Chapter 12
Fleur scrunched down in a hidden corner of the girl's dormitory room. She clutched her transfiguration book in her long graceful fingers. She sat in between the wall and a large dresser. As she made herself comfortable she tucked a piece of her silvery hair behind her ear and opened the book.
Just as she cracked open the book and began to read, a large snowy white owl zoomed in threw a window. Fleur looked up as the owl perched itself at the very top of the dresser. It turned out to be Hedwig, Harry's owl. She must have intercepted a letter addressed to Fleur.
Hedwig cooed at Fleur and flew down and dropped a letter into her lap. Fleur smiled at Hedwig and gently stroked under her beak. Hedwig seemed pleased with this and flew off back towards the owlery.
"Who vould be vriting to me here?" Fleur wondered aloud.
Fleur carefully opened the top of the yellow envelope. She pulled out a long piece of parchment heavily written upon. She ran her fingers down the paper and saw her sister's name at the bottom. Gabrielle had finally found where to contact her. Fleur's parents had kept Fleur's leave a complete secret to Gabrielle. They thought it might affect her feelings of superiority above others who weren't from France or Beauxbatons for that matter.
Fleur knew that neither she nor Gabrielle would ever live up to what her parents thought proper. Fleur had always been one to play against the tide. She didn't want to possess any part of a veela through her veins, and secretly desired to be like everyone else. Fleur had always made sure that Gabrielle held the same feelings. She taught Gabrielle to stand up for herself, and to be kind to everyone with no exceptions.
Fleur smiled as she read the letter but her face darkened suddenly into a burdening frown. Gabrielle had news of Madam Maxime, which was not what Fleur wanted to hear. Madam Maxime had told Fleur she had to find out all that she could about Dumbledore's secrets and possible Triwizard champions, or else she would make sure Gabrielle was never accepted into any wizarding school.
Fleur was not about to let that happen, because if it did Gabrielle would be made an outcast in their family. Their parents would never claim to their part-veela daughter who couldn't take care of herself in the magical world. Fleur grimaced and smashed her hand into her book. Just then she caught sight of her watch. It was time for her to meet Percy and Wood.
Fleur sighed and picked herself up and eased her way out of the corner. She sighed and held her porcelain face in her hands trying to wipe away the dread that was quickly covering her skin.
Wood threw down his canvas bag by a seat in the back of the library. He sat down in the only spot half-way into the shadows. He pulled out his charms book and flipped to chapter three. He ran his fingers threw his dark hair and heaved his chest just as Percy pulled out a seat for himself.
"Wood." Percy mumbled and took out his bright orange book.
"Percy." Wood replied and gave him a sideways glance.
There was a thick silence for a moment then Wood cleared his throat.
"May I ask you a question?" Wood asked.
"You may…"
"Why are you here, you know you don't need any help with charms, let alone any subject." Wood spoke up.
"Wood why do you care if I'm here? I mean you were the one who didn't want anything to do with her. I thought you might count it as a blessing that I joined you two." Percy answered and crossed his arms.
"As much as I hate to admit that I'm wrong, I was. Fleur is a nice girl and she offered to help me, not you."
"It sounds like its beginning to become more than you just thinking she is nice." Percy challenged him.
"Percy don't be a wanker, I am here to learn. I know you fancy her."
"Well keep it in mind." Percy took on a more serious expression then he usually wore.
"Keep vhat in mind?" Fleur suddenly appeared and pulled out a chair next to Percy.
"Oh nothing." Percy said suddenly softening his expression.
Fleur smiled but as Wood watched her organize her things, he saw a more distant look than she had ever worn to date. Percy noticed it too; when Fleur met his eyes he saw that tears had been welling up.
"Is something wrong?" Percy inquired concernedly.
"Oh no, vhy vould you say that?" Fleur tried to play it off.
"You just look a bit shaken." Wood offered.
"Don't be silly you two, besides ve are not here to talk about me. Letz ztudy shall ve?" Fleur averted her eyes.
Percy and Wood backed off hesitantly, and the three began to study. After two hours of readings and explanations, Wood's head dropped into his book. Especially since after the first half an hour Percy decided to take charge. Fleur had a question for Percy and he took this as an opportunity to show off. He had gone on and on about the same point for an hour.
"I zink that zis iz a good ztopping point." Fleur giggled observing Wood.
"Oh yes, I suppose, well Wood are you enlightened?" Percy asked.
"Oh yes, couldn't get any better than this." Wood answered not lifting his head, but waving his hand around in the air.
Fleur laughed and closed her book and began to pack her things back up. Percy sat and stared at her and then built up his courage. He lifted one of his large hands and placed it on Fleur's small hand that lay on the table. She shot her head up and looked over at Percy with big shimmering eyes.
"Percy, vhat iz it?" Fleur asked with a smile.
"I need to ask you something…important."
Wood perked up his ears for the announcement and peeked up.
"Uh, vhat?" Fleur stammered.
"Will you be so kind to let me escort you out somewhere this weekend?" Percy quickly rambled off.
"Uh…" Fleur looked shocked.
Wood lifted his head up and looked back and forth between the two.
"I can't."
"Oh, I knew it was silly of me. To think you could like…"
"No, itz not zat, I don't want to get attached to anyone here. I vill be leaving in the zummer." Fleur cut him off.
"Oh, well I'm afraid it's a bit late for that…I've already become accustomed to seeing your face. So you won't even consider?" Percy looked into her eyes.
Fleur bit her lower lip and saw the sincerity in Percy's face. She slowly began to nod.
"Brilliant! Well I'll be off to bed now…um, see you tomorrow!" Percy exclaimed and hurried off.
Fleur and Wood watched as he ran out and then turned to one another.
"The scary thing is he really reminded me of Ron just then." Wood said.
"I can't believe I did that." Fleur spoke softly.
"To tell you the truth you surprised me as well. Percy can be a pain in the ass."
"No, he's very charming and sweet. I just don't want to hurt anyone."
"Or do you not want to be hurt?" Wood came back at her.
Fleur looked down at the floor and began to fiddle with the frill at the bottom of her shirt. She looked back up at Wood and he was still watching her with a keen eye.
