Chapter 6: Bombshell Blonde

I think the thing I like the most about being sent back in time is all the chances I have to correct the little mistakes I made the first time around. I'll give you a perfect example, really perfect, as the first time I participated in the Tournament I had been too focused on it and not enough on the things going on around me. Mike and Gabe call it having a "hindsight bullshit detector," but I think of it more as a healthy dose of reality. Watching Sirius fall through the Veil had been a massive wake up call for me, so I wasn't going to waste a chance to make sure I did better this time around. Not that any of the women currently in my life were going to give me the option to do anything less than my best.

My first two days back had been a bit of a mess, mostly because I was still angry at myself for leading my friends into a lethal trap. I fully admit that I blew up at everyone that crossed me, whether it was this time around or the last, so it's really not a surprise that I had ended up isolated again. Thankfully this time I had a few more friends around than I did the last time. Yes, with the help of Luna and Hermione along with Mike and Gabe, I had managed to pull my head out of my arse before I alienated everyone around me. Starting the night we found out that McGonagall had her memories tampered with the ladies in my life took it upon themselves to correct my attitude. The four French additions to my group had come up to see me and question me as to my horrible attitude. In fact, it was Gabrielle, with the assistance of Zoe's translating that snapped me out of my foul humor almost instantly.

Gabrielle had drug me into my suite in the Champion's Tower, pushed me down on a couch, and boldly crawled up into my lap where she proceeded to lecture me on the required traits someone needed if they were going to be allowed to be her knight in shining armor. These traits included patience, tolerance, wisdom, and most of all a desire to provide her with a near infinite supply of chocolate pudding. Obviously the last one was the easiest for me to do right at that moment in time. Still, she had a point, one which the other ladies wholeheartedly agreed with, that I needed to improve my way of dealing with things. I found it hard to argue with the precocious little girl, a fact proven when Aimee joined in and informed me she needed a knight as well and I had best start living up to her expectations, or else. Seeing the other ladies in the room nodding their agreement was just the icing on the cake.

So, that leads us to this point in time, the 21st of November and mere days away from the first task. I was currently escorting my entourage towards Hogsmeade and thinking back on my rather hectic life since coming back in time. For starters, Gabrielle insisted that I "learn to speak like a chevalier should," meaning intense French lessons. Not surprisingly, Hermione and Luna both spoke fluent French, so began my intense immersion French lessons. French became the language of choice outside of classes for my little group, meaning I had to either learn fast or be left looking a fool as the girls talked about me. Trust me, you do not want to be sitting amongst a large group of young women that can talk about you without you knowing what they say. I figured that out when I saw Luna holding her hands about ten inches apart as the other girls in the group blushed and tried not to look at my lap. That was all the motivation I needed to learn the language with all due haste.

Now don't go thinking I'm some prodigy when it comes to languages, because I'm not, but I did learn fairly quickly. This may have been thanks to the method of rewards Luna, Hermione, and Zoe chose. See, if I got it right I got hugs and kisses on the cheek, but if I got it wrong they started talking about my more personal attributes. Gabrielle and Aimee were never a part of those conversations, but boy did Zoe and Fleur seem interested. Zoe especially seemed to get flustered after the second time Luna described how I tend to be a bit hands on when I'm sleeping. If the blush, not to mention the look of longing, was any indications then she would not have been against a bit of wandering hands from time to time. Fleur on the other hand wasn't interested in me romantically, not really, but she liked the fact she could be herself around me and not have to worry I was going to start drooling when she entered a room. Unlike so many of the young men currently wandering the halls of Hogwarts I was not likely to start dry humping air every time she walked in a room, something I caught Seamus doing one day after Fleur walked past him. So, with the help of the ladies in my life, I learned to speak French and hoped eventually I would know enough to stop Luna when she started talking about the size of my hands versus her chest.

Another improvement was in the scholastic arena. All of the ladies, save the two youngest, insisted that I have my homework done immediately after it was assigned and with the best possible grade. Each night after the evening meal we would gather in my quarters to study, I would complete my assignments as best I could before Hermione and Fleur looked them over. The two of them would "grade" the assignment based on their rather high standards before handing it back to me with their criticisms written in the margins. No, they did not give me the answers, rather they pointed out when I was lacking some piece of information or my argument was not strong enough to support my answers. I would then sit down and rework the assignment until they could find nothing wrong with it, or I could argue my point with enough strength, they allowed me to consider the assignment finished. Then I was tasked with teaching what I had just learned to Aimee and Gabrielle, to insure that I knew the material well enough to explain it to a young child while Zoe corrected anything I got wrong. Those two girls, I kid you not, forced me to be on the top of my game with all their questions. It was a very effective method of learning for me and my grades over the month reflected it in every class, save Divination.

That was another improvement, at least for me, I had dropped the Divination course over Dumbledore's protests. We managed to have a civil conversation about his reasons for wanting me to remain in the class which boiled down to him wanting me to be familiar with the topic of prophecies. I admit I was a bit frustrated by his attitude, at least at first, then I took a deep breath and told him that I already knew about the prophecy regarding me. He of course did not remember that I had already admitted this to him, thanks to Mike and Gabe erasing his memories of the first time I revealed my knowledge, but when I told him the back story about learning about it from my solicitors he seemed to accept it even if he wasn't too happy about it. For the first time I could ever remember he was honest with me about the topic and explained the whole thing to me, even showing me his memory of hearing it the first time. I wanted to be scared about the whole kill or be killed aspect of it, but having already figured out that much about it I found I could only sigh and nod my head.

"I didn't want to burden you with this knowledge so soon, Harry," he admitted to me after we watched the memory. "I hoped you could have a few more years to enjoy your youth before you had to take up this responsibility."

I nodded, sighed again, and replied, "But ultimately it is my responsibility, Professor. I have to be ready when the time comes and I fear that time it coming sooner than any of us would like."

Thus began the change in my relationship with Albus Dumbledore. Sure, he was still a manipulative prick sometimes, but I now understood some of his actions. For example his fears regarding my recent behavior. It was Dumbledore's worst fear that I would "fall to the dark side," to quote one of my favorite movies, and my creative means of repelling Legilimency attacks had only strengthened his fears. This led to a frank conversation about my connection to Voldemort and several experiments as to how strong of an attack I could truly repel. Much to Dumbledore's surprise when I allowed him to attempt an attack on my mind, the link between Voldemort and myself had been severed, most likely when I stepped through the Veil before my return in time. I also discovered that while Dumbledore could get in and look around in my mind, he could not see my memories of the first time I had lived this life. As Gabe explained it to me later, his Boss had severed the link and sealed those memories in a protected portion of my mind that no one else could see. This was a good thing as far as I could tell and it lessened Dumbledore's fears greatly that I could no longer be influenced by Tom's crazier ideas. The other perk was I learned how to deflect attacks without having to resort to methods that left people voiding their bowels, at least unless I wanted them to. My current favorite memory to use was being locked in my old cupboard under the stairs, sitting in pitch blackness and only hearing the muffled voices of the people outside while I cried. Snape really seemed to hate that one for some reason, hence the reason I used it on him every time he tried to get in my mind, which was every time I saw him.

There were many other things that had happened over the last month. Among them the fact I had bound Winky to the Potter family, something I had never gotten around to the first time and which brought great happiness to the poor elf. There was also the pending trial of Sirius Black, to be held the day after the first task, which Dumbledore had finally agreed to. Sirius was currently in "protective custody," meaning he was staying at 12 Grimmauld Place with Remus Lupin, the two of them getting a chance to reconnect that didn't involve running from the law. Dumbledore had volunteered to put the old Black Family home under the Fidelius, but oddly when he arrived to do so he found that he could no longer remember where the house was. Remus had sent me a note that he and Sirius had caste the charm the night before Dumbledore's arrival with Sirius being the secret keeper, seeing as it was his home and ultimately his secret to keep. I hated the fact that I couldn't talk to Sirius, Remus stated it was to keep me from being implicated any further in his escape, but it would only be for a little while. It wasn't as if I didn't have enough to distract me, given the fact that Zoe was now playing a more intimate role in my life.

Okay, I know, I rushed that one and you want to know how that happened. It happened like this, I was sitting on the couch one night, it was a Friday night and rather late, and just happened to fall asleep with Zoe sitting next to me. Now, rather than wake me up when I started to drift off, the other ladies in the room headed off to bed themselves, leaving Zoe and I alone on the couch. She had already drifted off before I had and before long we were cuddled up together, sound asleep. I woke up the next morning with an unfamiliar head of blonde hair in my face and the pleasant knowledge that whomever the hair belonged to was currently laying fully on top of me with my arms tightly wrapped around her. I was a bit confused, but when she woke up and kissed me without even thinking about it, well I soon forgot all about my confusion. Since then Zoe and I had an unofficial agreement that she was now a trusted friend and maybe more in time, so long as she didn't mind the fact that I usually had at least two other bedmates each night. Yep, Hermione had laid claim to my left side, with Luna claiming my right side, though unlike Luna she usually wore pajamas to bed.

So, now that I seemed to be the plaything of several beautiful young ladies, none of whom I was officially dating, I felt my life was taking a radical change for the better. Oh, don't forget I also had Aimee and Gabrielle bossing me around to make sure I met their notion of what a big brother, or knight in shining armor, should be. Gabrielle assured me that I was coming along just fine in regards to what she expected of me, but still thought I needed a horse. Aimee on the other hand thought I needed a sword and a shield, which I assured her I didn't, not that she believed me. As for male associates, Ron rarely ever came near me now, but considering when he did he tended to just stare at the chest of whatever young woman was available at the time, it wasn't a great loss. There was also the constant glares I received from most of the male population of the school, along with the Durmstrang students, but it was no worse than my second year when they all thought I was a murderous maniac. I didn't care as I usually had one of the girls with me and they talked me out of my gloom almost instantly. Aimee and Gabrielle were perfect for that considering they were such bundles of happiness most of the time. Though God above save you if you forgot that the last of the pudding was always to be shared between the two of them.

Oh, get this, there is no such thing as a partial Veela. I know, you're as surprised as I was when I learned it. See, there are no male Veela, so any female child born from a Veela is always going to be a Veela while the male children were just human. The whole "part Veela" thing was nothing but a ruse used by the Veela Nation to help them integrate with normal human society better. As it turns out Aimee and Zoe's mom was the Queen of the Veela nation, with her husband being the brother of Gabrielle and Fleur's Mother, Apoline. The Queen upon learning of my friendship with her daughters and nieces sent me a book all about Veela, one which I was not allowed to show anyone other than Luna and Hermione, that explained so much about Veela society and their behavior. It was rather interesting to learn that Zoe and Aimee were direct descendants of Jeanne Antoinette Poisson, the Marquise de Pompadour and better known as Madame de Pompadour, the most famous Veela in history. Not only had the woman been a political mover and shaker in the Muggle world, but she was also the Queen of the Veela in the Magical world.

That's enough of the past though as I previously said, I was currently being dragged to Hogsmeade by my little retinue of lovelies. Gabrielle and Aimee had claimed my hands while the older girls walked at my side. We were practicing our conversational French as we walked, a fact that had sever fellow students looking at me strangely. Sure, they accept I can talk to snakes, but heaven forbid I learn to speak a foreign language. I think it's a weakness of the Magical community in the United Kingdom, they tend to forget we live within a relatively short distance from several other countries that speak a different language than our own. Don't even get me started on Latin, the language we incant our spells in but that we don't study in school any longer. Zoe and Hermione both pointed out that every country uses either Latin or their native tongue to incant in, with the exception being the UK who only use Latin. Really strange that.

"Here comes your little stalker, 'Arry," whispered Fleur in French, pointing at the approaching form of Draco Malfoy. "I think he is secretly attracted to you, which is why he is always stalking you."

"No, I think he wants to prove he's a man by attacking someone he wishes he could be," replied Luna with a smirk. "Maybe someday he'll figure out that spending so much time being made a fool of is not going to prove the point."

Zoe shook her head as we watched Draco glare at us before he suddenly turned to head down a side street with his cronies following closely behind him. "No, I think he grew up reading stories of 'Arry Potter, just like so many others, and wanted to be friends with you. Unfortunately, he's a fool and a bigot, and that cost him the friendship he desired."

I was rather stunned by the thought but suddenly remembered my first meeting with Draco Malfoy and had to agree. "I think you hit the mark with that one. I still remember how surprised he looked when I first met him, finding out the boy he met in Madame Malkin's was THE Harry Potter. Then the flustered look on his face when I turned him down, right after he insulted Hermione. It all makes sense now, everything including his desire to belittle me every chance he gets. Sad really."

That little obstacle avoided, I was drug into the first of many shops we would visit in Hogsmeade. We visited clothing stores, my wardrobe did not meet any of their expectations, which led to me being forced to model one outfit after another. Fleur and Zoe were rather disappointed in the selections available, both agreed to have Fleur's mother get some mail order catalogues from the better shops in Paris, but agreed that anything was better then my ratty hand me downs. My regular outfit which consisted of torn jeans, a t-shirt, and trainers under my robes was changed out for new jeans, a white oxford shirt, dragon hide boots, and a black dragon hide jacket. Numerous other items were bought, being told that boxers were sexier than briefs saw me blushing as I bought several pairs, along with a new waterproof watch and countless socks. It wasn't until later that I realized the socks were for when the girls' feet were cold and they wanted to borrow them, but that is another story. Still, I looked better and felt better about myself by the time lunch rolled around and we headed for Madame Pudifoot's.

I still remembered the last time I had been in the unnecessarily feminine tea parlor, but the girls insisted and who was I to argue with five sets of puppy dog eyes. Damn those pouts, especially Aimee and Gabrielle whom I had absolutely no defense against. Mike called that look on a girls face the absolute equalizer, as no man in his right mind can defend against it. Gabe on the other hand pointed out that if you batted for the home team it didn't work on you, but I wasn't about to switch teams just to gain some self respect back. Oh no, some sacrifices are just too much to ask of me and giving up enjoying the sight of the girls waking up in the morning was just too much.

"'Arry, you and Zoe will be sitting at that booth while the rest of us will be sitting over here," Fleur informed me, rather forcefully. "I think you two should get to know each other better."

"And with that horrible Skeeter woman being dealt with, you can do so in peace now," added Hermione.

Yeah, that was a good memory, the way Mike had dealt with Skeeter was hilarious. The day after the weighing of the wands had gone as previously, with Rita's article making me look like a crying little ponce even though I had avoided her attempts at an interview. Unfortunately for Rita, Mike and Gabe were not about to let her get away with it, considering the whole "interview" was a figment of her imagination. The morning after her article appeared in the Prophet, Rita was arrested for several charges of breaking and entering, being an unregistered animagus, blackmail, and libel. Best of all, she had "accidentally" been exposed to a new experimental truth serum that left her unable to lie, for the rest of her life. Rita had admitted to everything nasty she had ever done and the Ministry was only too happy to send her to Saint Mungo's Permanent Spell Damage Ward, where she was likely to spend a long time until they could find a cure to the truth serum. Oddly enough, Luna assured me that they would find the cure shortly after I graduated from school when they realized the antidote was a Muggle medicine called Castor Oil mixed with prune juice, which would have to be taken several times a day for the rest of her life. I know, I keep getting distracted by the past and I'm not telling you enough of the present, but it was such a good memory I just had to share it with you.

So, back to Madame Pudifoot's. As the rest of the girls took a table a little ways off, Zoe and I made our way to the booth that Fleur had indicated. I waited for Zoe to slip into one side before I took the other side. Sure, there was a bit of me that wanted to sit next to her, but Fleur was right and I did need to get know Zoe a bit better before taking such an intimate step. Plus as I watched Zoe pull off her robes and hang them on the provided coat hook I had to admit she is incredibly beautiful. The dress she wore just helped accentuate the fact that she has a perfect figure, the way the dress clung to her every curve just accentuated the point. Yeah, she's got a fantastic figure, actually all the girls do. Since the first night we all sat around talking, Zoe and Fleur had taken it upon themselves to become our personal fashion experts. At first this just meant they helped Luna and Hermione prepare themselves in the morning. Gone was Hermione's frizzy hair, replaced by long wavy chestnut hair that reached almost to the middle of her back. Who knew that much length had been hidden by all the frizziness. Luna on the other hand, after all her things had been collected by Dobby and Winky, had cast off her butterbeer cork necklace and radish earrings in favor of a small gold cross and diamond studs, a gift from me for her last birthday. There was also hints of cosmetics and a skin lotions that left the two of them looking lovelier than I had ever seen them. Clothing was also an issue, with Luna and Hermione raiding Zoe and Fleur's closet any time we didn't need to be in uniform. Their new casual form of dress usually involved dresses and heels most of the time, which often left me dazed even without the use of Veela allure. Like today, Zoe was wearing a blue dress that hugged her figure, revealed enough cleavage to make it hard to look her in the eyes, and made those eyes seem to glow. Each of them wore something similar, with the exception of Aimee and Gabrielle who wore cute little smocks and leggings to keep warm in the November chill. Seriously, the rule of thumb for the girls once classes was over was that it was never a bad time to over dress and I had yet to find a reason to complain.

"You look lovely," I said as Zoe slipped finally got comfortable.

"Thank you, 'Arry," she replied with a faint blush before switching to English. "You look razer nice yourself."

"Well I hope so," I replied with a smile. "My personal fashion experts put a great deal of effort into picking out my wardrobe. I would hate to think you found fault in their work."

Zoe seemed to examine me for a moment, staring into my eyes as if she were sifting through my very soul, then she nodded. "You know, a Veela can always feel when someone is compatible wiz zem. It might just be compatible as a friend, or as a lover, but we always know."

"I didn't know that," I admitted, curious as to what it meant for me. "Is it some deep magic, part of being a Veela?"

Zoe giggled at that, she's really cute when she giggles, but then again she's always really cute and sexy. "Non! It's a lifetime of having men look at us wiz lust in their eyes. We can tell if you are compatible based on ze amount of lust we see in your eyes. You, 'Arry, are a mystery to me because you have ze wrong amount of lust in your eyes."

"There is a wrong amount of 'lust' to have?" I asked, leaning forward and resting my elbows on the table, then entwining my fingers in front of my mouth. She had my full attention now, her words making me wonder what was going through her mind at the moment. "Tell me, what level of 'lust' should I have?"

"See, zat is exactly what I'm talking about," she said with a smirk. "You don't act like a fourteen year old boy. You should be more lustful, but not know what to do about it, like your friend Ron. Non, you act like someone older. Not much older, only a year or so, but older zan what you are. I do not understand and it makes you a puzzle to me."

"So, let me see if I've got this straight," I began, hoping she was just underestimating my maturity and not that she had figured out I had traveled back in time. "Because I'm not drooling all over you and Fleur, I puzzle you? You would rather I see you as an object, like Ron does, rather than treat you with respect? I mean if that's the case I can stare at your chest all day, it's not a real hardship for me, but I personally think it's a bit disrespectful. As for being older, you do realize the type of life I've lived right? Not to mention that two of my best friends in all the world are also extremely beautiful and intelligent young women that would beat me silly if I treated them with anything less than respect? Oh, and before I forget, I've also got several new female friends that demand the utmost of my behavior. Especially the two youngest, who seem to have it in their heads that I'm some knight in training."

I took off my glasses, rubbing the bridge of my nose before continuing. "More to the point, I've got every witch and wizard within several thousand miles staring at me and waiting for me to fall flat on my face. No one has come right out and said it, but for every person that hopes I'll win this tournament there are just as many who would like to see me fail."

Zoe sighed, nodding sadly, unable to argue with what I had just said considering the clear evidence she had seen since my name came out of the goblet. Between the Slytherin contingent constantly heckling me and the rest of the student body flipping a coin daily to see whether to support or ridicule me, it was obvious there was no true support for me at the school. Honestly, there were only a handful of people that seemed to constantly be on my side, other than my lovely ladies. Neville Longbottom was a firm believer in my honesty, as were Fred and George Weasley. Ginny Weasley supported me, but rarely if ever actually spoke with me other than a simple greeting or farewell. Gabe had pointed out she might be jealous of the company I was keeping, but considering I barely knew her even considering my trip back in time.

"You have ze point," Zoe admitted with a sad smile. "It is much like how Aimee and I are treated at 'ome. We are constantly watched by ze my mozer's court, looking for any behavior zey deem unacceptable. We were forced to come 'ere secretly, just to be normal for ze time."

"Yeah, I don't even get that luxury," was my counter to what she said. "Even when I'm away from school I am treated like dirt, my relatives are not the most understanding of people. When I'm there I am watched, by the entire neighborhood, thanks to the lies my relatives have spread about me. People actually cross the street when I walk by, as opposed to here where I'm mobbed for something I don't even remember."

Reaching out her hand, Zoe took my hand in hers and gave it a reassuring squeeze, saying, "You are not dirt, 'Arry. You are a good man. Don't let anyone tell you differently."

We sat there talking for about twenty minutes, the topic ranging from what it was like to be a Princess to comparing quidditch to European football. We drank our tea, nibbled on crumb cakes, and generally enjoyed ourselves in the relative safety of the cafe. Eventually we made our way back to the castle with the others, Zoe kissed me on the cheek as we separated for the night at the door to Fleur's suite. Luna, Hermione, and myself sat talking until late into the evening, but I was thinking once again that something was missing. Whether I had forgotten something or it was just a random thought, I kept looking around as if expecting an answer to arrive at any moment. I wished once again that I could talk to Sirius, get his point of view, but it was impossible for the moment.

Telling the girls I would be up a little later, I sent the two of them of to bed and headed to the room that Mike and Gabe shared. The two of them were very rarely actually there, but it seemed that when I really needed to talk to them I could always find them in their room working on one thing or another. I had yet to see either of them sleep, I wasn't even sure if they needed to sleep considering my suspicions as to who they really were. Yes, I'm a bit thick sometimes, a fact I freely admit to, but even I'm not that thick and a bit of research in the library along with a quick question to Remus one day had pretty much confirmed my thoughts. So, knocking on their door I wondered if I should just outright ask them. Heck, they might even answer.

"Mike? Gabe? You in there?" I asked as I stood in front of their door.

"Yeah, kiddo, we're here," replied Mike in his customary gruff tone. "Come on in."

Opening the door I had to laugh. Mike had evidently erected some type of barrier that prevented the smoke from his cigars from escaping the room. A thick cloud of cigar smoke hung in the room, giving the room the look of an old pub rather than a richly decorated bedroom. Gabe was currently sitting on his bed reading a thick packet of papers, while Mike was lounging on his bed blowing smoke rings. Oddly, the cloud of smoke seemed to move around Gabe's, probably another barrier. Walking into the room the smoke suddenly vanished, a fact I was rather grateful for as I dreaded the thought of crawling into bed smelling like a cigar. Luna would not have been happy about that, not at all.

"So, Harry, what brings you down here so late at night?" Gabe asked as he sat his packet of papers aside.

"So, I've got a question for you both and I'm hoping you can answer it for me," I said as I sat in the chair that had been provided for the desk in the room.

Mike snorted, saying, "You've always got questions, but ask away."

"Are you two Angels?"

Mike almost swallowed his cigar the moment the question was out of my mouth, as it was he seemed to be having problems breathing for all the coughing he was suddenly doing. Gabe on the other hand started laughing, holding his hand out to Mike with a predatory gleam in his eyes. Once he got himself sorted out, Mike pulled a galleon out of his pocket and tossed it to Gabe, growling under his breath as he did. I just watched, pretty sure I knew what was going on, but waiting for one of them to answer before I said anything.

"Yeah, kid, we're angels," admitted Mike, snuffing out his cigar and sitting up straight on his bed to look at me directly. "I'm Michael, the Protector of Mankind."

"My full name is Gabriel," Gabe said with a smile. "I'm sure you already figured that part out, but it's always better to use full names when in situations like this."

"So, your boss," I began, then paused trying to find the right words. "Umm... She's the one I made my oath to and the one that sent me back, right?"

"Bingo!" confirmed Mike. "For some reason She likes you. So, you showing up in Her waiting room earlier than planned, that put a twist in Her knickers something fierce."

"Mike, please don't talk about Her knickers," begged Gabe, looking a bit nervous. "Last time you did, She was most displeased with you. I seem to remember she set you to watching grass grow in Antarctica for several hundred years."

"Does grass actually grow in Antarctica?" I asked, mainly because I thought the place was a giant ice cube.

"No, it doesn't as a matter of fact," snarked Mike, pulling out another cigar and lighting it. "I spent nine hundred years watching a patch of ice and trying to avoid horny penguins."

Now that was an image I didn't need. "Too much information there, Mike. Anyway, am I doing what I'm supposed to be doing? You said you two were going to train me, but so far I've barely seen you two."

Gabe stood up and walked over to me, placing a hand on my shoulder and smiling down at me. "You're doing just fine, Harry. Right now you are learning, thanks to your female companions. You're learning how to be a better man than you were before. The rest of your training will wait until after Sirius' trial, when we have more time before the next task in the tournament."

"And She doesn't have any problems with the fact I'm sharing a bed with two girls I'm not dating?" I asked, gesturing skyward as I asked.

"Nah, She planned that bit," voiced Gabe, laying back on his bed and blowing more smoke rings. "Don't let the publicity fool you, she's a romantic at heart. Not to mention She's got a thing for symmetry. See, Luna represents the future, while Hermione represents the past. If you ever get off your arse and admit you've got feeling's for your French friend, she'll represent the present. Your own personal version of the Fates, straight out of Greek Mythology. The Boss thought you could use a bit of guidance and those three girls are it for you. Well, them and us, not to mention the Boss if She ever decides to meddle."

"Which She does fairly often," admitted Gabe with a smile, returning to his bed to sit down. "She tries not to meddle, hoping that Her children will make the right choices on their own, but occasionally She will nudge you in the direction you need to go. I imagine in your case She was just waiting for you to figure out who we are. Now that you've done that you should probably try praying to Her. I wouldn't be the least surprised if She decided to reply."

That thought in mind, I said my farewells and headed to my room. It was a lot to take in, that really went without saying. God, who just happened to be female, had taken direct action regarding my life and even assigned two of her Archangels to watch over me. Rather overwhelming, to say the very least. Still, anyone that had the power to bring someone back from the dead and return them in time as She had, well, I wasn't going to argue with them. So, slipping into my room and crawling into bed between my two bedmates, I closed my eyes and for the first time in my life I prayed.

"God," I began, whispering as I stared up at the ceiling. "It's Harry, though you probably already knew that. I wanted to say thank you for what you did for me. I hope I'm not disappointing you with what I'm doing right now. You know, making changes to the timeline and learning new things. Gabe says I should talk to you, but I've never really done this before, so I hope I'm doing it right."

"You're doing just fine, Harry," a voice suddenly replied and I just knew I was in for a long conversation.

AN: I swear, this chapter just annoyed me because it was hard to write the first time and even worse the second time. It was always going to be a filler chapter because there just wasn't that much that went on between Harry's name coming out of the Goblet and the first task. So, we get a bit more back story, or at least my revisionist version of it, along with the BIG reveal about who Mike, Gabe, and the Boss really are.

Yes, many of you were right about that.

I also explained why there are three girls in the group. Yes, that was planned from the get go and the reason for choosing the girls I did. I guess I could have picked Ginny to represent the present, but at she didn't play a role in Harry's life until after the events at the MoM, so that doesn't make sense for this story. Considering there were no other females in Harry's life that were true romantic possibilities at this point in the story, other than possibly Fleur, I brought Zoe in to fill the role. She will not instantly fit in, but she WILL be the third and last.

Anyway, I have to go bury by model helicopter, it died a valiant death just a little while ago, and they no longer make parts for it. I really liked that model. Oh well.

Next chapter will either piss you off or make you think, but it will be here soon enough. Meanwhile, go read something and send me a review.

Chris :)