A/N: I have taken about half of the so called 'Rules of Hogwarts' and streamed a few of them together per chapter to create a collaboration of oneshots. The ratings will change per chapter / oneshot and so will the pairings.
A/N 2: Many, if not all of the oneshots / chapters will be AU, slightly OC for the different characters and mainly non-canon as far as the original story lines go.
A/N 3: All of the chapters / oneshots have either been co-authored by Aealket and/or at least creatively inspired by him as a muse and springboard.
The Art of Seduction Part 1
K+/T
Harry x Gabrielle D
Harry Potter smirked as he reread the letter in his hand and in the reflection of the windowpane next to him he saw his emerald eyes twinkling devilishly. He sat in a high-backed comfortable leather chair of the deepest shade of black and his fellow mates, Draco and Blaise lounged in other pieces of furniture respectively. The three of them had just finished the evening meal after a full day of lessones at Hogwarts and Harry's excitement had grown after he had received his mail after supper.
"Spit it out Potter. I think you're eyes are going to permanently glow this time and I would hate to see if that smirk of yours could grow any smugger than it is already."
Harry briefly flicked his eyes over at Draco but the pale blonde heir to the Malfoy House didn't look up from his readings in his Transfiguration book. Draco, Harry knew, could care less about the essay that was due at the beginning of next week and the sole reason his mate was going over the course material again was because of Gryffindor's cleverest witch Hermione Granger.
"Just like I would hate to see your brain implode from too much cramming my friend. She won't fall for the ploy you are trying to set this time."
"And that's where you are wrong Potter. She cannot resist the chance to get the last word in and that's when I will have her."
Harry chuckled and nodded his head as Draco's plan did have some merit but he felt confident that Hermione wouldn't be fooled. Sorely tempted. Bloody sorely tempted but she would see the ploy for the trap that it was. Besides, she still gave Harry that slow, lazy smile of a woman well satisfied every time Harry kissed her cheek on his way to breakfast every morning and Harry's smirk turned predatory.
"So what was in the letter Harry? From your French beauty again?"
"Would you start drooling like Ron if I said it was?"
Harry grinned when Blaise snorted and Draco rolled his eyes. Unlike Draco, Blaise was the silent partner in their trio and spoke very little. However, a better wingman Harry couldn't ask for as Blaise was cool, calm and collected in every situation the three of them had found themselves in. And if any of the three boys felt so inclined, they could spread some truth to the wild and bountiful rumours about them as the trio had found themselves escaping after some narrow misses with almost every professor here at Hogwarts.
"Stop nettling him Harry and answer the question."
"Yes mother."
Blaise threw a throw cushion at Harry but he didn't get up from his sprawled out position on the couch he laid upon. Harry closed his eyes and concentrated. The pillow stopped in midair and fell at Harry's feet. A trickle of sweat slid down the side of Harry's face for his struggle to perform nonverbal and wandless magic but Harry felt it was worth it.
"Impressive. I think Flitwick would topple off his stack of books if you performed the same wandless bit of magic you just did in front of him."
Harry nodded at Draco's compliment and opened the letter in his hand again. To almost everyone else the letter would be a long, jumble of ramblings in French but after his fourth year and his forced participation in the Triwizard Tournament Harry had learned to become almost fluent in French. Courtesy of Fleur Declaour of course.
Harry,
My dearest and favoritest underage Hogwarts student. Oh! Pardon me. For you are no longer underage now are you? I believe the popular term is "big man on campus" is it not? It doesn't seem so long ago that you were that little, scared boy with big expressive beautiful green eyes who looked like he had the world on his shoulders. Which unfortunately you still do.
Anyway, I write to you with much excitement in my heart as once again Beauxbaton and your charming castle, Hogwarts are partaking in inter-school relations at the upcoming Winter Solstice Ball. Isn't this just so exciting? If you didn't know that this event was happening already than I must implore you to remain aloof and not spread the word. However, this time you have no excuse as to being unprepared and not having proper fitting, elegant dress robes. I will know if you lack in this area. Believe me.
That being said there is a second reason as to why I am so excited for this upcoming event. My younger sister, Gabrielle, is attending the ball this year and let me be the first to warn you that she is very determined and excited to meet you. You do remember my sister Gabrielle don't you? She is in several of the pictures I have sent you over the years and you may or may not have received any letters from her over the years as well. I do not know if she actually had the courage to send them but that does not matter.
Gabrielle has been preparing herself for this ball for months now as she is quite determined to catch your eye and steal you away from the many lady friends and possibly lovers that you have. Do not lie to me Harry as I seem to recall quite a few letters in years past about you lamenting your misfortune in landing a particular girl and subsequently your boasting after you have landed a witch that has caught your attention.
Once again I got distracted. Gabrielle. Mother has told me that she has been out tanning in the nude many times over the past month and has been working out to develop a very fine figure. Which I don't understand as she has been developing quite the figure without all the extra work. Then, there have been the numerous fashion magazines lying all over the house and Mother has told me of Gabrielle's many sighs of frustrations and vexation.
My point in being that you best at least acknowledge my younger sister when the ball does come around and the Beauxbaton students' arrive. I will be most angry with you if Gabrielle comes home and you didn't give her at least two dances. I do not think I need to remind you of the other nature the Veela contain? And do not make a cheeky comment about me being only half Veela.
I look forward to your response. Hugs and kisses,
Fleur
P.S. Enclosed in this letter is also a picture taken of Gabrielle adjusting herself after she finished her shower. The picture was taken with her mirror but she forgets to wipe the mirror blank after she uses it. Silly girl.
The mentioned picture dropped into Harry's lap when he shook the envelope it came in upside down. He picked it up, turned it around and felt his groin twitch. The last time he had seen Gabrielle she had been twelve years old and while rather cute for her age, she hadn't really caught Harry's eye, as he had been more worried about making sure everything was coming together after the second task in the Triwizard Tournament.
Now however, Gabrielle Declaour had Harry's full attention and a roguish smile replaced his seemingly perpetual smirk. The past three years had only served to benefit the younger Declaour daughter as her body had matured past the subtle curves of her pre-teenage years into the beginnings of the mouth-watering curves that Fleur boasted and that the Veela were known for.
"She send some more pictures?"
"Aye, yes she did but this isn't one for you two to have a look-see at."
"Spoilsport."
Harry answered Draco's question almost off-handedly as he continued to gaze at the towel-clad, damp-skinned half-Veela in the photograph and his eyes darkened with lust when Gabrielle pouted her lips. Her skin shone golden and was flushed from what Harry didn't know. Maybe from the rubbing of drying her body or perhaps from embarrassment as she practiced the fine art of seduction in her bathroom mirror?
In any case the infuriating towel dipped a few teasing inches as her movements loosened the knot and the upper swells of her breasts could be seen before Gabrielle caught the towel in one of her small hands. Harry's eyes continued to drag downwards as the towel stuck to Gabrielle's slim body but flared at the curve of her hips and he stopped at her bare, toned thighs and calves.
"Getting pretty close to curfew there Harry. You might want to head back to your tower."
"Right. See ya later mates."
Harry carefully pocketed the photograph in an inner pocket of his robes, heaved himself out of his chair and waved a hand over his shoulder as he walked towards the exit of the Slytherin common room. He passed Daphne Greengrass on the way out and dipped his head as she blew him a kiss. Harry chuckled at the comment Draco drawled out and when Daphne subsequently jinxed him. As Harry wandered the corridors from the dungeons back up to the seventh floor on to the Gryffindor tower his mind wandered to the last time he had seen Gabrielle.
"Out awfully late there Potter. And by yourself too."
"Ginevra. Suppose the same could be said about you."
"I told you not to call me that!"
Harry rolled his eyes at the female Weasley's hiss and when her eyes narrowed into slits but he knew that she wouldn't raise her wand against him. The youngest and only girl of the Weasley family had been infatuated with Harry but after Harry had shot down any romantic attempts by the girl, Ginny had become spiteful and only talked to Harry to insult him or get him into trouble. Although he had never told Ginny the reason why he wouldn't date her, Harry felt that her constant need for attention or to prove herself would be too tiresome to keep up with and not what he needed.
"But the name elicits the most peculiar shade of red on your cheeks that cannot be found anywhere else and I confess that I am intrigued by it. Have a pleasant evening Ginevra."
"You just wait Potter."
"I have been waiting all my life Ginevra and yet I still stand."
Harry put his hands in his pockets and walked away from the younger girl. He arrived at the portrait of the Fat Lady without further incident or delay and greeted the Fat Lady with the password. He walked inside and headed over to the table that Hermione had claimed ever since their first year here at Hogwarts. Like usual, she sat perched on the edge of her chair, quill criss-crossing the parchment with rapid speed and she had built herself a wall of privacy and silence with her numerous books. Harry sat down in an empty chair not covered in books without a word and kicked his feet up on the edge of the table.
"Put your feet down Harry. This isn't your table and I will not suffer such rudeness or lack of class."
Without a word Harry put his feet down and grinned when Hermione shot him a look as she arched her back. He didn't bother to hide that he was checking her out (thanking Merlin that she had taken off the school robes) underneath her crisp, white button down that had the top two buttons undone and that her breasts jutted out in a most delicious way.
"I don't know what keeps you enthralled with my body Harry. It's nothing spectacular and you've seen me without any clothes on."
"If memory serves correctly I did a lot more than just get the privilege of seeing you without any clothes Mione."
Hermione predictably blushed at Harry's comment and sat back in her chair. The two of them stared at each other in comfortable silence and Harry mimicked Hermione by hanging his robes off the back of his chair. Faster than Harry could reach down and pick it up, Hermione summoned the picture of Gabrielle off the floor with a flick of her wand and smirked at Harry.
"I knew you had taste Harry but I didn't know that you liked your girls this much younger than you. And Fleur Declaour's sister to boot."
"She is fifteen Mione and I'm not a dirty, old pervert. Fleur mentioned that Gabrielle would be coming across the Channel for a visit."
"You mean here at Hogwarts?"
Harry didn't respond as he and Hermione played these types of games all the time. It was something that the two of them did since their first year and the game continued every year. Even now, Hermione's brown eyes were alight with the thrill of the game and she chewed on her bottom lip.
"But what reason would she have for coming to Hogwarts? Beauxbaton Academy is a fine establishment of learning in its own right and I doubt that Gabrielle would move that far from her family. Confound it Harry you have to tell me!"
"Not at my all my dear. Fleur swore me to secrecy and I would hate to ruin the surprise."
"Harry!"
Harry stood up out of the reach of Hermione's grasp and threw his robes over his shoulder. He passed by Hermione on the way to his dorm but stooped down to press a kiss to her forehead.
The next morning Harry walked down to the Great Hall for breakfast and nodded his head to a couple of his friends from the different school Houses. He didn't believe in the fact that being a member of one House automatically excluded you from having friends from any other House. For example, Harry was a Gryffindor and had always had been since his first year but he quickly made friends with Draco and Blaise who were Slytherin's. The first time the three of them had been spotted laughing and joking together in a courtyard after lessones one day had almost created a school-wide riot as the Gryffindor's came to the defence of Harry and the Slytherin's to Draco and Blaise's.
It had taken the Headmaster himself along with every member of the staff to quell the rioting. When asked who started this melee and why there were all sorts of magic being cast Harry had shrugged and said he was hanging out with his friends. The fracas had almost started up again at that but the Headmaster stamped it out and said everyone should follow Harry's example.
"Wotcher Harry. Watch where you're going will ya?"
"Tonks?"
Harry looked down to see the Metamorphagus steadying herself by grabbing onto his arm. Harry smirked and Tonk's rolled her eyes but smirked as well.
"Now now. If you wanted some frisky time you know the deal. Anyways, I'm here on official Ministry business and Madame Bone's isn't a person to keep waiting. See ya around Harry."
"Bye Tonks."
Harry continued on and sat down next to Hermione. He looked over his shoulder and waved Draco and Blaise over. Draco sat down on the other side of Hermione while Blaise sat down on the other side of Harry. Harry saw Ron Weasley's jaw clench and his fist tighten on his goblet but Harry knew the other Gryffindor boy wouldn't say anything. Not after losing fifty House points and serving a month's worth of detentions with Snape after cursing Draco two years ago and leaving a small scar on Draco's cheek.
"Do be so kind and turn your attention up here everyone."
At the sound of the Headmaster's voice the Great Hall quieted down and all eyes were on Dumbledore. He smiled and held out his hands.
"It is my great and distinct pleasure to inform you all that for this year's Winter Solstice Ball, Hogwarts will be hosting the student's from Beauxbaton Academy and Durmstrang. Now, before any student gets ahead of themselves, no, there will not be another Triwizard Tournament this year but myself and the other two respective Heads of School want to improve relations between the three schools."
The Great Hall erupted into cheers and applause as everyone whispered excitedly to one another. Harry smirked at Hermione when she elbowed him in his side and glared at him. He nodded his head to her question of whether this is what he knew last night and she rolled her eyes. Dumbledore cleared his throat and the Great Hall quieted down once again.
"I'm glad all of you are excited and I hope your excitement carries on to the actual date of the ball. However, there is a catch to this year's ball and this important. Under normal circumstances and courtesies the gentlemen would gather their courage and ask the lady of their choosing to be their date for the ball. This time around however the ladies will ask the gentlemen to the ball."
More whispers and murmurs rippled through the gathered student's and Harry smirked as all the girl's at his table got their heads together. Pieces of why Fleur would send him a picture of Gabrielle fell into place and his eyes twinkled much like Dumbledore's did whenever he knew or figured out something before everyone else.
"Yes, the gentlemen are off the hook for this ball but a piece of advice to all the younger men. Beauty is not always best shown on the outside of a woman. Now, the Winter Solstice Ball is not for another few weeks so that leaves all of you ample time to gather yourselves, find a date and get proper attire. Dress robes are required and this ball is for fifth years and above. The reason being that there were some issues with maturity at the last inter-school ball and we Heads of Schools want to eliminate the possibility of that happening again."
Groans filled the air as all the fourth years realised what Dumbledore's words meant and Harry smirked. Most of the boys wanted to be seen with an older girl but most of the girls here at Hogwarts wanted to move up in the world and the ladder of success so they wouldn't dare to ask a younger boy to the ball. On the flip side, for the girl's the Headmaster's words meant that they needed to act and look older than they actually were. The main reason was understood on both a bloke and lasses end but for different reasons of different natures.
"I'm not sure which is worse. It was bloody nerve-wracking trying to get one of you girls alone to ask you out to the ball last time but now I'm not sure how to act since it's your lasses turns to do the asking."
"Amen brother."
Harry grinned at Dean Thomas's comment and Seamus's answer. The two good friends had been solid with Harry ever since their fifth year and the delightful torture of the former Undersecretary Dolores Umbridge.
"Let me enlighten you then boys. Act like yourselves and you'll have a better chance. Change who you are to try and impress a lady and you'll find yourself rejected or passed over."
"Hermione! How dare you break the girl code and tell these helpless, poor boys our secrets!"
Laughter rang out at the table when Daphne Greengrass walked over ad stood behind Neville Longbottom. Harry watched with interest as the Gryffindor boy's face turned red as the attention of one of the most beautiful girl's in Hogwarts rested her hand on his shoulder. Harry made the motion with his finger for Neville to turn around and Neville did. Daphne's hands went from Neville's shoulders to cup his cheeks and Harry realised what Daphne was doing. Daphne had stunning purple eyes that could hypnotize almost anyone and was one of her best tools of the trade.
"Neville Longbottom, will you give me the pleasure of having you as my escort and date for this year's Winter Solstice Ball?"
"O-o-f course!"
Catcalls, whistles and cheers went up at the Gryffindor table when Daphne smiled and kissed Neville's forehead. Neville looked flummoxed and Harry couldn't blame him as Daphne's eyes were bewitching, her smile (when she chose to) was dazzling and her curves were mouth-watering. Harry watched Neville watch Daphne sashay away and Harry reached across the table to clap Neville on the shoulder.
"Good job mate. You made it look easy."
"Y-yeah. Did she really ask me or am I dreaming right now?"
Harry and the others at the table laughed. Hermione leaned over and took Neville's hand in hers.
"Remember what I told you a few minutes ago? Daphne has seen how you have matured and grew even more powerful as each year passes. You drew her to you and now she wants a deeper look at what has her so curious about you."
"Here mate. Take a drink."
Harry handed a still dumbfounded Neville a glass of cider and all attention looked upwards when the owls arrived with the mail. There was a minor scuffle in the air above him and Harry looked up to see Hedwig butting another black owl out of the way as both were clearly trying to get to Harry. Harry sighed but shook his head with a grin. Hedwig landed on one shoulder and the black owl landed on his other shoulder. Hedwig twisted her head around and screeched at the other owl until Harry reached up and tapped her on her beak.
"That's enough. Where are your manners girl?"
Hedwig screeched and glared at the other owl like that would be explanation enough.
"Yes I know you are upset that another owl is delivering mail to me but as good as you are you can't be everywhere at once when someone wants to write to me. You know this."
Hedwig hooted this time but still looked perturbed and Harry took the mail off her leg when she offered it. The other owl attempted to do the same but Hedwig screeched again and the owl retracted its leg with a glare at Hedwig.
"Behave you two. I will get to you in just a moment."
Hedwig had delivered Harry the usual copy of the Daily Prophet and the Quibbler along with a missive from Gringotts. Harry fed Hedwig some bacon and pointedly looked to where the owlrey would be. Hedwig looked a little remorseful but Harry remained firm. Hedwig took off with a small hoot and it was only then that Harry took the letter from the black owl. At a look from Harry the owl took off.
"Blimey Harry even the owls are fighting over you. What's so special about you?"
"That's my little secret Seamus."
Harry opened the letter and carefully shielded the pictures within from anyone else's view.
Harry Potter,
I have no doubt that you have already figured out the nature of this letter as I believe my darling but meddling older sister has told you about the Winter Solstice Ball already. If not, (though I highly doubt this) then your Headmaster should have informed you about the upcoming event.
I have no doubt that you will have many girls asking you to the ball and I sent this with my family's fastest owl as I wanted to be the first to lay claim for your affections and attentions for the evening of the ball.
If you will have me, will you be my escort and date for the upcoming ball?
I know I am young but I stress that it is only two years between us and in today's world that is practically nothing. I will not pester you incessantly if you already have a date for the ball or a girl in mind that you are hoping will ask you but I wished to ask. Even if you decline will you please at least save me a dance?
Anxiously awaiting your reply,
Gabrielle Declaour
Harry folded up the letter and put it in an inside pocket of his robes. He saw Hermione and a few other girls watching him (some openly and some discreetly) but Harry didn't deviate from his usual morning routine and began to read the Daily Prophet. Out of the corner of his eye Harry saw a few girls striding over and rather than give away his secret so soon Harry stood up. He packed up his schoolbag and turned to walk down the table.
"Oi Potter! You have a date to the ball? I hear whispers that Moaning Myrtle was asking about you after you gave her an eyeful last week when taking a shower."
Harry turned around at Ron's voice and smirked. After their fourth year and when Ron betrayed him by believing Harry to have put his name in the Goblet of Fire during the Triwizard Tournament, Harry had cut off all ties with the redhead. Even later during that year when Ron had come to grovel and ask for forgiveness Harry forgave him but said they would never be friends again.
"So curious aren't you Ron? Always without tact and always trying to put your foot in your mouth. I have a piece of advice for you if you're willing to listen."
"And what's that?"
"The giant squid is not an appropriate date to the ball. Winter Solstice, Halloween, Christmas or Yule ball regardless."
When Ron sat sputtering in his seat, red faced and everyone chuckling and chortling at his expense Harry turned on his heel and left the Great Hall for his first lesson.
