A/N: I wished I owned Harry Potter. Alas, I do not. Ms. Rowling, I'd be happy to take it off your hands
A/N: I'm not going to do a French accent with French speakers or Bulgarian for Krum and Karkaroff as you may have already noticed. I feel like given the grammatical errors that I'm sure already riddle the text despite my best efforts, I don't need to add that wonderful complication.
Also I'll admit I don't love how Harry and Daphne broke up. I think she is stronger than that, and it is fairly OOC for my version of Daphne, since in my opinion she is a fairly blank slate if you include her. However, it was kind of necessary for it to be quick and clean for where my story is going. If you don't like it, tough luck. This is one thing I have NO intention of changing. I look forward to the flames.
Chapter 24: Little Boy
November 24th, 1994
Fleur watched in amazement as the boy-who-lived, who she had called a little boy just a few weeks ago dodged attack after attack from the most dangerous dragon as if it was the easiest thing in the world. Although it seemed like the entire student body was against him at the beginning, now they were fully behind him, a huge cheer coming from most of the students every time the boy dodged an attack.
She could not think of him as a boy anymore as she saw a tiny smile cross his face. While she had managed to get past her dragon, she could not do what Harry Potter was doing now. That was impossible, even for every person she knew. What she was seeing in front of her was an impossibility.
Of course, the scene unfolding her was surprising. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Krum clearly in a similar state of shock. But second to the surprise of Harry Potter taking on a Hungarian Horntail without his wand was the reaction of his fellow schoolmate. Cedric was simply nodding, as if he had expected this.
When the two other champions had proposed an alliance in the box, Fleur had shot them down instantly. She did not need help from those who barely did better than her. But seeing the viciousness of the Hungarian Horntail and realizing that she might have not escaped as easily from a creature this dangerous, Fleur realized that if Harry Potter was part of that alliance, she might regret turning it down.
Then he entered the nest and Fleur saw something she recognized. The Horntail lunged with both claws, and Harry stepped forward, rotating off one foot onto the other with lightning speed to slip in between the two attacks. The movement triggered a memory in Fleur from much earlier in her life, and she struggled to remember exactly where she had seen that memory. Then it came back to her with starling clarity.
June 1990
"Fleur, can you come with me?" Laurent asked, popping into her room.
"Of course Papa," Fleur told her father.
"How is your day going?" Her father asked as they walked down the stairs.
"Very well. I am working on Charms for next year." Her father ruffled her hair, which Fleur immediately straightened. "Stop it Papa!" Laurent laughed but didn't do it again. "Why are you home so early Papa?" Fleur knew her father worked long hours as the head of the French Aurors. She knew some of his friends wanted him to run for higher office, but he had told the family that while he might campaign for a promotion this year, it would be one that allowed him to spend more time at home, which made Fleur and her sister Gabrielle thrilled.
"Well, I had some visitors today, and I decided to take the meeting at home. I thought that it might be good for you to meet them as well. They are very peculiar, even if they are magical. But they are very important and the older man has been a good friend for years and can be a little temperamental so be on your best behavior." Fleur nodded and they emerged onto the lawn of Chateau Delacour. Fleur saw two men, one clearly still a student and girl who looked a little older than the boy.
"Hayashi-San, good to see you!" Her father said, extending his hand to the older man.
"You as well, Monseigneur Delacour. Though I hope since we are not in the office we can dispense with the titles."
"I wouldn't have it any other way, Takashi." The older man smiled, and then beckoned to the younger people.
"Laurent, I would like to introduce my son Akira, and the most recent graduate from my school and a potential fiancé for my son, Yui Ito." Both the boy and girl bowed, and Fleur noticed the tiniest flicker of frustration on the boy's face. When he straightened it was gone, and Fleur was unsure if she had imagined it.
"It is my pleasure to meet you, Monseigneur Delacour," the boy said, and the girl followed with the same greeting.
"I know that you two will not settle for Laurent, but I hope we can at least use Mr." The boy and girl looked at the older man, who gave the slightest nod.
"I would be privileged." Her father nodded to the two younger.
"This is my daughter, Fleur. Say hi to Hayashi-san."
"It is nice to meet you Hayashi-san." Her father mimed a bow and Fleur gave a formal courtesy.
"Nice to meet you as well, Fleur
"So why do I have the privilege of your visit Takashi?" Laurent said. "Surely it is too soon for you to try and convince me to enroll some of my aurors in your school. I wouldn't expect that for a few months."
"Actually, I am here for other business," Hayashi-san said, "and I would like Akira and Yui to learn more about the political side of my life, hopefully to discourage them from joining the field."
"What would you like to do if your father won't let you into politics Akira?" Laurent asked.
"At the moment I would like to follow my father into the Asian Ministry, Mr. Delacour" Akira said. "But I will follow his wishes in the matter."
"Kids," Hayashi-san said with a laugh. "They never listen unless they want to. What about you, Fleur? Do you have any idea what you would like to do yet?"
"Well, I am pretty good at charms," Fleur said. "Maybe I will go for a mastery in that."
"Good for you," Hayashi-san said. "No such thing as too much education."
"So this is just a social visit?" Laurent asked.
"Yes, though since I was in France I could not miss an opportunity to say hi to Apolline. Ah speak of an angel." Fleur saw her mother emerge from the house.
"You silver tongued charmer," her mother said, and Fleur was surprised to see her mother kiss the man on the cheek. "It is good to see you Takashi." What surprised Fleur more was that neither Takashi or his son showed the slightest reaction to her mother's allure, and even she could feel her mother was using her a bit of active allure. "Still no reaction to my allure."
"I wouldn't dare with your husband here." All three adults laughed and Fleur realized in surprise that although Hayashi-san was clearly an important official from the Asian Ministry, this was what her mother and father acted like when they were around friends, something Fleur rarely saw when government officials came over to their house.
"This is your son, Akira?" Hayashi-san nodded. "I am sure that my husband has already told you to call him Mr., and while I would love to be Apolline, I'm sure the best your father would settle for is Ms. Delacour. Mademoiselle just makes me feel old." Again the son glanced at his father who nodded.
"It is my pleasure to meet you, Ms. Delacour," Akira said. The girl echoed the sentiments.
"Nice to meet you as well," her mother said. "Is the girl your student as well?" Takashi made the necessary introductions, and then Fleur greeted the two younger members.
"I have an idea," Hayashi-san said. "Why don't Akira and Yui do a little sparing for you? Let your daughter realize that there is more to wand work in this dangerous world. Maybe teach her a move or two."
"And this wouldn't be yet another attempt to steal some of our trainees?" Her father said. Hayashi-san simply shrugged. "Very well." Her father waved his wand and the grass from the lawn rose up and formed 4 chairs. Her father indicated she sit. "Fleur, watch carefully. Takashi's son and this young lady are going to show you something special. As Takashi said, there is more to fighting that just magic. If I was a little younger, perhaps I might try to learn some."
"Begin," Hayashi-san said. For the next few minutes, Fleur was treated to an amazing show of dexterity, agility, and speed as the two younger people threw a flurry of kicks, punches, and other moves at the other. Finally the boy landed a solid shot on the girl who flew back a few feet but flipped in the air gracefully to land on her feet and Fleur realized there was considerable strength behind the blows as well.
"Impressive," Her father said. Fleur could tell that even though her father's voice betrayed no emotion, he was a little surprised by the show.
"Yes, I find it's best to start the training young," Hayashi-San said. "I started my training at 7. Akira started at around the same age, and Yui started 2 years later. That is why even though she is older and her form is cleaner, Akira is stronger and wins most of their spars."
"He only knocked her back," Apolline commented. "That doesn't constitute a victory."
"They are only sparing," Hayashi-San explained. "So the blows were only that. If it was a real fight, Akira is advanced enough to strike with a little more lethal force. Would you be averse to a demonstration of that?" Fleur's father waved his hand. Hayashi-San took out his wand and with a wave a huge block of wood appeared in front of his son. It must have been the size of a horse. "Fleur, watch the feet. The power of the strike is generated from there, even if the technique is mainly defensive."
Fleur stared down at Akira's feet and managed to make out some quick movement and heard a massive cracking sound. The wood was splintered in front of Akira and his fist simply drove through the wood, leaving in totally shattered. He turned and gave a half bow.
"Changed your mind yet?" Hayashi-San said with a small laugh. Laurent shook his head. "Can't fault for me trying."
"You wouldn't be you if you didn't" Her father said. "But I feel this is not just a social visit."
"Have you heard the rumors?" Hayashi-San said. "Some dark creatures are moving in this part of the world. Obviously last time these creatures were moving, my ministry was hesitant to get involved, but given the time I spend in England, I have a vested interest. I still can't believe what happened 10 years ago."
Fleur's ears perked up. 10 years ago? She had been a little kid, but she remembered that her father had been out of the house for months on end, and once he came back so badly wounded her mother did not let him leave his bed. She remembered reading something about a dark wizard named Voldemort. She knew that her father would not like her speaking out of turn, but the worlds flew out her mouth before she could stop herself.
"Do you mean Voldemort?" Fleur asked. Her father and mother visibly recoiled, and Fleur could have been fooled, but there seemed to be a tiny smile on the face of Hayashi-San.
"Fleur, where did you hear that name?" Her father asked, his eyes blazing with fire. Fleur drew back in her chair at the intensity in her father's voice.
"Laurent, you are scaring her!" Her mother yelled, running to Fleur's side and taking her hand. "It's ok, my flower. But you should not say that name."
"No need to be afraid of a name, Fleur," Hayashi-San said.
"I would ask you not tell me how to raise a child!" Her father roared, coming out of chair. "You did not face him or his eaters, or the army of monsters he brought with him. You hid beyond your name and your ministry and left all of Europe to burn!"
"I will let that go," Hayashi-San said, but Fleur saw the Asian man had his wand in his hand, "because of our friendship. But only once. Do not DARE to question me or my government again." Her father had paled and nodded. Tension literally crackled in the air, but then Hayashi stood, stowing his wand in the holster by his hip.
"I'm sorry."
"There is nothing to forgive, assuming nothing like that comes out of your husband's mouth again," Hayashi-San said. "I hear the boy's first year at school will be this year. It would be a lie to say that I am fond of Dumbledore, so if you hear anything about the boy and could send it my way, I would appreciate it. Even I would not want to fight the so called dark lord, if his powers are as rumored." He gave a small bow. "Good day, Laurent." He strode away, his two pupils following him.
"That could have gone better," Apolline said, and Laurent grunted. Meanwhile Fleur was still trying to wrap her head around the martial arts display. Perhaps it would behoove her to learn some of the movements she had just seen
November 24th 1994
Fleur looked around the champions box and saw an Asian man not much older than her sitting next to Cedric.
"Akira?" She said in shock. The Asian man turned and glanced at her in questioning. "Akira Hayashi?"
"Yes, I am Professor Hayashi." Akira turned to her, clearly confused. "I'm sorry, Ms. Delacour, have we met?" The crowd roared and everyone turned to see Harry scoop up his egg. Akira gave a start, and Fleur strained to see what gave the professor that reaction. "Dumbledore! Minerva! The chain!" Akira yelled and Fleur looked down and saw the dragon's chain go taught and then snap. The dragon soared into the sky chasing Harry's distractions. It snapped one of the lights up, and then someone screamed.
The crowd devolved into a mess as the dragon looked around for a target. Fleur saw Harry stop at the gate of safety and turn, drawing his wand. Fleur saw Cedric and Krum draw their wands and Fleur copied their actions. Krum started to rush towards the platform for the champions, and Cedric was a second behind. Akira seemed to appear between Cedric and Krum.
"Get the students out of here. I'll handle this."
"But-"
"Go!" Akira seemed to vanish again, and then Fleur saw Dumbledore step forward. Dumbledore yelled out some words Fleur did not recognize and brandished his wand. Instantly a giant dome formed around the arena, pure white and obscuring the area within. Cedric looked for Krum, but the Bulgarian was gone. He clenched his wand and turned to Dumbledore.
"Headmaster! How can I help?"
"Mr. Diggory, you can help get your classmates back to the castle in an orderly and fast fashion," Dumbledore said all his attention on the dome. "Do not worry about the dragon." Cedric nodded and headed for the nearest exit.
"Come, Fleur," Madame Maxime, said coming to her. "We must leave this situation to the school." Fleur followed her headmaster back to the carriage but when they were almost back, Fleur ditched her teacher. Madame Maxime would want to review her performance in the task, but at the moment all Fleur wanted to do was think on her own. It seemed like Scotland had few nice days, and this was one. Since all the students were sequestered, Fleur found a rock outside the castle and sat in silence.
"You've been sitting alone for a while," a female voice said. Fleur turned and saw her friend Susan sit on the rock opposite her. "Want to talk about it?"
"Talk about what?"
"The fact that even though you did a really good job, you came in last," Susan said. "You got a 41, Cedric got a 43, Krum got a 42 even though he should not have, and I'm sure once all the craziness is dealt with, Harry will get first prize."
"I recognized one of your professors from many years ago." Susan stayed silent, and Fleur realized her friend was waiting for her to explain. "Professor Hayashi. His father is a very important man in the Asian Ministry of Magic. What is he doing here?"
"I understand he is a teacher at a school in Japan, but that he is taking a year abroad to learn different teaching styles."
"He is very close to Harry?" Fleur asked
"Extremely," Susan answered, looking at Fleur curiously. "How did you know that?"
"Well, isn't this a sight?" A male voice called. "The worst champion. Apparently even losers have a friend or two." Fleur turned and rose, her wand flying into her hand as she saw the man approaching. Maxwell Passan. It had to be him. She saw four Hogwarts students a few years younger than her with him. They all had green ties and pins on their robes indicating they were Slytherin. Susan stiffened next to her and drew her wand as well.
"Fleur, we need to get out of here!" Susan whispered, but Fleur ignored her, her eyes boring into Maxwell.
"What do you want, Maxwell?" Fleur spat.
"Well, I was talking to these wonderful young men here, and we realized that if a monster like you represents our school, it will reflect badly on us." Maxwell drew his wand, as did the students behind him. "I was hoping you would do us all a favor and die, but since you didn't I figured I would help it along." He fired a bone-breaking hex but Fleur blocked it. "Oh, bad move." Fleur threw up a shield as the four Hogwarts students started to fire. Her shield wavered and Fleur curled up to make a smaller target. She heard a loud sound behind her as her shield shattered.
"Protego!" A voice from behind her called, and the next few attackers were caught on the new shield. "Can't believe I landed that jump so easily. Oh, how nice to see you Draco!"
"Harry!" Susan called excitedly, and Harry Potter walked up in between Fleur and Susan.
"Susan, didn't your aunt teach you not to talk to strangers?" Harry said, a teasing tone in his voice. There was an easy smile on his face, and he offered Fleur a hand. She turned away, and Harry shook his head a little. "Nothing wrong with accepting a hand up, Ms. Delacour." She continued to ignore it, and Harry shrugged, though he was a little bothered by the intensity in her eyes.
"What are you doing Potter!" The boy Harry had addressed as Draco snapped.
"Well, that depends." Harry started to stroll towards the four Hogwarts students. "If you leave, then probably nothing."
"You are the one in the wrong place," one of the other students said. There was barely any movement as Harry fired a stunner right past his ear. It was so sudden and fast that none of the Slytherin's could react. Fleur could tell even Maxwell, a 7th year student was surprised by the speed.
"I wasn't speaking to you Nott. I've had an extraordinarily long and unpleasant day. Don't test me." Harry fixed the student with a look that Fleur couldn't see because his back was towards her, but the boy flinched back. "To continue, if you don't leave, then I will have to do something." Harry slid his wand onto the holster on his right hip. "So what will it be?"
"Dumb move Potter!" Draco yelled, pointing his wand at Harry.
"One question before you attack, Draco," Harry said. "Do you have the time?"
"Huh?" The student looked down at the watch on his wrist and in that moment Harry moved. Fleur could see the outline of his moves but not clearly, but it only took a few seconds. All four Hogwarts students lay on the ground, and 3 weren't moving. One stared at Harry Potter's wand, hovering right over his chest.
"Maxwell, was it?" Harry said, not looking at the Beauxbatons' student. "Move your wand towards me. I dare you." Maxwell dared and Harry disarmed him easily, followed by a stunner at the remaining Hogwarts student. "Dumb move," Harry said, stowing his wand again. "He walked straight up to the older boy and poked him in the forehead. "How about you get your wand and walk away?" Maxwell wavered and Harry turned his back on him.
"Watch-" Fleur started to yell as she saw Maxwell clench his right hand into a fist. Then Harry simply disappeared from view. Three things happened in concern. Maxwell swung, hitting only air, a foot cracked against his chin with a sickening crunch, and a stunner flew from behind her, hitting Maxwell in the chest.
"Remus," Harry said as he flipped up from the ground. "I am quite capable of taking care of myself."
"I would have thought Takashi would tell you never to turn your back on an enemy," An older man behind Fleur admonished.
"He did," Harry said. "But Nambung Sa Bum taught me how to use it. I don't fancy being him when he wakes up. I landed that kick a little more solidly then I was planning to. I think I broke part of his jaw."
"I heard the crack from here," The man called Remus said. Susan didn't seem bothered by the man's presence, so Fleur relaxed. "Nasty attack."
"Remus you should probably get out of here," Harry said "You aren't a professor anymore. In fact, we should all probably go." Harry trotted past them, peering back and Fleur. "You two coming?" Susan grabbed Fleur and led her back into Hogwarts. At the entrance they ran into a panting Krum and Cedric.
"Harry, what happened?" Cedric managed to get out. "You just sprinted off."
"Some people were being nasty to Fleur and Susan," Harry said as he walked past them. He pointed out into the field in front of the castle, and Fleur saw Krum's eyes widen as he took in the five unconscious bodies. "I gave them an abject lesson in manners."
"Harry, you really need to stop going around stunning people," Cedric told him. "It makes you look bad, and it makes enemies."
"First of all, it was Draco and company," Harry told him. "It's not like Slytherin can hate me anymore. Second of all, I didn't stun any of them. I punched Nott, I kicked Crabbe, and I elbowed Goyle. Oh, I guess I did stun Draco after I cracked a rib."
"Yikes," Krum muttered.
"I did not need your help Harry Potter," Fleur said angrily.
"I'm sure you didn't" Harry said with a wave of his hand. "But I figured I'd chip in anyways. It's not often I have a valid excuse to punch a Slytherin in the face. I guess I should be thanking you." Harry turned and gave Fleur a pointed stare. "After all, that is what people say when they are grateful. By the way, I prefer Harry."
"Thanks for the assist Harry. You too Professor Lupin," Susan said.
"Happy to help, Ms. Bones," the older man said. Harry just nodded. "Harry, I'll see you in a few days."
"Definitely," Harry said and the older man walked away. Cedric stared after him in surprise.
"What is Professor Lupin doing here?"
"He's a friend of Akira's," Harry said, and Cedric nodded, taking the comment in stride. Fleur saw Susan react a little to that statement and realized Harry had just lied. She would not expect such an easy lie to roll off the tongue of the boy who was painted as a paragon of virtue in every book she had ever read about the fall of Voldemort. "This should be good." He pulled open a classroom door and ushered all the students in.
"Ok," Susan said once they were all in. "Mind telling us what's going on?"
"Well, from what I understand Cedric and Krum offered Fleur a bit of an alliance before," Harry said, He looked at Krum and Cedric for confirmation, and both young wizards nodded. "I'd like to add my voice to theirs and ask you to join in once more."
"Why would your voice change my earlier refusal?" Fleur said.
"Because I will be in first by the end of the day, and regularly face life threatening danger," Harry said with a casualness that startled everyone in the room. "Even I recognize that if we attack this tournament in competitors, there is a good chance that everyone of us might end up not finishing it."
"You have instruction from the Hayashi school?" Fleur asked. Harry's eyes widened a little in surprise.
"How did you put it together?" Harry said.
"Akira is here, and the man you called Remus mentioned Takashi," Fleur told him.
"Huh." Harry ran his hand through his hair. "Curious. But yes, I have. The fact you know that and I still want to team up should make you realize how serious this is, if the giant fire-breathing dragon didn't before."
"Fleur, I know you might not trust us but we really do believe that working together we can get through this tournament safely. We mean every word we say," Cedric added. Fleur looked at the Bulgarian wizard who nodded.
"They haven't said anything I don't agree with," Krum. Fleur wavered a little bit. It hurt her pride a little to accept help, but what the other champions were saying made perfect sense.
"Fleur, a moment?" Susan said, grabbing Fleur and dragging her to the far corner. "If even Harry is on board, you should really accept."
"What?" Fleur whispered.
"Fleur, he is going to get close to a perfect score with no effort. Even Karakoff will have to give him a high score after that. What's more, he has had a bit of a crazy life. There is a reason that even if though he is not super popular, the professors weren't too worried about his presence in the tournament."
"What do you mean?"
"Fleur, he can summon a corporeal Patronus." Fleur started a little at that. Her father could summon a Patronus, but his did not have a defined form.
"It's true," Cedric chimed in. "I have seen it." Susan had said that statement a little louder, so Cedric had overheard.
"He has killed a basilisk too." Susan added, not even trying to whisper anymore.
"I did not know that," Krum said.
"But if he did all of this, why was it not in the papers?" Fleur asked, very frustrated. These tasks were shocking, but she had heard none of this. "A basilisk being killed should be international news!"
"Good question," Susan said. They all turned to look at Harry.
"What, you don't want it known?" Cedric asked.
"Actually, I really don't care," Harry said.
"You don't want the fame or accomplishment?" Krum said.
"I've had enough of fame and accomplishment for one lifetime," Harry said. "I'd give anything to be out of this tournament. Victor, I assume you'd understand what I'm talking about." Krum nodded. "I'd like to be a normal 14 year old for once, worried about tests and the horribly nasty day I had."
"Nasty day?" Krum asked. "You helped beat up a dragon and will come in first."
"I'd trade all of that if it meant I wasn't single again," Harry said with a wry smile.
"Daphne broke up with you?" Susan almost shouted. "Why?"
"Long story," Harry said. Fleur could tell Susan was panicking. "Don't worry, we talked about it. We won't make Hannah or Neville split up, if that is why you are worried. We can still all be friends."
"It will make Patronus class a little awkward," Cedric added.
"You are teaching people how to conjure a Patronus?" Fleur asked. Harry nodded. "Could I join in?"
"So you are on board?" Cedric asked.
"Show me the Patronus, and I'll agree," Fleur countered. All eyes turned to Harry.
"Look, I've had a rubbish day so I don't know if it will work," Harry admitted. Cedric leaned in and whispered something to Harry, which caused the boy-who-lived to sport a giant smile. Harry whipped his wand out and he said "Expecto Patronum!" A giant stag the size of Fleur's closet walked out from Harry's wand and circled the young wizard.
"Woah," Cedric said. The stag walked up to Susan and Susan reached out for the stag.
"Prongs, play nice," Harry murmured just loud enough for everyone to hear. The stag turned to look at Harry and walked over to him, nuzzling him and Harry patted the stag.
"No way," Krum said, and Harry jerked his head towards Krum. The stag walked over and Krum put a hand on one of the antlers and Fleur jerked back in surprise.
"A solid Patronus," Cedric said as Prongs slowly faded from view. "I mean, Hermione told me but I couldn't believe it until I saw it."
"Oh, Hermione told you?" Harry said, poking Cedric in the ribs. "I didn't know you two were so close!" He laughed as Cedric blushed, and walked towards the door. "I'm sure the twins have some sort of party cued up for me for surviving the dragon. I'll see you all later."
"Harry!" Fleur called and Harry turned in the doorway. "I'm sorry I called you a little boy. It was uncalled for."
"Is that why you have been alternating between being mad and being guilty around me?" Harry askedd. Fleur nodded a little. Harry gave a little laugh. "No need to be sorry. It's pretty accurate if you are talking about my age. My height however," Harry glanced at Fleur, who was a few inches taller, "you are what, 5'7?" Fleur nodded. "Well, I'm one inch shorter. I grew an inch since the year started. I think it has to do with my stretching. So I'll let it go until I catch up. Later." Harry walked out the door.
"I can't believe Daphne broke up with him," Cedric said. "They seemed crazy in love."
"Daphne is a very complicated girl," Susan said. Then she glared at the room. "This does not leave this room, but I'd appreciate it if some other random girl starts sniffing around Harry if you scare her off."
"Oh?" Cedric raised an eyebrow at Susan.
"Look, Harry will wake up tomorrow and be more withdraw once he has time to process. You'll see. He doesn't need to throw himself into the arms of the first random girl who likes the way he can dodge a dragon"
"And you are doing this just for Harry?"
"For now. In a few months? We'll see." Susan smiled and left the three champions alone in the classroom.
"So, we agreed to work together?" Krum asked. Cedric and Fleur nodded. "Good. How do we stand on keeping him single?"
"He had a girlfriend?" Fleur said, stilling trying to wrap her head around the massive amount of information she had learned about Harry Potter. She shook her head. He said to call him Harry, so she would think of him accordingly. Learning Harry had a girlfriend made her a little tense, a feeling she really didn't like.
"Yeah. She was gorgeous too, and really smart." Cedric shrugged. "I knew Harry liked her, and she was crazy about him. No idea why they split up. But Susan's right. This is Harry's first breakup, and while you guys didn't see it, Harry has some emotional issues with rejection. Since I'm sure we will be spending a decent amount of time together, let's keep an eye on him. I'm sure quite a few people wouldn't mind being on the arm of the great dragon master for the ball."
"Ball?" Krum asked.
"Wow, I am just the worst at keeping secrets!"