Hey, Everyone! I'm back! Sorry for my absence. This chapter will see several key developments! Aaaand…*naughty grin!* the first lemon of the story after Fleur confesses to Duncan! Enjoy!

Chapter 11: New Dangers and Fiery Passions

(Malfoy Manor)

Voldemort was waiting for his guest to arrive. Her representative had been annoyingly arrogant, as Americans tended to be in his assessment. But when the Vampire Queen Bathory requests an audience, the wise listen.

The Vampire Nation had ignored his call in the last war; Lord Dracula stubbornly remaining neutral. But Bathory and her followers had broken away from Dracula, so perhaps…?

"My Lord", Lucius called as he entered. "The Vampire Queen Elizabeth Bathory."

An Honor-Guard of vampires entered behind Malfoy, escorting a vampiress of surpassing beauty and palpable power. Her alabaster skin and generous curves were barely covered by her black velvet 'Elvira' dress and red-satin lined cape. The front plunged nearly to her navel, exposing the deep cleavage between her voluptuous breasts, and the skirt was split from her right ankle to her hip, showing off her luscious legs. Her talon-like fingernails, lips and eyes were all blood-red, her smoky eye-shadow making her appear even more sultry. Her long dark hair framed her flawless face, streaked with red from her temples. Her stiletto-heels clicked on the hard floor. Everything about her just oozed sensuality. Deacon Frost knelt before her.

"My Queen."

"Rise, Deacon, my most beloved servant", she grinned, exposing her fangs, cupping his cheek as he rose and took his place beside her. Then she looked up at Voldemort expectantly. He rose from his throne.

"Welcome to Britain, Queen Bathory", he intoned as he stepped toward her and kissed her offered hand. "I am Lord Voldemort."

"Thank you", she replied. "I see the rumors of your resurrection vere no exaggerations. Nor vere the vhispers in the dark that you are seeking allies. Perhaps ve can help each other."

"Indeed", he smirked. Then he gestured toward some comfortable chairs near the fireplace. "Please be seated, dear Lady, and we can discuss the betterment of our worlds."

"Tea for you and the Queen, my Lord?", Malfoy offered.

xxXXxx

MacNair was rather proud of himself. He still had yet to find the Isle of Drear, but he had acquired the services of a most feared and vicious creature; Doomclaw, a mighty manticore! While not as intelligent as Krugurath, he was a cunning wizard-killer that proved too powerful to kill and could only be imprisoned. MacNair had not only freed him from his prison, but also acquired a means of power over the beast: one of his own stingers soaked in his blood. If used like a wand, Doomclaw was vulnerable to any spell cast with it. Surely the Dark Lord could use such a creature.

But right now he was about to meet with the representative of another clan of giants, this one in Norway. Granted, he had managed to recruit the exiled clan from Gargantua to the Dark Lord's cause, but as the old saying goes: more is better.

"Mr. MacNair", a voice called. The Death Eater looked up to see the half-giant druid he was to meet approach. The eleven foot tall silver-haired and bearded man in druidic robes was the uncle of the current clan leader.

"Greetings, Valtnir", MacNair grinned. "You have an answer from your clan? Will you join our righteous cause?"

"Ja, we have decided", Valtnir replied darkly. "We will not join you and your master!"

"What?!"

"A short time ago, a Rubeus Hagrid came to see us", the elder informed him, to the scoffing scowl of MacNair. "He also requested we join the war, but against your Lord Voldemort. He informed us of many things you neglected to tell us; such as the usual fate of your 'allies' once your Dark Lord deemed them no longer useful, and that your forces are seeking the Accursed Crown of King Eric! He also told us the most probable intentions of your master if he were to gain the Crown! We are more inclined to believe the words of a man who shares giant-blood than those a foreign dark wizard who makes promises with one hand while seeking to enslave us with the other! I have advised my young nephew to not involve our clan in your war in any way. However", he smirked, "we did give Hagrid our clue to the location of the Crown, on his word that he will see it destroyed rather than allow it to be used ever again. Now, begone from our lands! Crawl back to your Dark Lord and beg his mercy for your failure."

MacNair scoffed angrily and stormed out. He'd heard rumors that Dumbledore's pet oaf was abroad speaking to the clans. Now he had proof, and more; he was looking for King Eric's Crown, and he has a head-start! The Dark Lord would not be pleased!

xxXXxx

(November 1)

Halloween came and went at Hogwarts. In the days leading up, Harry and his friends had been tense, trying to be on guard for anything. Every year, it seemed something would happen on Halloween, like a catalyst for whatever crisis or adventure that risked their lives. When nothing happened other than the Halloween Feast, they were visibly relieved. Maybe, just maybe they would have a quiet year at Hogwarts?

This hope was dashed at breakfast with the arrival of the morning post and the day's Daily Prophet…

Mass Breakout at Azkaban! Dementors Abandon Posts!

The story described the massive damage to one side of the infamous prison, all the Auror guards killed, as well as several inmates that were due for release, having apparently rehabilitated. All the surviving convicted Death Eaters were gone, as were the Dementors and many other violent convicts.

Minister of Magick Cornelius Fudge blamed the breakout on the fugitive Sirius Black, cousin of notoriously insane convicted Death Eater Bellatrix LeStrange nee Black.

Harry and his friends plus Neville were shocked and angry. The Halloween 'curse' held firm, the dark event just happened elsewhere. Hearing a snarl from the faculty table, they saw Duncan stand, angrily crumpling his copy of the Prophet and storm out of the Great Hall. Even Snape stepped aside seeing the thunderous look on his face.

xxXXxx

A few days later, Duncan was preparing to floo to a meeting of the Order when there was a knock on his door.

"Enter", he called out. Harry came in. "Hey, Cousin. Sorry if my mood worried you and the others the last few days."

"Understandable, so don't worry about it", Harry assured him, then pulled out an envelope. "Would you give this to Sirius? I would send Hedwig, but there are rumors that Umbridge is intercepting out-going owl-post."

"*hmph!* It wouldn't surprise me", Duncan replied. "Sure, no problem. And enjoy your weekend. Going to Hogsmeade with your friends, aren't you?"

xxXXxx

(12 Grimmauld Place, later that evening.)

"Well, the Dark Lord is, as yet, still unaware of my duplicity", Snape reported. "And I can now confirm that not only does he have agents recruiting dark creatures to his cause, but also seeking to obtain certain….items."

"We already knew that, Snape", Sirius huffed. "We need details!"

"Mind you tone with me, Black!", Snape hissed. "We aren't in school anymore and you don't have that swine Potter to back you up now!"

"What did you call my little brother, you snake?", Margaret snarled, her tattoos glowing with her magick.

"That's enough bickering", Albus interjected calmly. "What do you know, Severus?"

"Aside from the item in the Department of Mysteries, he seeks to acquire the Chest of Demons, the Book of Skelos, the Skeleton Key, the Wand of Salazar Slytherin, King Eric's Crown, the Grimoire of Eglantine Pryce, and the Witchblade."

"Well he's too late for the Chest", Duncan chuckled. "My dad destroyed it and its contents years ago."

"Please", Snape scoffed. "If a warlock as powerful as Vincent Van Ghoul couldn't destroy it, how could your muggle father?"

"Nevertheless", Duncan smirked knowingly, as did Margaret. Except for a very trusted few, no one knew that Duncan's father was Belloc. They only knew Duncan was a half-blood. "It is destroyed and of no use to anyone."

Ever since the meeting started, Fleur Delacour had been unable to take her eyes off of Duncan. Under her clothes, her womanhood was sopping wet and her nipples were hard enough to be seen through her bra and top. 'I have to tell him….tonite', she thought to herself before speaking. "Zhe Witchblade is on display at zhe French Ministry under heavy guard. After all, it was once wielded by Joan of Arc, our national 'ero."

"The Grimoire went to the hands of the House of Bones when Crystal Pryce Browne, the daughter of Eglantine and her husband Emelius Browne, married the grandfather of Susan Bones", Minerva added. "So it is likely in their family vault in Gringotts."

"The others are scattered across the globe", Arthur said. "It seems unlikely that You-Know-Who would weaken his forces to track them down."

"Don't forget that he just broke his entire Inner Circle out of Azkaban", Margaret reminded them. "Plus he's been recruiting heavily."

"Indeed", Mundungus Fletcher agreed. "Word in Knockturn Alley is that he's met with a powerful vampire queen recently, and that he's got the giants of Gargantua on his side now."

"I thought that island was hidden and inaccessible!", Molly gasped.

"Apparently not any longer", Snape sneered. "Hence why he also seeks the Crown of King Eric. He doesn't trust them and seeks to control them and even more giants."

"Hagrid has been meeting various clans", Dumbledore told them. "While none have yet joined us, they are choosing to remain neutral. One of the clans even gave him a clue to the location of the Crown on his word that we would destroy it."

"Well that's good news", Remus said. "I've learned that Greyback now commands the southern packs and the Causeway and Highland packs, and is trying to recruit more. I'm doing my best to convince them to refuse him, but most won't listen to omegas like me that refuse to accept themselves or join a pack. They can smell the wolfs-bane on me."

"I can help you there", Margaret smiled, pulling a book from her bag. "The last of our belongings arrived from the States, including this. It was written by Darius Potter, and chronicles his time and study of a very powerful group of animagi; a native American tribe of the Pacific Northwest called the Quileute. Many of their tribe have the natural ability to transform into Dire Wolves to serve as protectors of the tribe. James told me that your fellow 'Marauders' used some of Darius' notes and research to find and attain their forms.("That's right", Sirius grinned. "Much better and more effective than the 'ministry-approved' method.") This, the original book, postulates that it can even help werewolves, veela, and other demi-human magical creatures gain greater control of their 'other' forms."

"Thank you, Margaret", Remus breathed gratefully, accepting the book. Fleur looked up as well, hoping maybe it could help her as well.

"On that note, let's adjourn this meeting", Dumbledore suggested. "We will all consider everything and brainstorm. Next meeting we will discuss ideas for our next moves."

"I know one thing", Duncan said. "I have to inform Lord Dracula that his former bride has sided with Voldemort."

"I'll go see if dinner is ready", Molly said warmly. "Who's staying for dinner?"

"Not us, I'm afraid", Albus said as he and Minerva stood. "We must get back. Are you coming, Duncan?"

"I'll stay awhile, I think", he replied. "I'll return after I spend some time with Mom. It's the weekend, so I'll be back in plenty of time for classes on Monday."

"Oui, I shall stay too", Fleur said. "I 'ave 'eard many wonderful things about your cooking, Madam Weasley."

After a hearty dinner of beef wellington with mashed potatoes and the departure of the elder Weasleys, Margaret prepared to return to Potter Manor.

"I have a lot to do if I'm going to be ready for the pre-holiday session of the Wizengamot", she smirked. "As Harry's guardian and Regent of the House of Potter, I can act as his proxy and fill the family seat and the votes it controls. And with the Potter Alliance reforming, things are about to get tougher for that snake-faced bastard and his scum."

"Give 'em hell, Mom", Duncan chuckled, hugging her before she stepped through the floo. He was about to use the floo himself…

"Duncan", Fleur called, making him turn. "May I speak with you? Privately?"

"Go ahead, Duncan", Sirius grinned knowingly as he headed toward his study. "I need to read Harry's letter."

"O-Ok, Fleur. Follow me", Duncan said uncertainly. Then led her to the room he'd occupied during his earlier stays. He arched an eyebrow when she closed the door and cast a silencing charm. "So, what can I do for you, Fleur?"

"Duncan, what do you know about Veela?"

"Pretty much the common knowledge, I guess", he replied. "However, I also know that your kind are not the wanton, wizard-stealing hussies that many witches take you for. Passionate? Yes. Beautiful? Absolutely. It's not your fault that you are also gifted with abilities that can sometimes be a burden."

Fleur's heart leaped at his words. "It is true. Some of us 'ave less control over our allure. And our other form – while powerful – is considered frightening by most. Do you know 'ow we choose our mates?"

Duncan gulped slightly and shook his head. Was she…?

"Every veela dreams of finding zheir 'perfect match', zhat one man who is immune to our allure and completes zhem. Zheir 'soul-mate', if you will. Most never find 'im, and settle for a 'good match'; a man at least partly resistant to our allure who we can love and will love us in return. I 'ad 'oped to find my perfect match, or even a good one, at Beaubaton's or during zhe Tri-Wizard Tournament. When I first met 'Arry I thought perhaps I 'ad found the best possible match. His aura was so….. tantalizing, and 'e was the most resistant to my allure zhan any ozher boy or man I 'ad ever met. And zhe magical potential I sensed within 'im was staggering to say zhe least, but there was a grain of darkness inside him zhat was not his own, so vile and loathsome as to be almost toxic to a veela. At zhe last meeting, I saw eet was still zhere. But zhen I met you…."

His eyes widened in realization. He'd felt a connection to her from the moment they met, but not her allure if what he'd read about it was true; he wasn't a drooling idiot around her. He'd thought it was just their mutual affinity to fire. And the dreams he'd been having since were….. steamy, to say the least!

"Fleur, I'm flattered, and I'd be lying if I said I haven't been thinking about you a lot lately", he replied, looking down sadly. "But there are things you don't know about me. Things that could… could change how you feel about me."

"Non", she assured, lovingly placing a hand on his chest over his heart, her bright blue eyes looking deep into his emerald orbs. "You are my perfect match, my destined mate. My 'eart and inner Veela yearn for you and only you, Duncan. Nozhing can change zhat."

Her touch thrilled him to his core. Their mutual attraction was palpable. He had to tell her the truth.

"I feel that I can trust you, Fleur", he said. "But you must promise me that you will keep what I'm about to show you absolutely secret?"

"Of course, mon cher", she nodded.

He removed his glamour ring, revealing his true base form, then shifted into 'full kaiju'; complete with wings and tail. Fleur took in his appearance with a gasp….not of fear or shock, but of desire. His inner-fire seemed to call out to hers.

"I'm not a wizard, Fleur. I'm half-kaiju", he said sadly, fearing rejection. "My father is Belloc, King of the Kaiju Kingdom."

She cupped his scaly cheek, turning his face to her. "Why did you fear to show me zhis, mon cher?"

"The-the last girl I loved dumped me because she couldn't handle it", he said sadly.

"She was a fool, Duncan", Fleur assured him. "I am not. Like you, as a Veela, I am a creature of fire. Just being near you, I feel my inner fire flare and pulse, yearning to be one with yours."

"How-how can you be so sure?", he asked. "I confess to feeling very drawn to you as well, but I'm just a mons….."

"Non!", she interrupted, placing a finger to his lips. "You are not a monstair, Duncan! No more zhan I!"

She focused her will and shifted to her avian form; hands and feet resembling the talons of a bird of prey, skin covered with white and gold feathers, a feathery double-crest rising from her hair, and large angelic wings sprouted from her back. She ignited a fireball in each hand and tossed them into the room's small fireplace. Duncan was stunned by her feral beauty. After a few moments, seeing he was not afraid in the least, she shifted back to 'normal', wordlessly casting a contraceptive charm on herself; just in case. He also then reverted to his base form.

"But if you need more proof, I can give it to you, Duncan", she told him with a sparkle in her eyes.

"How?"

"Kiss me", she urged him, stepping closer to caress his cheek. "If we truly are destined for each ozher, our 'earts and magick will connect and we shall know instantly."

He gulped nervously as she took his hands in hers as she looked up into his eyes with a look of such adoration, he could no longer resist. He tilted his head down and gently pressed his lips to hers.

The raw power of the connection was overwhelming! All of his fears and doubts evaporated instantly. How he had lived without her before was a mystery. To ever be denied her now was an unbearable thought! She was his, and he was hers. They were meant to be. The need for air eventually forced them to break the kiss, but their mutual fire had ignited.

Fleur could see his passion was boiling over. Molten desire reaching the point where it would spill out…. Was spilling out and into her. Just staring into those emerald, fiery, reptilian eyes, she could see visions of... of herself...giving in to desire. She could see herself responding to the temptation boiling in her blood.

Wrestling her hands free, she grasped his hair. Pulling his lips to hers again, her tongue eagerly entering his mouth and tasting the smoky, sensual aftertaste of dragon-fire on his tongue. As their deep kiss turned into a heated make-out session, they instinctively began to strip each other of their clothes, until they were both naked in all their glory. They stopped for a moment, to take in the beauty of each other.

She pushed him back against the wall, then she giggled as she slid down his toned body until she was eye to 'eye' with his erect manhood. Amazed at his size, she licked her lips hungrily. Duncan growled with pleasure as Fleur's velvet tongue licked him from base to tip, then took as much of his length as she could into her hot mouth. She purred with bliss as she bobbed her head, sucking hard as her tongue swirled around his member in her mouth. It didn't take long for her to get what she wanted, as he shot a load of hot semen down her throat with a growling grunt.

Fleur swallowed with relish, savoring the unique flavor of his essence; sweet and creamy with just a hint of fiery spice. Her mate was delicious! She pulled off his still-hard rod with a slurpy *pop!* and looked up into his eyes and licked her lips seductively. "D`eliceuse, Mon Amour."

With a purring growl, he pulled her to her feet and reversed their positions, kissing her heatedly. Fleur moaned as he trailed kisses down her neck to her impressive cleavage. Then he kissed over to one of her nipples and attacked with lips and tongue, eliciting a giggling moan as he sucked one breast while groping the other. She was vaguely aware that this level of passion and intimacy with her mate was triggering changes in her body due to her Veela nature. Changes to optimize her body for mating…..and breeding. Her already impressive curves increased somewhat, and…

"Mmmmm? Mmmmm-mmmmmmmm!", Duncan moaned in delicious surprise as sweet cream gushed into his mouth from the nipple he was sucking, the release of which from her breast sent a jolt of exquisite pleasure through her, increasing the wetness and need between her legs. Duncan eagerly swallowed the creamy treat, sweeter than any milk-drink he'd ever had. Licking his lips, he switched to the other breast and both of them moaned again as he drank from her.

Duncan lifted Fleur up and tossed her giggling down on the bed. He stalked between her shapely legs to lick her wet petals from slit to clit. She moaned with ecstasy, her fingers in his hair. He thrust two fingers inside her dripping womanhood and twiddled them as he licked her clit with gusto. Fleur screamed with pleasure when she came, spraying his mouth and hand with her sweet nectar. He savored her sweet juices as he lifted his head to look hungrily into her eyes.

"Take me, my Love!", she cried, spreading her legs wide for her lover. "I need you inside me now, Duncan! Mark me as yours alone!"

Duncan pinned her to the bed as he lined the primed and thick shaft between his legs up with her wet and hungry womanhood. Then he thrust into her, spreading her folds open and sliding into her with the primal urge that consumed him. Slowly at first then increasing speed until he was plumbing her depths like a jackhammer.

Fleur screamed and squealed with pleasure as her destined mate took her for the first time as she'd always dreamed. She felt how wet she'd gotten all over her body. Her skin glistened with sweat and the bliss between her thighs as the inner-fires of desire burned beneath her skin and threatened to consume her were exquisite. Becoming one with her Duncan was more wonderful than she had dared dream. Her body adjusted to fit his impressive size perfectly, and every time his tip hit her cervix it sent a jolt of bliss through her entire body. Fleur could only sing with delight as Duncan fucked her silly. Every motion he made drove her further over the edge, unbearable pleasure from how his cock split her walls as it plowed in and out. The tight flesh of her love-tunnel squirmed around it like a wet velvet vice, trying to catch it on the way out in response, as if to prevent it from escaping. Fleur almost reflexively locked her legs around his waist. "Oui! Oui! Fuck me until you fill me with your seed, Mon Amour!"

Duncan had no words, only feral growls of passion. His sanity had burned away and only the primal need to release and flood his mate with his essence remained. And he felt that release building in his loins.

Not that Fleur was any different at this point. The pleasure was mounting in her body, building to an uncontrollable release that she could feel coming even in her primal state. The indescribable delight that only a woman was entitled to was about to embrace and drown her in its rapturous bliss.

As if it were another sign that they were meant for each other, they shared an earth-shattering mutual orgasm. He roared like a dragon as his manhood pulsed, flooding her womb with his hot seed. She screamed the keening cry of a bird of prey as her nectar gushed and her inner-walls convulsed to milk his cock of every drop. Feeling the heat of his essence so deep in her core was exquisette. Her inner-veela cursed her for casting the contraceptive charm earlier, yearning above all else to bear the young of her mate.

"Wow", Duncan breathed several minutes later when their rational minds returned after their massive mutual release. "Just…wow."

"Oui, mon amour, 'wow' indeed", Fleur breathed sultrily.

"I was an idiot to doubt before", he told her. "I….I love you, Fleur."

"Oh, Duncan!", she gushed, embracing him, her heart soaring at his confession. "I love you, too."

"There's more", he blushed. "You…you're my…..my first."

Fleur's heart was touched that her mate was as pure as she was before they mated tonight. Then she realized that not only was he still inside her, but he was also still as hard as ever!

"I, too, was virgin until tonight, Duncan. So let us make up for lost time", she said with a naughty grin. Then she grabbed his head, pulling him into a feverish kiss as she rolled them over so she was now on top of him! "Round deux, mon amour?"

xxXXxx

Duncan woke the next morning with Fleur snuggled up to him, her head on his chest, a satisfied smile on her lovely, sleeping face, and both of them still naked as the days they were born. He couldn't help but smile as well. Five times. Five times the new mates brought each other simultaneously to nirvana in different positions last night. Duncan was surprised that they didn't break the bed!

He yawned, but never felt so well-rested before in his life. Needing the 'loo' as they say in Britain, he tried to extract himself without waking her, but failed. Fleur yawned as she blinked awake.

"Good morning, my love", he smiled warmly. She smiled back so sweetly it melted his heart.

"Good morning", she replied, pecking him on the lips. "You were magnifique last night, Duncan. And you make a wonderful pillow, mon amour. Lay back down and hold me for a few more hours, s`il vous plait?"

"I would, Fleur, but I kinda need to…", he jerked a thumb toward the en suite bathroom. "But I'll be right back. I promise."

"*tsk* Oui, I might as well go as well", she pouted, getting up and stretching her beguiling body.

"Well in that case", he smirked seductively, "how about we just go ahead and share a shower after?"

"Mmmm…. Oui, mon amour", she grinned, walking into his arms to press her body against his. "You naughty boy."

xxXXxx

After an extra 'steamy' shower together, Duncan and Fleur dressed and went downstairs to the kitchen. Kreacher saw them first and turned back to the stove grumbling something about 'half-bloods'.

"Well, a very good morning to you, Duncan", Sirius chuckled knowingly. "And to you as well, Miss Delacour. Coffee? Tea?"

"Coffee please/s`il vous plait", the couple said at the same time, causing the Marauders to laugh lightly.

"Pay up, Padfoot", Remus grinned, holding a hand out to his fellow Marauder.

"And what ees zhis?", Fleur asked with an arched eyebrow over her coffee as Sirius handed a galleon to Remus.

"Just a small bet, my dear", Sirius said. "I bet that you two wouldn't get together until the Christmas holidays."

"But I was sure it would happen sooner", Remus smiled.

"You two were betting on…?!", Duncan blurted as he added cream and chocolate syrup to his coffee.

"..Our love-life?!", Fleur finished, a fireball in her free hand.

"Now-now, take it easy you two", Sirius said, putting his hands up placatingly. "Just a bit of fun. No harm done nor intended. We're very happy for you two."

"Ok, but this better be the last time, Sirius, Remus", Duncan said with a glare as he lowered Fleur's fireball hand, and grinned. "Or next time I won't stop my mate."

"My word as a Marauder", both men grinned, as Kreacher served breakfast; eggs, bacon, hash-browns, toast, and fruit plus steaks for Duncan and Remus. And a whole fresh salmon for Scorch under the table. During the summer Kreacher had learned the hard way not to forget about the small dragon at meal-time.

"By the way, Duncan", Sirius turned 'serious', "Harry's letter prompted me to floo-call him last night. He and his friends are arranging a secret meeting at the Hog's Head in Hogsmeade later today. He wants you there."

"Then I better go back soon", Duncan replied, then turned to Fleur. "My cousin needs me, my love. I'll write and visit, I promise."

"Oui, I know you weel, mon amour", Fleur replied with a kiss. "And per'aps I can visit 'Ogwarts to see you as well."

"I'd like that", he smiled lovingly. "If you want to floo directly to my quart…. Office at Hogwarts, the password is Dragon's Lair."

"*giggle!* 'Ow appropriate. My Maman, Papa, and sister Gabrielle weel want to meet you soon, Duncan", Fleur winked. "To welcome my mate to zhe family."

"My mom is arranging a special vacation for all of us over the Christmas holidays", he smiled, Sirius and Remus smiling as well, since they had already been invited. "Perhaps your family would like to join us as well?"

"Bon!"

xxXXxx

Duncan exited the floo at the Three Broomsticks. He tossed a quick smile and salute to Rosemerta on his way out. He saw a fair number of Slytherin students roaming about, mostly couples on dates, but very few from the other houses. Knowing where they were, he headed to the Hog's Head.

"Hey, Aberforth", he greeted the owner as he entered. "Is my cousin and his….party here?"

"Aye, Duncan, upstairs", the younger brother of Albus confirmed. "Been up there a while now."

Duncan nodded in thanks and started up the stairs. He rather liked Aberforth Dumbledore; he was wise, friendly(if a bit gruff) and not as cryptic as his brother Albus. Not to mention he'd given Duncan his first taste of fire whiskey. Duncan likened him to the result if Albus Dumbledore and Alastor Moody were fused together.

He quietly entered the large 'conference room' at the back of the second floor to hear the tail-end of Harry's friends espousing his accomplishments to a sizable gathering of students of all the houses except Slytherin(no, wait, the Greengrass sisters and Tracy Davis were there). Harry modestly stated that he'd been lucky….

"…I didn't know what I was doing half the time and I nearly always had help", Harry said, glancing over at Duncan.

"He's just being modest…"

"No, Hermione, I'm not", he admonished her gently, then turned to the room. "Facing this stuff in real life is not like school. In school, if you make a mistake, you just try again tomorrow. But out there, when you're a second away from being murdered….or watching a friend die right before your eyes….You don't know what that's like."

The students were quiet, having finally gotten a glimpse at the pain Harry was carrying. A few were on the verge of shedding a tear or two in sympathy. Harry sat down, looking at the floor.

"You're right Harry, we don't", Hermione said as she sat down next to him. "That's why we need your help. If we're to have any chance of beating…. Voldemort, we need you to teach us."

"I agree, you're the best choice to teach them, Harry", Duncan said, finally speaking up and stepping in beside his cousin. "And I'll help as much and often as I can. But I think I'll be most useful in running interference with Umbitch and any bottom-feeders she recruits to help her."

"Thanks, Duncan."

Hermione whipped up an oath-keeping charmed parchment for all the students to sign:

Dumbledore's Army

The Order of the Dragon

xxXXxx

The large group with Harry and his friends was crossing the carved wooden covered-bridge back to the school courtyard and main entrance.

"Right, first we need to find a place to practice where Umbridge won't find out", Harry said.

"The Shrieking Shack?", Ginny suggested.

"No, it's too small", Harry replied.

"The Forbidden Forest?", Hermione suggested.

"Not bloody likely!", Ron retorted, having NO intention of risking another encounter with the acromantulas again.

"Harry, what happens if Umbridge does find out?", Ginny asked.

"Who cares?", Hermione retorted, getting surprised looks from those that knew her best. "I mean, it's sort of exciting isn't it? Breaking the rules."

"Who are you, and what have you done with Hermione Granger?", Ron joked.

"Anyway, we know at least one positive thing that came from today", Hermione smiled wryly.

"And what's that?", Harry asked.

"Cho couldn't take her eyes off you, could she?", Hermione had noticed, knowing that Harry still had a crush on the pretty Chinese-British Ravenclaw. It pained her with her own feelings for him, but she just couldn't let him see that. Duncan shook his head slightly in disappointment, while Ginny's expression soured in jealousy.

"Over the next few days, we should all come up with a few ideas of places to meet…", Harry started to say as they crossed the courtyard, unaware that they were being observed from the balcony of the clock-tower. Umbridge and Filch.

xxXXxx

Author's notes: Again, sorry this chapter took so long. I've had a rather full plate the last couple months.

Who caught all the Easter Eggs? Anyone who caught more than half, can ask one spoiler question in a PM.

How about that lemon of Duncan and Fleur, huh? I think that was my most ambitious sex scene since the final chapter of "The Exile of Van Hellscream"!

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