I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER! Anything written here is for fun, no money, etc is gained by me, nor wanted.

CHAPTER 2

Fleur Delacour was many things to many people. To the world in General, she was seen as an object of desire, a specimen of perfection, as aloof as the wind, and as unattainable as the stars. This was something that she worked very hard to cultivate.

To her school, she was a role model of the perfect witch. While she was genial to all her classmates, she stood apart, choosing her friends as one would shop for couture, with a clinical eye.

Yet her friends or more specifically "friend" knew there was more to Fleur than just looks, intelligence, and a proud barring. The truth was while she had many "Friends", she only had One who she would could tell everything too. The rest were sycophants, who road her coattails, or more specifically Channel to raise themselves higher.

The truth of the matter was only her family and Lucretia Blue, her best friend knew who she was.

Looking out the Carriage as it made it's decent, Fleur Delacour was gripped with and puzzled by the myriad of emotions which were effecting her. Attempting to gain control, she became detached, while she thought off all that had transpired over the last year.

She remembered how excited she had been when they were told about the tournament. Due too her outstanding academical achievements, she knew she would be one of the top contenders. The only down side to the whole endeavor was that Lucretia would was not chosen to go.

The excitement had only lasted for 5 minutes after landing. Once they had walked into the Great Hall, it became readily apparent that she would once again be the focus of attention.

It was well known that Veela were held in contempt in England, and as such, successive generations of witch and wizards living without there presence had caused most of the country to not only forget the charms which would control the impact of the allure, but also segregating the population from other "Dark Creatures" had in turn aloud there natural shields to falter.

For these reasons alone, she had undergone a great many glamors, in an attempt to tone down her Veela beauty and allure. Her parents, and headmaster had even went so far as claim she was one quarter Veela to diffuse any potential political problems.

Once they had settled in, she had politely introduced herself to the people sitting at the table they had been directed to sit at. While the boys were at enthralled at varying levels, the women themselves were a bit defensive.

In hindsight, if it were not for her "friends" she may never had found out anything about not only Hogwarts, but its history.

With a sigh, she thought about that Cochon, that pig, who had been the focus off all the tragedy that year.

While she had never been one to take any one persons words, the truth was there were many story's she had been told about the "boy" and none had been flattering.

Her opinion of him had finally cauterized when she had met a young Hogwarts boy of veela ancestry, who had told her of the many horrible things he had done over the years.

Fluer grimaced as she remembered him entering the room after her name had been drawn. She had been ecstatic, that was until them moment they were made aware that he had cheated and been selected as the fourth Triwizard Champion.

Looking back now, she knew, No the world knew that he had not cheated. But herself as well as the rest of the wizarding world had taken pleasure at his expense. She like many others had belittled him, even going so far as to support her friends who wore that horrible badge.

Yet that all changed when he had pulled Gabrielle from the lake.

She had never felt so much shame as she recalled that morning.

"So Fleur, if you don't mind me asking, who to you have to retrieve" Asked Cedric politely.

While Fleur was still upset that they had used Gabby, she had been assured by not only her headmaster, but the other judges that they were completely safe.

"zey took my leettle sister, vat about you?" she asked in return.

Blushing slightly Cedric replied, "Ohh, well they took my girlfriend, Cho" then nodding towards, Viktor Krum, "I heard they got his Girlfriend as well" Then frowning "That's a bit surprising" he said as an after thought.

Puzzled, Fleur asked him what was.

"Well, seeing as it's Hermoine Granger" he began until he noticed that Fleur had no idea what he was talking about.

"she Is or at least I thought was his best friend, Harry's that is. Everyone just thought sooner or later they would get together" Then he grinned and continued.

"it's well known that harry is always taking a peek of her whenever he can" he laughed

"Zat dirty Cochon!" Snapped, "How dare zat little boy..." but before she could finish she noticed the alarm on Cedric's face.

"Vat!"

"I don't know what your thinking Fleur, but Harry would never do …...well what your thinking" Cedric replied

"he iz a cheater, of course I believe za worst" she said irratably.

"Fleur, I dont know what you know about Harry, but I can promise you he didnt put his name in the goblet." he said exasperated. But before they could continue on, the judges had called for the beginning of the task.

Minutes had past, and a buzz could be herd all around as to where Harry Potter was. Just as they were about to disqualify him, he was spotted running towards the lake.

"Sorry im late" he had mumbled out.

"You ok harry?" Cedric had asked, concern evident in his voice.

Harry had just shrugged. Before any more questions could be asked howling laughter and snide remarks had made there way from the stands when each contestants hostage was announced.

Fleur wasn't sure why everyone was laughing about the girl Hedwig.

It wasn't until the end of the task that she had found that the most precious thing Harry potter had was a an owl named Hedwig. An owl who had drowned in the murky depths, yet through his shock and grief, he had managed to not only save Gabby, but it seemed he had tried saving everyone. Yet he received zero points for failing.

It was at this point that she began to have questions about this strange boy. Like why did they take his owl and why had he been so thin, and riddled with scars or…..

Fleur was drawn from her thoughts as the carriage touched down. Any other time she would have been overwhelmed to be home, this year specifically. She had been in the Triwizard tournamet, popular, and had just graduated. Yet she felt dread settle in the depths of her stomach.

Within hours she would be at Delacour Manor, and there the truth would come out.