Author's Note: We are coming close to the end of this story. I have really enjoyed writing it and hope you enjoyed reading it. There are still one or two chapters left so I hope everyone sticks around. Thanks!
Chapter 24
Both Wood and Ron stared at the scene before them. Madam Maxime was beginning to hurt Fleur. They could tell by her furrowed brow. Wood shot straight up, making like he was about to charge in and become the hero. Ron smacked him in the chest with his own long arm to hold him back.
"Don't Wood we have to catch her. She's been doing horrible things to Fleur and her family. If we can catch it on this tape then Dumbledore will know the truth." Ron explained through his teeth.
"But-But she's hurting her!" Wood exclaimed a little more loudly then he had originally planned.
"Wood hush." Ron whispered.
Wood took a step back and hoped Ron was right about all of this. Then Fleur averted her eyes swiftly and gave a meaningful glance towards Wood. Seeming like she was apologizing with a stare or perhaps it was a warning. Whatever it meant Wood took it to heart. He kept his distance for the moment.
"Now you lizen to me Fleur. I have taken zis matter out of your hands. I am here to fix all your miztakes. All I need you to do is zay you mizz home very much and you need to take the first train back…tonight." Madam Maxime explicated.
"I can't go back home tonight." Fleur spoke quietly.
"And vhy not?"
"I can't leave knowing that you vant to destroy some of zese people's lives. Why does zis championship mean that much to you? Excuse me for zaying zis but you sound arrogant and pompous. You vill never be the best az long az Professor Dumbledore iz here." Fleur revved up with all the courage inside her.
"You pay attention to me vhen I am zpeaking to you. I never vant to hear speak to me is zuch a matter again. I am your superior. I deserve the respect that you show zis Dumbledore. Vell I'll tell you zis, he von't be zere vhen you get back to vhere you belong. You vill go back tonight because I vill have no one trying to ruin our chances at vinning zis championship. Beauxbatons vill not lose to Hogvarts."
"You don't even zee yourself do you? You are a zick person that vill do anyzing to vin."
"That Dumbledore has poisoned your mind girl."
"No he has only shown me vhat I have been missing at that stuck up school in Paris."
"How dare you. I vill find out vhat and who is our competition and make zure to bring zem down and out." Madam Maxime hollered and raised her hand as if to slap her.
"Stop right there!" Ron yelled, exposing himself and Wood.
Madam Maxime's small beady eyes widened as she saw Ron holding out his quill towards her. She slapped out a small puffy hand and went to grab for it but Ron dashed off towards Dumbledore's office. Madam Maxime turned to Fleur who held a sort of smug look. Fleur crossed her arms as if she had just won an Olympic gold medal.
Madam Maxime started to run after Ron but Wood stuck out his foot and Madam Maxime came tumbling down to the ground. Fleur dropped her jaw and then a small giggle escaped from her. Fleur ran over next to Wood and covered her mouth with a hand. Wood gently touched her and pulled her towards him.
"You could have told me you know." Wood commented.
"I didn't vant you to find out and leave me. It zeemed like you had zis perfect vision of who I waz zupposed to be. I couldn't bear to zee the disappointment on your face."
"Fleur if you had come to me I could have helped, I don't want any secrets between us."
"Oh how zweet. I should have known you'd fall in love vith a boy like zis…"
"A boy like vhat?" Fleur cocked an eyebrow.
"Honestly Fleur I zought you had clazz. Instead you run off with the first nosey, half-wit you meet." Madam Maxime pulled herself up.
Wood took a step towards her but Fleur held him back. She glared at Madam Maxime and waltzed right up to where Madam Maxime towered right over her. Fleur pulled back her ball of a fist and slammed it into Madam Maxime face. Madam Maxime tittered back and forth and fell back against the wall.
Wood stood in shock. He had never seen Fleur act with aggression. Fleur usually was very placid and content with words instead of actions. Fleur brought her hand back down and smirked. Wood placed a hand on her shoulder.
"No one talks about Oliver like zat." Fleur stated.
"Fleur…" Wood started.
Fleur turned to face him and he pulled her into a kiss. Moments later Ron came dragging Professor Dumbledore along side him. Then both looked down at Madam Maxime with a keen interest, after they got over that shock they glanced over at Fleur and Wood. The two of them hadn't even noticed that anyone had come forth. Ron cleared his throat and the two of them broke apart.
When they noticed Professor Dumbledore, both Fleur and Wood gleamed a bright shade of scarlet red. Dumbledore did not chastise them though. He merely smiled in their direction and looked over his half-moon spectacles. Fleur bite her lower lip and then mumbled she was sorry for hurting Madam Maxime.
"Oh dear child do not apologize for something that should have come to this woman long ago. I am also very flattered to hear you think so highly of me Fleur. Ron took the pleasure in showing me this recording, for someone who hasn't been with us long you showed me much loyalty. For which I am very grateful." Dumbledore spoke with a twinkle in his eye.
Dumbledore looked down at Madam Maxime and shook his head.
"Madam I am sure that you will escort yourself out. Oh and I would ask that you allow us to keep Ms. Delacour the entire year. For that matter any other year she would wish to stay. I find she has thrived with us." Dumbledore continued with a grin.
Madam Maxime dusted herself off and tried to regain her dignity. She strut over to the entrance of the school and made to leave. She turned one last time to shot a dirty look at Fleur. Wood put a protective arm around her shoulder as Madam Maxime finally stepped out the large doors.
