This story is a part of the First Date Collection in Flowerpot Discord. As usual, I don't own anything related to the Wizarding World, except my OC.
The overall atmosphere in Hogwarts was moody. At least, it was moody to the male population, but cheery and giddy for the female ones. The boys of all the years silently endured the oncoming catastrophe. Valentine's Day.
Most romantics planned this day to be perfect, and with other schools participating in the Triwizard Tournament, lots of different couples formed.
Like them, Harry was on cloud nine, after Fleur accepted him as a date to the Yule Ball. During the Ball, they became a couple, and both were happy about that. They were almost inseparable, with Fleur now being a perfect addition to Harry's circle of friends. The only downside was his friend, Alex, who constantly wore a grin that screamed "I told you so".
Although they went to Hogsmeade as a date, Harry could feel that he needed to up his game by a notch, and a romantic date was his way of doing so. This would be his first true date and he wasn't sure if Hogsmeade was the perfect place to do it.
/\\\\\\\\
With Valentine's Day looming closer, Harry asked everyone's advice. He flooded Grimmauld Place with letters, almost anticipating Sirius's answer with horror. The former Marauder must have a fit of laughter with Harry's dating issues.
"So, kiddo, is she the one?"
Sirius's grin was as bright as his namesake star. He definitely looked a lot better since his exoneration trial after Harry's third year. The perfect mesh of the Lord of one of 28 and a wild playboy, who just can't settle down. Despite his somewhat childish nature, he proved to be a good caretaker and a good godfather.
"She is, Sirius, I'm sure of it."
Harry's adamant reply brought joy to Sirius's scarred heart and lots of material for future pranks.
"Well, you definitely must be a gentleman. And look the part, even if she doesn't want you to. All girls are princesses deep in their hearts, awaiting their Prince Charming." Sirius's grin evaporated, when Harry's eyebrows rose at this part.
"Hey, don't look at me like that. I am Prince Charming."
"And who is it this time?" Harry asked with a heavy sigh. "Amelia Bones? Emmeline Vance? Or is it Alex's mom?" These words struck a horror in both of them. "Please, don't tell me it's her."
"That was a family reunion, kid." Sirius couldn't help, but add some stern voice. "And by the way, she's a cousin. I won't cross that line."
"Uh huh."
That conversation, nevertheless, ended with some good advice. Harry must take Fleur to the restaurant. And not just any one, but the best French cuisine restaurant London had to offer.
And he knew just the people as they often visited such places. He just needed to find them. An easy task, considering that Saturday dinner time always brought everyone to the Great Hall. He could find them there, or intercept them before they enter the hall. He just mustn't tip off Fleur about what his plans are.
And his thoughts proved to be true, as Fleur entered Gryffindor Common Room, using the password he'd given her. A huge leap of faith on his side, but the girl proved to be very trustworthy as well as caring
"Bonjour, 'Arry." Fleur positively purred, hugging her boyfriend and kissing the daylights out of him. Harry was only happy to reciprocate.
"Bonjour, Fleur." He responded, butchering the pronunciation as usual. Although Fleur just giggled and lightly kissed his nose.
"You'll get better. After all, far it'll be for you to not learn the most beautiful language ever?"
"True." They left the common room to avoid the commotion. Fleur still held his hand, sometimes looking at him.
"What's on your mind, mon cher?"
Damn, she was really observant. Harry tried to clamp down all emotions he had to not give away his plan. Although, he would've been the worst boyfriend, if he didn't indulge her a little. Even in teasing.
"Planning out our Valentine's day, ma cherie."
He butchered the French as usual, but Fleur doesn't mind. Her attention was picked at the "Valentine" part, as her cheeks gained a little rosy color and her shyness brought up.
"Tu… tu fais vraiment?" She stammered a bit and, apparently not realizing that she spoke in French. Fleur's uncertainty had really strange issues. When she pursued him for the Yule Ball, it didn't even surface. But when they started dating, she started to doubt herself. Harry heard Daphne saying that Fleur is terrified to lose him, despite their relationship only beginning. She fell in love with Harry so fast and so deep, that she already knew that he's 'the one'. Also, having no prior experience dating a guy with total immunity to her Veela charm made her very nervous. Thankfully, Daphne proved to be a great help and great friend to her, carefully steering Fleur from a pit of self-doubt to complete determination. Alex's words - "these two having trouble dancing around each other" - had hit the spot, and actually earned him a smacking, courtesy of Daphne.
"You spoke in French, Flower." Harry softly said, gently caressing her hand with his thumb. "And yes, I'll do it for you. Every day."
He was shut off with a searing kiss from a very happy and relieved girlfriend.
"It pleases me, you know," her words had a heavy accent, mostly from her being nervous.
But then the shy smile she wore turned into a devious one, and Fleur asked almost innocently:
"Any hints on what you are planning?"
"Nope. Nada. Can't tell. Will spoil the surprise." Harry smiled, his heart was glowing with warmth because of her.
/\\\\\\\\
The dinner was interesting indeed. There was no sign of Daphne or Alex so he excused himself from Fleur and got over to the Slytherin table. First year Harry would have been nervous doing this, but now he did so without a second thought. He spotted Tracey, who always knew where Daphne was, sitting near Pansy Parkinson and Blaise Zabini and happily chatting with them.
"Hello, all." said Harry with a charming smile.
To some Slytherins that smile was akin to a mad grin. He got a happy "Hello, Harry." from Tracey, somewhat shy and quiet "Good day, Harry." from Pansy (which really baffled him) and carefully-neutral "Hey, Potter." from Blaise.
"Do you know where Daphne is? I need to ask a few questions, and I don't see her."
"Well, she's in her usual spot with Alex. Probably playing piano again." Tracey wrinkled her nose, her smile not fading one bit. "If you move fast, you may be able to catch them." The chestnut-haired girl looked smug, as if she knew something Harry didn't.
"Thanks, Trace. You're a lifesaver." Harry smiled back before bowing his head towards her companions. "Blaise, Pansy. Have a nice day, you three."
Harry moved back to the Gryffindor table, not wanting to strain his relations with the House of Snakes any more. His friendship with Tracey is one thing, but Pansy? The Parkinsons were one of 28, and Pansy, despite being Malfoy's ex-lackey, had a lot of respect and connections. At least, what Harry thought she had.
"Success?" Fleur's purring voice brought Harry out of his line of thought. The beautiful Veela smiled, laying her head on his shoulder.
"Yup. Just need to catch Daphne and Alex, before Snape manages to eat me alive." He hated this lie, but at least Fleur won't poke around, potentially ruining the surprise. Fleur sighed.
"Your Potions master is… extravagant, to say the least."
"More like he hates me," he replied as a dry chuckle escaped his lips. "Guess I'd better go."
"Come back fast. We still need to dance again." Fleur's musical laughter was really captivating. And dancing with her without any reason was just the icing on the cake.
Kissing his beautiful girlfriend, Harry stood up and left the Great Hall. The only place where Alex and Daphne could be, except library or Slytherin Common Room, was THE Room. The Room of Requirement, that was "presented" by Dobby to Harry and his friends. And they frequently hung out there, for one reason or another.
Getting up to the seventh floor was no trouble, despite moving staircases and blubbering portraits, which interrupted Harry's line of thought. But he managed to reach the floor and even get to the Room, without bumping into anyone. He then walked near the entrance to the room with the single repeating thought:
'I need a room where Alex and Daphne are sitting.'
He didn't really expect it to be a success, but on the third time when he walked near the entrance, the wall was replaced with an intricately crafted door. He pulled the door open to enter a small replica of a Greengrass Manor's guest hall. A few couches here and there, elegant covering on the walls and ceiling, an ancient-looking lamp hanging from the ceiling and a huge fortepiano near the farthest wall with two people sitting in front of it.
"No, Daph, you're playing it too rudely and fast. That part is to be slow and sensual."
"Such words in your vocabulary. Enlighten me, Renera, how do you need to play it?"
That's Daphne, alright. She probably sat with a smile on her face, despite a small bickering with her betrothed.
"Step aside, Greengrass, and listen."
And Harry heard one of the most beautiful music plays he ever heard alive. Despite having a bionic arm, Alex played marvelously. He could go pro, if he wanted. The music was giving off both happiness and sadness, some eerie feelings and captivating moments. It was really good, even Daphne had her jaw dropped from that.
"How…"
"That was wonderful." Harry decided to announce his presence. His friends turned over to greet him. Daphne even rubbed her eyes - Harry could guess that such wonderful music got through to her. Alex, as usual, "scanned" Harry with his cold purple eyes and gave a nod.
"Hello, Harry." Daphne's voice was strong, despite her emotions. "Good day so far?"
"Yes. I just wanted to ask you something, before getting out of your hair." He then turned to Alex and said accusingly: "Why didn't you tell me you could play piano?"
"You never asked." A flat response. Renera-style, as always.
He then flexed his bionic fingers. "I needed to practice handling this thing from the beginning. Add an absolute pitch," Alex touched his ears, "and you get the idea. I can play anything and everything on piano. But I need it to be perfect, to avoid acoustic dissonance."
"I got it." Harry sighed. Alex always has been a handful. "Daph, can you tell me the name of that French restaurant you and Alex had gone to on the previous Valentine's day?"
"L'Air du Temps, if I recall correctly," mused Daphne, and then her eyes became wide. "Oh, Morgana…"
"What?"
"Daphne probably remembered that place because she tried some spicy food. Italian?" Alex asked his girlfriend.
"Hungarian. And that thing burned through my throat!"
"Hungarian food in a French restaurant?" Harry raised his eyebrows. Alex slightly flinched.
"Yeah… They had an experimental month of all-European food. I had some German food. Delicious and moderately spicy."
"Okay. And the age limit? I can go there, right?"
Daphne smiled, figuring out his plan. "Of course. But you have to wear a suit. Hang on."
She reached for her bag, and then fished out a part of parchment and some ink. She wrote down something and handed it over to Harry.
"Here. There's the address of a respected tailor, from Evergreen family, our vassal. Tell him I sent you. He'll set you up with perfect attire."
/\\\\\\\\
Daphne omitted a few details about the said tailor. Alfred Evergreen was not just a respected tailor, he was a well known one. His suits were top-class, for the elite of Purebloods. He had an atelier in the small estate north-east of London and Harry was ready to lose half the gold from his vault.
And then the other surprise came. Once he mentioned that Daphne sent him, Alfred expressed his regret that he couldn't create a better suit for "Lady Daphne's friend" and kindly asked for a day or two. He also never changed his manner of speaking throughout the exchange - like a butler when he speaks to his master. The deeply respected "sir" was always attached, despite what Harry kindly requested him not to do so. Alfred also didn't glance at his scar not even once - neither did he exclaim his surprise to be honored in creating a suit for The-Boy-Who-Lived.
"This should do fine, sir. I'm sure that your lady will be honored," said Alfred, who stood in front of Harry, who had come to collect his suit. The tailor then presented what looked like a traditional suit, except for a few changes in style and big change in the way it felt.
"How much do I owe you?" asked Harry, who feared the inevitable, but then another surprise came. Evergreen looked at him like he'd grown a second head.
"I never ask for money from Family and Family friends." Alfred said a bit sternly. "Please give my regards to Lady Daphne."
Harry was left dumbstruck as Alfred then added Harry's name to some book before kindly motioning him to leave.
He could only guess that quirkiness was something that passed through generations at Greengrass clan, but, nevertheless he was very thankful to Daphne for the help.
Preparations were made. He even requested a free-leave pass on Valentine's Day from Professor McGonagall, and the stern, but romantic at heart professor, signed it without even an ounce of protest, only adding that his position as the Triwizard Champion allowed him that freebie. He even mentioned during his conversation with Fleur that it would be delightful, if she'd wore a dress that particular evening. Fleur picked up on that and made a mental note.
And now he was waiting for her near the Beauxbatons carriage. He was a little nervous, despite everything. This evening may be a significant turn in their blossoming relationship. He hoped that everything would go smoothly, which went without saying, that he definitely planned to do.
Fleur was only slightly fashionably late. Her dress - and Harry was a hundred percent sure it was a dress - was concealed by a long and stylish trench coat.
"Sorry I'm late." Fleur smiled, her cheeks pink. Either from the creeping cold or from something else that he couldn't pinpoint.
"It's okay, I was early." Harry took her delicate arm in his. "Shall we, mademoiselle?"
"We shall, monsieur." Fleur giggled slightly.
They walked into the castle directly at Professor McGonagall's office. They made small talk along the way, just to get rid of sudden nervousness that had just creeped up on them.
"So, what are you going to do after the Tournament?" Harry asked, his brow crooked inquisitively.
"Moi? Well, I'll have to complete my NEWTs. After that I am hoping to pursue my dream of being an enchantress or curse-breaker," Fleur looked at him, "only with you by my side, of course."
"Absolutely. Don't even think that I'll leave you." His strong possessive glare breathed more fire into her Veela heart. Her smile got wider.
"What about you?"
"Me? I thought I could join the Auror Corps, but…" Fleur didn't interrupt, patiently waiting for his train of thought to completely arrive. "I've had enough Riddle encounters for a lifetime, and I don't want to risk my life any more than I have to, while also getting addicted to it. I want to be…" The more he thought about it, the more his eyes actually shone. "A teacher. I want to apply here to be a Professor. DADA, maybe. But I'm fine with something else."
"So, you want to teach children, non?" She asked with a playful smile. "Bon."
They soon reached McGonagall's office in no time. Harry gently knocked, and the door opened by itself. The professor was busy composing a list, presumably, for an upcoming class. She only glanced at the couple's direction.
"Quick, get in." She ushered them in the office. "Do you know where to go?"
"Yes, Professor." Harry replied. "The place isn't that far away from the Leaky Cauldron."
"Good," McGonagall replied back while looking at them through her glasses. "I expect you to return to the castle before curfew. Miss Delacour, please watch over Mr. Potter, since he has a knack of getting himself into trouble."
"I will, Professor." Fleur replied with a smug smile. "'Arry is in good hands."
McGonagall gave a rare bright smile, then ushered them to a Floo fireplace. Two subsequent cries of "Diagon Alley!" and the office once more became quiet, except for the sound of a feather scratching on a parchment.
/\\\\\\\\
"Never been to London?" The long silence was broken by Harry, who couldn't think of another way to start the conversation. They appeared in the Leaky Cauldron (with Harry once again forcefully ejecting from the fireplace) before exiting into the muggle side of London. Fleur excitedly looked over every and each corner of the streets she could.
"Oui. First time, to be honest. Much colder than Paris, but still homey." Fleur's accent was thicker than before, but Harry easily understood her. It would be a disaster if he couldn't understand his girlfriend.
"So, mon amour, where are you taking me?" Her sultry smile was an ultimate weapon against him. But, since they're in London anyway…
"I'm taking you to the finest French cuisine restaurant this city has to offer." he replied back whilst a charming smile broke out onto his face.
"L'Air du Temps? Êtes-vous sérieux?! Il y a une magnifique cuisine Provence, je rêvais depuis longtemps d'y aller!" Fleur was definitely excited, since she had grasped his arm and even bounced happily and adorably.
"Honey, I don't understand a word you said…" said a bemused Harry. Those words brought Fleur back from the Heavens.
"Merde! I totally forgot myself! Sorry, I was just excited to visit that place!" she replied back rapidly, as her cheeks went pink from embarrassment.
"No need to apologize, Flower," he said as they stopped and he hugged her. "I just want you to have fun on our special day."
"What makes it so special?" Fleur's voice was muffled because of his coat.
"Why, it's our first true romantic date."
The conversation ended with Fleur kissing Harry softly and whispering "Je t'aime, mon amour.".
Surprisingly, between occasional kisses and stops for sightseeing the couple managed to get to the restaurant. And Fleur was pleasantly surprised that Harry had made a reservation ahead, since the maître d'hôtel recognised his name and accompanied them to their reserved table.
"Your menus, monsieur et mademoiselle." With a soft bow maître d'hôtel departed.
When the couple sat at their table (with Harry respectfully holding out a chair for Fleur), they looked around. Fleur was ecstatic and very nervous. This place was known even in France as one of the most expensive and wonderful French cuisine restaurants. Nevertheless, Harry was adamant that they'd celebrate here.
Their first romantic date, at "L'Air du Temps". The beautiful Veela had to stomp down her urge to just tackle her boyfriend and kiss him senseless. Not long later, their orders were made, and their conversations once again started..
"Fleur, what are you thinking about us, well, after the Tournament?" Harry felt like he was treading on the thin ice here. He didn't want to upset the girl, and his lack of experience and somewhat antisocial life didn't help either. Now he understood that this question wasn't the best at this time. Thankfully, Fate decided to grant him a gift.
"Just to be clear, you don't want to break things up between us?" Fleur's delicate brow rose a little.
"No! No, no! That's not what I meant." He hastingly corrected himself. "I mean, you live in France and I'll still be in Hogwarts…"
"No problem. I'll just find a job in London." Fleur smiled. "You thought that once the Tournament is over we're going to be torn apart? With our relationship over?"
"Yes."
Harry then felt her delicate hand slightly rubbing his cheek affectionately.
"Je t'aime, mon amour. Always. I'm yours and you're mine. Nothing would change. I will still love you with all my heart." Her eyes shone brightly. Even the nervousness in her eyes was gone, replaced by an enormous amount of love and affection. "Je t'aime, 'Arry."
"Je t'aime, Fleur." They kissed softly, and just as their lips disconnected, the maître d'hôtel brought them their orders. And their conversation was cut short.
/\\\\\\\\
Their date was the best. That's something both Harry and Fleur could agree on. They ate wonderful food, they danced - and Fleur was ecstatic to see that Harry improved enough to be a good dancer - and they went on a wonderful walk, enjoying each other's company and thoughts.
During their discussions, Fleur made it clear that she was adamant that she'd start to work in Gringotts after her NEWTs. They also agreed to live in Grimmauld Place, 12, for some time. If Sirius was to prank them, they'll retaliate as they agreed on. They didn't care about time and only the distant Big Ben gong reminded them that they've got to go back.
Once they got back, they were surprised, and as since they were late, Harry expected Professor McGonagall to admonish them. She just rose her brows and asked:
"How was your day?"
"The best." Harry and Fleur replied in unison. McGonagall even let out a small smile.
"Very good. Please escort Miss Delacour back to her carriage and get back to the dormitories. You have fifteen minutes." No more was needed to be said.
They got to the carriage, giggling like mad, like they broke the rules and almost got caught. Their wonderful date, the first romantic date, ended with a searing kiss. How much Harry wanted that to never end, alas he didn't want to disappoint McGonagall. Thus he got back to dorms in just fifteen minutes precisely. His Head of House would've been pleased.
In the morning he was greeted by another of Fleur's trademark searing kisses and an entertaining event in Great Hall. Alex was banging his head at the table, with Daphne, Tracey, Astoria and Pansy laughing like mad. Harry greeted them and smiled:
"What got your knickers in a twist, eh, Renera?"
A low growl was a response. Only Tracey somehow got her bearings and managed to reply:
"Daph dragged him yesterday to Madam Puddifoot's tea shop!"
"Ouch." Harry couldn't help but chuckle. Alex hated that particular joint in Hogsmeade.
"You evil witch. I'll never marry you or your sister, know this." Alex's helpless growl was met with more roaring laughter. Even Fleur, who witnessed it, couldn't help but laugh along. Despite Alex's probably deserved torture, Harry felt that their date was the best.
And then he kissed Fleur again, earning lots of shocked gasps and respectable whistles.
'Best first date indeed.'
Done. Large thanks to Hydra's Odyssey, who betaed this work for me. If you're interested in Flowerpot in general or want to meet your favorite authors, join the Flowerpot Discord.