A/N I was going to make this chapter about 3 or 4 pages longer, but, thanks to The Dark Lord Andros, who, was going to set a dementor rapist on me, I decided, that, for my welfare, I would send this out to you shorter than planned. I have been very busy over the last few months. I have been looking for a job, and I have 3 or 4 potential opportunities, which, as much I as I would prefer otherwise will interfere with my writing. I hope to be able to update on a fairly regular basis, but I know that that will probably not be possible. I ask that all of my reviewers and avid readers bear with me, and continue to be loyal followers. With all of that said, I thank you all for your reviews and encouragement, and now, on with the show!

Fleurs de la Vie

Chapter 9

Albus Dumbledore, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, receiver of the Order of Merlin: First Class, and Headmaster of Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, gave a loud sigh as he sat back in his chair behind the Headmaster's desk. What is he going to do about this new independent streak of Harry's? The boy was coming out from under his thumb. He loves the boy like a grandchild, but, for the Greater Good, he needed him malleable. He needed to make sure that when the time came, and all of Tom's Horcruxes were destroyed, that the one in Harry's scar would be destroyed also. It caused him great pain to think about the death of Harry Potter, but he could think of no other way to get rid of it. He had tried exorcising it, but that just caused it to bleed and become even more agitated.

He spent years looking for ways to get rid of the unfinished Horcrux to no avail. It was like, the only way to remove it, was if the one who cast the spell also cast the counter. If Tom ever found out about this unintentional Horcrux, the Wizarding World's fate would be sealed. He would never let Harry die. In fact, he would probably give him the Drought of Living Death, and sequester him away. With another great sigh, the greatest wizard in the world, moved to his bedchambers, and went off to sleep. What he didn't notice as he closed the doors to his bed chambers was a pure white phoenix that had appeared on his desk with a grey book. The book was entitled Balance.

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Daphne awoke from the best night's sleep she had ever had. It was strange, but what was even stranger, was that she was curled around a body, a male body. When she realized that, she jumped from the bed screaming, only to have her legs entangled by the bed sheets and to fall flat on her bum off the side of the bed.

/\\\

Fleur was awoken by a scream and the sudden cold breeze on her back as the blanket she was using was violently ripped from her. She looked up groggily to see a head of black hair on her pillow, and a head of honey blonde just poking up from the floor on the other side of the bed..

/\\\

Harry was startled awake. First, by a scream, then by having his warm blankets ripped off of him, and finally by a melodic voice saying, "Good morning 'Arry, Daphne. What are you doing in my bed?"

Harry looked to his left, where the melodic sound was coming from, only to see a completely naked Fleur. Whatever he was going to say was lost as his brain shut down.

Daphne however was nonplussed, and began asking questions at a speed that the only one caught was her first question. "How did I get here?"

Fleur, being the only one who knew anything about their bond, and the only one aside from Daphne with a working brain, answered. "You are here because you are a part of a Triumvirate bond. And the bond wants to be completed."

"Bond! What bond? I didn't start any bond!" Daphne shrieked.

Harry spoke for the first time. "The bonding was an accident, but it would have happened sooner or later. My magic was calling to yours, and that day, in Knockturn when I saved your life, magic decided to speed things up." Harry paused for a moment, "That is the best that I can come up with anyway."

"What if I don't want to complete this bond? What if I decide to get up right now, and leave wherever it is that you have brought me?" Daphne questioned, becoming more irritated very quickly.

"You cannot leave," Fleur stated simply. "If you leave, then both 'Arry and I, and yourself, will go insane when the bond isn't complete."

This apparently was the wrong thing to say as Daphne's face looked stricken as she jumped up and run at the door only to find it locked. She banged on the door, and tried to open it to no avail. "Let me out potter!"

Harry was snickering at the girl's actions. "Do you think this is funny Potter? Wait until my dad finds out that you kidnapped me!"

"Yes it is funny," he answered. "Also, do you want to run out to who knows where in your nightie and wandless?"

That brought her up short. "Where am I?"

Harry stood up and went to his wardrobe and pulled out a shirt for himself, and one for Fleur. "You are currently in my room at Grimmauld Place, the home of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black."

"I see," She said. "Why am I here?"

Before any of them could even suggest and answer, there was a flash of white flames and the sound of phoenix song in the middle of the room. When the flames died away, left in their place was a beautiful, pure white phoenix with emerald green eyes, and azure and amethyst tipped wings. I can answer that, came a sing-song like voice in their minds.

"Who are you?" Harry asked as he pointed a hand, palm up and glowing with energy, at the bird.

I am Lux. I am a High Phoenix. Not quite as powerful as Rex, who is the only Royal Phoenix in existence, but I am quite powerful in my own right. Lux thought. I am however here because of your bond. It has been many seasons since the last Triumvirate bond has occurred. I am here to guide you in your gifts, and to help you deal with the power increase from your mate. She said this last statement while looking at Fleur and Daphne. It is the same as a soul bond, in the fact that if one of you dies, the others will as well. The magic of the bond will not allow for one soul to pass into the afterlife, and leave the others Earthbound and longing for its mate. Each mate will receive a boost in their magical prowess equal to a tenth of Harry's.

Harry was contemplating everything that she had said. He didn't like that fact that both Daphne and Fleur would die if he did. He knew that he was going to die. Well, there was a great chance that he would, all because of the prophecy. Harry again found himself cursing that thrice damned divination teacher. He sighed, knowing that it was inevitable, and he would rather they died together, than not bond, drive them all insane, or have Fleur and Daphne go insane, or something worse should he die.

Daphne was the first to speak after receiving a revelation like that. "How do we completely this bond? We don't have to sleep with him do we?"

No, you only have to kiss him. However, until the bond is consummated, as it is considered a marriage, you will not receive the increase in power. As Harry and Fleur have already started to experience, you will be able to talk to each other telepathically. If you choose, you will also be able to share whatever you know with the other two mates. This I would recommend, as it will increase your overall knowledge, and keeps secrets from being had between the bonded. Lux sang a trill, and then flew around the room before settling on Hedwig's perch, and, tucking her head under her wing, went to sleep.

The room sat in an award silence as they processed the information they had been given. "Well, I think we should just get this over with?" Harry said, trying his best to keep the nervousness out of his voice.

"Oui, I think it shall be best to do this now, before something happens to keep us from bonding." Fleur stated.

Daphne still looked weary at the idea, thinking that this might all be some sort of sick joke. Well, it had started out that way. Then the phoenix appeared, and that made her think. Before she could think anymore though, there was a bright light that flashed for a brief second as Fleur had kissed Harry, sealing their bond. Fleur then moved over to Daphne, who tried to move away and ended up with her back against the wall. Fleur leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips to the accompaniment of a slightly bright flash of light.

"It is your turn to kiss 'Arry now Daphne." Daphne was slightly dazed from the kiss that Fleur had given her. It wasn't heated, or passionate, it just was. As Daphne was walking towards Harry, and leaning down to kiss him, there was a loud banging on the door and Ron's voice sounded through it.

"Harry! Wake up Harry! Mum wants everyone down for breakfast!"

A/N Yes, I know, it is short, but I was under pressure! Blame the Dark Lord Andros! He was going to have a dementor try and rape me! You would rush the rest of your chapter as well if you had that happening! I beg you all not to shoot me, or do anything that could potentially keep me from writing. As I said, I had planned a few more pages, but This is what you get. I was expecting to have the next chapter done sometime in Fabruary, but I guess you guys can have this teaser for now! As always, read, review, and give me some constructive criticism!

A/N 2: Also, in your reviews, if it isn't much trouble, could explain what part of the chapter you liked, and didn't like along with a why, and why not? That would be incredibly helpful!

-Jerri