Chapter 23 - FamilyHarry slowly swam into consciousness with strange breathing sounds and a wet right ear. Considering it for a second, he decided someone was nibbling on his ear. Opening his eyes slowly, he saw Ginny's hair partially in his face.
"'Morning Harry," she breathed directly into his ear, which tickled enough he almost squirmed. Instead, he moved his head to try and get away.
"Time to get up, you slacker," she teased.
"What?" he murmured.
"We haven't done any exercises for several days. I talked to Apolline and she showed me a room we can use and leave all of our stuff set up." Ginny moved the covers enough for her to climb out.
Harry was of two minds about getting up. Most obviously he was warm and comfortable, despite Gabi half laying on him and his left arm being half numb from Hermione laying on it. However, he also knew that exercises did not do themselves and he liked the results of his workouts, as did the girls. They had told him they like his developing muscles, but he liked the power and stamina they gave him when he dueled or had to pick something - or someone - up. "What about them?" he whispered and nodded at the two girls on his left.
"Gabi may join us and Hermione can do what she wants," Ginny casually whispered back. When Harry still did not move, she said, "If you don't come then I'll have to go exercise in my new outfit alone."
"New outfit?" he said softly, almost squeaking while wondering what it might look like.
"Yep," she said with a knowing smile. "Emma gave it to me at Christmas, but I've been waiting for a good time to wear it, as I have enough outfits normally."
Harry lifted his head and looked at the other two girls and started trying to extract himself.
"Stay here, Harry," Hermione sleepily told him.
That was one, he thought with a smile as he pulled his left arm out. He shook the little blonde's shoulder gently. "Gabi, I need to get up." When she only clutched him tighter, he chuckled and carefully rolled her towards Hermione.
With blonde hair going everywhere, Gabrielle looked up at the window and then at him sleepily. «It is early still.»
«Ginny and I are going to exercise. You can come if you want.»
Gabrielle brightened and became completely awake as she brushed the hair out of her face. «What do I wear?»
Ginny chuckled at having another convert. «Come with me and I'll let you wear one of my old outfits. Harry, bring your weights.» She held out her hand and Gabrielle scampered out of bed and grabbed Ginny's hand, leaving the room with the redhead.
Harry crawled out now. "You need to get up, too," he told the last girl.
"I think I'll get an extra hour of sleep," Hermione told him sleepily and with a yawn.
He looked at her and tried to figure out how he was going to change. "Roll over and face the wall," he finally said, deciding that was good enough for now. He was not going to be naked.
Hermione rolled her eyes at him but turned over.
Satisfied, Harry found his work-out clothes. With a quick glance to make sure Hermione was still looking the other way, he turned his back to her as he stripped down to just his boxers and put his shorts and a T-shirt on. Finding some socks, he turned back to the bed to sit on it and saw Hermione's eyes watching him.
"Did you enjoy that?" he asked softly as he put his socks on.
"Yes," she murmured.
"Do I get to do the same to you?"
After a moment, Hermione answered softly. "One day not too far from now … maybe Christmas, maybe sooner."
"Christmas?" He mock-glared at her. "That's almost a year from now."
"Only about ten months," she corrected him automatically.
"Still…"
"I didn't see any more than what you'd show at the beach in a swim suit," she pointed out. "If you see me in my knickers and a bra, it would be a little more revealing and I don't want to go too fast. I'm afraid we'd get too intimate too quickly."
Harry grabbed his shoes and started putting them on while he considered that. "You do have a point. So swim suits will be the limit for now?"
"I think it would be best. What about you?"
"I suppose that will work." He stood and looked at her. "To be honest, I'm not sure what I want. I know I don't want to take advantage of any of you as I don't want to hurt anyone, and yet I'm feeling…" He paused and blushed before he said hurriedly, "I have feelings wanting to go forward. My body and my mind aren't quite on the same page, I think."
Hermione softly chuckled. "From what I've read, that's normal for a fourteen-almost-fifteen year old boy - especially with a fifteen-almost-sixteen year old girl."
There was a knock on the door and Gabrielle stuck her head in. "Come."
With a sweet smile, Hermione waved him on. When she was alone, she closed her eyes and let out a satisfied sigh. She let herself drift back to sleep for a short time fantasizing about what it could be like when they were two years older.
«Where's Ginny?» Harry asked as Gabrielle led him towards the classrooms.
"Waiting."
Harry looked at the girl dressed in one of Ginny's old exercise outfits. It was only a little loose on her since it was spandex. It was the usual style with full legs or pants, and the top covered the whole body like a one-piece swimsuit.
Soon, they arrived at the room next to their classroom. As soon as he walked in he stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes going wide. Instead of her normal outfit in the style Gabrielle was wearing, Ginny was there wearing a pale yellow two piece outfit. The top was basically just an exercise bra and the bottoms were spandex shorts stopping just above the knee, leaving a lot of stomach showing.
«I guess you like it?» Ginny asked with a smirk as she started to stretch.
"Yeah…" He never realized he had slipped back into English.
«This only works for me because I'm small on top.» She grinned before she said, «I will have to give Emma a hug for this. Gabi, come over here and let me show you how to stretch so you don't hurt yourself. I've conjured a extra step for you for you to use until we can get you a real one.»
Harry shook himself out of his daze and set his shrunken weight set down before he started stretching too, being extra careful to look away from Ginny for the moment. He really needed to get all of himself back under control. As he stretched, he considered his thoughts about Gin and re-evaluated them slightly. Gin was not the prettiest girl he had ever seen when he thought only about her looks, but she was definitely cute in her own way and attractive. If he was honest with himself, he had to admit that what he liked most about her was her playful approach to life while still being smart. Her personality made the rest of her shine. However when he saw her like this, he would also say she was growing into a very attractive body - one that his teenage male body could not help but admire.
Ginny turned on the music and showed Gabrielle how to use the steps as they started their cardio exercise. During this time, Harry could not help but sneak peeks at Ginny and at Gabrielle also. Gabrielle was still young and physically uninteresting at the moment, although he did recognize her potential based on her sister and mother. Ginny's movements, however, were poetry in motion he thought.
Harry was surprised when Ginny turned the music off, he was so lost in his own thoughts. Coming back to the present, he helped Ginny show Gabrielle how to do push-ups and other exercises for strength. He noticed that Ginny had already canceled the shrinking spell on their small weight set and he started on that. Ginny and Gabrielle joined him a few minutes later.
By the time they were done, all of them were sweaty and tired, but it was a good feeling.
«This will make me like you … so Harry will look at me the same way?» Gabrielle asked Ginny.
Ginny blushed and gave Harry a sly look as she gave the girl a one-armed hug. «It will help. Come, we need to shower before breakfast.» She gave him another quick look over her shoulder before she walked Gabrielle out, an impish grin firmly in place.
Harry groaned softly to himself before he headed towards his room. He was going to be in so much trouble in a few years. Having three pretty girls was probably every teenage boy's dream, but he was starting to realize what that really meant and he was not so sure it was as great as the dream. How was he to keep three girls happy?
Saturday morning, Harry was feeling very nervous. "Grand-ma-ma" and "Grand-pa-pa" were due to arrive soon. He ate breakfast and did his best not to worry, which seemed like a lost cause.
Jean-Aimé came into the room with a small parcel in his hand. «Good-morning!» he called out in a chipper mood. Everyone returned the greeting.
«Harry, I'll give this to you, even though I suspect it's for all of you,» he said as he handed the small box over. «I have checked and it is safe, there are no charms or curses on the contents.»
Harry saw his name on the outside and opened it, ignoring his breakfast and worries for the moment. Inside, he found a number of letters. With a grin, Harry read out loud a small parchment laid on top. "Harry, here's some letters that were sent to me for you and the girls. I'll do this once or twice a week, depending on how many I get. Sirius." He dug in and pulled out several bundles.
Hermione received a couple of letters. Ginny received nearly a half dozen. Harry's stack looked to have nearly twenty. He also found one for Gabrielle.
"Fleur wrote," Gabrielle said excitedly.
«Mine are from my parents and Luna,» Hermione said, surprised at the second.
«Mine are from Luna and most of my family,» Ginny said as she looked hers over.
«I have one from Neville, Sirius, Remus, Mum and Dad, and I don't recognize any of the rest,» Harry said as he flipped through them.
Jean-Aimé looked at his wife in amusement, a look that was returned. All the children ate quietly as they started reading through the letters.
A few minutes later, the alarm on the Floo warned that someone friendly had come through. «Make yourself presentable and come into the living room,» Apolline directed them all. «You can leave your letters here at the table.»
Harry hurriedly wiped his mouth with his napkin and then tried to smooth his hair down.
Gabrielle giggled at him and held her hand out to him. "Come."
He took a deep breath and walked with her, after Jean-Aimé and Apolline. Hermione and Ginny came last.
In the living stood a woman of stunning beauty and who actually looked old enough to be Fleur's mother. Next to her was a tall well-built man with sandy colored hair that was starting to gray at the temples. He looked to be in his late fifties, while she looked to be in her late thirties - or so Harry thought.
«Pa-Pa,» Apolline said and hurried over to give the tall man a hug. She then turned and gave her mother a hug as well. «I'm glad you could come.»
«Considering how you asked the most unusual questions the last time we talked, and also said that we had to come, how could we not?»
«Jean-Aimé.»
«Henri.» Jean-Aimé Delacour cordially shook hands with the older man.
Apolline turned and pulled her parents forward. Before she could introduce anyone, her mother surprised her.
«Gabrielle, my little angel, who is holding your hand?» She was giving Harry a very intense look, measuring everything about him.
«Mother, this is … well, we'll explain in a moment … but this is Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ginevra Potter. This is my father and mother, Henri and Sabine Morel.»
«Gabrielle?» Henri Morel knelt down on one knee and held his arms out and caught the little girl in a hug when she ran over. He passed the girl to his wife and then stood. After giving Harry a mental measure, he held out his hand. «Mr Potter.»
«It is nice to meet you, Mr Morel.» Harry's nervousness took that moment to return in full force.
As he turned to the man's wife, he felt a force he was familiar with, but the strength of it was unexpected it - he almost took a step backwards from its power.
«Mr Potter.»
«Mother!»
«Hush, my child.» The Veela turned back to Harry. «Since you were holding my granddaughter's hand, do you feel you are worthy of her?»
Harry pushed the Veela allure away with difficulty. He guessed it was so strong because she was right in front of him and she was a full Veela. «No, Mrs Morel. I doubt there is anyone worthy enough for Gabrielle, but I shall try anyway.» After a few more seconds, he felt the allure reduce to a minimal level.
«At least you have resistance and some wit,» she said neutrally. «I suppose we shall have to see how well you might work out.»
«Mother, you are being rude,» Apolline said with some embarrassment.
«Perhaps, my daughter, but it is best get rid of the bad ones quickly,» Sabine answered with no hint of apology in her voice.
Apolline looked at her father, but he only gave a slightly embarrassed smile and a helpless shrug. «Have a seat; we have much to discuss.»
Harry sat in the middle of the large sofa, with Hermione on his left, Gabrielle on his right, and Ginny on the far right, and all of them touching at the hips they were sitting so closely. Sabine raised a perfectly manicured eyebrow at her daughter.
«Harry, I believe you should go first, then the rest of you in order,» Apolline suggested.
"I have protected this knowledge with a charm, and I can only say it in English. Do you understand?" he asked.
"Perfectly. You are from England," she said, pointing out her understanding of the obvious.
"All three of us are," he said, including Hermione and Ginny with a wave. He looked at Henri and the man nodded.
"Very well." Harry took a deep breath and wished with all of his heart that this worked out. "Harry James Potter is bonded to several witches by the special power known as a Rescue Bond. The bond was created when he saved an unattached witch from dying. Because of this bond, they are my magical wives for the rest of our lives and I will protect them from all others not of our bond."
Sabine gasped and sat up very straight, her hand going to her robes, although she did nothing else for a moment. «You are serious? You have the power of the Rescue Bond?»
Harry felt uneasy with her reaction and slowly started to move his hand towards his side pocket.
«Please wait mother. Hermione?»
"Mine is in English, too. Hermione Jean is magically bonded to Harry James Potter and is his magical wife. They are bound by magic and by love, never to be magically separated. They share magic, knowledge of the other, and will protect each other against all others not of the bond."
Ginny did not hesitate and shared her secret. "Ginevra is magically bonded to Harry James Potter and is his magical wife. They are bound by magic and by love, never to be magically separated as long as they live. They share magic, knowledge of the other, and will protect each other against all others not of the bond."
As everyone looked at Gabrielle, Ginny whispered to her so she could say, "I, Gabrielle Laure, am magically bonded to Harry James Potter and I am his magical wife. We share magic, knowledge of the other, and will protect each other against all others not of the bond."
«NO! It can't be! Not in my family!» Sabine shouted angrily. Her hand came out of her robes and a fireball started to form in her hand.
Harry's hand shot forward, his wand in his hand. "Protego!" he shouted excitedly before Sabine could cast her fire. Hermione also cast a shield. Ginny flicked her wand to the side and an ottoman jumped up in the air between Harry and the Veela grandmother. Gabrielle simply moved to stand in front of Harry.
Apolline jumped to her feet and stepped forward so she was between her mother and Gabrielle. «Mother, stop!»
Henri reached over and grabbed his wife's arm. The fireball flickered out and he looked relieved.
Sabine glared at her husband and then at her daughter. «Three of them, including your youngest daughter, Apolline,» she said with disappointment dripping in her tone.
«He did not know what it was! And furthermore, if he had not saved them, then all three of them would be dead - including Gabrielle.» Apolline stared at her mother and kept her silent. «I know the Veela have not always had good examples of men with this power, but a few have been recorded in history as good and honorable. Harry has been another good example, and I have not even the smallest reason to complain. I have only known him for a little more than a week, but he is a kind young man and I can not imagine anyone better for my daughter.»
Since it looked like they were safe for the moment, Harry dropped his shield, but kept his wand in hand even if it was directed at the floor. Hermione followed his example. Ginny put the ottoman back, her wand also staying out. Gabrielle move back to her place slowly, looking at her grandmother a little differently now.
When her mother still said nothing, Apolline turned to the children. «This does not excuse my mother, but you must understand that the last documented case of this power was a little under a hundred years ago. At that time, an unsavory wizard found he had the Rescuer Bonding power as he traveled through France, near a Veela colony, and bonded a young Veela - about Gabrielle's age. Once he understood this, he created perilous situations for other unsuspecting young Veela and bonded them as well. The story also ends badly, as his … greed, caused him to continue until he had bonded six Veela. The sixth one was a fully mature Veela, and she killed him when she transformed during their first mating. While the six mates did not die, they were never fully sane again.»
Harry felt sick upon hearing that. Looking around he could see that his bond-mates looked like they felt the same way. Jean-Aimé and Henri did not look much better, and Harry thought that they probably had not heard that particular story before.
«Do not worry, Harry,» Apolline said gently. «The problems are avoidable and we will help you. All of you should have long and wonderful lives.»
He nodded gratefully. Then another thought occurred to him. "But what about - you know…"
«Yes, we'll get to that in a moment.» Apolline turned to her mother. «I believe you have something very important to say to Harry and his bond-mates … mother!» She glared at the older Veela.
Sabine looked very uncomfortable. She looked at her husband.
«You caused the offense. You must make it right,» he said in his deep voice, brooking no argument.
Sabine cleared her throat before finally looking directly at Harry. «I apologize for my rudeness and reactions. As Apolline explained, we Veela have not had good experiences with this magical power and that … makes me biased. I ask your forgiveness and I promise I will do my best to keep an open mind. You are now family and I should act accordingly.»
Harry looked at his girls and received three nods. «We accept your apology.»
«A good choice, Sabine,» Jean-Aimé remarked dryly. «Harry has single-handedly defeated a Mountain Troll, a Basilisk, and an Hungarian-Horntailed Dragon.»
While Sabine gave her son-in-law a glare for him reminding her of her mistake, Henri chuckled, fully understanding that the statement that Harry was a power to reckoned with.
Apolline relaxed and backed into her seat. «Now that we all understand that we are family,» she flicked a glance at her mother, who sat passively and looked a little embarrassed now, «we have a problem we need to solve. This last week, I was teaching Gabrielle to get to know her magic and to learn to control her Veela powers. During this time, she found a magical connection to her bond-mate.»
Sabine started to look intrigued at this, as did her husband.
«I have not heard of this before, but then I've never met a bonded Veela before either.» Apolline gave her mother an inquisitive look.
«I can not say I have either. I would have to research it at the colony,» the woman said softly.
«I did a quick search the other day and did not find anything like this. However, here is where it gets very strange. Gabrielle felt her bond with Harry and found it to be good. But she also felt a sliver of revulsion too - something that was not Harry yet somehow inside Harry.» When no answer was given, she added, «Then I did the bond detection spell and found something I could not explain.»
Sabine continued to look thoughtful. «I assume you would like me to do that as well?»
«It would be helpful to confirm my findings and be a good starting point to determine what to do,» Apolline replied.
Sabine stood and slowly pulled out her wand.
Apolline motioned everyone up. She positioned Harry and the girls in a semi-circle in front of him. When her mother stood in front of Harry, she smiled and moved her to the side next to Gabrielle. «You'll understand in a moment.» She walked over and stood behind Hermione and Ginny. «Now, Mother.»
Harry lifted his wand and pointed it at the older woman's feet, while trying to put on a brave front. The girls were eyeing the woman carefully as well, wands still in hand.
Sabine bowed her head. «I probably deserve that. Again, I am sorry for my reaction earlier. I promise on my honor that I will only cast the bond detection spell.»
He considered it for a moment before nodding and lowering his wand to point it at the floor. The girls followed his example of lowering their wands but keeping them out.
Sabine slowly raised her wand, then with a deft flick of her hand, she cast the bond detection charm. Thick light blue beams shot out from Harry's body to each of the three girls, and a thin black beam shot out of his forehead through the empty space in front of him and out the window. She gasped and ended the charm.
Walking over to Harry slowly, she tentatively raised her hand to give him time to stop her. When he did not, she gently swept his hair to the side and looked at the scar on his forehead. «I had heard the story, but to see it…» Sabine sighed and looked a little disappointed for a moment. «I have made another error and I am afraid I owe you another apology - Harry. I have heard the story from when you were a baby, as most of the Wizarding world has. I was fearful of Gabrielle being with an egotistical Briton. Yet you have been patient, calm, and reserved the entire time unless provoked, while I have acted like a fool in judging you prematurely. I again ask for your forgiveness; but even if you do not give it, I will help you to the best of my ability.»
Harry considered that. Her reaction was just like many of those in England, and yet she was trying to make it right, unlike all of the others. «Because you are family?»
She smiled. «Because all four of you are family.»
He returned her smile with a grin of his own. «I forgive you because you are family. I have always wanted a grandmother and a grandfather.»
Sabine drew him into a hug, which Harry returned slowly but with more confidence at the end.
Harry looked over her shoulder to see Gabrielle smiling and relaxed, glad that he had accepted her grandmother. Hermione looked mostly relaxed, but it was obvious she was thinking the whole situation through very carefully. Ginny's reaction was the most extreme, still looking somewhat distrustful. He wondered if this reminded her of her mother.
«Young man, tell me about your scar - anything unusual at all,» Sabine asked as she released him.
Harry shrugged when she let him go. «I sometimes get a twinge or dull ache for a few minutes from it, but it's not very often. The worst was a sharp shooting pain during my first Welcoming Feast at school when I was eleven, but that was only one time. The twinges and aches mostly came during one class at school, but when the teacher left during the year, they stopped.»
«Was there anything special about this teacher?»
«Not that I know.» He looked at Hermione since she was there.
«Professor Quirrell?» At his nod, she said, «He was very afraid of Vampires and always had a lot of garlic around him. Maybe you had a reaction to that?»
«Unlikely, but easily testable.» Sabine looked at her daughter who nodded. A moment later, a house-elf had brought a clump of fresh garlic. Even when waved right under his nose, Harry never had a twinge or ache in his scar.
«Now what?» Harry asked.
Sabine walked over to the large window and looked out over the vineyard, thinking carefully about this.
Jean-Aimé called a house-elf and had refreshments served.
After several minutes, Sabine turned back to the group. «I can think of one way to fix this, but I must go research an aspect of it.» At everyone's eager look, she explained the details. «In theory, it is possible to remove one member of a bond and leave the other connections intact.»
Harry heard breaths being sucked in all around him. He would have done the same, but he was just too surprised. He quickly took a sip of his juice. «You can do that … safely?»
She gave him an understanding smile. «That is what I must research. I will not do it if I cannot leave the four of you together. The most common answer to your problem would be to do an exorcism, but that would almost certainly break the bonds to all of your bond-mates, and probably cause problems no one wants.»
«Like insanity?» Hermione asked fearfully in a whisper.
«That is one possible outcome for the one who is cast out. Rest assured that it is not easy to break a bond.» Sabine paused for a moment, looking a little sadly at each of the four. «I fear you are too young to truly understand this, but I will tell you anyway. You should also know that when Harry dies, it is probable that all of you will die soon after. I am very sorry, but you should know.»
«You said that if someone is cast out of a bond, that they can go insane. Would that be true if you can break this extra bond to Harry? And what would happen to Harry?» Hermione asked carefully, casting worried glances at Harry. Ginny and Gabrielle also looked worried at the question.
«I do not expect any problems at all for Harry with this because it is not the same type of bond that you have with him, so do not worry for him.» All three girls, and Harry too, relaxed slightly. «As for who is on the other end…» Sabine looked concerned. «Would it be safe to assume the connection is to Lord Voldemort?»
«I believe so,» Harry said in a steadier voice than he had expected.
Sabine nodded and looked thoughtful for a moment. «Since it is really more a magical connection than a bond, I don't believe it will do anything to him. We can use the various bond spells to help us though, such as the one we've already used.»
In the silence after the explanation, Jean-Aimé cleared his throat quietly. «I think Henri should join Harry and I for a leisurely walk to the vaults to find a good wine for lunch. You ladies can enjoy some time together until lunch. After lunch we can tell stories and get to know one another better, yes?»
«A wonderful idea, my husband,» Apolline agreed vigorously. «Harry, go get to know your new grandfather and maybe even show him some of your flying. He used to be Chaser on the school team many years ago.»
«Apolline, it was not that many years ago,» Henri protested teasingly.
At the end of the day, Harry hugged Grand-ma-ma and had enjoyed her visit during the afternoon, despite the rough start in the morning. He thought his new grandfather was pretty awesome as well.
Just before bedtime, the four bond-mates sat on Harry's bed and read through the rest of the letters they had received that morning.
Harry gave over half of his letters to Hermione to look through. She shared them with Gabrielle to help with her written English. All of those letters were either letters from friends wishing him well, plus a few from total strangers telling him off for leaving Hogwarts. They Vanished all of the "bad ones."
They found that Dan and Emma planned to come visit them next weekend. Everyone else that he knew said "hi." Neville's was amusing, especially when he described Dumbledore's reaction when the Daily Prophet article came out about Harry leaving school. Harry was already planning what he would write to Neville about.
A sob from Ginny caused everyone to look her way, and when Harry saw the tears start to go down her face, he moved over and pulled her into a hug. "What's wrong?"
Ginny dropped her letter on the bed in front of Hermione and cried on Harry's shoulder for a few moments.
Harry looked at Hermione as she read the letter silently, with growing concern the further she went. She was not looking happy by the time she reached the end.
"Do you want me to share, Ginny?" Hermione asked as gently as she could. Ginny nodded while she continued to cling to Harry.
"Uh, things aren't going well for Mr Weasley at the moment. He and Mrs Weasley aren't talking most of the time, and when they are, they're having arguments. He's sleeping in Percy's old room at the moment…"
"It's never been that bad before," Ginny managed through her sniffles.
"Err… Apparently Mrs Weasley is blaming him for losing Ginny, but he says that Ginny is not the cause of this, that it's been a long time coming. He also says that they will work through it and not to worry, but he wanted Ginny to know in case any rumors reached her. He also says he doesn't regret anything and hopes Ginny is happy. He wishes all of us well." Hermione put the letter back in front of Ginny, who was now quietly clinging to Harry.
Gabrielle reached over and rubbed Ginny's back. «Sleep with us, Ginny. All of us together like last night.»
«Thank you, Gabi.» Ginny looked up with very red eyes and gave the little girl a hug.
Harry could not deny her. "We're here for you, Ginny."
Ginny stretched up a few inches and kissed Harry hard, regardless of the other two present. It was not something they normally did, but they all understood her need.
When the kiss ended, Harry looked down at Gabi. «Help her get changed.» The little blonde smiled and pulled Ginny up. Hermione got up and left as well.
Harry quickly changed and picked up his clothes to put in the dirty basket.
«What is wrong, Harry? I heard crying from down the hall.»
Looking up, he saw Apolline in the doorway. «Ginny received a letter from home. Her father and mother are fighting and it sounds bad. »
Apolline nodded. «From what I saw, I am not surprised, although that does not make the hurt any less.» Hearing a noise behind her, she turned and saw the three girls dressed in their pyjamas. Ginny still had red eyes. Sighing, she motioned them in. «For tonight, but please don't make a habit of this right now. Jean-Aimé still has not completely accepted all parts of this.»
The girls all hurried into Harry's room. Gabrielle stopped as she passed her mother and gave her a hug. «Thank you, and I love you.»
Hurrying into the room, she pulled the covers back and directed Hermione into the bed first and got her to lay on her side. Harry went in next, his back to Hermione. Ginny was pushed in and then Gabrielle crawled in last, all of them on their sides and facing the say way. «This way, Ginny has someone to hold and someone to hold her.»
Apolline shook her head slightly in amusement at her daughter's antics and turned off the light. «Sleep well.»
When they were alone, Ginny pulled Gabi to her a little like a squeeze. «Thank you, Gabi.» She felt Harry's arm over her and Gabi and she felt safe, leaving only a small ache in her heart for her father.
"I love you, Ginny." Harry whispered, "and don't get up early. It's been a long day."
"Here, here," Hermione softly said, causing a chuckle and two giggles.
"Thank you all, you're the best family a girl could have," Ginny told them before she drifted off to sleep.
They met a new teacher on Monday morning. In their classroom, Apolline introduced their Defense teacher.
«This is Mr Martin and he will be your Defense teacher. Harry, you mentioned that you thought this would be your most important class; therefore, he will have the entire morning every Monday. He is a retired French Auror and is now an independent security specialist.»
Harry looked the man over during the introduction. He appeared to be about approximately forty and was only a few inches taller than Harry, although he was much stockier. He did not look fat, but rather it seemed the man was all muscle. His face was very average and did not look unusual in any way, not even any scars. It was the sort of face you could easily forget. His hair was short and dark, while his eyes were hazel and intense. The man also did not wear normal wizarding robes, but was dressed much like their former Professor Snape. His trousers and top were black and he wore a short cape that went only a little past his waist. Harry thought the cape looked like it was barely attached and like it could be easily removed.
«Mr Potter.» Martin held out his beefy hand and shook Harry's. He turned to the girls and greeted them by name, giving each a short bow, causing smiles and suppressed giggles.
«Mrs Delacour has given me some of your background as well as your needs. While teaching young students is not one of my normal tasks, this intrigued me enough that I was willing to give it a try for a few months to see how it worked out. Please have a seat and tell me about your past lessons in this area and what you would like me to teach you.» Martin took a seat as well and gave them his complete attention.
Harry noticed that Apolline had already left, so he made himself comfortable in a chair, as did his girls. The three of them spent the next half-hour describing their experiences at Hogwarts, and the fact the two of their four teachers had not been very good. Harry also described his battles with a Troll, Basilisk, and Dementor as well as his two tasks in the present Tournament. During this time, Martin asked a few questions to clarify the situation, but he mostly just listened.
«So,» Harry said as he started to wrap it all up, «what I think we need is to finish our fourth year studies so we can enter fifth year next year, and learn any other necessary skills to allow us to be able to defend ourselves, since have had to do that in the past. My godfather has also taught us a few things to help out, like the Blasting hex, Disillusionment charm, and conjuring. There are probably a lot of things to left to learn, but beyond the material for our exams at school, I'd like to stay more practical.»
Professor Martin nodded and looked thoughtful. He looked at Ginny. «Miss Potter, as I understand it, you are a year behind them?»
«Yes, Professor,» the redhead answered. «However, I've tried to study ahead with my friends and I'd like to learn the same material. If Headmistress Maxime will let me, I'd like to move up a year when we start classes next fall.»
«So you are requesting that I treat you as a fourth year as well?» he clarified.
«Yes, Professor.»
He nodded. «May I see one of your fourth year textbooks?» Hermione handed the standard Hogwarts text over and he looked at it for a few minutes before handing it back. «If you are to attend Beauxbatons next year, don't you feel it would be a good idea to be using one of their books?» he asked lightly.
«Yes, Professor,» Hermione answered quickly. «However, we've yet to have a chance to get them. I'm hoping we can do that this coming weekend.»
«Very well. Then we will not consider your class work until next time. For today, let's see what you know and, as Mr Potter has requested, what you can do. That will allow me to understand where you are magically, as well as how you fight, including tactics. Notice I did not say dueling. If you want to go on the Dueling Circuit and have sport there, feel free; but you requested to learn how to protect yourselves and that requires fighting. We will begin with one at a time, starting with Miss Potter, then Miss Granger, and finally with Mr Potter. After that, it will be all three of you against me. Please be careful with the hexes not to make them too damaging.» He looked at Ginny as he shrugged off his cape with a practiced ease. «You first, Miss Potter.»
Harry and Hermione had moved to the side of the room and Professor Martin had coated the walls and floor with a spell that turned them a greenish-blue. He had said it was to protect them from damage and to cushion them slightly. Harry thought he might have felt a little give when he jumped up and down, so the cushion was very slight.
Watching the two spar, it was obvious the man, while taking Ginny seriously, was not having to try very hard to win. He dodged mostly, but he also batted away many spells Ginny threw at him. He cast a few spells at her, but mostly he stayed on defense. After a few minutes, he appeared to grow tired of the game and moved to offense. Ginny put up a good shield, Harry even felt a slight pull on his magic when she cast it, but in the end, Martin out maneuvered her, broke her shield down, and stunned her. He was not even breathing hard.
Martin walked over to the prone Ginny and revived her and helped her to her feet. «It has been a few years since I was in fourth year,» he said with an easy smile, «but I believe that would be a good place for you now. I see the occasional glimpse of inspiration in your fighting, which I will try to bring out and hone. Please have a seat next to Mr Potter. Miss Granger?»
Hermione looked nervous, but she pulled her wand out and walked into the middle of the room. She was barely set when Martin fired the first spell at her. The fight between the two was much like the one with Ginny. Martin stayed with strictly defense and evaluated her for a few minutes before he ended the exam, much more quickly than with Ginny.
When she was revived and on her feet, Martin looked at her thoughtfully. «You thought to try different spells when your previous ones did not work was well reasoned; however, your style lacked aggressiveness. If you are to truly protect yourself and others, you must not hold back, Miss Granger.»
«I didn't want to hurt you, Professor.»
He gave her a broader smile. «Unlikely, although I do appreciate your concern. Mr Potter, it is your turn.»
Harry took a deep breath and pulled his wand before walking out. «Before we start, Professor, can you teach me the trick to batting a spell away?»
The man grinned almost evilly. «I'm sorry, Mr Potter, but it is not time for that kind of instruction yet. You will have to make do with what you know for now.» A brown spell that looked like cutting charm suddenly flew out of the man's wand at Harry's right knee. Since Ginny and Hermione had used a few silent spells, the man assumed that Harry must know them too and used one on him as a sneak attack.
Harry moved right a little let the spell go between his legs and shot a modified water spell at the man. This was not the sort that you used to fill your glass, but it created a high-pressure stream of water.
Martin looked surprised, but shifted his weight to take the spell in the chest and shot a Bludgeoning hex at Harry.
Harry dived left, but he started a spell as he was moving. He was facing Martin again as he finished the spell and was gratified that he saw the wet area under his opponent turn whitish and solid.
With a grin, Martin waved his wand down and sand spewed out to give him some traction. Harry used the few precious seconds to rise from his knees to his feet. Harry shot a Banishing charm at the man and the fight resumed.
Martin stayed mostly on the defensive, but Harry made him work for it. Neither of them stood still, each doing a lot of dodging. When Martin started throwing more offensive spells, Harry knew he was going to be pushed and so he stepped up his power, pushing a little extra into each spell. His shield held steady when he used one. The Professor finally used a shield for the first time when Harry launched the Arrow spell at his hip. As the Frenchman's shield caused the arrow to ricochet to the side, Harry let a powerful Blasting hex go, aimed at the man's knees - just in case the shield failed.
To everyone's surprise, Martin's especially, the Blasting hex took the Professor's shield down, although he was not hurt. A Piercing hex shot at Harry's shins took his shield down and a quick Confundus charm as a follow up hit Harry in the shoulder. After that, a Stunning spell easily ended the match.
When Harry was revived, he saw a smiling and heavily breathing Martin standing over him with an extended hand. Harry took it and was pulled up.
«Very well done, Mr Potter. You surprised me several times and I am very pleased. You have a good foundation to build upon. When I was in school, many sixth years would be happy to have fought as well as you did just then. Yes, very well done; this is certainly a strength for you.»
Harry bashfully smiled at his girls, who were each giving him very proud smiles in return.
«Before we try the three against one fight, I shall address one other issue to allow me to get my breath back.» He gave Harry another respectful look. «Knowledge of fighting and what you're fighting against is important, but it is just as important to be able to continue a fight, and that means physical fitness. You did very well, Mr Potter, as did you Miss Potter.» He gave Hermione a penetrating look. «Miss Granger, you barely moved at all and easily lost your breath. It is not hard for me to know that these two exercise and you do not. If you expect to do well in this class, you will change that now. As they appear to have a working physical fitness program, you can work with them. Or if you prefer, I can create one for you.»
Hermione seemed to wilt as she looked down. After a moment, she quietly said, «I'll start exercising with Harry and Ginny.»
«Good choice, Miss Granger. Now, I believe I'm sufficiently rested to continue and you look to be breathing normally as well, Mr Potter, so let us begin.» He stepped back and raised his wand.
The girls came over to join Harry, until he quickly said, «Don't stand near someone else, so he can't get two of us with one spell.»
As the girls spread a little, Martin grinned. «Simple but good tactics, Mr Potter.» While he was looking at Harry, he silently cast a spell at Hermione and the fight was on. It took nearly fifteen minutes, with Hermione going down first and Harry last, but Martin was the victor in the end.
Despite his heaving breathing, he heard clapping and spun with wand up. In the open doorway, he saw his host and her youngest daughter. Only the mother was clapping; the daughter was looking at him angrily.
«He's hurt,» Gabrielle said before she ran over to Harry, looking him over for injury.
«He will be fine, my daughter,» her mother assured her confidently. Gabrielle did not look like she believed that.
«How goes the testing?» Apolline asked the Professor.
«Fortunately, it is finished for the day. I believe the rest of the time will be spent in relatively easy instruction.» He waved his wand over his leg and began to smile a little more naturally. «Mr Potter is quite talented in this area and I look forward to teaching him. Miss Potter and Miss Granger should also prove to be interesting, although they are not as powerful nor as gifted in this.»
«He won't wake up, Mother!» Gabrielle cried as she continued to shake his shoulder.
Apolline drew her wand and sent a reviving charm over.
Harry's eyes instantly flew open. His drive to fight immediately quelled when he saw a very worried Gabrielle looking down at him. «I'm fine.»
«You're hurt,» she insisted with a small pout.
«I was stunned.» At her insistent look, he added, «I probably have a few bruises from when I fell, but there's nothing seriously wrong with me.» That seemed to comfort the little girl.
Harry got up and checked on Hermione and then Ginny, reviving each. Apolline sped up the healing of their bruises with a special charm, which Harry thought they needed to learn.
When they had recovered, Professor Martin addressed them. «For a group of untrained fourth years, you did very well. Over the next few months, I shall help you learn more about small group tactics.»
«Me too!» Gabrielle insisted.
While everyone grinned at her, upsetting her because she was not being taken seriously, Harry suddenly said, «Actually, I think it would be good for her to learn too.» At Apolline's dark look to that, Harry explained, «I'm not saying I want her fighting, but I know she'll be around us a lot and I think she should learn what to do, even if she can't magically cast the spells yet. One day she will be able to, and in the meantime, we can also learn how to protect someone who isn't fighting with us.»
Martin gave a look that indicated he did not seem to care and turned to the mother.
Apolline looked between all of "her children" as she considered them. After a moment, she finally said, «Only if I can sit in on those lessons.» Gabrielle squealed in her delight and gave her mother a hug. «Don't make me regret this,» she told them, including the teacher in her glances.
Professor Martin acknowledged her with a casual nod. «Let's look at a few new things for the rest of our time. How about shields and batting spells away?» he asked with a knowing look at Harry. Harry looked enthusiastic, and Hermione and Ginny were only slightly less so.
That evening, they had a little extra time before dinner. Hermione weaved her fingers into Harry's hand, causing him to smile at her. She tugged on his arm and pulled him towards the back balcony.
Gabrielle looked up from across the room and watched them go out.
Ginny also saw them go and the look on the little blonde's face. «Let them go, they need some time alone.» She returned to finishing up her homework.
«I wouldn't stop them, but I am wondering what they're talking about.»
Ginny almost said they probably were not talking, until she looked up again and saw that the two out back were standing arm in arm, but it was obvious they were having a serious talk about something and not kissing like she had expected. «If it's important, I'm sure they'll tell us. Back to your book so you can finish before dinner,» she said, tapping her finger on the book. With a smile, she watched the little blonde return to her homework. Ginny got a warm feeling in her heart as she thought about it. Not only did she have an "older sister", but she had a "younger sister" too, and she enjoyed each of them.
On the back balcony, Hermione led Harry to the rail and turned him so he leaning against it and was facing her. She stepped in between his legs and put her arms around his neck, leaving them fully extended so they could see each other's face as they talked. She felt his arms go to her waist and hold her securely; it all felt very pleasant.
"Harry, there's something I want to talk to you about," she said in English, because she wanted to be sure there was no misunderstanding.
"All right," he said easily, enjoying the moment.
Her hint of nervousness came out as she sucked in her bottom lip for a moment. "Harry, I'm not sure I want to go to Beauxbatons next year."
His posture immediately stiffened. "Are you saying you want to return to Hogwarts?"
"No! Definitely not!" she returned without hesitation. "I'm trying to say that I like it here. I like what we have here. I like our independent study and our tutors. Even going to Professor Laurent's home to work in her greenhouses and then potion lab was enjoyable. I'm sure our first Astronomy class with Apolline tonight will go well. I like all of our teachers and they all seem to be good teachers. We can learn more and learn it faster here. We're in a safe place where we don't have to worry about people finding out about our bond either. And no having to hide, no rumors to fight, no questioning looks from other students, and especially no troublesome Headmaster."
Harry chuckled for a moment at the last part. "Yes, definitely no troublesome Headmaster here." He reached up to the left side of her face and pulled some hair back behind her ear. "And you forgot to mention that there are only three pretty girls here for me to deal with, and we don't have to worry about other boys trying to get to you," he said with a grin.
"Or other girls to try to get to you," she said in the same teasing manner.
"You raise good points, but you also forget that this is not our house and the arrangement was only until next fall."
"I didn't forget, but I had hoped we could talk Jean-Aimé and Apolline into letting us stay. I thought they would with Gabrielle still here."
He considered it. "Probably, but we should still ask. You'll also forgetting that it's hard to make new friends here as we're the only ones, and I'm sure the school has a fantastically large library waiting for you to read through," he said with a grin.
She chuckled now. "No, I hadn't forgotten the library we saw on our tour there."
"And Beauxbatons may not have as many rumors about us. Surely The-Boy-Who-Lived crap won't be as bad there."
"Language Harry," she said reflexively before she turned thoughtful. "No, probably not, but there will be other rumors, as we'll probably have to tell them our secrets to explain our actions. If we go to school there, I want us to have our own suite of rooms." She started to turn a little red. "I really like simply sleeping with you, Harry, and I'd like to continue that. Apolline will let us do it some, but not all the time. Still, there are no rumors here when we spend the night together."
Harry laughed and Hermione looked a little hurt. "Mia," he called softly, causing her to instantly look at him because he used his special name for her. "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings by laughing. I found it funny because I was thinking 'Now the real truth comes out, she wants to sleep with me'."
Hermione stared at him for a moment before a grin came over her and she chuckled too. "I can see how that would be funny." She sighed and became more serious again. "There are some good reasons to go to school, but to me, there are more and better reasons to stay here to learn."
He considered that and her. "I can see your points, but this is not something for me or for you and me to decide alone. All four of us would need to agree."
"And if two of us want it and two don't?"
"Then I suppose as head of our house that I'll have to make the final decision, but it will be based on what's best for the family, not just what one person wants or even what I want."
"What do you want, Harry?" she asked, sucking in her lip again, hoping his answer matched hers.
"I like the good points you brought up about staying, but I really don't know. I would like to have a few friends who are male as I miss talking with Neville. I also miss flying on a Quidditch team, too."
She nodded. "Please say you'll think about it, think hard about it?" When he nodded, she knew it would not get any better at the moment. "Thank you," she told him sincerely and leaned in and kissed him, which he eagerly returned.
They kissed for a few more minutes until they heard the door open. Looking over, they saw Gabrielle there grinning at them. "Mother says … dinner ready."
Feeling a little better about it all, Hermione stepped back and led Harry into dinner.
During dinner, they talked about Professor Martin's class and about the Astronomy lesson Apolline would teach that evening from ten until midnight. They were allowed to sleep in a little tomorrow and then she would also give them a theoretical-only lesson for Care of Magical Creatures.
After dinner, Harry excused them from time with Jean-Aimé and Apolline, saying they needed to talk before their class this evening. The adults did not seem to mind and let them go.
Harry grabbed Hermione's hand and led them to his room. He privately enjoyed the curious looks Gin and Gabi were giving him. He led them to the bed and they all climbed up and grabbed a pillow to get comfortable.
He decided to jump straight to the issue. "Hermione asked me a question today that I think affects all of us. Do we really want to go to Beauxbatons in the fall or should we ask Jean-Aimé and Apolline if we can stay here and continue our studies by ourselves?"
"No," Gabi quickly said. «I want to leave home and go to school.»
"Why?" Hermione asked.
«Because I want to grow up and not be around my parents all the time. I want to make other friends, too, like your Luna and Neville.»
When Gabi stopped talking, Harry said, «Those are good reasons for going. Ginny, what do you think?»
Ginny looked at her hands and tapped her fingertips together for a moment. «I guess I can see both sides, but I think I'd prefer to go to Beauxbatons. After I finish school, I'd like to try to play professional Quidditch. To do that, I need to play on a school team.» She looked up and saw disappointment on Hermione's face. «I assume you want to stay here, Hermione?» The girl nodded. «How about you, Harry?»
Harry sighed. «I can see both sides, too. Hermione pointed out that we can learn more studies faster with private tutors. We could avoid rumors and people making fun us if we stayed here and continued to use the tutors. That's very tempting. But as much as I like it here, I also want to be around other people too.»
No one said anything for a long moment.
«So now what?» Hermione asked, looking at Harry.
He looked at each of the girls, who in turn were looking at him. «I think we each need to consider this more. It's only early March, so we have plenty of time to decide.»
«Thank you for bringing it up, Harry,» Hermione told him.
«Sure.» He looked at Ginny. «So you're thinking about professional Quidditch?»
«Yes,» she said with a big grin, which he returned.
He turned to Hermione. «What are you thinking about doing after school?»
«I'm not sure yet,» Hermione replied. «I know Mr Croaker says I should to talk to him about a job, but I don't know if that's what I want to do yet. I'm not sure about working for the Ministry. What about you, Harry?»
With a shrug he said, «Don't know yet. Maybe I'll be Ginny's agent.» He winked at the redhead and she giggled. «Maybe I'll work with Sirius to try and clean out the Ministry so you want to work there. I really don't know.» He looked at Gabi.
«I want to be with you, Harry,» the blonde said with a big smile.
Harry laughed and pulled her over and gave her a hug, which she very happily returned.
The four talked until Apolline came to get them at ten for their Astronomy lesson. Hermione proved prophetic and did enjoy the lesson, as did the others. Gabrielle fell asleep during the lesson, but no one minded as the lessons were not for her yet.
Harry woke up alone the next morning. He decided it was probably for the best, but it made him realize he did like to have a sleeping partner to help keep him warm … and snuggly. He wondered if that was because he was trying to make up having no companionship and love growing up.
Hermione joined them all for morning exercise for the first time. She grumbled a little, but did start to work out with them. She also took it easier than they did so that she could build up her endurance.
Classes continued as did their normal routine until Thursday afternoon and Grand-ma-ma Sabine come out of the Floo. Gabrielle ran over and gave her a hug. Though shy, the others eventually did as well.
«What brings you here, Grand-ma-ma? Do you know how to help Harry?» Gabrielle asked.
The older woman laughed and gently brushed her hand over her granddaughter's head. «I do have an idea, but I need to talk with you. Shall we sit?»
As they were making themselves comfortable, Apolline came into the room. «Hello, Mother. I thought I heard the Floo signal sound.»
«Have a seat dear, you'll probably want to hear this too.» Sabine looked at Harry. «Gabrielle has said that she can sense the connection between you two. I believe that she is sensing your magic because of her Veela nature. That ability is documented in our lore. Are you able to sense Gabrielle or any of the girls in any way, no matter how simple?»
Harry looked at his girls with a questioning look.
«I trust her,» Gabrielle said first.
«I think we have to tell her, Harry. We have to fix this,» Hermione told him.
He looked to Ginny, who was deep in thought. «Honestly, I'd prefer not to, but I don't think we have a choice.» She looked at the older woman. «If we tell you, will you please keep it to yourself?» Hermione agreed vigorously to the condition.
«If you wish, although it could help others if we document it,» Sabine pointed out.
Hermione looked torn and Harry understood. «If it was documented, could that be held until later, much later?» he asked. «As you can tell, we do have a connection we know about, but it gives us an advantage we don't want others to know about as it might be used against us.»
«It could be documented and then sealed until you are ready, even until after you are gone if you so desire,» Sabine admitted.
Harry looked at Hermione, who considered how to answer. «I'll agree to that. After we are gone, it can no longer be used against us in some way. Not that I know how it could be used against us now, but I don't want to find out the hard way that it could be.»
«Well said,» Ginny agreed. Harry and Gabrielle also agreed.
«Very well, I agree too,» the grandmother said. «Now, please describe the connection you have and how you can sense it.»
Harry took a deep breath and slowly let it out. «Our connection is magical and that's how I can feel the others and they can feel me. When I need to, I can pull some magic from them, probably all of them if I have to. It's not a lot, but it's enough to allow me to do the spells that take more power than I naturally have.»
«Similarly,» Hermione took up the explanation, «each of us can pull a little power from Harry. We can use it do spells, and we also found out that we can use it to mimic his magical signature.»
«Amazing,» Sabine whispered.
Apolline had a look of sudden understanding. «That's how you fought so well against Professor Martin.»
Harry looked a little embarrassed, but he nodded. «I can't match his experience or knowledge in a number of ways, but I could overpower my spells to try to make up for the difference between us. That allowed me to break his shield, for example.»
«Can you pull power from each other, or only from Harry?» Sabine asked Hermione.
«Only from Harry,» the brunette replied. Each of the other girls nodded in agreement.
Sabine considered that. «It may work then,» she mumbled. She sat up straighter and looked at the children. «Harry, I need you to concentrate very hard and try to pull magic from all of the girls at the same time. It doesn't have to be much, but I need you to activate the connection to all of them.»
«Err, all right.» Harry closed his eyes and started thinking about each girl and pulling power from her.
While he was doing that, Sabine cast the bond detection spell. Everyone but Harry saw the light blue lines between him and girls thicken slightly - first to Hermione, then to Ginny. When he added in Gabrielle, the lines to Hermione and Ginny thinned back to normal. He slumped, realizing what had happened.
Sabine did her best to give him an encouraging smile. «I'm not surprised it's hard. I think I would have a hard time doing it too.» He gave her a grateful smile back. «Please don't overtire yourself, but practice this until you can do it and hold it for at least a full minute. When you can, have Apolline let me know and I'll come back. There is a ritual I can do to break a bond, and if you can activate your links to the girls, then the bond that will break will be the inactive one.»
«The one in my curse scar,» he said enthusiastically.
«Yes.» She rose to leave, but stopped before she did. «I don't know if it will help, but you might consider also thinking about how you feel for each one as you try to activate the connection. There are times that emotion gets in the way, but there are also times when it helps.»
«It helps in casting the Patronus charm,» Hermione supplied helpfully, «and we pull magic from each other when we cast that.»
«You can cast that at your age?» Sabine asked incredulously.
«Harry, Ginny, and I can,» Hermione said proudly.
«You are all full of surprises. Very well, that is another possibility. If all else fails, try casting something that requires emotion like the Patronus charm and try to pull magic from all of the girls at the same time while doing so. Good luck and I hope to hear from you soon.» Grand-ma-ma smiled at each of them and then left via the Floo network.
«You can really do a Patronus charm?» Apolline asked just as incredulous as her mother had.
With a grin, Harry pulled out his wand and thought about waking up with three girls snuggled around him. "Expecto Patronum!" To the surprise of three of them, a stag did not come out of Harry's wand, but rather a Hippogriff.
«Impressive,» Apolline told him with a smile.
«And wrong,» Harry said and looked at his wand as if it had betrayed him.
«Wrong?»
«Yes. I've always had a stag before,» he explained to her.
«They can change if you change or what's important to you changes,» Apolline reminded him.
Harry considered that. Thinking carefully about Ginny and what she had told him when he first learned this charm, he cast it again. This time, he got his stag.
«What did you do differently?» Hermione asked very curiously.
He blushed and looked at her. «I was thinking about when I first learned it.» Ginny chuckled and he refused to look at her, lest his blush deepen.
«Try something else, Harry,» Hermione encouraged him.
Shrugging, he thought about snuggling with Hermione and Ginny and cast the charm. The Hippogriff came back out, looked around for a moment and then disappeared.
Ginny looked at him for a moment and then came over whispered directly into his ear. "Think about only Gabi and cast it."
Deciding to play along, Harry thought about the little Veela, how cute and energetic she was. Concentrating on her, he cast the spell. His stag came out.
«Now think of only Gabi and me, that we're each lying in bed with you and kissing your cheek,» Ginny whispered.
Harry was glad no one else could hear her. He was sure his face was beet red. Nevertheless, he did his best to think of the picture Ginny had given him. When he cast the charm, a Hippogriff came out.
«Ooh, well reasoned, Ginny. What he gets depends on what he thinks about,» Hermione guessed. Ginny nodded her agreement and sat back down.
«I suppose so,» Harry agreed.
Hermione looked excited. «So when you can think of all of us at once, you'll get a different animal still and be able to maintain the link to all of us.»
«That's what I was wondering,» Ginny said.
He had two hours until dinner. Harry used the rest of the afternoon to think about his girls, trying for all three at once and then casting his Patronus charm. By the time dinner came, he was exhausted. After dinner, he joined the others in the living room. He cuddled with Gabrielle, or rather let her cuddle with him. She was ecstatic and Harry enjoyed doing nothing but hold and talk to her, and fell asleep earlier than usual.
The next morning, Harry felt rested again. At breakfast, each of the girls came by and gave him a kiss on the cheek, which he found quite pleasant. However, that also gave him a new idea. «Come with me, I have an idea,» he told them. All three followed him to their classroom. Professor Legrand was not due for another half hour.
Harry pulled off his outer robes and his T-shirt, leaving him topless.
«I like this,» Gabrielle said quickly.
«I do too,» Ginny said appreciatively.
"Mmm-hmm," Hermione joined in.
"Stop it," Harry admonished them. "I have a reason for this. All of you, put both hands on my back and think about pushing your magic into me." He pulled his wand out and gave them a moment. He felt six hands on his back and a little more energetic. Doing his best to think of all three girls as they were right now, touching him, all of them "one", he cast "Expecto Patronum!" A good-sized blob of mist was formed, one that would have a long tail when it became corporeal.
«Again, Harry,» Ginny encouraged him. The other two echoed her.
Thinking about each of the pairs of hands on him, each witch in contact with him, thinking of all of them as one person with four facets, he cast the charm again. This time he saw his Patronus take shape and he heard multiple gasps. Prowling around the room was an animal with the head of lion, the body of a goat, and a tail of a dragon.
"Holy Merlin! A Chimaera!" Ginny shouted as the protector disappeared.
"You did it, Harry!" Hermione spun him around and kissed him hard.
When she let go, Ginny kissed him hard too. When she let go, Gabrielle reached up to pull him down to her, but Harry moved over slightly and just gave her a hug. "No fair!" the little blonde told him fiercely with a scowl.
"No kisses like that until you're thirteen, Gabi," Harry reminded her, although he did try to do it gently.
He suddenly heard footsteps coming. Realizing his state of undress, he hurriedly grabbed his T-shirt. Hermione took his wand to help out. He barely got his shirt on when Professor Legrand walked into the classroom. He looked at them three of them, with Ginny holding Harry's outer robes.
«I was just stretching and my robes got in the way,» Harry lied, hoping that came across as the truth. «Professor Martin usually has us take them off when we duel.» That was true.
Legrand did not seem to mind. «I don't think we'll be that active today, but whether you wear them or not is up to you, Mr Potter - as long as you're sufficiently dressed without them, of course. Now today, we're going to discuss and then try Transfiguration on inanimate to animate. Who can tell me the limitations that we will run into?»
The lesson started, but half of Harry's mind was not on it, but rather on what he had just done. It was not lost on him what Patronus, or the make-up of each Patronus, he created when he thought of the various combinations of the girls.
Friday evening, Harry and the girls sat together in the living room reading letters again. Another box from Sirius had shown up that morning just before classes and they had not yet have time to read them.
«Listen to Neville's,» Harry called out. «He says that school has really changed since we're not there. It's would be boring if it wasn't for the students from the other two schools, and even they aren't seen much since they are all seventh years. He also says that Malfoy has mostly left them all alone and has been very quiet, unlike his usual self. Angelina is still angry at us, because they lost their game to Hufflepuff. They got a second-year as Seeker, but Cedric beat him to the Snitch.»
«Luna says it's been boring too, but she blames it on an infestation of Ghost-Mice,» Ginny said with a giggle.
"What is … are … Ghost-Mice?" Gabrielle asked with a scrunched up face as she tried to figure out which verb to use.
«Only Luna could explain that,» Hermione blithely said as she opened a letter from her parents. «Oh, our parents will be here tomorrow!» She looked at Apolline, who smiled back over her magazine knowingly.
«Yes, they will go with us to Magic Street in Paris. I thought they might like join us, so I went to Jean-Aimé's office and I invited them by phone.»
«Thank you,» Hermione told her with a big smile, which Harry copied.
The Floo signal went off, stopping all other conversation. The fire flared green and the Morels came out.
«Grand-ma-ma! Grand-pa-pa!» Gabrielle shouted as she rushed over to hug each. The others got up and greeted the visitors.
«Who owns the pretty white owl?» Sabine asked.
«Hedwig is mine, although I think she may own me as much as I own her,» Harry said with slight blush, causing giggles from his girls.
«I understand,» the woman said caringly. «Her note said that you were ready for me. Could you give a short demonstration while I cast the Bond Detection spell?»
Harry stood and held out his left arm, mostly bare because of his short-sleeved T-shirt. Each girl grabbed his bare arm with both hands as he drew his wand. As he concentrated, Sabine cast her spell and then he cast "Expectro Patronum!" The image of a Chimaera came out of his wand and the short lines to each of the three girls thickened. After a moment, he let the spell go and his protector faded away. «I can hold that for almost two minutes.»
«Very good. And when you do that, are you thinking of the three girls?»
«Yes … Grand-ma-ma,» he answered a little hesitantly, having never called her that before.
She gave him a big smile and patted him on his shoulder. «You all can call me that if you want. I find it pleasant.»
«And you may call me Grand-pa-pa, all three of you,» the older man said with a caring smile to the Brits.
«What do we have to do to fix Harry?» Gabrielle asked excitedly.
«First, all of you go get your pyjamas on. Harry will be exhausted, but all of you will want to sleep after we do this. Go on,» Sabine shooed them out and they ran off.
«Are you very sure about this Mother?» Apolline asked worriedly.
«I would not offer if I wasn't. Surely you know that.» The rebuke was light but present. When her daughter hung her head, Sabine put an arm around her shoulder. «I understand; I would be a ball of worry if someone were doing this to you. However, I know I can do this safely. The only thing to really worry about is if Harry can hold his connections, but I have an idea to help him do that, too. There is risk in life, my daughter; but I fear that the risk is greater if we do not 'fix' him, as Gabrielle says.»
Apolline hugged her mother. «Thank you, that does make me feel better.»
«Good, then I will not tell you how I really feel.» At her daughter's alarmed look, Sabine chuckled. «Relax, I was teasing you. It is a good thing that you and Gabrielle have found this and brought it to my attention.»
The four children came running back into the room, Harry with wand in hand.
Sabine fixed them all with a very serious look. «This is a very dangerous spell with very serious effects and consequences. You understand that you must never do this as punishment to anyone?»
Four emphatic "Yeses" were heard.
«Very good. Harry, please unbutton your top; you may take it off or leave it on. Young ladies, please stand in front of Harry and when he is ready, place both of your hands on his chest or stomach.» Sabine watched Harry blush deeply as he unbuttoned his top and the girls approached him, each blushing as well. She thought it cute and showed the innocence of their love. While she knew what they would be doing in a few years, she hoped they always kept their innocence - or better - purity of love with each other.
Harry removed his top and Jean-Aimé took it for him.
«Harry, please think very clearly of all three girls and cast your Patronus when I tell you to. Once we start, you must hold it until we're done. If you need extra motivation, look at the three girls in front of you and pull magic from all of them equally. Girls, I want each of you to concentrate on Harry and try to push magic to him. You each need your bond to be exercised as much as is possible. Are there any questions?»
«Please do it as quickly as possible,» Harry asked.
«I will do it as quickly as it is safe,» Sabine replied as she pulled her wand out. «As soon as I cast the Bond Detection spell, cast your Patronus. When I see that the three bonds are fully in use, I will drop that spell and start the Bond Severing spell. Once I start that, it cannot be stopped without difficult consequences. Apolline, when I finish, you will immediately cast the Bond Detection spell to see the results. Ready Harry?»
Harry raised his wand and put it between Gabrielle, who was in the center, and Ginny, who was on the right. When the Bond Detection spell was cast, Harry cast his Patronus and the Chimaera sprang forth from his wand and prowled around the room.
Sabine saw all three bonds being used and dropped her spell. With a deep breath, she started casting the Bond Severing spell, focusing it on Harry's curse scar. A part of her noticed that as the spell started to work, the Patronus stopped prowling around the room and started growling at the air in the direction the thin black line from his curse scar went. She did her best to ignore that and complete the spell. Nearly a minute after she had started, she drew a rune in the air and ended with a fast slashing motion.
As she slumped over in exhaustion, hands on her knees, Sabine looked at her daughter and whispered, «Now.» Apolline cast the detection spell and the grandmother looked over at Harry, who was standing only because the girls were holding him up. She let a smile come over her as she saw the light blue connections to the girls and nothing coming out of Harry's head. They had been successful. Sabine slumped into the chair behind her to rest for a moment.
«Lay him down and all of you sit,» Apolline quickly told them. Jean-Aimé jumped over and helped the girls lay Harry on the floor as he had already lost consciousness. The three girls fell to their knees and sat beside him, each looking weary and worried while holding onto him in some way.
With her wand, Apolline worked on Harry's forehead, which had cracked open and started to bleed a little. It took her a few minutes, but several healing spells repaired the damage and Harry's scar was now very light and hard to see. She suspected Harry would like that when he woke up.
«Jean-Aimé, take Harry to bed. Henri, help Gabrielle. Apolline, help Hermione.» Sabine stood and put her wand away before she helped a wobbly Ginny up to the bedrooms, walking only slightly better than Ginny did.
Apolline led the way. «Everyone follow me.» She led them all to Harry's room and put the four of them into bed together. «They do this when something difficult happens,» the mother said a little defensively. However, neither of her parents said anything and Jean-Aimé wore his usual "I wished there was another way" look.
Henri helped his wife back down to the living room. «I believe I need to help her home.»
«Of course, but thank you, Mother!» Apolline engulfed the woman in a hug.
«Think nothing of it, my dear,» her mother said tiredly. «They are family. What more needs to be said? Although, I do wonder why that problem hasn't been noticed before? I would assume he acquired that connection when he received the curse scar as a baby.»
«It is yet another problem that can be laid at the feet of Albus Dumbledore,» Apolline said with some bitterness.
While Henri helped Sabine home, in England, a pitiful looking creature was screaming in pain. The two Death Eaters in attendance looked at each other, wondering what was happening and what they should or even could do. One had the insight to lift up his left sleeve and notice that his Dark Mark was not as dark as it was earlier. He silently nudged his companion and showed him his forearm. The other looked at his Dark Mark and noticed the same lightening. Other than deciding that this meant their master was now weaker, they still had no idea what to do, so they just stood around and waited for orders.
A hazy but familiar voice woke Harry. "Are you really sure he's in there? All I can see is long blonde, brunette, and red hair. Although, I will have to admit that I envy him."
A very feminine chuckle was the first answer to the question. "Yes, he's in there somewhere. I'm sure that if we pull my daughter out, he'll be a lot easier to find."
His eyes came open and he slowly blinked as the covers were pulled back a little and a warm weight was removed.
«Ma-ma, why did you do that. Harry was nice and warm…»
«Shush, my daughter. It is past time to be up. Go get dressed. We have a fun day of shopping ahead of us.»
As footsteps left the room, Harry tried to focus on the two forms towering over the bed. "Sirius?" he croaked.
"Ah, Harry, you are in there. Time to get up, lad. Here, take your glasses."
When Harry could see better, he saw Sirius and Apolline, with the mother now trying to gently wake Ginny. He helped by giving the girl a shake, and then doing the same to Hermione.
"So is this what you do every evening?" Sirius asked teasingly.
"No, just when we need extra comfort; although, I don't remember going to bed last night," Harry said a little puzzled.
"That's because you were already out cold," Hermione said in her own sleepy voice.
"And we'd like to continue where it's warm," Ginny said grumpily as she sat up, knowing there would be no more sleep this morning.
"Sorry, but that's not in the plans for today," Sirius told them good-naturedly. "In fact, your parents are downstairs as we used their Portkey to come here. As soon as you're ready and have had breakfast, we'll all leave for Paris."
The teens got up and each got dressed in their own bedroom. Downstairs, Dan and Emma greeted each enthusiastically, which the teens returned.
"How are you doing? Do you like your tutors?" Emma asked. Dan looked just as curious.
Hermione nodded her head just slightly. "Mum, I was telling you the truth in the letters. It's going very well, even the French. I'm getting a lot better at speaking and understanding it. Those two," she motioned to Harry and Ginny, "are getting even better than they were, although they were better than me to start with."
After breakfast, the Delacours led everyone to the family Floo, where Jean-Aimé took charge. "Harry, if you'll take your father's hand and go to Magic Street in Paris, and Hermione, if you'll do the same with your mother, then I believe we'll all get there without any problems. Sirius, be careful of the pronunciation. Apolline?"
Apolline took some Floo Powder from the bowl on the mantel and tossed it into the fire. «Magic Street in Paris.»
Jean-Aimé looked at Sirius, who said, "I think I'd like to hear it a few more times to be sure I got it."
"Of course. Gabrielle, then Harry, Hermione, and Ginny," the father directed. Each of them went, pronouncing the French very clearly.
Sirius looked at Jean-Aimé. «Magic Street in Paris?»
"Yes, very good. Try it now. If you get it wrong, I'll come to the same place and help," Jean-Aimé told him with a smile. Sirius did it correctly and Jean-Aimé followed, arriving last.
Harry dug into his money pouch while he waited for Sirius and Jean-Aimé. He handed twenty-five Galleons to each of his girls and to each of his parents. "Here's some spending money if you need it."
His mother looked at him with an exasperated look. "Harry, you don't need to do this."
"I didn't think you had any Galleons with you, and I know the girls don't," he said with a grin.
Emma looked uncomfortable for a moment, but eventually gave in. "We don't and I can see we should have planned for that. We assumed we'd find a Gringotts here and could make an exchange."
"You can," Jean-Aimé told her, "but you're probably better off using Harry's money as you can avoid the exchange fee. If you have some Francs, you can give him some in return, as he'll need Muggle money at some point."
"We do have a few," Dan said as he dug into his pocket.
"Dad, why don't you wait until you're about to leave. You can give me whatever you haven't used then," Harry suggested.
Dan agreed, so they started walking down the street. The place was much wider and looked newer than Diagon Alley. Harry thought it was probably about as old as Diagon Alley, but suspected it was better maintained.
"Where would you like to go first?" Apolline asked the group.
"There!" Gabrielle said excitedly as she pointed to a clothing store.
Her mother chuckled. "Why am I not surprised? Be careful with her Harry or she'll own so many clothes you'll need a separate house for them."
«Mother!»
Everyone but Gabrielle chuckled as they went into the clothing store anyway. The females all looked around while the males tolerated it and spent more time looking out the window to see what else was nearby.
Ginny came over and joined Harry after a few moments. «Hmm, is that a Wand Maker's shop across the street?»
«Looks like it.»
«I think I want to go over there.»
«Why?»
«Because my wand is my grandmum's. It works, but I'd like to have one that was made for me so I don't have to work as hard,» she explained. «I'd like to do magic as easily as you, Harry.»
«You mean you never got one just for you?» he asked with amazement.
She gave him a pitying look. «You have forgotten that my parents never had much.»
«I haven't, but I just thought they'd get you your own wand. That's so important…»
Ginny shrugged, not sure what else to say. Looking around, she saw Jean-Aimé not too far away. «Jean-Aimé? Can Harry and I go across the street or do you need to come with us?»
«It should be safe enough, but I'll come with you anyway to see an old friend.» Jean-Aimé started to lead them out the door.
"Wait for me," Sirius called out as he hurried after them.
«We'll be across the street,» Jean-Aimé told his wife before they left.
In the wand maker's shop, they found that it was very small, not much more than a front counter with a few shelves on the wall behind, and a sitting area out front with four chairs. The man who was behind the counter was reading a book when they walked in. He did not look nearly as creepy to Harry and Ginny as they thought Ollivander was, but he looked just as old.
«Ah, Jean-Aimé! Good to see you again.» He looked at the two teens. «Surely these are not yours? I thought you had just the two girls, yes?»
«Louis, it is good to see you, my friend,» Jean-Aimé said with a large smile. «These two are friends of my daughters, especially Gabrielle. Please meet Harry and Ginny. This is an old family friend Louis. With them is an old family friend of theirs, Sirius Black.»
Sirius stepped forward and offered his hand. "Uh, bonjour? I think…"
The older man gave a large friendly smile. "Hello, Mr Black," he said in heavily accented English. "What can I do for you today?" he asked, looking around to see who needed help.
Ginny shyly stepped forward. «My parents gave me my grandmother's wand. I'd like to buy one that is for me.»
«What? You didn't have one fitted to yourself? The travesty! We must fix that at once.» The exuberant man reached under the counter and pulled out a number of blocks of wood. «Come, friend Ginny. Touch each one. Tell me which one calls to you, which is best. Each wand I make is made to be best for the buyer.»
As she stepped forward to check out the first one, she froze in mid-reach. «Sir, before we start. Can you tell me what this will cost? I want to make sure I have enough money.»
«No need,» Harry said quickly. «I will pay for it.»
«But Harry…»
«This is a school supply. The other money is for fun. Go ahead and find the wood,» Harry told her, pointing at the dozen long thin blocks.
Seeing how serious Harry was, Ginny nodded and returned to her task. A moment later, she handed one of the blocks to the wand maker.
«Olive, a very good wood.» Louis put the others away, leaving only her choice out. He then pulled a number of jars out. Some contained hairs or feathers, others looked a little bloody, a few were unidentifiable. «Hold the wood in your left hand and pick up each jar with your right hand. Tell me which feels best.» He and Harry watched Ginny's face closely.
The container that was third from the end caused a pleasantly surprised expression to form on Ginny's face. «This one,» she said confidently.
«Hippogriff feather,» Louis told her. «That will be a powerful combination with Olive. You are powerful girl, yes?»
Ginny blushed, so Harry simply said, «Yes.»
«I have no other work at the moment, so come back in an hour or so. Umm, two may be better,» he said suddenly, changing his mind. «Yes, two; I think this one may be tricky and I want to do it right.»
Ginny thanked him and they left the store. Outside, they found the others. Gabrielle was the only one with a bag, and it was small.
Hermione led the females over. «You bought a new wand?»
«Yes, my old one was my grandmum's,» Ginny explained.
Hermione nodded. «I understand then. I'm sure you'll do much better with your new one.» She looked around and saw something that made her smile. Without hesitation, she grabbed Harry's hand and pulled him down the street. «Come on, Harry,» she told him excitedly.
Sirius chuckled at the scene and followed them, as did everyone else. Hermione led them into a shop that specialized in eyeglasses.
An older woman ran the shop. «Good morning. How can I help you?»
«He needs contacts,» Hermione told her and pushed Harry forward.
«Hermione, what are you doing?»
«Fixing a problem,» she told him boldly. «You can't lose contacts when you're playing Quidditch or in a fight like you can glasses. Losing your glasses is not good, so we must fix it.»
«The young lady is correct. Contacts can't get lost when a young man is active. Come sit on my stool.»
Half an hour later, Harry had magical contacts. These would repel dust and other small debris from his eyes, and he didn't have to remove them for a year. He decided he would have them replaced every Christmas, as that should be easy to remember.
They went to the book store and bought a complete set of books for Beauxbatons, all seven years. Hermione also picked up a more complete French/English dictionary, including those terms and concepts that covered the magical world, not just the Muggle one. Ginny found several books to read for fun, books that looked like they were of the romance genre, based on the pictures on the front. She blushed a little when Harry looked at them, but she did not put them back. Harry and Hermione bought several other books to learn from: Harry's were in Defense while Hermione's were about Transfiguration. Gabrielle bought a fashion magazine when her mother was not looking.
The shopping continued down the street, including a leisurely lunch bought by Jean-Aimé.
At the end of the afternoon, they returned to the Wand Maker's shop and Ginny picked up her completed wand. Her eyes went wide. «It's warm and it feels alive.»
«Ah, then I have matched it well to you. Give it a wave, young lady,» Louis encouraged her.
Ginny waved her wand and a rainbow of sparks came out. Looking at Harry, she grinned and jabbed the wand towards an empty area. "Expecto Patronum!" Ginny's silvery fox came out of her wand and she did not have to pull any magic from Harry either.
«Beautiful! Powerful, just as I said!» Louis cried and clapped. «It is a good wand, yes?»
Ginny stopped the spell and looked at the wand lovingly as her Patronus faded. «Yes, very beautiful and well made. Thank you!»
«It is my pleasure, young lady.» Louis turned and gave Harry and expectant look.
When Harry did nothing for a few seconds, Jean-Aimé coughed to get the boy's attention and pointed to his pocket. Harry suddenly understood what he was missing. «Yes, very fine work. How much do I owe you for this?»
Louis's smile returned. «My usual charge, thirty-five Galleons.»
Harry pulled his money pouch out and counted out the money. It was more expensive than Ollivander's, but Harry thought the custom work was probably worth it. He wondered if he should get a custom wand, but decided there was no need until his present wand gave him trouble.
«Thank you, Harry. Oh, here is some free wand polish for the young lady. If you ever need a custom wand of your own, you know where to come. Louis will take care of you,» the wandmaker said with a knowing grin.
Everyone told Louis good-bye as they left the shop and then headed for the public Floo. Jean-Aimé placed nine Knuts in the money basket and they all Flooed home.
In a few spare minutes before dinner, Harry pulled Hermione away from everyone else and into his bedroom. There he shut the door.
"What's wrong, Harry?" she asked.
"Nothing," he told her with a smile and pulled her into a hug. "Thank you for thinking of me today, for the contacts." She returned his smile with only a slight blush. All embarrassment left her as he leaned in and started to kiss her, holding her tightly as he did so.
About fifteen minutes later, the door opened and they both heard a "Hey!"
Reluctantly, Harry pulled back from Hermione and looked at Gabrielle standing in the doorway.
«What do I have to do to get that?» the little blonde asked with a slightly demanding look.
Harry could not help himself and chuckled. Releasing a red Hermione, Harry walked quickly over and scooped up Gabrielle and cradled her to his chest, causing her to squeal with delight. «You only have to be patient, my Gabi. It will come with time.»
«Mother says it's time for dinner. I was sent to find you because I could tell where you are.»
«Hmm, I guess it is hard for me to escape from you,» he said good-naturedly. «I guess my thank you is done,» he told Hermione and started to walk to dinner, still carrying Gabrielle. Hermione followed with a chuckle.
Ginny volunteered to do everything that evening that required magic, including floating all the dirty dishes back to the kitchen before the house-elves could retrieve them. She was very pleased with her new wand.
That evening, after everyone had settled into bed, Ginny snuck into Harry's room before he fell asleep. She kissed him thoroughly for nearly ten minutes before she snuggled into his bed with her head on his shoulder and her arm over his chest. To avoid trouble, she returned to her bed as the sun came up, catching the last hour of sleep in by herself.