20 December 1994
"Jude, I really wish you'd reconsider this…" Olympe Maxime said as they sat in her office in the carriage.
"Lucy is my daughter, she will do as she is told," Jude replied.
"I will not," Lucy responded acerbically as she entered the office with Harry.
"Lucy, I am your father…"
"So? Lucy's not a child anymore. She's legally an adult, she doesn't have to do anything you tell her. Unless you plan to force the issue," Harry said placing himself between them.
"And if I do?" Jude demanded standing up.
"You're going to have a very bad day," Harry said as his wand dropped into his hand from his wand holster.
"Don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong, boy. This isn't any of your business."
"Lucy is my girlfriend, I'm making it my business."
"Lucy is coming with me to meet her future husband, she will not be your girlfriend for much longer."
"I am not going anywhere and you can't make me," Lucy stated.
"Lucy, I am your father…"
"You can keep saying that until you're blue in the face. It doesn't change anything. I'm not going anywhere and you can't make me. Go away and leave me alone. I am a person, not a pawn to use to make yourself richer. Come on Harry, let's go," Lucy said tugging Harry along behind her as they left the office.
Jude moved to go after them but was held back by Olympe. "Jude, it's time for you to leave."
"She is my daughter…" Jude protested.
"Yes, but she is not your property. Go home, now," Olympe ordered.
Jude finally relented. "Very well."
Lucy locked the door to her room before turning around and embracing Harry. "I hate him so much…"
Harry kissed Lucy on the top of the head rubbing gentle circles in her back. "It's ok, Luce. Breath, just breath."
"I've never stood up to my Dad like that. I'm not sure if I'll be able to go home after this," Lucy stated worriedly.
"If you need a place to stay, I know a bed where you can crash…" Harry said teasingly.
"Perv… but thanks," Lucy said.
Harry gently raised Lucy's chin and kissed her on the lips. "You're special to me Luce. I'm crazy about you. I will always support you. I won't let you go through this alone."
"Thank you, Harry," Lucy said kissing him back. She wanted to tell him she loved him, but it wasn't time yet. She hoped it would be time soon. She was crazy about Harry. She wanted to move their relationship to the next level. But she knew he had lingering romantic feelings for Hermione and Fleur. He'd deny it but Lucy could tell. She'd have to confront it soon, she only hoped her heart could handle it.
Christmas Day, 1994
Harry stared speechless at the three women in front of him. "You all look stunning."
Lucy walked forward and kissed Harry on the cheek. The shimmering champagne dress shone in the moonlight. It hugged Lucy's figure in a way Harry appreciated. His eyes wandered from his girlfriend to his best friends. Hermione dressed in periwinkle blue and Fleur in a silver evening gown.
"Shall we?" Harry asked. He hooked his arms with Lucy and Hermione with Fleur on Hermione's other side.
The four walked from the carriage with the other Beauxbatons girls following behind. As they entered the entrance hall all eyes were drawn to them. Harry kissed Fleur and Hermione on the hand as they separated with the two girls heading over to join the other champions in the ante-chamber attached to the great hall.
As the two girls waited, Cedric and his girlfriend approached them. "Miss Delacour, I wanted to say congratulations regarding the first task. I regret it's taken me this long."
Fleur smiled and shook her head. "Non, it's ok. Thank you for your kind words. I thought you were very impressive yourself."
Cedric laughed. "No I wasn't. I was an idiot who almost got roasted by a dragon. You didn't have a scratch on you when you left the arena."
"At least you didn't have to apply foul smelling cream to your arm for a week straight," Viktor grumbled as he walked up with his date to join them.
"That is unfortunate, have you recovered?" Fleur asked.
"Yes, thank you. There was no lasting damage. The matron is a skilled healer," Viktor replied.
"Madam Pomfrey is excellent," Cedric commented as he was jabbed in the side by his date. "Oops, this is my girlfriend Cho."
"Lovely to meet you," Cho said shaking Fleur and Hermione's hands.
"This is my girlfriend, Hermione," Fleur replied.
Cho smiled and nodded. "I've been raving to Cedric about how brilliant you are."
Hermione blushed and looked away. "Thank you."
"She really is," Fleur agreed.
After Viktor introduced his date, a pretty redheaded Hogwarts student the group were rounded up by Professor McGonagall. After the introductions were made there were plenty of eyes on Viktor and Cedric but the most eyes were on Fleur and Hermione. Especially after dinner as they took their first dance together.
Same sex couples weren't completely unheard of in magical Britain. There was even a rumour that the head of the DMLE was in a relationship with one of her subordinates. But no one had ever been able to confirm it. Usually those kinds of relationships were kept behind closed doors. Not accepted and celebrated as they were in France and other parts of the world.
For many Hogwarts students this was the first time seeing a same sex magical couple. Lots of the guys and some of the girls felt very conflicted as they watched Hermione and then Harry twirl around the dance floor with Fleur. The two then swapped and went back to their dates for the evening.
Meanwhile Ron sat in a dark corner of the hall watching jealously as everyone else had a good time. His mission to find a beautiful date for the ball had come to nothing. Not even Lavender wanted to be seen with him. She went with Seamus Finnigan instead.
Ron may have felt embarrassed tonight, but he was still smiling. He'd already devised a plan to get back at the three bitches who'd disrespected him. This time it would be them who'd have their embarrassment spread across Britain.
Once the ball was over Lucy and Harry retreated back to Harry's room in the carriage. If Harry thought Lucy was beautiful in her dress, it was nothing compared to what she looked like naked. Harry considered himself very lucky to have such a beautiful woman as his girlfriend. It was a bonus that she let him take her to bed.
In Fleur's room said girl and her girlfriend sat naked in the tub with the golden egg under the surface between them. Hermione finished writing out the final line of the merman song and put the parchment in a nearby bag before sliding over to sit beside Fleur. "It was nice of Cedric to tell us about the egg."
"It's the spirit of fair competition. I told him about the dragons after all."
"Mmm, what do you think the message means?" Hermione asked.
"Non, not tonight," Fleur said turning Hermione's head to kiss her on the lips.
Hermione smiled gently at Fleur, letting her fingers ghost over Fleur's skin. "I love you."
Fleur blushed and smiled. "I love you too, Hermione."
2 January 1995
Ron had a devious smile on his lips as he hauled a bag of dung bombs down a corridor. He'd been monitoring the Beauxbatons students since before the Yule ball, and he knew their patterns by now. His prank was set, all he had to do was lure those girls to the right class room and unleash his trap.
As Hermione, Lucy, and Fleur walked towards the great hall for dinner Fleur's nose twitched and wrinkled. "Something smells foul…"
"What does it…" Hermione began but as she spoke she began gagging and covered her mouth with the sleeve of her jacket. "That's atrocious… what is that!"
"I don't know but it stinks!" Lucy exclaimed.
The three backed away from the smell and diverted into a different corridor. Approaching the end of the passage Fleur reached out and pulled them back. "It's here too. Come on, this way."
The girls backed away and dived into a nearby classroom. Hermione slammed the door shut and took in several big lungfuls of air. Turning around they examined the room. It was caked in dust from years of disuse. Tables and chair were stacked around the edges of the room leaving the centre empty. Lucy was checking her clothes to determine whether the smell had seeped in.
"What was that smell?" Hermione asked.
"I believe they're called dung bombs. They're banned at Beauxbatons but in regular use at Hogwarts to prank other students."
"That's a really gross way to prank someone," Hermione commented in disgust.
"Oui, but it's very popular…" Fleur replied.
As Fleur and Hermione talked Lucy walked away from them and peered out the window of the classroom. As she watched some of the students play in the snow below a rattling sound drew her attention. Glancing over at the locker in the nearby corner Lucy drew her wand and approached it.
Lucy's eyes widened as the locker burst open. "H-Harry?"
Harry stood in the entrance hall looking at the watch Jean and Apolline had given him for his sixteenth birthday. He was supposed to be meeting them after they finished their ancient runes class. As he hadn't taken it as an elective he had a free period at the end of Monday.
As he waited he spotted a Gryffindor seventh year walk down the grand staircase and stop. Harry had heard from some of the Ravenclaws he'd become friendly with that this was Neville Longbottom. It wasn't difficult to identify him given the brutal scar on his face. Harry couldn't help but wonder if he'd have ended up with that scar instead of Longbottom if he'd attended Hogwarts.
Harry tensed as Longbottom walked towards him. His steel blue eyes bore into Harry. It was a look of contempt and loathing. From what Harry had heard it wasn't without reason. Dumbledore had marked Longbottom as Harry's stand-in. A champion of light, albeit a reluctant one.
"Potter," Neville said as he stopped a few paces from Harry.
"Can I help you?"
"Weasley is going to play a prank on your girlfriends. Just thought you should know."
As Neville walked away, Harry called him back. "Why are you helping me?"
"Weasley's a prick. I like ruining his fun. Helping you is a unintended side effect."
"Thanks," Harry said as he ran off deeper into the castle.
"Did you really think you were anything more than a good shag? What? You thought I'd marry you. What a fucking joke."
"H-Harry, what are you saying?" Lucy asked fearfully.
"I'm dumping you, you dumb blonde bint. I can't stand you."
"Harry, stop…" Lucy mumbled through her tears. "Why are you being so mean?"
"Harry! What's wrong with you??" Hermione demanded rushing to wrap her arms around Lucy as she glared at her best friend.
Harry suddenly sunk to the floor and curled up in a ball as blood began pouring from his face. His clothes transformed from his Beauxbatons uniform into his quidditch robes. Hermione gasped and stepped back. "What? What is happening…?!"
Fleur raised her wand to cast a spell at 'Harry' when she was distracted by the door to the classroom bursting open. Harry stood panting at the entryway looking between Lucy, Hermione, and Fleur confused.
"What's going on?" Harry asked as he walked towards Lucy and Hermione.
"Arry, stop!" Fleur warned but it was too late. The form changed again, rising to its feet and morphing to a rotund man with a walrus moustache. He glared at Harry as the young man backed away shaking.
"Vernon… why…"
"Stupid boy! You can't escape, you can run away to France, but I will always haunt you. No one loves you, you're a freak. A good for nothing layabout like your parents! The world would have been better off if you'd died…"
"Ridikulous!" Fleur screamed angrily.
'Vernon's' clothes transformed into a tutu with a tiara on his head. Fleur stepped forward locking eyes with him and let out a loud. "HA!"
The creature withered and retreated back into the locker. The door slammed and Fleur hurriedly locked it before returning to Harry, Lucy, and Hermione who were sat together on the floor. "Are you three ok?"
"I… w-what was that?" Harry demanded.
"A boggart, a creature that feeds on fear by showing you what you're most afraid of," Hermione explained.
Harry nodded as he drew his legs up against him. "Yeah, I remember now… I… fuck… fuck…"
Someone falling over drew the four's attention. A laughing Ron Weasley scrambled to his feet staring gleefully at them. "That was so fucking funny!"
Ron ran out of the classroom before Fleur could hex him. Harry sighed and rubbed his face. "Don't worry about him, Fleur. I don't care what they think."
"Are you ok?" Hermione asked.
"Maybe… I used to be so scared of Vernon… I didn't think he'd affect me that badly."
"That's what a boggart does, Arry. If it wasn't your uncle, it would be something else. Right now, Ron Weasley's biggest fear should be me," Fleur said, tightening her grip on her wand.
"He's not worth it, Fleur," Harry assured her tiredly.
"Hmmm."
The next day the four friends were eating breakfast when a commotion at the entrance to the great hall drew their attention. Professor McGonagall levelled an unimpressed state as she held out her hand to Ron Weasley. "Your prefect badge, now, please."
"What did I do??" Ron demanded.
"Your prank endangered our guests and made two corridors uninhabitable for hours yesterday. Mister Flich had a long list of items still in need of cleaning with your name on it. I had a discussion with Professor Dumbledore last night and he agrees your actions are unbecoming of a prefect. You've been given plenty of chances to change your ways, but each time you've failed to show contrition for your actions. The staff have finally become fed up with your antics. Either give me your prefect badge now or I will take it from you."
Ron scowled as he slapped the badge into McGonagall's hand. "My father will hear about this."
As he returned to the Gryffindor table there were cheers around the hall. Ron sent a glare towards the Ravenclaw table as he loaded his plate with food. Harry threw a look over at Fleur. "Why do I think you had something to do with that?"
Fleur grinned. "I may have talked to Madam Maxime last night…"
24 February 1995
The second task was over and Fleur had emerged the winner once again. But to Harry that was secondary to how he'd felt staring at Black lake with no idea whether he'd ever see his best friends again. He felt a bit stupid now and regretted the lack of faith he'd shown in Madam Maxime.
Of course neither Fleur nor Hermione had been in danger. But that didn't invalidate how he'd felt. Which was why he'd isolated himself in his room rather than celebrating with everyone else in the main room of the carriage. Harry knew it was rude to sulk in his room, but he didn't feel like celebrating with so much on his mind.
Harry glanced up when he heard a soft knock on his door. Apolline gave Harry a kind smile as she entered his room and sat on his bed. "Your absence has been noted."
"Sorry, I… have a lot on my mind," Harry explained.
"Anything you want to talk about?" Apolline asked.
"Um, I… it's stupid."
Apolline shook her head. "Non, I don't accept that. If it's bothering, you so much you're staying in your room it's not stupid. Please, Arry, tell me?"
Lucy walked down the corridor towards Harry's room. He'd looked preoccupied since the second task, and disappeared after they arrived back at the carriage. She'd spotted Apolline leaving the party and excused herself to follow her. Lucy felt Hermione and Fleur lurking somewhere behind, but she didn't care, more concerned about Harry's well-being.
"Ok, I'll tell you," Lucy heard Harry say through a gap in the door.
"They didn't tell us before the task that the 'hostages' were perfectly safe under the water. I couldn't help but being scared."
"I noticed," Apolline commented.
"I was scared I'd never see them again. And then I thought about how I never got to tell them that I love them. Not as family or friends…"
Apolline smiled and nodded. "I know what you mean. What about Lucy?"
"I love her too. She's wonderful and she deserves someone who loves her and only her," Harry said bitterly.
"Are you going to break up with her?"
"I have a lot of thinking to do, I haven't decided anything yet. I don't want to hurt Lucy, that's the most important thing now. I love Fleur and Hermione but they're happy together and I'm not going to mess with that. I may end up alone…"
Apolline wrapped her arms around Harry and kissed him on the top of his head. "Non, that will not happen. You will never be alone, Arry. You're part of our family, we love you."
Harry smiled as he rested his head against Apolline. He may have been seventeen but sometimes he still needed his mum. Apolline may not have been his biological mother, but she'd been there for him since he was six. She'd always listened to his problems and helped him when she could. He knew he could trust her with his secrets and his fears. "Thank you."
"It's ok, Arry. I'll always be here when you need me. Will you be alright?"
"I think so. I still don't feel like partying. I don't want to bring down the tone so I'll stay here. I promise not to miss saying goodbye."
"I'm not leaving until tomorrow. Headmaster Dumbledore has requested a meeting with you, your guardian and Olympe for tomorrow. He has been hassling Olympe for months and since I'm here she's finally answered his request. I think she quite enjoyed ignoring his correspondence."
Harry sighed and shook his head. "I guess it had to happen eventually. The old bastard must be pulling his hair out trying to figure out how I ended up a student at a French magical school."
"I would imagine. Best behaviour tomorrow."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Yes, mum ."
As Apolline left Harry's room she felt the aura of her daughter, her daughter's girlfriend and Lucy hovering nearby. She pondered saying something but decided against it. As much as she wanted to step in and help them sort out their feelings, Apolline knew they had to do it themselves, no matter how much it hurt.
Hermione and Fleur sat in the latter's room after listening in on Harry and Apolline's chat. Lucy had disappeared to be alone. They would have gone to check on her, but two were dealing with their own conflicted feelings. Hermione took a shuddering breath and glanced over at her girlfriend. "Fleur, are you ok?"
Fleur opened and closed her mouth a couple of times, finally shaking her head. "Non, I'm not. I didn't… I didn't think he felt that way about me. Or… I was simply wilfully ignorant about it."
"How do you feel about him?"
"I… I don't know. I feel very confused right now."
"I understand," Hermione said quietly.
"What about you? You and Harry have always been close. He adores you, and you him."
"I won't deny hearing him say that, made butterflies flutter around in my stomach. But I'm with you, that's what matters."
"You wouldn't want to try dating Harry?" Fleur asked.
"If he and I were single? Yes. But we're both in relationships. I love you and I'm committed to making this work. Unless… you don't…"
"Non, non, that's not what I'm saying…"
"What are you saying, Fleur? All I want is some honesty."
"I'm sorry, Hermione. I need to think about things."
Hermione nodded and leaned in to kiss Fleur on the cheek. "Take your time, Fleur. I'll still be here."
Fleur smiled gently. "You're too good for me."
"I think the same about you."
Breakfast the next day was eaten in an awkward silence. All four friends had a lot on their minds and none of them wanted to talk about it with each other yet. As breakfast wrapped up Harry walked out into the entrance hall to meet Madam Maxime and Apolline.
Apolline softly caressed Harry's face running her thumb over his cheek. "You look tired."
Harry shrugged. "I didn't get a lot of sleep last night."
"Hm, shall we go upstairs?" Maxime asked.
The two nodded and followed the Beauxbatons headmistress to Dumbledore's office. Harry was thoroughly unimpressed as he entered. The room reflected its occupant, ostentatious and gaudy. The old man gave them one of his patented grandfatherly smiles. Harry was only able to detect a twinge of surprise on his face when Apolline entered with Harry.
"You are Mister Potter's guardian?" Dumbledore inquired.
"With my husband, yes," Apolline confirmed.
"Curious, I was of the understanding young Harry's relatives, Mister and Missus Dursley were his guardians," Dumbledore said.
"They were until they abandoned him in France when he was six," Apolline replied. She could feel Dumbledore probing her Occlumency barriers. He would find no gaps in the wall though. Being a Veela and the wife of the newly elected French Minister for Magic. It was doubly important to have strong Occlumency shields. Even a skilled legimens like Dumbledore would have to force his way through her barriers. He wouldn't try that in front of so many witnesses.
"Why would his loving relatives…"
Harry scoffed loudly drawing the attention of the adults in the room. "They were far from loving, headmaster."
"I'm sure you saw the punishments for any youthful transgressions…"
"They made me sleep in a cupboard under the stairs," Harry stated firmly.
The silence was deafening as the three adults stared at Harry. Apolline knew from reading the reports Jean had brought back before they adopted Harry. But this was the first time Olympe had heard about Harry's childhood. Her eyes narrowed as she looked from Harry to Apolline. "Is this true?"
"Yes. Harry was a slave. He cooked, cleaned, and tended the garden. He was malnourished and wore rags when we took him in. Those people were no fit guardians for a child. If he hadn't been taken out of that environment when he was there was a good chance of Harry becoming an obscurus."
"A what?" Harry asked noticing how pale Dumbledore had gotten.
"An obscurus is a parasite that can attach itself to a persons magical core. It develops when a persons magic turns inward and is triggered by severe psychological trauma. The carrier has no control over how the parasite will manifest. But the effects can be devastating and destructive. No recorded obscurus has lived into their teenage years," Dumbledore explained his voice low and pained.
"I could have…?" Harry asked his voice dropping away as the idea began weighing on him.
"Maybe, I only suggest it as a possibility and to convey the seriousness of the abuse Harry was suffering," Apolline explained turning to Dumbledore. "This wasn't being sent to his room for getting in a playground scuffle. This was abuse."
"Y-yes… I… I see that now," Dumbledore said quietly clearly caught up in something other than the meeting in front of him.
"If that's all headmaster? My student needs to return to his studies," Maxime stated,
"Hm? Oh, actually, there is one last thing," Dumbledore said, he shuffled some papers around on his desk to give himself time to compose himself. "Arthur Weasley has requested a meeting with Mister Potter to discuss the future of the Black family."
Harry blinked and stared at Dumbledore confused. "I don't understand, the who? Why would I care about that?"
"Harry, are you aware of your families standing in magical Britain?" Dumbledore asked.
"I read some things about the sacred twenty eight at school and the Potter's role in it. But I've never thought much about it beyond that."
Dumbledore nodded. "I see, in addition to being heir to the Potter lordship, you were also made heir to the Black family fortune by your Godfather Sirius before he was murdered. I regret that Hagrid was unable to stop him from pursuing the man who betrayed your parents. The Black family is one of the oldest and most prestigious in the country. It has only recently come to light that you are the last remaining legitimate heir to their house and fortune."
"If Arry is the last rightful heir, why does he need to speak to this Arthur Weasley?" Apolline asked.
"Ah, yes. The story is too long to tell today. However due to a disastrous incident in nineteen ninety the Weasley family was granted all the land, fortune and titles belonging to the Malfoy family. They were the stewards of the Black family fortune at the time and since then that duty has been carried on by Arthur."
"Would that be the Basilisk incident?" Apolline inquired.
"H-how…" Dumbledore began but paused. "Right, your husband was in the running to replace me when I was dismissed as Chief Mugwump. No doubt he would have been told why."
"Oui, you let a Basilisk roam this school for a year and in the end a child's life was cruelly taken. Did your government really think money and land would be any kind of compensation for a family that lost a child?" Apolline hissed.
Dumbledore took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. "No madam, it is not. Arthur and his family are dear friends. I held that girl as a baby. No amount of compensation is sufficient. Nothing will replace that darling child. However nothing can ever bring that precious life back. The man who unleashed that evil on this school is in prison and he will never be free again. All I ask is that you meet with him to discuss it."
Apolline glanced at Harry who nodded. "Very well, please inform mister Weasley that he can send me an owl and I will arrange the meeting with him from there."
"You're more than welcome to use my office," Dumbledore offered.
"No," Harry said flatly.
"Excuse me?" Dumbledore asked.
"My personal life is none of your business headmaster. I came because I was asked by my guardian and headmistress. This is none of your business no matter who you're friends with. Kindly stay out of my private life."
"I believe that is the final word on the subject. Good day, headmaster," Apolline said shortly before all three rose and left without another word to Dumbledore.
As the three walked back to the entrance hall Harry began speaking to Apolline in French. "Can Jean be here for this meeting?"
"It can be arranged. Why, what's wrong?" Apolline asked. It was rare Harry requested help from her husband, he was very conscious of how busy Jean was. Despite many assurances from them both that he would happily drop everything to help his adopted son.
"Fleur, Hermione, Lucy, and I have interacted with Lord Weasley's son, Ron. He is an unrepentant misogynistic prick. I'm worried his father will be the same way and completely ignore anything you have to say."
"Jean will be there," Apolline assured Harry.
"Thank you," Harry replied with a smile.
"Are you sure you're going to be alright, Arry? I can postpone returning to France for a few days so we can talk more," Apolline suggested as they exited the castle.
Harry shook his head. "This is something I need to figure out on my own. I'm… I don't know. It's stupid but I want everyone to end up happy."
"Including you?"
Harry gave Apolline a weak smile. "That would be nice. But I'd settle for Lucy, Hermione, and Fleur being happy. I think I've used up all the universes good will for one lifetime."
Apolline stepped forward to try and fix Harry's unruly hair. "You're silly sometimes, Arry."