Evan walked into the sitting room and paused, narrowing an eye and giving the occupants a wary look. "Why do I get the feeling I just walked into a trap?" The people within chuckled at that and Evan grinned and continued to walk in, sitting down on the couch beside Fleur.
"Would I trap you?" she asked mildly, curling into him a little and wrapping an arm around his lower back.
"Yes," he said instantly, making her snort and roll her eyes. "That or be used as bait." He smiled broadly at her flat look. "Incredibly enticing and very alluring bait."
"Oh she adores you so," Apolline said, her smile somehow even wider than Evan's. "If any other made that sort of joke around her, she would Curse them terribly. I should know, I have seen it."
"Maman," Fleur groaned. "She is not wrong," she added with a small shrug, smiling when Evan kissed her on the cheek.
Sirius chuckled into his teacup. "We were just discussing the final bits of things," he said, gesturing to himself, Remus, Andromeda, Ted, Dora, Moody, Amelia, Narcissa, Lucius, Rita, Saltina, Dumbledore, and McGonagall who were there. "They just arrived when we finished," he pointed to the Delacours. "And Harry wandered in right before you did."
"I smelled really good food," Harry said with a smile and more laughter accompanied that.
"A good reason," Sebastian said warmly, putting more food on a pair of plates and handing one to Harry and the other to Evan. "We brought some of our favorite cheese and meat and bread. Your appetite is well documented," he said to Evan.
"Thank you so much," Evan said, taking the plate and eating hungrily. "Wow, this is great." He looked back at the others. "So how are the final bits?"
"Good," Amelia said with deep satisfaction. "Finally finished interrogating the last of the captured Death Eaters and processed them back into Azkaban. We changed a lot of how things operate and they really shouldn't be able to get out again. We've recovered even more things from the first war and what raids they've done this time that we weren't aware of, and we can finally build back better from all this."
"Not a trace of Riddle remains," Saltina said with satisfaction. "He is truly and completely done."
"Good," Evan said with a cold smile.
"The Minister has declared a formal end and has taken as much credit as he could," Dumbledore said with dry amusement, waiting for the snorts to subside. "But he will still be quite busy for some time yet. With the removal of many Ministry officials, a lot still needs to be changed and new laws and procedures are being implemented so there will be improvement. Just like with most governmental things, it will take time and continued effort."
His eyes twinkled. "And constant vigilance."
"You're not funny," Moody grumbled, glaring at a giggling Dora and Amelia.
"We all got a piece of the rewards," Sirius continued. "There were a lot of bounties and things for the capture of the majority of the remaining Eaters and with a good chunk of the captured resources being unmarked, it was decided they would be split. I split mine between you two because I really don't need it," he said, pointing at Harry and Evan, "and you two will get a cut too."
"Didn't do it for that but I'll take it," Evan said.
"Thanks," Harry said, nodding.
"Are you two alright?" Evan asked suddenly, looking at Andromeda and Narcissa. "Because, well, you know."
The sisters sighed but looked resolved. "Bella…she made her choices," Andromeda said sadly, looking slightly better when Ted and Dora hugged her.
"At least she is still alive and who knows what the future may bring," Narcissa said quietly, holding Lucius' hand.
"That's fair," Evan nodded. "So how's the new Malfoy Manor going to look, even bigger and gaudier?"
Lucius snorted. "Actually, we think we will downsize a little. It did take an unreasonable amount of time going from one end to the other." He shrugged eloquently. "Size is no reflection of importance after all."
"So smaller but gaudier," Evan grinned, making Narcissa and Andromeda and Sirius laugh.
"Well of course, some appearances must be maintained," Lucius said with a small smile.
Evan looked around at them. "So why do I still feel like it's a trap?"
"Because we were actually talking about you," Dumbledore said, smiling at Evan's theatrical gasp. "Behind your back even."
"Knew it," Evan said, munching on more dried meat and bread. "Well go on then, say it to my face." He pouted when Andromeda smacked him on the knee.
"Now that you've accomplished your goals, aside from the one keeping Harry safe which I imagine is going to last forever," Sirius said, grinning at his scowling godson, "what are you planning on doing now?"
Evan blinked and sat back. "Huh, that's a good question. I didn't really think about it because I wasn't sure how long it would take."
"There is no immediate rush," Andromeda said soothingly. "But we wanted to help you explore your options and see what you truly want to do, and help you do it. You deserve nothing less."
"You have endured lifetimes of war and turmoil," Dumbledore said. "Sacrificed almost everything for everyone else. It is time for you to be at the forefront."
"What do you like to do?" Saltina asked brightly.
"Kill Dark Lords," Evan mused, smiling at the expressions of the others. "But I think I'm done with that now. Had enough of it really."
"You'd make a decent Auror," Moody said.
"Pretty sure my vow to never take a government position keeps me from that," Evan said. "And I'm not sure I want to do that either. Aurors are great and needed but I think I'm done with that." He smiled slyly at Amelia who looked like she was suddenly feeling a very large headache. "Besides, I think I'd cause Amelia to go as grey as Sirius."
"I'm not grey!" Sirius shouted.
"I legitimately got chills and a headache because of that," Amelia groaned.
"Ooh make him my partner," Dora said eagerly. "I'll keep him in line."
"Now that's an idea," Evan smiled.
"A terrible idea!" Amelia said loudly, making Dora and Evan and Moody cackle and laugh. "You two would burn down the Ministry!"
"If you wish, I could get you in touch with our Director of the Aurors," Sebastian offered with a smile. "You never said you would not work for another Ministry and we will always take competent and talented individuals." He smiled more when Apolline glowered at him and Fleur poked him.
"I probably shouldn't," Evan said with a gusty sigh. "Something about breaking more rules than maintaining them."
"How about Quidditch or something related to flying?" Remus suggested.
"I like flying, but haven't really thought or felt about Quidditch like that in a long time," Evan said slowly.
"You can play your skills in a similar profession," Saltina said. "Sadly you are also precluded from joining my Department, which if you did want to I have no problems ignoring the Minister. He wouldn't ever know and even if he suspected, he could never prove it." She smiled at Evan's laugh. "How about Curse Breaking?"
"Oh no, that's not for me," he said hurriedly. "Not looking down at the profession, but uh, yeah, not in my future." He glared at Harry who turned away to hide a smile. He chewed on more food thoughtfully. "I don't know. I never imagined having a future after Riddle and in my plane, I accepted that." He looked gratefully at Fleur when she hugged him, feeling her presence and magic wash over him. "I think I want something…peaceful. Something with a lot of time for family and friends, but I guess I can't really just sit around either."
"You would get bored and cause trouble to no end," McGonagall said fondly.
"You know me so well McGonaMum," Evan smiled, enjoying her shaking her head at him.
"Which actually leads me to my suggestion," Dumbledore said, looking at Evan seriously. "How would you feel about eventually becoming a teacher?"
Evan laughed brightly at that before sobering when he saw how serious Dumbledore was. "You want me to teach impressionable young minds? Me?"
"I must admit I share some of that reluctance," McGonagall said, smiling at Evan's hurt expression.
"You are a capable teacher," Dumbledore said seriously. "Harry, Miss Granger, Mister Weasley, Miss Lovegood, and other students you taught a few things to during the year had noticeable improvement on their marks and scores."
"I did learn much from you during our practices," Fleur agreed.
"You have a desire to protect and to teach others your knowledge and skills would be a way for you to continue to do so," Dumbledore continued, nodding at Fleur with thanks. "Of course you would not be teaching immediately by yourself. Remus will be keeping his post and it would be very improper and unprofessional to have you teach with no formal experience."
"But I can take you on as a Mastery student," Remus smiled. "You help me as an aide and eventually after you complete your mastery and obtain your certifications, we can split the Defense classes together completely as co-Professors."
"That's…not a bad idea, actually," Evan mused. He gave Dumbledore and McGonagall a look. "You also want to keep me at the school to keep an eye on me, don't you?"
"I am glad you have the self-awareness to realize that," McGonagall said sternly to general amusement.
"That, and I want to continue to make amends and foster a genuine friendship and relationship," Dumbledore chuckled.
"You'd be okay with that?" Evan asked, looking at his little brother.
"See you almost every day and learn more from you? Uh, duh?" Harry said, punching Evan back.
Evan hummed, pushing Harry back and deflecting reprisals. He looked at Fleur. "What do you think?"
She smiled prettily. "Asking me for my opinion?"
"Well of course," Evan snorted. "This is going to impact you too, or at least, I'm hoping it will. And you have as much say as anyone else. More than some people too, honestly."
Her smile grew and the air warmed slightly around them. "I suppose I could tolerate moving here," she said loftily. "France is only an International Floo or Portkey away. Besides, I am hoping to do a Charms Mastery and teaching is a fine way to learn and to apply it."
"I am sure Filius would be more than happy to take you on as an apprentice," McGonagall said brightly.
"Even better," Fleur said excitedly. "I was very impressed with his classes that we sat in on and his reputation is well known."
"There is no rush," Dumbledore said. "You have plenty of time and plenty of options, we just wanted to offer our support."
"Thanks, still getting used to that," Evan said. "But I like that I am."
-0-
"You're really okay with the idea of it?"
After more visiting and conversation, the small get-together had broken up and the individuals dispersed. The Delcours were staying at Grimmauld and continuing their visit and Sebastian and Apolline had left to go home to finish something and to bring back Gabrielle. Evan and Fleur had wandered to the roof-top garden on Grimmauld for a bit of privacy. They were joined by Wisteria who Evan had showered with affection and treats and the owl was fluffed up on his lap and napping.
"I am," Fleur said honestly. "I knew you and I would have to have a talk about what we wanted and what we needed to do to go about it. Just as well it happened how it did."
"You don't hate it here?" Evan asked with a grin.
She snorted richly. "It is lacking in many ways but not in every way," she said loftily, enjoying his laughter. "If I am with you, it will be more than tolerable. Besides, as I said, France is only a Floo or Portkey away. Though I will insist we travel back fairly regularly when time and circumstances allow for it."
"No complaints or disagreements here," he said easily. "I could live in France," he said slowly.
"I would not wish to separate you from Harry or the others," Fleur said lovingly. "I know how much you care for them."
"What about you being separated from your family and friends?"
"The distance is negligible for me in this case and while I do love my family and friends very much, I do not have to stay there." She shrugged. "I just never thought I would ever find a reason to move elsewhere."
She smiled at him. "Besides, I can be French outside of France."
"You sure can," he quipped, making her laugh. "I just don't want you to do all the sacrificing."
"I am not," she assured him. She gave him a smoldering look. "That said, I do expect you to make it up to me."
"I can do that," he grinned.
"Question, why did you have such a reaction against curse breaking?"
Evan flushed a little but laughed. "Well, uh, the you on the other plane married one of Ron's older brothers who was a Curse Breaker."
She laughed too. "That would be too much for you, I see."
"A bit yeah," he confessed.
She saw his hesitation and she put her hands on either side of his face and pulled him to her, kissing him deeply. She finally broke away and smiled contentedly at his slightly drunken look, licking her lips delicately. "Evan, you are who I want. You are warm. You are kind. You care."
She sighed a little. "You irritate me." She laughed with him. "You challenge me in all the good ways. You encourage me to be me, but even better. You make me feel cared for as Fleur, not as Veela, not as magical, not even just as a Delacour."
She winked. "It also helps that you are charming and cute."
He preened at that. "Always thought I could be cute," he said, making her laugh again. He looked up at her, resting his hands on hers. "You're incredibly warm too. You're smart and brave. You fight on despite things against you too. You care with all of you and I feel safe with you."
He brushed back a lock of platinum blonde hair. "You make me feel loved." He smiled as her eyes sparkled, the barest hint of amber behind the sapphire blue.
"And you're really hot," he added with his biggest grin.
"In temperature or appearance?" she asked back, poking him in the chest but could not hide her smile.
"Yes," he said, pulling her to him for another kiss. "And you have beautiful eyes and smile. I lose myself every time I see them."
She blushed and kissed him again. "Perhaps you do know how to speak to a woman."
"Told you," he smiled.
"You did." She curled into his side, resting her head on his shoulder and feeling him press against her. "And we will have many years to continue to prove that."
"Sounds wonderful to me," he said softly.
-0-
The summer passed swiftly. Despite not being in any particular rush, many things happened in rapid succession.
After a nice holiday to France with the Tonkses, Harry, Sirius, and the Grangers, Evan returned and reported to the Ministry to meet with Griselda Marchbanks, the Director of the Department of Education. He went through a modified version of O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s to obtain official marks and records. Saltina, amusingly, had shown Marchbanks memories of the final battle as well as all the theory and things they discussed and Marchbanks had only asked him the most basic of questions but had gleefully had him show off his practical skills. He passed with flying colors and was now officially able to continue with his Mastery work.
Remus had formally accepted Evan as an apprentice with Flitwick happily doing the same with Fleur. The Charms Professor and Master had already seen a lot of Fleur's skill during the tournament and had no problems accepting her as an apprentice. The both of them were already being worked into helping the professors at Hogwarts and other tasks, something both groups were greatly enjoying.
Evan had also spent some time working on a private project and shortly before the end of the summer, he had taken Fleur with him on an impromptu trip. The pair apparated away from Grimmauld and landed in a small stand of trees before he led her out, hand in hand.
"Where are we?" she asked, looking around the area with delight. They were on land that looked out over the waters, a fair distance away from a nice sized town in the distance. The wind blew fresh and clean and she saw a small but charming cottage sitting in a well-designed garden. It was comfortably secluded but not completely isolated from everything.
"Our new home," Evan said, smiling at her happy gasp. "If you like it of course and I really hope you do because I did spend a lot of time working on something here. If you don't like it, it's not a huge deal, but I'm now thinking I should have asked you beforehand."
She laughed merrily at that. "I will reserve judgement then."
He grinned at her. "Dover is that way," he said, pointing at the town in the near distance. "There's actually a small but nice magical community there and we're in the outskirts of it. This little place was for sale and while Sirius said we could stay at Grimmauld, I figured a bit of space for ourselves will be good. If you look that way," he pointed over the waters, "France is there, Calais. On a clear day, you can see it."
He flushed a little at her sparkling eyes. "I thought you'd like to live somewhere where you can see your home."
"Where I am from," she corrected gently, wrapping her arms around him. "Home is where you and I decide to be."
"Brilliant," he said, smiling broadly. "Like most magical buildings, bigger inside than what it looks like. There'll be plenty of guest rooms for your family and mine. I already have the Floo applications for Grimmauld, Hogwarts, and working on the international one now."
He led her on a tour through the building and Fleur liked it very much. It was very warm and comfortable with a large hearth in the middle that warmed the entire home. As Evan said, there were plenty of rooms and an expansive kitchen attached to the sitting room. She smiled seeing the various owl nests and towers dotted around, including the golden egg from the tournament. Finally, he took her to a room in the cellar that was rather large as well with a few branches. "And here is what I've been working on," he said and opened the door.
She gasped again, stepping in and seeing a small beach laid out within the room. The far wall was glass, looking out over the ocean and it was carved into the cliff itself. Soft white sand covered the floor and a pool was embedded into the ground. The water moved like the ocean, gentle waves lapping against the shore and the air was balmy and breezy. "C'est incredible," she said softly, looking all around.
"Apparently there were lots of places with deeper cellars and tunnels, made for World War Two," Evan said, looking pleased at her obvious happiness. "This place had this room that had a small window to look out over the channel, so it gave me the idea to do this. It's been weird trying to figure out all the spellwork for it but it's been fun actually."
He let out a deep sigh. "Fun to be able to build something and not have to worry about anything bad."
"I love it," Fleur said, kissing him deeply, pulling him into her and wrapping him in her arms and her magic.
"I'm glad," he said against her lips, face warm from pleasure and happiness. "Why don't you try it out?" He waved his wand and a cabinet opened along the wall. "Your mum sent over a few of your things already and…"
Fleur had delicately taken off her clothes and put them to one side in a neat pile, hanging up her light jacket. Unhurried and unbothered, she stepped into the water gracefully and sighed with pleasure at the warm water washing over her. When she was halfway in, she dove gracefully, swimming from the shore to the end and back. She came out of the water when she returned to the beach, throwing her hair back and gave Evan a smoldering smile. "What?" she asked innocently at his wide-eyed look and gobsmacked expression. "I insinuated that I wore something very differently when the water is warm."
"Wearing being the operative word," Evan said with a goofy smile. "Not that I'm complaining at all."
"Good," she giggled. "Well, are you going to join me?" It was her turn to give him a gobsmacked look when Evan nodded eagerly and after removing socks and shoes, stepped into the water still wearing his shirt and pants. The look turned incredulous when he sat down comfortably in the water and looked completely at ease and comfortable.
"What? Wet socks are the worst," Evan said, grinning.
Fleur laughed and shook her head before sitting beside him. "So very irritating."
"You love it."
"I love you, for some reason," she retorted, eyes glinting. Her heart melted at the expression on his face, at how shy and vulnerable he looked.
"Je t'aime aussi," he whispered.
Her smile rivaled the sun's brightness. "Say that again," she whispered breathily.
"Je t'aime, Fleur," he repeated. He leaned in for the inviting kiss but stopped when his lips met her finger. He looked at her quizzically. He laughed again when she gestured at his sodden clothes that he was still wearing and soon removed them with her eager assistance.
-0-
A few weeks later.
"I think this is the only time I've ever seen the both of you eager for class," Hermione said with a big smile.
"Eager?" Ron scoffed. "Wouldn't go that far. But at least I know this class will be interesting and won't have to be scared of the teacher for some reason."
"Evan's been taking it seriously too," Harry said as they took their seats. "I've seen him work with Remus on lesson plans and things."
"That's so exciting," Hermione beamed.
It was the beginning of the school year and it was the first day of classes. Harry and his friends had been happy to see that Defense Against the Dark Arts was their first class and Harry knew Evan would be teaching the first one.
The Gryffindors and the Slytherins were sharing the class and it was still a bit strange at how normal it seemed. Gone was the outright animosity and tension. While it was not completely friendly and mixed like some of their other classes, the two Houses looked at each other with a normal non-belligerent air. Harry and Draco had even greeted each other with some familiarity, having spent more time around each other outside of school. While not completely friends yet, they were friendly, and Harry was okay with that.
"Ahem."
Heads turned and confusion reigned as the students saw a witch enter the room. She was short with pinched severe features, wearing a bright pink cardigan. She walked in and gave them all a very sharp and unfriendly look and no one knew what to say or how to react. When she finally reached the front of the class, she looked at them for a very long moment and the silence thickened.
Finally, she sighed and it was a very disappointed sound. "Right then, you all are failures," she said in an odd way. She waved an arm and the witch's image disappeared, revealing Evan standing there and giving them all a very disappointed look. He was dressed in a tweed jacket and smart slacks, eschewing the robes that the other professors wore. The cabinet in the corner rattled and the door opened, revealing a very disappointed looking Wisteria who fluttered to sit on the roost on the desk, shaking her head at the students.
"You all knew that one Evan Potter would be your instructor for today's class," Evan continued. "Some of you are even familiar with said individual, and yet did not question the person who walked in who did not in any way, shape, or form look like said Evan Potter. Therefore, you all are currently failing the class and are showing a stunning lack of Defense in the Defense department."
"That's not fair!" Hermione said loudly, looking affronted.
"It isn't," Evan said, nodding agreeably. "A lot of the Dark Arts is not fair and some things can catch you by surprise. It is part of my duty to help you defend yourself and to be able to recognize dangerous situations and not only that, learn what and why the Dark Arts are. Not only that, recognize how they happen and the why as well. Learning the what is not as effective if you don't know the why."
Evan grinned. "But I am a merciful instructor and will give you ample opportunity to overcome your failings and help you be the best you can be. So despite the fact that you all are failures, especially you," he said, pointing at Hermione, "I am sure that we will overcome it together and be the best that we can be together. And you'll smash the daylights of the O.W.L.s and be all the better."
"Dammit Evan," Harry groaned, hand over his eyes as Hermione swelled with outrage, glaring at Evan, and Harry. He shook his head as Ron was turning red from suppressed laughter and the rest of the class had similar reactions.
Remus winced when McGonagall gave him a particularly severe glare. She, Remus, and Dumbledore were at the door and were peeking in. Dumbledore looked very amused, polishing his glasses while his eyes twinkled merrily while McGonagall looked professionally offended. "In his defense, he isn't wrong," Remus said weakly. "About being prepared and the like."
"He is taking things seriously, Minerva," Dumbledore said, trying to soothe McGonagall. "He is only being…eccentric and building a rapport with his students."
"He better treat all of them with the same irreverence then," she huffed.
"He swore he would not play favorites," Remus said. "And I trust him on that."
"They are listening attentively," McGonagall conceded, watching the students within taking notes and listening to Evan with considerable attention.
Dumbledore chuckled more, leading the other two away. "I think we have nothing to worry about." He patted a stone pillar as he passed. "The students, and Hogwarts, are in very good hands."
-0-
Many years later.
"Hello Professor Potter!"
Evan turned and smiled, hugging the woman back. "Director Croatia," he replied warmly, "good to see you!"
Saltina smiled back. "Always good to see you too, of course." She patted the large chest she brought with her.
"That time again then?" Evan asked, taking the chest from her with another smile. He opened it and pulled out the Goblet that flared into life at his touch, the bowl of the cup filling with glowing blue embers and coals.
"It sure is," Satlina said, smiling at the sight of the glowing Goblet. "And of course, she insisted on coming a few days prior and staying in your office for the duration of the Tournament."
"As if she isn't there most of the time anyways," Evan laughed. He winked at the Goblet that sputtered cinders at him. "Let's go then." He and Saltina walked through the halls together with him carrying the Goblet comfortably and her having shrunk the traveling chest and tucking it into her pocket.
Saltina smiled seeing many of the students greet Evan warmly and happily, cheering when they saw the Goblet. "It is nice that the Tournament is every three years now."
"And more schools," Evan nodded. "With more means of traveling between the hosting school and back home so it's not too disruptive for everyone. Lots of opportunity to learn from the other schools and mix cultures and make friends."
"We are in a golden age of international cooperation and relations," Saltina said with satisfaction. "Oh, speaking of relations, Mindy wanted me to start talks with you about accepting her as an apprentice."
"She just started her time here at Hogwarts," Evan laughed.
"She knows what she wants," Saltina said proudly. "That and you have known her before she started here of course."
"That's fair," Evan nodded. "And of course. She's a good kid." He opened the door to his office and smiled as two little girls came running at him and at the owl sitting in a nest bed. "Hello girls!"
"Daddy!" Azalea Felicia Potter and Jasmine Felicity Potter ran to their father, hugging him about the middle. "Oh the Goblet's back," they chorused together before seeing Saltina. "Hi Auntie Salty!"
"Hello girls!" Saltina hugged the two little girls tightly, kissing them on the forehead. "Are you being good for your daddy?"
"Of course they are," Evan said proudly, putting the Goblet on a specially made plinth to the side of his desk. The Goblet warmed the room, giving off warmth and soft light. "If you ask their mum though, might get a different answer." He nuzzled Wisteria back who landed on his shoulder and fluffed up, cooing at him.
"Maman needs to learn how to share," Jasmine pouted.
"Share what?" Saltina asked, eyes wide.
"Snuggles with Daddy," Azalea huffed.
"Ah that makes sense," Saltina said, nodding sagely. "I have a suggestion. You first have to overwhelm your mother with hugs and when she is satiated, then you take advantage." She laughed merrily as the girls nodded with complete understanding and they dashed out of the room.
"I hope Fleur finished her class or else it'll be a bit awkward," Evan chuckled.
"Oh my goodness, does that mean what I think it does?!" Saltina asked, pointing at the crib beside the desk.
"Oh not me and Fleur," Evan said hurriedly, grinning at Saltina's obvious disappointment. "It'll be for my nibling."
"Oh right, Harry and Hermione's first?" Saltina said, clapping her hands.
Evan nodded, also looking excited. "Hermione's office is beside mine and Fleur's of course but with the way our class schedules are, one of us will always be in here so we can keep an eye on the baby when they're here. Obviously there're plenty to look after them but no sense in not getting prepared. Dobby and Inky and the other elves are so excited for the baby too so there'll be no shortage of watchers and babysitters and the like."
"How exciting!" Saltina exclaimed.
"Right?! Always wanted a big family," Evan said warmly.
"More Potters, the better." Saltina's eyes twinkled. "You all make life so very interesting."
"Don't say that out loud," Evan groaned, laughing with her. After some more conversation, Saltina took her leave. She had barely left when the door opened again and Fleur walked in, carrying her daughters. "Hello Love," Evan said, kissing her sweetly.
She kissed him back eagerly. "Do you know why our little ones came rushing to the classroom? Have they done something?" she asked, giving her daughters mock glares as they giggled. She looked at Wisteria who titled her head before shaking it from side to side.
"Saltina told them to overwhelm you with affection so that you'd share snuggles more," Evan explained.
"Is that so?" Fleur tickled the girls who shrieked with laughter and then hugged them tightly, kissing their cheeks and foreheads. "I'm afraid that will not work," she said. "My reserves for love and affection are limitless!"
"Boo!" the girls cried before giggling happily when Evan hugged them and their mother together, wrapping his arms all around them and squeezing hard before holding them close.
"How about you two go see HerMummy," Evan suggested. "And help her with her things. Can't let her keep working when she should be taking it easy." He smiled fondly as they ran out of the room, not before kissing him and Fleur one last time of course.
"I would tell her to relax some but I was very much the same," Fleur smiled, hugging Evan from behind and holding him to her. Wisteria flapped around the room, putting things away.
"Us Potters do love strong-willed and stubborn women," Evan said warmly, resting his hands on hers.
"You Potters need it," Fleur said with a snort and a smile.
"Yeah we do," he agreed. He looked at her, feeling her laugh. "What's so funny?"
"Oh earlier there was some delightful confusion where some of the first years realized that there are three Professor Potters for core classes," Fleur smiled.
"Right? Happiest I've ever seen McGonaMum," Evan smiled. "Professor Dumbledore confirmed that too."
Fleur looked at the crib and her hands tightened around Evan, her magic washing over him.
"Getting ideas again?" he asked, giving her a warm look.
"Again? As if I do not think of such things often enough," she said throatily. "But I can restrain myself until later."
"For the best," Evan agreed. He turned in her arms and pulled her close and kissed her softly. "I love you," he said.
"I love you more," she said against his lips, her eyes sparkling and her features soft and content.
The door opened and Jasmine was there. "Daddy! Mummy! We need your help! HerMummy won't stop working!"
"Yeah, sounds like her," Evan laughed. "Azalea trying to stop her?"
"She's trying but we need your help!"
"We better go," Fleur giggled. She followed Jasmine out, allowing herself to be pulled along eagerly.
Evan summoned his bag and Fleur's bag to him, waiting for Wisteria to land on his head and wiggle comfortably, and was about to close the door. He stopped when he saw a visage in the flames of the Goblet, winking back at the glowing eyes. "See you tomorrow," he said. He waved when the fires waved to him, closing the door behind him.
Throughout the night, the room remained warm despite no fire within Goblet or hearth. Even compared to the common rooms and the other offices of the school, Evan and Fleur's office was the warmest room in the entire castle. No extra charms or sources of heat were needed however. It was simply always the warmest.
Warm due to thought and feeling. Warm due to the people within it and the stones and school surrounding it.
It was a place of Champions for rest.
With warmth lingering and enduring.
Fin
-0-0-0-
(Apparently the note was too long for the website's end notes so here it is.)
Here we are, at the end of another story. This marks the end of my 23rd fanfic and that's a little mind-boggling to me.
Way back when I finished The Family that Chooses You, a reader asked if I'd ever do a time travel story and at that time, I said I probably wouldn't because the general concept wasn't that interesting to me. I've read a few and enjoyed some of them, but didn't think I'd be able to write a compelling or even a decent story with that sort of idea and framework. I didn't start reading fanfic until well after the "Fear the Reaper" challenge came and went and like I said, some I enjoyed and others I didn't so much.
I think towards the latter half of last year, after I had finished A Taste of Magic and was well into Side Dishes, and I think Harry Potter and the Stone's Heart was done as well, I was thinking about what I wanted to do next. I then saw a remark on Reddit about multiple Harrys at once, another popular idea too as it turned out, and that gave me the roughest idea for Champion of Fire. It led me to thinking of the Goblet summoning an older Harry back and thus allowing for two to be around, which grew from there.
In stories past, I have had more than a few people critique my depictions of characters, especially Harry. Which is fine, everyone has opinions and I've never expected people to like everything, much less anything, I write. I had that in mind though and I wanted to see if I could write a Harry here that was still Harry but definitely impacted by his experiences. I wanted to keep his spirit of duty, taking care of others, his 'saving other people' thing, as well as have his stubbornness and his way with words. Thus, Evan Harry James Potter. I also wanted a slightly unhinged Harry where he learns from his mistakes and is ready to make decisions on his own terms and I like to think that went well here with Evan.
I also try to write slightly different stories. While there are elements I like and keep: gremlin Hedwig because I love a mischievous and sassy goblin/gremlin Hedwig (and there were two here how lucky), loving Tonks family, a generally kind Harry, some of my favorite OCs like Colette and Aimee and Sophie, and Mathilda the Axe to name a few, I don't want to write the same thing every time. I know I am a bit niche in writing, which isn't a bad thing, but I like to challenge myself while providing a different story for people to enjoy. In Champion, I wanted to try and stretch my action some more, delve a bit more into magic, do a different Horcrux hunt, show a new and different take on the TriWizard Tournament, and try to do a 'fix it' style story without it feeling contrived or railroady. I also wanted to show some competent adults, something I really enjoy now, and Saltina has joined my list of OCs I like to include.
All in all, I was rather happy with Champion of Fire and hoped you all enjoyed it as much as I did writing it. It was long enough in my opinion to not feel too fast or too drawn out, and wrapped up neatly by the end. Plus I do like a good FlowerPot story and was rather amused by the dynamic between Evan and Fleur in this. I wanted to try and show Fleur a smidge differently, and let her experience being challenged, in a good way, by a slightly irreverent and more than a little annoying Evan who genuinely cared. He, like many people, hid his feelings and emotions by being annoying.
Now for the usual question, what's next?
As of right now, I have 21 more courses of Side Dishes done. I am right at the 100th course. Another mind-boggling thought. I'm still enthused in writing for the setting and still have ideas waiting to be explored and put to paper, and am grateful that people still enjoy that one too. I have a few chapters of Extended Family waiting as well. While I haven't done much with that setting, not as inspired at the moment, I still love it and will still continue to write for it when I do get the ideas for it. I believe I still have a few more Reddit Rambles too.
I mentioned this in a note before, but I had an idea for my next major project though. To put more hypocrisy on me, it will probably be another full length series rewrite story even though I swore never to do that after Family, and yet again after Taste. Also, to further show that I am a hypocrite, it is going to be idea adjacent to one of my other stories. As in, the general premise will be similar but the plot points will not be the same. I am going to take one of the general themes of one of my stories and then go the other way with it. I think it will be fun, however. I also have sent a request for the cover to be done so hopefully that will happen. I feel like the stories are better with the covers. As of today, I have not written any out, but I do have a very good set of milestones mapped out. Once I get enough chapters written and banked, I will start posting. I don't have an exact time in mind yet, but hopefully soon.
I will continue to post twice a week, Side Dishes, with the occasional third of a Ramble or Extended Family or maybe a one shot if I get the time. I also have had little time to write lately. Work and real life have taking up a lot of my time and energy as of late. Surprisingly, I do have a day job.
As always, I want to thank all of you for your time and attention. I write for all of you. I don't do it for myself. I write so people can have something to read to forget about their troubles for a moment. Give them something to distract themselves with. To give people something they can lose themselves for a moment and be able to take a break from everything. Your kind comments keep my going on my own difficult days, and I thank you all for them. I am still so surprised by the reception to this story, I think it took off a lot faster than any of my others and it really surprised me.
I hope everyone has a wonderful day and week, and see you in the next story.
Thank you for being a part of my fanfiction family.