A/N: This chapter basically covers everything that happened at the end of the last chapter plus the pre-yule ball drama and then the ball itself. This is actually my longest chapter yet and I believe is the largest stepping stone in diverging from canon. I hope you all enjoy! As always I don't anything to do with Harry Potter though I wish I did.
News of the Yule Ball swept through the castle in a tidal wave of excited whispers and squeaks, passed on from person to person. Therefore Fleur knew all about it hours before Madame Maxine made the official announcement in the Beauxbatons carriage. She used that extra time to mentally prepare herself to weather the oncoming storm. Walking into the Great Hall, she tried extra hard to exude that aura of superiority that she had so carefully crafted over the years, hoping it would be off putting to some of those around her. As if on cue with her thoughts, the first of many suitors approached and began their pitch.
This continued on for several days and, eventually to Fleur's amusement, some would ask through many stutters, others would only gape openly by the time they approached and some others, which she found the most annoying, asked with confidence yet always seemed to be followed by an arrogant smirk. Though frustrating as it was, she always tried to let them down politely, some cases this being harder than others. One of such persons was a seventh year Ravenclaw who she spoken to at dinner a few times. He had been able to look at her and hold a conversation with her normally within the first month of school so she actually let herself consider it for a moment. That was until that telltale pompous look had shown up on his face as soon as he realized that she hadn't turned him down right away. Walking away from the Great Hall she couldn't help but think how Harry never looked at her like that.
Fleur didn't even know what she was doing with Harry anymore. The last several weeks she had found herself modifying her route through the castle just so she could pass him in the hall. She had never done anything like that before and though it scared her, she couldn't help but come over to his table at dinner and tease him. He was just so easy to tease and Fleur found she liked that fact that she could make him blush so easily. It taken several weeks for her even realize that she was flirting with him. She had never really done that before, never needing to deal with the stress that was involved by giving anyone the impression that she welcomed their advances. At least the red headed friend of Harry's hadn't asked her to the ball yet. She was sure that would be awkward.
**.**
Several days had passed and Harry still had no idea what he was going to do about the Yule Ball. When Professor McGonagall had made the announcement in the class he had originally planned on either not attending or at least going on his own. That was until of course he remembered that the Professor had said it was of particular interest to him. Dreading the answer he had asked her anyway, only to be promptly informed that his attendance was required with a date as he had to open the ball with the other champions.
Incredibly uncomfortable with the whole idea, Harry avoided most members of the opposite sex as much as possible for the next few days, hoping the whole problem would simply disappear. There was one person he had in mind but he knew there was no chance of that happening so Harry begrudgingly went and found Hermione for advice. He told her of his predicament and how he wanted to completely avoid the "Harry Potter Fan Club" that was still around since his second year.
"Well… why don't you ask someone you know who obviously doesn't just like you for being the Boy-Who-Lived," Hermione said. When Harry just gave her a blank look she raised her eyebrows and continued on, "someone who always seems to be around you." Harry's eyes widened after her last comment causing Hermione to give a little self-satisfied smirk.
"I'd love to go with you as a friend Hermione. I just hope you know I only think of you like a sister."
Her blush could have given most of the Weasley's a run for their money. "No! I… um… I don't feel like… I already have a date. That's not what I meant!" She replied stuttering.
"What?" Harry asked, really confused now.
"I meant Fleur, Harry. Fleur Delacour!" Hermione said exasperated.
Now it was Harry's turn to be flustered. "I… she… how did you… why would she say yes to me? Half the school has already asked her." He said.
"You do like her, don't you?" Asked Hermione. When he gave a slight nod she continued on, "Well, it's obvious she likes you too. She only comes over and flirts with you every night at dinner! Are you really that thick?"
**.**
That night at dinner, Harry sat pushing food around on his plate. Hermione's words had given him courage earlier but it had all vanished the moment he had seen her while entering the Great Hall. Hermione had been shooting him pointed looks all throughout the meal as if saying 'Go! Get it over with already!' Ron was surprisingly absent at the beginning of the meal and for once he didn't mind, not wanted his best mate to see him fail horribly.
Realizing he wasn't going to get anything down soon he pushed his plate away and turned to look at the object of his thoughts all afternoon. He heard Hermione sigh from behind him before she gave him a shove. Righting himself before anyone could noticed his stumble, he started making his way across the hall with a confidence he didn't feel. When he reached his destination he froze, realizing that he hadn't actually planned out what he wanted to say. Fleur looked up at him with a bemused expression and he realized that this was the first time he had sought her out in the great hall. He took a deep breath trying to order his thoughts before getting distracted by glancing over at two girls giggling at him, who he recognized as the two that broke down in tears when the Goblet had not spit out their names.
"I was wondering if you… well since we have to… do you want to go to the ball with me?" He asked nervously.
"Are you asking me or my class mates, 'arry?" She asked seriously. That snapped him to attention immediately and he found himself looking her right in the eye. 'Oh merlin!' He thought, 'Why did he let himself get distracted instead looking right at her!' He started to feel himself panic.
"And if you are only asking because you feel you 'ave to…" she continued letting her voice trail away at the end. If possible Harry paled further. Fleur must have been able to sense how he was feeling because she suddenly burst out laughing. He probably would have been warmed by hearing her laugh in front of him for the first time if he hadn't been so confused and worried.
"I am only joking 'arry! Of course I vill go viz you!" She said with a big smile.
The knot in his stomach released leave Harry feeling like he was on a cloud. He nearly floated back over to the Gryffindor table. He gave Hermione a quick hug from behind making her squeak in surprise. Then just as quickly he had let go and was leaving the hall. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Fleur rising to leave as well. Exiting the hall he finally spotted Ron coming down for dinner. Giving his friend a big smile and nod, he realized he fancied himself a stroll. Harry took the long way back to Gryffindor tower.
**.**
Even after his long walk Harry was still buzzing. He wasn't even close to tired yet but when he noticed it was almost curfew, he thought it might be best to return to the common room. Entering through the portrait hole he wondered why it was so quiet and it took him a moment to realize Ron was sitting in one of the big chairs looking pale as a sheet, surrounded by several people. He didn't seem to notice him when Harry approached. He spotted Ginny nearby and asked what happened.
"He asked Fleur Delacour to the ball," she snickered. Harry: 0 Anxiety: 1
She grinned at Harry, obviously enjoying her brother's predicament, before continuing, "He didn't realize she already had a date." Harry: 0 Anxiety: 2
Harry's palms started to sweat as he turned to Ron. Before he could say anything, Ron began to speak in a monotone voice, "I was getting really worked up about not having a date yet and I missed the beginning of dinner. When I was entering the great hall I passed you." Ron finally met Harry's eyes at this point. He continued on sounding more normal, the more he talked, "Fleur wasn't far behind you and I passed her just inside the hall. She was grinning, I'd never seen her show that much emotion before so I think she was having trouble controlling her Veela magic stuff–"
"Honestly Ronald! It's called the Allure! Didn't you listen to anything I said at the Quidditch World Cup?" Hermione scoffed.
Ron shot her an annoyed look before continuing, "Whatever… the Allure! Anyway, I was just walking by and suddenly before I knew what I was doing I was asking if she wanted to go with me." Ron's face was beet red by the time he admitted this.
"More like shouted it in front of the whole school," added Ginny still grinning.
"And?" Harry asked wondering how much he knew. He saw Hermione shoot a worried glance probably wondering the same thing.
"And I bloody well ran out of there as fast as I could didn't I!" Ron answered indignantly before asking in a calmer voice, "Wonder who she is going with though?"
"Well… err… me," Harry admitted realizing there was no point in lying.
Ron stared at Harry for a long moment before grinning and saying, "Good on you, mate!"
"Really?" Harry asked unable to keep the surprise out of his voice. He was just relieved that Ron seemed to be ok with it. He didn't want a repeat of the beginning of the year. He thought he noticed Ginny look almost disappointed that Ron wasn't more upset and that she wasn't able to tease him more.
"Yeah, I know it may sound strange after earlier this year but I'm happy for you! I didn't really like her, I just seem to be so damn susceptible to her power. I've been trying to get over it all year!" He said sincerely.
"Thanks man. I'm sorry I doubted you. Don't worry, we'll find you someone." Harry replied happily.
Suddenly Ron's eyes seemed to focus on Hermione, "Oy, Hermione. You're a girl!"
Harry noticed Hermione's incredulous look before her eyes narrowed at his phrasing and insinuation. Not wanting to be in the middle of this confrontation, Harry snuck up to his dorm before the shouting could begin. As he lay in bed, he couldn't help but feel happy with how well things were turning out.
**.**
Christmas morning Harry was woken early by Ron exclaiming over and over about presents. In the past years he had grown to love the Holiday after experiencing it at Hogwarts, which was very different than what had experienced while living with the Dursley's full time. Yet this year, excited as he was, his thoughts kept straying to what was to come that night. Harry's excitement over Fleur's acceptance lasted through most of the weeks leading up to the holidays until just a few days earlier when he had realized something. He didn't know how to dance. Harry ran off to find Hermione in a panic and hurriedly explained his problem. With a roll of her eyes she took him to an empty classroom to show him the basics. Two hours later Harry knew the steps he needed to get him by, yet his ability to practically apply them was another question entirely. He was happy though, at least he wouldn't make a complete fool of himself standing in the middle of the floor with a blank expression.
Harry was shaken out of his reverie by the arrival of Hermione to exchange gifts with him and Ron. She chatted happily with the two of them for a few minutes before excusing herself to go get ready for the evening. This sent Harry's thoughts spinning back the Ball or more importantly who he would be meeting there. This caused him to completely miss the dark look Ron shot at Hermione's retreating form.
"I don't know how it's going to take her all day to get ready," he said once the door was again closed. "It's not like she really has a date. She's just saying that."
Still trying to avoid the growing tension between his to best friends, Harry fled the room after muttering a hasty excuse about visiting Hedwig in the Owlery. The night Harry asked Fleur to the dance, Ron had entered the dormitory 20 minutes after him and climbed into bed without saying a word. Ron hadn't mentioned that night again but from what he had heard from Ginny and the others, the argument had not been pretty and only ended with Hermione leaving the Common Room in tears. After asking around on Ron's behalf, Harry finally secured Ron a date with Padma Patil, a fourth year Ravenclaw, with Parvati Patil, her twin and a fellow Gryffindor's, help. The dance hadn't even started yet and Harry already felt bad about setting this up, especially with Ron's surly attitude around both Hermione and the ball.
After spending the day wandering around the halls of Hogwarts, Harry returned to his dorm to get ready, hoping Ron was in a better mood. To his immense enjoyment he entered the room to see Ron scowling angrily. At least the source of his friend's displeasure was easily discernable when Harry noticed the frilly dress robes laying on Ron's bed. Harry hastily put on his black and white dress robes that he had newly bought to resemble a muggle tuxedo. This only served to deepen Ron's scowl.
He left before Ron had even begun to put his on, explaining that the champions had to be down early, not that Harry knew if that was true or not. Reaching the Entrance Hall, Harry only saw three other people: Cedric Diggory, his date as well as Ravenclaw Seeker, Cho Chang, and Viktor Krum. He joined them murmuring his hellos before waiting in an awkward silence broken only by a few more arrivals.
"You clean up nice 'arry." Harry spun around to face the voice coming from behind him. He wondered how she always ended up behind him. Hoping for something witty to say, Harry only opened and closed his mouth several times as he drank in the sight before him. Fleur stood there in robes of silver satin that hugged her curves delightfully, which made Harry blush just thinking about it, her hair was pulled back running straight down her back and her skin seemed to be almost glowing.
"You," he began his voice coming out several octaves too high before trying again sounding more normal only stumbling slightly, "You look very ni… err… beautiful."
"Zank you 'arry. You look very 'andsome as vell zough I see you couldn't get your 'air to lay down," she complimented him while running her through his hair once. Harry couldn't help but physically shiver with pleasure at her touch. She smiled slightly at his reaction before adding, "but it does 'ave a certain appeal, non?"
When all this was taking place, the Entrance Hall had begun to fill and Professor McGonagall now stood in front of the great doors.
"Zat is one of your friends?" Fleur asked motioning towards the top of the stairs.
"Yeah. That's Hermione," he answered after a moment. Harry almost didn't recognize her as she descended the stairs towards them. Harry had never thought of Hermione as ugly but she had never really stood out in that way in his mind either. She had never seemed overly concerned by looks throughout the years but it was obvious that she had indeed spent the whole day getting ready. He thought she looked stunning, second only to the woman beside him of course. When she reached the bottom of the stairs she smiled brightly and waved to Harry and Fleur before walking over and greeting none other than Viktor Krum. Harry had noticed Ron enter several moments earlier and out of the corner of his eye he now saw him opening gaping at the couple in front of him.
Luckily for all of them, Professor McGonagall chose that moment to open the doors and everyone began to file in. To his immense relief, dinner was to be served before any dancing had to be attempted. The champions were to sit at the head table with the professors and ministry representatives. They chose a spot at the end of the table just down from Dumbledore and unluckily beside Percy Weasley. Harry tried to get away with a quick greeting but was quickly roped into listening to him prattle on about why he was there, something to do with Cauldron Thickness and of course his own chances of promotion. After a few minutes Fleur made a disgruntled sound and placed her hand on his effectively shutting down any attention he had been able to force onto Percy's words.
"Why don't we allow the young couple some time to talk themselves, hmm Percy?" Dumbledore interjected with a raised eyebrow. Fleur sent him a thankful look.
"Oh… uhh… of course Headmaster," Percy responded blushing slightly.
"Sorry about that," Harry muttered apologetically.
"Zat's ok 'arry, I 'ave you all to myself now," she said giving a sly smile.
Harry was sure that his gulp was audible. Before he had a chance to ponder the meaning behind her words, Dumbledore commanded attention to the front of the room by clinking his spoon to the outside of his goblet. Then demonstrating how one was to order the food they wanted by reading aloud from a menu in front of them, Dumbledore sat back down and conversations recommenced.
Dinner passed fairly easily. The food was excellent and as promised appeared on their plates as soon as they spoke its name. Harry and Fleur chatted for most of the time sticking to mostly mundane topics like Quidditch and school. Fleur talked incessantly once Harry asked her about living in France yet unlike Percy, he didn't mind listening to her. Several times snatches of Dumbledore's conversations peeked their interest such as one story about a magical room he had found full of hundreds of chamber pots when he was on the way to the loo. Another time he had been making general comments about the tournament but Harry was sure it was directed at him.
"I do believe the tournament is succeeding in bringing our schools together," Dumbledore said to Madame Maxine while looking with twinkling eyes at both Viktor and Hermione then Harry and Fleur. The French Headmistress only huffed in response while shooting a disgruntled glare in Harry's direction.
Before long the desert was done as well, disappearing from the plates, and Harry knew the moment he feared was coming. Standing from the table, he held out his arm for Fleur and they joined the other champions heading for the center of the room. When they reached their destination, Harry turned towards Fleur, going through a mental checklist, he placed one hand on his waist and then with his other took hers. Only then did look up and meet her eyes. Everything else stopped. Her eyes had softened, like he had only seen momentarily on one other occasion. He felt that he could get lost in their depths like the deep pools of water they resembled. Harry heard the music begin and went through the motions that he had learned only days before without a second thought. This really wasn't as bad as he thought. He was happy to see that Fleur looked pleasantly surprised by his abilities. Harry couldn't help but wonder what he had been so scared of. There were definite benefits to this whole dancing business. One of which being the close proximity that they were standing, though Harry tried not to focus on that lest he get too, let's just say, worked up.
He had come into the evening hoping to make it through one dance but before he knew it, it had been over half an hour. It was actually Fleur who tired first, looking slightly hot and flustered. Harry obliged her and they both left the dance floor to seek a beverage. It was then that they noticed what looked like another budding argument between Ron and Hermione.
"Would you care to take a walk Mademoiselle Delacour?" Harry asked with an exaggerated bow, holding out his hand with a small smile. Taking it, he led her out the doors.
"'Ow long 'ave zey liked each other?" Fleur asked once they were outside.
"You noticed?"
"'Oo didn't?"
Harry gave a small chuckle before answering, "I think it's always been there but things have become more… intense this year."
They continued walking along the path in the rose garden for several minutes in companionable silence. Fleur was the first one to break it, "Did you realize vhat exactly is implied by asking your date to go for a valk in ze garden 'arry?" When Harry gave her an uncomprehending look she motioned into darkness beside the path. It took Harry a moment for eyes to adjust and realize what he was seeing. It was one of the couples they'd seen leave the Ball earlier and now they were snogging senselessly in the rose bush. Harry turned back to Fleur in wide eyed comprehension, blushing several different shades of red. Fleur laughed at his expression before grabbing his arm again and pulling over to a stone bench.
"Fleur… I… I didn't mean," he stammered once they sat down.
"Relax 'arry. I am only teasing you," she said causing him to visibly relax before adding, "Unless…" She let it hang in the air for moment, only laughing when he gulped audibly again.
"So tell me more about your life growing up in France," Harry asked after another moment of silence.
"Vell, my fazzer is a politician in the French Ministry of Magic so growing up I always got to attend lots of formal parties similar to tonight. I always loved zat and so does my younger seester. Zings got more difficult ven I came into my Veela 'eritage. People are always staring and only seem to vant one thing from me." When Harry nodded that he understood she continued, "You 'ave to understand 'arry for a Veela ze change is almost instantaneous. I voke up one morning a girl in an almost adult body. I didn't understand vy people treated me differently all of a sudden. It vas very confusing. Zat vas ven I began crafting my public persona zat I am sure you noticed. I try to dissuade as many people as possible from approaching me so zat it is not overwhelming. Making friends vas difficult."
Harry tentatively reached out and took her hand comfortably. She smiled her thanks before asking, "Vhat about you? "Ow vas your childhood 'arry?"
Harry stiffened before answered in a strained voice, "I grew up with my Aunt and Uncle. They were muggles… let's just say that they were not the nicest people."
"I do not understand? Zey are family, non? You indirectly saved ze entire visarding vorld. Vere zey not 'appy to 'ave you?" She asked.
Harry hesitated a moment unsure on what to say before realizing that they had more in common then he thought and that she had already trusted him by revealing so much to him. Taking the plunge, he told her everything. Even things he never spoken of before, even to Ron and Hermione. He told her about his relatives opinion on magic, how they had always spoken to him, the chores they had made him do, the cupboard under the stairs, his cases of incidental magic and even how much he hated being famous in the wizarding world. By the time he was done, Fleur had tears in her eyes and quickly enveloped him in a hug. Nothing had ever felt better.
"You really didn't enter your name did you?" She asked in a low voice.
"No I didn't." She nodded her acceptance without challenge. They sat there for a few more minutes, talking about less emotionally charged topics before rising again and entering the castle.
Once inside, they began dancing again for the last few songs but too soon the clock chimed the end of the ball. Harry's breath hitched as Fleur leaned in and gave a kiss on the cheek. The feeling lingering for long after.
"'appy Christmas 'arry. I 'ad a vonderful time," she murmured before giving him one last smile and sauntering off. Harry stood there frozen for several minutes thinking of everything that had occurred in the last few hours before beginning the walk to Gryffindor Tower. On his was he realized that this was one night he would not forget anytime soon.
A/N: Again, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. The next one will cover a bunch of completely non-canon events. After that we have the second task and then even more non-canon. I wanted to thank everyone who is reading this story and especially everyone writing reviews leaving your encouragement and advice. I really appreciate it. This story now has more followers in the last four days than my other one has gotten in 3 months. So THANK YOU! Again please leave a review after reading and let me know what you think.
