First I went to the graveyard where Tom had performed the rebirth ritual, and then I went to find the Gonts' shack. After wandering around the village for over an hour, I finally found a dilapidated shed with scorched earth all around it. The ring's defence was strong. I didn't have to think about it, so I put a warning spell around the house, so I'd know when Tom knew the Horcruxes had disappeared and wanted to check them out.
The second part of the plan to save the world was to clear my name. I didn't bother with that at all and went to Hogsmeade. I bought two small flasks and filled them with my memories of the events of the day of the third trial and, attaching a small note to each one, went to look for the owl post office.
A few minutes later, two owls were already flying out of Hogsmeade. One was headed for a very famous journalist who would have to blow everyone she could reach after looking at her memories. The other flew to the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Amelia Bones. My intuition tells me that she doesn't like Dumbledore, hence the good chances of a review of the case, and soon my name will be officially cleared, albeit posthumously for now.
Looking at my watch, I realised that I had a little more time before I could meet Fleur, which meant that I could visit my future possible relatives and pay my respects to them. Since I didn't know where Delacourt Manor was, I decided to use the universal portal codenamed "Dobby". Grabbing a bouquet of orchids from a nearby shop, I called the housekeeper, and we were transported to a huge Victorian mansion. The three-storey house with its three symmetrical turrets was imposing, but it felt light. The French. I think that if such a house was built by Germans, it would scare away visitors with its mere appearance.
When I had finished with the racial discrimination, I told Dobby that we would have a guest tonight and sent him home, and I went to the gate, which swung open at my approach.
- Hello, my name is Ricky, can I help you? - The House elf in the red toga looked impressive. I'll have to get Dobby one of those.
- Hello, Ricky," I pulled the hood off my head. - My name is Harry Potter, and I'd like to meet the Delacourt family, is that possible?
- Hold on a second, I'll let them know you've arrived.
It only now occurred to me that in a place like this you should announce your arrival in advance. But it wouldn't be polite to run away now.
- Come on, I'll show you out," the elf appeared silently in front of me again. There must be some kind of refresher course for housekeepers.
Ricky led me quickly through the corridors of the manor, and I didn't have time to enjoy my surroundings, but I didn't care about that now. The conversation was all I could think about. Soon we entered a large living room with several armchairs and pouffes. The sofa nearest the fireplace was already occupied by Fleur's parents.
- Mr Potter? - They were looking at me in surprise. - To be honest, we thought the housekeeper had made a mistake. My name is Sebastian, and this is my wife Apolline," we shook hands, and I kissed Madame Delacourt's hand.
- Actually, I'm already a lord, but you're right," I smiled.
- Have a seat, Lord Potter," he pointed to the chair next to me.
- Please, just Harry.
- Then we'll ask you to do the same," Apolline spoke for the first time. - But... How is that possible? The entire magical world buried you long ago.
- I can't tell you, because I don't fully understand what happened, and I'm beginning to believe it myself. - I assure you, I was really dead for six months, but last night I suddenly woke up and escaped. I have already accomplished a great deal in these incomplete two days, and now I have come to you. I hope my appearance will remain a secret.
- Of course we won't tell anyone. We thought you were innocent from the start, and we're glad you're all right. Have you seen Fleur yet? - It's a question they've been interested in all along. If I were them, I wouldn't have taken so long and asked it on the doorstep. My daughter's happiness comes first.
- Yes, of course, I've already visited her. In fact, that's why I'm here," I said, gathering my strength for a decisive leap. - I love your daughter and I would like to ask you to marry her.
It wasn't that hard, after all, I'm definitely a faster runner. Though judging by the identical smiles that appeared on their faces, running wasn't going to get them anywhere.
- Harry, those six months were the hardest six months of Fleur's life. She cried all the time and there was nothing we could do to help her. It's a great joy to have you alive. Now we can finally breathe easy knowing that as long as you're together, our daughter is happy. Of course, we bless you," three glasses of red wine appeared on the table. - To our future union! - Sebastian sipped from his glass, and Apolline and I followed suit. The smile that had settled on my face as soon as I realised they were okay with it wasn't going to go away.
- I think we can wait to get married, I'm only fifteen. But we could have a betrothal ceremony. - I don't know where that thought came from in my head.
- Would you like a prenup, Harry?
- Honestly, I don't know anything about it, and I'd like to ask you to prepare the paperwork," he nodded agreeably. - And please don't tell Fleur, I'm thinking of surprising her for Christmas.
- All right, then I'll have the papers ready in a week's time.
- That's fine. Then I think I'll leave you two alone and go back to Fleur," I got to my feet. - Nice to meet you.
- Likewise, Lord Potter. Good day to you.
- Oh, yes," I realised only now that I was still holding the bouquet. - This is for you.
Apolline smiled dazzlingly and kissed me on the cheek.
- Goodbye! - On that happy note, I left my happy parents and hurried to the Shell, realising that I was brazenly late.
Appearing right in the living room, I was immediately grabbed by my ear.
- Potter! - Something on the side hissed my surname in Fleur's voice. - I've been waiting for you for an hour and a half, have you lost your mind?! I've been worried sick, I was about to run to the Auror's office. I thought you'd been caught! Where have you been?
- Sweetheart, calm down, I was just a little out of time," I squeaked. - Please stop twisting my ear!
Fleur let go of me and turned me around, tears were in her eyes again and I felt bad for making her worry again.
- My darling, I'm sorry for the fool," my hands were already on her waist. - I won't do it again.
She sobbed and wrapped her arms around me in return:
- Do what you think is right Harry, just give me a warning next time.
- I'll learn how to send messages with Patronus tonight, deal? - I kissed her forehead and pulled away to undress.
- Deal, Lord Potter," Veselur was an arsehole, and he promised he wouldn't tell anyone. - No, your solicitor didn't tell me anything. It's just that when he found out I was quitting, he just looked at me and smiled enigmatically, and at the end he told me to say hello to you. And you forgot to hide your ring today, so you must have been bragging to someone.
Well, she's good at deduction, but who exactly I was bragging to, she doesn't need to know yet.
- Well, I couldn't just turn up at your place dirty and smelly after prison. I had to stop by the goblins to get some supplies, and then I got a ring caught on my finger. No big deal. So you're unemployed now?
- What?! Unemployed?! You little arsehole! - The distraction process has worked perfectly. Now I have to calm the angry Veela down so she'll stop hitting me or she'll bring up magic.
- Oh, come on, come on, I'm kidding. Of course you're not unemployed, you're just on indefinite leave. And anyway, the heiresses of such powerful families can't work!
- I know you can't! And it's a disgusting job. One of the Weasleys has been hitting on me all day! - I stopped abruptly and looked at her carefully. - Don't worry about it, he just kept trying to talk to me, ignoring the fact that I didn't notice him.
That kind of answer reassured me. It would be foolish to expect Bill to make no attempt.
- I hope you never see him again. And now I suggest we go to some restaurant and celebrate our reunion at last!
The idea was well received, and Fleur ran upstairs to get ready, while I asked Dobby to get me some dress clothes. The housekeeper brought an old coat that looked like something Merlin might have worn, so I decided I'd look good in what I was wearing at the moment.
Half an hour later, there was a light clack of heels on the stairs, and she came straight down from heaven. Her light blue dress was down to her knees, tightly fitting her figure, her golden hair flowing down her shoulders in a loose wave. She wore light white shoes with a small heel on her feet and not an ounce of make-up on her face.
- Fleur," I whispered. - You... you... Well, as soon as people think of a word to describe how beautiful you are, I'll tell you right away.
She blushed a little and kissed my cheek:
- That was exactly the reaction I was looking for.
- If I fall out of reality and just stare at you, you'll stoke me.
The French woman laughed and took my hand:
- It's a deal. Now tell me where we're going.
Yesterday I saw a nice place in London and, putting a jacket on her, moved us to a small alley nearby.
While we were eating, I noticed that everyone in the restaurant was staring at Fleur. It really pissed me off:
- Look, does the fact that I can't feel the effects of your aura have anything to do with our connection?
- No, Harry, the fact that you don't feel the effects of her aura is another plus in your book," she looked around. - Don't mind her. I've been used to it for a long time, so you'll have to get used to it too. - Yeah, I can't argue with that.
- Or you could attack anyone who's about to drool on you," Fleur choked on her salad and coughed.
- I don't think I should. Usually no one dares to approach, especially in the normal world.
All in all, the evening was just fine. After the restaurant we went for a walk around the evening London, walked along the Thames Embankment, played snowballs with tourists in Trafalgar Square until the police dispersed us. That evening we both realised that it was possible to live and enjoy life without using magic, and that such a life would be no worse than the present one.
Soon we were transported to my flat, where Dobby was waiting for us. After showing Fleur to her room, I went to soak in the bathroom. Sometimes it seemed like the smell of Azkaban would never come out of me.
After standing under the shower for over an hour, I went to my room in just my pants. Fleur was sleeping sweetly on my bed in a white terrycloth dressing gown. I should have warned her that I liked water, as long as it didn't involve rivers. She was waiting for me and dozed right on top of the blanket, curled up in a ball. Enjoying this lovely picture, I carefully pulled the blanket out from under her and snuggled up next to her, snuggling against her back and covering us both. The second day of my new life was coming to an end.
***
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