a sense of expectation hanging in the air

Chapter One: To Help Me Cope With Anything

I have a dream, a song to sing
To help me cope with anything
If you see the wonder of a fairy tale
You can take the future even if you fail
I believe in angels
Something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me
I'll cross the stream - I have a dream

-I Have A Dream, ABBA (1979)

Dear Fleur,

He was stuck on his answer again.

Maybe it was best for Harry to start small, instead of barfing his life story to his fellow champions but that's just what he did. Fleur Delacour and Viktor Krum were intimidating, courageous people in Harry's eyes. He had tremendous respect for his fellow champions that braved the three tasks just like him and Cedric-

His train of thought stopped the fourteen-year-old old in his tracks as a lump caught in his throat. It still hurt to think about Cedric, how could it when it has only been less than a month. He knew that he wasn't coping well with Cedric's death and the events that transpired during the Third Task. So, when Fleur sent a letter asking about his well being, everything spilled uncontrollably out of Harry. He would have told his best friends Hermione and Ron, he did with only telling him that it wasn't his fault or that researching some treatments could help (Hermione's idea) and he was grateful. But they had no idea what it was like to be there, witnessing Cedric's death at the hand of Lord Voldemort. The closest people who could ever know were Viktor and Fleur.

Now, here he was, Fleur's fifth letter of the week in his hands. In the letter was a simple question, Harry, do you want to stay with me for the rest of the summer?

It was like his biggest dream come true, an escape from the Dursley's. He had his answer, the only reason he hadn't written back was the anxiety of what Sirius' letter told him. 'Stay put' he said. Keep your head down, while he was in meeting with the Order. Whoever they are, Harry thought bitterly.

He looked at the letter intended for Fleur, remembering the question. It was decided, he would go. The Dursley's wouldn't miss them, Harry wouldn't miss them either, to be honest. It would also be a risk to have him leave, even though Dumbledore and Mad-Eye told him before summer that it would be dangerous to leave the area of Private Drive. But Harry has never been good at listening and following the orders of adults, so why start now?

Dear Fleur,

I thought about it and yes, I'd like to stay the summer with you, if it's no trouble.

Sincerely,

Harry J. Potter

Fleur picked him up two days later. There were no fights, not with her Veela nature that swiftly entranced her relatives, Harry took a mental picture of their goofy faces. After they walked a couple blocks away and grabbing his arm tightly, they apparated away. The loud city of London blared into Harry's ears, Fleur pulled him to her flat which was a few feet away from the alley they apparated to. As they quickly walked to the flat Harry looked at Fleur.

Fleur Delacour was an enigma to Harry and he must be one to her. Thinking about it as he stepped into the modest apartment in the busy city of London, they were all enigmas towards one another, all three champions only know versions of one another told by people. They had no idea what they were like from the origin. Harry was determined it would change, he promised.

It was a big enough flat but cluttered with boxes that were unopened. She explained that when she received Harry's letter, she was just moving to London for a job as a nurse. "You're going to become a healer?" Fleur nodded. She wanted to help people and she glanced at the young boy, Fleur wanted to help him too. She gave him a tour, letting him put his stuff in his room. In it was a single bed with a blue comforter and matching blue pillow. A desk, with a wooden chair, a wardrobe and a bookshelf that had different books.

Muttering a spell, Harry's suitcase opened up, the clothes zipping through the air and into the wardrobe. Fleur frowned. "Arry, is that all the clothes you have?" Her whispering voice was full of concern. Harry blushed, did not meet her eyes but nodded. Fleur hummed before answering. "Well then, looks like this calls for a makeover! Why don't we go shopping, tomorrow buy some stuff for you and me, mmh? It'll be my treat but if you have some money, you can buy some books or something that catches your eye." She could already see Harry starting to protest but he deflated once he knew that Fleur would take no for an answer. Clapping her hands together, she pulled Harry downstairs to continue the tour.

After the tour, she started cooking dinner. Harry asked if he could help which Fleur was more than happy to let him join. "What are we making?" Harry asked as Fleur zipped pst him with ingredients flying all over the kitchen, literally. "Steak Diane, my mama would make this sometimes and well, I don't want to forget my meals from home." Harry nodded as the silvery-blonde Veela started to oil the pan. She asked Harry to start chopping the vegetables. As he started, Fleur pointed her wand to a record player, instantly as the needle hit the record, a song blared.

My, my! At Waterloo Napoleon did surrender. Oh yeah!

The song was catchy, Harry found himself tapping along with the rhythm of the piano. Fleur was starting to sing the chorus, she caught him which made her smile. As the stake now seasoned was placed on the pan, she turned to Harry and belted the song. As if it was a challenge, Harry followed suit.

Harry laughed as Fleur took his hand and spun him around. He felt free, maybe the first time since he was back at Hogwarts. Maybe even forever.

Fleur placed thee cooked stakes on a separate pan as Harry added the broth and vegetables to the pot. Adding seasoning and mixing it, letting it go to a boil, Harry found himself listening closely to the next song after Waterloo.

You can dance, you can jive. Having the time of your life, ooooh, see that girl watch that scene, digging the dancing queen.

Fleur danced around the small table, setting it with utensils for three people. Harry brought the steaks and the pot full of broth filled vegetables to the table. Fleur must have seen his face because she smiled, "We have another person coming to join us for a couple weeks." She winked and danced to the music of Dancing Queen.

"Viktor?" Fleur nodded. Harry grinned, excitement plastered all over his face. "He should be here soon. In a few seconds actually." The firepit in the living room roared to life as if answering Fleur's prediction. Heavy footsteps followed indicating that, indeed, Viktor Krum was in the building. He had an old quidditch jersey on him, with jeans. His face was clean minus the soot around his body that was lightly swept from his wand. He greeted Fleur and Harry with hugs.

"It's good to see you again Harry," Viktor grunted. Fleur clapped her hands and made the two boys sit down. The record player was toned down for them to talk. "ABBA? Really Fleur?" Viktor spoke to the French, a light tease in his voice. Fleur turned her nose up, "For your information, I happen to like ABBA and when you're staying here, that is what will be playing here. So, deal with it."

Harry's head shot up as he was cutting his steak. "You're staying here?" Viktor nodded. "Hopefully, no sirens will attack us." Harry joked. For a moment, he thought that was wrong to joke but he never had good coping abilities. But Fleur snorted and Viktor cracked a grinned. " And don't forget the dragons. I don't think Fleur will ever forget that." Fleur swatted him with a towel as the Bulgarian ducked.

Maybe he wasn't the only one that was trying to cope with the Tournament after all.

Sirius wasn't a calm person, especially if that involved the people that he cared for. Hence, the reason as to why he looked like he was going to tear his hair out from the news that Tonks told them.

That his godson left Private Drive with one of the ex-champions from the Triwizard Tournament, the female, Sirius remembered. But he couldn't blame Harry, living with the Dursleys for too long he would understand the willingness to get out if the first opportunity arises. Still, it was dangerous for Harry to leave with Voldemort running around in the shadows.

Dumbledore, who stayed quiet for most of the emergency meeting while everyone else talked about the hows and the whys. He stood up. "We must retrieve Harry-"

"No." for a minute everyone turned to look at Sirius as if he was the one who spoke in defiance which to be fair would be true. He looked at Snape who was about to sneer at him but a chair scrapped. It was Minerva McGonagall. Her eyes were determined with flames in the iris in them. This Gryffindor head of house that fought for her lions, this was Minerva McGonagall.

"No" She repeated, her head turning towards Albus. "I told you, Albus, that place, those people were wrong to take Harry in, I told you" Minerva's voice was full of fury, but was calm. "If Harry left, that means he may not have been happy there. So instead of putting him back there, let him make his decision. Let us ask him, Albus."

Her eyes swept over the room and Sirius instantly felt like he was back in Transfiguration class. " I will talk to him. Potter is, of course, one of my lions." Once more, her eyes swept over the people sitting in the kitchen of Grimmauld Place, the look on her face silently read that there will be no arguments over this. " I will write to him and if he wants to see me, I will go. Alone."

Sirius leaned back into the chair. He wasn't going to argue with McGonagall because at this moment she had logic and reason on her side. Sirius learned his lesson once with rushing to the scene, he wouldn't do this again to Harry. Not this time.

NOTES: First Harry Potter fanfic! Wow, took me couple weeks to write, plot and finish the first chapter but I am glad I got over that hurdle. Anyway, yes this is obviously an AU, I really hope you like it and chapter 2 will be out in a couple weeks... when? That's a surprise... Don't own any of the ABBA songs quoted in this chapter!

The story will have ABBA and other song references, the chapters will be ABBA song lyrics while the quotes will be some ABBA lyrics somedays or other days different quotes. Plus, I sorta have this headcanon that Fleur is totally an ABBA fan, hence this!

Leave a comment, I'd like to know what you guys thought of it!