Alain lapsed into thought and then shook his head. "As you might imagine I did a lot of research into bonds before accepting my Apolline's. Mostly it was the Veela bond of course, but bonds in general and I never came across anything where a bond or connection can do such a thing through a curse."
"But no one has ever lived through the killing curse before either," Sirius said.
"True," Mr. Delacour agreed and then to Harry. "Do you mind if I 'ave my staff research ze topic in general. Not mentioning you or Voldemort?"
"That's fine sir," Harry replied.
Sirius looked at the yellow stone he had put on the table in front of him. "Why don't we let Harry carry this tonight?" He asked.
"NO!" Harry exclaimed. "If you're going to be out there near Fudge, Moody and all of the others you need to be protected Sirius. I can take care of myself."
As Harry and Sirius glared at each other they heard the Chamber doors open. Harry already knew that Hermione and Gabrielle were coming in.
"I'm going to have Fleur helping me Sirius. Nothing is going to happen to me. I need to know you'll be fine out there," Harry said to his godfather. "Besides I think the rules say I can't use any kind of magical transportation. If I have that on me, I might be disqualified if it's found."
"No broom this time?" Sirius asked with a smile. "Guess that would have made it too easy."
"Definitely," Harry replied as he wondered if someone in the past did exactly that; flew over the maze to claim the cup. Presuming a maze had been used as a task in the past. He turned to look at the two ladies who had just entered the Chamber.
"Papa…Maman," Gabrielle rushed over to her parents with Hermione not far behind her.
Apolline gave her youngest daughter a hug and then another hug to Hermione. Gabrielle held up her wrist to show her mother the charm bracelet Harry had given her.
"But eet wasn't my best present," Gabrielle said mysteriously then gave a fake pout. "Though Fleur got ze same present ze next morning."
"And what did 'Arry give you zat was so special?" Her mother asked.
Gabrielle looked over at Harry who was smiling at her. "Is love. 'E loves me and 'e loves Fleur."
Apolline and Alain both turned to look at raven-haired boy who blushed under the scrutiny. They suspected it wouldn't take too long to occur, but were still surprised that it had happened after such a short time. Harry continued to surprise them but in ways that only made the young man more and more welcome in their hearts. A warm smile broke over both of their faces. "Zat's wonderful," Mrs. Delacour said. "Ave you decided on when you will announce your bond?"
The bonded quickly held a conversation no one else in the chamber could hear and finally Hermione replied. "We think right around Harry's birthday. That particular timing will help a couple of friends of ours."
"In what way would your bond announcement 'elp someone?" Alain asked.
All of the bonded smiled as Hermione explained. "It seems like many people in the school presumed Harry and I would eventually be together and well…"
"There was even a pool to the date of when Hermione and I would…uh…become a couple," Harry continued.
"And you're 'elping your friends win ze pool?" Alain asked.
"Zey 'ave been good friends Papa," Fleur said.
"I'm sure zey are ma petite," He took the opportunity to change the subject. "Ms. Skeeter's article on ze attack on Gabrielle? 'Ow did you make zat 'appen? When ze 'eadmaster contacted me, I was prepared for ze worst. I 'ad our personal lawyer ready to file a libel suit against ze Prophet and Ms. Skeeter as well as instructing several of my staff to research ways to fight off any legislation zat might be presented against Veela in zis country."
"Eet was 'Ermione," Fleur said quickly. "She figured out a secret of Skeeter's."
"But it was your idea on how to use the secret," Hermione replied.
"Sir, Hermione did find out a secret of Skeeter's that gave us some control over what she was to print."
"Blackmail?"
"It started that way, but considering the stories she is going to get from us, it's more of an exchange."
"Other stories?"
"Did you see the story about Ludo Bagman? The previous head of Magical Games and Sports?"
"You gave 'er zat story too?"
"Yes sir. The same friends we are trying to help with the bond announcement lost a significant amount of Galleons to Mr. Bagman at the World Cup when he paid in Leprechaun Gold," Harry explained. "They had been saving their money to help open a Joke shop to compete with Zonko's and they lost their entire savings to him. We also promised her an interview with me and possibly an interview with Sirius. We thought that would work best right after everything starts to break over the summer."
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