Chapter 04
The first full moon he was to expend at Hogwarts was fast approaching, and Harry could feel it inside him stronger than ever. But this time the "wolf" that's how he was calling the thing inside him, was different, and that was confusing.
At privet drive, during the summer, the wolf was usually all about a consuming rage and the thrive to hurt the Dursleys, as bad or worse as they did to him. That scared Harry to the core, and sometimes the wizard was even thankful for his isolation he had to endure.
But at Hogwarts things were different, and Harry was pretty sure what had happened between Katie and himself had something to do with it. The rage was still there; he could still it lurking, but there was something else… something that showed every time he saw Ginny's freckles going down her neck into her collarbone, the beautiful color of Padma's skin when she waved at him on the corridors , the power of Angelina at the quidditch field, Lavender's breasts, and Daphne's incredible figure. Specifically when he remembered the feeling of Katie's bum in his hands, or Hermione's amazing scent.
Hermione was right, as always, his "appetite" was rapidly increasing.
That scared him, a lot, maybe even more than the rage itself. Harry was not that guy, he didn't want to be that guy, he didn't even like when Seamus, Dean and Ron started talking like that about the girls around them.
But then, the werewolf remembered the way Katie smiled at him, with lust and satisfaction and all this fear had gone away, at least momentarily.
That was another confusing thing; Harry was not sure about where they stood now. Katie herself hasn't changed the way she acted around him, at least in public, although he noticed she had been way more randy under the table when they sat down together at meals. The young wizard believed it was better this way, Harry needed to learn about his new self first, and how to live with it. It was fun, and it seemed that this was what they both needed for now. It was also somewhat funny trying to deflect Hermione's questions about the marks on his neck for the first days.
Harry was alone at the Gryphindor's table early in the morning, his sleep patterns always got a little erratic when it was so close to the full moon. Almost like a cue, as soon as the bacon and sausage appeared in front of him, he heard the flapping of wings and Hedwig landed on the table.
"Hello girl, how was France? did you get to know Fleur?". Hedwig shook her feathers happily and extended the letter on her leg to Harry. He took it before giving her some bacon slices and water with a smile. "You are waaaay too clever, you know that." The owl bumped her head on his hand with satisfaction.
The smell of lilies and vanilla hit Harry almost immediately, "this can be addictive" ,he thought, Hermione had discovered from Daphne some things about the Delacour family, and for some reason, the werewolf got excited to open the letter and read it at once.
Dear Harry Potter…
It was with real happiness that I received your response. I dare confess to being afraid, but would understand if you choose not to write to me back. I can really see how hard it must be for you to trust a stranger, being in your position.
To be honest, I can completely understand what you were talking about in your letter, for one to be binded and judged by the accidental circumstances of your birth. Most people don't even bother trying to know who you are, and assume things you should or should not do based only on your appearance and blood. No matter what you do for yourself or how much you exede on something. And now that I think about it, for you it must be even worse, as said circumstances are a constant reminder of the tragedy you've been through. At least I have my family to turn to when things get too hard.
How can people turn such a beautiful and powerful act of love into something so painful is beyond me.
Sorry for my little rant. I feel that so many things are wrong, even here in France. All I really wanted to say is that I understand you, at least on some level.
I am also looking forward to getting to know Hogwarts, and specifically the students (you and Angelina for the most part, to be honest), although I am really afraid of that dreadful thing you call food over there. People say the lake at the castle is beautiful, and so is the forest. It is true you have unicorns over there?
Maybe you and your friends can take me on a tour. I really don't know how exactly this tournament will work, or even if I will be part of it, all records about it are really scary. But maybe it is something I need to try for myself.
Thank you again for replying, Harry Potter, I hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely…
Fleur Delacour
PS: Hedwig is really an astonishing and very smart owl, and I can see that you treat her well. Give her my thanks again.
Harry was astonished, Fleur really seemed to understand what he was talking about, maybe something had happened to her as well. Probably the French have gone through something like he had? Would it be polite to ask? As he finally decided to not ask, and just keep the conversation going, Hermione entered the hall and sat by his side.
"Fleur?" The girl asked, getting herself se tea.
"Yep"
"So? Are you going to keep writing to her?"
"I think so; she will be here in three weeks anyways" Harry shrugged. "Then I can ask about Sirius and Remus in person."
Hermione bit her lip, and her mint scent hit Harry, sending shivers through his back,all the way to his core, awakening the wolf.
.oOo.
Fenrir Greyback listened to the insane screams of Bellatrix Lestrange in the small, dark cell next to his. The werewolf knew she wasn't half as insane as other people though, but the woman didn't know he wasn't half as stupid as people think he was, and that was the way he liked. People always underestimate him, and just realized when it was too late.
This time it was Voldemort, last time it was Grindelwald, the name of the so-called dark Lord didn't matter to him, in the end they were all the same.
And Fenrir would outlive them all.
All it matters to the monstrous werewolf was to get his spoils, to make his pack bigger and stronger, to become the alpha he was destined to be. If said dark Lord provided him with his little girls and boys, he would work with them, at least for a time.
These damn wizards didn't know the true strength of his people, the true meaning of magic, no, not even his own people knew.
All they had to do was discover the taste of human flesh.
.oOo.
"No Hermione, I don't need some kind of Knight in shining armor, especially if it is Gryffindor's golden boy!" Daphne said, sounding frustrated.
Daphne and Tracy had met Hermione on their usual table at the back of the library. Something had happened that morning, Hermione could tell by the way the two Slytherin girls were acting, something bad.
"You know, he really hates that nickname," Hermione told Daphne with a faint smile, she was aware of how prideful, and sometimes stubborn the ice queen could be. "You have to understand Daphne, not only can he protect you, it plays all too well on our own plans." Hermione took the other girl's hand. "And our plans need you to succeed, and it needs to be done this year. There will be no stupid quidditch cup this year, it is perfect!"
"No! I don't want to own anything to Potter!" Daphne hissed.
"If you think you would, then you really don't know him."Hermione said matter of factly. " He is really making an effort to look past all the crap Ro… Wesley, fed him for the last four years!" Hermione finished, and Daphne could see the hurt in her eyes.
Harry chose that moment to show up. Daphne looked at him walking to the table, oblivious to the looks the other library occupants gave him as he passed. How could someone have such an effect on everyone, and not notice it? Daphne assumed her ice queen stance almost by reflex as he approached them.
"Greengrass, Davis." The boy said with a nod when he reached the table, Daphne couldn't perceive any ill tone in his voice or stance, Harry was actually being… friendly?
"Potter." Daphne said coldly and Tracey actually waved at him with a smile.
"Sorry to interrupt, but could I talk with you for a minute, Hermione?" Harry asked, pointing to the bookshelves to their side.
The bushy haired girl got up, and Daphne watched as they had gone between the books, not exactly trying to hide, but talking in a low tone. Harry talked first, Hermione looked concerned, he gave her a sort of reassuring smile that seemed to work. They really knew each other, the Slytherin though with a little touch of envy, even if the entire school turned its back on Harry again, he would have Hermione. And she would have him. Maybe that was something worth having.
Then Harry showed Hermione a piece of parchment and she became really happy, giving a hug. That was not just a friend's hug, Daphne could tell. The boy whispered something in her ear and a happy tear rolled down her cheeks.
That was real, Daphne though, that was what she herself wanted. She was growing really tired of power games and junior death eaters trying to recruit or use her all the time.
They both returned to the table, Hermione sat down and Harry said. "Sorry."
"You really have to stop apologizing, Potter," Daphne said. "You don't need it, and it doesn't suit you." The girl tried to keep her expression as blank as possible while Hermione and Tracey traded a confused look..
Harry smiled at Daphne, a smile so sincere and powerful that taked the young witch aback, then the boy turned to leave, but with a deep breath he stopped.
Harry turned to her, his eyes had changed, the shyness was gone, and there was only a hard resolve now. Daphne almost lost herself on the emerald green.
"Greengrass… no… Daphne." Harry said. "I don't know what is wrong, but let me say this, I don't care which house you belong to, Hermione trusts you, and that is enough for me. If you need my help, for anything, I will do it!"
He looked her in the eyes, smiled and left. Daphne couldn't hide her surprise, how did he know?
.oOo.
Fleur was walking down the corridors fuming some could sewer there was smoke coming from her hands as she stride. One week detention, for defending her family nonetheless. The young woman entered the great hall and stormed at the seventh year's table. The three other girls sitting there looked at her expression and left in a hurry. People at Beauxbatons knew that standing in Fleur's way when she was angry was a bad idea.
"Good!" Fleur thought as they changed places. "That way I don't get tempted to extend my detention."
A tear rolled on her face, she missed home already.
"Is it true you hexed Matthieu so hard that you broke both his legs?" Regine asked, coming from her back and sitting by her side, throwing her luxurious waved hair back.
"WHAT!!! No!!! I made him vomit every time he said the word Delacour, then he slipped on his own goo!" Fleur said in a hurry. "Maybe he twisted an ankle or something, nothing more!! Those liars!"
"What did he do to deserve it, and I know for sure he did something." Regine asked in amusement, angry Fleur was always a sight to behold.
"That boy had the audacity to accuse my father of using Mom, Gabrielle and myself to get votes from the council. He said that we were using the allure, and that was the only reason he got that far!!! Gabrielle hasn't even awakened her allure! She is eleven!" Fleur felt the fire burning inside of her, and was sure by Regine's amused expression that her ey e had already turned yellow.
"Breath Fleur, breath…" Regine tried, but couldn't contain a smile. "Don't mind that bastard, he never got over the fact you rejected him last summer. Typical entitled pureblood idiot."
"I know, but… sigh… is so tiresome"
As Fleur tried to calm herself, Hedwig elegantly entered through one of the big hall's open windows and landed silently in front of her.
"Hello Hedwig, good to see you again!" Fleur said with a smile, Regine was surprised by how much the veela's mood had changed with the arrival of the beautiful owl. The witch took the letter from the owl's leg making no effort to hide her excitement.
"Good to see I can't compete with a boy thousands of kilometers from here…" Regina said with a grin.
"Ohh, shut up, you will always be first in my heart" Fleur said, opening the letter.
"Dear Fleur…
I don't know what to say, that was the most precise and heartfelt description of what goes on I had ever seen. You managed to put into words something I never could. I don't actually know what you've been through (and I know by the way you wrote that you are or have been through something), and we can trust it other enough so we can share those things.
Everything you said was spot on, thinking about it, I even believe that's the reason I play quidditch, to make something on my own, to be good on something that I made myself, even if it something so frugal as a sports competition.
And Fleur, please, don't you ever, ever, feel sorry for relying on your family, it is the most important thing in the world to know we are not alone.
I must say I am really looking forward to giving you a tour around Hogwarts, maybe we can even get to see the giant squid at the lake, she is actually quite friendly, and, if you get into the tournament, I will root for you, school loyalty be damned!
I hope you don't get too disappointed when meeting me anyway.
Thank you for understanding
Harry James Potter.
"For being the most famous boy in England, he sure has some self esteem problems…" Regine said, giving the letter back to Fleur after reading it. "But he seems like a really nice guy, and I wholeheartedly agree with him about your family."
Fleur simply nodded,
She didn't want to say anything, but she was also afraid. What if her allure messed with everything when they met?
.oOo.
Harry was moving quickly towards the castle's dungeons, it was still a couple hours before nightfall but he already felt the need to get out of the castle. The amount of stimulation was overloading his senses. So much noise, people talking, smells… he could hear excited talk about the arrival of the foreign schools, people gossiping about other students, or how Harry himself broke the imperious curse at the defense class. The smell of perfume, snacks and other not so pleasant things hit him like punches on each corridor.
The wolf wanted out, but the wizard needed the wolfsbane potion from professor Snape first. Harru was sure the greasy bat didn't give it to him before on purpose, so he had to make the walk to his office at the dungeons.
In a way, Harry didn't even care about that anymore, let the man drown on his own pettiness.
The werewolf crossed very few Slytherin students on the way, and was thankful for that, but close to Snape's office, something captured his senses.
Something familiar.
The smell of fear.
Almost instinctively he made a left turn to a mostly desert and dark corridor. Why the hell did a school have so many dark corners like Hogwarts, he wondered, it was almost like asking for things to go wrong.
Harry stopped, he could hear a familiar voice, one tha made his blood boil with rage.
"Now, you can blame this on your bitch of a sister." Harry could now see Crabbe and Goyle at the end of the corridor, and behind them, Draco Malfoy was pressing a young girl with raven black hair against the tapestry on the wall, holding her shoulder with his hand. "No one denies me. She didn't learn with what happened with Carrie, but she will now"
Harry's heart started pounding fast, what the heck was the blond ferret doing? Was Draco really that far gone?
"Let me go!!" The girl screamed defiantly. She was no more than a third year, Harry though. The fighting back seemed to pull Draco even more to the edge. The blond wizard pushed the girl forcefully against the wall, a hand on her neck.
To Harry, that was enough.
"Let her go…NOW!" Harry screamed, his heart beating fast, his mind rushing, all his senses focused on the individuals in front of him. The werewolf looked at the three boys, and realized, he was not afraid.
"Prey…" The shadow in his mind whispered.
All of the other four people look at him, surprised by his sudden appearance.
"Potter?! What the fuck! You two, stun him now!!" Draco commanded, still holding the girl against the wall.
Harry's hand stormed to his pocket. "No!! No wand!" The wolf roared in his mind. "They are prey." The beast finished, taking over.
Faster than any of them could imagine, even Harry himself, he closed the distance between him and Malfoy, shoving Crabbe and Goyle to the side along the way with so much force that Hoyle hit the wall with a whimper. For a second, Draco could see the rage in Harry's eyes, an inch from his own, before feeling the pain radiating to all his body from his stomach.
Draco's body bent over itself because of the pain, and he barely could breath before the next punch hit him on the face. Once on the floor, Harry was over him, landing another punch on his nose.
Harry barely noticed the stunner hitting him on the shoulder, no more than an itching sensation on his body. The werewolf turned around to see the astonished expression on Crabber's face, holding his wand. Harry could hear himself growling.
"POTTER!" Snape's voice rumbled through the corridor, bringing Harry back from his rage. Goyle helped Malfoy get up from the floor, holding his bloody nose, and the three Slytherin boys started running in the other direction.
"I will get you for this Potter" Draco said, full of venom before disappearing around the corner.
Harry turned to face the professor, still breathing fast, a coat of sweat over his face, blurring his glasses. The girl appeared from behind him, still trembling and quite pale.
"Professor, he helped…" The girl started saying.
"You already are in enough trouble, Miss Greengrass, I suggest you go back to your common room at once, as for you Potter, my office, now." Snape interrupted in an even tone. The girl looked at Harry with thankful eyes before walked quickly through the corridor.
Harry entered the dark, ill smelling room Snape called hid office, the mold smell, mixed with all the potions ingredients were terrible terrible, making Harry dizzy…
"Sir…" Harry started.
"Running around the castle when you have an appointment with a professor…" Snape interrupted without turning around to look at him, searching through his shelves. "Assaulting a fellow student and risking many others… I would say... 75 points from Gryffindor." The professor turned to Harry with a vial in his hands. "I would prescribe you some detention, Potter, but I have the feeling your next couple nights will already be bad enough…"
.oOO.
Hermione looked at the silver full moon through the girl's dorm window, she was so happy when Harry called her at the library and said he had dropped divination and was starting runes like she had suggested. Ron would be angry, and a vindicative rush ran through her mind...
Harry didn't show up for dinner, as Hermione had expected. Very few people seem to notice. Ginny and Neville asked about it, but she dismissed them. If Ron noticed, he didn't demonstrated…
"Harry could smell Daphne's fear…" The bright witch thought. "But he had not been infected for long enough for that to happen, it should've taken at least a couple years… bloody hell Harry, not even the curses work right with you!" Hermione smiled at this, nothing could be as planned with him.
The girl looked at the pile of books all over her bed thinking. "Damn, it has been too fast… but why?"
Then, she remembered that night, Sirius, Peter, and the dementors…
Hermione remembered the unnatural cold, feeling so sad and so lost that she thought things would never be good again… Harry was bleeding profusely from Remus's bite… getting weaker and weaker. When she had lost hope, Harry brought her closer, almost like he wanted to protect her even more and screamed the patronus charm. The air around then cracked, the stones were lifted from the ground, she felt pure magic running through him and leaving at his wand, the giant stag charged into the flying wraiths, with a wall of bright energy behind him, only them she could see the astonishing number of dementors surrounding them, and been repealed, some even destroyed. At that moment, Harry was pure, untamed power…
A howling brought the girl back from her memories, and she somehow knew it was Harry. it was not angry, not even sad… it was lonely.
All the books she had read agreed on one point. A lone wolf was a dead wolf.
.oOo.
Harry drift until consciousness slowly, his senses of smell and hearing waking before his sight. He could hear the muttering of a voice, the anxious breathing of a dog, he could even hear the bees flying around the sweet tea. The werewolf knew it was sweet tea, he could smell it, almost taste it, alongside the warm bread a couple feet away. Then, he felt the smell of the fur blanket covering him, and Hagrid's strong musk
Harry could smell the grass outside the hut, and let his senses expand, the trees, the lake, a fox, the stones of the castle, the breakfast been cooked by the elves
Harry could almost "see" it.
The boy opened his eyes and the pain on his body made him focus on himself. Goyle's hex came back with a vengeance, making his left shoulder and arm really stiff and painful. He was in Hagrid's hut, and the large man was looking at him with a bright smile.
" 'ncredible don't ye think lad, been part of it all… feeling 'ware." Hagrid's voice thundered trough Harry's head.
"What is this Hagrid?" The boy asked.
"U 'now 'Arry, we hunted together last night, some nasty spiders. Yer a natural!" The giant of a man slapped his hand on the table.
Harry sat up, in pain.
"Don't worry, the pain will be gone with time, if ye learn… poor Remus never learned… but ye m'boy, ya're a powerhouse!!"
"What are you talking about Hagrid? I am still me, just Harry!!! Now I am just cursed Harry, but I am still the same." Harry asked, confused.
"Ha!!! Ye were never just 'Arry!!! And curse is a matter of perspective! Would ye call what u just felt a curse?" Hagrid leaned on his chair.
Harry thought for a second, no… it was… trilling, empowering,fulfilling?
"But Dumbledore and Remus…" Harry wondered.
"Those are much wiser men than old me, of course… but not even then can know it all… some people are too trapped in their own ways… 'ere. Take this." Hagrid extended him a old looking tome.
"A book, you are giving me a book?" Harry was a little amused by the whole situation.
"I got from a 'od friend, now, ye school clothes are on that chair, I believe u going to feel better than u think after some food on yer belly"
It was true, it still hurts, but nowhere near like it did on privet drive, Hagrid may really know what he was talking about. Harry eat like there was no tomorrow and Hagrid laughed at him.
"Since when are you such a wise big man?" Harry asked.
"Well, no one ever asked." And then, Hagrid laughed again.
.oOo.
A very curious Albus Dumbledore watched as Harry Potter entered the great Hall for breakfast. Harry was walking a little slower and arched, a little like he would be in pain, true be told, but even that was remarkable, usually newly cursed people like him stayed drained for almost an entire day. Specifically with the special modified potion the headmaster had ordered Snape to give him.
"The boy is really remarkable," Albus thought with a smile. "I must test his limits; it may be helpful in the fight to come."
The headmaster made a mental note to ask Snape for a more potent mixture for the next moon cycle, as he watched "his boy" sitting at his usual place on the side of his muggle-born friend.
.oOo.
The "sparing" golems laid in pieces all over the ground of the defense class arena in Baeuxbaton, as did some of Fleur's frustrations. As if the attack on her own person weren't enough, the attacks on her family had gotten a lot worse lately. The voyage to Britain was around the corner, and two weeks after their departure, the council would vote on the new French chancellor of magic.
Fleur was a little remorseful that she wouldn't be there with her father during the vote; because of a stupid, dangerous tournament she didn't even know she would be part of.
"Why am I doing this?" Fleur asked herself.
The veela looked at the destroyed training golems and sighed.
"Because it would bring honor and fame to myself and my family? No, my father is famous and rich enough to bypass even the pureblood bigotry of the council. To prove myself to Madam Maxine and the other students, that I am much more than just a veela? Fuck them!" Fleur amused herself with her own bravado. "Even if I got selected and win the damn thing they would still despise me, maybe even more!"
Fleur looked at her wand, the focus that carried her own heritage and finally came to a conclusion. She smiled.
"No, I will do it for myself, because I can. And because I WANT!"
Fleur got out of the training room feeling better with herself, and more peace of mind.
And the girl wanted to write to Harry about it.
.oOo.
The next day, Harry walked Hermione to her arithmancy class, telling her about the weird conversation he had with Hagrid, and enjoying the proximity with his best friend, hoping the girl qoui notice he catching her mint refreshing scent. The wizard also told he how he was feeling way better than he usually did at the Dursley's. Hermione's analytical mind worked ever so fast, talkin to him about a better diet and ambient magic. She had a point, Harry though, but there was also something else.
The young werewolf still had a free period before runes, so he decided to start on reading the book Hagrid gave him. What would Ron think about Harry using his free time to read a book? The thought made the boy smile as he entered the tower's common room.
Luck would have that Harry would not have to wait long to discover what the other boy had in mind. Ron crossed him as soon as he entered, barring his way to their room.
"What the fuck is happening mate?" Ron asked in a rather harsh tone, walking in his direction. Harry looked around when some heads turned to watch them.
"What do you mean Ron?" Harry asked confused
"You dropped divination without telling me; you spend your time reading, you almost don't stay around for practice anymore…"
"There is no cup this year, Ron…" Harry sighed. As much as he loved quidditch, he had other pressing matters on his mind lately.
"So? Are you now too good for practice then?" There was something on Ron's tone that was hurtful, Harry clenched his fist.
"I didn't say that..." Harry felt the wolf pressing on his mind, he wanted to get out of there.
"You spend all your time with Hermione, slacking off…"
"WHAT? Slacking off? I am studying for once…"
"And then you vanished, without saying a word!" Some more Gryffindor's students at the common room were looking at them now, Ron was at least two inches higher than Harry, and he was very close to him now.
"Ron, why are you doing this?"
"Are you shagging Hermione "mate"?" Ron was really close now, gritting his teeth, his smell of wood and pumpkin juice encircling the werewolf. Harry couldn't believe what was happening. More people gathered around then, looking in silent awe at the two friends.
"What the bloody fuck Ron!" Harry could feel the now familiar roaring, pressing him forward in his mind.
Ron steped closer, effectively looking down on Harry, to whom the situation was totally surreal.
"Are you bloody shagging Hermione?"
"Prey…" The wolf whispered.
"WHAT IF I AM, RON!!!" Harry exploded, something sparkling in his eyes, that made Ron take two steps back. "What if I am?" This time Harry stepped closer to the other boy, for some reason he didn't look smaller anymore, people around the room were taken back. "She doesn't belong to you or me for that matter! You choose to step aside!" The werewolf's breath was heavy and he could see the fear in Ron's eyes, and suddenly felt bad for giving into the rage.
Harry stepped back and looked around the room, having flashbacks of the whole Heir of Slytherin situation. He calmed himself down taking a deep breath.
"She's my friend…" Harry said to Ron, but loud enough so everyone could hear. "And I don't like people talking like that about my friends. Please, don't do that; don't make me choose between you two." Harry gave one last sad look at Ron, then at everyone one else, and left the room.
As he left the stairs and walked down the corridor he couldn't help but smile, Hermione would be all over him for this, and not in a good way. Harry knew pretty well she could defend herself, but he was not able to contain himself.
Then the distracted boy was hit by the grass and strawberries scent, and a hand forcefully pulled him into a broom cupboard. Harry took a deep breath of her strawberries smell, just in time for Katie to claim his lips with need. Pulling him by his tie, her tongue dancing almost forcefully through his mouth, making both of them moan with savage pleasure.
"Damn, that was hot!" Katie said gasping for air, a thin line of saliva still connecting their swollen lips. "I bet Wesley needs some clean pants now." The girl pushed Harry to the wall, his hips hit a small shelf but he barely registered as they kissed again, and Harry moved to cup the girl's firm ass over her skirt, inciting a moan from the brunette.
Katie's hands dipped in need to his trousers, trying to undo the button and fly, and Harry responded in kind, feeling bold and worked up after the confrontation with Ron. The wizard placed his hand on her thigh, and moved up her skirt, finding her already soaked knickers. Harry rubbed her center over the soft wet fabric, gaining a loud moan from Katie as a reward. By Merlin, he really loved the sound.
"Hum… I like the new Harry…" Katie said against his swollen lips. Understanding this as an encouragement, the boy pushed his hand inside her knickers, his fingers running through Katie's dripping inner lips, getting covered with her flowing juices, then sliding around her clit, just teasing it at first, damn, she was really worked up as well.
"Yeeeees… try… to… daaaamn that's good… try to focus… your... senses on… meeeeeaaaaa…" Katie finished with a long moan.
Harry did just that, the smell of her sweat, mixed with the scent of her arousal, the moisture of her breath and lips, her hand working his zipper, her firm thighs around his hips… the overload of stimulus made him gasp, and the werewolf let out a loud moan, making Katie smile.
The girl finally freed his hard member, and hungrily grabbed it, stroking a little too strongly a couple times, making Harry hiss, before repeating the slide motion with her inner lips, all along his length, spreading her own juices over him. Harry loved the slippery warm sensation of her fluids washing over his cock. An eager Katie then aligned the pulsing head of his dick with her entrance. The girl liked her lips and kissed him profusely before lowering her body; the witch moaned, savoring the sensation of her pussu walls stretching just enough to accommodate Harry's big cock, as he easily entered her. Harry was in awe with the expression of pure pleasure on Katie's face, as she lowered herself more and more.
Their hips touched as the girl had him completely inside her. Katie stood there, enjoying the feeling of fullness for a while, before starting rocking up and down, at an ever increasing pace. Harry's hands grabbed her bum, and helped her keep the movement. The werewolf could hear the wet sound of her pussy when she got up, and the slapping of their hips when she bounced down, grunting and moaning on his neck.
Worked up as she was, it didn't take long for Katie to reach her climax, calling Harry's name and clawing his back, moving her hips frantically both up and down and back and forward, getting the maximum contact with both her insides and her clit, coating Harry with a layer of her juices , and that was enough for the boy to go with her. Harry released rope after rope of his thick sperm inside her, biting her tie and pressing her ass cheeks. Katie collapsed over him, and they both stayed there for a couple minutes, in bliss, enjoying the contact and each other's company. Harry looked at her, and there was the smile he loved so much, he felt great.
They both moan at the loss of contact when she got up, Harry's cum still dripping from her entrance. After a few drying and cleaning spells, Katie kissed Harry again.
"It was amazing Harry." The girl said, a little more softly than she intended.
"Yeah, it was…" Harru looked at her, smiling. "Katie, what are we doing?"
Katie placed her arms around his neck.
"I always had a crush on you Harry, since my third year. But I was always afraid of these damn magical hormones" The girl kissed him again and took a deep breath, enjoying his post-coital smells. "And you were always distant, in some secret adventure, kinda like a platonic dream. Even when we played together, you seemed… unreachable?"
"Everyone got me scared of this drive we have. And you were so hard to get close to. But then I felt you this year, you had changed, I could see it. And the smell, damn, your smell is different from everything; it is not like any other guy!" Harry just looked at her, blushing, somehow this seemed incredibly intimate. "Then, I made a decision, I would make a move, and man, I would try to have fun doing it. I would not need to refrain myself for once, you could understand how I feel… I hope you don't think I am a slag or something."
"Katie" Harry said smiling at her, she lost herself in those deep green eyes for a second. "Who am I to judge you, it is your decision and I am happily going along. It is actually helping me focus. I would never think any less of you; I think I actually admire you"
She kissed him again.
"So… we… are…?" Harry asked.
"Having fun, at least for now?"
"Sounds good, and you can count on me for whatever you need"
"Oh, I am counting on it, Mister Potter" Katie said, grabbing his bum.
"Hum, can I ask when you were bitten?" Harry was a little afraid he was going to far, but he wanted to know.
Katie moved away from him a little, and lowered her socks. He could see the scar on her right leg almost fading away..
"I was five, so I have been living with this for as long as I can remember" Harry looked at her, astonished. "I have made my peace with it; my only sadness is that I will not be able to play professionally."
"Does the staff know?"
"The headmaster does, he allows me to portkey home every full moon. Angelina and professor Minerva McGonagall know too."
Harry looked confused.
"You don't stay on the grounds like me? Why?"
"Well, I guess the old man really wants to keep an eye on you, Boy-who-turned." Katie giggled.
.oOo.
Daphne was feeling nervous. The girl didn't know what to expect, and she didn't like it. "Damn noble git", she thought, for the hundredth time. Waiting with her, there were two other Slytherin girls.
There he was, walking to the great Hall with the other half-blood, Katie Bell.
"They look a lot closer these days." Daphne said to Tracy, who nodded."I wonder what Hermione thinks of that." The three Slytherin girls waited as the two Gryphindors walked towards them.
Harry and Katie got separated with a wave, and Daphne seized the opportunity. Looking around, with no other Slytherin students nearby, she walked to Harry and locked her arms on his.
"Come with me Potter." The witch whispered. Harry hesitated for a second, but remembered Hermione trusted her, and her scent was actually quite good.
They entered an unused classroom, Daphne asked Tracy to stay at the door while the other three teens entered the room.
"All right Greengrass…" Harry couldn't even finish the sentence; the other girl, the one he didn't know, threw herself at him in a hug. Feeling really embarrassed he looked at Daphne who had her usual cold face, her arms crossed around her chest.
"Potter, that's my sister, Astoria." Was all she said.
The girl released Harry, and he finally recognized her, it was the third year he had saved from Malfoy and his goons. Astoria had the same midnight black hair of her older sister, and a very similar slim build. She looked at him with watery eyes and a shy smile.
"Thank you Harry, thank you thank you thank you…"
Daphne was surprised by the look on Harry's face, not a sign of mockery or patronizing, only reassurance and honestly. Something she rarely had seen outside her family.
"Don't worry Astoria…" The wizard said. "It's always a pleasure to put that little ferret in his place."
"OK Tory, that is enough." Daphne said emotionless. "Potter, you saved my sister, and gave Malfoy a black eye. I don't even know what would have happened if you weren't there. I owe you. And I hate owing anything to anyone. So what do you want?"
Daphne tried to read the boy's expressions, it started with confusion, then disgust and then resolve.
"You owe me nothing Daphne. If anything I should thank you for being there for Hermione when I was not." To say Daphne was surprised by this world be an understatement. "She trusted you, and you brought her those books." Daphne was baffled. "But I do want to ask for us to work together," Harry concluded.
"I am listening." The witch said, curious.
"Don't you find it strange that everyone talks about the Potters, how important they were, how much power they seem to have and yet I am an idiot in regards to politics and pureblood tradition?" Daphne nodded, it really was something she had noticed. "Well, Hermione and I started to think that too, last year, so I had a talk with Neville Longbottom about it. He told me about the Wizengamot, and about the houses sits and votes, about how his gran is trying to fight the death eaters politically. I didn't understand much, I will admit. But then it struck Me." the wizard looked directly in her eyes. Daphne was amazed by the power behind those eyes.
"Are you not tired of living under someone else's rules? Even this bloody war we have to fight is not ours, it's our parent's war. That is not even close to fair. And if we keep using their old methods and laws, we will keep doing the same mistakes"
"And what do you propose, Potter, for you to become minister of magic?" Daphne raised an eyebrow.
"I don't even know if I will be alive this time next year, Daphne." Harry said without looking away, the witch and her sister gulped at the weight of his words. "I want to start the changes here, I want Slytherin to stop being an internship for death eaters, I want the Gryffindor's to stop judging people by their upbringing. House rivalries are stupid, to start with. Maybe I am being naive, but I believe that half the people that follow Malfoy would not do so without the fear of being ostracized at their own house, of course there is his father, again another bloody thing that generation failed us."
"Neville is great, but he could only teach me and Hermione so much. To an extent, he does better with his plants than with politics, and I don't blame him. I need you to school me, and in exchange I will teach you, Astoria and even Tracy to defend yourselves and make front to Malfoy and his goons. I want YOU to take control of Slytherin in his place." Harry finished.
Daphne was paralyzed, trying to digest everything that was said to her. A chance to become the uncalled leader of her school house, but more importantly, to learn how to defend herself and her sister. Harry Potter could be many things, but everybody knew, since the second year, he was someone you don't want to cross wands with. And if Hermione's stories about dementors and serial killers were true, he was even more powerful than people suspect.
"Think about it, Daphne." Harry said.
"I will Pot… Harry."
As soon as Harry left the classroom Tracy entered and looked at the two sisters.
"So?" The blond started started.
Daphne looked at her and seemed confused.
"I… I… I think I was wrong…"
Chapter 05
Harry, sitting at the Gryffindor's table, folded the letter he had just read. Bertrand had delivered it and flew out to the owlery to get some rest. The wizard was very happy with Fleur's last letter, her tone was way more light, and he felt some new resolve from his French correspondent. Harry planned to write an equally happy and reassuring response. The wizard didn't want to bother the girl with his problems, like Ron and the other student's behavior, so it was better for him to concentrate on her training and maybe his own studies. He planned to have the letter done for the big owl to take back with him, but Hermione's exasperated voice behind him said otherwise.
"Harry James Potter, what is this history of you fighting Ron over me?"
"I see the gossiping central got a hold of you…" Harry rolled his eyes.
Hermione sat down on his side.
"What were you thinking Harry?"
"Sigh… first of all, we didn't fight over you, I know better… more like we fought about you amidst other things…" Harry shrugged.
Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"Harry, I don't know what to say… but that is not an excuse to behave like a thug!"
"Well, maybe when you feel comfortable, you can tell me what happened between you two." Harry looked at her with inquisitive eyes and Hermione bit her lip, taken by surprise. "It's not your fault anyway, Ron was being his usual selfish and jealous self, and maybe I really deserved it". Finished Harry.
"Why would you say that?" Hermione asked, worried.
"Because I'd rather spend my time with you…" Harry answered, hoping that the girl didn't catch his blush. "Anyway, I talked to Daphne." The boy tried to change the subject. "I think she will agree, I also would like to include Neville, Angelina, Katie and Ginny, maybe Ron…"
"Maybe…" Hermione sighed, it seemed Daphne's prediction about their friendship was becoming true.
"Do you really think it's a good idea? I never taught anyone." Harry asked, a little nervous.
"You teach me as much as I teach you sometimes Harry, I think it will work. We need to learn how to defend ourselves!" Hermione said sincerely.
Harry got up.
"Well, I need to write a letter before Bertrand flies away, I will think about how to proceed with that too, talk to you later." To both Hermione and Harry's surprise, the werewolf gave her a kiss on the cheek before leaving.
.oOo.
Katie Bell was cautiously happy while running around the quidditch field. The she wolf really liked Harry, more than the boy needed to know at the moment. And he was developing really fast, Maybe too fast.
Katie imagined what he could do for her family in the future. The young wizard was powerful and famous. And now one of them, something like that, hasn't happened in a long time.
Maybe they would no longer be third class citizens and seen as dark creatures. They could even erase the stain people like that monster Fenrir Greyback left.
All while satisfying her own wolf needs.
Harry only needed to learn and accept.
"Am I using him?" Katie thought. "No, I really like him; I really like to be with him. I will help him become the Alpha he can be"
"If he survives until then..." The girl concluded with sadness, remembering all the things he had already been through.
.oOo.
Fleur finished reading the letter that came back with Bertrand. She had a smile on her face. How could one be so down on himself but so reassuring to others? What could have happened to him? His letter was all cheer, a true admiration of her resolution, and even a promise of a butterbeer if she found him worthy after they met in person. At this point it was improbable for her to be disappointed.
And more than that, Fleur was Happy she was able to do what her father entrusted to her. The veela was also pleased she would be able to offer some more light on Harry's own past. It was clear by his letter that he didn't know who the Delacours were. The witch was really puzzled by this. Why would his magical guardian never mention them? We're her parents' fears really true?
The young woman thought about her father, the heir of a rich and powerful family, with both blood and commercial ties to several other important magical families all over Europe, and even so he still chose to marry a veela. Jacques and his friends wanted to see the old world on fire, so they could help build a new one. He told her this the day he asked her help. "Do I?" Fleur wondered. "Do I want to change things like that?"
Her line of thought was suddenly interrupted by a fast-moving mass of silver hair running to her side on the table.
"Is it true?" Gabrielle asked in a high pitched voice. "You really know Harry Potter?" Her sister had always been somewhat of a fan, she loved the silly Boy-who-lived book collection. The young girl's smile was captivating and bright.
"I have been writing to him, yes…" Fleur answered with a wink.
"Aaaaand?" Gabrielle shook her bands in anticipation.
"Aren't you a curious little bird?" Fleur teased, and in response Gabrielle showed her best puppy face. "Well… he seems to be kind and caring, more interested in hearing about you than talking about himself, a little shy, and naive, but really proud of his friends, what? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Nothing, nothing…" Gabrielle waved, but Fleur caught the knowing smile on the younger girl's face. "Will you introduce us when we get to Scotland?"
"Of course I will, now, off to class!" Fleur said, clapping her hands.
.oOo.
Daphne sat down at the back table in the library. The table was really becoming their meeting spot away from prying eyes. Hermione was already there, reading a book about the history of the Wizengamot.
"You two are really going forward with this?" Daphne asked Hermione.
"Yes, we are tired, Daphne. Aren't you tired of people like Malfoy? Your family is older and wealthier than his." Daphne could hear the hesitation in her voice. This was not her territory; the Slytherin could hear the disgust in her voice talking about these terms. Poor Hermione,so intelligent and yet, so naive about how the wizardry world worked.
"Your Slytherin impression is not very good, Harry did a better job…" Daphne pointed.
Hermione actually smiled at this.
"Funny thing is that the hat wanted to put him on Slytherin, but he asked not to." Hermione mused.
"Really, and why would he do that?" Daphne was curious. Harry as a Slytherin was an intrigant idea.
"He and Malfoy had a conflict on the train, over me and Ron, and again in the boats. Even at eleven Harry was disgusted by the hatred displayed by Malfoy. Add to that Ron feeding him some prejudice against Slytherin and finding out his father was a Gryffindor and there you have it." Hermione shrugged, for her, house rivalries were just a ridiculous concept. One thing was a friendly competition like Quidditch, another was harming other students simply for where a hat placed them to sleep.
Daphne thought for an instant.
"That is actually good. It will be our starting point."
Hermione looked at her, confused.
"We will feed Astoria with that story, leaving out his father part. She can spread it to the right people, and in a couple days the whole of Slytherin will know that the Boy-who-lived could have been one of us, if it wasn't for Malfoy. We lost all this fame, and the best seeker in a century because of him… even something small like that can go a long way."
Hermione was baffled, simple, yet clever.
"So, you will work with us?" The bushy haired witch asked.
"Tell Harry the lessons will start as soon as we can find a secure spot." Daphne said with a grin. That would be good.
.oOo.
"Potter and his idiotic entourage have been stealing from my stock again…" Severus Snape exclaimed after entering the headmaster's office with heavy steps.
"And what makes you say that Severus" Albus Dumbledore replied, looking over his half moon glasses to the slim, greasy haired man in front of him. All those years of making potions in a dungeon were finally catching up to him, Snape looked at least ten years older than he really was. "Lemon drop?" The old wizard asked with an amused tone.
"Who else would do it? They did it in their second year, and are doing it again. Some mischievous plan to get more attention for sure " The professor responded as he waved his hand, dismissing the candy.
"I find it hard to believe Severus. As you may have noticed, Harry's dedication to his studies had improved substantially this term, and I believe Ms. Granger is significantly responsible for that. It seems the boy has finally realized that to excel in his studies is in his own best interests. I am sure he has already discovered that he will not be able to pursue a career as a professional athlete. Maybe you made some mistake at your last account?"
Snape looked at him with a sneer, offended by the suggestion. Dumbledore rejoiced in his own ability to make him lose his temper.
Of course, Albus Dumbledore knew exactly who was stealing from his professor's stock. And for now, it suited his plans to have the impostor at the school, though under extreme vigilance. At least until he found the whereabouts of the true Alastor Moody. It would both keep Harry Potter on his toe, and be a source of information about Tom. "Is it really wise to keep this man inside the school?" He thought to himself. "Of course it is, where else would he be better watched?" The old wizard responded to himself.
"If not for that, why have you summoned me here, sir?" Snape asked.
"Oh yes, I would like to request you to double the dose on Harry's potion over the next lunar cycle, it seems like we both underestimated the strength of the curse in such a powerful young man." Albus said with a calm voice.
Snape looked thoughtful.
"Sir, why are you doing this? This may poison the boy beyond reversal; I don't like him, but…"
"He's right, you know" Dumbledore again silently told himself. "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." He answered himself.
"The alternative is way worse, Severus. If we don't control it, we may end up with another Fenrir Greyback on our hands, or worse. Also we can build his own tolerance to the curse, making him more able to control it." The old wizard explained in a professoral tone.
"But he can also lose control of himself in the process, becoming nothing more than a puppet" Snape finished.
"That is exactly what I hope" Albus thought to himself, but his answer to the man in front of him was different.
"You underestimate the boy, Severus. He has already proved himself capable of great things. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to supervise the preparations for our notable guests' arrival, both domestically and from abroad. I heard Madam Dolores Umbridge has some quite high standards."
.oOo.
Sirius got back on his feet, panting and sweating profusely, his joints crack in protest as he moved.
"Damn French heat. That was close, but not good enough, my mark was off by almost two seconds." The man grunted.
Sirius looked at the three people in front of him, they were some of his oldest friends and allies, people he had let down once… Remus had an apprehensive gaze, Apolline looked beautiful and stoic, as always, and Jacques just appeared to be amused.
"Again…" Sirius asked.
"Are you sure Sirius?" Lupin asked.
"Yeas, I am serious"
All three of them looked at each other.
"Seriously? A Sirius serious joke?" Apolline with her musical laughter doubled up on the joke. This provoked an outburst of laughter from the three men.
"Yeah, I spent too much time in that hell hole. I am but a shadow of my older self. I need to be in shape to teach Harry. You saw him Remus; those years with the Dursleys took too much from him. The boy has all that raw power, but his wand work is shit, and he acts only by instinct. He will need to make up for all those lost years." Sirius said, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
"His lost years or yours?" Jacques asked?
"Humf, shouldn't you be at some boring political fundraising event right now Jacques?"
"Non, this iz more fun." The Frenchman shrugged.
"OK" Sirius said resolutely, then took a deep breath. "Again!"
All three raised their wands and pointed at him at the same time.
.oOo.
Hermione was torn. On one hand, her plan with Daphne was going well, over the last week, the rumors about Slytherin Harry had spread, even over to the other houses. The fact Draco had a black eye and broken nose no one could seem to fix also didn't help him. Daphne was also quite busy building her connections with the upper year students.
Hermione also couldn't deny a certain satisfaction in seeing a woman taking power in the magical world, even if slowly.
But, on the other hand, the girls were not fooled; Malfoy would come back soon, and he would be ruthless, and Daphne was specifically afraid for Astoria. The girls knew the Slytherin would have to do something bold and very soon.
Harry was also quite dedicated to his studies, specifically ancient runes, which he seemed to have a natural talent for. The young wizard was trying to make up for the lost time in a dedicated way that made her proud. It also helped that it gave her an excuse to spend more time with him.
Ron on the other hand didn't even bother trying to talk to them anymore. And maybe it was better this way.
But Harry also traded letters with Fleur right up to three days before she left for Hogwarts. Most of the subjects of the letters were just two friends exchanging experiences, but, for some reason, that was what made Hermione nervous.
And then, there was Katie. Katie was beautiful, fierce and outgoing. Her body was fit and she was not shy about it, the girl was a great player and Hermione knew that was a plus for Harry, and she mostly definitely was sexually active. Harry took long walks with her, sometimes an hour had gone by before they were seen again, smiling, the boy with even messier hair. Most people realized something was happening, how could a bushy haired bookworm like her compete with a girl like that? But Hermione also had other suspicions.
Katie was also cursed. She had to be.
But when pressed, Harry always said they were not together, just close friends.
But where did that leave her? She didn't want only the "best friend" position anymore, her nights were spent dreaming of Harry, only to wake up with her panties soaked, her hands finding herself in the silence of the bedroom. She had even done it in the library after Harry left one of their study sessions to meet Katie. The thought of the two of them together plus the almost empty library proved too much for the witch to resist. She came with her hands inside her knickers, under the table as images of Katie and Harry in a broom cupboard or the quidditch dressing room went through her mind. Hermione had to run and change her wet underwear thinking about how come she had the Gryffindor's courage to do that, but not be able to talk to the person who was her best friend and crush for almost five years now.
With all that, plus Daphne's problem on her mind, Hermione ended up having a busy week. She barely noticed when the ministry officials joined the professors at the staff table.
.oOo.
"Hey, what are you laughing at?" Harry's voice brought Katie back to reality.
"I was just thinking… next year's cup will be really unfair with both of us on the team. Damn, it's going to be great!" The girl laughed again. "Can you imagine you and that blond git? He will never know what hit him"
Harry laughed and Katie could only admire him again. They were at the top of the astronomy tower, in post coital bliss, looking at the lake and waiting. The sex had been great, once again, Katie had come twice in a very short time, and they both laid naked, embracing each other. For the first time, he appeared to be feeling comfortable being completely nude next to her. Trust was a rare thing for Harry, and Katie felt he trusted her.
The wizard was slim, but incredibly defined for a fifteen years old. Harry was a little short but not small in any other way, a true seeker through and through. Katie realized she liked that, even his dick was the right size. And then there were the scars. His life as a werewolf had just begun, but his body was already more marked than most men would ever get. There was the bite scar on his left shoulder, and the strange marks Katie suspected were from beatings on his back. There was also a big one on his right bicep, like a piercing instrument had entered there, and something like a burn mark around it. There was also an assortment of cut scars all over his upper body. She could now understand why trust was a rare commodity for Harry. But even more intriguing was his smell. For Katie, it was Harry's scent, and if she had to describe it would be something like the strong wind before a storm, mixed with… protection, lust? It was a powerful combination, and Katie was somewhat relieved she was the only one that could sense it. Or she would have had to fight off the other girls on a regular basis.
Katie knew he was not only her's. If he was an alpha like the girl suspected, there would be others, and she actually liked it. A lot!
Looking at him and thinking all those things made her wet again, and Harry smiled at her, of course he could smell her arousal. "Damn, once he learned what that scent was, I imagine how awkward it would be to smell Hermione when she is around him."
Katie got closer to him; she could also smell his own arousal. But there was something else.
"Sorry to ruin the mood," Harry said, "but I wanted to ask you something…"
"Sure Harry." Katie sat on his lap, straddling him, her wet slit sliding off his hardening member, their bodies touching.
"These feelings of anger, this… rage… how do you cope with it? Sometimes I want to rip Malfoy's head off, specifically after what he did to Astoria. And sometimes I feel like I am really close to doing just that." Harry wondered, enjoying the proximity.
"I totally understand…" Katie stayed in silence for a while, thinking. How she wished her Mom or grandfather were here, they could have done a much better job explaining than she. "I am a half-blood, and have gone to a muggle primary school you know. Damn, I loved school. I think it's because both humans and wolves are social beasts." The witch looked at him and found only genuine interest in those eyes. "Well, that was until the day this kid entered our class. The boy was a prat. Picking on others, stealing food, beating on the weaker boys. My mom had alerted me to stay away, that I might have to leave the school if something weird happened if you know what I mean. I was nine at the time; I was starting to understand the division between wizards and muggles you know."
Katie looked at the lake, the setting sun light reflecting on its gentle waves.
"But then, one day, he messed with a dear friend too close to the full moon, and I lost it!" Harry could hear the emotion on the girl's voice and embraced her, his protective instincts kicking in. Feeling reassured, Katie continued. "I hit him hard. I don't even remember. They said I screamed, and punched, and kicked and bit. When they finally got us apart, the kid was a bloody mess. The friend I was defending was afraid of me. I was expelled. When I got home, I expected to be grounded forever, but my family had other plans. First my grandfather asked me to tell what had happened. And then, he simply asked how it felt. I looked into his eyes and I couldn't lie, Harry. I said it felt... good."
Katie looked at Harry expecting the disgust look, but found only understanding.
"Then he said it was supposed to feel good, that I should not be embarrassed by that. The rage, he said, was a part of me, and denying it would only make it grow, but I should embrace and dominate it, not let it dominate me. I asked him why I have this thing in me. And his answer resonates with me until this day. He said that the rage was there not to hurt those we hate, but to protect those we love. To protect the pack."
Harry looked deep into her caramel eyes, absorbing the words. Then he gave her a deep, slow, caring kiss.
When they parted, Katie debated with herself about telling him about being an alpha, love and hate. But they were both surprised by movement in the sky.
A giant carriage, pulled by a great number of Pegasus appeared in the sky, directing itself to the castle. At the same time an enormous and somewhat sinister ship emerged from the depths of the lake.
"Well, that's our cue. Katie said, sounding disappointed, she really wanted.one more round.. "Our guests have arrived, and we really need a shower"
.oOo.
Fleur finished her food feeling really tired. It had been a six-hour trip from Beauxbatons to Hogwarts, on that dreadful carriage, and upon arriving, the students had been shocked with the news that they would be sleeping on the carriage itself.
Now, sitting at the Ravenclaw's table, the veela was annoyed that the only two boys not acting like idiots around her were a blonde seventh year, who sat with an Asian girl and a dark haired one who seems to be friends with the couple. Fleur was not fooled, the boy, who she learned was named Cedric Diggory, was affected, but liked her girlfriend enough to pretend not to be. As for the other boy, Robert or something, he appeared to be much more interested in the Slytherin table and the Durmstrang committee. Weird lot that one, all boys, pretending, to a variable degree of success, not to be impressed or even interested with their theatrical stoic attitude. Men…
The other girls quickly realized what was happening, and withdrew from her as well, just like in Beauxbatons, she was even trying to suppress herself and contain her allure, but it was hard, feeling as tired as she was.
So now Fleur was tired and feeling peeved.
At least Hogwarts was everything she had been told. The castle was enormous, imposing. The lake was truly beautiful when they arrived, the sun setting behind the forbidden forest. The entrance Hall was impressive, with all the giant statues and portraits, and the ceiling of the great Hall was as beautiful as the legends said. Fleur couldn't help but find the entirety of the castle a little cold. Beautiful, but somewhat oppressive, not as vibrant or colorful like her own school.
After the school's delegations were presented by the headmaster, with Fleur giving her better fake smile (the same one she used to give at the political parties at Delacour manor) the Beauxbatons students were sat down at the Ravenclaw's table. How she wished it had been the Gryffindor's. Then an actually pleasant dinner was served. The elves had prepared a variety of plates, typical from all the three involved schools but it all went downhill from there.
The Goblet of Fire was presented, and as is common with many of those ancient magical items, it was less impressive than the legends made believe. Headmaster Dumbledore proceeded to present the tournament staff, starting with the ministry officials. Fleur didn't pay much attention, she barely hid her disgust when the small toad-like woman with terrible fashion sense was presented, then he moved to present madam Maxine and the Durmstrang headmaster and finished explaining the tournament participation rules. After that all students were liberated to interact or go back to their common rooms as they liked, most of them choosing to stay and chat at the great hall.
The two Ravenclaw girls in front of her simply stood and moved to another place on the table, whispering at each other. Fleur sighed.
"Come on little bird," Regine said, coming closer to her. "It is not that bad…"
Fleur looked at her with a smirk.
"Here, let me do something to cheer you up" Regine winked at her
"And what would that be?" Fleur asked.
Let's meet my cousin!" Regine said standing. Fleur promptly understood, and followed her to the Gryffindor's table, were talking.wad running more freely than the Ravenclaws .
"Fleur, this is my cousin, Angelina Johnson" Regine said in English, gesturing at a tall, athletic girl, probably their own age, with a wide smile and the same dark skin and luxurious waved hair that Fleur found beautiful.
"it 'ez a great pleasure finally meeting you!" Fleur said politely, giving the tall girl a kiss on the check.
"Likewise, Reg has told me many good things about you, here, let me introduce you to my friends." Angelina gave her a knowing smile that made the French girl blush then winked at Regine.
Around the table, Fleur noticed the boys looking at her again. Even suppressing the allure, it wasn't hard to notice how they were affected, most went instantly silent, looking dumbly at the veela, making the girls around them aware that something was happening. A red haired boy, seated some places up front, seemed particularly affected, looking at her with dazed eyes. "Not again…" Fleur thought.
Angelina rolled her eyes and said. "This silent git over here is my boyfriend Fred, and the other one is obviously his brother George, congratulations, you managed to shut then up, Alicia and I are trying to do this for a year now." Angelina said with no anger in her voice, while Alicia gave George a playful smack on the back of the head , pointing to the other girl on the left of the twin brothers, "This is Katie.'' The pretty brunette gave her a wave and a weird smile. Angelina moved along ever so slowly, "The other girl is called Hermione '' Angelina said in a really low voice as if trying not to get attention. Hermione got her eyes up and smiled at her, there was Harry's best friend, the one he talked about with great care in his letters, Fleur found her really cute, with the big bushy hair and really intelligent eyes. "And there, in the middle of them…" Angelina said in her ear. But Fleur almost didn't hear, there, between Katie and Hermione, trying to get the chubby boy's attention, apparently unaffected by her allure, with the raven black messy hair and deep emerald green eyes, was…
"'Arry…" Fleur said.
Hearing his name, Harry moved his eyes from Neville and looked up at her. He took a deep breath and stood up quickly.
"Fleur…" Harry said with a big smile.
For a second, Fleur lost control over her allure, the effect was so strong that even some of the girls were affected, Neville actually got up and left the hall quickly, the other red haired boy started opening and closing his mouth. But Harry didn't even flinch, his smile stayed the same.
Fleur got a hold of herself, she was not prepared for this.
There, in front of her, appearing to look at her soul, were the wolf's eyes. Her dreams materialized in front of her.
With a quick movement she embraced him and felt immense relief when he hugged her back.