
She just held Hermione for a bit. "When my mum died, I spent weeks in my room, not saying a word. Daddy would bring my food to me, and I would only pick at it. One day, he sat down and took out one of the photo albums that my mum always made. I cried. We laughed. I started to live again. You need to live again, Hermione. Ron wouldn't want you to lock yourself away in your books and studies. He tried to protect you to allow you to live," she said softly into her love's ear.
Hermione sniffed. "Why didn't I notice he was there? I could have shielded him. I could have just closed off the hallway. I didn't need to fight back. Why didn't I just make a wall across the entire hall?"
She hugged Hermione tighter. "You did nothing wrong. You are a fighter. You could have no more just hidden behind a wall than not fight for the rights of house elves and others. It is what I love about you and what makes your energy you. Ron and Harry are much the same. None of you would just sit back and let things happen. I don't want you too."
Hermione finally put a hand on Luna's arm and leaned her head against hers. "I just feel I should have done something different."
"You did the best that could have been at the time." Luna moved to kiss the side of Hermione's head.
"I have to do better," Hermione said in a sad voice.
"You can do better by living again," Luna told her.
"Isn't it too soon?" Hermione questioned. Luna shook her head. Hermione gave a watery chuckle. "You know I can't see you shake your head right now?"
"You can feel it though. I'm getting hungry and want to go into Edinburgh. There is a pub there that daddy and I like," she told her.
"You just like that you can leave the castle whenever you want now your seventeen," Hermione stated.
Luna smiled. "It is nice to be an adult. Now, put on that cute blue skirt. I am hungry."
Hermione sighed. "Fine. It looks like I need a break anyways. I can redo that proof when we get back."
Or not, Luna thought, thinking of ways she could get Hermione to live again. The fact Luna was not wearing any knickers tonight would certainly get Hermione's attention…
-oOo-
May 3, 1998
Gusinje, Montenegro
Sirius was looking forward to getting back to Renee. The new Auror captain would be arriving next week with the new representative, Auran Gustavus from Germany. He was one of Alain's best and was being transferred from the Russian Empire.
Once back, Sirius was going to spend several months working with Captain Franco to expand the diplomatic corps forces to a hundred and fifty as soon as they could. That would accompany the new auror division of one hundred the ICW had approved, making the ICW one of the largest Auror forces in Europe at five hundred and fifty when at full strength, with only the Russian and Austrian empires most likely having more.
As much as Sirius didn't like it, it was looking necessary with hot spots in England, the Southern Council and now issues showing up in Poland with a new crime syndicate.
Until then, Sirius was still playing diplomat and getting frustrated as he paced in a hallway waiting to see one of the representatives of Montenegro. The man was being an obstinance holdout to call elections and Sirius needed to know why, then hit the man's head against the wall a few times to bring him into line.
Franco and six other Aurors were waiting with him. The Woodmen had done a raid on a small Auror outpost in Albania last night, killing three of the ICW Aurors and two Albanian Aurors. It was a blow they couldn't afford at the moment. That brought their total forces to sixty-two between the Diplomatic Corps and the central office. The Aurors from the region were not proving as skilled, so the twenty-two the member states had managed to drum up weren't worth nearly as much.
"Representative Black, if you wear a hole in the rug, I don't think Representative Jeknić would be as amenable to meet you," Franco said in a calm tone.
In the last few weeks, the two men had grown remarkably close, but Franco still treated him as his superior. After fighting together, Sirius had hoped the man would be a little more personable, but he could understand with his men standing in the hallway with them.
He sighed. After a nod, he walked over to a window. Gusinje was spread out below them. It was a small town with farms and small settlements spread out in a valley between weathered mountains. So much of the area around here was mountainous. Representative Jeknić lived in an old family estate that was built on the side of the mountain. Once a castle protecting the valley, it was now hidden from the Muggles and used as the seat of power for the region.
When the doors behind him opened, Sirius turned. He was just in time to see two killing curses come flying out of the doors. Two of his Auror guards fell before their wands were even half out. Franco's wand was fast enough to rip out part of the wall and block the hallway, trapping him, Sirius and one other Auror.
"Get out of here," Franco demanded, his wand already casting spells to reinforce the wall. Spell fire could be heard on the other side. Sirius was doing the opposite. His wand snapped to his hand from his holster.
"We can't abandon them," Sirius snapped.
There was an explosion and the wall cracked. The junior Auror grabbed Sirius arm. He just barely caught the mirror in the woman's hand. "Alpha Flight."
Sirius felt the hook of a portkey. The power that Harry had built into the mirrors to rip through any anti-portkey ward flared. When the percussion knocked him off his feet, it was immediately apparent that something was wrong this time.
He landed hard and skidded along the floor into a leg of something. It collapsed and a table fell on him. The world around him had gone silent. He groaned as he shifted. The table fell off him to clatter onto the floor. He heard other things clatter and smash.
He forced himself to roll over and shakily get to his feet. There was a huge hole in the wall, opening the hallway to the bright day. Part of the upper floor and the floor below them had collapsed to only leave a small ledge of the hallway between him and where the mirror ward breaker had failed.
Franco was against the wall, his hand searching for his wand. The female Auror was on the floor, blood pooling around her head. On the other side of the hallway, he could make out a dozen or so forms, all down and not moving. Fire was starting to lick at the carpets and woodwork.
Sirius swayed a little.
"Go," Franco ordered.
"Not without you," Sirius told the man. He started to move towards the ledge when two more people in green robes and wooden masks came walking out of the room. Their wands were raised and ready for action. They stunned Franco, instead of killing him. Sirius rose his wand, then froze to see the third man walkout.
Sirius was looking at the man he knew to be Tom Riddle. A young Tom Riddle who was in his early twenties. Tom casually looked over towards him. The other men turned to him, their wands ready to fire. "Not yet. I would like to talk to him," Tom told his subordinates.
"What, you don't want to kill me too?" Sirius asked.
The man gave a small grin that had a shiver go up Sirius spine. "Oh, in time. You and your godson irk me and have cost me time and resources."
Sirius grinned. "Looks like I cost you more resources," Sirius said. His wand didn't leave Tom while his other hand slowly reached for his pocket.
He saw something tick in Tom's face. "Yes, I do not like my men being so easily killed. If you had left well enough alone, I would have spared your men as well. I originally wanted to talk with you, but you had to bring more than requested."
Sirius shrugged. Internally he was raging at the loss of life. These were his men and women that had been entrusted to him. This was supposed to be a simple meeting. Franco had originally wanted to bring ten and Sirius had shot him down.
One of his Aurors groaned and rolled. The Woodman turned and stunned them after a nod from Tom. Sirius rose an eyebrow. "I am not uncompassionate. I prefer to only spill blood when needed. If things had gone the way I planned, then there would have been no need for more blood to spill."
Sirius snorted. "Pull my other one," he replied. Tom's lip curled into the start of a scowl. "I know about you, Tom Riddle." The man's face contorted at the name. "I know how you operate. You would kill us all while trying to rise to power. What I don't get is how you are alive. We know how you survived and have destroyed a few."
The man's lip curled. "You are still under the delusion that that matters. Go. Find more if you want. I still want a discussion."
Sirius was uncertain what was going on. The man looked bothered, but at the same time didn't seem to care as much as Sirius thought he would. What was he missing? "What discussion is that?"
"Harry Potter, you and the Delacours," Tom said. "I am willing to be gracious enough to let you all live if you leave me be. If you keep interfering, I assure you that your wife, her unborn child, your godson, and everyone related to you will suffer."
Sirius felt a hot rage rush through him at the thought of Renee and her big belly. Sirius spat out his words. "You dare touch any of my family and I swear I will never rest until you have suffered tenfold."
The man gave a more amused smile, knowing he had struck a nerve. "I believe that your godson will be getting married soon. It would be a sham…"
Sirius lost it. His wand started to move. Even as prepared the two men besides Tom where, they were not prepared for the force of Sirius' magic. Two black spells, black as pitch with red tendrils, left his wand, followed by a white shield breaker and then a few cutting curses before he was forced to shield.
One of the men got a shield up, but it shattered like glass as one of the black spells hit it, then continued to hit the man. He screamed as it started to rip through him, tearing him apart from the inside. The other man dodged, just barely missing getting hit, while Tom rose a shield, only to dive out of the way as the shield breaker hit his shield. The man had not expected Sirius to pull on his Black magic. It was something he almost never did, but threatening Renee, Harry and his family was not something he was willing to put up with.
Tom managed to get off a nasty looking yellow spell as he dove, causing Sirius to shield. He banished all the rubble around him towards the two. This might be Tom Riddle, and he had shown to be a master duellist, but the man was still young and appeared to be trained more like a duellist. The man was forced to shield and transfigure the debris. This allowed Sirius to concentrate on the other man, who was frantically shielding the debris and the flurry of spells Sirius cast at him.
By the time Tom cleared the debris, a simple piercing hex felled his other follower. Sirius looked across the chasm at the man. "How many is that? Looks like ten men?"
Tom snarled. "If you think you have won, you could not be more wrong. Avada Kedavra!"
Sirius pulled up a chunk of the floor. It exploded and the two men started to trade spells. Sirius had to admit that the younger man was quicker and better than Sirius, but he didn't use his environment. Sirius was able to get off a spell at a still intact suit of armour behind Tom.
In the commotion of battle, the blasts, cracking shields, and the solid gong of one of his organ rippers hitting a silver shield, Tom didn't notice the animated armour until it was almost too late. The distraction allowed Sirius to pull his mirror out. He knew he wouldn't win this fight without some help. "Omega three! Alpha one!"
Sirius had just enough time to see the man blast the armour and then pull a silver dome around him as the Aurors that still had working mirrors were whisked way. The combined power of the mirrors ripped through the wards that had prevented the one. It would be days later that they would find out that the entire wing of the castle had been destroyed.
Sirius spun in the air. He just barely landed on his feet when they landed in the portkey reception area in Belgrade. He stumbled, then yelled, "HEALERS!"