Fleur knew many people would already be in the Entrance Hall, waiting for eight o'clock, when the doors of the Great Hall were to be thrown opened. It's not something she needed to worry about, knowing Hermione she would feel self-conscious and wait until there was less people to make her way down to meet her.

She couldn't wait to finally see the Gryffindor, who didn't want to show her the dress she had chosen, nor share any clue on what she was going to look like. Fleur knew she would look stunning any way.

The blonde was a little annoyed, not with her girlfriend, but with her best friend. The ball was starting and she couldn't find Laetitia anywhere. Women.

She couldn't help but feel a tad disappointed, this was a big night for her and she wanted her best friend to be there with her too. She sighed. It was time to go. She could be fashionably late, but any more than that and Madame Maxine would give her one of her scolding speech.

She stopped in front of a mirror to be sure her hair was perfect, as usual, then she walked out. She wasn't the only one on the way, a few other students were on the late side of it, some of them were actually jogging, even running. Fleur was walking at her own pace.

She had to admit, the decorations were up to her standards. An area of lawn right in front of the castle had been transformed into a sort or grotto full of fairy lights – meaning hundreds of actual living fairies were sitting in the rose bushes that had been conjured there, and fluttering over the statues of what seemed to be Father Christmas and his reindeers.

She could feel people's eyes on her as she walked in the castle like she owned the place, back straight, hair flowing over her shoulders. She had this regal air, somewhat cold, she looked like she a snow queen walking out of a frozen land looking stunning in her robes of silver-grey satin.

She raised her chin, in a move that could seem haughty, looking around for a familiar face. Hermione wasn't there yet but she located Harry. She headed his way, her left eyebrow rose slightly as she saw a red head in robes that looked more like a dress than anything else, she knew nonetheless that it was Ron, slightly bending his knees to hide behind Harry.

Fleur wondered if she would ever understand that Weasley, not that she particularly wanted to. She saw him tug his partner, a tan girl in robes of bright turquoise, who followed him inside the Great Hall without looking enthusiastic about it. She gave a look over her shoulder at the somewhat similar looking girl who remained next to Harry, except that his date was wearing bright pink robes, her long dark plait braided with gold, and gold bracelets glimmering at her wrists.

The French girl didn't show her surprise, nonetheless wondered how these two boys had managed to get such nice dates, even more questionable for Ron than Harry.

She gave her fellow champion a nice polite smile as she greeted him. "You clean up nice Harry."

She got a nervous smile back, she hoped her nerves weren't as obvious as the boy's "Thank, I want to say the same thing to you but I don't think that would do justice to how you look tonight" A sharp elbow hit him in the ribs, his date had taken advantage of their interlaced arms. He looked at the girl next to him, as awkward as ever he said. "I told you …you…look nice."

Fleur internally winced before she interrupted the couple in front of her, it could turn into something sour. "I don't think we've been introduced. I'm Fleur, nice to meet you."

"Parvati. How do you do."

Fleur raised her hand making a gesture. "I love what you've done with your hair. It looks amazing."

Parvati touched the end of her plait; her cheeks grew darker. "Thank you." She looked away, into the Great Hall.

Fleur seized that opportunity to give a small slap behind Harry's head. He gave her a look: What was that for?!

She responded with a look of her own, giving a small glance at his date. Really?! This is how you treat your date…

This was when the Durmstrang students entered with Professor Karkaroff. Krum was at the front of the party, accompanied by a pretty girl in green robes. The Quidditch star had an honest smile on his face as he made his way towards them. He stopped, standing as tall and as straight as he could, lowering his head for a second as a greeting.

Fleur could see the Parvati girl had some difficulty controlling her glee while Harry was doing his best not to look towards the other Hogwarts champion. Or was it his date?

Her attention was brought back to the Bulgarian as she heard his voice. "I don't see your date? Did something happen?"

"She is on her way." Affirmed Fleur, she had to be. She was doing her best to hide her nerves. It wasn't helping that she could feel a presence in her heart, Hermione wasn't nervous, she was terrified, but she could tell she wasn't far. The blonde woman closed her eyes, taking a few deep breaths, hoping she could send some good vibes towards her mate. She was safe, they were in this together. Fleur was here, waiting for her whenever she was ready.

She felt a tug and opened her eyes. There she was, at the top of the stairs.

Hermione was wearing robes made of a floaty, periwinkle-blue material, and she was holding herself differently, somehow – or maybe it was merely the absence of the twenty or so books she usually had slung over her back.

She had done something with her hair; it was no longer bushy, but sleek and shiny, twisted up into an elegant knot at the back of her head, showing off her neck, that Fleur already wanted to kiss.

Hermione had a wide nervous smile on her face as she slowly made her way down the stairs.

Fleur's reverie was broken by a whisper right next to her. "Now would be a good time to close your mouth."

She snapped it shut and gave an embarrassed but thankful glance at Harry. She could see that Parvati was gazing at Hermione in unflattering disbelief. She didn't matter. Fleur's attention was solely turned toward her love.

Hermione finally reached them and Fleur wipe her suddenly clammy hands on her dress before presenting a hand for Hermione to take. The lioness immediately took it, stepping even closer to the French girl. Fleur greeted her with a soft kiss on her lips before hugging her, she couldn't resist the temptation as she lowered her head in the crook of Hermione's neck, covering the soft exposed skin with a few tiny kisses. She felt the smaller girl shiver in her arms before pulling back.

"You look absolutely stunning." Stated Fleur.

"You approve?" Nervously asked Hermione "I wanted to…" do you justice she thought, but finished with "look pretty for you."

Fleur's right-hand squeezed Hermione's, as she raised her other hand to the girl's shoulder. "You, are always, beautiful. Every time I see you, I stop breathing for a second. I love your hair, curly or…" She raised her hand left hand from the shoulder it was on to caress a strand of hair. I love your dress, your clothes because they are one you. I love…you" Fleur had a small smile on her face as she looked deep into Hermione's eyes.

The Gryffindor's mouth dropped open, and close and open. "Wha…" She stopped as they both looked towards a resonant voice.

This was when Professor McGonagall's voice had called "Champion's over here please! Everyone else inside now please."

They were to enter the Great Hall in procession when the rest of the students had sat down.

Parvati was readjusting her bangles, beaming next to a pale Harry who gulped. Cedric and Cho were nearest the doors, looking ahead.

Fleur looked back at her date. This was it. She took a step back, tugging Hermione but she wouldn't move. "Is everything okay? We should join the others."

"I…I…"

Fleur used her thumb to stroke the back of the younger girl's hand, hoping to reassure her with her presence. "Hermione?"

The brunette was looking at her, eyes wide.

Fleur gave her a small reassuring smile. "If it's too much it's okay. You don't have to do it if you don't want to."

"No, I…" Hermione's voice got stuck in her throat once more.

"It's fine." Assured Fleur as she started to pull back. Hermione was having none of it, she held on tight to the blonde's hand, breathed out and smiled. "I'm…good. Let's…do this." Finally said Hermione while inside her head she was screaming Fleur told me she loved me!

And she was paralyzed at the idea of saying it back. No, it was there but it was like she couldn't get it out. Did she love Fleur too? Was it real?

Fleur had said it so naturally, so easily, without any obvious expectation or pressure to have Hermione say it back. And there they were slowly walking up to the others. As they passed by Professor Karkaroff glared at them, saying something in his native language that didn't sound nice. Hermione couldn't help but want to know, understand, she turned towards Viktor.

They smiled at each other. "You look fabulous." Complimented the Bulgar. Hermione blushed as she responded "And you look handsome" She glanced at his date, who was glaring at her, she looked familiar but she couldn't put a name on it. Was she Slytherin? Nervermind, back to her first thought. "What did Professor Karkaroff say?"

"Nothing interesting, he…doesn't approve of two girls going as dates, some people are like that."

"Oh." Hermione looked down and away before Viktor spoke again.

"Though if I had known…it would rile him up so much, I would have considered asking another man to go as my date." Her smirked and winked at her.

She giggled and forgot what she was about to respond as she heard a small growl right next to her. Fleur was glaring over her shoulder at the other champion who merely smile.

"Fleur!" Whispered Hermione. "He was just being nice."

"A little too nice."

"We are becoming friends, quit acting like…that."

"I can't help it, I don't like it." Expressed the blonde as she glowered, looking in front of her.

"I got to talk more to him in the library a few times, he is…nice. I like him." The growl was back, if not louder. "As a friend! Stop it."

Fleur couldn't look at Hermione even if she could feel the other woman's eyes on her. "I wish I could, but I can't. We…all have insecurities. This one of mine." Her jaw clenched.

"Fleur? Fleur look at me."

Fleur's blue eyes finally landed on the younger woman as she said. "I know it's not logical." Hermione liked logic "But it's deeply encoded within me, it's an emotional reaction I can't control it. Maybe I'll get used to it."

"I don't want you to get used to it. I hope…I want that fear of you losing me to go away, because I'm not going anywhere."

Not yet, added a small voice in Fleur's brain.

Hermione could see still see doubts in the champion's eyes, they didn't have time, Cedric and Cho were walking in the Great Hall. She grabbed the back of Fleur's neck, lowering her face so she could properly kiss her.

They got lost into each other until they were interrupted. "Hermione!" Was Harry's whispered voice but they had jumped apart at the loud "Miss Granger!" from Professor McGonagall. It was their turn to walk in. They would get back to it later, this…conversation wasn't done. They smiled at each other before going in.

They entered and everyone in the Great Hall applauded. Hermione couldn't help but feel self-conscious as they made their way towards a large round table at the top of the Hall, where the judges were sitting. She glanced at the blonde next to her. Fleur was radiant, standing tall and proud with a smile on her face. It was like she felt her eyes, Fleur looked down at her girlfriend, she didn't stop smiling, if anything it grew wider and she squeezed the hand in hers.

As a mirror a small smile appeared on Hermione's face as they looked at each other. It was like she could feel a swell of pride and happiness coming from the blonde.

The walls of the Hall had all been covered in sparkling silver frost, with hundreds of garlands of mistletoe and ivy crossing the starry black ceiling. The house tables had vanished; instead, there were about a hundred smaller, lantern-lit ones, each seating about a dozen people.

Thanks to Fleur, Hermione could nearly make abstraction of Ron watching her with narrowed eyes, next to a sulking Padma.

Dumbeldore smiled happily as the champions approached the top table but Karkaroff wore an expression remarkably like Ron's.

When the champions and their partners reached the table, Percy, who was occupying Mr Crouch's seat was staring pointedly at Harry. The boy who lived gave a despairing look at his best friend; Hermione discretely shrugged, there was nothing she could do. Harry slowly sat down next to Percy who wore an expression of great smugness.

Hermione felt a little torn, she felt relived not to be in Harry's place, and guilty because her friend's uncomfortable situation made her feel better. She forgot it all as Fleur pulled her chair back for her. She smiled, putting her hand on top of Fleur's on the chair, caressing it softly with her thumb as she thanked her.

Fleur lowered her face to leave a small kiss on the Gryffindor's cheek. She felt color rise on her cheeks, she really didn't like this feeling, like she was the center of attention. She sat down, a second later Fleur was in the chair next to hers.

There was no food as of yet on the glittering golden plates, but small menus lying in front of each of them. Dumbeldore looked carefully down his, then said very clearly to his plate, 'Pork chops'. And pork chops appeared.

Hermione had a thought for the house-elves, a step at a time she reminded herself, it wasn't the time to argue about it. She just wanted this night to be as perfect as it could.

Hermione's attention was caught by the Durmstrang champions, Viktor had started to describe his school. She missed it, as a blue eye twitched. Fleur felt like growling once more, but she contented herself with a glare.

It was like Viktor was careful not to bruise any ego as he compared his school to Hogwarts, saying it was smaller, but it was obvious he loved his quite a lot. And when he started to speak about flying, his eyes sparkled as he described the landscapes, he flew over but was interrupted by his Headmaster.

"Now, now, Viktor. Don't go giving away anything else, or your charming friend will know exactly where to find us."

Dumbledore eyes were twinkling, he smiled as he made his way into the conversation, teasing the other Headmaster like he knew how to do.

Fleur seized that opportunity to speak, bringing back Hermione's gaze on her and away from that unrefined man. "It's nice, but in Beauxbatons we have choirs of wood-nymphs, who serenade us as we eat, oh and the food is simply splendid." Her eyes lost focus for a second as a dreamy look appeared. Hermione made a not that her girlfriend had a thing for food, not sure what she would do with it, but she saw at the same time a few glares directed at the blonde. She put her hand on top of the blonde's, on the table. "Sweetie, some people might see it as criticizing Hogwarts. You could hurt some people's feelings."

"Did I hurt your feelings?" Enquired the French girl.

"Well, no."

"That's all that matters." Fleur accompanied her statement with a dismissive gesture before bringing another fork of food to her mouth.

"You might want to consider other people, you make it sound like you think everything is better in France." Tried Hermione once more.

"Not everything. I mean, there is you." Fleur's eyes went up and down Hermione before stopping on her eyes, winking at her. Cue Hermione's blush. It was how started an inoffensive banter between the two. Fleur was having a blast riling up the younger girl, she loved to watch her mate whenever she got passionate about something.

Hermione wondered in the end if Fleur was doing it on purpose, with the smirk she had on, the brunette wasn't sure what she wanted to do most, jump at her girlfriend to make her see she was right or jump her to make out, either way she'd win.

When all the food had been consumed, Dumbeldore stood up and asked the students to do the same. Then, at a wave of his wand, the tables zoomed back along the walls, leaving the floor clear, and then conjured a raised platform into existence along the right wall. A set of drums, several guitars, a lute, a cello and some bagpipes were set upon it.

The Weird Sisters then trooped up upon the stage to a wildly enthusiastic applause; they were all extremely hairy, dressed in black robes that had been artfully ripped and torn. They picked up their instruments, the lanterns on all the tables went out and this was when Hermione's started to have heart palpitations. She was going to have to dance, in front of the whole three schools, and not make a fool of herself, or Fleur.

Fleur grabbed her hand, leading her to the middle of the brightly lit dancefloor, on a slow mournful tune. They stopped for a second, then Fleur moved closer wrapping her arm around Hermione's waist, the other never letting go of the smaller hand.

Hermione raised her free hand to rest on Fleur's upper back. It didn't help her nerves when she realized that the other girl wasn't wearing a bra. How did her breasts look so good in that dress? She brought her mind back on track, focus. With a small head nod, she was doing it.

They started to move, the blonde steering slowly.

Hermione's hand twitched a little, they were clammy, she hoped it wasn't feeling too bad for Fleur. Her eyes caught people staring in the audience and she gulped.

"Hermione." Called her date.

The Gryffindor immediately look up, wondering if she had messed up.

"Relax everything is okay. Look at me. I'm here. You are sharing this with me, they don't matter. Just look at me."

Hermione took a deep breath as they looked into each other's eyes, and as she focused solely on Fleur everything around them seem to disappear, she felt like they were alone on that dance floor, sharing a moment. She didn't even realize when other people started to join them. They were alone and the next moment she caught sight of Ginny and Neville passing by as they danced, she had rarely seen Neville so at ease.

She looked back at the blonde, smiling. She never thought she could feel like this. She moved her head closer and Fleur mirrored her until their foreheads were touching. They kept on swaying slowly to the music until it stopped and applause filled the Hall once more. They didn't move away, in fact they hugged each other.

The Weird Sisters struck up a new song, which was much faster. Hermione took a step back, not sure on what to do next, still uncomfortable, it was one thing to do a choregraphed dance, a complete different one to let go and do your own moves. She didn't have time to think too much about it, Fleur didn't let her, as she had sensed the tension in her mate, she made a few ridiculous moves, making Hermione laugh, Fleur laughed too. They relaxed and just danced.

Hermione wasn't sure how many songs had passed while they danced together, but she was feeling a little hot and out of breath. It was a tad annoying to see Fleur was as elegant and poised as ever.

"Do you want to take a break?" Asked the blonde as she saw Hermione stop.

"Maybe for a few minutes. I'm parched."

Fleur nodded. "Go take a seat, I'll get us something to drink."

Hermione spotted her friends as soon as she left the dancefloor. Harry was sitting next to Ron, and Padma looked peeved on the other side of the red head. She sat down next to Harry with a smile, still breathing a little hard and bit pink in the face.

They didn't seem to be ready to talk so she tried. "It's hot, isn't it?" She fanned herself with her hand. "Fleur's just gone to get some drinks."

Ron gave her a withering look. She stared at him, not understanding what was up with him, he didn't speak so she turned to Harry who shrugged. With the problems she recently had with him, she wasn't sure she wanted to know. She looked away as she leaned back into her seat.

The atmosphere was somewhat tensed for a short moment before Ron expressed what was wrong with him. "You know, I couldn't believe you'd be naïve enough to think Fleur wasn't using you to get close to Harry, get inside information on him, or get near enough to jinx him, even Krum seem to think you could be useful. Did he ask you to call him Vicky yet?"

He paused but she was too shocked, her mind didn't have enough time to integrate his speech and come up with an appropriate answer.

"It's so obvious, it's either that, or they're hoping you'll help them open their eggs! I suppose you've been putting your heads together during those cosy little moments…"

"How could you say something like that?!" Hermione looked as though Ron had slapped her, her voice quivering and eyes welling up. " I would never interfere. I want Harry to win the Tournament!"

"You've got a funny way of showing it." Sneered Ron.

"This whole Tournament is supposed to be about getting to know foreign wizards and making friends with them!" said Hermione shrilly.

"No, it isn't!" Shouted Ron "It's about winning!"

People were starting to stare at them.

"Ron." Wayed in Harry "It's more than okay for Hermione befriending whoever she wishes. As long as they don't want to kill me. I'm fine with Fleur and Krum…" He stopped he wasn't going to mention Cedric, he'd rather forget about him and his date with Cho.

It was like Ron didn't even hear Harry.

"Where are your suitors anyway? Shouldn't they be with you if they cared? Hmm? And if it's not them maybe it's you! Maybe you are the one pursing these interactions, finding famous suitors to become popular, for your own gain like some kind of…scarlet woman. Fleur, Viktor Krum, who's next Harry?!"

Hermione stood up, her rose-tinted face wasn't due to her dancing anymore. Harry's eyes grew wide, hoping things wouldn't escalade. Padma on the other hand looked definitely less bored.

"What did you just call me?" Seethed Hermione.

Ron seemed to waver for a second, fear flashed through his eyes as he moved away, leaning back until his back hit the table behind him. "I don't know, you've been here for a while now, and to my knowledge no one interested you, and…vice versa."

If it was possible vapour would be coming out of her ears with a hissing noise as she slowly started to raised her clenched fist. Yet Ron kept on egging her on. "Still here? Why don't you go find your French woman? If you're lucky you'll find her in company of Vicky."

They had caused an enough big scene, she'd get in trouble if she was to pummel him.

Something snapped in Hermione, it happens from time to time, she could get so angry and frustrated that she couldn't control it. She cried. Her shoulders dropped an instant before she swirled around and stormed off across the dance flood, disappearing into the crowd.

Fleur swiftly crossed the dance floor to reach a big table against the wall opposed to the main entrance where a punch bowl, butter beers and other beverages had been set.

She grabbed a butterbeer for Hermione and was in the process of filling a glass of Montbazillac for herself, she was thankful to whoever had to idea to add that sweet white French wine to the menu. She was ready to go, a drink in each hand, she raised her head and stopped.

Leaning on the wall, wearing a dark blue dress, side braids were keeping her raven hair in place. There she was, Laetitia. She had her arms crossed and was glaring at the dance floor. Fleur sighed, she couldn't just go back to her mate, so she went to her best friend.

"You came." Started Fleur.

"I don't really have a choice. I can't run away from this, I can't run away from myself."

Fleur nodded, she understood all too well, but wasn't sure what to say. Laetitia already knew what she had to do. "Are you going to speak to her tonight?"

"I should. I don't want to wait too long." There was a pause. "She'd been dancing with him ever since the music started."

"What about your…. dates?"

"They are keeping each other company; we've had an understanding from the beginning."

"You could always wait for a slower song and cut in" Offered Fleur before she started to frown, something was wrong. Hermione was upset. She looked across the floor.

"Fleur?" Laetitia had immediately felt and smelled she shift in her friend.

"Hermione is troubled and very angry. Last time she told me not to interfere." She didn't say it but the look on her face was clearly asking the other girl what she should do.

"She was in her head of house's office. Does she feel scared or threatened?" Inquired Laetitia.

"No. Mainly…murderous, with a note of…hurt and betrayal." Described Fleur.

"So… she is most likely fighting with a friend."

"Do you need me, it's getting worse I think I should go?"

"I'm okay, I'm just…waiting for my courage to show up" Explained Laetitia, then they shared a look, both nodded and Fleur turned away, drinks still in her grasp.

After speaking to her best friend, Laetitia couldn't stop trying to summon some courage. A slow dance started. She slowly peeled herself off the wall, she took the first step, then the second, it was getting easier until she was close enough to speak to the two Hogwarts students, she had the urge to run back to her safe corner with her tail between her legs. She tensed, stood straight, she wasn't backing away. She cleared her throat. "May I?"

Neville and Ginny parted. The young Longbottom questioned his partner with his eyes, he wasn't going to leave Ginny with anyone she didn't want to. She smiled at him, it didn't reach her eyes "It's fine, don't worry."

"I'll get something to drink. Come and find me if you need anything." He made sure she understood him before disappearing into the crowd.

Laetitia moved forward, and Ginny raised her hands at the same time, both reaching for the same leading position. It was a little awkward. Laetitia couldn't believe it, as she let Ginny steer. They didn't speak at first. They were both enjoying this moment that strangely hurt too.

Until Laetitia broke the silence. "You look beautiful tonight."

"I thought I was too young." Comment the younger one.

Laetitia groaned before avoiding eye contact. "You are too young."

"I know you like me, why can't you stop being stubborn and give this a chance."

"I am stubborn?! What is it that you people say, something about a kettle…" Laetitia started trailing off, so Ginny seized that opportunity. "You know it's just stupid, couples can have way more years difference than we do."

"It's nice. You saying that my point of view is stupid. You don't have to agree but I would have hoped that you'd be more considerate." Laetitia was getting frustrated, it was more than obvious with her tone, but it was what she said that made Ginny stop. The raven-haired girl nearly stepping on her partner's feet. "What?" Was all the Gryffindor could utter.

"You say you care for me, yet when I tell you no, you don't respect it, you keep on pushing for a yes." Clarified Laetitia.

Ginny remained immobile, her mouth opening and closing. This was not…She would not…

"We both know we have this thing between us. I already admitted it, but I cannot and I will not do anything about it. You are funny and smart and…stubborn and…so many things, but, you are thirteen. It doesn't matter how mature you are or not, you are a child. It feels wrong to…I want to spend time with you and I want you to be happy. But at this point I'm a young woman and you are still a child. I can't have that kind of relationship with you."

Ginny looked down at her feet, feeling bad as she thought about the way she had acted, then she saw her body, not developed. "So what do we do then? What do you want to do?" Asked the youngest Weasley.

"Let's be friends. If that's okay with you?" Laetitia had grabbed Ginny's chin between her fingers to raise it. She wanted to look into her eyes, this was important.

Ginny breathed out, it wasn't really a sigh. "Friends." She finally stated.

Laetitia felt so much lighter. "Do you still want to dance?"

Ginny gave her a genuine and happy smile. "Yes." And she was leading again, after a short moment of comfortable silence she spoke once more. "For now."

"What?"

"Friends for now. If we are still up to it, we might reevaluate the situation when I'm fifteen."

Laetitia did the maths before she retorted. "When you are seventeen."

"Sixteen." Was Ginny's next offer.

Laetitia laughed at the younger girl's stubbornness.