Chapter 9

Harry's training had begun practically as soon as he arrived back at Hogwarts. The sun was just starting to break the sky when he met his brother and the two set about conducting their daily training. It went better than the previous day, and Harry had few critical words for his brother. Part of this was likely due to his sleep deprivation, but he chose not to dwell on the weakness of sleep.

As the two were walking back up to the castle, the feeling of not sleeping for over twenty four hours hit Harry regardless of his feelings on the matter. He was used to the lack of sleep though, and summoned a pepperup potion from the Mokeskin pouch that Sirius had given him for his 16th birthday. Uncorking the vial, he downed the contents eagerly allowing his energy to return temporarily.

Justin had noticed Harry's fatigue during training and finally asked, "Up all night working on the map?"

"And more, yes. I have discovered the first task." Harry said patiently.

Justin nearly stumbled over his own feet, "Seriously? When I joked about you not figuring out the task over the first night I wasn't being serious. How did you find out? What is it?"

Harry looked across the grounds, and confirmed the boys were still alone this early. He looked towards the Beauxbatons carriage in the distance and saw a few girls out trading spells, but they were far enough that there was no way they would hear him, "I told you I had friends at the Ministry. Now don't freak out, because I have already started on a plan. Promise me you won't freak out."

The two were stopped now looking at each other, and he could feel his brother's nervous anticipation, "I'll be calm, just tell me!"

Harry sighed, "Dragons, it's the first task."

Justin looked at his brother in shock, "No, it can't be. Even the Ministry wouldn't be stupid enough to pair up barely of age wizards with dragons."

"We don't have to defeat it. Just take something from its nest. For you, we are going to stick to your strengths. You are an amazing precision flier, so we will get your broom to you, and I will have you blind it from the air. Now a blind dragon is a pissed-off dragon, but I think with your speed, and its inability to see, you will be able to complete the task. We will practice a few strategies to make sure you have some good backup plans, but all things considered I am not worried about your ability to survive the task." Harry said calmly.

This seemed to allow the normal oxygen and color to return to Justin as he took a deep breath, "Alright, Harry. I trust you. What's your plan going to be?"

Harry grinned at the boy, "You will just have to wait and see. Just make sure you get out and see it, because I am going for some showmanship on this one. I may tell you as we get closer, but I have to make sure I can execute what I am thinking."

Justin nodded, "Alright, Harry. Thanks for telling me."

Harry threw his arm around his brother, "Gotta keep my little protege alive after all, right?"

"Speaking of being kept alive, how do you think you will fair with a 'date' from a French Veela this afternoon?" The boy asked cheekily.

"I already saved her life, so I think I would have to botch it pretty badly to make too much of an arse of myself. Plus, with the both of us being able to control ourselves around her allure, you might even make a good matchup for her little sister. Should Susan be worried?" Harry turned his jibe back on him.

Justin grinned and put his hands on his own chest making an obnoxious gesture of breast size, "Harry, have you seen my girlfriend? She has nothing to be worried about."

Harry stared at his brother for a moment, and the ridiculous look on his face along with his gesture he was making at his own chest caused the young man to burst out laughing. Justin quickly followed suit, and it felt good to just let go. Harry felt the tears build up in his eyes from laughing so hard, and he shook his head unable to contain himself from being highly amused and extremely exasperated by his brother's boob joke. Harry thanked whoever was above that his brother was getting old enough for adult humor, and just couldn't wait to tell Padfoot about the historic moment of realizing his brother was growing up.

The two separated with their usual fist bump, and a promise to meet up tomorrow for sure if they didn't run into each other again throughout the day. Harry had a date to prepare for, however, and went upstairs to shower and change.

Attempting to enjoy the cool Sunday afternoon, Harry put on comfortable clothes including dark denim jeans, a black t-shirt with the Ravenclaw insignia on it, followed by a zip up dark jacket. He put on his tennis shoes to be able to walk around the castle comfortably, and finished the look by spiking the front of his hair up with his grandfather's old Sleekeazy's Hair Potion.

He gave himself a once-over in the mirror, and went down to the Ravenclaw Common Room where he saw Penny glance up at him upon his entrance. She looked him up and down, "You look nice, Harry. I don't suppose you got this dressed up for me?"

Harry grinned at the girl, "You know, as basically my best friend, you could ask for me to dress up for you anytime. I may deny it, but you could always entice me now that Weasley isn't in the picture."

The girl rolled her eyes at his wink, "Stop playing, Harry."

He could tell the girl was blushing slightly, and now looked down with a worried look on her face. Harry sat across from her, "What is it?"

"I am just worried about you. First Peter Pettigrew, then the Quidditch World Cup, and now this. That doesn't even begin to cover the other dangerous situations you have found your way into in your other years. I stayed up last night researching the previous tournaments, and it seems like a magical beast is likely to be involved in the first task."

Harry said nothing about this, and instead placed a hand on hers, "I really appreciate that you care, Penny, but you don't have to worry about me. Let's just focus on our NEWT's and I will handle the tournament as the tasks begin to appear.

"You aren't going to live to take your NEWTs if you don't take this tournament seriously." Penny said, evenly trying to compose herself.

"Do you really believe they are going to bring something more powerful than the basilisk?" Harry asked, raising an eyebrow.

This caught the girl off guard, and she shook her head after thinking for a moment, "No, I don't think there are many creatures that could even compete with a basilisk."

Harry closed his book shut dramatically then said, "Well then there you have it. I survived my encounter with Slytherin's Monster at fifteen. I think I can handle whatever the Ministry is purposefully going to throw at some barely legal adults."

The girl was clearly searching for a counter argument, but when she found none she sighed, "Fine. So are you really still revising for your NEWTs? I could help you?"

Pinching the bridge of his nose slightly the young man said calmly, "Penny, I really appreciate your concern, but it is all going fine. I am practically done revising and the tests are still 7 months away. That will give me lots of time to finish some of my inventions and prepare for the tasks. I promise I have everything under control. If you need help, however, I would be happy to help you."

The girl said nothing, so Harry eased her some more, "It will all be fine. I promised Fleur I would show her around the castle though, so I will see you later in the evening."

As Harry began to walk towards the exit Penny called out, "Just be careful out there, Harry."

"I always am." He called back cheekily.

The descent towards the Great Entrance Hall was about as arduous as usual. The stares were probably more frequent than Harry would have liked, but he ignored them as best he could.

After several minutes of traversing through the castle and grounds, he made his way to the Beauxbatons carriage to see that two young men were dueling with Aimee Beaucart in a two on one standoff. The girl was keeping both boys back with relative ease, and after only a few short moments she had one disarmed, and the other stunned. It looked impressive, but Harry was unsure how skilled the two she had been dueling with were.

It didn't take long for Aimee to notice Harry and she waved him over as she revived her friends, and handed back their wands, "Arry. This is a pleasant surprise. What can Beauxbatons second champion do for you?"

Seeing the boy shuffling his feet a little, she smiled wider, "You did come to see moi didn't you, 'Arry?"

Before Harry could stick his foot in his mouth, a familiar girl's voice came from behind him, "Don't let her wind you up, 'Arry, she is a terrible flirt, and only wanted to get a reaction."

Harry turned to see Fleur in a similar outfit to his own. The jeans hugged her body nicely, though they were several shades lighter than his own. Her white long sleeved shirt was skin tight as well, but he could hardly see the girl's curves over the zip-up jacket hoodie she was wearing, "I 'ate your weather. It was beautiful this morning, and now I can sense the rain coming. It is like having a schizophrenic mother nature."

Harry gave the girl a small smile, "Unfortunately, you get used to it. My family lives in southwest England, so our weather is much easier to predict as well. It's either raining or beautiful."

Fleur walked over, standing closer to him than was likely necessary, "I hope that is the first of many facts I learn about you today, 'Arry Potter."

Harry noticed Aimee rolling her eyes, and said, "If you get tired of Blondie here, feel free to come back and visit me. My cabin is the third door on the left from the main entrance. Stop by any time."

It was Fleur's turn to roll her eyes as the other girl sauntered her way back towards the carriage. Harry asked, "Didn't you say that was your best friend?"

"Oui, I did, and she is. She just loves to rile me up, and tries to get boys to look at her. She is quite beautiful, non?" Fleur asked challengingly.

"Oh yes, very. I guess the interaction is just different than what I would usually see between two beautiful girls." Harry said smoothly.

"I thank you for the compliment, Monsieur. May we begin our tour?"

"Of course my lady." Harry offered his arm, and immediately began pointing things out nearby once she took it.

Harry pointed out the black lake, the forbidden forest, and told her of creatures that lived in both areas. He then went on to tell her about Hagrid's pumpkin patch, and some of the creatures he has brought in for classes, intentionally or otherwise. They then made it up to the courtyard that led to the grand entrance hall, and he continued pointing out things to her.

When they entered the castle she said, "It is odd. I have never had to wonder who the crowd is looking at when I pass through it."

"If they are wasting their time looking at me when I have someone as beautiful as you beside me, Ms Delacour, then the sheep of this castle are stupider than even I would've guessed."

The girl laughed and pulled his arm tighter, "You must be the pride of your country, 'Arry. Your manners would make even my maman blush. I have to say it is a pleasant feeling to be looked at for something other than being part Veela."

"Well, I hope you don't mind being led around by a murderer. Your reputation here in Britain shrinks with every step you take while walking with me." The young man joked.

"Silly Englishmen mistake heroics for the Dark Arts. You wouldn't be the first wizard in this country's history to be treated this way. I care little for how people think about me in this country though. You have nothing to fear." The girl said calmly.

Harry nodded, and dropped the topic, continuing to show her around the castle. He showed her the library on the third floor, and gave a brief history of each of the houses, and their founder. As he walked her by the headmasters office, Dumbledore passed the two of them, greeting them happily with a bright twinkle in his eye, "Ms Delacour, Mr Potter, it is a sight for these old eyes to see the strength of international cooperation being brought into play so soundly. Is there anything I can do for the two of you?"

Harry gave the man a slight bow with his head, "No, headmaster. Ms Delacour just asked for a tour of the castle, and I offered her my services."

"Splendid. I will see you both at the weighing of the wands in a few days." The man offered a slight bow to the two and departed the area.

Fleur let out a deep breath, "His presence is extremely powerful."

Harry rolled his eyes thinking he found another Dumbledore worshiper, "His power is certainly unquestionable, but the deeds he has done with it, and the influence that it has given him certainly is."

Fleur seemed puzzled by this as the two walked down the hall, "What do you mean?"

Harry shrugged, "The man wears a lot of hats. Supreme Mugwump, Chief Warlock, and Hogwarts Headmaster to name only a few. It makes it hard to believe someone could do justice to those three jobs effectively without being driven mad, or letting some things fall into the cracks."

Harry could tell Fleur was baiting him with her next words, "Well, some would call him the greatest wizard of the age."

"Yes, they might, and they would also be wrong. Most influential, perhaps, but greatest? No." Harry said with a bit of finality.

It was clear Fleur wanted to push this topic deeper, but he asked instead, "How is your sister? Is she recovering mentally from the World Cup?"

"Oh yes. My leetle sister is made of much sterner stuff mentally. A part of her Veela magic allows her to mature, and come to understand more difficult topics in our world a little easier than most. She is quite smitten with you. She wanted to thank you about a thousand times when we were all at the Ministry, but I was afraid she might start humping your leg if we let her go."

"More mature mentally, but might hump my leg?" Harry asked with a chuckle.

"It's a Veela thing. Controlling emotional turmoil is one thing we do better than most at a young age. Handling hormones is a completely different story." She said with a smile on her face that shined with affection for her little sister.

The chuckles continued for a moment and she continued, "You are unlike any person I have ever met."

This caught Harry by surprise, so he stopped and turned to look at her, "Is that a compliment?"

"It is. I have mentioned three things about being Veela or part-Veela today, and you haven't pushed the topic to learn what most men are always so curious about. It is a breath of fresh air as I believe the English saying goes"

"Do you want me to ask about your Veela heritage?" Harry asked carefully.

"I don't know...I've never had to wonder what it would be like if someone never asked or never knew. Here, I find myself alone with a boy in an abandoned hallway, on a rainy day, and he hasn't once pushed the table to try and become intimate with me, or take advantage of me in some way. It is a very unique experience. You haven't as much as attempted to hold my hand. Is my passive allure so nonexistent to you?" Fleur asked curiously.

"Oh, I feel it. I can also tell at times you have tried to hit me with a bit more than usual when fewer people were around." This caused the girl to blush, but she didn't deny the accusation, "Would it make you feel better if I told you that I have resisted multiple Veela at once?"

This made the girl's eyes widen, "That does make sense..."

Surprising Harry considerably, the girl grabbed him by the front of his shirt, and placed a soft kiss on his lips. His combat instinct almost had him put the girl on the ground, but the kiss shocked him so much he barely responded at all. The girl nodded with approval, "So not marked by one of my own. I was starting to wonder, and then when you said you had met other Veela..."

She let go of his shirt, now looking a little embarrassed. Harry, for his part however fought back the laughter, "You thought I was marked by a full or half-Veela so you decided to kiss me to see if you could sense them?"

The girl looked impressed, "You are certainly well rehearsed in Veela tradition. Where did you meet the others of my heritage?"

"Honestly, a friend of a friend. I have met several half, and full Veela in my lifetime. This friend I have is well-connected, and many have sought his company because he is a seer." Harry explained half honestly.

"A true seer? Oui? There have only been a few born in the last century." Fleur asked in surprise.

"Yes. His visions are very powerful."

"I would love to meet this friend." Fleur said, looking very interested.

"That would be a very interesting day. He is a very private individual. Though perhaps if you can gain my trust through the year I will ask him and let him decide. He trusts my judgment."

"That is a very powerful friend to have."

"More than you can imagine." Harry said ominously, and the girl looked at him with a look that indicated she was still trying to unravel a mystery.

(A/N) Another chapter for the books, and a long interaction between Harry and Fleur. If you want to read through Chapter 12 today you can join me on Discord at the Hunters Lounge. You can look up my name OrionB15 to join or, you can try and follow the link listed below. We are getting super close to 500 members, and I have even started a small little blog journal, for those who might be more interested in getting to know me, and how I do my writing, and how I get my ideas. Until next time I will see all you guys on May 3rd. Cheers!

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