Chapter 14 - The Bet

A few days passed by with life going on since the Lockhart Incident. Harry to his slight amusement and utter shame found Lockhart using it to his advantage. Somehow from across the country die hard fans with Molly among them praising him. While the fraud with squib-like magical skills, he knew how to work a crowd to his favor.

'I knew that the magical community of at least Britain were less than stellar when it comes to thinking and critical thinking at times.' Harry thought as he felt like bashing his head on the Gryffindor table. 'However even a blind man could see the man a fraud.'

"Harry, what are you doing?" Hermione asked as she looked at him with hints of concern.

"Thinking about the sad future Magical Britain is heading towards."

"Huh? Can I ask why?"

A simple thought ran through Harry's head as he wondered if he should use this moment to help her. While he was sure he couldn't fix some of Hermione's larger flaws such as her god-like attitude to authority figures, or brashiness. He could begin to curb them so she will at least not end up with Ron Weasley of all people.

"Hermione, before you rant on what I am about to ask please consider all the facts presented first. Then if you disagree, please provide actual facts and not 'he said, she said'."

"Alright Harry. What is your question?"

"Lockhart is a fraud and never once did anything in his books. While I am sure there are witches and wizards out there who did these things. He didn't as he never mentions indications or actually proves he can cast such spells. Even in class he blew himself up and if he was powerful he would have taken students with him."

Biting her lower lip as she felt conflicted as part of her wanted to believe in her friend another part wanted to defend Lockhart. While she found the books really exaggerated and mainly focused on Lockhart. She was raised and nurtured to always look up to those in authority to do right.

"He said it himself that his wand was malfunctioning for the last while. So maybe he did do these adventures he wrote about." Hermione said weakly as her respect won out barely in the end.

Harry calmly raised an eyebrow at her, "Very well Hermione. Find and present to me research the spells he mentions that are not self created. Give at least one or two examples of someone else using them in such fashion. Such as turning a werewolf temporarily back into human or splitting a single spell five times, knocking out five ghouls."

"What do you get out of this?" Hermione asked with a small huff mentally agreeing to it already.

"Hmm, that for me to know and you to find out." He answered like a wise sage or parent teaching a young child.

"Fine, but you must stay with me in the library as it is your idea."

"Ron are you going to join in?" Harry nodded his head in Hermione's direction as he asked the red head.

Ron's eyes widened before he threw a mental tantrum at the thought. The red hair boy was still in the stage of hating learning outside of class. He was also still wary of Hermione and often barely tolerate her mere presence and often talked behind her back in the dorms. So Harry quickly received a furious head shake.

"Well, I got homework to complete so I don't mind sticking around as you research." Harry said to Hermione who smiled at him.

"You're both mental." Ron added as he showed a hint of betrayal as if Harry did something unforgivable.

--

With Harry acting as his new usual self, Katie on the other hand was shaking and eyes scanning everywhere. Since it was the night of the full moon her fear and paranoia of being found out has reached an all time high. She has barely spoken to Harry since she asked for a few days and been silently observing him.

It didn't take much to notice him acting different from last year almost like he was older and a bit wiser. As she silently observed in a non stalker way, she felt him and Daphne knew things no one their age knew. Not to mention how they suddenly became best buddies and came up with a few theories. Either one or both are from the future or a pair of seers.

"Katie? Are you alright, you seem a little jumpy today." Angelina asked as she brushed her long black hair over her shoulder. Her dark skin had a slight glimmer to it as her chocolate brown eyes looked at her friend.

"It is nothing serious but nerves truthfully. I got to talk to Harry, but-" Katie blushed as she began replying.

"Does our Bell have a crush on young Harry." Alicia was teased as the third member of friendship and chaser of Gryffindor.

"Wha-"

"I agree, look at how much she is blushing." Angelina joking agreed.

'Of course I have a crush on him since I bonded with him when we slept together.' Katie thought as she felt her face heat up more at the thought. 'Not to mention we will be running around later on tonight under the full moon with our instinct to guide us. Well that is what the books said about werewolves native to Britain.'

Since Harry confessed, Katie between classes and thinking has been researching werewolves. While it shocked her a bit, she learned there are quite few types of werewolves roaming the planet. From some who were immortal and affected by silver, to ones she is familiar with that is unaffected by silver but looks like a sick dog man. She even learned there are a few that can transform on will power that native to Japan.

'Who names a school Monster Academy?' She wondered before thinking about her own school's name. 'Nevermind.'

"Alright I do have a small crush on him, but I don't know how or what to do if we date?" Katie confessed as her friends teased her.

Angelina just rubbed her chin, "I don't really think there much you can do. Given your age and limitation the most you can do is just get to know each other."

Following in her friend's example, "Why don't you ask that Slytherin girl he likes to hang around recently. I bet she would be able to help you by the way they chat in the library for hours trying to be sneaky."

"I don't think he is trying to be sneaky since the Library is considered a neutral ground by all students." Katie answered. "Besides her name Daphne and she is pretty friendly for the most part."

While Katie knew her two friends didn't really have a large dislike for the Slytherin beside on the Quidditch pitch. She also knew they weren't really ones to really be friends with them either. From what she knows a few seventh year Slytherins harassed them during their first years.

"If you say so." was all Angelina said before changing to a more comfortable topic.

--

Down in France, a fifteen year old Veela was laughing as she read over her latest letter she received from a snowy owl. She was thankful for one of the few times having a dorm to herself. Even if it wasn't for the true reason why the school and headmistress assigned it to her.

While the official reason was for health and safety as her allure manifested. The unofficial and true reason whenever a Veela passes through was to have privacy. They could use it to get away for a while or satisfied her inner desires and passions.

However she didn't have any thoughts of using it for that purpose. She was saving herself to do a ritual with Harry allowing them to gain a boost in magic. While it might be a small boost in ten to thirty years, it would be helpful in the near future. Expressially when Voldermort returns and will give her Harry a helping hand.

'I wonder when Daphne found the Ritual as I don't see Hogwarts having that much on them. Not since magical Britain started outlawing them left, right and center.' Fleur thought as she flopped down on her bed. 'Maybe I should think about transferring Hogwarts, but it is currently on the decline. So the chances of Papa allowing me to transfer is minimum expressially with their views on magical creatures.'

"That's it, if I graduate early, I could apply to teach at Hogwarts." a smile crossed her lips at the thought before it vanished. "Wait, that is not possible and probably a bad idea. Most students won't be able to focus and the same issue appears as if I apply as a student."

'I only have two more years until I graduate. Hmm, I guess working at Gringotts is an option and buying a house in Hogsmeade would work. It would allow them to visit during the Hogsmeade visits at the very least.'

A sad sigh escaped her lips as she thought about her last life. She really only applied to work on her english and because she was interested in Bill. For some reason she thought he could have been her bonded since Harry was still growing. However, that was an error that cost her a few decades.

'At least this time I know who my bonded and soulmate is so that will save a lot of time on forming the bond.' Fleur thought as her bond and Daphne would need to grow once again and any mistresses Harry collects.

'I doubt Harry would care if I have a few female mistresses as long as I introduce them and not try to hide it.' Fleur thought as her mind wondered, not really planning to put her thoughts into action. 'Maybe I can snag a few bi from him when in school. Hmm, I wonder what he will say if I gift him a certain metamorphmagus.'

A new smile formed as she sat up as she had a couple letters to write on to her two lovers and a certain auror in training. She just hopes she can befriend her despite not having met Tonks in this life. Well at least she will have a challenge to occupy her time until she can see Harry again.