I hope you like this chapter also. I was reading HP GOF again for references, I hoped to copy Rita Skeeter's article a little bit. And well, yes. I want to keep roughly the same as the book. Any ways, I typed this up in one go tonight, is it good?
The next morning Hermione was greeted by a ruckus of snickering from all over the Great Hall, particularly from the Slytherin table. She glared at them as she past, several muttering curses at her.
'Hey Granger! I didn't know that you were such a slut!' exclaimed Pansy Pankinson.
Hermione's mouth fell open and she stormed over to Pansy, ready to knock the pug faced girl right over.
Harry and Ron ran to her sides and dragged her away. Hermione struggled and demanded to know what was going on.
They just looked at her nervously, Harry slowly handed her the Daily Prophet.
On the front cover, there was a picture of Hermione hugging Harry, another with Hermione and Krum in close quarters bending over and last but not least, Hermione and Fleur kissing.
Hermione was not surprised from these pictures; certainly she was shocked to find them pasted on the front cover of the papers, but she had no idea why they would cause such a commotion. Most of the school knew that she and Fleur were together, especially after the Yule Ball.
Then she gasped in horror as she read the headline:
Hermione Granger, Seductress of Hogwarts.
"Hermione Granger, a Muggle-born student of Hogwarts has been sighted, by many and your reporter, with 3 of the champions of this year's TriWizard Tournament. The champions are Victor Krum of Durmstrang, Fleur Delacour of Beauxbatons and our very own Harry Potter. It seems to be apparent that Miss Granger has been rather busy, gathering the affections of these hapless champions. 'Cedric Diggory has been taken by Cho Chang, thwarting Miss Granger's plans to seduce all the champions' says Pansy Parkinson, a pretty and vivacious fourth year.
It has been speculated by other students from Hogwarts that Miss Granger may have been dabbling in the use of Love Potions, which of course are a banned substance.
Such situations (as shown above) clearly prove Miss Granger's activities; flirting with Mr Krum, kissing Miss Delacour and consoling Mr Potter with ulterior motives. One can only take so much before such heart breaking stringing along can be allowed to continue.
It can only be assumed that Albus Dumbledore will be taking the girl aside and informing her of the unsavouriness of her practices.
It is hoped by many readers that in future, the champions will hold their hearts closely and guard themselves from
Miss Granger and others like her. "
Hermione was speechless as Ron tugged the paper out of her hands. Hermione glanced around, desperately searching for Fleur.
She was no where in sight.
'You two don't believe any of this, do you?' demanded Hermione.
'Well, of course we know you aren't my girlfriend,' started Harry.
'And well, we know that you're with Fleur already. But that photo of you and Krum is really compromising Hermione!' explained Ron.
Hermione took a breath, trying to remain calm.
'Ok, I remember when that was; I was in the library as you can clearly see from the books behind us. I had dropped my pencil, I bent down to pick it up and Krum did too. That's all,' stated Hermione.
They nodded. Hermione clapped her hands together.
'Mercy. Have either of you seen Fleur?' she inquired.
Both shook their heads.
'Hermione. I saw Fleur running up the astronomy tower just before I came down here. Don't worry; I know you aren't at all like what Rita Skeeter says, ' piped up Neville.
'Thanks, Neville,' said Hermione before racing off in search of Fleur.
Hermione panted as she rushed up the stairs of the astronomy tower, hoping desperately that Fleur had not believed the rubbish that had been posted in the Daily Prophet. She could only hope that if so, Fleur would understand.
'Fleur! Are you here?' called Hermione, feeling around for the enchanted wall. She found it by falling through.
Hermione screamed as she fell over the side, strong hands grasped her robes and pulled her up, clutching at her shoulders.
'Ermione! Mon dieu! What on earth were you thinking?' screamed Fleur.
Hermione looked at her with tears forming. She tried to wipe them away, but Fleur hushed her and held her close.
'Please believe me when I saw those things written about me in the Daily Prophet aren't true,' whispered Hermione.
She held her breath as she felt Fleur stiffen. Fleur held her at arm's length and looked at her with hurt eyes.
'Mon amour, as much as it horrified me, I am certain that you are no such person. However, I am in shock. Those photos were quite deceiving after all,' replied Fleur, gently caressing Hermione's face.
Hermione sighed in relief and hugged Fleur tight.
'Then why, are you here?' inquired Hermione.
Fleur exhaled and looked out over the fields, 'I just felt that I needed to get away from the noisy and nosy parkers of this school.'
Hermione nodded, knowing exactly how she felt, it was an emotion she often had experienced in her four years here.
They sat there silently, contemplatively.
Hermione leant over and started to slowly and gently kiss Fleur. First her cheeks, then her eyes and neck. Fleur reciprocated.
Both girls realised the need of gentle comfort. Fleur murmured sweet nothings in French in Hermione's ear, as Hermione kissed her hands and lips. Fleur kissed Hermione' nose, tapping it with her forefinger.
'I must keep you out of trouble, oui?' said Fleur.
Hermione giggled slightly, embracing Fleur again before they left the tower.
Fleur held Hermione's hand as they walked down the corridor. She felt Hermione grasped more tightly as they passed a few snickering Slytherins.
'Ignore the blithering fools, 'Ermione. You are above them,' whispered Fleur into Hermione's ear.
'Ooh! Getting it on in public are we!' shrieked an excited Pansy.
Hermione glared at her, 'I'd be ever so grateful if you'd keep your opinions and big nose to yourself.'
Pansy just sniffed and walked off. Malfoy remained silent but leered at them with a sleazy glint in his eye.
Hermione hurried her paced and dragged Fleur away.
'Don't ever go near him. He always has two others with him,' warned Hermione.
Fleur sighed, 'Ma chere, do you not think that I know this? How many boys do you think I have come across?'
Hermione thought for a moment, 'Ok, fair enough. I just want to make sure that you'll be ok.'
Fleur embraced her with a warm hug, trying to keep all the cold, nasty thoughts out of her head.
'Worry no more, mon amour. Your pretty head is much too important to do that,' murmured Fleur.
Harry glanced at Hermione worriedly, as she entered through the portrait hole.
'Ermione? You okay?' asked Ron, walking over to her.
She nodded slowly, 'Yes. I'm fine now. Well, I guess I can't not have expected it, that Skeeter woman!'
Harry and Ron exchanged fearful glances as Hermione's aura became fiery.
'How dare she spy on me! How dare she publish articles on me! I'll catch her out!' declared Hermione, rushing up to her room.
'What just happened?' asked Ron, scratching his head.
Harry shrugged, but smiled, ' I think Hermione just returned to us.'
Ron nodded but was still confused.
'Fleur! Chere soeur! Attente! Wait damnit!' demanded Gabrielle, gasping hard.
Fleur slowed, turned her head and stopped to wait for Gabrielle to catch up.
'Gabrielle! Ma chere, what are you doing? Shouldn't you be studying?' asked Fleur.
Gabrielle just shook her head, 'No, Madam Maxime let us off for the afternoon.'
Fleur looked at her questioningly.
'Don't you think your... girlfriend, is a bad image for you?' asked Gabrielle, flinching from Fleur's reaction.
'Gabrielle! How dare you say something like that! Je l'aime! I love Hermione with all my heart! Would you like it if I were to question you and Roberto!' exclaimed Fleur.
Fleur's nails had extended, becoming claw like, which was quite tame against her fiery, crimson eyes.
Gabrielle launched herself at Fleur, 'Je suis desole! Je suis desole! I didn't mean anything by it!'
Fleur calmed down as she held Gabrielle. She knelt down and caressed Gabrielle's cheek.
'Never say anything like that to me again, ok? I love Hermione, but I also love mother, father and you. Nothing will change that, ok?' stated Fleur.
Gabrielle nodded, tears ending their rush out of her eyes.
Fleur kissed her sister good night and went to their room.
Cho looked at her questioningly, 'Are you alright?'
Fleur was about to flare up, when she remembered to keep herself in check.
'Yes, I am fine, just a little annoyed at the stupid little boys trying to ask me rude questions,' muttered Fleur angrily.
'Oh, forget them. Honestly, I think the majority of my school are all dunderheads! They have no compassion!' said Cho, agreeing with Fleur.
Fleur looked at her in surprise, realising that Cho was not a stupid pretty girl after all. But then, had she not been seen like that herself?
'Thank you, Cho. Good night,' said Fleur.
If anyone spots any mistakes in my French, I'm sorry. I'm an Aussie German student. (as in Aussie who learns German) ;) reviews! Reviews! I need more reviews!