The Mirror of Erised
Chapter Four
By Jewel Little Bird
As the new first years were being Sorted ("Beskosty, Calli!" "RAVENCLAW!" "Beskosty, Jamie!" "RAVENCLAW!"), Fleur allowed her mind to wander a bit. Not to her surprise, most of the female teachers were rather cold to her; McGonagall barely managed to be the most civil. Most of the male teachers became flabbergasted the second she entered the room; again, no surprise there. It was the exceptions that surprised her.
Madam Hooch and Professor Sinistra seemed to enjoy Fleur's company, the former very much so. Professor Trelawny, whom Fleur had insisted on meeting, had practically fallen in love with her (she had gone all puppy- eyed at Fleur and proceeded to tell her that she'd 'suffer greatly but be comforted by the chameleon,' whatever that meant); Fleur had made a mental note not to ever see the woman unless it became absolutely necessary.
Hagrid, like Filch, was immune to her veela power, but in a different way; Filch hated Fleur, there was no doubt about that, but Hagrid seemed to think of her as a child, not a young woman (every time he saw her he called her "Young'un"). Then there was Dumbledore; as far as she was concerned, he seemed immune to almost anything.
Then there was Snape.
Fleur would never forget him. She'd never been formally introduced, but Madam Maxime had pointed him out to her last year and told her to stay away from him if at all possible. Since this year it would be even more difficult to do so, she decided just to be careful around him.
A couple of hours earlier, Madam Hooch had been kind enough (or smitten enough, Fleur wasn't dense) to give her a quick but thorough tour of the castle, mostly so that Fleur wouldn't get lost. Along the way, they'd seen Snape, and Fleur had unintentionally given Hooch gossip fodder about him.
Earlier That Day:
Madam Hooch walked with Fleur through the corridors, explaining all sorts of things to Fleur that were "necessary" as well as describing some of the teachers and their habits. Fleur wasn't really paying attention; she was more concerned with getting back to her room in time to get what she needed to take a quick shower before the Welcoming Feast. She hadn't bathed since the morning before and felt disgusting.
As they passed one of the dungeon classrooms, Fleur saw Snape hard at work on a potion. Hooch snorted. "You'll want to be careful around him girl," she said. "He's as nasty as you can get without being all-out evil."
"Oui, I zink Madam Maxime told me about 'im," Fleur said absently with a nod as they continued on. "'E is Professor. Snap-Ay, oui? Ze Potions Mastair?"
Hooch stared at her for a second, completely dumbstruck, then proceeded to laugh hysterically. "Oh, don't let him catch you calling him that! You'd never live to see the dawn!"
"Is zat not what 'e's called?"
"He's called 'Snape,' though I'd love to see his reaction if you called him Snap-Ay!"
Present Time:
From the quick glance she'd thrown at Snape, there was no doubt in her mind that he was immune to her veela powers. She leaned towards Professor Flitwick. "Why is Professor Snape so angairy?" she asked as students continued to be sorted ("Lee, Kristina!" "SLYTHERIN!").
Flitwick cast an annoyed glance at the Potions Master. "He's just upset that he missed out on the Defense Against the Dark Arts job again. Seventh or eighth time by now, I believe. He'll try to make you nervous every chance he gets, so just ignore him." He smiled at her ("Pinette, Nicole!" "GRYFFINDOR!"). "Don't worry about him; the rest of us like you!"
She smiled, knowing that he was wrong, but deciding not to inform him of this.
After the last first year student got to her house table, Dumbledore stood up to give them all a few words before they began to eat ("Enjoy the feast"). Looking over all the tables, she finally spotted Harry Potter and his two friends. There was no doubt in Fleur's mind that the girl (what was her name... Krum had called her Hermy-own-ninny, but that couldn't be right) did not like her. To her relief, though, Harry did not seem very susceptible to her powers. His redheaded friend, however, seemed to be spellbound by her even when she wasn't using her power. Nonetheless, she'd be forever grateful to those two for saving Gabrielle.
After the feast, Dumbledore stood up to tell the students a few more things before they all went to bed. Fleur let it all go in one ear and fly out the other until she heard him say, "... Professor De'Lacour, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher!"
She smiled and waved at the students, mostly as an excuse to see their reactions. A good 95% of the boys were clapped excessively hard, including Harry's friend. Of the other 5%, a total of only two looked unhappy.
And there were only ten girls clapping; a grand total of three actually seemed happy to do so.
Well, she thought. If this is going to be the case, then I better show them my other side once we get into the classroom. She had also noted over the years how much girls got to like her better once they'd seen her "other side."
The feast finally over (Fleur hadn't been pleased with the selection of food; she's have to ask someone where the kitchens were), both students and teachers got up to go to their rooms. Harry and his redheaded friend waved at her and shouted, "Good luck, Fleur!" as they left. She grinned and waved back, causing the redhead to blush furiously.
She waited until everyone else had left before leaving her seat and heading for her room. She wanted it to be reasonably quiet on the way there so she could think a bit. She hummed to herself as she cleared her mind. Doing this, for some strange reason, also allowed her to "feel" if there was anyone around. Though she hadn't told anyone, that was the reason she had screamed during the third task in the Tri-Wizard Tournament: she had known Barty Crouch was there.
And that was how she knew the Potions Master was right behind her.
"So, you're the new teacher?" he said venomously. If he wasn't trying to be evil, he could melt hearts with that deep voice.
She calmly turned around and crossed her arms, looking him up and down. He was pale from the lack of sunlight, and his black robes made the effect worse. Also, his hair was rather greasy, as if he brushed it regularly but forgot to actually wash it. He was tall, too; a food five inches taller than she was. His black eyes were as hard as ice, and his expression of disgust did not help his looks at all.
Even as she had looked him over, he examined her in a way that felt like she was being stripped. Somehow, she wasn't that surprised. Men like Snape would not be affected by veela charms, but they were men, nonetheless, and seemingly fascinated by the thought of a naked woman.
"Oui, I am ze new teachair," she said carefully. "And you would be ze Potions Mastair?"
"Yes."
A thought popped into her head. It's either ask him or go to a shop and buy it, she thought. Besides, his reaction might be entertaining. "Well, I was wondairing eef you could make me a potion? I'm not too good at potions myself, and I'm sure zey would over-charge me eef I tried to buy what I need."
The side of his mouth twitched; he seemed to be pleased. "What exactly do you need?"
She smiled innocently though she wanted to laugh (courtesy of acting lessons when she was younger). "You see, I 'ave very nasty periods. Zey're very bloody, and ze cramps are terrible. I can deal with ze blood, but I was wondairing eef you could come up with somezing to get rid of ze painful cramps?"
The look on his face was precious. It was a cross between "dumbstruck" and "horrified." Fleur wished she had a camra.
"Eef, 'owever, you are unable to make me somezing, zen maybe you can suggest a place where I can buy what I need?"
The look on his face became furious. Apparently, saying that he was unable to make something struck a nerve. "I can make you a draft that will get rid of the pain easily," he growled, looking for all the world like he wanted to kill her, "and it will work better than anything you could buy."
"Zat's good to know." She made her smile flirtatious, knowing it would only irritate him more, then turned and continued towards her room. "Zank you!"
She planned to laugh the night away, dreaming of the look on his face.
@
End of Chapter Four
As the new first years were being Sorted ("Beskosty, Calli!" "RAVENCLAW!" "Beskosty, Jamie!" "RAVENCLAW!"), Fleur allowed her mind to wander a bit. Not to her surprise, most of the female teachers were rather cold to her; McGonagall barely managed to be the most civil. Most of the male teachers became flabbergasted the second she entered the room; again, no surprise there. It was the exceptions that surprised her.
Madam Hooch and Professor Sinistra seemed to enjoy Fleur's company, the former very much so. Professor Trelawny, whom Fleur had insisted on meeting, had practically fallen in love with her (she had gone all puppy- eyed at Fleur and proceeded to tell her that she'd 'suffer greatly but be comforted by the chameleon,' whatever that meant); Fleur had made a mental note not to ever see the woman unless it became absolutely necessary.
Hagrid, like Filch, was immune to her veela power, but in a different way; Filch hated Fleur, there was no doubt about that, but Hagrid seemed to think of her as a child, not a young woman (every time he saw her he called her "Young'un"). Then there was Dumbledore; as far as she was concerned, he seemed immune to almost anything.
Then there was Snape.
Fleur would never forget him. She'd never been formally introduced, but Madam Maxime had pointed him out to her last year and told her to stay away from him if at all possible. Since this year it would be even more difficult to do so, she decided just to be careful around him.
A couple of hours earlier, Madam Hooch had been kind enough (or smitten enough, Fleur wasn't dense) to give her a quick but thorough tour of the castle, mostly so that Fleur wouldn't get lost. Along the way, they'd seen Snape, and Fleur had unintentionally given Hooch gossip fodder about him.
Earlier That Day:
Madam Hooch walked with Fleur through the corridors, explaining all sorts of things to Fleur that were "necessary" as well as describing some of the teachers and their habits. Fleur wasn't really paying attention; she was more concerned with getting back to her room in time to get what she needed to take a quick shower before the Welcoming Feast. She hadn't bathed since the morning before and felt disgusting.
As they passed one of the dungeon classrooms, Fleur saw Snape hard at work on a potion. Hooch snorted. "You'll want to be careful around him girl," she said. "He's as nasty as you can get without being all-out evil."
"Oui, I zink Madam Maxime told me about 'im," Fleur said absently with a nod as they continued on. "'E is Professor. Snap-Ay, oui? Ze Potions Mastair?"
Hooch stared at her for a second, completely dumbstruck, then proceeded to laugh hysterically. "Oh, don't let him catch you calling him that! You'd never live to see the dawn!"
"Is zat not what 'e's called?"
"He's called 'Snape,' though I'd love to see his reaction if you called him Snap-Ay!"
Present Time:
From the quick glance she'd thrown at Snape, there was no doubt in her mind that he was immune to her veela powers. She leaned towards Professor Flitwick. "Why is Professor Snape so angairy?" she asked as students continued to be sorted ("Lee, Kristina!" "SLYTHERIN!").
Flitwick cast an annoyed glance at the Potions Master. "He's just upset that he missed out on the Defense Against the Dark Arts job again. Seventh or eighth time by now, I believe. He'll try to make you nervous every chance he gets, so just ignore him." He smiled at her ("Pinette, Nicole!" "GRYFFINDOR!"). "Don't worry about him; the rest of us like you!"
She smiled, knowing that he was wrong, but deciding not to inform him of this.
After the last first year student got to her house table, Dumbledore stood up to give them all a few words before they began to eat ("Enjoy the feast"). Looking over all the tables, she finally spotted Harry Potter and his two friends. There was no doubt in Fleur's mind that the girl (what was her name... Krum had called her Hermy-own-ninny, but that couldn't be right) did not like her. To her relief, though, Harry did not seem very susceptible to her powers. His redheaded friend, however, seemed to be spellbound by her even when she wasn't using her power. Nonetheless, she'd be forever grateful to those two for saving Gabrielle.
After the feast, Dumbledore stood up to tell the students a few more things before they all went to bed. Fleur let it all go in one ear and fly out the other until she heard him say, "... Professor De'Lacour, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher!"
She smiled and waved at the students, mostly as an excuse to see their reactions. A good 95% of the boys were clapped excessively hard, including Harry's friend. Of the other 5%, a total of only two looked unhappy.
And there were only ten girls clapping; a grand total of three actually seemed happy to do so.
Well, she thought. If this is going to be the case, then I better show them my other side once we get into the classroom. She had also noted over the years how much girls got to like her better once they'd seen her "other side."
The feast finally over (Fleur hadn't been pleased with the selection of food; she's have to ask someone where the kitchens were), both students and teachers got up to go to their rooms. Harry and his redheaded friend waved at her and shouted, "Good luck, Fleur!" as they left. She grinned and waved back, causing the redhead to blush furiously.
She waited until everyone else had left before leaving her seat and heading for her room. She wanted it to be reasonably quiet on the way there so she could think a bit. She hummed to herself as she cleared her mind. Doing this, for some strange reason, also allowed her to "feel" if there was anyone around. Though she hadn't told anyone, that was the reason she had screamed during the third task in the Tri-Wizard Tournament: she had known Barty Crouch was there.
And that was how she knew the Potions Master was right behind her.
"So, you're the new teacher?" he said venomously. If he wasn't trying to be evil, he could melt hearts with that deep voice.
She calmly turned around and crossed her arms, looking him up and down. He was pale from the lack of sunlight, and his black robes made the effect worse. Also, his hair was rather greasy, as if he brushed it regularly but forgot to actually wash it. He was tall, too; a food five inches taller than she was. His black eyes were as hard as ice, and his expression of disgust did not help his looks at all.
Even as she had looked him over, he examined her in a way that felt like she was being stripped. Somehow, she wasn't that surprised. Men like Snape would not be affected by veela charms, but they were men, nonetheless, and seemingly fascinated by the thought of a naked woman.
"Oui, I am ze new teachair," she said carefully. "And you would be ze Potions Mastair?"
"Yes."
A thought popped into her head. It's either ask him or go to a shop and buy it, she thought. Besides, his reaction might be entertaining. "Well, I was wondairing eef you could make me a potion? I'm not too good at potions myself, and I'm sure zey would over-charge me eef I tried to buy what I need."
The side of his mouth twitched; he seemed to be pleased. "What exactly do you need?"
She smiled innocently though she wanted to laugh (courtesy of acting lessons when she was younger). "You see, I 'ave very nasty periods. Zey're very bloody, and ze cramps are terrible. I can deal with ze blood, but I was wondairing eef you could come up with somezing to get rid of ze painful cramps?"
The look on his face was precious. It was a cross between "dumbstruck" and "horrified." Fleur wished she had a camra.
"Eef, 'owever, you are unable to make me somezing, zen maybe you can suggest a place where I can buy what I need?"
The look on his face became furious. Apparently, saying that he was unable to make something struck a nerve. "I can make you a draft that will get rid of the pain easily," he growled, looking for all the world like he wanted to kill her, "and it will work better than anything you could buy."
"Zat's good to know." She made her smile flirtatious, knowing it would only irritate him more, then turned and continued towards her room. "Zank you!"
She planned to laugh the night away, dreaming of the look on his face.
@
End of Chapter Four