The Story of Fleur Delacour - 10

"italic" - conversation in French/Bulgarian

"normal" - conversation in English

italic - thought


The night before...

"This isn't about the teacher and what's he's going to teach. This is about Harry, isn't it?"

Nobody was happy.

It was Wednesday night. As always, her friends would congregate inside her living quarters after dinner and night prep. But unlike before, although the night was cold, the temperature within Fleur's room had risen up a bit more than usual and it all stemmed from a heated debate they were having.

As she correctly assumed, her friends were very resistive to the idea of joining one of Hogwarts' classes. But that wasn't all. The fact that they would be joining Moody's class together with a group of fourth year students made matters even worse. Her male counterparts were a little bit easier to persuade though. They also refused at first but after she explained to them through Raphael what she heard from Hogwarts students, they became interested. Of course they still had issues though.

"But why year four? Why don't we join Hogwarts sixth or seventh year classes?" asked Raphael when he met her that early evening before dinner. She had just told him what she heard from Hogwarts students. Madame Maxime announced earlier that day that they would be attending a class with Professor Moody the very next day. That announcement and the details that followed was what causes him to seek Fleur in the first place.

"Does it matter?" asked Fleur instead.

"It matters and you know it, Fleur. This is about Harry, isn't it?"

"My reasoning is not up for discussion."

Raphael shook his head. "Fine," he said. "The boys aren't happy, you know. Look, I'm interested and I'm sure the boys will be interested too once I tell them what you told me but I can't guarantee that will be enough to win them over. This arrangement doesn't make any sense at all."

"Do what you have to, Raphael. All I'm asking is that you and your friends bear with me this time. But of course if you and the boys still have doubt, you can ask Madame Maxime to exempt you and your friends from the class. I will vouch for you," said Fleur.

"Well I'm not worried. I know you hold quite a sway over Madame Maxime but what are the girls have to say about this?" asked Raphael.

"Don't worry about them. Just do what you have to. Whatever you and the boys decision is, I shall vouch for you," said Fleur before she rejoined her friends for dinner.


"Partly."

"There are other reasons too? Well what is it?" asked Cammille.

Actually Harry was indeed the whole reason why she came up with the idea in the first place. But the fact that that reason had everything to do with Moody made it difficult for Fleur to explain to her friends. They probably would assume that she had gone mad if she told them what she knew.

"Fleur, there are a lot of ways for you to get closer to Harry if that what you really want," said Adrienne without waiting for Fleur's reply. "We already have a plan, don't you remember? We're inviting Harry to this carriage. You will have a lot of chance to get to know him by then. You can do whatever you want. It's not like we're going to stop you or anything."

"I can't bear to think what they'll say back at the campus once they find out we, a group of seventh year students, joined a fourth year class. That would be very embarrassing," added Marianne as she glared at Fleur.

By this time, Fleur realized that she had no other choices. She preferred to fly below the radar of course, and with Harry's help, she would try to change the course of history without anyone else noticing. She would be graduating soon anyway. She would be free to join Harry in his quest by then. At least that was what she planned to do. Unfortunately for her, given the circumstances, keeping her intention from her friends was no longer an option.

She got off her chair and walked towards the windows. She pushed away the curtain and stared into the darkness of the night. The carriage was very well sealed from the sound of the night. She missed the sound of the crickets and the croaking of the toads though.

"I have been wondering," she said. She was still peering outside. "-about the true reason for my return. Why this year? Why 1994? Why not earlier? Or later?"

She then turned around. She looked at each and every single face that was inside her quarters at that very moment. "Then I realized that this year is going to be a pivotal year. This is the year when everything will change. Whether it will be for the better or for the worst I don't know but I'm not going to sit idly and just wait for it to happen."

The rest of her friends went silent.

Cassandra's eyebrows creased. "I-, I don't understand. Pivotal? What are you talking about, Fleur?"

"Back from where I came from, many people died," Fleur began. "Hundreds, thousands, perhaps millions perished, both wizards and muggles alike. The Death Eaters were relentless and with their master behind their back, they were unchecked and unchallenged. Muggle-borns and magical beings and veelas alike had to go into hiding. Including myself. Those who were captured were sent for trials and then to Azkaban. It had gotten so bad at one point that being killed was more preferable than a stint inside a wizard prison. They performed the Dementor Kiss to every prisoner they captured. It was better to die than lived on as an empty shell."

She paused momentarily.

"Bertrand. Greengrass. Both these families were among those that perished. None of them lived to see the light of another day" she continued to the gasp of everyone inside the quarters.

"Raphael. Daphne. Astoria. My goodness. You mean-" said Jeanne, cupping her mouth. She looked very horrified by Fleur's revelation.

"And the seed to that have already been planted. Right at this moment. Right here," said Fleur. She then retook her seat. "Let me tell you what happened in 1994."

And the story began. She told them about Harry being selected as the fourth champion. She told them about how all of them hated Harry so much. She told them how it all changed after the Second Task. She told them the mechanic of the Goblet of Fire when they questioned her claim that Harry became the fourth champion. She told them about the murder of Cedric Diggory. She told them about the return of Voldermort. She told them everything.

"We returned to France scarred and completely shattered. It was like going on a vacation but instead of bringing back happy memories and souvenirs, we brought back pain and a dead body of someone we know. A few of you had to get help. Psychological help due to trauma. Thankfully you recovered but alas, the scar remains. And it showed its ugly face from time to time," said Fleur as she concluded her story.

"But Harry didn't become the fourth champion," said Cammille once the story telling ended. "I mean if history does repeat itself, he should be. Right? And You-Know-Who is already dead. He won't come back."

"I was wondering about that myself. Something must have changed. Harry once told me that he suspected Professor Moody performing the Imperious Curse on each of the students was just a ploy. This is why I need to know. This is why I need to be sure. If Harry do indeed return just as I did, he'll know what to do. But if he's just a fourteen years old boy with no such memory, well he'll be glad that I am there. And no, Cammille. Voldemort is still alive. He's out there bidding his time."

There were gasps all around.

"You spoke his name again! You shouldn't speak his name, didn't we tell you that?!" Marianne reprimanded Fleur.

"I'm not afraid of him or his name. I fought his generals and lieutenants before. I'm ready to do it all over again. Back then we were complacent. We took longer time than necessary to ascertain the truth. It was already too late by then."

There was a moment of silence.

Cassandra slowly stood up moments later.

"If that is the case, We'll be with you. We will be with you all the way, Fleur."

Fleur didn't respond to that. As much as she appreciated her friends support on this matter, putting all of them in the harm's way would be the last thing she wanted to do.


Thursday...

They congregated outside of Professor McGonagall's office after lunch. They were waiting for both Madame Maxime and Professor McGonagall to meet them.

Much to Fleur's surprise, each and every member of the Beauxbaton delegates decided to join the class. Raphael came to her earlier that day. He said that despite the boys' reservation, they were still interested to see what Professor Moody had in store for them.

Madame Maxime and Professor McGonagall finally came out. The Beauxbaton headmistress excused herself and made her way to the carriage after leaving her students in the hands of Professor McGonagall.

Professor Moody was already waiting for them outside his classroom.

"Professor Moody," greeted Professor McGonagall once they arrived. "Well, here you go. The students as promised."

Professor Moody took a sweeping look at each of the Beauxbaton students that were standing in front of him. His eyes lingered a bit longer on Fleur before turning his attention back to Professor McGonagall.

"Tell me again the rationale behind allowing a group of seventh year students to join a fourth year class, Minerva?" asked Professor Moody.

"It came as a specific request from Madame Maxime, Alastor. I tried suggesting another timetable where her students can join a seventh year class to her but she won't budge," explained Professor McGonagall.

"And she still didn't care to provide any reason?" asked Professor Moody.

"She never give you any?"

"She only said that right now is the only free slot they have. I don't have an inkling how Beauxbaton arrange their timetable. Don't have the time to find out and I really don't care. She only mentioned that her students were interested with me. They like to know what it's feels like learning the Defense Against the Dark Art subject with a proper auror. You forgot what she said? You and Dumbledore were there at the Great Hall this morning," said Professor Moody.

"I do not forget. It's just one class. Alastor. Surely you won't have any problem with that. They are our guest after all," said Professor McGonagall.

Professor Moody gave another sweeping look at the students.

"No. There won't any problem," he said. "I'll take it from here, Minerva." He then proceeded to open the classroom door for the foreign students.

Professor McGonagall smiled at the students. "Well, in you go."

"Zhank you, Professor," said the Beauxbaton students in unison.

Fleur and the rest entered the classroom but just as she was about to cross over the threshold, she heard Professor McGonagall speaking:-

"By the way, I heard rumors, Alastor," said Professor McGonagall.

"About what?"

"About you," replied Professor McGonagall. "About you teaching the students things that you should not teach."

"I didn't teach them. I was simply demonstrating to them, Minerva," said Professor Moody. "Those are two different things."

"It is still illegal, Alastor!" argued Professor McGonagall. "I hope you won't spark an international incident due to your ignorance. We already have a lot on our plate as we speak."

"You can bring this matter up with Albus. Don't worry, Minerva. They came into the classroom alive, they will come out alive. Now please excuse me. I got a class to teach."

Fleur who was pausing at the door quickly entered the classroom and rejoined her friends. They were already taking in the surrounding.

The door shut with a mighty slam moments later.

"I don't know how they do it in Beauxbaton," growled Professor Moody. "But I was told that all of you are used to being proper in everything you do. Well you won't find it here. Sit anywhere you like. You can sit on the floor for all I care. Class will begin once the others arrived!"

The cacophonous sound generated by Professor Moody's wooden peg leg echoed throughout the classroom as he walked pass them. He made his way towards the spiral staircase that led to his quarters entrance.

Fleur watched as Professor Moody disappeared behind the door into his quarters.

"Come on. Let's find a seat," said Cassandra.

Fleur looked around. She in fact already had in mind on where to sit. It would be at the second row from the front, left column, middle seat.

In other words, Harry's seat.

Without saying another word, she headed straight for it. Cassandra followed her. Soon, Every Beauxbatons students got their seat. They continued to drink in the surrounding.

"He looked scary," whispered Cassandra. "Did you notice his left eye? I wonder what's wrong with it?"

"That's not his eye," said Fleur.

Cassandra was perplexed. "Not his eye? What do you mean?"

"He lost it. I mean the real Alastor Moody lost his left eye. I don't know how or when but yes, he lost it. What you saw is his magical eye."

"Magical eye?"

Fleur nodded. "They said his magical eye can see things beyond any wall and magical concealments. You can forget about ambushing him. Probably why he was so effective back when he was still an auror."

"And this supposed impostor knows how to use it?"

"I'm not sure but I give him credit for his success in fooling everyone including Albus Dumbledore."

Their conversation was cut short when the door into the classroom suddenly reopened.


The new entrees paused at the door. They looked very surprised. And among them was Harry Potter.

The new group of students can be heard whispering to each other. Harry himself could be seen talking to one of the boys as he gave a sweeping look around the class. It took a while but his eyes finally found Fleur. They lingered on her for a few moments.

Fleur gave him a nod in which he replied.

Few of the newcomers already taken their seat leaving Harry and a few others still standing at the back of the classroom.

"Why doesn't he take a seat?" asked Cassandra as she too watched Harry.

"That's because I already took his," said Fleur as she continued eyeing the boy.

Cassandra turned towards Fleur. She raised her eyebrows. "You're now sitting on his chair? Why did you do that?!"

"I don't know. I just want to."

Cassandra stared at Fleur. "You're yearning for him, aren't you? Please control yourself, Fleur."

Fleur just shrugged her shoulders.

It didn't take long for another group of newcomers to enter the classroom.

The newcomers eyed the Gryffindor who had yet taken their seats. One of them spoke, "What are you all-"

But the poor boy with blonde hair never get to finish his sentence. He accidentally looked at Fleur while he was talking. He immediately froze. His mouth opened and he began to drool uncontrollably.

That was Fleur's doing of course. Not by choice actually. She knew she had trouble concealing her own allure due to its immense strength. Even under full control she would still projecting her allure a bit more than any other veelas in existent.

Clearly the blonde haired boy aka. Draco Malfoy wasn't immune to her charm. At least Ronald Weasley possessed more control than Malfoy.

A commotion involving Malfoy and a dark haired girl started right after that. The rest of the class simply watched with no small amount of amusement.

Someone nudged her shoulder. She turned to look. It was Cassandra.

"Are they both a couple?" asked Cassandra.

"Apparently so," said Fleur.

"Hopefully you won't be like her when you and Harry do get together."

Fleur just smirked. She knew there was no need for her to act the way the dark haired girl did. She's a veela and Harry himself wasn't a habitual cheater.

Some of the newly arrived students decided they wanted nothing to do with the quarrel began to disperse. They headed for their seats.

Fleur by this time was already turning her attention towards the front of the class. She and Cassandra continued to chat when all of a sudden, she felt someone approaching her.

It was Harry Potter.

"Hi," he greeted Fleur.

Fleur looked up to him. She smiled. "'Ello, 'Arry Potter."

"So, are you staying or are you leaving?" he asked.

Fleur tilted her head a little and looked at him with amusement. "We 'ave just got 'ere, 'Arry. Why?"

Harry looked confused. He stared at her. "Really? You sure you got to the right classroom, Fleur?"

Fleur was about to answer when all of a sudden-

"Yes they came to the right place, Potter!"

Both she and Harry looked up and saw Professor Moody who was standing on the small balcony in front of the class, looking at them.

"Professor Mcgonagall sent them here," growled Moody as he began to walk down the small spiral staircase. Once he reached at the bottom of the stair, he walked straight towards where Harry was standing. Harry could see his magical eye spinning relentlessly in its socket from that distance. "It came as a special request from Madame Maxime herself," continued Moody. "Do you have any problem with that, Potter?"

Harry shook his head. "No, sir."

"Then take your seat, son," said Moody as he turned around and made his way towards the chalkboard. "Class is about to start."

"There aren't enough seats, sir," Harry pointed out.

Moody turned to look at him. But instead of replying to Harry, he took out his wand and flicked it. Several chairs appeared out of thin air near him.

"There's your seat," said Moody as he stowed his wand back. "Four persons will share one long table each. This classroom isn't big enough for me to add more. Now be quick! I don't have all day!"

Harry gave Fleur a momentary glance before he made his way towards the newly appeared chairs.

There were shuffling noises as the students rearranged their seating all by themselves. Fleur watched Harry as he took one of the chairs Professor Moody provided and made his way towards the second last table from the rear where Ron, Hermione and Neville were waiting for him. He sat beside Ron. Hermione meanwhile sat between Ron and Neville.

Fleur continued to look at him. Their eyes met. And she smiled at him. It was a truly meaningful smile. Inwards, she was hoping that Harry understood what that smile meant. She also saw Hermione and gave a subtle nod to the brunette.

Something else caught her attention while she was staring at Harry. Slowly she turned her gaze in the direction of Cassandra, who also at that time was staring at Harry. But she wasn't actually looking at Cassandra. She was looking at the person who was sitting at the adjacent table.

Cassandra took noticed. She looked at Fleur questioningly.

Fleur nodded at Cassandra, signaling her to look towards the adjacent table.

Cassandra did as told. Her eyebrows raised when she saw who were sitting at that table.

It was Daphne Greengrass and Tracy Davis. They both were joined by a couple of other House of Slytherin members.

Daphne was watching Fleur at that very moment.

Both Daphne's and Fleur's eyes met. Fleur gestured Daphne to join her table. The Greengrass heir smiled and obliged. Daphne nudged Tracy and they both, each carrying their own chair, ended up sitting at the same table as Fleur and Cassandra.

"It's been a while," said Fleur. "Where have you been? We are worried about you, you know."

"I didn't go anywhere, Fleur," replied Daphne.

"But we haven't seen you and Tracy at the Great Hall these past few days. Astoria was also looking for you. She said you failed to reply all of her letters. You got all of us worried," said Fleur.

"Oh that. Well-"

But Daphne couldn't finish her sentences. Professor Moody began his class at that very moment.

"Alright!" he barked. "Be quiet now! Some of you might ask on why our guests ended up joining the rest of you within this class. Now I'm about to tell you. It seems that the Beauxbaton Academy lack one thing within their standard curriculum – the study of Dark Magic or more correctly, as your headmistress had mentioned, the defense against it. Am I right?"

At this point, Fleur felt odd. Beauxbaton Academy did in fact teach its students defensive magic and they were pretty good at it. Silently she wondered why Madame Maxime gave false information to Professor Moody.

She and Cassandra exchanged looks. In the end, they both decided to just nod. The rest of the Beauxbaton students who also got confused followed suit.

"Well of course I am," continued Moody. "Among the three most prestigious schools in Europe, the Beauxbaton fared the worst when it come to defensive magic. I told your headmistress that all of you should be joining Hogwarts seventh year class but she insisted that you would be better off joining this class instead. She did not state the reason why, however. This is probably the oddest and craziest request anyone made out of me. It doesn't make sense at all."

Fleur and Cassandra once again glanced at each other.

"Right. The fourth year had gone a bit farther in this class," said Moody, still addressing the Beauxbaton students. "At least in regard of the syllabus outlined specially for the fourth year. But all of you are seventh year students. I shall expect you to know more than your friends here. The Goblet of Fire won't pick someone who is wimpy." At this point, both his eyes fell on Fleur. He paused at her momentarily before continuing. "Be it as it may, Madame Maxime had ask me to put you into the fourth year class. If this class gets too boring for you just because you already know what I'm about to teach, don't blame me. Bring the matter up to your headmistress. I won't entertain any complaints. Now!"

Moody made a heel turn and walked towards the blackboard. "The fourth years had been given a little bit of an introduction on the Unforgivable Curse," he said as he began writing on the blackboard. After he finished writing, he threw the chalk onto the desk and took out the student's register and began to scan it. "Rafael Mercier!"

A blonde boy, sat right in front of Fleur slowly raised his hand. "Sir."

Moody nodded at him. "The Unforgiveable Curse. How many are there and give me one."

"Zhere are three, sir," answered Mercier. "One of zhem iz zhe Imperius Curse."

"Good." Moody scanned the register the second time. "Camille. Camille Louise Moreau."

Camille who sat at the table adjoining Fleur spoke, "Zhe Cruciatus Curse."

Moody nodded. "Correct."

But just as he went back to the register-

"Zhe Killing Curse!"

Moody's eyes shot up. He stared at Fleur. Fleur looked back at him calmly.

"I didn't ask for you, Miss Delacour," said Moody. "But nevertheless, that is correct. You might want to put a little bit of restrain in your in-class-behavior the next time or I will be forced to report you to your headmistress. And there is no need to shout. I'm not deaf."

"My apology, sir," said Fleur.

Fleur had no idea why she did that. Something about Professor Moody must had triggered her somewhat. Apparently both Daphne and Cassandra could sense that as well. They immediately put their hands on Fleur's arm in an effort to calm her down.

Moody did not respond to Fleur's apology. He simply closed the register book and placed it back on the teacher's desk. He once again addressed the Beauxbaton lot, "Before you came to this school, I did a practical demonstration using each of Unforgiveable Curse to the fourth years."

There were gasps coming in from the Beauxbaton students.

"Don't worry! Nobody's dead. At least not yet. The fourth years already saw it all except you lot. I'm not going to redo the demonstration. As what the fourth years had shown me, some of you may not be able to take it too well and I'm not going to answer to Madame Maxime on what happened to her students. You will have to ask your friends what it feels like. I do hope that none of you will have to experience it however. CONSTANT VIGILANCE!" – nearly everyone jumped – "Those two words will be the key to your survival."

Moody pointed towards the blackboard. "See what I wrote on the board? The Imperious Curse. Despite it being one of the Unforgiveable Curse, unlike the other two, this is the only one that did not leave a long lasting effect on its victim. Unlike the Cruciatus that leaves it victims mentally scarred and the Killing Curse that leaves its victims dead, the victims of the Imperious Curse will usually return back to normal once the curse is lifted. Of course if it's not done properly, it could mess with the victim's mind. So this is what we are going to do today. I am going to put each and every one of you in turn under the curse. Let see if any of you could resist it. Now stand up! All of you and gather at the back of the classroom."

This announcement took nearly everyone by surprise.

Fleur glanced at Harry. Much to her surprise, Harry's expression was the one of impassiveness. It almost looked like he was ready for whatever Professor Moody was going to throw at him. He also was the first one to stand up. Fleur watched him as he walked towards the back end of the classroom. Few others followed suit.

"But,- but you said it is illegal," said Hermione uncertainly. She stood up like everyone else. However unlike Harry and the rest, she remained at her seat. "You said to use it on other human was-"

"Dumbledore wants you to know what it feels like," said Moody, his magical swiveled and fixed on her with an eerie, unblinking stare. "Now, if you rather learn it the hard way, fine by me. You're dismissed. Off you go."

He pointed one gnarly finger to the door.

Hermione went very pink and muttered something about not meaning that she wanted to leave.

"No?" said Moody. "Then get your arse to the back of the class like everyone else. Quickly now! I don't have all day!"

Still red faced, Hermione moved to the back of the class and stood beside Ron. The ginger head gave her a sympathetic look and squeezed her hand. Hermione looked towards him, saw him giving her a thin smile in which she replied.

Fleur felt sorry for Hermione. She felt that despite his known eccentricities, shaming a student just because of that student saying the right thing is uncalled for. And she wasn't sure about Professor Dumbledore's endorsement either. But then again she was once told that Professor Dumbledore once hired a werewolf as the DADA teacher so him allowing Professor Moody demonstrating the Unforgiven Curse may not be that far from the truth.

With a swipe of his wand, Moody moved the tables and the chairs a bit further to the back, creating just enough empty space at the front of the class. He then beckoned each student to come forward and began putting them under the Imperious Curse.

Fleur silently watched as each of the students doing all sort of unusual things they definitely would not do or unable to do in their normal state. One of them hopped three times across the room and sang the United Kingdom national anthem. One girl imitated a squirrel. One of the boys performed a series of impressive gymnastic moves he probably would not be able to perform in his normal state given his stature. Draco Malfoy in turn impersonated a ferret. Moody also selected a few of the Beauxbaton students to be his guinea pig. Camille ballet danced across the room. Daphne Lavinge in turn imitated a crow.

Fleur readied herself. She was sure that Professor Moody will call her at any moment. But then-

"Potter!" called out Professor Moody. "Front and center!"

Fleur watched as Harry obediently did as told. He stopped and faced Moody once he arrived at the front of the class.

Moody slowly raised his wand, pointed it at Harry and muttered, "Imperio!"

Fleur watched Harry carefully. Her attention was directed more specifically to his face. She was looking for any sign of him falling for the curse.

"Jump on to the desk!" barked Moody.

Fleur held her breath.

"Jump on to the desk!"

Still, no response.

"Jump on to the desk! NOW!"

And much to her dismay, Harry began to bent his knees in absolute obedience and without further ado, he jumped, making a smooth clean landing on top of the desk in front of him. And once on top, he straightened up and once again gave Moody the same blank stare.

Moody's crooked lips formed a smile. He then turned towards the rest of the audience. "You see that?! That is what happened if you were being put under the curse. The perpetrator could force you to do all sort of things you would never do normally. And that includes killing." He then turned back to Harry who was still standing on top of the desk. "You can come down now, son. And take your seat."

Harry obliged. He jumped down and stood beside the desk. Moody took out his wand and began rearranging the tables back to its original locations. "Sit down!" he barked once he was done.

Professor Moody didn't call her which came as a surprise. Not that she wanted him to. But still...

Harry couldn't throw off the curse. That was unprecedented. Her mind went blank. She became truly confused.

Harry had returned to his seat and for the rest of the class, Fleur would glanced at him every now and then. It would seem to her that he was suffering from the after effect of the Imperious Curse. It was the same thing that happened to every student who unwittingly became Professor Moody's guinea pig.

The class soon ended.

"Potter!" barked Professor Moody. "Stay behind. There's something we need to talk about. Everyone else, dismiss. Now!"

Fleur began gathering all her belongings and through it all, she and the rest of her friends kept shooting looks towards each other. She didn't realize it at first but it seemed that all of her friends - the female ones - shared her worry.

Harry stayed put on his chair. Fleur and the rest of her squad including Daphne and Tracy walked past him, each of them looked at him with unreadable expression and each of them squeezed his hand in turn.

Fleur wanted to stay but Cassandra nudged her forward.

"We'll wait for him outside," Cassandra whispered.


And waited outside the classroom they did. But only the females though including Daphne and Tracy. All the Beauxbaton male students had already left. Fleur didn't blame them though. They knew nothing of what transpired.

Ron and Hermione exited the DADA classroom minutes later. Ron upon seeing Fleur immediately moved a little bit further away. Apparently he didn't want to end up like Malfoy.

"Hermione!"

Hermione who was in deep thought at that time startled. She looked around and was surprised to see all Beauxbaton female students and a couple of Slytherin congregated at the entrance into the DADA classroom. She then noticed Fleur.

"Fleur. You're still here," she said.

Fleur went up to Hermione. "How is he? What happened in there?" she asked.

Hermione took a momentary glanced at the door before turning her attention back to Fleur. "He's fine. He's suffering from the after effect of the curse. Just like Ronald here."

Indeed Ron as he stood a little bit further away from the group, would skip in place every few seconds. He looked surprised when he saw how casual the interaction was between Hermione and Fleur. But he said nothing though.

"I don't really know what Professor Moody wants with him," continued Hermione. "Me and Ron wanted to stay behind but he chased us out. There's nothing we should worry about, right? He's with a teacher after all. Perhaps we should wait. We can ask him once he comes out."

Fleur could see that the Gryffindor girl was very worried. And so was she. But something told her that it was best not to worsen the situation and so she agreed.

"Yes. Perhaps we should."

And waited for Harry they did. Little did they know that it would be a very long wait.


Minutes went pass.

Hermione became very jittery. Every few seconds or so she would check her wristwatch. Fleur meanwhile stood silently. Not for a second her eyes left the door.

"This isn't right. This has taken too long, Fleur," said Jeanne.

But before Fleur could respond, Ron already made his move. He walked up the door and tried to open it. He found that he couldn't.

"I can't open the door," he said as he tried again and again. "It's locked. I can't even turn the knob."

"Here, let me try," said Hermione. She reached out and tried to twist the door knob. The knob won't budge at all. She then took out her wand and pointed it at the door knob.

"Alohomora!"

A bluish flame erupted from the tip of Hermione's wand. It hit the door knob, but much to her dismay, it dissipated just like that.

"What-"

Hermione began to bang on the door. She called out to Harry many times but there were no response.

"Harry! Harry!"

Then all of a sudden-

"Out of the way, Hermione!"

Hermione turned around and saw Fleur, now standing in dueling position, pointed her wand towards her.

"Move aside. Please," said Fleur.

Hermione obliged. She took Ron's hand and pulled him away from the door.

"Fleur wait!"

But Fleur refused to listen to Cassandra. With a single twisting motion, Fleur fired a spell towards the door. A huge red flame erupted from the tip of her wand and hit the door with a loud bang.

But nothing happened. The door remained intact.

She tried once more. Another red flame hit the door. Still nothing happened. The flame simply dissipated. Some of it was absorbed by the door. The door glowed a bit when it absorbed the flame.

And for the next minutes they silently watched Fleur trying to bring down the door again and again with every conceivable spell she knew. But unfortunately for her, all her successive attempts ended up in failures. The door stood proud. It didn't even suffered a scratch on it. But it did glowed a faint red which was the result of all the spells that hit it.

By this time, Fleur began to panic. She began to regret hesitating.

Seeing this, Cassandra immediately held Fleur's arm. "That's enough. I don't think forcing open the door will work. We should call a teacher."

But Fleur wasn't about to give up. She raised her wand once again. "Just one more time," she said.

But before she could do anything else, all of a sudden someone called out to her.

"There won't be any need to repeat your attempt, Miss Delacour!"

All of them turned to look. They saw down the corridor, Professor Dumbledore came marching towards them.

Fleur immediately ran to him. "Professor Dumbledore! It's Harry! He's-"

But she couldn't finished her sentences.

Dumbledore held up his hand, signaling her to speak no more. He walked past her and made his way straight towards the door. Once he arrived, he immediately placed his palm onto the door. He then closed his eyes. It was as if he was trying to reach out to whatever it was behind the door.

Professor Dumbledore opened his eyes. Turning to Fleur, he spoke, "Perhaps you and the rest of your friends should leave. As I understand it, you have an afternoon class which began fifteen minutes ago. The rest of you go back to your common room."

But Fleur wouldn't budge. "But Professor Dumbledore, the door-"

"-is lock. Yes, I know. As this school's headmaster, no doors in this castle would deny me entrance. And don't worry about Harry. He is with a teacher," said Dumbledore.

But Fleur remained unconvinced. She just stood there, staring at Dumbledore.

"If it will ease your worries, I shall provide you with an update as soon as I can. Will that be alright with you?" said Dumbledore.

It took her a while but finally she nodded.

"You should go then. Madame Maxime doesn't take kindly on lateness. And by the way Miss Granger," said Dumbledore, turning his attention towards the Gryffindor. "Try to wake up Mr. Weasley here. He's making a mess of himself. Apparently he's very susceptible to Miss Delacour's enchantment."

Sure enough, Ron was standing rigidly facing Fleur. His eyes unblinking, his mouth wide opened and he was drooling so much that the whole frontal of his uniform drenched with his saliva.

Fleur knew what happened and it happened whenever she was in a distress. There were also occasions where firing a spell or a curse caused the same phenomena. Her allure would go out of control, its intensity would shoot through the roof. Poor Ron must had been hit full blast multiple time when she tried to bring down the door.

Cassandra grabbed Fleur's arm. "Come on. Let's go. Zhank you, Professor Dumbledore."

Professor Dumbledore simply nodded.

Fleur looked over her shoulder as they navigated the corridor heading towards the Entrance Hall. Dumbledore entering the DADA classroom with his wand unsheathed was the last thing she saw before the door closed.


"Will your friend be alright?" asked Daphne Lavinge to Hermione as they continued to walk.

The Entrance Hall was just right ahead. For the past few minutes, throughout the journey nobody said anything. Each of them drowned in their own thought.

Hermione glanced at Ron. She together with the help of - much to her surprise - Daphne Greengrass had been guiding Ron since the boy was still in deep trance. "I don't know. Will he?" she asked worriedly.

"It iz 'ard to say. Different people suffer different symptom but all zhe time zhey recover. You 'ave to forgive Fleur. 'Er allure iz zhe strongest. It iz 'ard for 'er to control it," Daphne Lavinge explained.

"I see."

"Don't worry, Granger," said Daphne Greengrass. "Weasley here will be fine. He probably won't remember what happened outside the DADA classroom but at least he has better control than Draco. That self entitled brat would probably has his brain shooting out through his ears if they switch places."

Hermione went silent.

They finally reached the Entrance Hall. A few people going in and out of the Great Hall stopped to look at the newly arrived group. Confusion plastered on their faces as they watched the Beauxbaton, Slytherin and Gryffindor within the group mingling together.

"I leave you to it then," said Daphne to Hermione as she let go of Ron's arm. "Just sprinkle some water onto his face and maybe get a few glass of pumpkin juice for him to drink while you're at it. That will help calm his nerve once he got out of his trance."

"Thank you," said Hermione.

"Don't mention it," said Daphne. Turning to the rest, she spoke, "Well, I'm heading back to the common room. I'll see you at dinner tonight, I suppose?"

"Will you really be there tonight?" asked Marianne, raising her eyebrows.

"Don't worry, I will. I'll probably follow you girls back to the carriage tonight. I need to know too," said Daphne as she glanced at Fleur.

With that, they parted ways. The Beauxbaton students headed back to their carriage. Daphne and Tracy made their way to the dungeon while Hermione carefully guided Ron into the Great Hall.

Professor Avellino was very unhappy. For the first half of the period he had to teach a half empty class but that wasn't all. The boys were acting weird. One of them would bark every two minutes. One other boy would purr and lick himself like a cat would. Raphael's roommate ended up crouching on the table with his hands extended forward as if he was fishing for the whole duration of the class. Raphael himself ended up impersonating Madame Maxime every now and then.

Madame Maxime came to them later after the class ended and demanded explanation. Fleur had to tell her basically everything. This made her even more furious.

"Practicing the Unforgiven Curses on my pupil! I shall bring this up with Dumbledore! Alastor Moody shall be expelled from Hogwarts before dinner!"

For the rest of the afternoon Fleur spent worrying about Harry. She silently hoped that she would see him during dinner because that was the only way for her to know that he was safe.


They were just exiting the carriage that late afternoon to go to dinner when they witnessed a commotion at the Durmstrang ship. They heard shouting and saw a brown haired girl being restrained by a red haired boy. Both were surrounded by the Durmstrang students. Professor Karkaroff was there as well.

"But Harry Potter is not here. Ve are telling you the truth!"

"No! You're not telling the truth! I know for one he's on your ship! He's been spending the afternoon with you! I need to see him! I need to know that he is safe!"

Cassandra cupped her mouth. "Is- is that the same girl who was with us outside the DADA class? Hermione is her name, right?"

"Yes it is her. But why?" said Fleur who was also taken by surprise by Hermione's unusual behavior.

By this time Madame Maxime went to stand beside Fleur. She too was watching the commotion. "Did Professor Moody performed the Imperious Curse on her too?" she asked.

"Yes, he did," Fleur answered. "Her name is Hermione. She's a friend of Harry."

Madame Maxime nodded. "Then follow me."

Fleur and the rest of her schoolmate obliged. Just as they got nearer the Hogwarts Harbor, Madame Maxime called out to Professor Karkaroff who was standing on the deck of the ship at that time, "Professor Karkaroff! Might I asked what iz 'appening 'ere?"

Professor Karkaroff shrugged his shoulder. "This girl has been banging on our door for the last half an hour. I have no idea vhat she vas talking about. Can you help?" he said.

Madame Maxime was about to reply when Fleur interrupted her.

"Madame, allow me," said Fleur.

Without waiting for Madame Maxime's permission, Fleur walked towards Hermione. The Durmstrang students who saw Fleur approaching them immediately gave her a wide berth. Even Ron who was still holding on to Hermione immediately let her go and moved a little bit further away when he saw Fleur coming.

Hermione upon realizing that Ron had release her looked around. Her eyes widened when she saw Fleur coming towards her. She then ran to her.

"Fleur! It's Harry! Please you need to-"

"Shhhh... please calm down, Hermione," said Fleur, holding both Hermione's arm. "You are making a scene."

But Hermione refused to calm down. She instead became even more hysterical. Shaking her head, she spoke, "No! I can't calm down! I couldn't! Harry! He's nowhere around! I looked for him everywhere! Then I thought he must have been on their ship! But they won't let me! Fleur, please tell them!"

Fleur gave a cursory glance at Krum. The Durmstrang champion mouthed to her 'I don't know where Harry is'.

She nodded. Turning back to Hermione, Fleur spoke gently, "It's okay, Hermione. I am sure Harry is fine. As a matter a fact, he's probably waiting for us right now at the Great Hall. Let's go meet him."

"But-"

Before Hermione could continue on rambling, Fleur placed the palm of her hand onto Hermione's forehead. Her palm glowed white. The effect was immediate.

Hermione straight away calmed down. Her breathing eased. Her knees gave away but Fleur managed to grab hold of her before she fell onto the ground.

"Come, let's go," Fleur said as she heaved the girl up.

She held Hermione's shoulder and pulled the girl closer to her. She then gave a nod to Madame Maxime and immediately started walking towards the castle with Hermione by her side.

The rest of her school mate followed her.

"Professor Karkaroff, are you and your pupil going to dinner?" asked Madame Maxime.

Professor Karkaroff who was walking down the plank as he made his exit from the ship replied, "As a matter a fact ve are. Thank you. Your champion did vell."

"You are welcome. Walk wiz me, pleez. Zhere iz somezhing I need to tell you," said Madame Maxime.

Fleur glanced at Hermione as they climbed the slope leading up to the entrance stairs. She really hoped that they would see Harry by the time they arrived at the Great Hall.


The Great Hall...

It turned out that she didn't have to hope.

Viktor Krum was the first to notice Harry sitting alone at the Gryffindor table. He immediately alerted the rest.

Hermione, upon seeing Harry, wrestled her way out of Fleur's grasp and marched towards him. Ron and a few other Gryffindors whom they met just outside Great Hall followed suit. She and her friends were just beginning to interrogate Harry when Fleur arrived at the Gryffindor table.

"I'm fine. You both look sweaty. What? You both finally find out that jogging is good for you?" she heard Harry said.

Viktor sat beside him and spoke, "Harry, this is not a joke. Your friends here are clearly vorried."

"Worried? Why?" asked Harry, perplexed.

Hermione proceeded to sit on the other side of him. "We look for you everywhere, Harry," she said. "You didn't show up at all this whole afternoon. What happened? What Professor Moody wants with you?"

"Nothing," he said. "Nothing happened."

Hermione's eyebrows creased. "Are you sure?" she asked. "Tell us the truth, Harry."

"If I'm not okay I won't be here, am I?" he said. "Look, what's really going on, Hermione? Why are they here?" He pointed towards the rest of the group who were now converging around him.

Hermione proceeded to tell the tale. "We were waiting for you outside the class right after Professor Moody dismissed us. Well not just me and Ron but the Beauxbaton as well. Minutes went by and still you haven't come out. It was when one of us tried to open the door and found that it was locked that we began to panic. We tried everything - spells, manually prying open the door - all of them didn't work. We called out for you but you didn't hear us. Dumbledore arrived just as we decided to alert other teachers. He asked us why we were there. We told him everything."

"Everything?" he croaked. "You both knew?"

"Of course we knew, mate," added Ron. He was sampling one of the treacle tarts at the same time. "We were there, don't you remember? We told Dumbledore what happened within the class. Come to think of it, I can't really remember what really happened though."

"That's because you were drooling. Honestly Ron!" said Hermione hotly.

Ron just shrugged his shoulder.

"So, what happened then?" asked Harry.

"Dumbledore took a look at the door," continued Hermione. "It was as if he was trying to take a peek into something. It went like that for a while until he told us to go back to the common room. He told us that you're going to be fine. We refused but he insisted. We had no choice. We don't know what happen next. Harry, what happened in there? Tell us!"

"Moody gave me quite a tongue lashing for my inability to throw away the curse," Harry began to explain.

"But Harry, nobody would be able to throw away the Imperious Curse!" exclaimed Ron. "Nobody! And we're still young. We're just fourteen… fifteen years old at most! How can he expects you to do that?!"

"Yeah, I know that, Ron. He told me I'm a special case, that I really need to posses that skill," Harry replied.

"So vhat happened then?" asked Viktor, intrigued. "Did he teach you how to throw away the curse?"

"As a matter a fact he did," replied Harry. "I ace it but not without difficulties."

By this time, Fleur stopped listening. All the while she was watching Harry. She could see how pale he was. She could almost hear the weak undertone of his voice whenever he speaks and how labored his breathing was. She also witnessed how slow his movement were. And above all, he looked very tired. There was only one conclusion she could come up with.

Harry wasn't telling the truth.

Madame Maxime shooed them to the Ravenclaw table. She then had a few quick words with Harry before she and Professor Karkaroff headed towards the High Table.

Fleur and her schoolmate had a quick dinner. They would be attending one last class that night before they call it a day. She and Harry exchanged look once but she immediately looked away.

On their way back to the carriage, Cassandra was telling Daphne and Tracy about Harry's newfound ability to throw off the Imperious Curse when Fleur suddenly cut her off:-

"Cassy, he lied!" said Fleur.

This took them by surprise.

"But, how do you know that he was lying?" asked Daphne.

"I can tell that he wasn't telling the truth," said Fleur without elaborating any further. "Albus Dumbledore promised me an update. He's now my only source for the real story on what really happened to Harry."


Their night class lasted for an hour. When she exited the classroom, Professor Dumbledore was already waiting for her.

To be continued...

A/n: Things are getting dicey where I live. Please stay safe everyone!