A Private Request

"So my daughter tells me. I do 'ave something in mind zat I think you would be perfect for. Let me tell you about it and you tell me if you are interested. Of course I would still need to interview you in depth and verify your background but zis is a start," When Lupin nodded, he continued. "As you know we repealed several restrictive legislations on werewolves over ze last couple of years," Again Lupin nodded. "Ever since zen many British Lycanthropy sufferers 'ave wanted to immigrate to France. Ze problem we're 'aving is determining who is a good fit for our country and who isn't."

"And you're thinking of me to help in that process?"

"Yes. I need someone who is familiar with ze British werewolf population, someone who knows who wants to live peacefully and who wants to afflict others with ze disease," Mr. Delacour said. "I would expect ze person also to work with ze people who do immigrate to 'elp zem settle in. I can keep 'elping ze werewolves as long as zere are not any problems. But if we get a rash of aggressive werewolves immigrating into ze country afflicting witches and wizards, ze laws will be back in place very quickly."

"It sounds like a great opportunity sir," Remus said.

"Excellent; though I would like you to think on it. When you are confident you are truly interested, forward your CV via my daughter and I will personally set up the formal interview."

"I'll do that sir."

"Zen I 'ope we meet again real soon," Mr. Delacour said holding out his hand to Remus who shook it. He then turned to Harry and his three daughters. "Now do you want to discuss what I came 'ere for, or is zere some place better?"

"In a few minutes Papa," Fleur replied. "First I want to you show you what 'Arry taught me using ze bond," She brought her wand up and cast the Patronus charm and in a second her silvery Osprey was flying high. A silver Otter joined it also immediately. When the two Patronuses disappeared, Gabrielle showed her father the white mist she could conjure.

"Excellent, very well done," Alain said. He looked at Harry. "And you?"

The stag that emerged from Harry's wand made Mr. Delacour take a step back and shield his eyes. "Zat 'as to be ze brightest one I've ever seen."

Harry blushed as he said. "I only have to think about the love they give me," Harry nodded to his bondmates.

Alain Delacour smiled at the young man but decided not to embarrass him further. "Well 'ow about ze information you wanted?"

They showed him into Slytherin's personal library. When they got there he immediately asked. "Ees zere a reason you do not wish ze 'Eadmaster to know what I'm 'ere for?"

"Yes sir," Hermione replied. "He's the one that started our search of this information to begin with," She started explaining about the journal and the books Professor Dumbledore took with him.

"Well anyone who's taught young people should know better zan to tell one zat zey can't know something without explaining further," Alain replied. He pulled a small blood-red book out of his pocket. "I would prefer to not leave zis. If someone else reads it I would feel responsible."

"If you do want to leave it, we can put it in here," Hermione replied. "There are now only five people who can get in here, and four of them are us and the other is Tom Riddle who we think already knows about what the book covers anyway."

Mr. Delacour looked around the library. "Zis might be a better option. I'll leave it with you. Just please do not share ze book with anyone."

"We won't," Fleur promised.

"Mr. Delacour?" Harry said. "Can I speak to you in private?" He turned to his bond mates. "No listening or you'll be waking up to aragog tomorrow," It was an empty threat because all of his bondmates knew he would never do that to them; but they gave him his privacy.

"Sir, how do you buy presents for your wife?" Harry asked. "I mean surprising her. Gabrielle's birthday is in a couple of weeks and..."

"Son, you're a fine man who I'm glad my daughters found. Very thoughtful," Alain said. "My first time buying Apolline a present after ze bonding was a disaster. I thought I could 'ide it from 'er but she got it out of me very quickly and I never realized it until too late."

"That's what I'm afraid of. I mean I want to surprise her but..." Harry shrugged. "I thought about having someone else buy it for me."

"Non, I tried zat as well and it didn't work so well. I 'ad a friend buy ze present. I told 'im what I generally was looking for and 'e did 'is best but it wasn't what I would have got her. It didn't have the feel of it coming personally from me."

"So it's hopeless?" Harry asked somewhat dejectedly.

"Non, my father-in-law gave me this," Alain replied as he reached into his robed and brought out a small vial of purplish liquid. "Drink zis and for one 'our your bondmate will not be able to read your thoughts, and when it's over you won't remember ze time either. Though ze whole time it's in effect you are still you. You can pick out ze present you want and zen forget what you got 'er."

"Wow. That sounds perfect sir," Harry exclaimed as he stared at the small bottle.

"Just make sure zere is someone you trust with you," Mr. Delacour said. "You might need to know what 'appened if you get into any kind of trouble."

"Any other advice?"

"Only one; don't buy ze presents too early. I once bought my wife 'er birthday present and zen bought 'er anniversary gift a week later. I ended up buying 'er ze exact same pair of earrings for both," Mr. Delacour's eyes twinkled as he continued. "She still reminds me of zat to zis day," He handed Harry the vial and promised to give him more during the summer before Fleur's birthday in August.

After a while longer Mr. Delacour departed Hogwarts and the bondmates all returned to the Chamber library. They soon all discovered exactly what a Horcrux was and how one is made. It was only Sirius yelling that they needed to head upstairs before the moon came out that forced them to leave the library.

....

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