章 390: hpml231-240
Chapter 231
Voldemort stared at the darkened mirror in front of him as he stroked Nagini. Barty's latest
report was both exciting and worrying. The fact that Harry Potter was shaping up to be a
true worthy opponent was unexpected, and somewhat welcome. It allowed him to make a
stronger claim as to why he was disembodied in the first attempt on the boy's life if Potter
was actually an impressive combatant. Yet…the phantom version of him claimed to have
essentially taken over on a whim.
Voldemort shook his head. The phantom was obviously an exaggeration. Potter himself did
not have such power. One day perhaps – if everything went perfectly right – the boy might
gain a bit of that ability. Though if he had even a tenth of the strength displayed…
No. Recruiting Potter would certainly be entertaining and would likely be one of the single
strongest blows he could deliver to the morale of the fools in the Light but it was far too
risky. Voldemort was not the only one who could play a long game. If Potter had gotten
any ideas from his doppelganger then he could pretend to follow Voldemort and bide his
time. When Voldemort had shared enough knowledge and power then Potter would strike
and remove him. He might be immortal but as evidenced by the last decade, this version of
immortality had its downsides.
Potter needed to die. And Voldemort had to be the one to kill him to validate his claim to
being the strongest. The boy deserved more than to die like a dog in the night though. Yes.
He'd duel Potter after the ritual. It would clearly show his followers just how powerful he
was even newly reborn. And Potter could die a warrior's death.
A death the boy's mother should have been granted as well.
"That's all for class today," McGonagall said as she lowered her wand. Before the students
could start to get up and head out she smiled and kept going. "However, one
announcement before dinner. This winter holiday, on December 24th, there will a Yule Ball
held at Hogwarts. We will be hosting all three schools and there will be dinner, dancing
and music. I have it on good authority that we will be hearing the talents of the Weird
Sisters." A small cheer greeted this remark and she waited for it to die down before
finishing. "You are all welcome to stay and attend if you wish. If so I recommend you find a
date. In addition, the Ball is open to fourth years and up. Younger students may attend if
invited by one of the upper years. I hope you all look forward this as much as I do!"
A small chorus of conversation started as everyone started filing out and talking about the
dance. Harry had already turned to Hermione when McGonagall called for him. Hermione
rolled her eyes and waved him back towards their teacher. "Yes, Professor?"
"Mr. Potter, while I imagine this isn't going to come as a large surprise to you, as a
Champion you are expected to open the dancing segment with a partner. This means you
should expect to attend the Ball and if you don't have experience dancing you should
probably start practicing. Somehow I doubt finding a date will be much of an issue." Her
eyes were smiling even if her mouth wasn't and she surreptitiously cast a glance at
Hermione waiting by the door.
Harry laughed. "Yeah this doesn't surprise me at all, Ma'am. Daphne had mentioned it was
tradition a while ago so I've been taking some lessons with her and Tracey for the past
week when we needed a break from regular training. Do I sense I wager on my date
again?"
"Again, Mr. Potter?" McGonagall asked with a hint of amusement.
"I heard you might have come into some money when I started dating Hermione last
year…" Harry said smirking.
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean, Mr. Potter." McGonagall turned back to her desk
and shifted some papers. As Harry laughed and walked back to Hermione McGonagall
called over her shoulder, "Though I would appreciate it if you take Miss Granger or Miss
Tonks."
After dinner, Shiva had grabbed Harry and practically marched him back to her quarters.
"Sit down, kid," she said gesturing to an armchair near her fireplace. Harry grabbed a cup
of pumpkin juice from the bar and sat as indicated shifting nervously. He had been
avoiding talking to her for most of the day. The looks she had given him immediately
following his duel with the doppelganger had worried him somewhat and if she was going
to be kicking him out of her life he wanted to push that conversation as long as possible.
So far, he'd managed to avoid even thinking about it but now…now that worry was rearing
up again.
It certainly wasn't helping that Shiva had grabbed a bottle of firewhiskey and poured a
small amount into two glasses, handing one to him.
"Umm…"
"You might need it, kid," Shiva said staring into the fire and looking determined. "That's
about equivalent to a single drink so you're not going to get drunk and you're not getting
anymore. So if you want to drink just sip that way it lasts."
Harry cringed. "I'll pack my things after the Yule Ball," he said softly.
Shiva frowned and turned to look at him in complete confusion. "I haven't even mentioned
my idea yet, Har – oh for fuck's sake! No! Harry, that is not what I meant!" She surged off
her chair and pulled him into a rib-cracking hug. "Jeez, kid, I'm sorry. I suck at these things.
Seriously freaking suck. I am not kicking you out. This conversation is going to be bad, but
do not think for a second that I am even considering kicking you out! I meant what I said
when I took you in, Harry. We are family now and you are not getting away from me that
easily, kid." She pulled back and ruffled his hair, studiously ignoring the watery sheen over
his eyes.
"You don't want me to leave?" Harry asked, his hands shaking slightly. "Even after what he
said?"
Shiva slowly and deliberately shook her head. "That was a version of you so far removed
from anything I've seen, Harry, that it might as well have been Tom Riddle. That was not
you. That was your darkest fear manifest. A boggart on steroids with its dial cranked to 100
on a 1 to 10 scale. That was not you. I am not going to abandon you, kid. Especially not
because some hyped up pillar decided that you were scared of a callous, broken version of
yourself." She smirked and said, "Hell, at this point I probably would end up being all alone
with Daphne as your final follower if you did decide to take over the world."
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Chapter 232
Harry snorted and wiped at his eyes. "That's really not funny."
She heaved a huge, dramatic sigh. "You're right. I wouldn't be a lowly follower; I'd be the
Dark Vizier. Daphne would still be your Dark Mistress, but Hermione and Tonks would
definitely still be the prime Dark Ladies. Do you think Fleur would be there as a Dark
Mistress too or would it be appropriate for her to be a Dark Courtesan?" Harry groaned
and Shiva just kept going. "Sirius could be the Dark Dog though he might have to share
that post with Remus. Hehe, share the post. Neville would probably be your Darth Vader if
we could find a nice helmet for him. I'm not quite sure what titles Susan, Hannah or
Amelia would go for…"
"And Luna would be Dark Cryptozoologist?" Harry asked shaking his head and swallowing
down his pumpkin juice.
"Seems like the best job for her. I'd say she'd fit as the Dark Jester too, but a court jester
just isn't truly respected enough these days for her to have that job."
"It would be if I took over everything and gave her the job." Harry finally cracked a bit of a
smile.
Shiva rubbed her chin and nodded. "True. True. Well we'll leave it up to her I suppose. She
could probably handle both jobs or foist one off onto Tracey. I was going to suggest Tracey
fit well into the Dark Announcer but she'd probably do better as Luna's assistant."
"Probably," Harry said shrugging. He ran a hand through his hair and smiled at her.
"Thanks, Shiva."
"No problem, kid," she said standing up and moving back to her chair. "No more of this
'I'm leaving' thing. I started this thing off awfully wrong sure, but you should know better
than to think I was kicking you to the curb after dealing with me for 3 and-a-half years."
"I should. I'm sorry."
"Stop apologizing!" She said rolling her eyes. "Alright now that that misunderstanding is
over with let's get onto the real reason why this is going to suck." Harry frowned, but
nodded. "Okay, here goes…" Shiva took a deep breath and grimaced. "Harry, I think…what
would you say if I asked you to leave after the Yule Ball."
"Like to go see the Manor?" Harry asked confused.
"No," she said softly staring into the fire again and fingering her drink. "Like leave as in
leave Britain. Leave as in disappear to Australia or – you know what not Australia. If those
idiots are making more of those columns we're staying the hell away. We could go to
Canada or Brazil or the United States or Japan or something."
"But what about your job?"
"Screw my job. I can get a new job. I did like four things for Bill over the summer and raked
in nearly a third of what I make here."
"Okay…well we'd have to come back for the Tournament events…I guess Fleur could tell us
when they were coming up but…" Harry trailed off as he saw Shiva shaking her head.
"That's not what you're talking about is it?" he asked with dawning comprehension and a
bit of fear.
"Yeah it's not," she said clutching her glass like a lifeline. "Harry, this Tournament is getting
more and more dangerous. I'm scared, kid. I don't want you competing in this thing. I don't
want to have to bury you by the end of the year. I never planned on having a kid before I
hit 30 – and I sure as hell never figured that kid would be as mature as you before I even
met him – but now that you are part of my family, Harry, I don't want to let you get taken
away by this twisted blood sport. I would much prefer to have us both living a Muggle life
somewhere far away than to have to visit your grave once a year."
"Shiva…" Harry took a sip of the firewhiskey, gagged for a moment and then left his seat to
hug her.
Shiva leaned into the embrace and let out a soft sob. "I don't want to lose you to this,
Harry. Dying because Voldemort is targeting you is bad enough, but dying because some
Ministry bitch has hate-on for you and someone else is taking advantage of it is something
completely different! If I ask, Harry, will you leave? Will you give up magic and live as a
Muggle?"
Harry stayed quiet for a long while just holding her and thinking carefully. Finally he said
softly, "I would, Shiva. But I don't think I really have that option."
"You do. You always have a choice, Harry," she said shaking her head.
He pulled back. "Not yet I don't," he said slowly. "It's not a real choice. We know that
Voldemort is still out there. We know that he's somewhat obsessed with me. We know
that Pettigrew escaped and probably went running to him now that the rat doesn't have
anywhere else to go. Eventually he's going to come back and when he does the first thing
he's going to do is try to find and kill me. We could run, Shiva, but I'm willing to bet he'd
find us eventually. And then we'd die because as much as I love you, you're not a match for
him. If Dumbledore can't beat him, then you can't either."
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Chapter 233
"Neither can you, kid," Shiva said defiantly. "You beat a shadow and a memory. The real
thing with real spells and a real body is a completely different Quidditch game."
"We'd certainly stand a better chance though if we both had magic."
"The others could come too. I wasn't completely kidding earlier, Harry. You're magnetic.
We'll all follow you if you need us."
"I don't think it'd be enough," he said running a hand through his hair. "I think there's
something bigger happening that we don't know enough about. If it was just when I was a
baby and first year I could ignore it as ridiculous coincidence, but running into
Memorymort second year…there's something bigger Shiva. It's going to end up being him
and me. I hate that and it scares the hell out of me, but I can't really ignore it. Even if you
don't believe that, you can't think that whoever is rigging this Tournament through The
Umbitch is just going to give up and let us run."
Shiva scowled and turned away from him. She took a long pull from her drink and set it
down scowling deeper. "Why do you have to make sense? Why can't you just beg to not
leave your friends or give up your magic? I had counterarguments for those! I had plans
and ideas! I can't argue against Goddess-be-damned fate!"
Harry shrugged. "I'm just cursed that way," he said chuckling somewhat to try and lighten
the mood. "If it helps, I have kicked the arsehole to curb three times in a row now so I
think I've got a good chance. And this Tournament hasn't killed me yet. I'll be okay, Shiva. I
survive. It's kind of my thing: worst good luck ever remember? Well that and saving
people."
Shiva stayed silent and stared into the fire. After several minutes of silence she turned to
him. "You promise me you are going to survive this year, kid. You promise me no matter
how bad this gets or who we end up fighting against, that you will keep going. That you
use the messed-up luck and come out the other side."
"I promise, Shiva." He smiled at her and shrugged. "Like you said, you're not getting rid of
me that easily."
Harry walked into the Common Room early the morning after his talk with Shiva to see
Hermione already sitting in her favorite spot and reading a book. Smiling he walked over to
sit with her. "Hey."
"Good morning, Harry," Hermione said marking her page and setting it aside. "Sleep well?"
He nodded. "Yeah. So would you like to – "
Hermione put a finger over his lips before he could finish the question. "Before you ask, we
need to talk for a minute."
"Is this a good talk or a bad talk?" Harry asked frowning. "Because I just had a rather
emotionally draining talk with Shiva last night and I'd like to have a bit of warning if I'm
about to have another one."
Hermione's eyes narrowed. "Oh? What kind of emotionally draining talk? Do I need to go
and threaten her again?"
"No, it wasn't that bad. It was just – wait 'again'? When did you threaten Shiva the first
time?" Harry asked gaping at his girlfriend.
Hermione blushed and looked down at the ground. "I…may have threatened to…end her
after waking from the basilisk attack. You had just mentioned she was trying to become
your legal guardian and I wanted her to understand that you trusted her and that if she
used that to hurt you I'd make her life a living hell…" Hermione mumbled her face beet
red.
Harry continued goggling at her before finally bursting out laughing and hugging Hermione
to his chest. "Man, Mione, you are scary when you're angry. Thanks for sticking up for me
back then though it really wasn't necessary." She nodded against his chest. "And it's not
necessary now. She tried to convince me I should leave the wizarding world with her. That
we'd move to a foreign country after the Yule Ball and only keep in contact with the main
group."
Hermione pulled back drawing in a breath in a sharp gasp. "But the Tournament! That
would make you lose your magic!"
Harry nodded. Before she could freak out further he kept talking. "Don't worry, I'm not
going. I did consider it though. I agree with her that I'd be fine living a Muggle life if it kept
me out of a casket, but I convinced her that I think it would only push off – and probably
assure – my untimely death. Eventually Voldemort would come back, track me down and
kill me without much of a fight. At least if I have my magic I can try and defend against him.
The Tournament hasn't killed me yet and I'm getting a bit better."
Hermione sat back in the couch and didn't speak for a long time. Harry had almost decided
to reach for her book when she started talking quietly. "You would've told me and Nym
before you left right?"
"Of course," Harry said staring at her confused at the obvious question.
"And where you were going so we could follow you?"
Harry raised his eyebrows. "You wouldn't have been rid of me that easily, Mione."
Slowly she nodded. "I can understand why she'd advocate for that solution then. I certainly
prefer you breathing as well."
"It would be rather gross trying to kiss a corpse," he said smiling.
"Don't even joke about that," Hermione shuddered. "Well, the talk I was going to initiate
is…nowhere near that level of difficulty. It will likely be awkward and require some time to
think about, but ultimately it rather pales in comparison."
"Well that's good to know. Shoot."
"You know I stayed with Fleur the other night…" When she paused Harry nodded. "We
spoke. Quite extensively. Harry, I don't know how much you've noticed, but Fleur has not
exactly been subtle about trying to get closer to the both of us."
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Chapter 234
"Yeah, I know," Harry said running a hand through his hair. "Even I can't exactly miss the
flirting."
"I got her to tell me what she was hoping to have come about at the end of all this,"
Hermione said wringing her hands. "Hear me out okay? Don't just dismiss it out of hand,
Harry. Fleur is…well she's hoping for…umm…to be our Consort…"
Harry closed his eyes and sighed. "So she's not just being playful then, but she's actually
well and truly serious."
"Yes, she is. She's – wait!" Hermione's head whipped up and she stared at him mouth
agape. "You understand the implications?"
"I did my research after getting blindsided with the two wives thing," Harry said shrugging.
"I didn't want to end up being roped into something similar because of some ancient
tradition that no one pays attention to but is still on the books. Found out about Consorts
in the process. I can apparently take one official Consort per line. Not that I had ever
planned on exercising that right," he said.
"Harry Potter," Hermione said her eyes narrowing. Yup she was angry. At least she was
sticking to just two names instead of three. He could always call Dobby for a quick escape
if she transitioned into three names. "You knew about Consorts before we returned to
school and you never told me?"
"You knew about the two wives thing long before I did. I just assumed you had already
read about Consorts too." It wasn't enough, Hermione wasn't backing down. "I'm sorry?"
Hermione shook her head and leaned back crossing her arms. "For future reference, this is
the sort of thing you should bring to Tonks or I. Arg! That could've saved me some
awkwardness the other night!"
"Sorry," Harry said contritely. Frowning he continued almost to himself, "Daphne did said
that Fleur would likely be going a different direction since Tonks was dating us, but I didn't
think…Fleur really wants to be a Consort?"
"Yes, Fleur is interested in being a Consort," Hermione said still sounding mildly annoyed,
but at least she didn't sound angry any more.
"Despite us dating Nym too?"
Hermione nodded. "She didn't quite say as much, but I think she likes Nym as well. She
identifies with us all on some level since we were all rather isolated growing up and she
craves a relationship with someone who understands that feeling and the loneliness."
"She wants to continue her line as well correct?" Luna said leaning over the back of the
couch. Hermione and Harry let out a shout of surprise and fell off the couch as they
scrambled away.
"Merlin! Don't do that, Luna!" Hermione said clutching her chest.
"How are you so quiet?" Harry asked trying to calm his racing heart. Coco wandered over,
licked his face and lightly headbutted him, before giving that odd laugh she had.
Luna shrugged. "I've always been quiet." She hopped over the couch and sat cross legged
there looking down at her two friends with a big smile. "So, you three are going to start
dating Fleur now? I like her! She's very nice!"
"We hadn't quite gotten to that point in the conversation, Luna," Hermione groaned.
Harry shook his head and chuckled at the girl. "She did ask two valid questions though,
Mione." He got to his feet and pulled Hermione up as well. Both sat back down with Luna
in between them eagerly looking to each face in turn.
"Yes, Luna, in answer to your first question, Fleur is interested in continuing her father's
name which a Consort option would allow for."
"That's probably what I'll have to do as well," Luna said nodding along. "Unless I end up in
Tracey's harem in which case I'll just have to find a donor father who doesn't need a long
term relationship."
"Luna," Harry said looking at the girl critically, "you do mean 'donor' like in those Muggle
methods I was talking to Daphne and Tracey about a few months ago right?"
"Where's the fun in that?" Luna asked confused. "It would have to be the old fashioned
way. If I am going to have a child one day then I want to enjoy the act of conceiving the
child as much as actually having the child."
"Uhh, right," Hermione said blinking rapidly and trying to ignore the implications of that
statement. "Fleur did stress that she was more interested in a fulfilling romance than being
a trophy Consort for someone she didn't care for."
"And she thinks she can have that with us," Harry said looking carefully at Hermione and
becoming completely serious.
The brunette nodded. "She does. She said being involved with the three of us would
essentially be the best possible outcome for her. Fleur did however make it clear that if the
three of us were not comfortable with it then we should not feel guilty for turning her
down. She would move on and find love with someone else. She did ask for us not to
dismiss the option though until the end of the school year if only so that she could pretend
a bit longer."
"You should date her. She'd be good for you all," Luna commented bobbing her head.
Hermione shut her eyes and visibly counted to ten while Harry just leaned back into the
couch and thought. He was quiet for a long time before he shifted slightly.
"Mione, are you interested in dating Fleur?" Harry asked with a furrowed brow and quiet
voice.
"I…I just…" Hermione sighed and sat back in defeat nodding. "Yes, Harry, I am. It's selfish
and greedy and I already have two amazing partners who care for me very much, but yes, I
am interested in her."
"Can I ask why?"
"Part of it is related to how she is actively pursuing us. You and I just sort of fell in together
after dancing around each other for months. It's mostly the same situation with Nym.
Fleur though is trying to actually seduce us. It's…nice to feel like I'm worth pursuing."
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Chapter 235
Harry opened his mouth to dispute that but Luna quickly covered it with her hand. "Shush,
Harry. Let Hermione talk."
Hermione nodded thankfully at the younger girl. "That's not the entire thing of course. I
understand the loneliness she spoke of. How being a Veela forced her into social isolation. I
experienced similar issues due to my intelligence and love of reading. Nym has a direct
correlation with her metamorph powers forging a complete parallel. You've always been
isolated yourself thanks to the Dursleys in the Muggle world and the Boy-Who-Lived thing
in the magical one."
Hermione sighed. "So, yes, Harry. I admit to feeling a kinship with Fleur and I am open to
exploring that."
Harry considered that before asking, "Your parents wouldn't have any problems with that?
Actually, how do they feel about you being with Nym too?" He shook his head ruefully,
"How have I never asked that?"
"My parents knew I'd have a girlfriend in addition to a boyfriend before I talked to you
over the summer," Hermione shrugged. "They didn't really put up much of a fuss about it
all. I told Nym how I think they were just ecstatic that I wasn't already married to truly
mind. I haven't quite told them yet that I've already gotten a second partner…I should
probably do that soon…"
"If they read the Quibbler they already know," Luna said patting Hermione's leg as the
brunette lost some color.
"Yes. Well. Moving on," Hermione sputtered. "We're not really talking about my parents,
Harry. We're talking about you and me and Nym and Fleur."
"Yeah, you're right." He ran a hand through his hair and shook his head. "Honestly I knew
she was flirting with us, but I didn't really think that Fleur was aiming long term. I'm
uncomfortable enough with two girlfriends, Mione. I'm…not sure I'd be okay with a third. I
like Fleur. I really do. I get that we all have a similar background and can understand each
other. The thing is that I really am not sure I can handle a fourth leg in this relation at this
point."
"I understand, Harry," Hermione said softly reached over to squeeze his leg. "There's
nothing wrong with that."
"Can I take some time to think about it? I don't want to string her along but I have to sort
out how I feel and whether it's something I could see lasting. I am not going to jump into
something that could jeopardize what I already have with you and Nym."
"That's fine, Harry. This is why I brought it up now. Just like when I brought up Tonks during
the summer. I feel it needed to be addressed so that everyone could start thinking about
it," Hermione said smiling at him.
"Mione…" Harry said turning to look at her. "If you want to date Fleur, I think you should.
Don't let my baggage and insecurity hold you back."
Hermione's eyes widened and she gaped at him for a moment. Luna calmly reached over
and closed her mouth jump-starting Hermione's brain somewhat. "Come again?"
"If I can have two wives, then you should be able to have a second partner as well. I'll tell
Nym the same thing and – "
"No." Hermione shook her head cutting him off. "Thank you for the offer and I appreciate
the sentiment, Harry, but no. I already have two partners. I have you and Tonks. Tonks has
two partners as well with you and me. I really should've brought her into this discussion to
begin with and that's my fault for not thinking things through but my point stands. Just as
you don't want to jeopardize what we have, I don't plan to do anything to endanger it
either. I'm sure Tonks feels the same."
"Oh," Harry said, a warm feeling spreading in his chest. He fought a blush as he mumbled,
"Good to know."
"I'll talk to Fleur and let her know to try and tone things down a bit while we figure out
whether or not the Consort thing is something we'd all be open to. Okay?"
"Sounds like a plan though I may talk to her at breakfast. Thanks, Mione." She just smiled
back at him and both chuckled slightly as his stomach rumbled. "Breakfast?" Standing, he
pulled Hermione up as well and they moved around the couch. "We'll meet you down
there, Luna."
Luna waved to her friends and sighed down at Coco who had jumped into her lap to be
petted. "Oh poo. Now I don't get to bring out my chalkboard to chart their relationship!"
"Wotcher, Harry, Hermione," Tonks said as both sat down across from her at the breakfast
table. It was still somewhat early so the Hall wasn't filled yet.
"Morning, Tonks," Harry said piling food on his plate.
"I expected to see you two here earlier considering none of us really seem to sleep in
anymore – even when I give you the morning off," Tonks said eyeing them speculatively.
Hermione sighed. "We got distracted by a…discussion."
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Chapter 236
"Way you put that, it sounds like an important one."
"We were talking about our relationship," Hermione admitted. "It got complicated. Luna
got involved and seemed ready to start making diagrams or something before we made
our escape. She was going for a chalkboard."
Tonks blinked at her before looking to Harry who kept nodding. A moment later Tonks
shook her head and chuckled. "Why does that not surprise me? So what were you even
talking about concerning us that inspired her like that? Should I be worried?"
"We'll tell you later," Hermione said blushing.
Harry looked between his partners while a few more people came to sit down. "We might
as well just tell her now."
"What?" Hermione's eyes widened as she turned to him. "Harry, it is breakfast! We should
wait and talk in private!"
"Do we have to? I'm really not looking for another confusing conversation of trying to
understand girls and Tonks likes it straight anyway. Right, Tonks?"
"Uh…right?" she squinted between the two. "I feel like I'm missing something important
here though…"
"Come on, Hermione, let me rip the band-aid off?" Harry asked giving the brunette his best
puppy dog stare. Hermione groaned and covered her face in her hands. "I'll take that as a
yes! Tonks, we were talking about, Fleur."
"Ah," Tonks nodded sagely. "Yes, that makes so much sense now." The sarcasm was nearly
visibly dripping from her tone.
"Empty classroom," Hermione said from beneath a curtain of hair. "Please for the love of
all that is holy don't talk about this in the middle of the Great Hall…"
"Oh fine," Harry grumbled grabbing a muffin, standing and heading for a room a little ways
off the Hall with a thoroughly bewildered Tonks and a blushing Hermione trailing behind.
As soon as the door closed, Harry charged onwards. "Okay, so long story short: Fleur's
flirting is not because she's playful and likes us, but more because she likes us and wants to
try for something long term. She's interested in us because she feels that she can relate to
us all better since the four of us all grew up as anti-social loners with few friends.
Hermione is open to the idea but I asked for time to think about it because I don't want to
risk damaging what the three of us already have and Hermione agreed that our current
relationship is paramount. It's…weird having two girlfriends and I'm not sure I'd be able to
be there enough for three." Harry paused and turned to Hermione. "Did I miss anything?"
Hermione just groaned and raised her eyes to the stars in prayer. "Tonks, Fleur isn't
interested in muscling either of us out of a wife position. She wants to be a Consort with
someone she cares about so that she has love as well as the potential to continue the
Delacour name."
Tonks looked between her partners completely bewildered. Her hair flashed through
several colors before settling back on pink. Furrowing her brow she turned to Harry. "So
short version is Fleur wants to date, Hermione is willing to date, you are unsure about
dating, and neither of you will date unless I agree?"
"Basically," Harry nodded happily.
"You should've said that to begin with," Tonks said shrugging.
Hermione growled and balled her fists. "What is wrong with you both?! This isn't
something that can just be summed up in a minute and a half conversation! We need to
have an in-depth discussion and establish how each of us feels and how this impacts the
larger dynamic and whether or not we accept that this is even remotely plausible without
hurting each other! And, and, and, arrgg!" Crossing her arms she glared at Tonks and Harry
both of whom were looking at each other in confusion. "You both have the emotional
range of a teaspoon."
"Hey!" Harry mock glared at her. "I resent that! Ron has the emotional range of a teaspoon.
I'm at least a tablespoon!"
"Quite right, Wonder Boy," Tonks agree stepping beside him. She shifted to match his
height and crossed her arms to mirror his posture and join in his mock glare. "We are
tablespoons when it comes to emotions."
Hermione kept her own glare for almost ten seconds before cracking and shaking her head
in exasperation. "Tonks can you please be serious about this for a moment?"
"No sense of humor," the metamorph said shrugging and reverting to her normal form.
"Okay, fine, to be completely serious…I'm not surprised. I've known Fleur was interested in
more than just a fling basically since I got here, guys. I was pretty jealous for a while at first;
which really wasn't fair to her at all since I wasn't even dating you at the time." Tonks
sighed and leaned against one of the desks. "Part of my problem was that I thought she
had a really good shot. She's smart, funny, smoking hot and also very interested in you
because of who you are and not what you are. I've gotten over the jealousy thing though."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Chapter 237
"That's why you glared at her for a few weeks…" Harry muttered. "I really have no clue
about girls…"
"Yeah, but you're sweet as hell, Harry, so it's endearing," Tonks said smiling at him.
"Anyway, my mother's a Black whether she has the name or not anymore. I grew up
hearing about her ranting about contracts and mistresses and Consorts and vows since
before I could walk. I'm not going to lie and say that it wouldn't be a little weird and a huge
change, but I'm also not going to deny finding the idea at least mildly interesting. The girl is
a freaking Veela. I'd have to be mad to not at least consider it. And she really is crazy about
you both. I talked to her for a minute after you went to get your scores, Harry."
"You did?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah. Nothing deep, Hermione. I just let her know that I had withdrawn my objections to
her trying to get into Harry's Harem. I was however, perfectly clear that if she is to join us
in any form whatsoever she has to win you both over first. I'll follow along with the
majority decision. I'm not remotely interested in screwing up the one good romantic
relationship I've ever had in my life."
"Nym," Harry said frowning, "you get a full vote too. We should make these decisions
together."
"And we are," Tonks said shrugging. "Harry, I'm rather forceful in pretty much everything
bar relationships. I've always been that way and it's why I had so much trouble when I first
started dating. 'Can you make your breasts bigger?' 'Sure.' 'Can you take off two inches? I
hate being shorter than the girl.' 'Sure.' I don't have to worry about you or Hermione
taking advantage of that part of my personality though. All it means is I let you both more
or less take the lead in stuff like this."
"But if you're not comfortable…"
Hermione sighed and patted Harry's shoulder. "She already said she was okay with Fleur,
Harry. She's simply not willing to say 'yes' until we do."
Harry frowned further and crossed his arms thinking. "Girls make no sense at all," Harry
eventually groaned while shaking his head. "And can we not call it Harry's Harem please?
I'm trying really hard to make this a poly-poly-Hermione what was the word?"
"Polyamorous."
"A polyamorous relationship, yes – one where we're all together and not one with two
wives and one husband," Harry said emphatically.
Tonks raised her eyebrows and cocked a thumb at Harry while whispering to the brunette.
"Is he always this confused?"
"About women?" Hermione asked sighing. "Yeah, pretty much."
Tonks shrugged. "Eh, at least he's cute about it. Besides this whole thing is moot anyway
since you're going to take some time and see how you feel, Wonder Boy."
Hermione and Harry both started to protest before looking at each other and chuckling.
Harry turned to Tonks and held up his hands in defeat. "You know if you had led with that
we could've finished this talk in the minute-and-a-half discussion it started as."
"Where's the fun in that?" Tonks asked far too innocently to be believed. "So onto a
related, but different topic while we have the time: Yule Ball. How are we handling this?"
Harry shrugged. "Well I'm dating you both. I had figured I'd just ask you both. Hermione,
Tonks, would you like to attend the Yule Ball as my dates?"
Hermione goggled at him while Tonks laughed. "You can't take two dates, Harry!"
"I checked the rules. Nothing says I can't. It hasn't been done before best I can tell, but if I
ask McGonagall to make sure we have an extra setting at the Head Table, it should be
fine."
"Oh I can't wait to see McG when you tell her that, Wonder Boy!"
"Nah, she expects it from me," Harry smirked. "I'm far more interested in seeing her face
when Neville shows up with Susan and Hannah on each arm."
The trio walked back into the Great Hall only to run into Luna standing by their spot with
her hands on her hips. A flicker of fear crossed Harry's mind before he settled on a plan of
attack. "You two ran away," Luna said. "I wanted to make sure I had the diagram correct."
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-----------------
Chapter 238
"We didn't run, Luna," Harry quickly explained. At her look he hurried to keep talking. "I
mean, we just wanted to make sure you didn't have to change the diagram by the time
breakfast was over in case Tonks was mad for deciding without her."
"Oh." Luna considered that and put a finger under her chin before nodding. "That's nice of
you. Reworking things can be frustrating at times. So the verdict is unchanged?"
"For now, yes, the verdict is unchanged," Harry said nodding and sitting down next to Fleur
while Hermione and Tonks sat next to Luna. Everyone else at the table just looked on in
confusion. Fleur stared between the two, raising her eyebrows. Harry leaned closer to
Fleur and said softly, "Fleur, Hermione talked to me earlier this morning."
The French witch nodded. "About me, I assume."
"Yeah," Harry ran a hand through his hair. "Can you give me some time to think about it?
I'm barely comfortable with just Hermione and Tonks. I need to make sure I can deal with
it before giving you a firm answer either way. I like you, Fleur, but I don't want to screw up
either my current relationship or our friendship."
"I understand, 'arry," Fleur said quietly. She turned and gave him a small smile. "It is not a
full rejection so I will take comfort in zis. Truly, I did not expect anyzing zis quickly zough it
was nice to hope. Let me know what you end up deciding?"
"I will. Thanks for not pushing."
"You are my friends. I will never push for somezing if it makes you uncomfortable."
"The flirting didn't make me uncomfortable by the way," Harry commented with a smile.
Then he grimaced. "But perhaps we can avoid one particular shop in Hogsmeade for a
while."
Fleur laughed and nodded. "Zen I will just have to leave zat particular mezod of enticement
to Hermione and Tonks." Harry could only groan louder in response. "So who is everyone
taking to ze Ball?" Fleur asked the group.
"Well, Harry has decided to be different like usual and is taking both Tonks and myself,"
Hermione said giving an annoyed huff and glaring at Harry. The amusement present in her
eyes took any heat out of the rebuke.
Neville rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "You can do that?"
Harry shrugged. "Nothing in the rules says you can't. It's probably the same thing as with
Fred's potions: nobody's done it so no one thought to say you can't."
"Huh." Neville looked to Susan and Hannah on either side of him and raised his eyebrows.
Before he could do more than open his mouth, both girls nodded.
"Sure, Nev, you can take us both," Susan said smiling.
"I love you two," he replied sagely.
Daphne rolled her eyes. "I suppose I can't really comment since I'm going with Tracey.
Same sex couples don't usually tend to go out together to these functions without at least
a pretend buffer."
Tracey chuckled. "Yeah, but we have enough of a rep at this point that nobody's going to
say anything."
"I can't go. I don't have a date," Luna said shrugging.
Fleur frowned. "Zat will not do at all. Luna, would you do me ze honor of accompanying
me to ze Ball? As friends of course."
Luna's eyes widened. A grin split her face and she nodded enthusiastically. "Of course! I
would love to go as your date, Fleur!"
"Fred and Alicia are going together," Hermione mused. "So that's three out of four
Champions. Should we try and set Viktor up as well?"
"Already taken care of yesterday," Harry said waving his hand in dismissal. "Millie
mentioned at the beginning of the year how she claimed first dibs remember? Well, I
followed through and got her the date. Rest is up to her."
Tracey goggled. "Wait, what? How the hell did that happen?"
"Viktor said he needed a date after we were complaining about the last Task together. I
told him Millie was available and wasn't just interested in him for Quidditch so he said
okay."
"Harry Potter. Matchmaker," Tonks said smirking.
"I just hope one of them knows how to dance…" Daphne mused.
"They have to be better than Tonks," Harry said grinning back at the metamorph. She's
downright deadly at times."
"Hey! I take offense to that!" Tonks replied.
"You almost cracked my head on the table when you tried to teach me dancing, Tonks,"
Harry said raising his eyebrows.
Hair flashing to a quick orange, before she mumbled, "The floor was uneven."
"Your legs were uneven."
"Same difference."
It was the comment that broke the dam and the entire table started laughing. Harry rolled
his eyes and turned back to eating breakfast.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------
Chapter 239
The executive at Outback Training Alternative reached out to the letter that had just been
dropped on his desk by a snowy owl. It was a little confusing how the letter made it to him
to begin with since only official business owners were supposed to be able to contact him
directly and the owl was certainly not a typical business correspondence owl. For that
matter the bird was glaring at him quite strongly.
Opening the letter with a slight frown, Kevin Lyght began to read. Before he was even two
lines into it he paled. "Marge, get R&D up here immediately!" he yelled to his secretary.
To Whom It May Concern,
I am not particularly fond of Howlers, but you really deserve one. My name is Harry Potter
and my friend and I recently had rather large issues with one of the Aspect Columns you
designed and sold to the British Ministry for use in their Triwizard Tournament.
To clarify: your creation created a double of my friend that mind-controlled thousands of
people into trying to kill her and then my own doppelganger tried to eat my soul.
No, I'm not exaggerating and yes, he really could have done it. You idiots included a Soul
rune into your focusing array, but didn't link anything through the dissolution matrix! I'll
grant you, the Soul rune is a good idea to make sure that the Aspects are keyed into their
originals. I cannot understand how you ignored basic safety measures though! Seriously!
Did you have a five year old draw your clusters?! Soul runes are unpredictable at the best
of times let alone when they are included in a complicated etching like your Aspect
Columns. I've included diagrams on how to link limiters into your dissolution matrix
without disrupting the rest of the cluster. This should stop the Aspects from doing any
actual harm to their targets. For the love god please have someone double-check this
change and include it into your Columns. I'm sure that our experiences with these safety
concerns weren't a one-time affair.
Sincerely,
Lord Harry Potter, Owner and CEO of Potter Runes
The night of the Yule Ball saw Harry standing at the foot of the Grand Staircase and pulling
at his shirt collar. Fleur reached over and slapped his hand away. "Stop zat. It is fine. You
look very dashing."
Harry straightened and smiled. "You look beautiful yourself, Fleur." Her deep blue dress
was close cut enough to accentuate her figure without being inappropriate and her hair
was cascading down her back in silky waves. Harry felt his emerald dress robes didn't really
measure up, but then he doubted anything he put on would ever measure up to any of the
girls' dresses. "I'm still not sure why you all insisted that we wait here though. We could've
just escorted Hermione and Luna down from the Common Room."
"Well, Wonder Boy, you needed the full effect of seeing us in the gowns and we enjoy
being able to watch your reactions." Tonks commented with a grin as she stepped into the
atrium. Her tight black dress ended just below her knees and almost seemed to flow
around her as she swayed up to him and kissed his cheek.
"Wow…" Some part of Harry acknowledged that Tonks was right. After all he had
practically gaped when he first saw Fleur a minute ago. And he was doing the same thing
now while looking at Tonks. "That dress is beautiful, Nym…"
"Thanks, Harry. What do you think, Fleur?" Tonks asked turning to look over the blonde.
Fleur nodded approvingly. "Ze dark purple hair certainly sets off ze rest of ze outfit. Zat
was a good choice."
"I thought so too. Took a while to get the shade right," Tonks said. Harry still mostly
speechless stared between the two as they chatted. "Did you notice my eyes were silver? I
think it adds to the mystery."
"Oui. It matches ze necklace as well."
"Aww! You noticed!" Tonks turned to Harry and patted his cheek. "You better appreciate
this, Wonder Boy. I don't generally like getting all dressed up so enjoy this while it lasts."
"Definitely," he said in agreement. Tonks and Fleur both giggled and rolled their eyes. A
moment later, Hermione stepped onto the landing and Harry's brain halted again. He
barely recognized his best friend as she walked down the rest of the stairs. Her periwinkle
dress flowed around her and her she was wearing a set of opera gloves. Her hair had been
pulled up into a bun and either charmed or conditioned to such a degree that it rivaled
Fleur's for apparent silkiness. Strolling up to them with a wide smile on her face, Hermione
gave a light kiss first to Harry and then to Tonks.
"I zink you broke him, Hermione," Fleur said chuckling.
"I'm fine," Harry croaked.
"Sure you are, Wonder Boy," Tonks chuckled.
Hermione rolled her eyes and looked at her partners. "You are very dashing, Harry. Those
robes definitely set off your eyes. Tonks, I like the hair choice. It goes very well. Fleur you
are even more striking than usual."
"You're not so bad yourself, hon," Tonks replied.
Fleur nodded. "Oui. You are beautiful tonight. And zis hair!" She reached up and rand a
soft finger along the bangs along the side of Hermione's face not caught in the bun.
"Magnifique."
"Thanks," Hermione blushed. "Lavender helped. The charms from the book weren't quite
enough, but she had a bottle of Sleekeazy on hand. Remind me to get her something nice.
Luna should be here in a – oh never mind. There she is."
Harry nodded appreciatively as his friend came down the stairs smiling widely. She was in
a gold dress which highlighted her hair nicely and set off the sapphire necklace she was
wearing. Luna had on short heels as well which helped to make up some of the difference
in height between her and Fleur. "Hello everyone!" Luna said. You all look amazing!"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Chapter 240
"Thanks, Luna," Harry said smiling. "You do too." The other three nodded emphatically.
She grinned even wider and moved next to Fleur.
"Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, Miss Tonks, Miss Delacour, Miss Lovegood," Professor
McGonagall said as she came to stand near them. "If you'll all follow me, we will be
opening the doors shortly." The group all nodded and stepped into line behind Fred and
Alicia. Alicia immediately started chatting with Hermione while Fred just smiled and swore
again that he wouldn't be pranking anyone during the Ball when McGonagall asked.
McGonagall had just started to turn away when she froze and her face took on an
expression of complete shock with her mouth dropping open. "Mr. Longbottom! What are
you doing?!"
"Greeting my dates for the Ball, Professor," Neville said nonchalantly as Susan and Hannah
took his elbows.
"Dates? Plural? But-but-but…"
"Well, if Harry can have two dates, I didn't think it was fair to ask one of my girlfriends to
go alone just to keep up appearances." Neville smiled and started to walk into the Hall to
find his seat. "See you inside, enjoy the evening, Professor!"
McGonagall was still sputtering as Viktor came up and slotted into line behind Harry and
Tonks with a dark haired girl in a green robe accompanying him. Harry smiled in
recognition and waved hello. "Hi, Millie. You look very nice tonight."
"Thanks, Harry. You're quite handsome yourself. Tonks, good to see you out of the combat
boots for once," Millicent said with an easy smile.
Viktor laughed beside her and shook his head. "Ve disagree on that point. I prefer the
boots. It means a voman knows how to defend herself. Granted Millicent has made it clear
she can do so vithout the boots."
Millie shrugged. "What can I say, I'm intimidating."
"Vhich is very good. You keep the fangirls at bay!"
Tonks laughed. "Funny how that works huh? You never appreciate the value of a good
menacing stare until you need to beat others off with a stick to stay away from your date.
Either of you need backup tonight let me know."
The doors opened and the Champions walked in. There was a collective intake of breath
from the crowd as they saw that Harry had one girl on each arm. He snickered and
whispered to Hermione, "You'd think they had thought I was joking when I said I was
taking you both." Hermione rolled her eyes and shushed him.
When they finally were allowed to sit down the Champions took one look at the seating
arrangements and mutually agreed to shift things around. Instead of Umbridge sitting next
to Krum, she ended up next to Fred.
Harry made sure to sit next to Alicia. He'd originally planned to be between his two
partners but…well he really wanted to watch Fred work.
Umbridge lasted longer than Harry had expected. She ignored whatever Fred did that
caused her to fart every time she opened her mouth. She ignored her hair suddenly
turning a shade of roaring pink and sticking out in all directions. She ignored when her
plate started to move away from her – shrieking in fear – every time she lifted a utensil.
She ignored the fact that when the farting wore off she instead started to croak when
speaking. Finally almost halfway through the dinner, Umbridge sat up straight and shuffled
woodenly from the room.
Grinning like a loon, Harry leaning to the side and raised his eyebrows at Fred. "So, what
did you do? What was the final one? I didn't see anything different."
Fred conspiratorially looked from side to side before leaning down too and beckoning
Tonks and Alicia into the small huddle. "George and I developed something for Percy
originally but never got around to using it."
"Oh?" Alicia said with raised eyebrows. "And what new form of torture were you going to
use on your brother?"
"Well, you know how we always say that Percy has a stick up his arse?" All three nodded.
"Well obviously Umbridge has the same problem. So I just thought that maybe we should
help her remove that particular ailment. Bowel loosening charms can be quite healthy for
you I hear."
It was only through sheer luck that Harry, Tonks and Alicia were able to stay on their seats
through their gut wrenching laughter. Wiping his eyes, he saw McGonagall collecting a few
galleons from Flitwick and Shiva and quietly saluting Fred.
When the time came to open the dancing up Harry and Tonks took their places next to
Fleur and Luna while the other two Champions and their dates were on the other end.
Tonks had tried to argue that Hermione should get the first dance but the brunette had
insisted that the older girl take it. "Remember," Harry whispered to Tonks, "let me lead."
"Very funny, Wonder Boy," she whispered back seemingly concentrating heavily on her
legs.
"You really don't have to concentrate that hard, Nym."
"I do if you don't want us to look like idiots," Tonks muttered. "These stupid heels make
remembering how long my legs are at the moment even harder than normal."
"You really don't trip as much while I'm leading."
"Yeah because I can concentrate on my legs, Harry. Now shush. The music is starting."
Harry listened to his date's request and paid attention to the music and the steps in the
dance. They made it through the song with Tonks only tripping once and even managing to
look up at him once they were halfway through. Smiling, the song ending and he bowed to
her while she affectionately shook her head at him. The rest of the students started to file
onto the dance floor and Harry moved sideways to stand in front of Hermione. "May I have
this dance, my lady?" he asked holding out his hand. Grinning back at him, Hermione took
his hand and stepped into his waiting arms
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