I do not own harry potter
Chapter 4
Fleur had once again woke in fear. Feeling the despair which wrapped itself around her soul, she could not help but focus on the memories which were vividly imprinted in her mind.
They had started not long after the third task, and initially rationalized that the nightmares were a result of the trauma she had experienced not only by being attacked and almost killed by Krum, but of the horrors she had become.
But as the Nightmares had become more prevalent, more clear, her opinion of what was causing them began to coalesce into a truth she was trying very hard to hide from. It was as if the universe itself wept, and demanded a reckoning.
At first she only had vague impressions, of loss, and loneliness which surrounded a hazy figure. But as the days turned into weeks, they focused into the image of a very tangible and almost real Harry Potter.
Initially she did not know what to make of the dreams. They went against everything she knew of magic as well as harry potter. But now she wasn't so sure.
Like many others her initial judgment of the boy who lived was less than flattering. Her first few months at Hogwarts seemed to back up that view, at least that was her initial impression.
All the stories she had heard about him were vague, but what was a certainty was that the school in general had contempt for the young man. This was made readily apparent by the young Malfoy Heir she had become aquinted with.
The young Malfoy had quickly charmed his way into her grace, and though generally she had always been cautious around men and boys, the fact that he was of Veela descent automatically excluded him from the general population.
While he wasnt effected by her aura, he was non nonetheless charming, and the picture of pure-blood elegance.
While she was generally not a blood snob, she was aware that in " The Ton"(to clarify, Ton is the elite class of who's who), Not only was the young Malfoy Heir the perfect representation of their class, but had also shared a common ancestry with her.
It was for this reason she readily took on faith everything he said about Harry.
This of course had slowly changed after the second task. While she was still cautious, and if it were any other person, she would have granted him the benefit of the doubt, yet all the stories had jaded her view.
Still she began to watch him over the next few months.
It had not been surprising to find that every where he went, snide comments, and catcalls were thrown his way. Another thing she found troubling was he was always alone. Either when walking through the corridors of the ancient castle, or the few times she had seen him eating at the far end of his table in the great hall.
According to Draco he was an "attention seeking glory hound"
He had insinuated that Harry not only reveled in attention, but was a pampered spoiled princling, who was outclassed by his betters.
Yet the more she seen him the more she became painfully aware, that he shied away from all social interaction. She was yet sure if this was due to his shame at being caught cheating, or if there was something more sinister happening.
The reality of how wrong she had been was made apparent the night of the third task.
She had been so Happy that her family was there to support and watch the third task.
As she had walked into the tent, she heard a squeal followed by Gabrielle flinging herself into her arms.
Behind her she could see her loving mother and father smiling at there youngest daughters antics.
It was with a lifted heart that she had reveled in her families presence. They initially took comfort in each other, talking of small things. It was after many pleanstries, that her parents had asked her about the tournament.
"So Fleur, my dear tell us everything you have experienced" her father asked affectionately.
"well I am glad I don't live here" she laughed as she told them about the constant overcast, rain and bitter cold
"Well of course your uncomfortable" her mothers voice interrupted. "we are creatures of fire, and passion, Not that I don't believe England has it's merits, No, just that it's too pedestrian for someone as formidable as yourself" she smiled in a friendly yet mocking manner.
The whole Delacour clan new that while they enjoyed the Beaujolais, and worked hard to keep up appearances. The truth however was that once they were behind closed doors, the masks dropped and what took its place was a very kind, supportive, and loving family.
Fleur could only smirk at her mothers hidden joke.
"so tell us Fleur, what do you think of the other champions?" her father asked.
"Well.." she began as she gathered her thoughts.
"there is of course the Bulgarian, Viktor Krum, you know the quitich star" she began, then paused again.
" thought initially we would make good allies, yet he is very aloof. I attempted to becoming aquinted with him, yet it seems his personality is a bit..uhh..disjointed." frowning as she finished. Looking briefly across the tent to where Viktor Krum was spending time with his Girlfriend, and family.
The Delacour's caught her frown as she looked away.
"Fleur dear, what are you not telling us" Her mother asked questioningly
Slowly letting her eyes return to her family, she frowned as she answered her mothers question.
"I'm not quit sure mother, but I've always felt wary, almost cautious around him" Looking for words she fumbled
"There is something Off about him"
Her father pondered on her words, while gauging the Rugged Seeker. He had to agree there was something dark in his eye's
Before he could think deeper on this however, Fleur continued on.
"the Hogwarts champion, Cedric Digory is very pleasant. We haven't spoke often, but he is very kind, and loyal, in fact his Girlfriend helped set me up with my date for the Ball" she paused..."granted that didn't turn out very well, but her heart was in the right place." she finished with a little laugh.
Her family was aware of the travesty of that night. And laughed along with her.
She went on to describe the task's up to that point, as well all that she experienced when Gabrielle interrupted.
"But what about Harry Potter" her young voice asked eagerly.
Fleur knew that her sister was enthralled with the stories of the young man, even she herself had been told fairytale's about the boy who lived. But this last year had left her very confused about what was truth, and what not.
Cautiously Fleur tried sound neutral as she responded, this only caught her parents attention.
"I'm not sure Gabby, I have been so busy preparing, I have not had the chance to speak with him"
"But why not, he did save me if you recall" she questioned, then as if remembering something she began speaking with in a soft almost broken whisper.
"when..."she sniffled
"when I woke up I was so...so scared, and started crying. But he kept his arm around me while we were swimming, even though he was bleeding, but he kept telling me it would be ok, that he wouldnt let anything hurt me" She paused, as she felt the tears began to fall down her cheek.
"I believed him...I felt so safe" then a sob escaped the little girl.
"I didn't know...How could I" was almost getting hysterical, causing people to look at them.
She was unable to finish as her mother took gabby into a comforting hold, calming, and lovingly holding the distraught little girl.
Fleur new what was hurting her sister. It wasn't until the whole crowd had had there attention on the reunited sisters that she had caught site of the young, and very alone boy the holding the corpse of his Owl. Those few who had taken notice, were making snide remarks what obviously was just a bird.
That had been the first time she had felt something break in her heart, yet before she could delve deeper, they were all swept away to their respective parties. The last she had seen of him was a broken boy, alone on a cold beach in the highlands, laying his only friend to rest.
Gradually Gabby calmed to the point where her mother told them she was going to lay her down.
Left with her father, she began to discuss how his work had been going. Before she could continue, her father interrupted her.
"Fleur, I need you to be completely honest with me, I need to know why you are so evasive about that young man". He asked very seriously.
Fleur had been caught off-guard, by her fathers directness. She knew he trusted her enough in matters of boys, and relationships, yet there was something very disturbing in his tone.
"I..." she began then rearranged her thoughts.
"know one likes him" she began simply "Everyone is pretty much convinced that he is a lair and a cheat Papa. He even couldn't show enough courtesy to attend this function"
As she had began speaking she noticed her fathers mood went from loving to disturbed, then to outright anger at her last statement.
Never in her life had she been so shocked at what her father said next.
With smoldering eye's "I have never been so ashamed of anyone as I am of you right now Fleur" he said through clenched teeth.
"YOU..." he pointed, then taking a calming breath.
"You should know all about people judging you by rumors and half truths!" He continued his eyes burning into her soul.
"havent you noticed the contingency of French Auror's I brought with me, Now ask yourself why? Ill tell you why! Because even though that pompous ass Cornelius Fudge, as well the majority of the english papers, ministry, and population believe that trash, the rest of the world, france included are terrified something horrible is happening, and Yes Fleur, it's centered around that young boy"
Feeling cornered, and like most teenagers when confronted by an angry parent she tried to justify her actions.
"father you don't understand, there are stories, fabrications he has made about." but before she could continue her father slammed his fist down on the table,, causing Fleur to flinch. Never had her father shown such anger towards her.
Taking a deep breath to calm himself. He watched his daughter, gauging her.
"Fleur, you know what I do for a living, correct" he asked tightly
to which she nodded, thinking most people thought her father was just a senior department head, but she knew the truth, he was the head of the French unspeakables, the one man not only in charge of them, but of the Auror and Hit-wizards. He was the most powerful man not only in France, but Europe.
"Now I want you to think long and hard about a very simple truth. Who are you willing to believe, your friends, and those rags that they call papers here, or you father, whom you know damm well has firsthand information of something terrible, I bring a brigade of auros to protect my daughter" He finished, shaking his head in shame at his daughter, as he rose to leave.
"As for him not being here Fleur, Let me ask you daughter of mine, This" he paused as if he had tasted something bitter "Function is for family and friends, ask yourself who would be here for him?" with this he left a very upset, and retrospective Fleur alone.
That night had not only been a shock for Fleur, but a living nightmare. She had only had a few minutes alone to ponder what her father had told her before they were taken to the maze for the beginning of the third task.
She shuddered as she recalled how her evening had went from bad, to down right terrifying, as she involuntary was drawn into her visions.
She had been thinking over what her father had said. She trusted few people in her life, but those that she did, she had the utmost respect for, Knowing that her father was not only angry with her, but extremely ashamed of her, had her questioning every thing she had preconceived about Harry.
She knew she did something terrible, and new her father had been right, but she had yet to connect the dots, and as the moments before the third task grew nearer the fear and anticipation of what lay ahead began to push the problem to the back of her mind.
Once the task had began, all rational thought fled from her mind. There was something terribly wrong, something she knew instinctively.
They had been told that the task would have challenges, yet due to the history of the Triwizard tournament, they were told repetitively, that all the obstacles, while some may prove painful, would be non the less fatal.
As Fleur had come across her first obstacle, a desperate and horrifying reality came crashing down on her. The Monster which was charging towards her was the Bean nighe, the for-teller of death, the soul of women who parishes horribly in childbirth, giving life to unholy children who were conceived by coupling with demons.
Never in her life had Fleur felt so utterly hopeless. For standing before her was something so foul, that not even the most ancient of spells could banish the evil.
Yet she had little choice, as she began to run, all the while casting behind her.
All thoughts of winning, or even her problem with Harry left her mind. The simplest of all our instincts had taken over. To Flee. As she came towards a dead end within the maze, she found herself stuck.. All rational thought evaporated as the Bean Nighe rounded the corner. As the embodiment of horrors ambled towards her, she began to scream in such unearthly torment as her death approached.
As the Bean Nighe, slowly reached it's putrid hand towards her, Fleur's magic took over. With a load crack, she apperated.
Landing in another remote part of the maze, Fleur began to break down. No longer was she the aristocratic, and composed beauty that all had seen. She had become an animal, lost, terrified, and primal. The only rational thoughts in her brutalized state was to run, to escape,, to survive.
Within her eyes, there was no sign of intelligence, only a beast. With this the wild animal know as Fleur Delacour gave into the darkness and began running.
She had been told later, that once the last contestant, Harry, had entered the Maze, Wards, the type lost to antiquity had been razed by unknown people. Later it came to pass that Voldemort as well as many of his Death Eaters had planted them. The school, dignitaries, and those watching on the WWW began to panic, as they could watch in terror, as every horrifying creature known to the wizarding world manifested within the maze.
Fleur knew that she would have nightmares the rest of her life, and yet the worse had yet to come. Where she became the monster.
Shaking in uncontrolled fear and horror she recalled as Krum had attacked her.
She had long ago lost all rational thought, she ran and cursed. Creatures from her nightmares were everywhere. Never in her life had she cast unforgivable's, yet as her primal nature took over, horrible words, curses whispered in the dead of night, passed her tongue in a dark chorus fueled by the Hell of Magic.
In a detached method, she systematically disemboweled the fae creatures that stood between herself, and freedom. The beauty of crimson, florescent violets, and blue's light her way, as the deadly spells left her wand.
Then the world exploded in pain. So terrifyingly poetic was the pain, that even the animal she had became was in awe of the chaotic destruction. So pure was the agony, so primal, a force of nature which gave birth and death to the cosmos. An epiphany of the futility of life.
Then it was gone...The animal which spotted a terrified creature standing before her.
The beast within wanted vengeance, wanted the fear to leave. The predator within, smelled the fear of the creature who caused all her pain.
"Ohh dear god, Fleur are you..." Harry had began, as he approached her, momentarily taking his eyes off her to look at the now unconscious Krum. As he returned his attention to fleur, the world exploded.
The moment the Beast known as Fleur seen his attention waiver, she stuck.
"Crucio..." she hissed. As she felt the spell hit, the connection became sweet and intoxicating. The animal inside her reveled in the power. Channeling all her fear, insecurity's, and pain through the curse, she felt them twist her tormentor. For every pain she had received, she sent it back 10 fold.
The pitiful creature, her pray had long lost the ability to scream as his body was heaving in an epileptic fit, foam and blood bursting from his mouth and nose,, the stench from his evacuated bowels filling the air. Not content to let her pray parish yet, she levitated the tortured body, and crucified to the ground. Seeing awareness return the the green eye's infuriated the predator, pulling on the ancient magic's of her formothers, the Veela manifested a bright ball of fire, and cast it at her terrified pray.
The smell of roasting flesh, and the screams were as ambrosia to the the creature. As it screamed, she let loose another Crucio. Pushing harder, deeper, the need to toy and break her pray above all reasoning.
In fascination, the creature which was Fleur watched as the spell changed in manifestation. In giddy delight she watched as slowly midnight black tendrils began to spiderweb around his now naked and charred body. As they finished there pattern, the monster known as fleur, felt his mind shatter, then shutdown.
Angry, that her pray was no longer paying attention to her administrations, the furry within her burned for justice.
As she began to cast her final spell, a lone figure came around the corner.
"Avada..."
That was the last thing she remembered as she had been stunned by cedric, and darkness took her.
The next moment she was being revived, and surrounded by the wizarding world, her father, mother and sister crying hysterically. As from waking from a nightmare the reality of what she had done came crashing down on her, just as Harry landed not far from her with the corpse of Cedric Diggory.
There eyes met momentary, as Harry''s tear stained eyes caught her.. he flinched away and fleur knew...SHE KNEW she had destroyed the innocents of the Boy-who-lived.
As she reflected on these events in horror and shame... She felt something snap out of existence in the back of her mind, something very precious..
"Harry!" she screamed right before the world exploded into a thousand pieces, leaving an inconsolable Fleur huddled on the floor. This was how her family found her.
