Chapter 22

          Fleur pulled away from Wood's hug and tapped her fingers against the wall lightly. Wood brushed hair away from Fleur's eyes gently. Fleur looked up at his crooked smile and warm eyes. He slid his fingertips against Fleur's pouty lips.

          "Fleur, can I ask you something?" Wood whispered.

          "Yez."

          "Will you be mine?" Wood asked quietly like a scared little boy.

          Fleur met his eyes and saw her reflection. She didn't even notice all the other students walking past, some ogling them. She was too wrapped up in him. Maybe this was love.

          "Yez." Fleur answered against her better judgment.

          Wood grinned and leaned down to kiss her. She ran her fingers through his dark hair and lost herself. Wood pulled away shortly after and kissed her nose softly.

          "You look tired, let's go upstairs." Wood suggested.

          "I zink you are right." Fleur agreed and started to head towards the foot of the stairs.

          Fleur was surprised to find that she wouldn't be scaling the steps on her own at all. Wood picked her up and cupped her in his arms. Her long legs hung over his left arm. She giggled up at him and bit her lower lip.

          "You don't have to treat me like I'm dizabled." Fleur laughed out.

          "You're not disabled you're just tired and I want to take care of you. Let me take care of you." Wood spoke sincerely.

          Fleur's face dropped and she nervously tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear. A small salty teardrop ran down her rosy cheek. Wood suddenly stopped and set her down.

          "Did I do something wrong?" He asked concerned.

          "No…you did everyzing right." Fleur said and sniffled.

          "Then why are you crying love?" Wood asked, wiping tears away from her eyes with his thumb.

          "Because no one haz ever treated me like you…no one haz ever vanted me before. I'm just a pretty face to look at. Seen and not heard." Fleur mumbled off.

          "Then no one really sees you like I do. If people would really look at you they would see that you are strong and intelligent. You are not the average pretty face."

          "So you've known a lot of those pretty faces in your time then?" Fleur spoke turning the situation into a joke.

          "Well there have been quite a few that took a certain interest in me." Wood joshed.

          Fleur laughed and playfully pushed him on the shoulder. Wood caught her hand and drew her near him. He took a piece of her hair in between his fingers and twirled it. He began to bend down and took hold of her ear and nibbled on the earlobe. Fleur giggled and wriggled out of his grasp and started to jump the stairs.

          "Where are you going?" Wood called after her.

          "I'm going to beat you." Fleur hollered and ran off.

          Wood smirked and chased after her. A few moments later they entered the Common Room breathlessly. Hermione glanced up from her book and smiled.

          "Good to see you alright Fleur. Oh uh…Errol dropped off a letter for you while you were out. I placed it on your desk." Hermione informed then immediately returned to the novel.

          "Zank you." Fleur smiled and started to climb the stairs.

          Wood followed and Hermione rolled her eyes.

          "You know boys aren't allowed up there." Hermione warned.

          "Hermione we all know that you sneak up Harry for a snog every other day." Wood shot back with a chuckle.

          "What? You are preposterous!" Hermione shouted.

          "Come let's go before she explodes and we have to clean up the mess." Wood chortled pushing Fleur ahead.

          Fleur smirked and then made it up to the girl's dormitory. Wood followed suite and they entered the room noticing Angelina studying. Angelina raised her head and cocked an eyebrow as she watched Wood. Wood gave a little bow to Angelina accompanied with a sly grin.

          "I'm not even going to ask." Angelina shook her head and went back to studying.

          "Good because I don't feel like explaining…but I do want to comment on your playing today it was great!" Wood scuttled over and sat next to Angelina.

          Fleur shook her head with a smile and turned towards her desk. A small stained parchment envelope sat on her transfiguration paper. Fleur picked it up and carefully tore it open. Fleur's sapphire eyes scanned the text quickly and she crumbled the edges in her hands. Madam Maxime was coming to Hogwarts.

          Madam Maxime had had enough of Fleur's antics. She decided she was going to come and help Fleur's job along. Fleur grabbed at her chest and breathed deeply. Wood and Angelina looked up and then rushed to her side.

          "Fleur what is it? You look like you're about to faint?" Angelina asked.

          "I…I…" Fleur stuttered then a loud noise came from downstairs.

          The three of them turned their heads then briskly set off outside. Wood held onto Fleur's hand and they all clamored down the wooden steps with Hermione following. Fleur dropped her jaw at what she saw. Dumbledore was standing tall and sophisticated as always but was speaking quietly.

He turned to walk the guest towards his office and Fleur saw the distinct shape of Madam Maxime. She was already here. Fleur turned completely white and began to fan herself. She couldn't believe this was happening now. She dropped Wood's hand instinctively.

"Fleur what is it?" Wood wondered aloud.

"Zat's my headmistress."

"That's Madam Maxime?" Hermione asked.

Fleur nodded and took a big gulp.

"Well isn't this good Fleur? I mean you do miss home right?" Angelina commented innocently.

"Zure…" Fleur trailed off.

"Fleur is something wrong hun?" Hermione asked sweetly.

"Uh no…but I'll talk to you all later I have to go." Fleur quickly spouted off and ran off without glancing back.

"Fleur wait!" Wood yelled.

Fleur wasn't listening though she was jogging to try and find Ron. Ron was sitting with Harry in the Great Hall, munching on some carrot sticks. They both looked up as Fleur came over to them with a drained expression on her fair face. Ron stood up and supported her as she was hunched over.

"Fleur? Do you need to go to Madam Pomfrey?" Harry asked jumping up as well.

"No…" Fleur spoke slowly.

"I think I should go get her anyway." Harry offered.

"No she'll be fine Harry, just give her a minute." Ron defended her and made her take a seat.

"Ron she's here. Madam Maxime is here at Hogwarts."

"What? We have to get moving on a plan then." Ron sputtered and he grabbed Fleur's hand pulling her out.

Harry stood back dumbfounded. He had no idea what was going on. Ron and Fleur were acting very strange indeed. They had to be up to something but it just didn't make sense. Ron was his best friend next to Hermione, why would he keep something from him?