Chapter 23
Fleur and Ron ran over to an empty classroom and shut the door behind them. Fleur paced around as if in malaise. Ron raced towards her and pulled her over to a desk. Fleur plopped down on the hard wood seat, and looked up at Ron who was scratching at his chin.
"Let's see…we could go to Dumbledore now. I mean we almost have to right?" Ron asked looking into Fleur's eyes.
"No…she's gotten to him. He vill never believe us."
"Perhaps you're right. Well then we need to come up with a plan. Okay…let's see." Ron spoke up bravely.
Wood wondered around the halls looking for the missing Fleur. She had run away in such an abrupt manner that he knew he had to find her. She wasn't telling him something and he could feel it. Fleur had been so playful and confident right after the Quidditch match, but then she had turned into a pale ghost of herself.
"Okay…so I'll come up here…" Fleur started as they hunched themselves over a map of the school.
Ron came closer to Fleur to point out the location of Dumbledore's office. He pressed against her left side but they weren't paying any attention to one another.
Wood glanced down the deserted hall of classrooms and began to make his way towards the end. He saw shadows moving through the window of the last classroom. When he had made it to his destination he dropped his jaw at what he saw. Fleur and Ron were side by side.
"What's going on in here?" Wood asked opening the door.
Fleur and Ron both turned around and pushed the map behind them in surprise.
"Uh…vhat are you doing here?" Fleur wondered aloud.
"I think that question should be directed towards you dear. So you went off to meet with Ron." Wood assumed.
"No! Oliver, vait! Zis iz a misunderstanding." Fleur rushed her speech.
Wood just shook his head and stormed out of the room. Fleur started to chase after him but Ron held her back. Ron knew that Wood was too hotheaded to listen to a word Fleur would say to him. Fleur gave up the struggle and dropped her arms at her side.
Wood huffed off to the Great Hall and sat down placing his head in his large hands. Fleur and Ron, he should have known. They spent a lot of time together. Ron was Fleur's little savior and Wood knew he could never live up to that perfect existence.
"Fleur, let's focus we have to get rid of Maxime for your sister." Ron concluded.
"You're right. I have to zink of Gabby."
Harry waltzed over to Wood and poked him lightly on the shoulder. Wood shot his head up and grimaced in Harry's direction.
"What's going on?" Harry asked.
"I found Fleur and Ron together…alone in a classroom." Wood explained harshly.
"Oh them? I don't think there is anything romantic there Wood. Ron said so…he said she picked you. They left here earlier in rush, Fleur looked like she was about to croak."
"Maybe they lied to both of us Harry."
"Were they kissing when you came in?" Harry pressed on.
"No…but I bet they had been!" Wood defended his point of view.
"Wood you are a very fickle and judgmental boy." Harry spoke and shook his head like a chastising parent.
"Hey I'm older."
"Yes, but I am much better at interpreting situations." Harry added with a chuckle.
Hermione came in followed by Fleur and Ron. Ron and Fleur were still whispering menacingly at one another. Wood growled under his breath and Harry cocked an eyebrow at him. Hermione took a seat next to Harry who welcomed her warmly.
Fleur and Ron sat at the very end of the Gryffindor table, waiting for an arrival. Wood shot a dirty glare their way and Fleur desperately wanted to go tell him what was going on. She knew she had to stick to the plan though. Madam Maxime came waddling into the Great Hall and noticed Fleur who stood up immediately in her presence.
"Oh Miss Delacour, how…uh…lovely to zee you." Madam Maxime lied through her teeth.
"Oh the pleazure iz all mine. Let'z find a room vhere ve can talk?" Fleur batted her eyelashes innocently.
"I zink we should." Madam Maxime spoke, and told a firm grip on Fleur's arm.
Fleur got a bit of a pained expression. Madam Maxime was much larger than she was…Madam Maxime was a giant. Madam Maxime was as strong as an ox and her grip was as tight as could be on Fleur. Fleur looked to Ron and Ron nodded her along. He just hoped he could catch Madam Maxime soon for Fleur's sake.
Ron stood up a few minutes after they disappeared and followed stealthily. Wood watched and then glanced at Hermione and Harry who seemed to be oblivious to the whole situation. Wood pushed himself up and followed Ron.
Ron snuck over to the spot where he last spotted Fleur's silvery hair cascading against the dull background. He heard a little noise behind him and whirled around. Whoever had made it was being very careful not to be found out. Ron tried to dismiss it and continued to move.
Wood came out from behind the dark pewter statue that was hiding him away and followed again. Ron was scuttling around like an odd duckling, which brought a smirk to Wood's lips. All of a sudden Ron disappeared and Wood walked a little more slowly. He crept up along the corridor and immediately tripped and fell flat on his face.
"Ouch…" Wood mumbled.
"Got ya!" Ron whispered coming out.
"Yeah…you did."
"Why were you following me anyway Wood?" Ron asked.
"I wanted to see what was going on. I didn't get to hear Fleur's explanation. And I didn't like the look of that Madam Maxime grabbing Fleur like that."
"Well that's your own fault and I don't have time to tell you what's going on, but it's not good. Now I have to go find them before Madam Maxime does something possibly rash." Ron stuttered and ran off.
"Wait for me, I'm not about to let anyone mess with Fleur!" Wood hollered and followed once again.
They came to a halt in front of the dungeons. Madam Maxime now had both of Fleur's arms in her hands. She was yelling and Ron pulled out his quill that had a recording device in it. Wood looked confused but shook it away as he watched the scene. He assumed soon enough all his questions would be answered.
