Fleur

"Do you think she's coming?" Harry asked Ron as they stood outside the open door to the Great Hall waiting for the Ball to start.

"Of course not," Ron commented as if it were obvious, "She's probably sitting in the Common Room or the Library studying because nobody asked her. If they did, she would have told us who it was."

I smirked at Ron's words, despite the anger I felt boiling in the pit of my stomach, had I not been here, there is no way Hermione wouldn't have had a date. But I was more surprised at the way Ron spoke about someone that was supposedly his friend and it took all I had not to cause a scene so early in the night.

"I heard that Viktor Krum asked her but she turned him down," One of the passing students remarked to the redhead.

Ron snorted at that, "No way," he said with a laugh.

Harry narrowed his eyes at his friend, "Why is that so funny?"

"Because it's Viktor Krum, he could choose anyone to come to the ball with, why would he settle for Hermione," Ron explained.

"What are you talking about?" I asked hotly, no longer able to tolerate what I was hearing from the boy. "Hermione is an amazing girl and anyone would be lucky to have her as a date."

Ron winced a little at my tone and I felt maybe I had overdone it a little but the redhead recovered quickly, laughing what I had said off, "Come on, she's one of us," Ron said, motioning between himself and Harry, "And it took ages for us to get dates."

I raised my brows in surprise at Ron, there was no way that he could have really thought that he and Hermione were in the same league, I started to voice my thoughts but was stopped by a tapping on my shoulder from behind. I quickly turned, coming face to face with the youngest Weasley.

Ginny grinned at me expectantly as she whispered, "You're going to die when you see her."

"You mean she looks prettier than normal?" Ginny just nodded to my question as she turned around, motioning up the stairs.

"She's beautiful, isn't she?" Ginny asked as she looked up the stairs.

I followed after where she was looking, my eyes slowly scanned up the stairs until the soft blue hem of a dress coloured my vision. I knew instinctually that the hem belonged to Hermione's dress as I found myself pulled towards the sight, keeping myself firmly in place, I smiled as I slowly looked up to take in the full view.

Hermione held a soft smile on her face as she walked a little uneasily down the stairs, she watched each step as she made her way down wobbling a little every now and again as she got used to the heels I was sure she was wearing. Her periwinkle blue dress fluttered with every step she took flowing loosely around her legs, tightening slightly around her torso, slightly accentuating her figure.

As she took the last step onto the flat floor of the castle hall she looked up, locking eyes with me and the rest of the world around us began to melt away as the young witch walked up to me.

"You look beautiful," Hermione said as she crossed her hands loosely across her body shyly.

"I'm nothing compared to you," I said as I reached out to her, taking one of her soft hands into mine, "You don't need to hide yourself, you look amazing, Hermione."

Hermione's smile brightened as she gripped my hand, "Hi guys," Hermione greeted Ron and Harry happily who had both become transfixed by the sight of the girl.

"Hey," They greeted in unison as they shook themselves out of their reverie.

"You look great, 'Mione," Harry said with a smile.

"You really do," Ron re-iterated, "But we should head in so the Champions and their dates can prepare," Ron said as he held his hand out to Hermione.

Hermione shook her head, "I'm right where I need to be," She said with a dazzling smile.

Ron and Harry both looked equally confused, "So… Viktor really did ask you?" Ron asked, dumbfounded.

Hermione merely shrugged at the redhead before he was ushered into the Great Hall by Professor McGonagall, "Come on Mr Weasley, you're holding up the Ball."

Ron hurried inside with his date, Padma, leaving Hermione, Harry and I standing outside the doors to the Great Hall as they closed, "They're really making a show out of this aren't they?" Hermione asked a little worriedly.

I took the girl's hand in mine and smiled down at her, "Of course they are, but don't worry, you look exquisite tonight," I whispered.

Hermione blushed at my statement, "So who are you here with?" Harry asked confusedly as he watched Viktor and Cedric stand by the door with their dates.

Hermione giggled softly at the boy's naivete, shaking her head a little as I was the only Champion left who didn't have a partner so it would stand to reason that we were there together.

I raised mine and Hermione's joined hands with a confident smirk, "She's here with me."

Harry began to blush profusely at the new information and was shocked into complete silence, "You too look great together," Parvati smiled at the two of us as she grabbed Harry by the arm and guided him towards the doors, "Focus Harry," I heard her whisper and couldn't help but laugh at the couple before us.

The doors to the Great Hall soon opened and we followed the rest of the Champions into the Great Hall. We walked through the doors to a round of applause, some of the students even cheering as our small group crossed the threshold of the Great Hall.

Hermione squeezed my hand as all eyes seemed to turn to us as we entered the Hall together, I tightened my grip on her reassuringly, "You can do this," I whispered, keeping my smile as I made eye-contact with a few of the students we passed, giving them a small wave.

We soon made it to the middle of the mass of students and took our positions facing each other, Hermione looked nervous as she glanced around at the gathered students. I removed my hand from her waist and turned her head back to face me. I smiled at the young witch as I replaced my hand on her waist, "Just focus on me, Hermione, don't look at anyone but me."

As I finished speaking the music started and Hermione and I started to move with the rest of the Champions, we twirled together on the dance floor, the noise from the students drifting away as I focused solely on the girl in front of me. Slowly but surely, Hermione's nerves dissipated, her courage and smile grew, and I quickly took the opportunity to grab her waist with both hands and lift her into the air, twirling her around off the floor for a few moments.

Her face lit up even more as she held her hands out to the side and she stared up at the ceiling, laughing happily as she did so. I lowered her back down to the floor and ginned at the happy witch as we continued to enjoy the first dance with the rest of the Champions. Before long, the dance floor was teeming with countless other couples each dancing and smiling at each other as the music slowly died down.

"That was so much fun," Hermione laughed as she pulled me into a tight hug.

I returned the embrace, "It truly was, but the night is only just beginning Hermione," I said with a smile as the music started up once again. I immediately pulled away from Hermione as the faster-paced music began and I pulled her along into a Viennese Waltz. Hermione seemed unsure of herself at first as I practically tossed the poor girl around, twirling the both of us this way and that as we spun around in a completely different way than the students surrounding us.

Hermione caught on to the dance and very quickly followed my every step with only minor mistakes here and there as she tried her best to match my movements. I smiled as I released her waist and raised our joined hands above her head, taking the cue, Hermione twirled beneath our hands before quickly placing her free hand on my waist. I raised a curious brow at the younger girl as she began to lead me, albeit a little clumsily, in the same manner that I had led her. I followed Hermione's lead, covering her inexperience easily as she led me around the dance floor. It wasn't long until she released my waist and raised our hands high above her head, I ducked a little beneath our joined hands as I twirled beneath them, smiling as I re-took Hermione's waist with my free hand.

"Where did you learn that?" Hermione asked as the music died down once more and we quickly took to a couple of chairs to recover a little.

"I've spent many years learning to dance, it's one of the elective subjects at Beaxbatons," I explained before taking a refreshing sip of water.

Hermione looked out across the dance floor, watching as many of the other couples continued to dance, her legs started to bounce excitedly as she watched from her seat. I laughed at the girl as I stood up, "You clearly want to get back out there," I said as I held my hand out to Hermione. She was still breathing a little heavily, but she giddily took my hand and jumped to her feet.

We danced our way from the chairs back onto the dance floor, "Why did we even sit down?" Hermione asked as we re-entered the throng of students.

I shrugged my shoulders, "You looked like you could use a break."

Hermione grabbed my face with both hands and forced me, not that it took much convincing, to look straight into her eyes, "I'll tell you when I need a break," Hermione's tone, while serious, was filled with joy as her arms came to rest around my neck and we swayed contentedly to the slow music.

"Of course," I nodded, "How about this, the first one to need a break has to get drinks for the other one before they can take a break."

Hermione nodded her head animatedly, "You're on." She beamed, "But I hope you're ready."

I scoffed happily as I pointed towards myself, "Triwizard Champion here, I think I've got this," I said confidently.

Hermione just smiled at me with a knowing look in her eyes and I wondered just what the meaning behind the look was. The thought quickly disappeared as the music sped up once again and our dancing became much more excited as we moved in and out of the couples dancing around us.

We danced for what felt to be hours, each of just enjoying the other's company as we moved across the dance floor and, by now, I was starting to see that while Hermione looked to be getting tired, there was zero quit in the girl.

Finally, I couldn't take anymore and I drug Hermione off of the dance floor, "I need a breather," I said through deep breaths, surprised at how Hermione seemed to recover almost instantly.

She smiled up at me, "I'll be right back," She said as she nodded to Harry and Ron who were seated off to the side, their dates nowhere in sight.

Hermione

I took a seat beside Harry, the smile never leaving my face as I began to speak, "Hot isn't it. Fleur went to get us some drinks." I looked between the two bored-looking boys', "Would you like to join us?"

Harry seemed to be about to respond but before he could Ron scoffed and shook his head, "Why would we want to join you?" He asked, almost in disgust.

I frowned at the redhead, "What's wrong with you?"

"She's one of Harry's Rivals in the Tournament," Ron nodded at me, "You're fraternizing with the enemy."

Now it was my turn to scoff, "The enemy? Fleur has been helping Harry more than you have throughout this whole Tournament." I stood up and walked brusquely away from the two boys, not wanting Ron to ruin what had so far been a perfect night.

"Is everything alright?" Fleur asked as I approached her, she handed me a small crystal-looking tall glass.

I downed the light pink liquid in a single gulp, enjoying the taste of the sweet sticky drink as it cooled me down. I glanced back at Ron and Harry, who both looked away quickly as I turned my head towards them.

Fleur sighed from her place in front of me, "Ron's being a prat again I take it."

I nodded, "Yeah spouting some crap about you being the enemy. You." I turned back to Fleur, "As if you haven't been helping and supporting Harry this whole time."

Fleur reached a delicate hand to my face and cupped my cheek softly, "Forget at about him, let's just enjoy tonight together."

I nuzzled Fleur's hand, seeking out the warmth of the older witch as I moved closer to her and wrapped my arms around her in a loose hug. "Your right," I knew she was, but Ron had been my friend for many years, why couldn't he just be happy for me tonight.

I tried as hard as I could to forget about it, to just continue to have fun for the rest of the night, to be with Fleur, and to not care about what was going on with Ron, but I just couldn't. And every time I seemed to almost let it go and focus solely on having fun, I would catch Ron in the corner of my eye and be reminded of how much of an arse he was being.

Before long I couldn't take it anymore, "I'll be right back," I told Fleur.

She grabbed my hand as I was about to walk away and pulled me back to her, "Hermione, just focus on me," Fleur seemed to be almost pleading with me.

"I'm trying but…" I frowned as I looked down at my shoes, "I'm worried that he might be against this," I motioned between the two of us. "I know he's been an arse and very frustrating recently but he's still my friend and, while it isn't necessary, I want him to approve of us."

Fleur was biting her lower lip when I looked back up at her, and she seemed to be a little angry, "I already know why he's acting like this," Fleur grumbled, "He's jealous that we're here together, or haven't you noticed that he's been staring at us ever since we entered the Great Hall?"

I looked over to where Ron was sitting and sure enough, he once again looked away the moment my eyes landed on him. I turned back to Fleur once again, "All the more reason to nip this in the bud now."

Fleur sighed frustratedly, "Fine," She relented, "But once you are done I'm not letting you go again tonight… This is our first date after all."

I blushed at the confession and nodded, a goofy grin spreading across my face, "I'll be back soon," I said as I took a step closer to the other girl, I stood on the tips of my toes and placed a soft kiss against her right cheek, cupping the other with my hand. "Really soon," I grinned as Fleur stood before me her face turning pink at the sudden show of affection.

I left Fleur with a small wave as I hurried towards Ron who looked everywhere but at me as I approached. I stood before him with my arms crossed over my chest, "We need to talk Ron."

Ron ran a shaky hand through his orange hair as he steeled himself, "I'll say," Ron grunted as he stood up.

I narrowed my eyes at the boy, "What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means that Fleur is using you and you can't see it," Ron replied before turning and heading to the door as if to escape.

I followed after him, "Use me!?" I yelled, "How is she trying to use me!?"

Ron laughed but there was no humour in it, "What do you think?"

"Firstly, I can take care of myself, I don't need you trying to 'protect' me from people, and secondly, why don't we acknowledge what's really going on here. You're jealous that I came with Fleur and not you, even though you didn't ask until all the people you wanted to go with had already said no."

Ron turned on me aggressively just before he reached the stairs, "I asked you as a friend because I felt sorry for you," Ron growled, "There is no way I would have asked if I had known you were into that sort of thing."

I slapped Ron hard across the face as the words left his mouth, my eyes stinging with tears that I refused to let fall in front of him. I could see on Ron's face that he immediately regretted what he had said, but it was too late and the words were rattling around in my head.

"Hermione I," Ron's voice was soft and shaky.

I shook my head at the boy, "Just leave," My voice shook as I mustered all my strength to not let the tears fall.

Ron ignored my request and took a step forwards, I stepped backward as he did so, not wanting to get at all closer to him at that moment. He stopped trying to get closer and looked almost pathetic with remorse as he stood opposite me.

"Hermione really, I didn't mean it, not at all."

I shook my head, "Like you didn't mean to ice out Harry?" I ground my teeth in anger as my sadness quickly dissipated. I couldn't stand the boy's presence any longer and quickly turned away from him, "You need to grow up Ron," I said, refusing to look back at the boy, "Before you do something truly irreparable."

With that, I left, walking calmly but brusquely as I took a few deep breaths to relax, Fleur was waiting patiently with a smile on her face by the refreshment table. A glass of water resting in her hands, my anger and frustration disappeared as I watched the older girl take a delicate sip of her drink.

I sidled up beside her and linked an arm through hers, "Everything go okay with Ron?" She asked.

I shrugged my shoulders, "It was fine," I lied, not wanting to bring down the mood, "But let's forget about all that, I'm yours for the rest of the night, remember?"

Fleur grinned as she pulled me closer and I nestled comfortably beside her, "That's what I like to hear." I laughed as the older witch pulled me back into the throng of dancing couples. We were quickly joined by Ginny and Neville and I realized I had yet to see them that night.

"Hi you two," Ginny smiled as she 'bumped' into us.

"Gin!" I yelled excitedly as I wrapped the youngest Weasley into a tight hug. "I haven't seen you all night."

Ginny chuckled, "Well, I've seen you two, you seemed to be having a lot of fun."

Fleur and I glanced at each other, grinning like fools, "We have been," Fleur commented and I nodded along in agreement.

"How about you two?" I asked, "Ron hasn't made a scene about this?" I asked as I motioned between the two.

Ginny laughed, "He certainly did, but I shut that down rather quick. Neville and I are just friends after all."

Neville nodded his head with a bright smile but I could see a little disappointment in the Wizard's eyes, noticing the sympathetic look on my face, Neville shrugged, "What can you do?"

"Well, I know what Ron can do," Ginny grumbled, "I heard you and he got into it a little, is everything okay?"

I tightened my grip on Fleur's arm, "I am right where I want to be," I said, smiling brightly, "Let's leave Ron out of the rest of tonight and just enjoy ourselves shall we?"

The small group agreed with me and we spent the rest of the night dancing and chatting together until it became very late in the night and my exhaustion was starting to get the better of me. Fleur wrapped an arm around my waist as she pulled me to her for the umpteenth time that night and I once again found myself grinning joyously.

"Want to head back to the dorms?" Fleur asked as she noticed my tiredness.

I quickly shook my head, "I… Don't want tonight to end," I mumbled a little embarrassedly.

"Well then, would you maybe like to come back to my room with me?"

"I would love to," I replied and Fleur and I set off into the night, leaving very few other students milling about the now almost empty Great Hall. Ginny and Neville had both left only moments before us which had led to me realizing just how tired I was. We walked in silence out of the castle, following a line of quietly burning torches over the grounds and down to the Beaxbatons Carriage. The night was cool and silent as we walked side by side, enjoying the blissful silence as we walked.

Madam Maxime stood by the door of the Carriage, a warm smile on her face as Fleur and I approached, "Fleur," The woman greeted, "And Miss Granger, is it?"

"Yes," Fleur confirmed with a nod.

The Headmistress eyed the two of us cautiously as if contemplating a question that she had not shared with the two of us. After a few moments, the woman stepped to the side, opening the door for the two of us, "Be mindful and respectful of your neighbours."

I blushed at the insinuating tone in Madame Maxime's voice as I hurried into the Carriage, "Was she being serious?" I asked as we entered Fleur's room.

Fleur closed the door behind us as I moved to sit in her bed, "Nah," Fleur shook her head, "We can be as loud as we want, you should hear the girls back at home," Fleur commented in complete seriousness.

I stared at the blond, my jaw hanging open in shock as Fleur approached the bed, she sat down beside me and looked towards me with a smile as she slowly moved her face towards mine, her small smile quickly grew into an ear-to-ear smile before she broke into a fit of laughter

I slapped her arm softly, "You're teasing me," I grumbled.

"Of course, I was," Fleur said through her laughter.

I crossed my arms over my chest and began pouting, "And here I was going to invite you over to my house for the Christmas Holidays."

Fleur stopped laughing at that and became serious once again, "Was going to?" She asked hopefully.

I exaggerated an exasperated groan, "Fine, I still will," I beamed at the older witch, "If you want to, I thought it would be nice to spend some time together away from the tournament and without the others getting in our way. And since Gabrielle left before Christmas to go back home for the holidays as well…"

"I'd be glad to accompany you back home, to meet your parents, but is that okay? Will your parents allow me to stay on such short notice?" Fleur asked worriedly.

I scratched my cheek a little sheepishly, "Well, I kind of actually already asked if I could bring back a friend," I confessed a little shyly, "The day after we agreed to go to the Ball together."

"Oh," Fleur was speechless at my little confession but she quickly recovered with a bright smile, "That… Makes me happy," Fleur confessed, taking my hand into hers and squeezing it gently.

I returned the girl's smile before releasing a rather loud yawn into the silent room, "I guess it's time for bed," I mumbled. Fleur nodded slowly, "Do you mind if I sleep here?" I asked sleepily as my exhaustion rapidly caught up with me.

Fleur seemed to hesitate for a few moments, "I don't see why not," She said with an uneasy look on her face.

"Do you not want me to?" I asked, fighting my drowsiness and feeling a little hurt.

Fleur clasped her hands in her lap, looking forlorn as her fingers turned somehow whiter from the pressure, "It's not that… It's just I have some… I guess issues."

Fleur seemed very reluctant to talk to me about whatever it was that was bothering her and, while hurting a little, I understood that sometimes you just can't talk about things. I placed a comforting hand on top of hers as I intercepted her gaze, "If you can't talk to me about it now, I can wait," I said understandingly.

"I'm sorry," Fleur spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Hey, you have nothing to apologize for, I understand that sometimes it's hard to talk about things, especially with those you are close to. Just promise me, you won't make me wait too long?" I asked, wondering if I was being a little selfish.

Fleur nodded solemnly, "Hey, would you mind helping me with my dress?" I asked, hoping to change the subject. Fleur jumped a little as she looked at me in shock, "What? I can't sleep in it, now can I?" I asked, "Or did your mind go somewhere else?" I asked with a half-smirk.

Fleur smiled back teasingly and I was happy to see a lighter look on the witch's face, "Now it is your turn to tease me?" Fleur asked as I turned around and lifted my hair to grant her access to the zipper on my back.

"Maybe?" I asked with a small shrug as Fleur softly tugged on the zipper, my dress loosening with every inch the zipper moved. I closed my eyes and shuddered as Fleur's soft warm hands ghosted over my back, moving with the zipper.

Once she was finished, I turned around to face her, "Thank you… Do you have some spare night clothes I can change into?"

Fleur quickly fished a light blue nightgown from the trunk by her bed, I grabbed the offered garment, enjoying the soft feel of the cotton on my skin. I turned back around and quickly changed from my dress into the cotton nightgown.

I gasped as I turned back around, my eyes widening and jaw loosening as Fleur stood, facing away from me, her own nightgown sat halfway over her head exposing the back view of her figure to me. She wore a simple matching set of white panties and bra that almost blended perfectly with her skin, almost making it seem as if she weren't wearing anything at all under her clothes. Fleur seemed to be taking longer than necessary to pull the nightgown down over her body and I relished the sight before me as she moved tantalizingly slowly.

She turned around once the nightgown was finally covering her body, a wide grin on her face, "Did you enjoy the view?"

I blushed deeply at having been caught staring at the beautiful woman before me, "How could I not?" I asked, looking down shyly.

"Vous êtes si mignon," Fleur whispered as she closed the gap between us and wrapped me in a gentle hug.

"What does that mean?" I asked as I returned the embrace.

"That you are very cute," Fleur replied, my deepening blush even further at the explanation, "But we should get you into bed, it has been a long night."

I nodded in approval and quickly slipped into the single bed beside Fleur, the small size of the bed meant that Fleur and I were laying close together. I rolled over onto my side, sliding my hand gently down Fleur's arm before intertwining my fingers with hers. My heart fluttered as she tightened her fingers around my hand, "Good night, Fleur." I mumbled.

"Good night, mon amour," Fleur whispered back and, although I was unsure of their meaning, the words made my heart skip a beat.

A.N. Just a little information, I decided that the Christmas holidays are the weeks before and after Christmas, I am unsure if that is canon or not. Also with the Yule Ball and the Tournament, I thought that, should students want to attend the Yule Ball and go home for the holidays that they should be allowed to go home for the second week using the Floo Powder Network.

Translation: Mon Amour – My Love