28 June 1994
"Good afternoon, Harry," Layla Heartfilia said with a smile as she met her daughter and her boyfriend in the field where the carriage landed from Beauxbatons. In Layla's opinion Lucy had done quite well for herself, Harry was handsome. His vibrant green eyes were entrancing. If she was a younger unmarried woman, she might have pursued him herself.
"Good afternoon, Missus Heartfilia, are you well?" Harry asked, smiling. Layla was dazzled by his brilliant smile. She could understand why Lucy was so drawn to him.
Layla grinned glancing at Lucy. "Your boy is certainly a charmer."
"Don't I know it," Lucy said sighing.
"Are you two ready to go?" Layla asked.
"Yep!" The two exclaimed taking Layla's hands and disappearing.
Fleur stared at the patch of grass where Harry had stood seconds before. She felt him drifting away from them even more and the gulf between them widening. She was angry at Lucy for pulling Harry away from his family. The Delacours and the Grangers were Harry's family. They loved him and supported him. Lucy was nothing but a poser who wanted to be seen dating a famous boy.
After landing in an alley near the Heartfilia residence the three walked to the house. It was modest compared to the Delacour Chateau being a simple red brick house on a nondescript street somewhere in Paris. But Harry liked it, it felt warm and welcoming, at least until they got inside.
"I don't remember giving permission to hosts guests while I was gone," A stern voice announced as they entered the house.
"D-d-d-dad!" Lucy exclaimed fearfully as the three stared down the corridor at the broad and imposing figure of Jude Heartfilia.
"I'm waiting for an explanation?" Jude asked glancing between his daughter and wife.
"Lucy asked if her friend could stay with us for a few days. I decided it would be okay. I didn't anticipate it would be a problem," Layla explained. Lucy wanted to protest her mother's characterisation of Harry being Lucy's friend. But she stayed silent when Layla placed a hand on her arm.
"Did you," Jude said quietly. "Perhaps if you'd consulted with me first, you'd have realised the error of inviting this boy into our home."
Layla looked away meekly and nodded. "Yes, of course."
"Please see to it he is escorted home and give my regards to your sister," Jude ordered as he marched out of the room.
"Dad!" Lucy protested.
Jude paused at the mouth of the corridor, looking back at Lucy. "Your boyfriend is not welcome in my house."
"H-how did you…?" Lucy stuttered. She hadn't told him about Harry, knowing how he'd feel about it. Given Layla's deliberate word choice she hadn't told him either.
"I am aware of everything that goes on within my family," Jude explained as he returned his gaze to Layla. "Did you wish to say something?"
"No," Layla replied.
"Good, I think it's well past time that Mister Potter left," Jude announced before exiting the corridor.
"Mum, you're not going to…" Lucy began to protest but Harry gently rested a hand on her arm.
"It's okay. I don't want you or your Mum to get into any more trouble with your dad. I promise I'll write and besides, it's only a couple of months until school is back."
Lucy nodded mutely. She glanced down the corridor, checking for her father before kissing Harry on the cheek. She wanted to kiss him on the lips, she wanted to ravage him. It wasn't an unusual feeling when Harry was around. She hadn't been a tactile person before Harry but that changed after they had sex. Touching Harry had become addicting. She loved hugging and kissing him.
The idea of being without it for two months made her angry. It made her want to have a screaming argument with her father. But she knew it wouldn't get them anywhere. She would be summarily dismissed without consideration for her feelings. Jude Heartfilia didn't care about his wife or child. His true loves were money and power. He was only interested in those who could help acquire more of both.
"Bye Lucy," Harry said reluctantly.
"Bye," Lucy said
Harry and Layla left the house and retraced their steps to the apparition point. Before they disappeared, Layla turned to Harry with a sad look on her face. "I'm sorry, Harry."
"Yeah," He replied. Harry wasn't feeling particularly charitable. He'd been looking forward to spending time with Lucy outside of school. He resented Jude for dismissing him and Layla for not standing up to her husband. It was in stark contrast to how Apolline and Jean acted. They were a team. They'd talk about things and reach a compromise. Jean would never summarily decide something, Apolline wouldn't stand for it.
Harry only slightly stumbled as they landed outside the Delacour Chateau. Harry had years of practice, but he still occasionally felt unsteady on his feet. One of the guards stuck his head out of the guardhouse as they landed. "Good afternoon, Master Harry."
"Hello Francois, how are you?" Harry asked with a weary smile.
"I'm good, thank you," the guard replied as he opened the gate.
The two walked up the path to the house where they were greeted by confused looking Apolline. "Arry? I wasn't expecting you back for a few days?"
"No, I wasn't expecting to be back this soon either…" Harry muttered as he entered the house and grumpily climbed the stairs to his room.
Apolline frowned and turned to look at Layla. "What happened?"
"Jude found out Harry was coming to stay with us. He was upset that I hadn't asked him before agreeing to let Harry stay with us."
Apolline crossed her arms across her chest. "And you didn't argue back, of course."
Layla scowled. "Not all of us have a doormat for a husband."
"I don't have to defend Jean to you. You've made your own bed," Apolline hissed before taking a deep breath and relaxing her shoulders. "Thank you for bringing Arry home. Please let your daughter know she's welcome to visit Arry anytime."
"What about her mother?" Layla asked.
Apolline opened her mouth to say something snarky, but at the last moment she paused. They'd been close once, when they were younger. A time Apolline still looked back on fondly. But then boys had entered their orbit and they'd started competing. Trying to one up the other, using men as toys. Eventually that led them to Jude and Jean.
Apolline regretted how she'd acted as a young woman and was relieved Fleur hadn't inherited her worst traits. She wished she could go back and change things. "Her mother is welcome too. Her father is not."
Layla nodded. "Goodbye, Apolline."
"Goodbye, Layla."
"Arry, are you okay?" Fleur asked from the door of his room. Harry was lying on his bed with an arm shielding his face.
"I suppose…"
"But?" Fleur asked walking over to sit on the bed.
"Jude Heartfilia is a prick… I don't understand how someone can treat their family as if their opinions don't matter. Vernon used to act like that too, Petunia's opinion wasn't asked for or wanted. Didn't make her any less of a b… bad person," Harry explained catching himself before he swore in front of Fleur.
"You two would have spent all your time having sex anyway. Rather than anything productive…"
"Sex is pro… wait, how…" Harry said as his eyes darted to the door of his room. He hurriedly jumped off the bed and ran to the door closing it gently before spinning around to face Fleur. "How do you know that Lucy and I are having sex?" He hissed.
"Hermione told me," Fleur replied.
Harry groaned and ran his hand over his face. "Right, of course."
"Arry, I'm not going to tell my parents. I wish you'd pick a better partner…" Fleur admitted bitterly ignoring the pointed look on Harry's face. "All I care about is if you're being safe about it."
"Yes, Fleur. Lucy is taking the potion and I'm wearing a condom when we have sex," Harry confirmed. Apolline and Jean had always been honest and open about talking about sex since they'd deemed the two of an appropriate age and mature enough. It let Fleur and Harry be honest with each other about sex and their bodies. Saying that Harry wasn't confident his adoptive parents would be thrilled about him having sex with Lucy before seventeen.
"That's all I care about, Arry. I know you want a family one day but imagine if mother and father found out you'd gotten Lucy pregnant."
Harry laughed. "Forget Jean and Apolline, Jude would hit the roof. I don't think being his son-in-law is part of his plan for Lucy's future."
"Is it part of your future plans?" Fleur asked.
"Maybe. We've only been dating for sixteen and a bit months. I haven't started thinking about the future yet."
"What do you want to happen?" Fleur asked.
Harry was quiet a few moments, deliberately avoiding looking at Fleur. He couldn't tell her what he truly wanted, a future for the three of them. Hermione, Fleur, and himself. He knew they weren't remotely interested in that, so he'd buried his feelings deep and committed to Lucy.
He cared about the beautiful blonde. She made him feel special and the sex was fantastic. That wasn't a surprise, Lucy was a Veela. But it was more than that, being around Lucy regardless of the situation made him happy. "I want to be happy."
Fleur rolled her eyes. "You're dodging the question."
"I don't have a good answer right now, Fleur. I turn seventeen in like a month. I want to enjoy being around my friends and my girlfriend. As long as her prick of a father doesn't get in the way."
Fleur patted Harry on the arm. "I guess Hermione and I have no choice but to make this holiday the best one ever for the three of us. We only have a year left of school, so we have to make the best of it."
Harry nodded and let a fond smile cross his lips. "Will you miss it?"
"Of course, I've loved Beauxbatons. I'm going to miss it, you?"
"Absolutely. I can't even imagine what Hogwarts would have been like. Ten months a year in the cold Scottish winter? No thanks."
Fleur laughed. "Agreed."
"Hey, Fleur? Thanks."
Fleur gave Harry a beautiful smile. "Anytime."
2 August 1994
"Arry, Jean would like to see you in his office," Apolline said from the door to Harry's room.
Harry frowned as he got off the bed and brushed down his clothes. "Is something wrong?"
Apolline smiled as she vainly ran her fingers through his hair. "Non. But he does need to see you."
"Okay."
Harry and Apolline walked from his room to Jean's office where he found both the man himself and Madam Maxime. Harry felt suddenly underdressed in a Nirvana t-shirt, track pants and socks. He gave the Beauxbatons headmistress a short bow as he entered. "Good afternoon, Madam Maxime."
Maxime smiled and inclined her head towards him. "Good afternoon, Mister Potter. I apologise for bothering you on your holiday."
"It's ok, ma'am. I'm sure you wouldn't be here without a good reason."
"Oui. Have you ever heard of the tri-wizard's tournament?"
"No, ma'am. Is it part of our seventh-year curriculum?"
"Non. It is a tournament that was last run in seventeen ninety-two. It has been decided that it should be revived for the forthcoming school year. Beauxbatons has been invited to participate, and after encouragement from certain figures in the government we've agreed."
Harry frowned. "This is a tri-wizard tournament, who are the other two schools?"
"Durmstrung and… Hogwarts."
"Ah," Harry said.
"The tournament is being held at Hogwarts. I am planning to take the top ten seventh year students. As you ranked fourth in your year behind Miss Granger, Delacour, and Heartfilia. I wanted to know if you'd be comfortable going, given your history with the headmaster?"
Harry frowned and gave it a few moments of thought. "So, Fleur, Hermione, and Lucy are going?"
"That is my intention, yes."
"If they're going, I'm going. What can Dumbledore do when I'm not a student? I'm not even a British citizen anymore. If he complains we can tell him too…" Harry paused considering who else was in the room. "Politely go away?"
Apolline rolled her eyes and Jean smirked as Olympe nodded. "Yes."
1 September 1994
Harry, Fleur, Hermione, and their parents emerged into the clearing where the carriage was waiting to take them to Beauxbatons for the penultimate time. Harry's bright smile at the thought of seeing Lucy again after two months faded when he spotted Lucy standing in a long baggy dress with her parents. All three Heartfilia's were wearing sour expressions on their faces as they waited to board the carriage. When Lucy spotted Harry, she tried to break free of her father's grip, but he said something to her that made her wilt and stay where she was.
Apolline wrapped her arms around Harry and kissed him on the back of the head. "I remember when I used to kiss the top of your head without needing a step stool."
Harry chuckled and turned around to give Apolline a hug. "I remember that too."
Each of the parents gave the three kids hugs before walking them over to the carriage. Jean kept his hand on Harry's arm as he made to board. "If Dumbledore starts anything find Olympe. He's not allowed to harass you, remember that."
"I know. We'll be okay."
Jean nodded and smiled resting his hand on Harry's cheek. "You are our son, Arry. We won't let that bastard ever hurt you again."
Fleur climbed down from the carriage and wrapped her arms around Harry as Apolline did the same. Harry wrapped his arms around them and stood there for a few moments before he helped Fleur back onto the carriage and followed behind seconds later. Harry looked at Fleur and Hermione and then back to their parents. "I'll look after them, I promise."
"We'll look after him too," Hermione added with a exasperated smile.
The group said their final goodbyes and the adults departed. They left the younger adults to venture into the carriage and find a compartment. As the three sat waiting, Hermione snuggled into Fleur's side and looked at Harry. "If you want to go find Lucy, you can, we'll be here when you get back."
"It's ok, I don't know what's going on between her and I. I think I should wait. I don't want to get her in more trouble than it already seems she is."
"As long as, you're sure."
"I am, thank you."
Soon after they took off a blonde blur burst into their cabin. "Fuuuuuccccckkkk!!!! I HATE my father!" Lucy exclaimed tearing her dress off leaving her in only a bra, panties, socks and shoes. Harry's eyes widened as he wandlessly summoned a long coat out of his trunk and put it around Lucy's shoulders. Lucy smiled and grabbed Harry by the collar of his t-shirt and pulled him into a heated French kiss. The two tumbled back into the couch Harry had been sitting on as his hands snaked around and held her as they made out.
A soft cough pulled Harry and Lucy out of their make out session and made Lucy settle down and sit next to him. One hand kept the coat closed while the other held Harry's. "Hello, Hermione, Fleur."
"Hello Lucy… are you okay?" Fleur asked. She didn't completely trust Lucy but dating Harry for over a year and a half meant the two were forced to be around each other. This caused relations to begin to thaw between the two. Harry and Hermione had worked hard to mend fences and it seemed to be finally paying dividends.
Lucy let out a long breath and rested her head against Harry's shoulder. "I'm… surviving. I'm better now, here with Harry and my other friends. My father didn't want to let me return to Beauxbatons for seventh year. He was fucking furious when he found out I was dating Harry. He's forbidden me from seeing you," Lucy explained looking at Harry. "I'm an adult, and unless he plans to watch me every day, that bastard can't tell me what to do anymore. Harry is my boyfriend and I'm not letting any of those other girls have him."
"My scary, but beautiful girlfriend," Harry said kissing Lucy again, gently this time.
"I hope you're prepared to fight off a whole new set of girls for your boyfriend's attention," Hermione said teasingly.
Lucy's eyes narrowed dangerously. "What do you mean? Harry?"
Harry chuckled nervously. "Well, so, Madam Maxime visited during the holidays…"
30 October 1994
Ron Weasley stood in his dragon hide coat between his on/off girlfriend Lavender Brown and his best friend Cormac McLaggen. He puffed out his chest to emphasise the Black Family house crest on his right breast. Cormac smirked. "You gonna share this time?"
"Depends. Dad told me chicks from Beauxbatons are supposed to be fucking hot. I might break my own record this year," Ron said smugly. Lavender shifted uncomfortably beside him knowing she was one of those notches on his bedpost.
"Your right hand doesn't count," Cormac retorted.
"Fuck off," Ron replied with a laugh. His eyes strayed past Cormac over to a hooded man standing alone away from the other students. Even hidden beneath a hood you could still see the scar from under his eye to his jaw line.
It was a constant reminder for Ron of his failure. Of Neville's inability to save Ginny four years ago. All the money and the prestige of inheriting the Black Lordship wouldn't ever make up for not having his baby sister around anymore.
"Look, they're here!" Pavarti Patil exclaimed causing everyone to look into the sky. Above them was a carriage pulled by two giant white Abraxan. The two horses beat their powerful wings to slow their momentum, landing gently moments later.
Minerva McGonagall watched as the giantess headmistress of Beauxbaton was greeted by Dumbledore. She cast her eyes over the students exiting the carriage and frowned. She counted ten, exactly half of the Durmstrung contingent. It lent credence to the rumour she'd heard that Maxime was against participating but had been forced into it by members of her the government.
Studying the students McGonagall noted they were to a woman all extremely pretty. Enhancing Beauxbatons already well earned reputation for having the most beautiful magical school in the world. As McGonagall admired the girls she realised there was a single boy among their ranks. As he turned in McGonagall's direction the breath caught in her throat.
McGonagall recognised that messy raven hair and those vibrant green eyes. Dumbledore had never told her what happened to Harry. Even when pressed he wouldn't say. When he failed to arrive at Hogwarts in nineteen eighty eight, almost the entire staff had tried confronting Dumbledore but he'd made excuses and equivocated until they got fed up and went away.
She'd thought about Harry off and on over the years, wondering and hoping he was okay. Now she knew. Some how he'd travelled to France and enrolled in Beauxbatons. Whomever had taken him in clearly cared about his well being. He looked healthy and happy, and if she was reading the body language right had attracted the attention of several beautiful girls.
As the students and staff walked into the castle for dinner, Dumbledore called McGonagall over. "Minerva, I would like to speak to young Harry after dinner. Would you be kind enough to reach out to him on my behalf?"
"I can ask, Albus. But Mister Potter isn't a Hogwarts student. He cannot be compelled to see you if he doesn't wish too. I also don't feel particularly inclined to help you tonight. You never told anyone what happened to that boy. How could you not know he was in France this entire time. I thought you left him with his relatives," McGonagall hissed angrily.
"Ah, yes, well…" Dumbledore said hesitantly. It was rare to see the great Albus Dumbledore lost for words. But here he stood being scolded by Minerva McGonagall like a naughty first year. He wasn't impressed but he couldn't say much against it right now. "I did, but what happened after that is a mystery. It is one of the things I plan to ask Mister Potter."
"You can ask, Albus. It's anyone's guess if he'll tell you."
"Did you see the rack on that blonde chick?!" Ron exclaimed grinning.
"Which one? Those two blonde chicks both had great racks," Cormac said.
"The one with the biggest tits I've ever seen. They're even bigger than Greengrass's and she probably won't be such a frigid bitch. I could stick my face in those all day."
Cormac laughed. "Don't get your hopes up, she only had eyes for that black haired kid."
"Big deal, he's nothing special," Ron said dismissively.
Lavender huffed a laugh as they sat down. "Are you for real?"
"What the fuck are you talking about, Lav-Lav?" Ron asked derisively conjuring his pet name for her from when they dated briefly during the previous school year.
"That was Harry Potter, you know, the boy-who-lived?"
Ron's eyes narrowed. "How can you be so sure?"
"I read Witches Weekly, they've put out a ton of articles speculating what Harry would look like. He looks like his Dad but he has his Mum's green eyes. It's Harry Potter, it can't be anyone else."
Cormac spun around in his seat to look over at the Beauxbatons students sitting at the Ravenclaw table. "Shouldn't he be here with us? Why the fuck is he a Beauxbaton student?"
Lavender shrugged as she peered over the heads of her fellow Gryffindor's towards the Ravenclaws. "I have to say, the artist speculation didn't do him justice. He's very dreamy."
"Careful Lavender, you don't want to soil your panties cumming over Potter," Ron muttered grumpily.
"You're a pig…" Lavender said as she turned to pay attention to the headmaster.
Ron ignored her in favour of staring at the boy Lavender claimed was Harry Potter. He knew he'd have to write his father tomorrow morning. Potter could spell trouble for the Weasley's. They were only had their wealth and title because they'd been awarded it after Ginny died. The Malfoy's had been stripped of their assets and titles as compensation for what happened to Ginny.
A year of mayhem that ended with a student dead, had been a source of massive embarrassment for the Ministry. After seeing their celebrated Supreme Mugwump resign in disgrace as a result of his inaction, the Wizengamot just wanted rid of it. They gave the Weasley's the Black family titles, money and assets to make them go away. They also got the Malfoy family money but it was a drop in the ocean compared to the wealth of the Black family.
Ron had once overheard his parents talking about Potter. It was after Ginny died but before his parents had divorced. Arthur told his wife that if Potter ever reappeared it would be bad for the Weasley's. Sirius, the last head of house Black had named Harry as his heir before he was murdered by the great betrayer Peter Pettigrew.
They'd all heard the stories of Sirius Black. Driven by rage and grief Sirius had hunted Pettigrew to a muggles neighbourhood and confronted him. In an effort to escape, Pettigrew had triggered a gas main, whatever that was, and causing an explosion. But Pettigrew had underestimated the strength of his spell and the fire consumed them.
The resulting investigation had found that Pettigrew had been the secret keeper for the Potters, instead of Sirius as had been widely believed.
As food appeared on the table Ron began to stack his plate while still keeping his eyes on Potter. It annoyed him, his family had earned that money in blood. They weren't going to give it up without a fight.