"Arry!" A rather happy voice shouted as soon as Harry arrived inside the Delacour house, Harry just about managed to stay upright as Fleur pulled him into a massive rib breaking hug.
"Missed you too" Harry commented though he was silently wondering why the woman was so damn strong.
"It's so good to see you!" Fleur smiled as she let go and examined him. Fleur was very happy, her mate was still so handsome and seemed to get even more handsome since the last time she had seen him.
"You're English has gotten better" Harry noted
"Thank you" Fleur blushed "I practised a lot. Every night. Though I still haven't learnt everyzing and I still have a French accent"
"It's everything...not everyzing, and that's alright, I like your accent" Harry admitted
"Thank you" Fleur turned even more red
"Aww! That's so adorable!" A voice squealed and both turned to see Delphi standing just in front of her mum "Harry's falling in love!"
"Right that does it, Shadow!" Harry called and a second later Delphi was trying to escape a rather violent bird "love that bird" Harry smirked
"Harry" Bellatrix sighed though her eyes showed she was amused
"Fine, fine. Shadow" Harry called his familiar, Shadow stopped terrorising Delphi and flew to Harry and landed on his shoulder
"Hello Shadow!" Fleur smiled and began stroking the bird "you're still very handsome" Shadow puffed his chest out as he nuzzled into Fleur's hand
"Careful, you'll give him an ego" Harry joked, Shadow gave him a warning nip on the ear
"Ah, Harry" Another voice called out and Fleur's mother walked in, followed by Fleur's sister Gabrielle "how are you?"
"Just fine" Harry nodded
"And you two?" Appolline turned to Bellatrix and Delphi "I heard the news of Harry's adoption, congratulations to you both"
"Thank you" Bellatrix smiled "the adoption was...rather surprising"
"Yes, my husband had informed me that he viewed a pensive memory of it"
"Pensive? Isn't that one of those things that you put a memory in it when you want to watch it?" Delphi asked "I thought they were rare and expensive"
"They are but my husbands position makes gives him access to one" Appolline smiled proudly
"Position?" Delphi asked
"Her husband's the new French Minister of Magic" Harry answered and Delphi's jaw dropped "the last one was misusing funds and taking bribes so they kicked him out and held an election while we were still in school, Mr Delacour got voted in."
"How'd you know that?"
"You do realise that me and Fleur have been writing letter's to each other ever since the last time we were here?" Harry said as he looked at Delphi like she was an idiot
"Where is your husband?" Bellatrix asked as she looked around
"At work, he should be back this evening" Appolline answered
"Hello Harry!" Gabrielle waved at him, she spoke in French as she hadn't even considered learning English since she was still very young
"Hello" Harry replied "How are you?"
"I'm good!" She chirped "Daddy said he's going to bring me lots of chocolate when he comes back!"
"That's nice"
"Yeah! Oh...are you and Fleur going to get married?!"
"Why'd you ask?" Harry said just as Fleur turned red and her eyes widened
"Because Fleur and Mama say that you're her destined mate" Gabrielle smiled
"Gabby!" Fleur hissed, just as Appolline realised she forgot to tell Gabby to keep that a secret.
"Destined mate?" Harry turned to Fleur and Appolline "Is this a veela thing?"
"Veela?!" Delphi blurted out in surprise
"Yeah, they're Veelas" Harry gestured to Fleur and Appolline "Wasn't it obvious? All the males we've seen when we went out were all interested in them, unnaturally interested. Also I can feel their allure, it was strong at first but I got over it"
"How long have you known?" Appolline asked, while placing a hand on Fleur's shoulder as the girl looked very worried
"Since the last time I came here. I discovered a book about Veela in the library, it was very detailed. It mentioned origins, abilities, weaknesses and bonds. Though I didn't get too far into the bond part. I assume that me and Fleur are under some Veela bond or something?"
"Y...yes...I'm sorry 'arry" Fleur said, tears in her eyes
"You are Fleur's mate" Appolline began explaining as she placed a comforting arm around her daughter's shoulder "her magic has decided that you're her destined."
"Whoa" Delphi whispered to herself, though nobody heard, Bellatrix put a silencing spell on her because she didn't want her to interrupt
"Destined? Like destined husband or something like that?" Harry asked, his tone neutral
"Yes" Appolline nodded
"Hmm" Harry's face took a thoughtful look "can I go to the library? I'd like to research this more"
"Of course" Appolline nodded
"Thanks" Harry nodded and made his way to the library
"Don't worry" Bellatrix placed a hand on Fleur's shoulder "Harry isn't angry with you"
"How can you be sure?" Fleur looked at Bellatrix, her eyes wet but hopeful yet very scared
"Because he might be an angry and anti-social loner most of the time, but he is also very smart. He'll understand that this isn't your fault"
"But what if he doesn't want me?!" Fleur sniffed as her heart felt like it would shrivel and break into pieces if that happens
"I can't be sure, but I know that Harry won't hesitate to hurt his enemies and help his friends. He has very few friends, for the longest time it's just been him and Shadow then Delphi. But you managed to sneak your way into his heart, I don't know how you did that but we both know that Harry gladly writes to you nearly everyday. You have a place in his heart, that means you have a place in his life. As for him wanting you in a romantic way...I'd say you have a better chance than most"
"You mean it?" Fleur asked with wide eyes, full of renewed hope
"I do" Bellatrix smiled as Fleur hugged her
"Damn...I need to learn French" Delphi mumbled to herself
"Hello Harry" A voice interrupted Harry's reading, he looked up to see Appolline Delacour standing in front of him "do you like the book?"
"It is quite fascinating" Harry nodded "I've just read the part on bonds, and I'm just checking if there are any ways to break them"
"Why?" Appolline asked with a horrified face, anger filled her at the idea of this boy ruining her daughters life without even giving her a chance. Her daughter could die!
"Fleur deserves better than this, if she had fallen in love with me then that would be fine but it's not fair for her free will to be taken. She deserves better than to just be a slave" Harry said as he reverted his attention back to the book
"Harry" Appolline's expression softened as understanding dawned on her "there is no way. Trust me" Harry looked up at her "Fleur is not the first veela to have a mate and many Veela parents have tried to separate veela from their bonded, there are stories among Veela of children dying or becoming insane because their parents separated them from their bonded or because their bonded have refused them"
"One thing, I don't understand" Harry's voice was slow and pained "why are you so supportive? I understand that your daughter will stay alive and sane, but you don't even seem worried that she is basically my slave from now? I could do what I want to her you know. I could use her body to gain favours, I could make her spill all her blood for me and she'd do it. I could cheat on her and have her later in the evening anytime I want. Why aren't you more worried?"
"Magic is a wonderful thing" Appolline smiled "and I know that it chose you for a reason, it wouldn't have chosen you if you were the sort of person who'd do those things"
"I don't have a problem with hurting people, in fact I've hurt people before" Harry replied "and I would not hesitate to hurt again"
"Yet I'm confident you won't hurt Fleur" Appolline replied, her voice full of confidence "if anything, I expect you to hurt people for Fleur. You seem like the type. Do you have any other problems with this?"
"Yes, it's not real love, is it?" Harry replied "Her magic is forcing her to love me, that can't be the sort of relationship you want for your daughter"
"You know my husband made the same arguments as you when he heard about this" Appolline gave him a small smile "though I don't think you have to worry. If there wasn't a possibility of you two falling in love with each other, then you wouldn't be bonded. I think her love for you is as real as can be"
"Why?"
"You two are alike, you're both judged by your looks and receive attention you don't want. When Fleur was born, I was worried that she'd end up in a loveless marriage with some idiot who only saw her for her looks. Someone who'd use her like a rag...or maybe she'd have to settle with someone unworthy of her but able to resist her allure. Are you perfect for Fleur? No. You're younger and there are probably more problems"
"Like my face?" Harry looked at her with amusement
"Are you ashamed of your face? Disgusted by it?" Appoline asked
"No" Harry answered without hesitation "I like looking like this, even when I pretend I don't. This is the real me, and I like it. I know sometimes I joke about it and act pitiful but I do like it. But I don't think anyone ever imagines someone looking like me as someone they want to become their future son-in-law."
"Like I said, you are both judged by your looks. You by your scars and her by her good looks and allure. You understand each other. You have suffered, and from what I know, people who suffer either cause others to suffer or protect them from it. I think you fall into the second category, at least with Fleur. I'm not glad that you've suffered, but it's made you the person you are today, there is no need to be ashamed of it. Going back to your love, Fleur truly does love you. I've seen fake love made from potions and allures. Fleur is not the first veela I've met who has a bonded.
I've met two others, one was my grand mother, the other was an old friend of mine, both passed away years ago. The friend, when I saw her the first time after she bonded she looked at her bond mate I saw her eyes and I saw that she felt almost forced to love her mate...or at least I did at first. It turned out that person she was looking at had put her under a love potion and was apparently not her mate...that bastard is in prison now"
"I'm sorry" Harry said sincerely "what happened?"
"Well, the love potion lasted all of a few minutes seeing as her mate was visiting another continent at the time, though if I had to guess then I would say it wouldn't have worked at all if she was closer to him because the bond would've been stronger. When she looked at a photo of him, I saw no deception in her eyes. No forced feelings, the same with my grandmother and my grandfather. It was true love, I have no doubt that if you had found someway to break the bond, she'd still love you.
"I...I don't like being controlled" Harry admitted "I hate it when people try to control me and I don't know if I could be in this relationship with her and not hate myself for controlling her"
"You don't have to control her"
"Please" Harry scoffed "I just have to say jump and she'd try her best to reach the sky"
"True" Appolline agreed "but that doesn't mean you have to treat her like a slave. If you don't like controlling her, then don't. Just be with her, eventually she'll get comfortable around you to the point where she may even refuse to do things. She'd still see you as perfection on Earth though" She added the last part with a grin "or maybe you'd get used to it and realise that she obeys you out of love for you. My grandmother was in the first situation"
"Ha" Harry let out a short laugh "so I suppose I have your blessing then?"
"Yes, you do"
"What about your husband?"
"Well it's either his blessings or a week on the sofa"
"Harsh" Harry let out mock horrified look
"It is for a man of his age" Appolline smirked "just do two things for me."
"What's that?" Harry raised an eyebrow
"Firstly, please treat my daughter well"
"And the second?"
"The next time you see her, look at her eyes. Really look...then decide if she loves you or not. In fact, I propose a wager"
"Oh?" Harry asked
"If you see that she loves you, then you will take my daughter out on a date"
"And if she doesn't?"
"Then you can take as many books from this library as you want"
"Why do people assume I love books?"
"Because you read them a lot" Appolline answered, a bit confused though
"Well..." Harry stopped when he realised she had a point "I like them and I read because it's useful...but...okay fair enough. But I'd like something other than books, you got plenty here and plenty at Hogwarts"
"Fine, I'll take you out tomorrow and let you buy anything you want"
"That's better"
"Fleur" Harry's voice called from outside her room seconds after a knock, Fleur immediately jumped to her feet and cast a charm to remove her tears and clean her face. She felt rather lucky that her father had made sure that the house had wards to prevent the underage trace. She walked up to the door and opened it to reveal Harry. Much like every time she saw him, her breath was taken away.
"Yes?" She asked a bit nervously, though Harry didn't answer. He just stared at her, Fleur felt very small as those green eyes appeared to drill all the way into her soul. Her nervousness and fear rose, tough her primary thought was how beautiful his eyes were. So bright and powerful, there seemed to be a warmth in there though she could barely see it.
"Damn it" Harry suddenly cursed
"What is wrong?" Fleur asked just before Harry's hands came to either side of her head, her eyes widened as he brought his lips to hers for a brief yet enjoyable kiss. Then, to her displeasure, he pulled away and let her go
"Did you like that?" He asked with a hint of concern. Fleur just dumbly nodded her head "You're sure?" She nodded again, though a bit quicker "Right, well I've learnt about the veela bonds and I don't have the time nor the effort to go through the whole drama where we dance around each other, do you want to be my girlfriend and go on a date with me tomorrow?" Her response was once again to nod, though this time she did it so quickly that Harry had briefly wondered if her head would drop off "Right, well I've got to go now, your mum wanted me to remind you that dinner is ready in about an hour. Oh yeah, remember to thank your mum, she's the one responsible for me agreeing. See ya" Harry turned and walked away.
The second he had gone out of view, Fleur slammed the door closed and immediately put up silencing spell before releasing a sound of pure happiness into the air. Her knees buckled and she slid to the ground, leaning against the door as tears of joy and happiness erupted form her eyes. Her smile was bigger and brighter than any smiles she had ever produced. She felt like her arm could be chopped off and she'd still feel happy. She gently placed her fingers on her lips, preserving the moment forever.
Half an hour passed, half an hour of Fleur replaying the memory of what just happened in her head. By the thirty first minute she had got to her feet and rushed to her mother's room
"Ah, hello Fleur" Appolline smiled and stood up as she place the book she was reading on her bed "how..." She didn't get to finish her sentence as Fleur tackled her and both landed on the bed with Fleur's arms wrapped around her mother.
"Love you mama!" Fleur cried into her mother's shoulder "I love you so much! I promise you that I will make you extremely happy the next mother's day! Love you!"
"Harry asked, didn't he?" Appolline said knowingly, she was rather happy for her daughter, though she hadn't predicted that her daughter would be trying to kill her through death by hug.
"Yes! Yes! He asked me to be his girlfriend and go on a date tomorrow!" Fleur said in a way that lead you to believe she had cured world hunger, all diseases and had become Minister of magic within the same hour.
"I'm so happy for you my little flower, though I must ask that you don't be too harsh on Gabby. She's still a child and she didn't..."
"Gabby!" Fleur suddenly shot up and looked at her mother with wide eyes "I need to thank her too! This wouldn't have happened without her!" Fleur was about to run out the room to thank her sister when Appolline grabbed her by the arm
"Fleur, I think it's best if you wait before thanking Gabrielle"
"Why?" Fleur frowned
"In your state your so happy I think you might accidently crush her"
"I wouldn't do that!"
"No?"
"No"
"Then why does it feel like you have crushed my ribs?"
"How is everyone?" Jacques asked as he sat down at the end of the table for dinner. Appolline sat on his right with little Gabrielle on his left. Next to Gabrielle sat Bellatrix and next to her was Delphi. Harry sat opposite Bellatrix and next to Appolline with Fleur sitting next to Harry, Jacques noted that Fleur seemed very happy.
"We're lovely, thank you for asking" Bellatrix smiled
"Yeah, this place is brilliant" Delphi grinned "thanks for letting me draw the garden" She added to Appolline
"Not a problem dear" Appolline smiled "your drawings were very beautiful, I think you have the makings of a good artist"
"Thank you" Delphi blushed
"Anything else happen while I was gone?" Jacques asked as he took a sip of his drink
"I own your daughter now" Harry said casually, as if he was talking about the weather. This caused a rather hilarious result which was Jacques spitting his drink out of his mouth in shock as he looked at Fleur and Harry with wide eyes
"Harry" Bellatrix sighed, though she was still smiling
"Alright, alright" Harry raised his hands in surrender "jeez, nobody appreciates good humour these days"
"What is happening?" Jacques asked the table
"Arry is now my husband!" Fleur announced with joy, this time it was Delphi who did a spit take
"What?!" Delphi's eyes darted back and forth between the two of them
"We're not husband and wife" Harry turned to Fleur "Fleur, you meant boyfriend and girlfriend. Husband and fiancée means married and we're too young for both of those."
"Oh right, boyfriend!" Fleur amended her statement.
"When did this happen?!" Delphi and Jacques blurted out at the same time
"Today" Fleur and Harry answered at the same time, the two turned to each other. Harry with mild surprise while Fleur looked like she had just found actual evidence that he was her soul mate
"So I was right!" Delphi shouted with pride and joy
"Yeah, well even a broken clock has it's moments of being correct" Harry shrugged
"No, you can't ruin this for me!" Delphi grinned "I was right!"
"Del" Bella whispered into her daughter's ear "if you keep going then Harry will draw his wand and this time I won't stop him"
"But I was right!" Delphi pointed out
"Yes, but you're the daughter of a Black, you don't need to point it out."
"Fine" Delphi rolled her eyes "still right" she whispered to herself proudly
"But..." Jacques started only to have his wife grab his ear and pull it to her mouth
"Try and break them up and you'll spend a month on the couch" She warned before letting go and turning to the new couple with a smile
"So" Jacques gulped and turned to Harry and Fleur "I assume you discovered the veela bond. You are both okay with this? I expected a bit more of a fuss"
"Well I had to chose between dealing with the situation like a man or whining and complaining about it like a little..."
"Harry, there are children present" Bellatrix gestured with her head to Gabby who was playing with her food while not really paying attention to the conversation as she was trying to make a face on the plate with her food
"So? She's French? She doesn't speak English, even if she did it'd be a while before she learns it"
"Harry"
"Fine, fine, I won't whine and complain about it like...a Malfoy? Is that fine?"
"What's a Malfoy?" Fleur asked
"It's an arrogant and spoilt whining little bitch" Harry answered immediately
"Harry" Bellatrix groaned while Delphi giggled
"Bitch?" Gabby repeated as she looked up from her plate "What does that mean?"
"O...kay, that's my bad" Harry admitted as he looked down because his food had suddenly become so incredibly fascinating, it also allowed him to avoid the glares coming from both Appolline and Bellatrix
"Arry?" Fleur asked as she opened the door to Harry's room and leaned her head in. Fleur was rather restless, she had gone to sleep wearing blue sleeping pyjamas, she was far too happy to sleep. So much had happened today. Not only had her mate returned, he had also discovered her bond and agreed to be her boyfriend and she received her first kiss. She tried but sleep avoided her. She had sat up when she noticed that Harry had left one of his books in her room. Fleur, being the responsible person that she was, decided that she would go to Harry's room and return the book to him.
If she ended up spending more time with him or being able to stroke his hair as he slept...then so be it. In fact she was so excited at the idea that when she left the room to go to Harry's, she actually forgot the book.
Upon entering the room, her gaze immediately went to the bed. She noticed the rune stone on the drawer next to it, Harry had told her how it activated and cast a silencing charm around the room, a rather brilliant invention in her mind. She then noticed that the bed was empty, she frowned as she could still feel Harry's presence in the room thanks to her bond. She slowly walked in and closed the door, she saw a faint light from just behind the bed.
She cautiously walked forwards and around the bed, she nearly gasped with shock.
Harry was on the floor, lying on his right side with his right hand under his face, being used as a pillow. He was wearing a pair of white pyjama bottoms and a blue shirt. His body was curled around a small fire. Fleur's concern grew when she saw how close he was to the fire, it was then she noticed that Harry's left hand was actually touching the fire, or at least the tip of his middle finger was. She nearly screamed for his safety, when she noticed that he had a small smile on his face. It appeared that the fire didn't bother him nor did it harm him.
Fleur grabbed is wrist and gently pulled his hand away from the fire. She then gently shook him.
"Arry" She whispered, she lightly tapped him on the shoulder.
Harry woke and his eyes immediately widened, he turned so he was on his back, he pushed Fleur's hands away with his right hand and his other hand instinctively reached up and grabbed her neck.
"Arry!" Fleur's hands grabbed his wrist. Harry snapped out of his daze and quickly let her go, he pushed himself back and away from her until he had reached a wall.
"Fleur! I'm so sorry!" Harry apologised "I forgot to put the locking charm on!"
"It's fine Arry" She reassured him as she briefly rubbed her neck, she was lucky that he didn't cause any actual damage "but Arry, why were you sleeping on the floor by a fire?" Fleur asked as she switched to French, a much easier language for her to converse in
"It's..." Harry contemplated lying when he remembered that this woman was his girlfriend and probably going to be his future wife "I've always slept like that. The fire, it keeps me warm and...I like having it when I sleep"
"It doesn't burn you?" Fleur asked with amazement, she noticed that his finger didn't seem to have even a little burn mark
"No, it's my fire. It burns what I want and nothing else" Harry said
"Why don't you sleep on the bed?" Fleur asked with a mixture of curiosity and concern "if that is the case then you could have the fire next to the bed"
"It's...too soft" Harry admitted as he ducked his head down, not quite sure where this feeling of embarrassment came from
"Too soft?" Fleur repeated
"It's too soft" Harry nodded "I've always slept on hard and solid floors. I don't...I don't ever remember sleeping on a bed. I've laid down on them and sat on them...but I've never slept on them."
"Why not?" Fleur's voice had degraded into a whisper
"It's...a long story...not one I feel like telling at the moment"
"Very well" Fleur said after a short pause "I can wait for you to be ready"
"Thanks" Harry said appreciatively
"Do...do you want to stay up and talk...or I can go back to my room if you want"
"Let's talk" Harry said as he moved closer and leaned against the side of the bed, Fleur sat next to him, on his left and the two looked at the fire
"It's an impressive fire" Fleur complimented him
"Thanks" Harry grinned "hey, I heard that veela can produce their on fire. Would it be rude if I asked you to show me?"
"No...just give me a second" Fleur raised the palm of her right hand and faced it upwards, she concentrated and a second later the hand was engulfed in a bright blue flame
"Wow" Harry breathed out in shock, Fleur had to hold back from screaming in pride at her ability to touch her mate though she soon turned to shock when Harry placed his hand in hers. Ignoring the brilliant feeling of holding hands, she looked at him
"That does not hurt you?" She asked
"No" Harry shook his head "it feels good...comfortable"
"Even if it touched other parts of you?"
"Yeah, try it if you want." Harry replied as he removed his hand, Fleur cut the flames off from her right hand and activated them on her left so she wouldn't have to keep leaning to touch him. Fleur gingerly placed her flaming hand on his bicep. He shivered slightly, but she could tell that it wasn't because he didn't like it. She then moved it higher and touched his shoulder, she was even more surprised when it appeared to not even damage his clothes "Yeah" Harry said, correctly guessing what she was thinking "my clothes don't get damaged either. Sometimes if I'm in the mood then I'll just sleep with my entire body inside the fire."
"That is unbelievable" Fleur whispered, she then slowly raised her hand and touched the right side of his face with the back of her hand. He showed no reaction, she felt nervous about the next part but pushed on, her flaming hand moved back then touched the left part of his face, right on the burnt part. Harry closed his eyes, and over than a brief shiver, he didn't react. A few seconds later he had sighed and a smile graced his face. "You like that, don't you?" She smiled
"I love it" Harry admitted
The next morning, Delphi had walked up to Harry's room. He was late for breakfast, that never happens, he's usually always the first one up. She walked up to his room with a little bit of concern, when she had first saw it that moment it was leaning open so she had assumed that Harry was already downstairs. The door was still leaning open, she gently peaked her head in but she couldn't see anybody. She carefully walked in, she had never woken Harry up bit she had a feeling that it would be an unpleasant or at the very least memorable experience.
She had walked in and she very nearly gasped at what she saw. Fleur and Harry were sitting on the floor, leaning against the bed, Fleur's head was resting on Harry's shoulder while Harry had rested his head on top of Fleur's.
Delphi took a moment to decide how she was going to react to this. Would she squeal and congratulate the two as soon as they woke up? Would she bolt and tell her mum and everyone that Harry had spent the night with his girlfriend? Would she hold on to this and tease the two about it at every possible opportunity. Eventually she decided on non of the above, she just smiled. She smiled before taking a blanket and wrapping it around the two, Delphi didn't know if they'd wake up in a few minutes or hours but she didn't care.
She gave the pair one last glance before walking out the room, a massive smile on her face. She would keep out of it...well...she'd occasionally tease but what do you expect? She's only human.