"She pointed out something that I never thought of," Dumbledore admitted. "Every time Voldemort has created a Horcrux, he has in fact lost half of his remaining soul. As he has lost his humanity, the changes seemed to be reflected on his soul parts. Harry said the first Horcrux had a physical representation that looked very much like a sixteen year old boy. What was in that cupboard was significantly less. It might be possible to determine how much of the soul must be lost before it gets to that point."
"Oui, zat is definitely a possibility," Alain replied. "Is zere any 'elp I can provide. Resources?"
"Not at this moment," Dumbledore replied.
"Zen I can at least start 'arry on being trained. 'E will come directly to my place as soon as ze year is over."
Dumbledore looked up. A troubled looked was on his face. "About the summer," Dumbledore started. "With all that has happened you'd be safer..."
"Don't you dare say he should return to the Dursleys," Sirius almost shouted as he cut off Dumbledore.
All three of Harry's bondmates were out of their chairs instantly and in front of Harry. Each ready to hex the Headmaster if that was what he was suggesting.
Alain Delacour almost smiled as he watched his youngest daughter brandishing her wand at Albus Dumbledore in defending her bondmate. He also recognized the glint in both of his daughters' eyes. He didn't want this to escalate into a potential issue that might bring out their anger possibly causing them to transform. He was almost out of his seat as well, only to be beaten again by Harry. The young man was already up and had his arms wrapped around Gabrielle.
"Calm down my Angel," Harry said gently. "Let's hear what the Headmaster needs to say," He looked over at Fleur and Hermione and smiled.
"You are not going zere 'Arry," Fleur said.
When the office had settled down again Harry looked at the Headmaster. "Was that what you were going to suggest?"
"I just ask everyone to listen first," Dumbledore pleaded and he waited until several people had nodded before continuing. "Yes, I am suggesting that Harry return to the Dursleys. The wards there will protect him."
"Ow do zey protect 'im Albus?" Alain asked.
"They are driven off of the blood of his mother's family, her sister. They are the most effective wards possible."
"Wouldn't zey be useless after Voldemort took 'arry's blood?"
"I...I don't think so," Dumbledore replied. "They have an intention base to them as well. No one magical wanting to harm Harry can enter the wards. I purposely added that layer in case..." He looked over at Harry before continuing. "I was concerned that one of the Death Eaters might try to turn your mother into an Inferius to attack you if they discovered the blood base to the wards."
"What's an inferius?" Harry asked.
"Animated corpse," Remus offered.
"You mean they can turn dead..." Harry started to ask.
"Voldemort used them frequently in the past," Dumbledore replied.
"How do you kill them?"
"Since they are already dead, you can't kill them but you can destroy their bodies by..."
"Fire," This answer came from Fleur.
"Exactly," Dumbledore replied. "But back to the current problem."
Harry looked at Hermione, Fleur and Gabrielle. All of them were shaking their heads slightly. All were mentally telling him he shouldn't.
"Are you suggesting my 'ome wards are not sufficient?" Alain asked.
"I'm only saying the blood wards offer him the best protection."
"Non, I disagree," Alain responded. "Any ward can be collapsed given time. Even ze wards surrounding zis castle."
"I agree, but..."
"If zere was an all-out attack on zose wards at 'is relatives 'ouse, what would 'Arry be able to do?" Mr. Delacour asked. "E 'as no floo connection and nobody zere to protect 'im."
"I would arrange for someone to be there to watch after him of course and they can apparate him out if necessary."
"And if an anti-apparation ward is erected? I can provide portkeys to make sure zey can all get to safety if our wards are attacked. With my larger property, more magical users and portkeys, I think I can provide a much safer summer zan you can."
Dumbledore sighed and tried to marshal more arguments before he finally decided on the truth. He turned to Harry. "Harry, if you walk out of this school next week and head directly to the Delacours, the wards at Privet Drive will fail immediately."
"So?"
"I am hoping Riddle is focused on the rest of the Prophecy this summer, but if he decided to find you and those wards are down, he will most likely kill the Dursleys in an attempt to find you."
"So you are saying I should go be abused by my relatives so I can save their lives?" Harry asked.
Dumbledore grimaced at the statement as he remembered the bondimage and saw the abuse Harry suffered. "I think we can make it better Harry," He said. "You'll not have to stay too long and..."
"How long?" Harry asked.
Dumbledore quickly computed the numbers he needed. "I think if the wards are kept in place until mid-September when he knows you'll be back at Hogwarts..."
"Or Beauxbatons," Alain Delacour added.
....
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