Hello everyone, this is my submission for round four of Season 9 of the Quidditch League Fanfiction Competition. Thank you to my teammates: Cupcakeyyy and NevilleGonnaGiveYouUp for betaing this. I do not own any rights to Harry Potter; they belong to J.K. Rowling.

Chaser 1 Task: Coven

Optional Prompts used:

6. (character) Fleur Delacour

9. (word) priority

15. (setting) dusk

Word Count: 2659

Translations:

Maman = Mother

Ma chérie = my darling

Ma fille = my daughter

Ma famille = my family

Ma petite fille = my granddaughter

Fleur Delacour had always known she was slightly different to other girls her age, but the thing was she didn't understand why they seemed to despise her when all she wanted was to have a friend or two. She had thought she'd found friends in the two girls she'd grown up with: Céline and Théa, both were of magical families; Céline came from a Pureblood family while Théa was a Muggle-born witch, not that bloodlines mattered to Fleur. As the trio had been growing up, they would stay at each other's houses on weekends or when the weather was warm like today, they would play out in the field that was situated behind Fleur's home, the field a sea of red from the poppies that thrived there.

Today was different, however, as there was a boy beside Céline and from the way the brunette looked at him it was clear they were more than just friends.

"Fleur, this is Luc, my boyfriend," Céline said dreamily and giggled with clear delight.

Fleur smiled at Luc in greeting and that was when all hell broke loose. The moment she smiled at the boy it was like a spell had been cast on him, the sandy-haired boy walked over to her, his eyes full of adoration, like a stray puppy wanting attention.

Céline stormed over to push Fleur back, her chestnut-brown eyes full of anger as she pointed at her. "Luc is my boyfriend! How dare you try and steal him, Fleur!"

"I wasn't… Céline, all I did was smile," Fleur retorted defensively even though she felt hurt at her friend's insinuation that she would try and take the boy from her. She'd only just met him!

"Céline, Fleur isn't like that," Théa stated, standing beside Fleur.

"It was the way she looked at him, she put him in a trance! Are you coming or not, Théa?" Céline bristled, clearly eager to leave.

Fleur watched as Théa pushed her glasses up on the bridge of her nose and folded her arms resolutely. "I'm staying, Céline, I can't believe you're being like this."

"Fine! Be friends with that… harpy but do not come by my house again!" Céline exclaimed before leaving the field with Luc in tow.

Fleur stood there in shock until she felt wetness on her cheeks and realised she was crying. "I didn't…"

"I know, Fleur," Théa said, pulling her friend into a hug. Fleur held on until she eventually stopped crying, though her eyes were now red-rimmed. She sat down in the grass with Théa.

"I think there is something different about you. I've been reading a book about magical creatures and I think you might be part Veela."

Fleur's sapphire-blue eyes widened with a mixture of curiosity and fear at her friend's words. "What is a Veela, Théa?"

"Well, the book describes them to be harpy-like creatures with bird-like heads and beaks along with scaly wings who take the form of beautiful women. A full Veela has the ability to attract men with their beauty along with launching fire from their hands."

Fleur thought about the way Luc had looked at her after she had smiled at him – it was like he had indeed been entranced by her; even though she'd never had the intention of attracting him to her, she'd just smiled at him in a friendly way. What Théa had told her was making her wonder if perhaps she was this magical creature in the flesh or at least partly. She thought about her mother, how she had an ethereal beauty to her. When they went shopping together, men would turn their heads as she walked by with a look in their eyes.

"I think I need to ask Maman about this," Fleur said, getting to her feet.

Théa stood up too and hugged Fleur again. She really was a good friend, the blonde thought, as they walked across the field to the path that led to the small gate – the entrance to the Delacours' garden and house. When they reached the black iron gate, Théa said, "Even if I'm right about this, Fleur, I'm still going to be your friend."

Fleur felt relief fill her at Théa's declaration, if the event in the field had shown her anything, it was who her true friends were. "Thank you, Théa."

"Let me know how it goes later?"

Fleur nodded. "I will." After opening the gate and stepping through, she closed it behind her, waving at her friend who made her own way home. When she was out of sight, Fleur took a deep breath to calm herself, the nerves like butterflies flitting around in her stomach at the prospect of asking her mother if she was in fact a Veela or at least part. At that moment she knew it was her priority not only to know the truth but if it was indeed correct, then she wanted to do right by her family.

As she walked over the stone path at the side of the garden, she took in the beauty that surrounded her. There was an array of flowers blooming, their scents wonderfully intoxicating as their perfume wafted on the warm summer air. Her mother took great pride in her garden; it was her second joy, the first being Fleur and her baby sister, Gabrielle.

As she entered her home from the large glass sliding doors her senses were overtaken by the wonderful sweet smells coming from the tray of cooling chocolate brioche rolls on the counter. The pastry was golden brown with little squares of chocolate dotted on each.

"Ah, ma chérie, there you are, you're back early," her mother said from the doorway, her blonde hair up in a neat chignon bun, her eyes alight with happiness until she saw the look on Fleur's face.

"Maman, I…" Fleur faltered, feeling the sadness and hurt at how Céline had treated her earlier come back full force like an avalanche. Without another word, she ran into her mother's arms and cried.

"Oh, Fleur, whatever is it? What has happened?" Apolline asked, concern for her daughter clear in her voice.

When the tears had subsided, Fleur pulled back in the embrace slightly to meet her mother's gaze, her eyes like her own. Taking a shaky breath, she explained what had happened in the field. The words were tumbling past her lips as her heart sped up with the memory; how Théa had remained by her side and what she had mentioned about the Veela.

"I wondered if and when the ability might show in you, ma fille," Apolline said, crossing the kitchen and taking two plates from a cupboard, before placing a brioche roll on each. With a flick of her wand, she sent the plates into the living room and Fleur followed her there. "I am sorry that I haven't said anything until now. I couldn't know for sure, you see, and I didn't want to worry you needlessly."

Inside, baby Gabrielle was asleep on the sofa. Fleur could make out a faint haze around the couch and presumed it was some form of protection spell her mother had cast while she was out of the room, so that her young daughter would not fall.

Fleur stroked her baby sister's head softly before sitting on the two-seater, relaxing back into the pillows, a plate on her knee, while her mother sat next to her. Fleur tore off a bit of the viennoiserie and popped it into her mouth. The way the warm bread along with the decadent flavour of the dark chocolate melded together in her mouth made her smile. They were her favourite sweet treat.

"Am I part Veela then?" she asked after a few silent seconds, looking at her mother with both curiosity and worry. She needed to know.

Apolline chewed on a piece of brioche quietly before nodding. "Yes, you are, as is Gabrielle. Because you are only quarter Veela, the effects of the attraction ability won't be as powerful. You may also only have that skill but it is something we shall find out at the coven meeting this weekend."

Fleur's eyes widened; there was a coven of Veela.

At the look on her daughter's face, Apolline stroked her hand gently, squeezing it in reassurance. "There are a few covens and ours is a peaceful one. Your grandmother is the head of it, due to her age and the fact that she is a full Veela."

"Do you have other abilities, Maman?"

Apolline tilted her head slightly in the affirmative. "Yes, I have wings. I'd show you, but I'm afraid I may knock things over, and besides, I do not want to wake Gabrielle. You will see them at the meeting, I promise."

While she was nervous at meeting others that were like her, she was relieved that she would have family by her side, she wouldn't be alone in this. "How many are there in the coven?"

Apolline smiled. "There are eight of us now." She took Fleur's hands in hers before hesitatingly continuing, "I'm sure your friend has told you something about, let's say, how Veela are perceived?"

Fleur nodded and Apolline sighed. "Veela only become their bird-like counterparts when provoked, though those of us who have wings or other attributes can use them at will. But do not worry, we will teach you. While books may paint us in a hideous light, we are peaceful creatures. Of course, like with everything good it has its negative sides, there have been some Veela that have used their ability to seduce men and sometimes women with cruel intentions."

Fleur listened intently, soaking up everything her mother had to tell her. She was determined to learn as much as she could about what she was, the need to know about her heritage, sang in her blood. By listening to her mother, it was the best possible start. "Does Papa know?"

"Yes, he knows I am half Veela, that was how we met at school. He caught me flying on the school grounds one day and when I landed, he asked me questions – clearly intrigued. We began a friendship that day, albeit a tentative one, but with time it became romantic when I knew I was falling in love with him. The attraction magic can be controlled – what happened today with that boy was accidental."

Fleur understood, there was so much to learn but she knew that she would in time and with her mother and the coven's tutelage. "What will happen at the coven meeting?"

"You will be introduced and take part in your rite of passage. We meet once a month, always at dusk by the lake next to your grandmother's house. Veela have an aptitude with storms and water, meeting there is when our powers are concentrated. You can feel the magic in your veins. By doing so it should allow you to see what other ability you possess."

There was an inkling of excitement that began to flood through Fleur now. Would she be like her mother and have wings or would she be able to conjure balls of fire in her hands like Théa had said? Whatever happened, she knew that she would make her mother and the coven proud.

On Saturday evening, Fleur was both excited and nervous to meet the coven. She didn't want to let her mother or them down. She might not have met the majority of them yet, but deep inside her she could already feel a sort of connection. It was as if her inner Veela was calling out for… what? Her family? Was it like wolves? Were Veela living in packs? Well, her mother wasn't and neither was her grandmother that much was sure, but… the covens had to have an origin of some sort, right? She didn't know how her mother knew but she squeezed her hand gently, grounding her.

"You'll be just fine, ma chérie, I promise. Are you ready?"

Fleur nodded and took her mother's hand before the pull of Side-Long Apparition took over and the next thing she knew they were stood on a beautiful beach at dusk while the last of the sun's rays lit up the sky in dark shades of pink behind a few fluffy grey clouds. The water of Lake Bourget lapped softly across the pebbles like a gentle caress before receding. A few feet away stood a group of women ranging from young to old. Fleur walked beside her mother, her shoulders set back and her head held high while a soft smile graced her features. Her rapid heartbeat had calmed down as soon as they had arrived. It was as if she'd come home. She could feel the warmth of the women's magic envelope her into a welcome hug.

In the middle of the group, with her arms open, was a very familiar figure, Camille Beauchêne. Her silvery-blonde hair was cut into a short bob that seemed like an ethereal halo while her face was lined with soft wrinkles that didn't mar her beauty one bit. It only emphasised how she had begun to grow old gracefully. Albeit in her late sixties, she wore a flowing floral, blue summer dress with a cardigan over her shoulders.

Fleur entered the circle with her mother beside her and embraced her grandmother, the feeling of safety seemed to intensify now that she was within the arms of the coven.

"Ah, ma famille, it is so good to see you," Camille said, her French accent almost musical in its cadence as she hugged Apolline, too.

Fleur watched as her grandmother addressed the women around her.

"My sisters, while you all know my daughter Apolline, it is with joy that I introduce my eldest granddaughter Fleur, who will take part in her rite of passage during this meeting."

There were smiles and whispered welcomes to Fleur from the group as she stood next to her mother. She could feel the electric thrum of the magic around her as what seemed like a quiet night changed when dark clouds marched across the sky as if beckoned. The rumbles of thunder were like an angry captain giving orders. The rain that started falling shortly after was a soft sheet, not cold but warm to the touch.

"Step forward, Fleur, feel the magic of the Veela flow through you, know that you are with family here, no harm shall come to you," Camille said.

Fleur did as her grandmother asked, joining her in the centre, and felt a rush of magic hit her like a tidal wave encompassing her before tingling through her body; it was exhilarating. This had to be the moment in which the Veela in her awakened fully. It just had to be; she could feel it.

The magic coursed down and remained focused in her hands, when she looked down, balls of flame had appeared, the sparks dancing patiently as if waiting to be thrown.

As if of her own accord, her feet moved to the water's edge and she threw the balls one after the other through the air, watching as they soared through the dusk-filled night until finally disappearing.

There was applause from behind her, the women all smiling including her mother, who was tearful and her grandmother, who looked proud.

"Ma petite fille has the power of the flame," she announced happily.

Fleur was hugged by each woman in turn with the promise to be taught all they knew and that they would be there for her as they were for each other should she ever need them.

From the way they all looked at her, she knew she had already fulfilled her priority to her family by making them proud and she would continue to use her abilities for good.

In that moment, Fleur knew she had been welcomed into a second family, but not only that – a sisterhood.

If you enjoyed this, let me know what you thought by leaving a review.

I'll see you all soon,

S L Blake x