"No, I did what I must, but tonight I did see bravery. I watched a young man willing to give his life for our daughter without a moment of hesitation. It is a memory you must decide if you wish to live through. It is both horrifying and amazing," His eyes also had turned to the four young people walking toward the castle. "He truly loves our daughters," He looked back at his wife. "Remember when we saw the young man in the medical wing after our daughters started the bond and we wondered how he could even take care of himself?" Alain Delacour had to shake his head at that recollection. "Even with all the tales that we heard about him, it all pales in comparison to what I saw this evening Apolline."
"I saw him…through your eyes when Gabrielle said he'd died. Fleur was holding him. I didn't see him actually die though." Apolline gave another glance at the four young people who were nearly out of sight. "He's a special young man isn't he?"
"Yes, he is very special indeed and I will do what I must to protect and help him."
"How did he live?" Apolline asked.
"I do not know. Perhaps the Hogwarts Headmaster knows that answer," He looked over at Dumbledore who was leading the grey haired lady with the monocle toward the castle while levitating the unconscious form of Lucius Malfoy beside him. "I will ask him tomorrow. There are a lot of questions he will need to answer tomorrow."
"Let's go to Paris so you can brief Pierre and then we can get a good night sleep ourselves," She let go of his arm and wrapped her arm around his waist. She had her own fears to quell that evening about her own brave husband.
"Yes of course," Alain replied and his arm went around her slender body as they walked toward the gates leading out of Hogwarts.
...
Fred and George caught up the bondmates before they made it to the castle.
"Great job Harry. You too Fleur," Fred said.
"We've got the supplies ready for the party; Butterbeer, cakes and even a bit of firewhisky. It's starting in the common room in just a few minutes," George chipped in.
"First and second place between the two of you," Fred continued.
"Though we expected nothing less."
"Don't guys," Harry replied and then seeing the surprised look on the Twin's faces he explained. "Look, a lot happened tonight that you don't know about. Voldemort's.." He stopped when both of the twins cringed. "Stop it guys, it's just a name. VOL DE MORT! He's back. He has a body. He...he..." Harry realized he didn't feel like talking about it. "Can we talk about it tomorrow? I really don't feel like a party knowing that the man who killed my parents and has been trying to kill me for years is back alive."
"You-Know-Who?" George asked.
"Back?" Fred said. "Please tell us this is a sick joke you're pulling Harry."
"Eet's not," Fleur said firmly. "E's back and we've seen 'im. 'E tried to kill us," She could still see the green light that had come toward her, and Harry leaping in front of it. She could still feel the horror, shock and despair that had followed as she watched him collapse in front of her. "We'll talk about eet tomorrow, but tonight we need sleep and to recover."
"Tried to kill you?" Fred asked.
"He was in the maze?"
"Non, but eet is a long story and we are very tired though. We promise we will tell you tomorrow," Fleur replied.
"We understand," George said as he watched Harry and his bondmates start toward the castle again.
Harry had only walked a few steps when he stopped and turned around. He offered the Triwizard cup to the twins. "Here; put this in the common room. It'll let them think we've been there at least," He turned and started walking again.
The twins looked at the cup and saw the bag that was in it. "Harry. Hey Harry."
"Yeah?" Harry responded as he stopped again.
"Your winnings are in here."
"Keep it," Harry replied waving his hand dismissively. He looked at his bondmates and then back at the twins. "Use it for that joke shop of yours...or whatever. I really don't care."
"But we can't..."
"Then give it to Ron or Ginny or Peeves for all I care," Harry replied testily before settling down. "Look guys I really don't want it, so take it. Go make a few people laugh," He then smiled tiredly. "Just not at our expense."
Fred looked at George and they both looked at the bag of Galleons before answering. "Thanks Harry. We didn't want to mention it, but Bagman owed too much to the Goblins, The Prophet's solicitor said it's unlikely we'll ever collect anything."
"Glad to help guys, but we really are tired," He turned back toward the castle and started walking again.
As the continued on, Hermione remembered something and stopped. "Wait. We need to talk to Skeeter," she said. "She was with us in the graveyard, and she has to know about Sirius and something about our bond."
"Sirius?" Harry replied. "Why didn't you say something earlier?"
"I thought you saw Harry," Hermione replied. "It was the bug I removed from Moony in Professor Dumbledore's office."
"I wasn't really paying attention," Harry replied. All he really wanted to do was crawl into bed and sleep for several days but he knew this was something that had to be done. "Okay, we'll go warn Sirius and then talk to her."
"Non," Gabrielle said. "You and Fleur go on to bed. I will go warn Sirius. 'Ermione, you go talk to Skeeter. We'll meet in ze room as soon as we can."
"NO!" Harry replied forcefully. "I will not let any of you out of my sight tonight."
"But..." Hermione started.
....
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