Chapter 8

          Wood scurried down the hall towards the dungeons; he wanted to beat Percy and Fleur to class today. That way he would be able to apologize aside from the rest of the class. He decided that it was high time that he and Fleur started to get along. If she was going to be the replacement chaser for the entire semester or possibly the whole year, they needed to have some sort of understanding.

          Fleur tried to balance her books as well as watch where she was going. Percy had to leave early to speak with Dumbledore about some random prefect duty before class. Fleur didn't mind him not being there to carry her books for her, but she was afraid she might get lost. Hogwarts was an extravagant school with changing staircases, and winding routes.

          Fleur spotted the Slytherin area up ahead only a few paces. She made her way with books piled in her slender arms and her eyes darting about. Out of the corner of her right eye she saw a figure coming towards her. Fleur started to turn, hoping it was Percy or someone who would be willing to help her out.

          As Wood approached Fleur she circled towards him without him expecting it and they collided into one another. Wood's books scatted in every direction along with Fleur's. They both fell backwards and Fleur was still sitting upright as Wood lay flat on his back.

          "Vhat vere you doing?" Fleur asked.

          "Trying to come talk to you before class." He answered, rubbing pain from his lower back.

          "Vhy vere you going to make another rude zuggestion?" Fleur shot at him as the bell rang for class to commence.

          Fleur sighed as she picked herself up, dusting her dark skirt off.

          "Great now you've made uz both late."

          "Well excuse me Miss Prissy, better than everyone else…" Wood hollered at her and joined her standing.

          "That vas uncalled for."

          "Was it? I don't think so!"

          Fleur just groaned out of frustration and began to retrieve her books from the floor. Wood followed suite and they gathered their things in silence until they bumped their heads together while they were both scavenging.

          "Ow, watch what you're doing." Wood spoke and massaged his forehead.

          "Maybe you should!" Fleur exclaimed and heaved her books up.

          Wood rolled his eyes and they both ran towards their potions class. When they finally made they were both out of breath, and jamming themselves through the doorway at the same time. The whole class turned to watch the scene and Professor Snape waltzed over with a smirk written on his lips.

          "Do you two mind telling me why you are late for my class?" Snape questioned, looking from one to the other.

          "She was coming to class and…" Wood started.

          "He vas the one who ran into me…." Fleur spoke at the same time.

          "Enough, I don't need to hear it now. But you can explain yourselves if you wish in detention this evening."

          "But…" Wood commented.

          "What Mr. Wood? Objections?" Snape cut him off and raised an eyebrow.

          "No Sir." Wood said quietly as he glanced at Fleur.

          Fleur's eyes were wide with surprise, this obviously was her first detention, possibly ever in her entire life. She looked thoroughly disappointed in herself, which she was.

          "Very well… ten o'clock tonight, we will all meet on the Quidditch field. I have inside information that there is much to be done out there."

          Fleur and Wood nodded and headed to their seats. Snape's face suddenly lost its stern look and it actually seemed that he was pleased with himself. He had caught two Gryffindors out of line, a dream come true for him.

          Fleur slumped into her seat as Percy followed her with his eyes. He looked concerned and placed a hand on Fleur's shoulder when she had made herself comfortable. She turned her face to him and gave him the best smile she could manage.

          "What happened?" Percy whispered.

          "Ve just bumped into one another and it didn't go over to vell between us." Fleur answered.

          "Oh, well it'll fine, Snape shouldn't be too bad to you both." Percy comforted her and ran his hand up and down her arm friendly, trying to relieve her tension.

          Wood watched Percy and started to ruffle his hair again. He wanted to know why Percy would want to dedicate all this time and attention to Fleur. He almost wanted to switch places with Percy. Percy didn't have to be around Fleur all the time. It seemed that he was doomed to be.

          At dinner Fleur was quiet and sat next to Hermione in a dream-like state. Harry and Ron kept looking at Fleur's face expecting it to drop into her soup at any moment. In that case, Ron would be more than happy to give Fleur mouth to mouth if it would be necessary.

          "So you have to spend one more night around him…its not that bad. I have to see him twenty times a day to go over strategies." Harry spoke up.

          "See who? Are you going to be with Wood again tonight?" Hermione asked.

          Fleur nodded solemnly as Ron and Harry gulped.

          "She got a detention in Snape's class, they were both late…" Harry added.

          "Oh second evening in a row you two will be together…people might start to get the wrong idea." Hermione joked.

          "That's not funny; Wood can be really lousy…" Ron said, defending Fleur.

          Fleur looked up and smiled at Ron, and then her smile faded once again.

          "I almost vish I vas back in Paris, even though Hogwarts iz one of the most amazing places I've ever been."

          "Don't say that, Wood is the only bad thing that you have experienced since you've been here right?" Harry asked.

          "Yez."

          "Well then don't be so down, there are plenty of better things. Just wait till you play a game of Quidditch. You'll forget all about the bad things when you're flying above all those cheers!" Ron piped up.

          "You all are right I zuppose." Fleur said.

          "Of course we are! Don't pay any attention to that moronic wizard with half a brain." Hermione added.

          After dinner they all chatted for hours around the common room fire. Percy and the twins joined them and Fleur lost track of time. After what seemed like only five minutes Wood was leaning his body against the side of the fireplace, clearing his throat. Fleur looked up and then looked at Percy's wrist; it really was time to go see what Snape had in store for them.