The Problem with Veela
Chapter Four: Splitting Hairs
Harry sat atop his broomstick, soaring high above the castle grounds below him. He always felt at home on a broom, perhaps he got it from his dad. Harry shot forward as the wind ran through his hair. He circled round Gryffindor Tower and headed back for the Quidditch pitch. Looking down, Harry saw the powder blue Beauxbatons carriage, where Sebastian Delacour was currently inside, pacing. He looked away quickly, anger boiling back up inside him. Harry couldn't comprehend what Sebastian wanted him to do. Give up everything that his life could be just for one girl? It was ludicrous.
Harry stood up and balanced on his broom. Maybe he should just end it all, fall down and never get up again. He slumped back down against the wood. The broom slowly descended back towards the ground. Harry stared up at the sky. The sky was murky, with patches of dark grey flowing over the castle. Somewhere in the forest an owl hooted. He stared into the depths of the woods as the Firebolt came to a stop hovering just above the ground. Harry dismounted and walked back over to the broom cupboard to lock the Firebolt away. He was fastening the padlock on the shed door when he heard a voice:
"'Arry?"
Harry turned to see Fleur standing behind him, a worried expression plastered on her face. Harry quickly averted his gaze so she wouldn't see the tears of anger forming in his eyes.
"Hullo Fleur." He said solemnly.
"May we talk?" She asked tentatively. Harry scoffed and walked past her, still not looking at her.
"'Arry. 'Arry please wait!" Fleur started after him.
"No." Harry replied, bluntly.
"Why not?"
Harry laughed out loud. The audacity of this girl to ask why he didn't want to talk to her was ridiculous.
"'Arry what is so funny?" Fleur pleaded, sounding desperate.
Harry turned sharply so he was facing the witch. She stopped suddenly, suddenly nervous at the steely gaze in the younger boy's eyes.
"What do you think Fleur? Oh what a laugh having a life debt is, I can't wait to ruin my future so early. Why couldn't I just have a normal year at Hogwarts?" Harry began yelling, his face facing the sky as if daring the heavens to challenge him. "The one year I don't have Voldemort, I get put in this ridiculous position? A wizarding tournament where I could die? That's not enough. Losing my best friend? That's not enough either! Now I have to get married to a girl I don't even know or she'll die? Ha! How hilarious, wouldn't you agree Fleur?"
Harry stormed away from the girl, leaving her shocked and rather frightened. She shook herself and continued to follow him.
"You know 'Arry, I'm not exactly a fan of this situation either. I should be graduating from Beauxbatons this year and going on to work in the French Ministry, but now I face the risk of losing my life. All because I couldn't fight off some silly little grindylows. I'm sorry that it is not ideal for you, but at least you can live. Again, it's your decision…"
They had reached the Beauxbatons carriage and Fleur had opened the door.
"..so let me know." She said before stepping inside and slamming the door shut. Harry scoffed again, shoved his hands in his pockets and headed back to the castle.
When he finally got up to Gryffindor Tower, he was in a foul mood. "Password?" Asked the Fat Lady.
"Sticklebacks." Said Harry. The portrait swung open and Harry stepped through it into the Common Room. It was fairly empty, most people had either gone to bed or were doing homework. Harry didn't realise he'd been gone so long. He spotted Hermione and Ron sitting in the armchairs by the fire. He flopped down next to them.
"Hey mate." Said Ron. Harry nodded at him.
"So what did he want?"
Harry sighed, and leaned his head against the chairs arm.
"Uhm. Well. That's kinda hard to explain." Said Harry. "So, I saved Fleur from Grindylows in the lake right?"
"Right." Said Hermione and Ron in unison.
"So apparently that formed a life debt with Fleur." Said Harry.
"WHAT?" Exclaimed Hermione.
Several people looked over.
"Keep your voice down!" Harry hissed.
Ron was looking confused.
"I don't understand Harry. You saved Fleur and she owes you her life?"
Harry gestured to Hermione, who clearly knew all about it.
"Fleur's part Veela, so the bond means she could lose her life. The only way to repay the bond is if she either saves Harry.." she paused, "or they get married."
Ron's mouth fell open.
"You saved her? And-and now she wants to marry you?" He spluttered.
Harry groaned softly, he had hoped Ron wouldn't have taken this the wrong way.
"No Ron. She doesn't want to marry me. She has to. The chances of me being saved by Fleur are very slim." Harry said.
Ron ran a hand through his hair. He stared at Harry, an expression of disbelief on his face, which turned to anger. He turned from his friends and stomped up the stairs to the boys dormitory.
"Ron." Harry called after him.
"Let him go. Let him go Harry." Said Hermione.
Harry sighed.
"So.. are you going to you know?" Asked Hermione.
"I don't know Hermione." Harry said.
"Oh Harry you cant let Fleur die! You mustn't!" Hermione exclaimed.
Harry stared into the fire, he didn't want to accept that he would have to marry the French witch.
"It's my life. I should be allowed to control it. Right?" He asked, his eyes almost pleading. Hermione slid down onto the floor next to him.
"Oh Harry, of course it's yours to control. It is up to you. But maybe, you should give Fleur a chance before you say no?"
Harry looked at his friend. He nodded. Hermione opened her arms. Harry welcomed the embrace.
"What about Ron?"
"He'll come around." Said Hermione, "he has to."
Harry nodded, hoping that she was right. He couldn't lose his best friend again, not after the last time. Everything they had been through, from the Philosopher's Stone to Sirius just last year, Harry thought it would've been enough to keep them from drifting. But then his name had come out of the Goblet. Harry was surprised that they had reconciled after that.
He stood up, said goodnight to Hermione and made his way upstairs. As he came into the dormitory, he saw that Ron had pulled the curtains around his bed shut, so no one could see him. Neville smiled at Harry as he came in, which Harry returned. Seamus and Dean looked up from their game of exploding snap.
"You alright Harry?" Asked Dean.
"Fine, thanks Dean." Lied Harry, "I'll see you guys in the morning."
"Night Harry." Said Seamus. Harry nodded at him as he too clambered into bed and wrenched the curtains shut. He lay in bed for hours, unable to sleep. His mind was ticking away, trying to process everything that had happened in the last few hours. Fleur, Sebastian, Ron. Harry thought about each predicament. They all connected, it was like a triangle of Hell. Harry snorted, rolled over, and finally fell asleep.
Harry went down to breakfast, tired and still frustrated. He sat down next to Hermione and speared a sausage with more force than necessary.
"Well, no sign of either of them." Said Hermione, not looking up from her copy of the Daily Prophet.
"Huh?" Asked Harry thickly.
Hermione set the paper down and looked at him. While she loved Harry dearly, he was sometimes rather idiotic.
"Ron and Fleur? Or was that a giant windup?" She said sarcastically.
"Oh right."
Harry glanced around, he couldn't see the platinum blonde head of Fleur or -more importantly- the red head of Ron. He did see Ginny however. He went and sat next to her.
He tapped her shoulder.
"Ginny you haven't seen Ron have you?"
"Oh,hey Harry. You know a hello first would be nice."
"Sorry." Harry apologised for his bluntness.
"Don't stress yourself about it. Ron? Yeah I saw him leave earlier. I don't know where he went though." Replied Ginny.
"Right, okay. Thanks Gin."
Ginny blushed slightly at the nickname. Harry left and walked back over to Hermione who was helping Neville with his Transfiguration homework.
"Any luck?" She asked.
"Nada." Replied Harry, "Uh oh."
Fleur Delacour had just walked in. She looked slightly puffy eyed, as if she had been crying. Harry felt slightly guilty. She did not look his way once, and sat with her back to the Gryffindor table. Harry banged his forehead on the table and groaned.
"You alright Harry?" Asked Neville, concerned for his friend.
"Fine Neville. Can you just give me a minute with Hermione?" Asked Harry, his head still on the table.
"Sure." Neville turned to talk to Fred and George, who sat a couple seats down.
"Help me." Harry begged.
Hermione rolled her eyes.
"With what?"
"How do I speak to Fleur?"
Hermione snorted.
"Oh Harry. You've fought Voldemort twice and you're scared of a girl?"
"Shut up. I really messed up yesterday."
"What do you mean? Are you going to get married?" Hermione asked, suddenly serious.
"Oh I don't know. But if I am, I should probably apologise and at least try to be a good guy." Harry explained.
Hermione paused, thought for a moment before agreeing with him.
"Yes, that would be wise. And after you apologise, I suggest.." she pointed at the Hogsmeade timetable. There was a visit this weekend.
"Hermione. You're brilliant." Harry shot finger guns at her. "Oh that's perfect! What?"
Hermione was looking at him.
"Don't shoot finger guns at her, whatever you do. Probably not a good idea with death being a touchy subject." She said.
"Good point."
Harry continued to eat his breakfasts, but in considerably higher spirits than he had been in when he had come down. He watched the Ravenclaw table, rarely taking his eyes off Fleur. He wanted to catch her on the way out of the hall. Suddenly she stood up and headed towards the door. Harry responded by almost leaping out of his seat and walking towards the door. He had more distance to cover, he sped up. His brisk walk would lead to him reaching the doorway just behind Fleur. Harry jogged the last couple steps to be side by side with her.
"Hey. Fleur. Hey." Said Harry. He mentally kicked himself, that was an awful conversation starter.
Fleur stopped and faced him, she had a steely expression.
"'Arry. Can I 'elp you?"
Harry almost winced. Her tone of voice was cold.
"Uhm, yeah." He rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "I just wanted to apologise for the way I reacted yesterday. I was a total moron. I was insensitive and selfish. So yeah.."
Fleur nodded.
"I understand. Thank you for your apology."
She turned away and continued on her way. Harry ran a hand through his hair. She had gone ten paces when his voice called her back.
"Fleur?"
She looked at him. He did look quite handsome, even though he was younger.
"Oui?"
Harry laughed nervously.
"Uhm. So.. there's a Hogsmeade visit this weekend and I was wondering-"
"Are you asking me on a date 'Arry?" Said Fleur, bemused.
"No! Yes! Kinda? I mean if we are going to get married… and I'm not saying we are! I'm just saying, hypothetically. It would probably be good to know each other better." Harry managed to splutter out. Fleur smiled at him.
"'Arry I would love to go to 'Ogsmeade with you."
Harry almost sighed with relief. He managed to compose himself.
"Great. So we'll meet here? Sunday, 3:30?" He asked.
"Sure. I look forward to it." Fleur replied, before turning and walking back towards the carriage, her silvery-blonde hair glimmering in the morning sun.
Harry grinned. He practically skipped back over to where Hermione still was.
"Judging by your sudden energy, I take it she said yes?" Queried Hermione.
Harry waggled his eyebrows before bursting out laughing.
"Yes! She said yes!" Harry exclaimed.
Hermione wrapped her arms around Harry's shoulders.
"Oh that's great Harry!" She squealed. "Now make sure you don't do anything to screw this up. Oh and you have to wear something other than Dudley's old clothes. C'mon, I'll help you transfigure them."
The pair rushed up to the common room, grabbed some of Dudley's giant shirts and jeans and did their best to make them presentable. Hermione managed to turn a horrible yellow shirt, that was much too big for Harry, into a navy blue T-shirt. She shortened his jeans, and fixed his decrepit Converse.
"Blimey Hermione! Why didn't you ever tell me you could do this before?" Asked Harry, as he checked himself out in the mirror.
Hermione simply giggled as Harry flexed his muscles.
"Shut up." Said Harry.
Harry spent the next few days working out a plan for the trip. He discussed it with Hermione at length, much to her annoyance. Harry hadn't spoken to Ron at all. They'd seen each other in lessons and Harry had tried to extend the olive branch but Ron always seemed to push it away. Eventually Harry had stopped trying. If Ron wanted to reconcile, he'd have to come to Harry.
Saturday morning arrived with alarming speed. Harry rushed to get his homework done before 3:30. He came down from the dormitory in his "new" clothes. Harry gave a little catwalk twirl.
"Well?" He asked.
"You look great Harry." Said Hermione. Some of the other girls agreed.
"Wow Harry you look hot!" Said Lavender.
This made Harry blush up a storm.
"Thanks Lavender. Well, I'm gonna go. Don't want to be late!" He said, "see you later Hermione."
"Bye. Hope it goes well!" Replied Hermione, with a wave. Harry waved back, grabbed his sweater and pushed open the portrait hole.
Harry strutted down the stairs towards the main entrance. He was blocked suddenly by Professor Snape.
"Well well. Where are you off to Potter?" He drawled.
"Hogsmeade sir. That's not illegal is it?" Harry retorted.
Snape scowled.
"Enjoy yourself then Potter." He said.
Harry arrived at the entrance hall ten minutes early. He paced the stone room, running over his plan in his mind.
"Okay okay okay. So Honeydukes first, then Zonko's, maybe the Shrieking Shack and finally the Three Broomsticks. Then I'll walk her back to the carriage and maybe kiss her?" He questioned himself. Did he have the nerve? He groaned slightly.
"I 'ope that groan was not for me?"
Harry turned to see Fleur. She looked drop dead gorgeous. She was wearing a silver short sleeve shirt and a black skirt. Her platinum blonde hair was up in a ponytail and her lips were deep red.
"Wow.. I mean- wow Fleur you look beautiful." Harry managed to say.
Fleur blushed slightly.
"You aren't so bad yourself 'Arry."
"Oh what, this? It's alright I guess." Said Harry.
"Shall we?" Asked Fleur.
Harry nodded and the pair left the Entrance Hall and headed towards Hogsmeade.
(A/N: Well.. good luck Harry. This chapter was double the length of the previous due to requests for longer chapters. I hope you enjoyed and remember to leave a review!)