Into the Arms of the Night

Chapter 5: Meetings with Danger

After six months spent outside of Britain and healing mostly from his ordeal; Harry Potter had returned, and he had changed enough to not be completely noticed as he walked along the cobblestone paths of Diagon Alley with Tom in disguise.

He would never admit it aloud; but, he was rather amused that the dark lord was walking up and down the road, and none of the others here knew or ever suspected it. How oblivious and ignorant they were to the the very basic teachings of magic; that magic was able to do many things and you should never trust anything dealing with magic first-hand.

He was, however, glad to be back home in Britain; despite Harry was quite fully aware that this meant he would soon be exposed to all as having gone to the dark side. Don't get him wrong; the traveling they had done whilst running from the Order had been fun for him. But, Harry simply wanted to go back to the Manor with Tom.

To begin the battles he was sure were to come.

They had been to Bulgaria and Harry had been the integral piece that had fully cemented an alliance for Tom with the Bulgarian Ministry; they hadn't reacted well to his treatment considering all the tales they had heard and verified of his deeds, and the Minister outright refused to aid Britain in its crusade to end all dark magic being used there..It probably helped that both of Harry and Tom had run semi-afoul of some Order members and were a sight as they crashed into the Bulgarian Ministry.

They had allied as well to several vampire clans that had inhabited a forest there. Tom was still wary of that alliance though; one of the vampires had tried to turn him and nearly succeeded.

Then Viktor had surprised him and brought Fleur to his home, so they could talk about what needed to be done. The former Beauxbatons Champion had been a bit seemingly overprotective of Harry and almost managed to dare to draw her wand on Tom; Harry had stopped her though and explained everything.

The Veela woman hadn't wanted to believe it; not at first, but then had seen how Tom acted to him in moments and was forced to realize the truth. She then timidly apologized and hesitantly invited them to France to stay next; she could not stay, as she was staying with her fiancé

Harry had asked of her to talk to Bill away from the others and see if he could be convinced to remain neutral. Fleur's eyes told him that Bill would never be able to remain like that if Harry told him the story.

So, after a couple of weeks in Bulgaria, the duo plus several house elves were packed and off to France. Turns out Harry had been correct, and Fleur was indeed the elder daughter to the French Minister and her husband.

Appoline Delacour was a delightfully cheerful and kind woman, though fierce if you ever saw her angry and let's just say that both Tom and Harry never ever want to make another veela mad by accident ever again. Harry's story sort-of...stoked the fire and then set it ablaze without warning.

Fleur's sister, Gabrielle, was now in school and enjoying her time immensely there. Appoline took time to personally show them several historic places in Wizarding France. Harry had asked of her when Tom went to look more closely at something, why she was trusting of the man he had come with even knowing who he was.

Appoline had simply smiled and her answer had surprised Harry.

Harry recalled it so clearly, "Mister Potter, while I cannot say that I am completely comfortable with this; it is not my place to judge you nor him. It is clear that you and he have now found a way to stop fighting the other and that you both want something to come from that."

"Magic does not lie. She does not judge anyone, and she does not favor. If what we wanted is meant to happen; then it will because magic will ensure that it does."