The Problem with Veela

Chapter Two: First Impressions

A/N: Flashbacks are in bold.

Any French used is in italics

Enjoy the chapter

Fleur stood outside the door to the Beauxbatons carriage. Her father was somewhere inside, no doubt fussing over Gabrielle. Three hours had passed since the Second Task and Fleur had still not told her father about the situation that had arisen deep under the water. She had not seen Harry either. He was still unconscious in the hospital wing. However, she had been given her wand back.

Fleur's hands shook. She had no idea how her father was going to react. It wasn't her fault? Was it? Questions dashed back and forth through her mind. Many of these questions revolved around a dark haired young man. Fleur thought back to the first few times she had talked to Harry.

Fleur walked over to the Gryffindor table.

"Are you finished wiz ze bouillabaisse?"

The red headed boy had stared at her and turned a deep scarlet. Fleur rolled her eyes in disgust. The black haired boy simply pushed it towards her and replied: "yeah, have it."

Fleur was stunned.

This young boy was controlling himself better than most adults. Wanting to test the boys control, rather cruelly, Fleur upped the allure factor.

To the majority of the boys in the hall, the young witch was practically glowing golden. She looked like an angel. Many were staring. Some, like the red head, were even drooling! Yet the raven haired boy simply saw her as another girl.

Satisfied, Fleur left and let her allure restore itself back to its normal state, the one she had little control of, the state that angered many other girls and entranced many weak willed men.

She sat back down at the Ravenclaw table. Tapping the shoulder of a Hogwarts student to her left, she asked:

"Excuze me, who is zat black 'aired boy?"

The girl next to her blushed slightly when she saw who Fleur was pointing at.

"That's Harry Potter, you know, the guy that defeated You-Know-Who?"

"Oui. I know him." Replied Fleur, rather calmly. On the inside however, she was almost as excited as Gabrielle would've been. She couldn't believe she had just met the Harry Potter without even realising it. She could not wait to write to Gabrielle about their chance encounter.

Fleur smiled at the memory of Gabrielle's reaction. She had written back with countless questions about the boy. One had even been about what his favourite ice cream flavour was! Fleur had always teased her sister for her huge crush but answered as many questions as she could nonetheless.

The next memory had come from the First Task. Fleur remembered Madame Maxime being furious at the British Ministry for deeming dragons safe. Fleur had performed well, but it was rather unimpressive compared to the youngest champion.

Fleur scrambled out of the medical tent to go and watch Harry. Watching him enter the arena, Fleur thought he looked so small compared to the dragon he was about to face. She watched as he locked eyes with the dragon, it breathed fire and he ducked behind a rock. Fleur could feel her heart thumping in her chest and she had no idea why. He was her competition, surely it would be best for her if he was injured and had to quit the tournament? She was shaken from her thoughts by a loud crunch. The dragon's tail had smashed the rock directly next to Harry. Fleur gasped as the beast shot fire at the rock the boy was crouched behind. She heard someone shout:

"Your wand Harry! Your wand!"

Harry responded by yelling out a summoning charm, "Accio Firebolt!"

Nothing happened immediately, but about half a minute later, Fleur saw a speck flying towards the stadium. It was a broom, possibly the fastest she'd ever seen. Harry was poised, ready to spring, as it flew down in front of him. He leaped onto the broom and was away. The dragon's head followed him, it's yellow eyes fixed on the boy. Harry stopped in mid air, seeming to taunt the dragon. Evidently it worked, as the beast leaped into the air and came after him. It's neck was jerked backwards by the chain keeping it down. With a violent head movement, the Horntail was free and headed towards Harry. Fleur saw an expression of panic flit across his face before it turned to concentration as he shot forwards towards the beast. It opened its jaws, ready to snap shut on the boy but Harry was too quick. He ducked under the dragon's belly towards the golden egg. He came out of a barrel roll at the tail end of the beast. His hand was outstretched for the egg only to have to jerk away from a burst of flame. The Horntail was clearly not as stupid as Harry had originally anticipated. Harry zoomed skyward and the dragon followed. The pair left the stadium, and all at once it fell silent. Fleur was wringing her hands, her forehead slightly sweaty. She hoped that Harry would be okay, he certainly had the skills. Perhaps he could even rival Krum on a broom!

A few agonising minutes passed before the crowd erupted into thunderous applause. Harry had tricked the dragon into flying into a cliff, as he would recount later to numerous people. Fleur was one of the loudest when he swooped down and grabbed the golden egg off the ground. He cleanly dismounted in front of the medical tent. Fleur's eyes widened when she saw the large gash in his shoulder. She hurried over, paused, and then continued.

"Monsieur Potter. Zat was very impressive. Your flying was very good." She said.

Harry looked at her in mild surprise.

"Uhm. Uh. Oh hold on. Merci?" He replied.

Fleur nodded.

"Merci Fleur. You did well too."

She smiled at him, before leaving to go join Madame Maxime.

And now she stood outside her father's door. He had come to watch the Second Task and look out for Gabrielle. Fleur steeled her nerves and mustered up as much courage as she could. She then opened the door, ready to face her father.

Sebastian Delacour was a serious man. He took no nonsense from anyone. As the Head of the Department of Security in the French Ministry of Magic, he had seen many horrors in his lifetime. However, nothing shook him as much as seeing his daughters upset. He rose out of his seat as Fleur came in. Noticing the tears rolling down her cheeks he asked, "Fleur, my darling what is the matter?"

"I'm sorry Papa." Fleur replied between choked sobs.

"Whatever could you be sorry for?" Queried Sebastian.

"Papa, do you know about the Veela life debt?"

Sebastian nodded curtly.

"Of course my sweet. But who? And how?"

Fleur looked at him, tears dancing in her bright blue eyes.

"'Arry Potter. He saved me from the grindylows. And now.. I'm ruining his life!" Fleur exclaimed.

Sebastian sat down next to his weeping daughter. Fleur felt strong arms wrap around her and she curled into her father's embrace.

"Fleur. There is nothing you could've done to prevent this. It is not your fault. And I'm sure Harry will be most forgiving and accepting of the bond." Sebastian said, reassuring her. "Why don't you go find your sister? I'm sure she would love to see you."

Fleur nodded before standing up and exiting the room.

"Merdé." Said Sebastian quietly. He sat down behind his desk and pulled out a piece of parchment, scribbled something down and then beckoned to his owl. Juliette swooped down onto his desk and held out her leg for the letter. Sebastian stroked her head feathers before instructing her to find the notes recipient. The owl blinked at him twice before spreading her wings and shooting into the air through the open window. Sebastian ran a hand through his hair. Fleur was the easier part. Now, he had to convince Harry Potter to marry his daughter…

(A/N: there we are. The second chapter. Hopefully it wasn't too dull I just wanted to establish everything. I promise there will be more exciting plot points soon! Make sure to leave a review if you have any feedback! - A Headful of Ideas)