Chapter 3

          Fleur slowed her breathing and walked towards the girl who was paying no attention to her surroundings. Fleur twirled a piece of her dazzling hair in between her fingers and quietly cleared her throat. The girl looked up immediately and had an inquisitive look about her.

          "Oh you must be Fleur, I'm Hermione Granger. It's a pleasure." Hermione spoke, suddenly getting up from her comfortable seat on the bed.

          "I don't mean for zis to come out the wrong way, but I am glad to be meeting a girl who seems as nice as you." Fleur inserted gently setting a small silver case upon an empty bed.

          "No, I know what you are, part-veela of course. I mean that's why everyone, er…every boy has been staring at you. I've read a lot about Veelas, I think you'd have to be crazy to want to be one…I mean I'm sorry."

          Fleur just chuckled at Hermione's obvious fast-paced intellect. She then turned towards Hermione's curious stare and propped herself on the foot of her bed.

          "I didn't choose zis life, if I had a choice I vould be normal…at least by witch standards."

          "I understand, although I thought a girl like you didn't really have problems. I mean even Harry was looking at you…" Hermione abruptly caught herself about to say something she shouldn't.

          "Harry Potter?"

          "Yes, I know that you know him, everyone has heard of him."

          "Of course I have, but I vant you to know that I'm not after any of your friends." Fleur said looking Hermione in the eyes as if she could read her thoughts.

          "I didn't…I mean Harry would never…I'm sorry I can't think of the right thing to say."

          "Well I will definitely forgive you for that, it iz okay that I stay in here right?" Fleur asked with a laugh.

          "Oh yes."

          Wood entered the boys' dormitory and threw himself on his bed and George sat staring at him. Wood tried to ignore the gaze, because it would only mean that he would actually have to answer George's inquiries.

          "Wood? How was it? Being alone with her?"

          Wood rolled onto his side and gave a menacing look to George.

          "George she is just some girl, it was no big deal. She did actually try to convince me that she was good at sports though."

          "Maybe she is…I bet she is great at everything." Ron said dreamily entering their room.

          "Oh you little git!" George chuckled and threw a pillow that rammed right into Ron's head.

          Wood and George laughed and Ron just scowled at them as Percy entered the room. He looked harried and collapsed onto his brother's bed, then tossed a hand over his eyes.

          "What's wrong Prefect?" George asked.

          "First years…they get worse every year. And to think I thought Ron and his first year companions were the worst it could get."

          "Hey!" Ron yelled defensively as Wood and George broke out in laughter again.

          "Oh, is Fleur okay Wood?" Percy suddenly interrupted and sat up.

          "Yes, the princess in secure."

          "Thanks, well I think I'll go check up on her then retire to my room."

          "Whatever your pleasure is!" Wood hollered off after him.

          Percy walked the stone bridge connecting the boys' and girl's dormitories and caught a second year boy trying to get a peek at undressing girls. Percy snuck up behind him and then slapped a hand down on his shoulder.

          "Percy! I was just going…" stammered a small blonde boy.

          "Yes, you were going to your room right?" Percy questioned, turning the boy the other way.

          "Yeah, that's right…hey what are you doing over here?"

          "I'm a prefect! I can go where I wish, besides I am not a peeping Tom!" Percy defended himself.

          "Sure…"

          "Do you want a detention before the first official day of school?"

          With that the boy ran the other way. Percy straightened himself up and nodded his head, in agreement with his actions. Then he headed back towards his destination. He came to the hardwood door and knocked importantly. A moment later Hermione came and opened the door just a sliver.

          "Hermione, good, may I speak with Fleur?"

          "She's changing, would you like to wait?"

          "Ah, yes…I'll just wait right…" Percy trailed off as he peeked inside the door above Hermione's head.

          Fleur was in a shimmering jade nightgown that hung on the curves of her body. She was twirling her waist length hair into a bun on the top of her head. Her back was erect as she looked in the mirror and Percy was in awe. He stared off at her as if he were in a dream.

          "Percy!" Hermione shouted and brought him back to earth.

          "Huh?"

          "I said; I'll be back in a moment with Fleur."

          "Oh yes, yes." Percy nodded and took a step back from the door.

          Hermione shut the door and walked over to Fleur who now turned to her and smiled serenely.

          "Percy Weasley wants to speak to you, he's waiting outside."

          "What?"

          "Yes, go have a look…I never thought I would say this, but I think you have him under some sort of spell. He never has that look on his face, not even when he was dating Penelope."

          "I…"

          "Go on…he's waiting." Hermione pushed her and then climbed into her bed and drew the curtains.

          Fleur opened the door only a bit so as not to reveal herself fully. Even though Veelas were known as the most beautiful creatures, this one in particular was very modest.

          "Fleur!" Percy hopped back over to the door.

          "Hello Percy, did you need zomething?" Fleur spoke with her wide blue eyes.

          "No, just wanted to make sure you were settled in alright." Percy quickly spoke gazing at her.

          "Yez, I am fine, thank you. I think I am going to go to bed, I feel I am in for a big day tomorrow."

          "Oh yes, don't worry, it will be just fine. Goodnight Fleur." He scrambled around and pushed his glasses up from the tip of nose.

          "Goodnight." Fleur smiled and shut the door silently.

          Percy stood a moment in the hallway, not really knowing what to do with himself. He patted his pocket for a moment then scurried off to his room. Wood looked out the door as Percy swiftly passed.

          "Percy, come here." Wood raised his voice.

          Percy popped his head in and held a goofy grin on his face.

          "What did she do to you?"

          "What do you mean Wood? You think some girl affects the way I act? Ha, ha." Percy then hurried off as Wood shook his head.

          "At least tomorrow we can start practicing." Wood said and scooted himself under his blankets.

          "Aww…we start tomorrow, no rest after a hard day at school?" Fred moaned.

          "You've had all summer to rest, now goodnight boys sweet dreams."

          Wood closed his eyes and tried to think of that beautiful Quidditch Cup shinning in his hands. He could already see his face smiling back at him as a reflection. He grinned and curled up on his side to fall into perfect sleep.