Passion Colours Everything

Harry was walking towards the Beauxbatons carriage to pick up Fleur at the agreed upon time. He was dressed in more modern-looking suit than most of the boys who looked like they were still in last century. His clothes indicated wealth but not shoved the fact down other people's throats as many others from rich families did. He was dressed in a black tuxedo, with an emerald bow that complemented his eyes and had silver cufflinks and buttons. Salazar had commented how he looked more of a prince of Slytherin than that of Gryffindor.

He had seen girls wandering the castle and giggling wherever he went. According to Katie there was a betting pool on who he would be taking as a date. The rumour mill was in overdrive over his romance life. Apparently Hermione was the frontrunner as she had refused Ron's invitation and the rumour mill was rife with speculation that Harry had asked her first.

Pathetic gossipers, didn't they have anything better to do than wonder about my personal life, Harry thought to himself. Amanda was going with Alexander Lars; he had asked her the day after the Ball had been announced to Hogwarts' students. Fred and George were taking Angelina and Alicia respectively. Neville had asked out Ginny, it was amusing to see the twins going all over-protective big brothers on him. However, the best was the spectacle Ron had made of himself when he had asked Fleur out. Ron had been ensnarled by her allure and had made a fool out of himself; however he wasn't the only one.

"You cut quite a handsome figure; half the people are going to be jealous of me tonight. How do I look?" Fleur asked of Harry, but he was too absorbed in giving her the once over to answer her. Fleur in one word looked inhumanely beautiful tonight, dressed in a silver gown that hugged her curves, emphasising on her amazing figure, while flowing over her legs hiding them from the view. Harry had forgotten that she was a veela as he was immune to her allure, but tonight that fact had hit home and it hit hard.

"There are no words in the English language that can describe how wonderful you look tonight," Harry said after a moment's pause, he had been taken aback by how stunning Fleur looked.

"Is my allure affecting you?" Fleur asked, with a frown.

"You don't need the allure to turn heads, it's I who will be target of jealousy of all the males and a few females," Harry replied.

"Then perhaps I can teach you Français," she replied with a smile.

"Perhaps you can," Harry said, while offering the French beauty his arm as he escorted her to the ante-chamber where the champions were to meet.

XXX

"It appears Miss Delacour and Mr Potter are running late," Professor McGonagall stated, her lips formed a thin line indicating her irritation at the tardiness of the pair.

"We are not running late professor, just fashionable late," Harry announced their arrival which was marked with slack jaws and looks of amazement. Fleur and Harry were dressed to nines and together looked quite the pair. Fleur flaunted her beauty and took the spotlight, while Harry looked handsome but had a more subtle look than that of his partner.

"It seems Miss Delacour and Mr Potter like Miss Granger and Mr Krum have decided to showcase interschool friendship," McGonagall chose to ignore Harry's comment and lead the champions into the Great Hall that was serving as the Ball Room for tonight.

Their entrance attracted applause, as bystanders got the first look of the three couples, Cedric and his girlfriend and date Cho Chang led the champions, Cedric had dressed in traditional robes for the occasion as Cho's gown had Chinese influence in its design, a tribute to her Chinese heritage; Krum and his date Hermione attracted a lot of attention as they made an unlikely couple, Krum with his bulky figure dressed in military looking robes looked like a general of some Tsar's army while Hermione in her periwinkle gown and petite body looked more feminine than ever with her hair held in an elaborate bun. However, the most eyes were hitched on Harry and Fleur as the English celebrity and icon with the French enchantress by his side made the most attractive couple, Harry's hair eternally untameable was cropped and had a wind-swept look to it, while Fleur's untied platinum blonde tresses fell over her shoulders perfectly framing her face.

"A lot of girls look like they plan to lynch and mob me, or is it mob and lynch, for bringing as you my date," Fleur stated looking pleased with herself as they took position to begin the waltz.

"The same could be said about me, but let's not worry about them and enjoy the night," Harry replied softly as they started to move to the tune of the music. Harry wasn't uncomfortable being the centre of attention anymore; however he still did not enjoy it like Fleur seemed to. Where he wanted to stay in the background going on with his normal life, Fleur wanted others to acknowledge that she was above them.

They danced to the first song of the night and soon others started to join in the fare. After two more dances, they stepped from the dance floor to take a break for one song.

Harry had gone to get drinks for Fleur and himself, and by the time he returned, the other champions and their dates had congregated engaged in light conversation.

"Merci," Fleur thanked him as he handed her the drink.

"I heard from other Hogwarts students that Cedric and Harry are both seekers for their respective house teams, perhaps a pick-up seekers duel could be arranged between them and Viktor," Alexander said.

"Well, Cedric is better than Harry, he did beat him last year, so perhaps a match between Viktor and Cedric would be better," Cho said, boasting of her boyfriend's achievement.

"That was only due to interference of dementors, so we can't really count that," Cedric said downplaying his girlfriend's boasting, scratching back of his head.

"Then it would be better if all three of them have a face-off," Amanda added. She had seen all three of them play. Krum was a professional and she had heard that some of the teams in British and Irish league were scouting for Diggory.

"But wouldn't that leave Fleur out. She doesn't play Quidditch," Harry stated, reminding the others that the French champion would not be able to take part in the sport.

"Then how about it, apart from the Quidditch match we can have a duelling tournament between the four champions. It would showcase great unifying spirit and international cooperation which is the aim of the tournament," Alexander proposed.

"I would pay money to watch them have a go at each other," Amanda agreed with her date. She wanted to have Harry gain experience from duelling with others.

"Then if you all agree, then we can have two charity events, one for the duelling tournament and one for the Quidditch tournament. Leave the organisation to me," Alexander showed, just why Viktor had the best contract deals with both club and advertisers.

"I can agree to that," Fleur was the first to agree. She had no interest in Quidditch, but duelling against some of the best of her generation was an experience she didn't want to give up on.

"I am willing to participate," Viktor offered his consent. He had always let Alexander do his thing, so he wasn't going to stop doing that now.

"I wouldn't mind the opportunity," Cedric too gave his consent after his girlfriend implored him.

"I wouldn't mind it either," Harry agreed when all eyes turned to him. He didn't like the public nature of the events, but the opportunity to compete against some of the best was not something he was willing to pass on.

XXX

"You were reluctant to agree there," Fleur stated, she had picked up on his hesitancy.

"I was, I don't like the attention," Harry replied, as they were having one last dance. After the next song the band Weird Sisters would start playing and no more ballroom dancing would be possible as the crowd was getting in the mood for more of a club-goers type of dancing.

"Why not? You are a celebrity, so it's not like you are not used to the attention."

"Crowds are fickle. They would hail you as a messiah at first and would demonise next."

Soon the music picked tempo and they increased the pace of their waltz, their bodies coming closer than before.

"You are holding yourself back," Harry commented.

"If I don't, my allure will run out of control. It wouldn't be focused, but will distract the males."

"Why bother? You wanted to enjoy your night, so just let go," Harry prompted. He was immune to her allure and had come to enjoy their dancing practice, when she wasn't restraining herself.

And she did let go, as they twisted and twirled, fighting one another to lead the dance. Fleur was a seasoned dancer and passionate, Harry on the other hand had the grace of an apex predator and refused to let someone dominate him. The crowd cleared the dance floor as the two danced the night way, each dancing not for the other, but to make the most of the chance. Soon the dance came to a close and the music stopped. When the two came down from their high, they were met with dazed expressions and steely glares, Fleur had apparently managed to partly ensnare most of the male students and their dates were giving the French veela the eye.

"I think I need fresh air," Fleur said making way for the exit. Harry accompanied her, their arms still entwined.

"That was wonderful; the only time I have ever let go like that is when I am dancing with my father," Fleur heaved a happy sigh.

"You do look at your best when you are so unrestrained," Harry agreed as they entered the outer courtyard. There were many couples in the garden, and many boys' heads turned to Fleur as she walked.

She taped her bracelet and Harry felt a magical surge, a ward of some sort, he reckoned. Soon people were not looking at their way anymore.

"It's a localised obscuration ward. It's a cross between warding and enchanting, my own creation," she proclaimed proudly at his inquisitive look.

"That's an amazing feat of magic and quite a useful creation. You should definitely teach me enchanting after the Christmas break," Harry complimented her, receiving a smile in return.

"I will leave for the night, the last dance tired me somewhat and I have to leave for home tomorrow morning," she said as they walked out in the open.

"I will walk you back to the carriage," Harry offered as she took proffered his arm.

"Aren't you a gentleman," she said giggling, the action so uncharacteristic and unexpected that it took Harry a while to quip back.

"No. I am just being British."

They were soon at the carriage's gate, as Harry turned to leave she stopped him as she held his wrist.

"Harry thank you for the night. I couldn't have enjoyed that last dance with anybody else," she expressed her gratitude and closed in for a goodnight kiss.

She planted a chaste kiss on his lips; however she lingered a little longer. Harry who had no experience with girls stood still for a while; but after feeling the sweet taste of her lips, he responded before she could pull away. Her lips tasted sweet on his and felt soft and tender against his. The kiss soon turned passionate, it wasn't tender anymore, rather needy and lustful as her tongue sought permission to enter his mouth and on an instinct he obliged. The passion that they had felt during the dance; rekindled came back with a vengeance as both sought domination once again, both uncompromising neither giving an inch. The need for oxygen separated them, as their foreheads joined, their lips inches away from each other's.

"I am sorry," her voice soft and filler with regret.

"What for?" he asked, tenderly.

"I promised myself that I will never take advantage of my veela heritage. I have held back for so long at so many times with so many people, and just when I had a tentative friendship with you I jeopardised it by ensnaring you with my allure."

"I am immune to your allure. You gave a peck, I initiate a kiss and you reciprocated, with passions running high what else would you expect from two hormonal teenagers," Harry reminded her of his immunity. She had given him a peck, he was a boy and she was a girl that was drop dead gorgeous, call him shallow but the way he saw it he had reacted the way anyone else in his place would had.

"Still, it won't last. Once the tournament is over, I will go back to France and you will be stuck here in Britain." She didn't even want to think about the age difference between them.

"Nothing ever truly lasts. Everything fades away."

"You appear so cavalier about it."

"Every year since re-joining the magical world I have found myself in a death-trap of one form or the other, I have been lucky so far to still be alive. I simply don't want to have any regrets before my luck runs out."

"I am not sure we would even make a good couple, we are nearly diametrically opposite and yet so similar in so many others."

"Perhaps it would, perhaps it would not. You wouldn't know without trying."

She appeared indecisive going through some internal conflict.

"I should be leaving. I will meet you after the break. Good night Fleur." With that he left her standing by the carriage door that was still ajar. He agreed with her that they might not even make a good couple, but he also knew that one never knows until one tries.

XXX

Harry returned to Great Hall, the party was still going; he made his way to a stall to get something to eat.

"I never knew you were such a good dancer Harry. I would have asked you before Delacour otherwise," it was Padma who offered a smile which came out as more of a grimace.

"A month back I wasn't, thanks to some help I quickly improved. Thank you for the compliment though," Harry replied. Noting her soured look he asked, "What happened to your date? I don't think he should leave a pretty girl like you alone for so long."

"Ron happened. Parvati arranged him to be my date, but first he didn't know how to dance and then spent the evening glaring at Krum and Hermione. He could have simply asked the girl out if he was pining after her. To make matters worse he got in an argument with Hermione who left crying and then he stalked out himself," her expression soured further at remembrance of the incident.

"Care for a dance?" Harry offered his arm. Some people were too touched about tonight being one of the most special nights of their life thing. He had to hand it over to Dumbledore how he lead people to believe anything and everything. He had convinced so many that a death trap of tournament and a thousand Galleons will bring them eternal glory and fame, what a load of baloney, when people couldn't remember any one of the previous winners.

"If your date won't mind," Padma's expression brightened.

"She has left for the night. I just came back for a snack, but I won't mind having one of the most beautiful girls of our year all for myself for the rest of the night," he told her. She blushed at his compliment and took hold of his arm as he led them to the dance floor.

Soon the clock struck midnight and the night's festivities came to a close. Harry escorted Padma to the Ravenclaw tower.

"I don't think I ever told you which way Ravenclaw common room is," she questioned as they approached the fabled door that guarded the Ravenclaw dorms.

"You didn't but I have been exploring the castle for years now. I know most of the places and most importantly, most of the shortcuts," Harry replied with a smirk, no need to tell her about the Marauders' Map.

"You really have no regard for the rules," she said smiling.

"Rules are more like guidelines; they are optional for a person of my status," he said faux-pompously, imitating Percy Weasley. They both broke into laughter.

"Don't ever try that. Last year was pretty bad with the whole Sirius Black incident and Percy didn't make matters any better either. Nobody would want another Percy, now that he is gone."

"No we wouldn't."

"And thank you Harry. You didn't need to, but you made it one of the most memorable nights of my life. I had a lot of fun tonight. Good night Harry." with a peck each on both the cheeks she left after answering a riddle about nothing being something to someone, red tainting her cheeks as she rushed inside.

Harry shook his head and made way towards the Gryffindor dorms. He had taken to use the short cut from there to the Chamber the most, although he did use other entrances too.

XXX

He was just passing by a girls' bathroom, when he heard sobbing and sniffing from inside. With a sense of déjà vu he entered the restroom to find Hermione crying by the sink as washed her face. Her make was already ruined and she seemed to be washing it off.

"The Ball is over Hermione, you should go back to the dorms. You wouldn't want to be caught outside after curfew," Harry announced his presence.

She turned to see him standing casually by the door.

"And you shouldn't be in the girls' bathroom."

"Didn't stop me the first time. Although without the troll it does seems quite clean in here," his reply reference to the incident that had begun their friendship.

Something seemed to break inside her as she closed the distance between them and flung herself towards him, as she hugged him and sobbed with renewed vigour.

Harry cringed at the contact, Hermione always tended to hug too tightly, not unlike Mrs Weasley and Harry found it discomforting to allow someone in such close proximity.

"There, there," he patted her back as she bawled her eyes out. Her tears and snot running his clothes, not that it bothered him. What is it today? Harry deal-with-girls crash course, Harry asked himself. First, Fleur whom he hadn't minded at all, then a sad Padma, again he was fine with it, but a crying Hermione or any other girl for that matter was not something he wanted to deal with.

"I am sorry. I ruined your. …" she began apologising once she had calmed down.

"Sh… it's alright. Are you feeling better now?" Harry asked her as he offered her a handkerchief that he conjured for her.

"You can do conjure things already? But that is very advanced magic," she exclaimed after wiping her face and realising what Harry had done.

"Trust you to get distracted by advanced magic. It's an easy enough trick, it just needs a bit of concentration and power," Harry said with a smile.

"Now let me escort you back to the dorms," she huffed and followed him as he led them towards the Gryffindor tower.

"What were you doing out so late? Didn't you leave with that Delacour girl?" she enquired, the way she referred to Fleur indicated that she didn't like the French champion all that much.

"I was escorting Padma back, Ron's date for the night. I heard from her about what happened," Harry explained and let her comment about Fleur slide.

"Oh!"

"I am sorry. I know wasn't right but I am sorry," she said suddenly.

"What for?" he knew the answer, but wanted her to say it. He wasn't holding a grudge, but that didn't mean he would make it any easier for her.

"For not taking your side. I knew you hadn't entered your name. But with Ron leading the charge against you I didn't want to alienate him," she confessed looking down.

"I wanted him to ask me for the Ball, but he wouldn't get the nerve to do so. So when Viktor asked I said yes. And tonight his behaviour was appalling. If he really wanted to he could have just possessed the nerve to ask me out, instead he chased around others and then asked me as a last resort," she ranted.

"Talk to him if you want to, but I do not want to get involved with this," Harry said raising his hands up in a surrendering gesture.

"I am sorry. I just wish we could go back to things as they used to be. You know doing things together and having adventures, saving the school. I really miss you," her voice carried her hope and pain.

"I missed you too, but now I have new friends," Harry confessed, she looked up at his usage of past tense understanding the implication.

"Can't things go back to how they used to be?" her tone hopeful and pleading.

"They can't. Ron made his own decision and you made your own, it just wasn't the one where you choose to stand by me," Harry crushed her hope, her plea falling on deaf ears.

She looked down despondently, but it was not something that would concern Harry anymore. It is hard to cultivate a friendship, but for it to fall apart a single event can undo everything.

"Good night, Hermione. Take care," they had reached the portrait of the Fat Lady.

Harry returned to the Chamber and soon fell asleep, the night had taken a toll on him and he was exhausted physically and mentally.

A/N: for those who asked to show what Harry had learned during his duelling lessons, I will be using an exhibition duel to show his progress.

Ron and Hermione are not getting their friendship back anytime soon, if at all. The way the story is right now I don't see it happening. May be in fifth year or in sixth as things start to heat up, they will be friends again although Neville's role will be far greater than theirs.

Will Harry and Fleur's relationship develop in something more or not is something to be seen. Right now they had only a tentative friendship, but no depth; however they do find each other attractive. Will they be able to overcome the age gap, geographical boundaries and divergent and clashing personalities to make something permanent of it, is to be seen. Although I won't be concentrating on the romance and there will be very little fluff if any.

Special Thanks to AJx7 for proofreading and editing the chapter.