Harry Potter and the Sketchy Resorts

DISCLAIMER: I don't own the Potterverse.

Author's Note: Many thanks to my Beta Buggycas.

Chapter 11

Severus Snape and Albus Dumbedore were in his office conferring on the new school year when the package from Harry arrived. Specifically, Albus was telling Severus that he was to be teaching potions again in the coming year rather than Defense against the Dark Arts.

"But Albus," Severus said. "You told me you were hiring Horace Slughorn this year to teach potions so I could teach Defense finally."

"I said I would if I could convince young Harry to assist me," Albus replied equably. "I had thought it would not be difficult to persuade him but as you yourself saw he was in a different mood this summer than previous ones."

Severus Snape sneered, "Yes, he was more arrogant than ever."

"So then, you can see why I was unable to get his help in recruiting Horace. Unfortunately, you must remain Potions Professor."

"It's all Potter's fault!" Severus said.

Albus turned away to hide a smile at how predictable his colleague was and saw an owl approaching his window. He opened the window and it landed on his desk with a note and a package.

Severus said, "It's probably Potter writing to say they need help and haven't even left France yet."

"Do you really think so little of them Severus?" Albus replied. He took the letter and package from the owl and it left once it saw it wasn't getting any treats.

Severus nodded, "Yes! I bet you a galleon he's spent the whole summer staring at her and trying to work up the nerve to do something with her and she has spent the time flirting with everyone male."

Albus smirked, "I will take that bet Severus but let's make it ten. If you're so sure about them you won't mind will you?"

Severus sneered, "I would make it a hundred but I don't want to take too much of your money."

"Alright," Albus said. "It's a bet." He opened the letter first and started to read it, "I'm afraid you lose your bet, Severus. Harry says that they found and have removed all of the Horcruxes." He paused and read some more, his eyebrows rising, "Including the one in his scar. If that's true I will need to revise all my plans. I hope it is but I must verify it personally before I'll believe it. None of my research showed it as being possible."

"Ha!" said Severus. "Seeing that look on your face is worth the ten galleons but what proof do we have that any of what that brat wrote is true?"

"Well he says that that the basilisk venom destroyed all the found Horcruxes except one and the remaining one is in the package he sent. Since it was the last one on the list I think it should count as proof. Enough proof for me anyway. I wish he gave specifics of how they removed the Horcrux from his scar but oh well I can ask him when he returns." He went back to reading and frowned, "It seems like that will not be soon. He states that he plans to spend the rest of the summer with Fleur and only return the day before classes start. That's unfortunate."

Snape snickered, "Are you planning to suddenly apparate to her bedroom like you did her hotel room now and start questioning them as they rut like the animals they are?"

Albus shook a finger at Severus, "Now Severus, you know you should not speak so. They are fine upstanding people and I do not make a habit of barging into bedrooms."

"Because you'd be disgusted by the hetero sex acts you might see?" Severus asked snidely.

Albus looked at him reprovingly, "I think it would be best if you went and started preparing for this year's lessons don't you?"

Severus shrugged, "True, but I want to see what's in the package so I know whether to pay you or if Potter is trying to con us both."

Albus sighed and said, "Fine." He opened the package and then sat staring at it until Severus interrupted to ask what was in it.

"Well, what's in there?" Snape asked. "And is it a former Horcrux or not?"

Albus shook himself and drew his wand. After casting a complex detection spell he said, "It was once a Horcrux and it resisted the basilisk venom because of its inherent magic." He took a deep breath and removed the stone from inside the box to show Severus, "This is the resurrection stone, third of the deadly hallows." After letting Snape see it briefly he put it back and said, "Now I must insist you go and start preparing your lesson plan, Severus. I must study this."

Severus Snape snorted. He knew it wasn't any worry over lesson plans that made Albus want him to leave but he got up and left and anyway. After paying Albus his ten galleons of course.

Harry and Fleur landed in France and hired a car to take them to her family's home. When they got to the house they found it empty except for a note. The note reminded them of previous plans to visit the relatives of Fleur's grandmother and they hoped to see her when returned in September.

"They're visiting the Veela enclave?" Harry asked.

"Yes," she replied. "Come, I will show you my room and I can unpack for the last time." She smiled, "And if you should want to leave clothes here for the next time you visit that's fine too."

He smiled back, "I think I will take you up on that. And you are welcome to leave clothes at Grimmauld place if you ever visit me there."

"Thank you," she replied. "My room is right this way." She led the way upstairs to a large airy room overlooking the back lawn and an olympic sized swimming pool. "It is a half mile to the border of our land and another half mile to the nearest house. So we do not need to worry about what any neighbors might see and you can continue to work on your tan without those silly trunks getting in the way."

He smiled, "I will join you whenever you lay out to tan. I wouldn't want you to burn without me there to put lotion everywhere. You have taught me well."

"Bon," she replied. "Let us leave our suitcases here for the moment and go see what food is left in the kitchen and what we need to go purchase for dinner."

"Okay," he replied.

They spent the rest of the summer enjoying the weather and each other. During trips to the local market Fleur introduced him as her boyfriend. Eventually the end of August approached and Harry packed again. Alone this time.

"I will miss you mon amour," Fleur said.

"I will miss you too," Harry said. "You have made this summer the best one ever and helped me get rid of the horcruxes." He rubbed his forehead where his scar used to be, "All of them but the snake, at least. Now I need to finish the job and deal with Riddle. Then I'll be back."

"To visit me?" she asked.

He smiled, "At the very least. If they react to my winning in too," he paused, "extreme a fashion then I might move here. Would the French Ministry be open to my attempt to become a French citizen?"

Fleur smiled, "I am sure they would."

He smiled and kissed her, "Thanks for everything. I will send an owl when I arrive." He shrunk his luggage and stuck it in his pocket then triggered his portkey.

He appeared in Dumbledore's office. He looked at Albus and sighed, "Hello headmaster. I guess you want to hear how my summer went?"

Author's Note: This ends the sketchy resorts story. There will be a sequel that covers the rest of the war with Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Thank you for reading this story and I hope you enjoyed it.