Heh. There's a funny little note in the margins of my notebook about one of my novels. That's why it's so hard for me to throw away notebooks…I never know when there's like some tiny little thing on one of the pages in the margins about something that I'll desperately need later. (I've accidentally thrown things away…for instance, I wrote a great little summary of one of my novels and now I can't find it…) Onto the story!
Note: Er…I think I gave the wrong impression during Percy's scene and some of you seemed to think that he had feelings for Hannah…Maybe I was being confusing but no, he doesn't have feelings for Hannah.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
Warnings: Some mild swearing…
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Substance of Things Hoped For
Chapter Nine
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The train ride wasn't too long and soon they were all stumbling out onto the platform. They had arrived in Paris.
In the hustle and bustle, the air was alive with excitement and people going about their business. You wouldn't be able to tell that across the Channel, a country was in a state of terror. They grabbed a cab and were squashed into it.
"Nobody's sitting on my lap." Draco spoke in the same way an old lady would have if someone suggested such a breach of decorum.
"No one wants to sit in your bony lap." Hermione wedged herself in between Draco and Zach, which seemed like a disaster waiting to happen. It might have been alright since Zach was somewhat pinned down by Susan sitting in his lap, but no one wanted to take any chances. Ernie winced as he shut the door behind him and it slammed into his side.
"Yeah, not even your girlfriend wants to sit in your lap." Zach quipped before Susan elbowed him.
"That's the vilest thing I've ever had the misfortune of hearing." Draco made a face.
"Yeah, what did I do to you, Zach?" Hermione grimaced.
"Where to?" The cab driver asked. Everyone turned and looked at Draco.
"What?" He looked a little perplexed.
"Where do we go? Where do the Delacours live?" Percy questioned him. Draco rolled his eyes, and drew himself up.
"Driver, to the Delacours!" Draco commanded, nearly hitting Hermione as he waved his hand in what he clearly thought was a regal gesture.
"Eh?" The cab driver looked confused as he glanced at Draco in his rear view mirror.
"He's less cultured than all of you put together—it's impossible for someone like me to communicate with him." Draco looked peeved as he muttered to the others in the backseat.
"Can I 'ave ze address?" The cab driver tried again.
"What's the address?" Hermione dug her elbow into Draco's ribs.
"I won't talk under torture." Draco said to her and Hermione blinked—Draco had just made a joke at no one's expense. "I don't know the address—what am I, a driver?"
"You said you did!" Hermione hissed.
"If you kill him, can I help?" Zach asked hopefully.
"Well, I don't know exactly where they live." Draco didn't seem to see the problem. "They live in Paris though."
"Great! That's bloody fantastic." Zach swore.
"Please just drive." Percy requested of the driver. "We have plenty of money." He showed him and the driver nodded before he pulled away from the curb and into traffic.
"Besides," Draco drew himself up with all the dignity he could muster next to a highly annoyed Hermione. "We can't go to the Delacours like this. We haven't showered since we got on that awful boat."
"We should go straight to the Delacours." Percy was looking out the window, his lips pursed. "We shouldn't waste time."
"I don't believe bathing is a waste of time." Draco shot back and then proceeded to glower at his window.
They drove for several minutes in silence the driver went past tourist-filled areas like the Champs de Elysees.
"Maybe we should go around the edges." Ernie suggested. "I'll bet they don't live right in Paris. Probably on the outskirts."
"That's a good idea." Percy agreed and with Hermione's help (because the driver's English was okay, but not perfect), explained to the driver what they wanted to do.
"My legs are going numb." Zach complained after a bit.
"Susan, why don't you sit in my lap for a bit?" Ernie was doing his best to keep the atmosphere cheerful.
"She's fine." Zach's short reply put an end to conversation for several minutes.
Hermione had been to Paris before and had forgotten how much she had loved it there. She watched Paris go by and wondered how they'd ever find the Delacour house.
It's probably magically protected…
"Wait!" Percy and Ernie exclaimed in unison. The driver pulled up to the sidewalk.
But it wasn't a sidewalk. It was a pair of gates. The sign post, which looked like it was all made of silver said 'Delacour House'. The driver didn't appear to notice—nor did people passing by.
Percy paid the driver and they all tumbled out of the car, Zach stumbling because his legs had gone to sleep. Draco brushed himself off and tried to put himself in order. Hermione didn't bother—her hair was such a mess by now that it couldn't possibly make a difference.
Ernie went forward and opened the gate, and they began walking down a lane that was surrounded by beautifully manicured lawns, fountains, and hedges.
Draco walked at the head of them, clearly feeling very at home in these rich surroundings. Susan was looking all around as if she didn't know where to start. Percy seemed apprehensive, almost doubtful.
They rounded a corner and a sprawling mansion was ahead of them. There were people in the yard, girls and boys, fairly young, who pointed to their ragtag group and began whispering in French.
Up the steps and inches from large, double doors which were all white and silver. Hermione didn't have it in her to knock. Someone did. It was probably Ernie.
"How do we know we go the clue right?" Susan whispered, looking pale.
"It would be really awkward if we didn't…" Ernie tried to joke. But no one came to the door.
"You 'ave to ring ze bell." A voice told them and they all turned around to see a young woman standing there. Next to her, Hermione felt even worse.
Her long, shiny silver-blonde hair hung down to her waist. Not a hair out of place, her outfit perfect down to the last little detail. There was little doubt that she had grown up in a fashion capitol.
She strode up the first few steps and yanked on a hanging rope that they had only just noticed.
The door opened almost immediately and the young woman stepped inside, around a butler who was looking down his nose at them.
"And you are?" The butler raised an eyebrow.
"Who am I?" Draco looked personally insulted by such a greeting. Hermione wasn't sure who she wanted to win this battle of snobbery. "I think it's perfectly obvious who I am! Now let us in so we can speak to people of importance or I will use some of my valuable time to learn your name and see that you are dismissed!"
The butler didn't say anything and Percy thought he'd call security and have them all thrown out or something, but all he did was step back and let them in.
"I can't believe that worked." Zach looked sullen—he'd obviously been hoping that Draco would fail.
"That's because you're poor." Draco smoothed his hair while smirked. "The rich are never denied."
"Where do we go?" Percy asked. The huge foyer had two grand staircases and about a million hallways and doors leading off of it.
"Percy?" A shocked voice asked and the group turned as a whole towards a tall, gangly, red-haired boy who was openly gaping.
"Ron?" Percy stared at the young man. It was Ron. A slightly older Ron, but Ron nevertheless. Hermione found herself carefully stepping behind Zach and Susan.
"I remember you!" Ernie wasted no time offering his hand—somewhat breaking up the nice family moment. "Ron Weasley—!"
"Ernie!" Ron grinned. "Oh, and Susan Bones, and…" He grimaced slightly. "Smith, and…" He trailed off as he spotted Draco. Hermione had the sudden urge to tie her shoe so at the moment no one could see her. "Draco Malfoy." Ron finished and then looked at them for explanation.
"It's a long story." Percy couldn't think of what else to say and decided it could wait until later. "Oh, you forgot someone—Hermione Granger." Hermione, feeling embarrassed, stood up, and made her way towards him, putting a hand out.
"You were in Gryffindor." Ron's friendly look made Hermione smile nervously. "I remember you…well, I remember really wanting to borrow your notes for O.W.L.'s."
"What are you doing here?" Percy questioned and Hermione backed away.
Don't be so stupid! Try to act sensible, Hermione!
"I could ask the same thing." Ron commented, glancing from face to face. "Got stationed here when they were separating us. I would have sent word but we're not really supposed to send any post—otherwise I'd be swapping letters with Charlie."
"Charlie's alive?" Percy repeated as a question even though it was more of a reaffirmation.
"He's in Romania." Ron nodded. "With some Order members. But anyways…well, no one knew if you were…" He trailed off hesitantly. "How did you know I was here, anyways?"
"We didn't." Ernie looked puzzled.
"Oh." Ron looked a little taken aback. "Fleur said there was someone here for me…"
"Sorry, Ron." The young woman suddenly stepped out into the room—she had been hiding behind an ornate pillar. "I could not resist."
"Heh." Ron blushed a little when he saw her. "It's alright…"
"I saw you," The young woman gestured to Percy. "And I said to myself, 'Zat is a Weasley."
"And you are?" Percy inquired politely.
"I am Fleur Delacour." Fleur said the name with pride. "Come let us not sit 'ere like strangers." Her voice slurred the last word. "Perhaps you would like to freshen up?" Her nose wrinkled slightly and Hermione didn't blame her. They hadn't bathed in a few days and she could only imagine how they would look to someone so well-groomed.
"We would like that. We traveled here as soon as we got off the ship." Susan tried to smooth her hair which just continued to look frazzled even though it was in a braid.
"In zat case!" Fleur brightened. "Perhaps you would all like a proper bath? And we will 'ave your clothes cleaned as well."
"We don't have any other clothes." Ernie pointed out after a moment.
"Zat's fine." Fleur began to walk away and then gestured for them to follow. "Ze maids will get you clothes. Just tell zem your size." Then she turned her head towards Ron. "How is my English?"
"It's really good." Ron nodded earnestly. Then he turned towards the others. "Fleur's been working on her English really hard."
"Jolly good." Ernie commented and Fleur gave him a smile that made him go red in the face.
"A proper bath at last." Draco look relieved, which made Hermione laugh quietly at him.
"Yes, and after your baths, we will all sit and talk in my sitting room." Fleur beamed at them. "Our other guest will be joining us as well."
"Other guest?" Ernie whispered questioningly at Zach, who just shrugged in reply.
"Mademoiselle!" A maid seemed to pop out of nowhere. Fleur gave her what sounded vaguely like instructions in French. The maid took out a wand and whispered something into it.
A moment later, a troupe of maids came around the corner. The original maid gave them rapid instructions.
"Please follow." A maid took Hermione's hand and began leading her away. Susan was right behind her, another maid leading her.
Hermione had no experience with being waited on but briefly thought that Draco was probably having the time of his life. Susan and she shared a confused look but before long they were lead into a bathroom with large, free-standing bath tubs.
Everything looked so expensive and clean that Hermione almost didn't want to mess it up by taking a bath. The maids waited patiently for them to undress while they drew their baths for Hermione and Susan.
"Is ze water good?" One maid asked them as they slid down into their tubs.
"It's perfect." Susan murmured happily and Hermione could only nod in agreement.
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After they bathed and the maids insisted on doing something with their hair, (Hermione felt bad for the poor maid who got extremely frustrated trying to get Hermione's hair to not just frizz out of place.) then the two were dressed and lead to Fleur's sitting room.
Amazingly, they were there before the boys. Fleur had tea set out, and a few trays of cakes and small sandwiches.
"Please, sit." Fleur gestured to the couches, which looked more like valuable family heirlooms then something you'd find a young lady sitting casually on. It was strange how Fleur could manage to look casual and so elegant all at once. Ron was also sitting on one of the small couches that surrounded the table. He had half a cake stuffed in his mouth when they came in, and tried to smile at them around it. Hermione tried hard not to laugh. "Are ze clothes alright?"
"Yes." Hermione answered, smoothing the knee length skirt she was wearing. "But they seem so nice…" She and Susan sat on the couch across from Ron.
"My family 'as gathered together so many clothes…no one will notice." Fleur waved a dismissive hand.
"Food!" Ernie exclaimed as they boys entered the room. Percy sat down next to Ron. Draco glared at Susan for a minute because each small couch could only fit two people and so he couldn't' sit next to Hermione. He hung back and finally sat on the couch next to Percy and Ron's couch by himself while Ernie and Zach took the couch across from him.
"Let's get down to business." Ron cleared his throat. "If you guys didn't now I was here, what are you guys doing here?"
"It's difficult to explain—" Susan began but Ernie interrupted her.
"We've been sent by Dumbledore himself to find the secret weapon that will defeat Voldemort." Ernie explained importantly, puffing out his chest. "We solved the first clue and it indicated that we were supposed to come here."
"What?" Ron looked confused but Fleur cleared her throat.
"A clue?" She tilted her head to one side. "It is good you met me first, zen."
"It is?" Percy raised an eyebrow.
"Only two people know about zat." Fleur held up two fingers. "Ze 'ead of ze family and se heir."
"Heir?" Hermione blinked.
"Ze heir to the Delacour fortune." Fleur answered, as though it were the most ordinary thing in the world.
"This is all…yours?" Percy put two and two together.
"Not today, but when my mother retires." Fleur took a sip of tea calmly. "We 'ave a very…large family?" She turned towards Ron in polite confusion.
"She means extended family." Ron was pulling another cake towards himself. "The Delacour clan is huge. She has a ton of cousins and stuff—every time someone gets married they change their name to Delacour so they can inherit money. They all get a piece of the fortune but Fleur gets the house and the core of the money—something like that." Ron shrugged. "It's kind of weird at first but you get used to it. What's this about Dumbledore and a secret weapon?"
"There's a secret weapon that can destroy Voldemort, but it's well hidden." Percy turned towards his brother. "WE don't' what it is but…"
"We think it's Harry Potter." Ernie once more interrupted their conversation.
"Harry Potter?" Ron's eyes widened momentarily and then he frowned a little. "I don't think that's right…"
"I 'ave ze second clue for you." Fleur put in firmly. "But I must write it down."
"Malfoy's been awfully quiet." Susan nudged Hermione while whispering. Hermione turned her head and saw that he was rather stiffly drinking a cup of tea and seemed to be ignoring them all. She refrained from rolling her eyes.
Fleur tapped her wand twice on a table behind her chair and it turned into a large blackboard.
And in slow, painstakingly careful letters she wrote something on the blackboard.
Nor tho, sake is mine I rumor.
"That officially makes less sense than the first clue." Zach announced.
"Zere are two parts to zis clue." Fleur informed them. "First, you must solve zis part and zen I will give you ze second part."
"I'm sorry." A boy's voice apologized as the door creaked open. "I just got the message about a meeting in here…"
Every one of their heads turned towards the young man who had just entered. Ernie and Hermione gasped simultaneously. They both realized who he was right away.
It wasn't his eyes that gave him away, or his hair. It wasn't the way he had a pleasant expression and a cheerful demeanor. None of these things were well-documented in current history books.
It was the scar in the shape of lightning on his forehead.
"Oh, hi, Harry." Ron greeted him.
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Dun, dun, DUN! Right? Right? Come on! It's fun! Please review. (And hey, you could always take a crack at the clue…or my lack thereof of making up a terribly clever one.)