First of all, I would like to thank anyone who reads andor reviews this story. I plan on making it a multichapter, so feel free to comment on anything. Also, English isn't my first language, so if there are any mistakes I'm sorry and I'll try to keep them to a minimum.
In this story Fleur will be focused on her role as Veela heiress, and it will be Hermione's turn to decypher the older witch.
i don't want to give anything else away, but be ready for a bit of everything in this fic.
Thanks and enjoy the story.
Since being told she would be attending Hogwarts for the TriWizards Tournament, Fleur had abhorred the idea. Being surrounded by people unable to see beyond her charms as Veela was one of the reasons why the young woman was grateful to go to the Beaxbaton magic academy, where at least there were others like her.
Fleur was the heiress of the Veela clan in Europe, and as such, she had received strict instruction since she was little. His grandmother and mother, the former and the current leader of the Veela, taught her everything about their race, from how to use her thrall at pleasure, to retaining it when it overtook her. It had been hard years for her, as her inner Veela was eager to use the thrall continuously, and often controlling herself was not among her priorities, especially when she began to see people's reactions when she subtly intensified her thrall on a crowded street. People, as if suddenly remembering something, looked around searching for the source of that desire that had awakened in them. Fleur looked proudly at what her power caused, but it didn't last long. Her mother was always there to remind her that her thrall was no game and that, as heiress to the European clan, she had to keep her impulses at bay.
She finally assumed the teachings her family struggled to give her, and from the age of 15 she behaved like a true Veela Leader. This brought great pride to ers entire clan, for they saw in her the perfect heiress for the title, someone with great power, but able to control herself and decided not to use it for her benefit. The Veela are extremely discreet creatures in terms of their nature or the internal organization of the clan, but if anything was known throughout the magical world, it was that they are carnal creatures. They live and die guided almost exclusively by their sexual desires, and that's the natural thing for them. However, the clan leader had to be able to control these impulses, because if she got out of control, the whole clan would. Such was the connection they felt between them, a slight impulse on the part of the leader and the rest would follow her to the end of the world if they needed to.
Since Fleur assumed her role, certain expectations regarding her nature as heiress had fallen upon her. The world was changing little by little, and the magical creatures were getting worse seen in the eyes of the rest. All the power they had accumulated in the past had been diminished by the recent attitude of the wizards and this caused the political relationship between them to crumble with each meeting, which didn't tend to end well. That added to the decreasing number of Veelas, the future of their clan and many others had been compromised. That's how the idea of participating in the Triwizard Tournament came about. It was a clear opportunity to put the magical creatures in the spotlight again, even more so if one managed to beat two wizards in the tournament and proclaim itself the winner.
The idea arose at a clan meeting, in which both her grandmother and mother participated along with so many other Veelas. Fleur, as heiress, was also present, although as a minor she was not allowed to participate in the conversation. Her job was to observe, listen and learn from her elders.
"The last meeting with the British Ministry of Magic was real madness, if it wasn't for Apolline I would have lost control and we'd be in the middle of a war," said Arlette, Fleur's grandmother. Since leaving office in Apolline's hands, her attitude had become more impulsive than she used to be, and the young woman was not surprised by her grandmother's words.
Arlette was sitting to the right of Apolline, while Fleur was on her left. The rest of Veelas were sitting on the opposite side of the table, side by side. Fleur had known them throughout all the meetings, which lately seemed to be more frequent and more intense than usual, and recognized Amandine's voice when she spoke:
"They certainly believe that they can bend us and make us live in the shadows. What's with that we can only live in comunities hidden from the rest of the world?" with each word her tone of voice increased and anger and resentment were palpable in the air.
That had been the reason for the last meeting between the British magic ministry and the Veela clan, among many other clans. Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge reportedly wanted to carry out a legal reform wherein magical creatures would be held in areas that recreated their habitat, in his words, to minimize damage to the rest of the magical and Muggle world. The First Magic War had left a mark on the minds of those who had to fight to stop Voldemort. The decisive aid he received from some magical creatures such as werewolves now weighed on the other creatures that housed the magical world. Some wizards, like Fudge himself, thought it appropriate to prevent something like this from happening again by holding back the clans and keeping an eye on them. This had undoubtedly raised more than one eyebrow during the meeting at the Ministry.
Apolline raised slightly a hand to silence the murmurs of the other Veelas that had ripped off after Amandine's words. Fleur could feel the thrall her mother had deployed to call for their attention. The others were suddenly eager to hear what their leader had to say.
"It's something we won't let happen. As magical creatures we have a responsibility to preserve the world. We got here long before the rest, we mustn't forget it. One's actions now affect a large number of creatures, not just the Veela clan." some nodded to Apolline's words, while others did not deflect their sight from the Face of the Veela, guided perhaps by the impulse of the thrall or by the determination brimming from the words of the leader. "We're still in time to stop something like this from happening."
"Some of us will have to change his mind. I could approach him and use the thrall so that-" before Jules could finish speaking, Fleur's voice could be heard in the room.
"No." She said simply. The other Veela, except her grandmother and mother, looked at her frowning, surprised to hear her speak at a meeting.
Fleur paled as she realized her mistake, but something inside her prompted her to speak.
"We mustn't use our thrall, it wouldn't do any good if we're not there all the time. Moreover, that is probably one of the reasons why this ridiculous idea of communities has emerged. They're afraid of us, and that's inadmissible." She then noticed a slight movement in her mother and that was enough to keep her quiet, embarrassed at having exploded and lost her composure in front of the other Veela, but especially her mother and grandmother.
Fleur swallowed and looked down, knowing that after the meeting a few harsh words would be awaiting from her mother for interrupting the meeting.
"That's certainly something we won't do." Apolline cast a reproachful look at the woman who had proposed such an idea. Jules nodded with submission to the words of her leader. "The Minister of Magic is afraid, that is true. And so we must show him that we are not creatures to fear, we will make them see that the Veelas are on their side. Their resentment stems from our absence from the war, and mistakes may have been made in the past, but we will not repeat them." She paused to allow her words to settle down before continuing. "I have decided that my daughter will participate in the Triwizard Tournament to show them that we will be by their side in difficult times from now on, but not under her yoke. It will be a difficult task to make them see the difference, but I trust that my daughter Fleur, future heiress of the clan, will do an excellent job."
Fleur, surprised by her mother's words, looked at the faces of the Veela present. All but Jules seemed to trust the words of the matriarch, and looked at the heiress with pride. They certainly believed in her for the job, and although she liked to think that she herself had gained that respect, something in her head told her that it was her mother who was being trusted, not her.
She decided to set aside those thoughts for now and to show her confidence. Shee looked at each of the Veela with determination while she ruminated her mother's words. The Triwizard Tournament was known to harbor great dangers, and almost always some of the participants had to retreat due to serious injuries that even magic could not heal effectively. However, Fleur would do everything in her power to protect the rest of the Veela, including her own family. She couldn't let her little sister Gabrielle be confined to one of those 'communities'.
At the end of the meeting, the Veelas departed from Apolline and Arlette and returned home through the flu network. One by one, they disappeared between emerald-green flames in the fireplace of the room. Fleur did not pay much attention, for she was awaiting the words her mother would speak to her when they were left alone. When the last of them was gone and the flames left only the memory of their warmth, Apolline turned to her daughter.
"You must contain yourself better, Fleur. Even if your words were correct, you can't afford to lose your composure as a future clan leader." Fleur looked at the ground as her mother spoke. Part of her knew she was right, but another much more visceral part knew that behaviors like what Jules had demonstrated were why they were in that situation in the first place. "Don't forget it when you're at Hogwarts. You will be the representative of the European clan while you are there, and as such I expect your behavior is up to the task." Without waiting for an answer from her daughter, Apolline walked out the double doors of the meeting room, probably to her studio as usual.
Fleur's frustration was calmed by her grandmother, who laid a hand on her shoulder fondly and whispered words in her ear "Ignore her, it's more valuable to know when to speak up than when to shut up. You'll do a good job at the tournament, I have no doubt." She simply left the room, leaving Fleur alone with her thoughts.
The young woman let go of the air she did not know she was holding, and approached one of the windows on the high walls of her house. Through it she observed the garden that stretched before the mansion. She saw her sister in the distance, near the pond.
She had lived there all her life, in the Delacour mansion, and was surprised to long for what she had not yet left behind. No doubt this was going to be a difficult year for her, but the prospect of a peaceful future between magical creatures and wizards made everything worthwhile.
Hermione watched from Ginny's bedroom window as Ron and Harry got rid of the plague of garden gnomes. Percy and Ginny had gone to pick her up from her muggle home with the family car that same morning, and she couldn't help but smile when they saw their faces in that completely Muggle environment. Everything seemed curious to them and could hardly resist the desire to ask for every single thing in Hermione's house, especially Ginny. When Percy spoke to his parents, and after the young woman said goodbye to them, they set off for the Burrow.
When they arrived, Molly greeted them with the table full of food. Hermione greeted everyone and sat next to Harry and Ron. They talked about how each one had done in the summer, and Hermione couldn't help but tell them her trip to the British Museum, though only Harry came to understand it at all. His best friend gave the young witch an accomplice look when Mr. Weasley asked her about, as he said, 'that Rose Stone'.
After that, the conversation took on other defeats when the mail arrived. All the students received their letters from Hogwarts, and Molly announced that they would go to Diagon Alley that same day to get everything they needed. Hermione was happy to be back in that environment. Not that she didn't like being at home with her parents, but she missed the magical world every summer. Luckily, that year Ginny offered her to spend the last few days before returning to Hogwarts at the Burrow. Harry would spend the last two weeks there with them, and Hermione couldn't say no to joining them during the last week.
"Do you think Harry noticed?" Hermione turned after hearing Ginny's question from across the room. Since they got to her room, Ginny had been talking non-stop about Harry Potter. Hermione didn't care too much, though she sometimes stopped paying attention to her rambling.
"What do you mean?"
Ginny was clearly ashamed and a blush covered the redhead's cheeks. "What I have been talking to youabout for the last ten minutes, what's it going to be?"
Hermione felt immediately bad for having to admit that she hadn't been listening to her. "I'm sorry, I may have been daydreaming. What were you saying?" Hermione walked away from the desk she had been leaning on all that time and approached her friend.
Ginny let out a groan and layed on her bed. "doesn't matter, he'll never notice me. He only sees me as Ron's little sister." Hermione sat next to her while thinking about something to say to comfort her. Yes, Harry probably only saw her like that, but in a sense, she was still a child.
"Try not to think about it, maybe one day that will change. In the meantime, you should try to look at other kids. I'm sure there's someone else out there who you may like." Suggeested Hermione. Maybe a distraction from her current crush was all it took to forget him.
Ginny, with an empty and dramatic look sighed and said, "There will never be anyone else." Hermione laughed and punched her on one shoulder gently. Both ended up laughing, and after a few seconds, Ginny said, "But yes, I guess you're right. For now, I'll try to forget about him." She gave her a sincere smile, and when Hermione was going to change the subject, the readhead interrupted her. "Hey, I'm always telling you about Harry and you never mention anyone. Don't you have someone you like?"
Hermione blushed a little and before she could avoid it, Ginny sat down and looked at her with an ear-to-ear smile, having noticed the brunette's reaction. "No, not really" said Hermione. "I mean, I'm not sure I've ever liked anyone." Faced with this, the redhead decided not to insist, although she was visibly curious. Hermione ignored the feeling she got every time she talked about personal stuff like that. In a way, what she was saying to her friend was true, though not quite. But I wasn't prepared to open that door and figure out what it meant, so she just ignored it and changed the subject.
A while later, the whole family, including Harry and Hermione, were gathered in front of the fireplace, ready to go to Diagon Alley. Fred and George were the first ones to leave, followed by Harry and Ron. Hermione was next, and although it wasn't the first time she'd used that means of transportation, she felt a little nervous about the prospect of the trip. When she reached her destination, the boys received her and they waited for the rest to arrive. Once all gathered again, they separated into groups so they could finish earlier with their shopping. Harry, Ron and Hermione first went to Flourish and Blotts, much in spite of Ron. There they bought all the books they would need for the school year. Their next stop was the Quidditch Quality Goods store, where Ron and Harry started talking about the sport.
Hermione never fully understood her friends' love for Quidditch, but she watched and encouraged them when they talked about it or played it. Besides, she wouldn't miss any Griffindor gamest. Just because she didn't like it didn't mean she didn't want to support her house in every way. While talking about the new Firebolt, Hermione walked off a little to observe other items in the store. She was distracted looking at a collection of golden Snitches, and she did not notice the presence of the person who approached her from behind.
"Wow, isn't this our favorite Mudblood. What brings you here, Granger?" Pansy's voice caused a shiver to run down Hermione's spine. She turned to look at her and while trying her best to sound tough.
"Hi Pansy. I don't think I should give you any kind of explanation of where I go." Hermione swallowed after pronouncing these words, and Pansy took a step towards her. She was almost touching her, only stopping a few millimetres away from her, and Hermione struggled to get away, as she had her back pressed against a showcase, all the while she remembered the last time they were this close. The young Griffindor did what she could to keep her eyes away from her lips, but failed miserably.
"What's the matter, Granger?" Pansy looked at her intensely, and Hermione returned it with equal intensity, though she doubted she could keep doing that for much longer. Pansy leaned towards her, and for a moment Hermione thought she was going to kiss her, but she got passed her lips and whispered something in her ear. "Have you forgotten the last time we met?"
At that moment Hermione tried to utter a word, but she was unable to form anything coherent. Instead, she pushed her away with some force and watched her as she smiled maliciously. Hermione seemed to regain the ability to speak. "Get away from me, Parkinson." Her voice sounded threatening and she went for her wand. Pansy seemed to notice this, and far from driving her away, she seemed entertained with her demeanor.
"You're quite wrong, Granger. You're the one who needs to get away from me. The question here is whether you can do it or not." Pansy's smile turned a little grotesque. "We'll see each other, Mudblood." And just like that, she left the store.
Hermione, still agitated by the encounter with the young witch, went back to her friends and tried to ignore what just happened, but she could not help it and ended up blushing at the thought of the conversation she had had a few moments ago.
"What's wrong with your face?" said Ron. Hermione looked at him and the shame increased, as did the carmine on her cheeks.
"What's wrong with you in the head? Stop drooling over a broom and let's go." The young woman didn't wait for them as she turned in the direction of the door. Harry and Ron looked at each other with their eyebrows raised and ran behind her.
Throughout the summer, Hermione had been unable to stop thinking about her encounter with Pansy during the last days of the previous school year. Apparently, the young Slytherin wasn't going to let it go, which gave Hermione shivers, although she still had to decide whether it was a bad or a good feeling. She couldn't understand how she, the most powerful witch of her generation, a Muggleborn, had fallen so low as to be attracted to someone from her rival home. In addition, someone who had dedicated herself to insulting and tormenting her since they began studying at Hogwarts.
The event happened two days before classes ended. Hermione was in the library with no specific reason, she just liked to go there to get a little away from the boys. They were her best friends, but sometimes their voices could be too intense, and she knew they wouldn't follow her for long as she walked down the aisles looking at books and flipping through their pages from time to time. Hermione was doing just that, a book with the title of 'Carnivorous trees of the world' caught her eye. She stopped at the image of a Baobab. The image showed no difference from the Muggle tree she knew, but at the foot of the image was a warning "High percentage of numbing poison". Suddenly someone interrupted her reading when they placed some books on the shelf right in front of Hermione. When she looked up, she saw Pansy's face concentrating on her task, and was surprised that as she had approached her, she didn't give her any offensive commentary. Choosing not to tempt her fate, Hermione continued to read, or so she intended because, every few seconds, her eyes would travel towards the Slytherin, which had not yet recognized her presence. Hermione had always known of Pansy's beauty, she could not deny it. But she had never been able to observe her up close before without receiving any insult from her. The calm emanating from the young woman was truly a quality that surprised Hermione.
Apparently she had been looking at her for a few long seconds, because Pansy seemed to notice and looked straight up at hers. Black hair framed his face and gave her an almost innocent aura. It looked like she was going to say something, so Hermione lowered the book a little bit and waited. Pansy changed the weight from one foot to the other, debating between talking or no. Hermione was getting fed up, and rolled her eyes before focusing again on the book, turning her back on the other girl.
"It was a good punch. The one you gave Draco. He kind of deserved it and I just wanted you to know that". When Hermione turned around, Pansy was dangerously close to her. For some reason, she would always get nervous around the witch, and Hermione babbled a thank you and didn't know what else to say. The Slytherin stared at her for a few seconds. "For someone like you, you exceed the expectations of many" her gaze traveled from the Griffindor's lips to her eyes as she uttered these words. Hermione remained silent, though her breath was stirring with every passing second. Pansy slowly raised a hand and placed a lock behind her ear gently. Hermione could not help but think of the other young woman's lips, and unconsciously and inadvertently, her tongue moistened her own lips, an act that did not go unnoticed by the other witch. Pansy's hand now rested on her cheek, and with a slight gesture she drew her a little closer. She looked for some sign from the Griffindor, but all Hermione could think about was the closeness of their faces and the smell of the girl in front of her.
Just before their lips touched each other, they heard the footsteps of some students approaching and, breaking the trance of the two, they immediately separated. Hermione felt embarrassed and bowed her head. When she looked back up again, Pansy was gone.
That was all that had happened, and although she was confused by her attraction to the young woman, she was ashamed that it was precisely with Pansy. She didn't know what her intention was, she might as well just want to make fun of her. Hermione had decided not to share anything with her friends, although after that second encounter at Diagon Alley, she doubted that Pansy wouldn't try something again. The idea made her nervous, but she knew she should probably end up telling someone, if only for her protection in case the Slytherin tried something.
After the shopping, the family returned to the Burrow and merged into a sea of different activities. Life in that house was a little chaotic, but there was no time to get bored.
The days went by, and before they knew it, they were on their way to platform 9 and 3/4. Not to lose the habit, they were going to be late, and that was something Hermione couldn't allow. She presided over the caravan, running with her cart and Crookshanks following her with a dull gesture. The rest went after her, and Molly ran holding her hat with one hand and the other lifting her skirt a little. When they finally crossed the platform and faced the imposing train, the Weasley parents said goodbye to their children as well as Harry and Hermione before they got on. Hermione would certainly miss them, but the prospect of a new course was too exciting for the farewell to put out her good mood. Once inside, Fred and George disappeared between the crowd and Ginny said goodbye to the famous trio to reunite with Luna Lovegood.
Once alone, they sat in an empty compartment and relaxed a little. Hermione couldn't stop thinking about what Hogwarts would give them that year. Maybe they could finally have a normal year, although if Hermione's instinct was something to be guided by, a strange feeling warned her that it wasn't going to be like that. She looked at her two friends and could not help but smile when she saw them. Even if Voldemort himself decided to return that year, she wouldn't want to be anywhere else and with anyone else. She adored the moments they spent together, including all their adventures (even if she sometimes complained about their obsession with breaking school rules).
Hermione laughed about something Ron said and the rest of the journey they spent talking , making Hermione forget everything else. No doubt that year would be a great year for all of them.