Liber Fatalis: Chapter 6
Chapter 6
The summer between his third and fourth year was uneventful. Unlike the previous two summers where the question of custody was an issue (especially during his second year when his Aunt and Uncle were angry as hell when they realized that he had enrolled to a school that taught magic when they were not there), Aunt Bella managed to finally settle everything and was granted custody of the one known as Harry Potter. His Aunt and Uncle were glad to be rid of him, though it had taken a bit more work to get the Ministry of Magic and one Albus Dumbledore to agree to Harry’s new home. Luckily, Cornelius Fudge enjoyed spiting Dumbledore whenever he could and was more than happy to have one of his aurors as the prime caretaker to Harry.
When Harry had asked Aunt Bella about it, she told him it was politics.
“Politics is just men who have nothing better to do then play power game with one another.” She explained to him, scrunching her nose up in disgust.
They stilled lived next door to the Dursleys. Even though Aunt Bella was tired of living in this muggle world, she told him that it was safest for Harry to remain close to his family, even if he wasn’t living with them. Harry wasn’t certain he understood her, but he didn’t care. As long as he didn’t have to live with the Dursleys, he was pretty happy.
Though sometimes when he was helping Aunt Bella with the garden or when he was walking around the neighborhood because it was a beautiful day, he would catch Aunt Petunia staring at him from the kitchen window, a frown on her face.
Harry was uncertain what to think of it, but seeing how she never said anything to him, Harry chose to ignore her.
*
Draco’s letters to him at the end of the summer was a play by play highlight of the Quidditch World Cup. Even though Draco held this aristocratic air to him, he was just like Miha when it came to Quidditch – a love struck fool.
Draco had invited Harry to go watch the World Cup with his family and possibly stay with them for a few days; however, by the way Aunt Bella had looked when Harry had mentioned it passably over breakfast one morning (especially at the mention of Lucius Malfoy), it made him think that it might be a bad idea. As much as he would have liked to spend time with Draco, seeing how all he had was the letters he had been exchanging and the two times they had meet at Diagon Alley, he figured that not upsetting Aunt Bella was the best route to go. Aunt Bella had a tendency to worry about little things. She said it was paranoia from being an auror for so long.
Harry liked it because it meant that she cared.
After finishing Draco’s letter that informed Harry about when he was going to be at Diagon Alley in case Harry wanted to meet up with him to shop for supplies, he moved onto the next letter which he had also received today.
It was a letter written by Gabrielle, in English. Gabrielle and Harry had agreed to exchange letters in one another’s language so they could learn French and English better. They agreed to do this after Harry’s first year when Madam Tessier made Harry rewrite more than two thirds of his papers (and sometimes having to rewrite his rewrites) because his French was deplorable. Harry had managed to improve after the extra classes he had taken over the summer and during the school year, though he still has the occasional nightmare about conjugating.
Gabrielle’s letter was a complaint about stupid boys that were too obsessed with their sports that they decided not to visit their cousin over the summer. She also wrote about her parents hinting about something that was going to happen this year at school. She wasn’t able to get any details from it so she asked Harry to ask Arabella about it.
When he asked her over lunch, she just smiled at him slyly and told him it was nothing. Harry pouted at her instead.
*
Arabella went with Harry to Diagon Alley. As much as Arabella Figg disliked Lucius Malfoy through whatever dealings she had with the man in the Ministry, he still managed to convince the protective caretaker that Harry would indeed be fine with Draco and him in Diagon Alley and assured to her that he was capable enough to help Harry purchase his school supplies. Though still disbelieving the man, she finally agreed to let the man take Harry with him to pick up supplies after Harry told her he was going to be fine and gave Aunt Bella a look. Sighing, she told him she was going to drop by at the Ministry and expected him to report at the Leaky Cauldron promptly at 5 for dinner or else she would be reporting the ministry about his kidnapping.
Harry gave her a hug before they bade farewell to the older woman. Lucius took them to Flourish and Blotts as their first stop so that they could pick up a set of fourth year books. Lucius mentioned something to Harry about how he should really pick up a set of Hogwarts fourth year books – just in case. Harry couldn’t help but think that the way that Malfoy Sr. smiled at him was similar to the way that Aunt Bella did when Harry asked her about what Gabrielle was talking about in her letter to him.
“Brie was pretty upset with you in the letter she wrote me,” Harry said, remembering the letter he had received the week before from his best friend.
“I know.” Draco was frowning. “She sent me a howler after I told her that we will not be going to visit her over the summer. Mother could only laugh at me.”
“Sometimes I think that girl’s only pleasure is to humiliate us. Alexis and Leon still tease me about going to the stitching club activity with her in my first year.”
“Stitching huh?” Draco raised his eyebrow. “I wasn’t told this.”
Turning red, Harry cursed himself about forgetting who and what embarrassing stories went together. Trying to escape the scrutiny Draco was pressuring onto him, Harry hurried to pay. It wasn’t until he was outside of the store that he had realized that he had accidentally bought a set of Hogwarts books as well.
*
Draco managed to pry the entire story from Harry during the rest of the trip. The taller boy was in a fit of laughter after he heard about how he ended up been dragged back to the stitching club a few time after the first time and about the knitting project he was forced to do.
By five o’clock, the group was back at Leaky Cauldron where Arabella Figg waited. At their arrival, Aunt Bella examined her ward for any offsets that might have occurred since she had last seen him. Seeing that the boy was back in perfect health, Arabella apologized to Lucius for her rude behavior and thanked her for taking care of Harry.
“It was my pleasure. Draco has made a valuable friend.” Lucius responded politely. After examining the time, Lucius declined Arabella’s invitation to join them for dinner at Leaky Cauldron after mentioning a dinner party that his family and he were to attend to night. Bidding Harry and Arabella goodbye, the two Malfoys disappeared through the Floo network.
“I accidentally bought a set of Hogwart’s books,” Harry told his caretaker in between bites of stew. Aunt Bella raised her eye curiously. “Draco’s father told me that I should probably buy it… but I really didn’t mean to. I was wondering, should return it?”
“Keep it Harry, things happen for a reason.” There was a mysterious expression on her face.
Harry couldn’t help but think that all the adults were doing this to him on purpose.
*
It wasn’t until the opening feast of Harry’s fourth year did he find out what the adults were all hiding from them. In the usual beginning of the school year announcements, Madam Maxime informed the students that Beauxbatons will be participating at the Triwizard Tournament against Hogwarts and Durmstrang.
The dinning hall quickly erupted with whispered as the headmistress continued on about the details of the tournament. It wasn’t until Madam Maxime mentioned the age require did students let out lamenting groans.
Gabrielle was certain that Fleur was going to be the Beauxbatons champion.
“Madam Maxime said that only the student that was the brightest and the best will be selected by the cup,” Gabrielle whispered to Harry, eyes still focused on the headmistress who was still speaking. “I can’t see anyone other than Fleur that could be champion. Not only did Fleur win the dueling tournament last year but she holds the best score of her year.”
“Fleur would make a great champion.” Harry agreed.
“In addition to prospective champions,” Madam Maxime continued. “Accompanying us to Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Witchery will be a group of students chosen by the professors for the purpose of representing the school and supporting Beauxbatons’ champion.”
“Gabrielle Delacour,” was the first name Madam Maxime had called out, causing the blonde girl sitting next to him to grin up in excitement. Already convinced that her sister was going to be chosen as Beauxbatons’ champion, Brie was more than happy to be given the opportunity to come if only to see Fleur take part on the competition. More names were called from the list, mostly students that were on the student council seemed favored. Harry was beginning to feel a bit blue at the thought of losing his close friend for almost a year when Madam Maxime stated the last name on her list.
“Harry Potter.”
*
Dear Draco,
Brie and I will be going to Hogwarts for the Triwizard Tournament! Brie is pretty excited because she’s certain that Fleur will be Beauxbatons’ champion. Fleur is pretty amazing, especially after watching her duel last year during the tournament – I wouldn’t be surprise if she really does become Beauxbatons’ champion.
You will be required to show Brie and I around once we’re at Hogwarts. We should be attending classes with the students in your year. I wonder how your dad knew that I was going to be chosen to go to Hogwarts when we were buying textbooks. Good thing I accidentally bought the set of Hogwarts books. Hopefully we’ll be in a few classes together. Brie is excited about seeing you again.
We’ll see you soon.
-Harry