A/N - I do not own Harry Potter. Although I do have a rather strange immunity to that onion acid which hurts your eyes. Don't bother asking, long story but basically I'm willing to bet I'd take pepper spray like a champ.

Bear that fact in mind when I come for the rights Joanne, I'm basically a super human and that right there is my claim to fame. Big things are being planned so be ready Mrs. Rowling.

Chapter 10 - Murphy's Law

It was the early hours of morning and Harry lay spread eagled on a bed in the infirmary, a stern faced Madam Pomfrey traced a glowing red wand over his forehead frequently voicing her disapproval in the form of tutting. "Care to explain why a fourteen-year-old is in need of a hangover cure, Mr. Potter?"

Harry's response was an undignified groan, his head weakly rising to look at her before dropping back against the mattress with a thud, "Darling Poppy... there are just some things you are better off not knowing about me."

The nurse quirked her eyebrows looking faintly entertained, "When I arrived here this morning you were blacked out on the floor with two empty bottles of Firewhisky lying beside you, how did you even get them?"

Holding his head Harry shrugged, "That would be one of those things, mam. All I'm saying is that for a house elf, Dobby can really hold his liquor. I'm pretty sure he apparated away to get more at some point during the night, I actually think he's sort of addicted to the stuff now."

Arranging another tray of potions Poppy was shaking her head, "You two wouldn't have anything to do with the elf anti-slavery propaganda painted all over the second floor?"

At that Harry shot up abruptly, "Hey, I wouldn't vandalise anything in Hogwarts!" He wouldn't put it past a drunk Dobby though.

Madam Pomfrey looked a little uneasy, "Whatever you say. Try this then? You happen to know anything about the reports on my desk that an unknown student swam into the black lake last night trying to hug the giant squid?"

Harry gingerly rose to his feet and scoffed, trying to ignore the fact that his clothes were slightly damp, "I can't remember doing it which means it didn't happen," He gave a wide smile and pondered, "Was there, by any chance, reports of someone trying to scale the astronomy tower?"

"No." Poppy said looking very suspicious, "But there is a large flag attached to it which read the words 'Snivellus's secret sex den. First years beware.' Are you absolutely positive this wasn't you?"

"Revenge is sweet."

"What?"

"Nothing."

Grinning to himself Harry figured he must of had a real hair up his ass last night, and where did he even get that flag? Better yet, how did he manage to climb the tallest tower in Hogwarts, especially with last nights whether?

Chalking it up to the forbidden magic that was alcohol Harry snapped out of thought when a sigh came from the older witch motioning for him to sign out from the ward, "It's a Sunday and I don't want to be looking after a student who doesn't need it, drink this potion and you'll be as right as rain in a few minutes, then get yourself down to the Great Hall for a good breakfast."

Harry liked the sound of that so he did what he was told and went to leave the infirmary without a word.

"Oh, and Mr. Potter." Harry turned to see a sickly sweet smile on Poppy's face. "If you ever try to escape from my care like you did at the end of last year, I will be binding every limb you have to the bed from now on. Do you understand?"

Harry had to stop himself from shivering, and what little colour he had left, vanished as he slowly nodded.

There was something about that women that just freaked him right out.

The form of breath-taking beauty gazed blankly back at itself in front of a large oval mirror. Long silvery-blonde hair was the most noticeable of her angelic traits, it practically shimmered, radiating a sense of grace that seemed nearly inhuman. Deep azure eyes, high, refined cheekbones and lush full lips only enhanced this mysterious aura, one she pulled off without effort or even want of its effects.

Her name was Fleur Delacour, and in every sense of the word, she was perfect.

Fleur was, and had been, Beauxbatons pride and joy ever since her fourth year. After all she was no ordinary witch.

Veela heritage aside, she was revered as the best her school had produced since Olympe Maxime, even some of her more admiring fans back in France drew comparisons between herself and the late, great Nicolas Flamel. Although she had quickly stomped those juxtapositions out with a bright smile and a polite request for it to cease.

As mother had said, that degree of recognition and praise just wouldn't do, it would only go to one's head.

Despite the jealous whisperings of those around her, Fleur was not the pompous princess they made her out to be. She was strong, she was intellectual and her magic was far greater than any of theirs, but she supposed mocking and berating her helped them feel as if they were in touching distance. The truth was that they weren't.

Fleur was leaps and bounds ahead of them, too far ahead to be caught and she wasn't slowing down either. Regarded as a prodigy since childhood, so far she had lived up to expectations.

Passing herself with a smile to all those around her, truth be told she only had one real friend outside her family. Without her she could only dread at what might have become.

Thinking about the darker times too much left behind a cold sweat, it still managed to unnerve her all these years later.

Fleur was younger and softer then, yet to develop the thick skin that she so prided herself on in more recent times. Despite the strong façade she had been hurting, more than once being reduced to tears by those she considered friends, but that's what it was to be a veela.

You were looked upon like a trophy by the vast majority, and to the rest you were but a pest that only dimmed the light of those around you. It had resulted in a silent and jealous hate, one she had now grown used too.

In the past she had viewed her veela heritage as a curse, and although she matured on the matter, in some, more private ways, she still considered it as such but it wasn't something she would dwell on.

A girl by the name of Elise had managed to sedate foolish thoughts and prevent stupid mistakes, entering her life when Fleur was convinced it was but a dark tunnel with no light at the end.

Fleur still kicked herself for those selfish and dark temptations, but nevertheless they had been real and had become part of what she was.

Like everyone, Fleur had her problems but she had come to terms with them and nowadays considered herself lucky when it came to the hand she was dealt.

Her family was working class, two proud and protective parents pushed their genius daughter hard but only out of good interest, they were heavy-handed, strict and quite overbearing but they were her parents and she loved them just like they loved her.

Then there was Gabrielle, her younger sister, just thinking about the little minx brought a warm smile to her face.

Gabby was still only eight, she was jolly, she was playful and curious about anything and everything just like a little girl should be and without a care in the world just like Fleur had once been too.

Fleur often thought back to those sunny, simple days having long since decided that it was the happiest she had - she would - ever be. A clear cut, negative and depressing thought, but she was a realist and this is what she believed.

Things were easier then, she was the cute and bubbly girl loved by her peers and surrounded in friends, that all changed when she came of age, her veela genes slowly but surely etching themselves deeper into her being and fighting to become more apparent and when they manifested she had never been the same since.

Gabby would go through the change too, but when she did Fleur would ensure her baby sister would not be alone. Gabriele would not be the scared and lonely girl she was, wanting and waiting for a way out.

Regardless, for now they had to be apart.

As close as their friendship was, Fleur had self admittedly chosen the selfish option. In all honesty she would rather be back in France, not this cold and wet country, but when an opportunity like the Triwizard Tournament presented itself backing down was the last thing in her nature.

The others would use this as a chance to topple her from the pedestal so to speak, she would take some satisfaction from reminding them just where they stood but this wasn't the attraction for her.

Naturally, the money was appealing, the glory desirable and she wasn't above disclosing her love for publicity; all of it was naught compared to what Fleur really wanted; this was self-actualization.

Even Elise hadn't understood. Some victims of torment had an insecure personality and despite her mask of primal confidence it was just that, a mask.

The blonde had long gotten over her lack of conviction, she was assertive and strong now with a belief like no other... in reality she had been badly wounded all those years ago and wounds could only heal, they nearly always left behind scars.

So yes, she was indeed the striking blonde with confidence and self-belief straight from your everyday fairy tale, the only difference was that this blonde was very much human and therefore vulnerable, despite what the mass assumed.

It took a loud knock on the door to snap her from her musings, groggily with little enthusiasm Fleur opened it finding herself looking at a familiar face, "Aren't you up early this morning-" She leaned closer getting a good look into Elise's bright brown eyes, "And I see you're in a good mood today too, what's the occasion?"

"Well good morning to you too." The cheerful girl pushed past Fleur without waiting for an invite, twirling around the room happily before falling onto a messy bed, "Why would I not be happy? There's no more travel sickness from the carriage, and besides, we're at Hogwarts now. I'm ready to get plump on fatty British foods, drink tea at any time of the day and find me a tall, handsome local to toy with."

Maybe she was the only one, but in her opinion Hogwarts was just a grey and dreary castle so Fleur just sighed when she took another look into her friends' eyes, this time seeing overflowing enthusiasm which she definitely didn't share, "You really are in a good mood, suspiciously good if you ask me."

Elise grunted and stuck out her tongue, "Didn't ask you ,and by the looks of things you're the only one not amazed by this place, can't you feel the magic and mystery pulsing off it, Beauxbatons doesn't even compare. Although I really wish you would stop using your 'veela voodoo magic' on me."

Fleur shut her door and rolled her eyes, a fond small smile on her face nevertheless, "For the last time Elise, it's not voodoo magic and I wouldn't let Madam Maxie hear you say those sorts of things either. As far as she's concerned you're nothing but the cultured and courtly, sweet little daughter of Lord and Lady Beaumont. Imagine if she told your parents?"

Fleur smirked at Elise's extreme reaction and she didn't need her 'veela voodoo magic' when the girls face displayed the look of horror perfectly.

As for the voodoo magic, Fleur preferred the term ability. It was one of many that came with being part veela, she could look into someone's eyes and read their emotions to an extent that it often got compared to legilimency, but this was far from the case.

Legilimency was an extremely skilled branch of magic that dealt with the mind, her ability dealt with the soul which is why it was called soul sight.

Like legilimency she could peer into someone's eyes and extract information, in her case the information obtained was entirely emotional but that didn't mean it was useless.

With enough time and study, a veela could become the key to every person, she could know their reactions better than they did themselves and she could unlock them at any time with just a simple glance whether they liked it or not.

Every paranoid fault was within her reach, every simple white lie to the darkest of secrets was detectable, and Fleur was no slouch at the art either.

Where legilimency invaded the mind, soul sight invaded the eyes and as the saying went, those two bright orbs were windows to the soul itself. If using the ability told her anything, it was that the soul told all and the soul didn't lie.

"Yes, yes, I get it." Elise finally said in her ever so proper tone. Sitting up and finally taking in Fleur's form she quirked an eyebrow, "Wait, why are you still in your pyjamas, we have a breakfast to get and a castle to explore? Your meant to be the productive one out of the two of us, the wake at the crack of dawn for a jog type while the rest of us stay in bed. You're starting to lose your touch, Fleur."

Elise teasing just got an unimpressed eyeballing, "I'm in my pyjamas because it's the morning, a girl needs her rest every now and then," Fleur stated turning to the mirror again, "And I think I'll pass, some lighter sandwiches left from our travels will do me just fine and we have plenty of time to explore, no need to rush it."

Fleur had no desire to explore the castle or get wet on the walk there, "Besides, it's still the weekend, the castle will be crammed with all of its students enjoying their time off, then everyone from Durmstrang and ourselves will want to do the same." She didn't fancy large staring crowds everywhere she went right now, much preferring a blissfully empty carriage that she could claim as her own for the day.

She could read a good book in peace, run a hot bath and maybe fit in some charms practise.

Apparently Elsie had other ideas, "Nope, not happening. I'm not waiting any longer to tour the world famous Hogwarts and I'm not going to look like a loner doing it either. And might I add-" A triumphant smirk slowly formed, "-You still owe me for those quidditch world cup tickets."

Fleur puffed her checks out indignantly, "You practically forced me to go, I don't even like quidditch, it's a brainless sport and if you don't remember that night ended in disaster. We were lucky to escape so unscathed."

"True, but still. I'll consider this a suitable payment." Elise giggled at Fleur's incredulous reaction before waving her into gear, "Now hurry, get dressed. Who knows what we're missing out on!"

Fleur relented all the while raising a tired palm over her face. At this point Elise was like a sister, and like a sister she could be tough work, "Fine, I'll go with you. But if anyone tries something we're leaving. I came here to win a trophy, not be ogled at like one."

The duo slipped out from the carriage and made the walk up to the castle in a relative silence, Elise was busy marvelling at the grand structure for the second time round while Fleur was more perplexed at how her clothes already felt muggy. If it was raining it wasn't visible which meant there was just that much water in the air.

Fleur could already feel it, this was going to be a long year and it would definitely drag, even more so if she didn't become the Beauxbatons champion. That was a silly thought, nobody in Beauxbatons came close to rivalling her and the other two schools would be hard pressed to produce champions who were actually a challenge.

This was her year and her tournament.

Two blue eyes latched themselves onto a bright red flag impossible to ignore, it protruded from the tallest tower of the castle obnoxiously, drawing her attention whether she liked it or not and upon inspection her faith was only endorsed, 'If that's all Hogwarts has to offer then I'll definitely win.'

Elise leaned forward ever so slightly, squinting eyes struggling to make out the writing from such a distance before finally descending into giggles, "Snivellus's secret sex den. First years beware," Her eyes were practically dancing as she held a hand to her mouth, "Oh my gosh, that's brilliant."

Fleur didn't share her friend's passion for crude practical jokes, that being said, the elegant façade cracked ever so slightly in the form of a small smirk. Then she huffed, "Whatever idiot did that, honestly, some people just have no sense." To do so in such a day too, it showed no regard for the Hogwarts staff trying to give off their best appearances in front of the other schools.

Quirked eyebrows, Elsie just gave her a once over while still fighting back the urge to laugh, "Geez, someone's grouchy today. What gives?"

'I lost sleep due to a strange boy ignoring me, finding more pleasure walking and whistling than giving me his attention.' Fleur grimaced. It sounded even worse than she thought it would.

The blonde readily admitted how stupid she was being, but to a veela this was a massive deal. No man could ignore the charms of a veela, and if you were the rare type that had some sort of resistance you didn't ignore Fleur. Not ever.

"Nothing." Was the more dignified response.

It was a one off, and like everything this would pass. Mother had warned her about such things, it was something that some of their kind went through, the desire to see a solely natural and pure emotion when looked upon. Fleur knew better of course, such a thing was impossible for them but as mother had said, the mind can play tricks; nasty, evil ones when it wants something it knows as impossible.

Lesser veela were driven mad, the rest coped by marrying a person of their choice, whoever they fancied if truth be told, all it took was a strong dose of their allure and they could have who they wanted.

When she was young, mother had said she had found her special someone in her father, but as she grew older and matured Fleur had soon realised that it had been a lie, veela didn't find their special someone, for them it didn't work like that.

She loved her father, but the way he looked at his wife with desire and not love after all these years hurt both of them far more than they let on.

With all their benefits, veela had one big flaw. Emotions regarding them were unnatural, there were exceptions like Elise who had enough will and resistance to know how to fight them but they were still affected.

For her mother it was a reminder at how artificial her marriage really was, for Fleur it was a reminder of what hers would eventually be. That's if she chose to go through with such a thing.

She had long decided she wouldn't, preferring nothing at all than something fake.

Gabrielle had yet to figure out the lies that mother fed, the same fairy tale story that Fleur had once gladly ate up too.

She didn't have the heart to stop them, she couldn't bear to rip a shred of innocence from one so young and pure, although the longer it went on the harder the hit would finally be.

Fleur's negative thoughts were again put on the back-burner as the duos quick strides found themselves in the great hall, shuffling in beside Elise and the other students at a table coated with blue and bronze the pair stuck to themselves, speaking in their local tongue.

It was still early on a Sunday morning and apparently the majority of the school used their weekend to sleep in, a few of the local students were scattered around the tables here and there but the majority of the halls populace were foreign. Just like she predicted, every student had the same plan as Elise, all reacting in a similar fashion to how Gabrielle would on Christmas day.

Fleur took a small chuckle at the Durmstrang students, stupefied faces not being able to hide their surprise at solid gold goblets and platters, if it wasn't that, both sets of students seemed entranced by the enchanted ceiling. Currently mirroring the stormy whether outside, she had to admit it looked quite impressive.

Out of everything, Fleur found her interest taken by the flaming artefact sitting proudly at the end of the hall, that was until her little headache sauntered into the hall, accidently signalling his arrival with a yawn.

Jet black hair sat in a wild, chaotic fashion but still somehow managed to look well kept, however the bespectacled boy managed that she didn't know. Her eyes followed the groggy looking teen until he plunked himself down and out of sight at the far side of the hall. That's when Elise choose to interrupt her with a 'hmm', "A little young, don't you think?"

"Oh shut it you," Was the elegant response, "You know my stance on that matter. I'm trying to find something that isn't ladled in grease, it's all these British eat and how their all not fat bests me."

"Sure thing," Elise teased, "I know you better than even you do, and I don't need your weird 'voodoo magic' to tell there's something going on here."

Narrowed blue eyes flickered with annoyance and Elise just held her hands up, "Okay, I get it. So you're not interested in him like that, of course you're not, you never are with anybody so nothing new there, I should know better right? But whatever you say, that kid seems to be annoying you by the looks of it. What did he do?"

When Fleur stayed silent Elise just puffed out her checks impatiently, "Great. You're in one of these moods."

The Beauxbatons students at their table had already laid claim to all of the typical foods they were used too, and never one to miss an opportunity Elise rose out of her seat, squinted eyes searching the room. "Well would you look at that, it must be fate," She said happily, looking down at Fleur with a smirk, "They have your favourite breakfast dish and guess who it's sitting next too, go over there and get it little miss sunshine, maybe some confrontation will brighten you up."

Fleur gave her a bitter look, "Just try and justify why I should do that? I told you, I'm not even that hungry anyway. I'll wait until we get back to the carriage."

Elise frowned at the stubbornness and impatiently pulled Fleur to her feet, "This is non-negotiable, now go and get the goods."

Finding herself standing and already turning a few heads Fleur narrowed her eyes mouthing out a few rather choice words in French. Elise just smiled. The girl always did things like this and now she had to deal with something she didn't want too.

Oh well, guess it was time to get it out of the way. At least this way she could get the disappointment over with and finally banish the pesky little gremlin from her thoughts.

A little more timid than usual, Fleur headed towards the table of red and gold and couldn't help but hear a dark skinned boy complaining to those around him. "You lot always come down here every morning bragging about these great dreams you have. It must be just a black guy thing and Lee agrees too, all I seem to have is creepy ass nightmares! There's clowns, dementors and anything and everything in between and I'm sick of it!"

Fleur listened with a blank face as the boy got a round of laughs, then her curiosity peaked when her little anomaly responded. "Don't be so surprised buddy. The last of you who declared his dream got shot so I wouldn't worry about it too much."

Upon hearing that Fleur's expression soured, 'See, he's no different,' She told herself, 'Just a typical teenage boy. Immature, rude and braindead.'

The blonde now walked with a spring in her step, normality had returned and so confidence renewed, her heels clicking and the chuckles of the table started to die as heads turned to face her.

As usual, she effortlessly attracted attention.

As usual, all but the anomaly turned their head. 'That little brat, he doesn't even notice me and I'm right beside him.'

She didn't know why it annoyed her, Fleur had encountered a few like this and as rare as they were, they quickly crumbled.

A small mischievous smirk in place, Fleur ever so subtly directed a small dosage of her allure before coughing loudly, "Excuse me, but would you please pass the pain au chocolat?" An angelic, polite voice asked, "It seems we have run out at our table."

To her shock the anomaly didn't turn around, something she wasn't used to at all.

Was he ignoring her?

At the thought her magic flared, it was only ever so slightly and in a way that no one would notice, she had never been so thankful for the control she had over her special magic. Veela magic was silky yet ferocious by nature but she had long since ruled it with an iron fist and was able to beat it into submission when necessary.

All things considered, she shouldn't have been surprised when the anomaly reacted, he seemed to have a knack for unknowingly annoying her; his head marginally tilting from his plate in slight confusion.

Of course he would pick up on her outburst!

"Damn no need to flare the goodies, I'll get you you're... whatever it is you call it now. Just let a guy finish what he's chewing," He quipped, turning slightly and levelling her with a glimpse of a single quizzical eye.

It made her tense and Fleur was drawn to it; she had been too far before to get a good look but his eyes were seriously green. Almost sickeningly so - they were practically glowing their unique shade, one which reminded her of ice, perfect, ancient ice and her first thought was that someone should name a colour after him.

Fleur had never seen such a shade of green, and it sent a chill up her spine when he fully turned to face her.

Shaped sharply but still holding and air of bluntness, radiating a sense of mischief on the surface it was what he expressed in an abundance but she could tell there was something more hidden deep within - no not hidden, frozen. It was dark and swirled like a storm, raging freely with fury, dilated like a wild animal bound to a cage and when his eyes lazily rose to meet hers it was like she had been hit with a cold paralysis.

The anomalies eyes rolled, snapping Fleur from the trance - those emerald darts giving her an amused yet slightly concerned look as he held her requested dish out in front of her expectantly. "You okay? I think you might have spaced out there for a second? Here, I snagged you you're dish before Ron could get to it, and just a little friendly advice; all those empty platters will refill themselves until you can eat no more, sometimes it just takes a while for the elves to prepare the food, especially when their accommodating such large numbers."

With that he gave a wicked grin and turned back to his breakfast, apparently deeming it to be the more important matter and so she found herself staring stupidly at his back for a second time, her requested food hanging dangerously limp in hand.

It was an unnoticeable lapse in appearance and was regained expertly as Fleur mannerly gave her thanks and walked away. Her face held its calm mask firmly and like always, all sets of eyes followed her during the walk back.

All sets of eyes but one.

Lips curving upwards in a small smile you just couldn't imagine she was silently fuming.

A/N - Different chapter like I said it would be, also why it's shorter and I can get it out quicker. I'll add these different POV chaps in every now and then because while Harry is the main character, seeing everything happen through his eyes isn't always possible and it just so happened that Fleur was the first.

Next chapter will be faster paced, going to finally explain Harry's training and then it's time to get this bad boy rolling. Hope your as excited as I am because I've got a pretty cool first task planned which I hope to be hitting sooner rather than later.

Anyways, that's enough cock teasing.

This chapter Fleur's been given her character base, quite a bit different than cannon, as is the strength of veela magic. This, mixed with Riley and Krum; Harry's not looking so hot anymore, is he?

As promised I pumped this chapter out within 24 hours because I didn't spend about 70% of the writing process trying to think of shitty puns and one liners. Even if it was only 5000 words I still expect extra brownie points for effort. Bear in mind I've spent my Sunday morning hiking up a mountain, then the majority of my evening chilling with friends doing stupid shit so I wrote this in record time - just give me those brownie points dammit!

Hope you enjoyed, you probably didn't. I can already feel the flamers waiting to strike because the normality of my story has been broken. Trust me, think positive, think forward. It benefits the story in the long term.

Now I'm gonna go watch shitty TV shows because there never seems to be anything on nowadays. At this point I'm having nightmares of Bradly Walsh screaming that my chase has ended which is never good.

Thanks for reading!