Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. They belong to J.K. Rowling.
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Sleep evaded Hermione that night. Her thoughts were filled with events that happened earlier. Her thoughts were focused with her encounter with a certain blonde Beuxbaton. Ever since her encounter with Fleur she could not help but be guilty. She had been rude to the girl who, apparently, only wanted to have some more Bouillabaisse. She couldn't help but think that Fleur probably only requested for the food to cover up something she had intended to do. She shook her head and dismissed the thought. 'I think Harry's right, I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions easily, it's not what I usually am. I need to apologize to her somehow,' she thought.
Seeing that sleep would evade her throughout the evening she got up. 'I guess I won't be sleeping 'till later, might as well take some time off near the lake,' she went to her trunk and got a pair of jeans, a shirt and coat. She then made her way out of the room.
It had been Hermione's habit to sneak out of the house and walk near the lake when something was troubling her, and this night was no exception. She had discovered the comfort given by the lake during her first year. It was even before she had befriended Harry and Ron.When she had been usually teased because of her mudblood heritage. She tried not to mind it but it eventually got into her. She was fed up of the constant teasing and one night she wanted to get away from it all. She found the place while she was aimlessly walking around the school in order to do something that will help her forget her problems. And one day she had found the lake. She found peace just by being near it. Thus she decided to come back at night. It became a habit of her to go there at night. She would spend hours of her night doing anything she can near the lake may it be walking, sitting or lying down facing the sky and sometimes when she is bored she skips stones to entertain herself. And in all those things she did, it helped her think more clearly and it also helped her clear her mind of any problem she has even for a moment. The place was her haven. She usually went there to escape from the stress of her social and academic lives.
Fleur had decided to retire early tonight. But considering the feast started pretty late already, she quickly excused herself after the feast and left the Great Hall for her room in the Beuxbaton's carriage walking with a pace faster than usual.
She passed through the corridors pausing a bit when she came into intersections trying to remember the way to the carriage. After a few more walks, a turn here and there, and she let out an exasperated sigh.
"Were you trying to get back to the carriage?" Gabrielle's voice surprised Fleur. She quickly turned around only to see her little sister smiling at her.
"Were you following me all throughout this time?" Fleur questioned back.
"If you were talking about me following you and making yourself a fool by getting lost, then yes," explained the little blonde. "Something's troubling you, isn't it?Or you would not have ended up in something trivial as to getting lost."
Fleur heaved out a sigh. She could not really hide it from her sister. And of all the people in Hogwarts right now, her sister was the only one that could help her in her current dilemma. She also reminded herself that she needs to mail her mother about this situation as soon as possible.
Fleur could only nod at her sister's question.
"Well, what is it?" the younger of the two asked.
"I am sure you have had the talk with mother," Fleur started. Gabrielle's eye's widened as if in delight.
"You mean that you have found him?! Your other half??" Gabrielle exclaimed.
"Yes... and no," Fleur answered.
"What do you mean by that?" The younger questionned.
"I have found her." And with that one statement Gabrielle understood it all.
"It is nothing to be ashamed of dear sister, as mother said we cannot choose who we fall in love with, it had been fate, that even before we were born our other half is already chosen for us and that the veela blood in us is our aid in finding that other half. Now tell me, who is she? What does she look like? Where did you meet her?What happened? " For an eleven year old girl Gabrielle had an outstanding grasp of intelligence. Others even think that she is older that what she looks like. But she still is an eleven year old girl.
"I just saw her when we were entering the hall. She has bushy brown hair, chocolate-brown eyes and light tanned skin. Our eyes met for a moment and something inside me screamed that it was her that I had been waiting for all these years. I unconsciously approached her during the feast when she was bickering with a red-haired boy about something, and almost humiliated myself if I had not thought of a plausible excuse." Fleur told with glee but her smile suddenly turned to a frown as if she recalled a bad memory. "I am not ashamed of it. But because of what happened, I guess I do not have much of a chance with her Gabrielle, I think she hates me."
"What makes you say that?" the little blonde questionned.
"When I gave my excuse to get the Bouillabaisse from their table, she glared at me as if she despised me, and roughly gave me the plate," Fleur said sadly.
"Do not worry dear sister, I am sure that everything will turn out right in the end, it seems that you have not gotten acquainted yet, you do not even know her name yet, it is better for you to start out as friends, and everything will follow," Gabrielle tried to comfort her sister. "Come on, let us get to the carriage, I am sure that you are tired from today's events."
"Thank you."
They made their way to the carriage talking about different events that happened earlier. Gabrielle then asked her sister if she was going to enter in the tournament and Fleur told her that she was still thinking about it but Gabrielle doubts, though she would not say it, that Fleur would not have any choice but to join since she is the best candidate their school has and Madame Maxime would surely prod, if not force, Fleur to join the tournament.
As they were walking Fleur suddenly noticed something shining in the distance. When they neared the carriage Fleur was delighted to see what it was. 'A lake, wow, eet eez so beautiful.'
It was a magnificent sight indeed. As there were no clouds in the sky, the lake clearly reflected the moon and the stars. 'Eet eez been a while, I guess I could go zere later.'
Moments later they finally reached the carriage. At first it would seem that the carriage was small on the outside, but looks can be decieving for the carriage was larger than it seemed. Inside it has a grand,marble staircase that leads up to three hallways in which the rooms of the student's of Beuxbaton are located and a door in between which had the sign 'Dining Room'. Each room on the second floor is occupied by two students. And each room also has its own bathroom. No one would ever think that all of these would fit in just a small carriage that seemingly fits only 6 people when viewed outside.
Fleur drew out her wand and tapped on to the door and within a second the door opened. They made their way up the stairs and turned left. When they reached the first door they stopped and Fleur tapped the door again with her wand. The door opened within the second.
"I am going to take a shower," Gabrielle announced as she went into the bathroom while Fleur lay down in her bed facing the ceiling, arms behind her head. She could not think about anything besides the 'bushy-haired brunette of Hogwarts'.
Remembering to write her mother a letter she got her quill and a piece of paper from the drawer beside her bed and started to write to her mother of her discovery. Just then Gabrielle walked out from the bathroom. Seeing that her sister was busy she proceeded to put on her pajamas. Looking at the clock in the wall near the closets it read 11:09. Looking back to her sister who was still busy writing she went to her bed and laid down to rest.
"Goodnight dear sister, do not stay up too late," Gabrielle said as she stiffled a yawn. Fluer paused for a moment to face her sister.
"I would not, do not worry, good night, sweetdreams."
It took more than half an hour for Fleur to finish her letter. She had re-read it over a couple of times and when she was finally satisfied with it she neatly folded the piece of paper and put it in the drawer. She looked at the clock and it read 11:55.
'I guess I could go to ze lake, It 'as been a while since I 'ave relaxed a bit.'
She quckly discarded her robes and put on something more fitting for a walk outside. A pair of jeans and a shirt. She then got her coat from the coat rack and quietly left the room.
Fleur held onto her coat as the night wind flew by her. It was pretty cold but it was expected since summer has already passed and winter is about to come soon. She made her way through the trees without much difficulty.
The lake was really peaceful to look at. It felt so calm. Fleur easily felt at ease. She picked a nice place to sit to view the wonderful sight in front of her. It had been a while since she had a time to relax and she would definitely savor every moment of tonight.
Being in the presence of any body of water had always been comforting to her. She was relieved to have found this lake for she had been longing for far too long to be near any body of water and to be relaxing near it. There had been no such things in Beuxbaton for their academy was so high up in the air surrounded by clouds.
Her eyes scanned the whole area. She wanted to see if there was a better place to view the lake from. It seemed that from where she was, she could not clearly see some parts of the lake.
Her eyes stopped immediately on what she saw on the right side of the lake. There was something or someone there for it standed out from everything. At first she couldn't hint out as to what it is so she decided to see what or who it was. She stood up and went to the direction of the said figure. It became more clear as Fluer approached the said figure. Now she could say that what she is seeing is another human. A girl. Curious as to who it was she decided to go nearer.
'Somez'ing eez very familiar wiz 'er,' she thought.
She walked a bit more and when she was more or less 20 feet away she had recognized who it was.
'Eet eez 'er!' She did not know what to do. Just then she heard something snap.
''ou are so eestupid Fleur! Zis eez ze second time zat 'ou will make a complete fool of 'ourself! Why did 'ou 'ave to step on a twig of all timez?!' As Fleur panicked due to the sudden realization that the person infront of her was her soulmate, she had accidentally stepped on a twig.
Hermione was sitting near the lake for quite some time now. She had been recollecting the events of what happened earlier.
As soon as Fleur left Harry turned to Hermione.
"That was pretty harsh Hermione," he commented. Hermione looked at him with a slightly angry expression.
"And what? Make her feel like she can manipulate everyone? Look at her, she walks, talks, and even sits as if she can control every person in this room! I just chose to give her a sight that she can't manipulate everyone here, she's so full of herself."
"Relax Hermione, we don't even know her yet, she just wanted the Bouillabaise. And of all the people I know Hermione you were the one that always talks about not judging people by their looks, give her a chance, she might be the opposite of what you think," Harry said with a smile. Hermione just sighed and continued to eat. 'Maybe Harry's right.'
They didn't even notice Ron who was still looking at Fleur dreamily.
She had been thinking of a way to apologize to Fleur all night. Guilt was eating her. She knew Harry was right. She shouldn't have jumped to conclusions so easily. Just then she heard something snap behind her.
"Who's there?" Came the abrupt voice of Hermione. She quickly looked where the sound came from. Her mouth slightly opened in shock as her eyes stared at Fleur. She was the last person that she was expecting to be here.
" I am sorry to 'ave startled 'ou, I was just curious when I saw 'ou out 'ere, I did not zink zat someone would be 'ere zis late."
Hermione was still a bit shocked. She could really not believe her eyes. The person that she wanted to see was infront of her and she could not even utter a word to her.
Seeing that the brunette had not given any signs of speaking she spoke again.
"Would you mind eef I stay 'ere wiz 'ou near ze lake? I won't disturb 'ou or anyz'ing, eet eez just zat I like ze view of ze lake 'ere." Fleur was not telling a lie. It really was the best place to view the lake. You could see the more clearly what was around the lake and the aura of the place was more calming. But she couldn't help the fact that she is using it as her excuse to be close to the other girl.
Finally coming back to her senses, Hermione shook her head.
"No," she uttered the word. She really didn't mind the older girl being there, infact she was relieved to see her. 'I guess this is my chance to apologize to her.'
Delighted by the younger girl's answer, Fleur decided to sit not too far beside her.
Silenced enveloped the two as they were just viewing the lake. They tried to steal glances from each other but none of their looks ever seemed to be on the right timing.
Hermione was getting frustrated by the moment. She wanted to apologize to the older girl ever since she saw her here but she could not think of how to say it. Thinking that she needed to get it done sooner she composed herself. 'Here goes nothing.'
Just as she looked at Fleur their gazes met. Blushing from embarrassment they quickly averted their gaze towards the lake.
"Uhm," Hermione started still looking at the lake. "I just wanted to say... sorry for the way I treated you during the feast."
Fleur instantly looked towards the young girl. She had not expected that the girl would be apologizing for the incident during the feast. She was relieved. 'She doez not 'ate me after all!'
"Eet was okay, I am used to eet anyway." Fleur explained.
"I'm Hermione, Hermione Granger." Hermione then reached her hand out to Fleur who happily reached out and took it.
"Fleur Delacour, eet eez a pleazure to meet 'ou miss Granger."
"Hermione, you can call me Hermione." Hermione said with a smile.
"Zen call me Fleur, 'Ermione." Fleur smiled back.
After the introductions they involved themselves with a light conversation. Asking each other questions. So far they have learned each other's ages, where Hermione lives, since Fleur's French accent already gave her nationality thus where she lives, and school background. Hermione was amazed that Fleur's school was floating up in the air. She never had really heard of such school and Fleur explained that Beuxbaton was a bit secretive. Fleur then learned about Hermione's two best friends. Harry, much to her amazement, and Ron.
"So, Ronald or Ron for short eez ze red 'aired boy who waz drooling over me when I approached 'our table? And ze black 'aired boy wiz ze glasses eez 'Arry?" Fleur asked.
"Yep, and Ron wasn't the only one drooling at you actually, most of the boys are." Hermione nodded giving her insight about the boys' behavior.
"I am used to eet, for eet cannot be 'elped. I cannot really stop zem from liking me for zey are under my z'rall." Fleur explained casually.
"Thrall?" It was Hermione's turn to be confused.
"Oui, for I am a quarter veela. My grandmozer eez a veela and my mozer eez 'alf." Fleur explained.
It all sinked into her now. Ron was right for the first time. She had not really took insight that maybe Fleur was part veela after all. That was why almost all of the boys were into her. She mentally noted that she really needed to get back to the library sometime and reasearch about veelas.
"Oh," was all Hermione could say.
They talked a little bit more after that. Fleur learned that Hermione was muggleborn but that didn't make her hate Hermione. Soon they talked about anything under the sun.
Hermione stiffled a yawn. How many hours has she been here in this lake talking with Fleur? She was really having a great time with the older girl even though they had met just hours ago. Though things started out bad with them, they were fine right now. And she was glad that she could talk to someone besides Harry or Ron.
"Eet eez late, I guess we should go back now. I believe zat classes are to start later? And we would not want to be late for ze first day." Fleur spoke up seeing Hermione yawn. As much as she wanted to spend more time with the younger girl she had to take into consideration the wellfare of the other. They had been talking since midnight.And she too was tired. Besides, she wouldn't want to rush things. For now she was very happy that she made friends with the other girl.
"Wow, I didn't even notice that we talked for that long! It's already half past two in the morning." She exclaimed looking at her watch. "I enjoyed talking with you Fleur, it really helps if you talk with a girl like yourself rather than boys." Hermione then stood up reaching out her hand to the older girl who took it.
"Oui, I 'ad a great time as well." Fleur said as she also got up. "Good night."
"Good night."
That morning they both slept with smile on their faces.
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I've decided to give Gabrielle a bigger role in this fic seeing that she had little interaction with some people in the 4th movie.Decided to change a bit of the construction of Fleur's accented English. It really took me a while to get this chapter done hope you enjoyed it. R&R
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