Wow, I'm amazed at the interest in this story! So as a thank you here's chapter two, but don't get used to daily updates! ;) The beginning is slow paced, as I'm a fan of character change and also the fact that even enamored people have other relationships. But don't worry, we get some action soon! Have fun! - Aemeth
Dust particles entered the softly lit Gryffindor common room, traveling in the sun rays that bathed Hermione Granger in a golden light. The young witch was currently curled up in on of the sofas, reading eagerly in a giant tomb titled: Where hast though learned? A history of wizard schools in Europe.
Only one week since their foreign guests had arrived and she already felt embarrassed about her classmates' continued lack of interest in the new cultures that now populated Hogwarts' halls.
True, most of the Durmstrangs kept to themselves and everything she had overheard from the Beauxbatons had been complains or gossip but honestly it was what you heart of most Hogwarts students either when passing them by so there was still hope.
When she turned a page dust fell onto Harry, who was sitting to her feet , the broomstick servicing kit she had given him to his birthday beside him.
He coughed. "Honestly, Hermione - it takes quite long to clean a firebolt, you know?"
Hermione chuckled. Normally her best friend never would have snapped at this, good natured as he was; but no one was to mess with his firebolt! Boys and their brooms.
"Sorry, Harry."
"What are you reading there?"
"I'm doing some research on Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. It's fascinating! Look how beautiful the Beauxbatons palace is... and here, the Norwegian Hypogriffs of Durmstrang -"
"What? Let me see that." Harry cranked his neck to look at the moving illustrations.
"Heard they've got a different meal plan every year", Ron sad from one of the armchairs.
"Wonder why we can't have that?"
Both Harry and Hermione glared at him and he shrugged. "My great aunt Muriel was a exchange student there, when she was young. She keeps bragging about 'til today."
Hermione smiled a little sad. Truth was, she would have given a lot to have an experience like that... getting to know a different culture, learn a different language... not to be in life danger for a change...
"Oh, I would love to do this. But apparently Dumbledore doesn't find it too advisable. That this barbaric tournament is the first international schools gathering in 34 years speaks for itself!"
Ron scoffed. "C'mmon. Do you want to be in Durmstrang where they learn the dark arts? You know what Malfoy said."
"Oh, as if I could leave, Ronald. What would you two do without me anyway?"
The trio laughed in unison when at once the portrait swang open. A shriek of protest from the fat lady, a timid English response, followed by a not so timid french one, robe hustling and before they knew it their cozy common room had filled with a colorful bunch of french people lead by Ian Hatels, a spotty Gryffindor prefect.
Just for a short moment the crowd silenced when they took in the three wizards sprawled over the seats, Harry adorned with the yellow globes of his set, Ron with his shirt half open and Hermione with a book as big as her torso in her lap.
Ian cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Ahem. Professor McGonagall ordered my to give the Beauxbatons students a tour though the castle. If you three could -"
"I WON'T HAVE ANY NONE-GRYFFINDORS IN THESE ROOMS!", bellowed the fat Lady from her portrait. "AND NONE-BRITISH TOO - WE KNOW WHERE THIS LEADS, WITH MADAME PUBERTINE FROM FIFTH FLOOR -"
"Bon sang, zis Bbrittiz portraits have manners like poltergeists", one french girl exclaimed.
A short pause.
"I DO NOT UNDERSTAND A WORD OF WHAT YOU ARE SAYING! SPEAK ENGLISH IN THIS CASTLE, YOU LITTLE FRENCH -"
"Madame, I assure you we will not be 'ere longer than necessary", a pleasant voice chimed in.
Ron gave a squik and Hermione frowned.
The bouillabaisse girl had stepped forward, or the Veela girl as she quickly had risen to fame in Hogwarts.
Hermione hadn't liked her from the first moment she had layed eyes on her. Everything, from her soft creamy skin, the fine robes to the shimmer of her light blond hair and her overstretched stance screamed of money and superior origin. Not to mention her neevr ending complaints about things as decorations!
Of course it would be silly to deny that she was astonishingly beautiful, but it was the french woman's- Hermione did not dare call her a girl - obvious awareness of this fact that distorted it in her eyes. Not to speak of her arrogant demeanor and the incredulous effect she seemed to have on the male population and a good portion of the female one as well.
Unfortunately the Fat lady seemed to be included in this group as she continued grumbling but let the french be.
Bouillabaisse girl scrutinized them with her icy blue eyes, then elegantly nodded her head.
"Good Evening. I am Fleur Delacour."
"Evening", Harry and Hermione said in unison.
"Glbrh", said Ron.
"Get yourself together!", hissed Hermione and immediately she felt Delacour's eyes on her. For some reason she blushed, probably out of embarrassment for Ron. But her new found attention didn't seem to be of the flattering kind; the french woman's eyes narrowed and her nose sides quivered.
Ian cleared his throat again.
"Well anyway, I think it better if you could -"
"But it's the common room!", Harry protested. "We won't bother them."
"The matter is not up for discussion, Potter! As prefect -"
"Potter?", echoed a few of the Beauxbatons.
"'Arry Potter?", asked Fleur Delacour.
Hermione clamped her book shut, a dust cloud evoking into the faces of the foreigners.
"Yes, it's Harry Potter! Merlin's beard! Now could you -"
But she trailed of at the unusual silence that met her. Harry as well looked pleasantly confused.
The foreigners stared at him but no one asked any further questions and before anything further could be said Ian, apparently wishing to take charge again, started rattling down his sentences about the furniture of the Griyffindor's common room.
The Beauxbatons turned their attention politely to him and Harry made a wise choice and used this opportunity to usher Ron to the stairs leading to the boy's dormitory. When he came back he stopped hesitatingly on the stairs.
Only Hermione remained in the sofa and when Ian lead the group to the painting wall of the room only Fleur Delacour didn't move.
She stood with her hands clasped behind her blue robes, a somewhat illuminated spot in the dim room, fixing the Gryffindor girl.
"So you play Quidditch, Monsieur Potter?", she asked without taking her eyes from Hermione.
"Huh?", Harry made."Uhm, yes. I'm the Gryffindor seeker." Hermione thanked God that at least one of her friends could behave reasonably in front of this girl. She just hoped she didn't plan on seducing him...
"Zat is good to know." Harry opened his mouth but before he could reply Ron's red hair appeared on the dormitory entry and he excused himself, quickly pushing Ron back in.
All the while the ice eyes hadn't moved from their aim.
Hermione put up with it for serval seconds, before she rolled her eyes.
"Yes? Can I do something for you?"
The french blinked.
After some silence she pointed at Hermione's book.
"You 'ave an interest in Beauxbatons?", she asked in an even voice.
"Why? Oh, this. This is for an assignment in... history."
"Is it? I zought french history isn't taught here until ze seventh year?"
Hermione's mouth fell open.
"We-well, it isn't... I mean it is, how would you know about it?"
The blond raised a perfectly sculptured eyebrow at her.
"Monsieur Binns has told us the plan of the semester zis morning."
"Oh. Well. Maybe the plan is different for the international students."
She could have sworn a quick smirk had ran over the other girl's lips.
"If you say so."
Hermione's eyebrows knitted together.
"Perhaps you should spend some attention to your guide if you're so eager to know everything better!"
Fleur's face went to stone again.
"Per'aps I should", she replied stiffly. With that she turned away swiftly before abruptly turning around again.
"Good evening, Miss...?"
Hermione huffed.
"Have a good evening too."
With that she heaved the heavy book upwards and left the room as quickly as possible.
Yay for the golden Trio friendship! If I make English mistakes point them out, but please don't forget it isn't my native language and I'm using it so more people can read this story. Oh and if anyone wants to correct my horrid french,please do so :) I'm always thankful for reviews.