Disclaimer: I own none of the things you already know of.
Harry Potter and the Smallest Change.
Chapter 22. Fourth Year, Part 4. 1994
Harry sat on the shore of the Black Lake, near the greenhouses. It was not yet dawn and the first hints of sunrise shone from behind the distant mountains.
It was the first time he'd sat at the spot, and he marvelled at the sight.
He let out a sigh at the sight of the castle silhouetted by the predawn light; it was stunning. Harry made a mental note to come out and watch the sunrise during the week.
It was still an hour or so before breakfast started, and Harry didn't know what to do. A part of him screamed that he didn't have enough time to waste it by taking in a relaxing sunrise when he could be training.
He sighed, a frown on his face.
Another part of him realised he was reaching the limit of what the room could provide.
The duelling dummies provided by the room for him to spar against had limits on how difficult they were to defeat; it was a school, after all. He'd gotten to the point where he needed a dozen of them to fight him at once if he wanted a challenge.
No, what he needed was someone better than him to train against, or at least as good. He had no doubts that Dumbledore could beat him, likely Flitwick too, but the other Professors? Harry was sure that in a straight up fight he could take them. McGonagall could out transfigure him, but would that be enough? He didn't trust Snape enough to even entertain the option.
Snape was ill tempered and didn't like Harry. Harry knew why, of course, but neither would want to voluntarily spend time with the other.
Harry sighed and considered whether he should ask Sirius or his father to sneak into the castle to train him, but the logistics of the idea simply wouldn't work.
''Arry?' a soft voice came from behind him.
Harry grinned and turned to see Fleur, not two metres from him.
He stood and wrapped her in a tight embrace, which she returned.
Idly, he noticed that her mature body was a lot more filled out than the body she'd had for most of their friendship. He hadn't noticed the last few times they'd embraced, with everything else happening at the time, her birthday, the Quidditch Cup, and the previous night.
But now, there was nothing but the two of them on the shore and a stunning sunrise.
He took her hand and gestured for her to sit beside him. She did so with a smile and a comfortable silence grew between them for a moment as they simply basked in the light of the sun as it crept out over the distant mountains.
Fleur sighed, breaking the silence.
'The mirrors are brilliant, but it is nice to finally have the chance to spend time with you.' She whispered, and Harry squeezed her hand.
'I agree completely. The few hours we had together at the Cup weren't enough.' He said and turned his face to her.
The rising run lent her silver hair a golden glow.
'So much has changed since the last time we really spent time together.' He said.
She laughed, then her eyes clouded over, and her face fell.
''Arry.' She said, her voice filled with an uncharacteristic hesitation.
Harry cocked his head and looked into her ice-blue eyes, he waited for her to continue. He squeezed her hand and smiled.
'Can you, can you feel my Allure? It didn't seem to affect you at the Cup, but there were so many distractions.' She trailed off, insecurity in her voice.
Harry squeezed her hand.
'I don't. I'm aware you have the Allure, but it doesn't seem to affect me. The bracelets I made last year were designed to protect against it. I didn't know if it worked against the Allure, but it protects against mind control spells and potions.' He explained, and she stared at him.
Harry raised his wrist to show her, but it was bare.
He blinked and stared at his bare wrist, then to Fleur.
She glanced at his wrist, then into his eyes.
'It's not the bracelet that stops the Allure from affecting you.' She breathed and Harry's gaze moved from his bare wrist to Fleur's eyes.
'Maybe it's because I spent so much time around your mother a few years ago? I could possibly be immune? Do you know if the Imperius Curse acts in a similar way? I seem to be resistant to that.' He whispered, then shook his head.
Harry reached out a hand and cupped her cheek and looked into her eyes.
'What I do know, is that you're my best friend, and I don't know what I would do without you.' He said
Tears formed in the corner of her eyes that refused to fall.
'Do you still have the pendant I gave you?' he asked.
She pulled it out from beneath her uniform and offered him the silver charm.
Harry inspected it, it was warm from being against her skin. He drew his wand and flipped the charm over to examine the underside.
With his wand, he carved a wunjo rune into the silver. It looked like a pointed 'P'. He took a deep breath and poured his magic into the rune and let out a smile, then offered her the charm again.
She took the charm in her hands, her eyes wide and closed her fingers around it.
Fleur shut her eyes.
Harry watched as the insecurity and worry faded from her face as she experienced the emotions he had poured into her charm.
She opened her eyes and the sheer emotion in them froze him for a moment, before her tight embrace shook him from it.
He returned the hug.
'How I feel will never change.' He whispered, and the two didn't move for a minute.
She pulled back and blushed, she ducked her head.
'Sorry for being emotional.' She said, and he gave her a lopsided grin.
'According to the books you've sent me over the years, it's to be expected.' He grinned as she pouted.
'If you being emotional is the only problem we have this year, it'll be a good year.' He said, and she blinked, then shook her head.
A small grin spread across her face.
'Will you show me around?' she asked.
Harry grinned and stood, then helped her do the same.
Together, the two walked around the grounds of Hogwarts. He showed her the greenhouses as they passed, though neither of them cared much for Herbology. She did enjoy seeing varieties of plants that the Beauxbatons greenhouses didn't have.
Fleur pointed out the Beauxbatons carriage a few hundred metres away from the greenhouses as they passed.
'Madame Maxime is insisting that all students return to the carriage by nine every night, no exceptions. She also wants us to remain in the carriage until six in the morning.' She said, and Harry nodded as they walked.
'It would have been nice if you didn't have to trudge your way up to the castle, even more so when winter comes. But I understand the desire to keep the students separate, especially with Madame Maxime as the only staff here you all know.' Harry agreed.
Fleur glanced at him and frowned.
'I hadn't thought of it like that. It makes more sense when put that way.' She said, and Harry smirked.
'Intelligence is one of my strong points.' He said.
Fleur laughed and slapped his shoulder.
'Modesty isn't.' she smiled, and Harry paused, stopping them both.
Harry grinned down at her.
'I like it when you smile.' He said, and she blushed for a moment and looked away.
She pointed past him.
'Is that massive tree the Whomping Willow you told me about?' she asked.
Harry turned to see what she was pointing at, a smile still on his face.
'Yeah, there's a secret passage under the tree that leads to Hogsmeade, the only all wizarding town in Scotland. The tunnel comes out at a place called the Shrieking Shack, a building thought to be haunted, but my Uncle Remus used it while in school, he's a werewolf.' Harry explained.
Fleur turned to him, tree forgotten, and stared at him.
'Are you joking?' she asked, her eyes wide, and Harry shook his head.
'No, it's all true.' He said, and she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and looked back at the tree.
'The mirrors just aren't the same. I'm still surprised even after years of talking to you.' She frowned, and Harry chuckled.
'You're not wrong.' He said with a grin, and she huffed.
Fleur turned her gaze back to Harry and let out a breath.
'Does your Uncle use the Wolfsbane Potion?' she asked, and Harry nodded.
'Yeah, my mum brews it for him, she's made some improvements over the years. Now the transformation doesn't cause as much pain, according to him.' He said, and she smiled, her eyes gazing into his.
'I'm glad that your family is supportive of him.' She said, and Harry grinned.
'Every full moon dad and Sirius go out running with Remus in the forest near Potter Manor in their Animagus forms to keep him company.' He explained, and she laughed, the sound of pure joy filling the air.
Harry smiled at the sound, then her face fell.
Her eyes bored into his, as if searching for something.
'What do your parents think of me, Harry?' she asked, her voice soft.
Harry frowned and cocked his head.
'They adore your family, and they were sorry our schedules didn't link up the past two summers. However, they are eager to travel back to France this summer if they can make it work.' He said with a smile, which she returned.
But her smile didn't reach her eyes.
'That's not quite what I meant.' She whispered.
Harry took her hand in his and smiled at her.
'They think of you as one of their own, like they do with Susan.' He said, then smirked.
'Holly practically worships you.' Harry added, and Fleur blushed.
'At least someone likes me.' She whispered, her face downcast.
Harry squeezed her hand before he cupped her cheek with his other hand.
He gently moved her face up to his and his eyes met hers.
'Anyone who doesn't like you, isn't worth your time. I know my friends are eager to get to know you better. Except maybe Daphne, I'm not sure what her problem is.' He trailed off with a soft frown.
Fleur let out an uncharacteristic giggle and covered it with a hand.
'It's a girl thing 'Arry. Maybe if I have a talk with her, we can figure it out.' She said with a smile.
Harry nodded, then released her cheek and offered her his arm.
'Shall we continue our walk?' he asked, and she grinned, nodding.
'Oui.' she said.
Harry turned them away from the Whomping Willow and further away from the lake, and past Hagrid's hut. Harry pointed out the massive man as he worked in his garden, tending equally massive pumpkins.
'Is 'Agrid a half giant?' Fleur asked, and Harry shrugged.
'It wouldn't surprise me. But I've never asked because I've never been really close with the man.' He said before he frowned.
'In my second year, they almost sent him to Azkaban while the Basilisk was petrifying people.' He paused.
Fleur nodded, likely thinking back on the letters they'd sent back and forth at the time.
'Apparently, the Minister wanted to send Hagrid to that horrible place to be seen doing something. Instead of actually doing something. Idiot.' Harry growled and Fleur lay a hand on his shoulder.
He sighed as they continued to walk.
'Thanks.' He smiled.
'I've never been able to understand the sheer stupidity of many in the Wizarding World. Sometimes I wonder what it would have been like to grow up in the muggle world, like my mum.' He mused and Fleur smiled.
'It is something I also think about often, but with my, uh, heritage, it would not be such a great idea.' She said, her eyes downcast.
Harry squeezed her hand, and the two continued in silence as they walked the grounds of Hogwarts.
They walked past the Quidditch Pitch. Both liked to fly, but neither was particularly interested in playing.
Together, they made their way around the Black Lake, back to where they'd started.
Harry looked at his watch.
'Damn it, I lost track of time and we missed breakfast. It's ten already.' He groaned, then brightened.
'Oh well, I'll show you the kitchens.' He said and at her bewildered expression, explained.
'It is an experience, for sure.' He grinned and led her inside the castle.
Ten minutes later, Harry led Fleur into the kitchens after tickling the fruit outside the hidden entrance.
A House-Elf ushered them to a small table set aside from the rest of the kitchen.
'What can Popsy get for you students?' the little creature asked, and Harry grinned.
'Whatever you have with a French flair please.' He asked.
Popsy nodded vigorously, then left to join the army of House-Elves in the kitchens doing a range of tasks.
Fleur stared at them.
'Why-' she started, then stopped and frowned, looking at the table.
'Why is there a human sized table in here?' she asked, and Harry grinned.
'I always figured that they did it because students kept coming in and they want us to be happy. So, I guess they got the table and chairs so we would be more comfortable.' He said and Fleur blinked.
'Hogwarts truly is a strange place.' She mused, and Harry nodded.
Mountains of food appeared on the table and Harry plucked a croissant and slathered some strawberry jam on it.
'You're not wrong, but can you explain?' he asked.
Fleur stole the croissant from his hand in a deft motion and took a bite, then gave him an impish smile.
'Hogwarts flaunts how ancient it is. Between the aged stone and battlements that serve no purpose in today's world, whether magical or muggle. It's like your Founders designed it to be the stereotypical castle, with no thought of practicality, before there even was such a thing as a stereotypical castle.' She explained and finished her stolen croissant with a smile.
'The castle maintains an army of House-Elves, when Beauxbatons uses only three or four, with the rest of the maintenance being done by witches and wizards. In some ways, Hogwarts is so far beyond Beauxbatons, like in sheer stature.' She paused and eyed off his newest croissant.
Harry took a bite and grinned at her. She huffed, still eyeing his croissant, but she prepared her own.
'But in other ways, Hogwarts is a relic. This many House-Elves are not needed for the number of students your school has. It's almost as if they constructed Hogwarts with thousands of students in mind, not hundreds.' Fleur paused and looked thoughtful before she stole Harry's new croissant with a smirk.
Harry rolled his eyes and smiled.
'You've got some good points; I do not know what the answers to those would be. But with the last hundred years containing what were probably the two largest wars in magical history, our population simply can't fill this castle.' He said and wiped his fingers on a serviette.
He smiled as she finished her stolen pastry.
'After breakfast, I have another mystery for you to help me solve, if you are up to it?' he asked, and she grinned.
Fleur grabbed a banana and stood; Harry joined her beside the table.
'Thank you, Popsy, and everyone else involved.' Harry called and the House-Elves collectively paused in their work and beamed at him for a moment before they returned to their tasks.
Fleur looked at him and smiled.
'Lead the way, good sir.' She said, and Harry chuckled and offered her his arm once more.
He led her down, deeper into the dungeons of the school, and they passed a handful of male Slytherin students who leered at Fleur.
'Hey honey, why don't you ditch the 'Puff and spend the day with us. We'll show you how to have a little fun. We'll make it worth your while.' One of the larger boys said.
Harry withheld the urge to draw his wand and curse them all.
Fleur, with her eyes hiding shadows of pain, turned to the group of four green and black clad boys.
'I am sorry, but I am busy.' She said, her tone soft and sad.
The larger boy stepped forward. Harry thought he was a seventh year, Pucey perhaps, Harry didn't know.
'Bugger off 'Puff, leave the adults alone. You're not man enough to handle a woman like this.' The boy, perhaps-Pucey, said.
Harry raised his eyebrows and waved a hand, he used his wandless magic to cast a Sticking Charm on all the boy's feet without them noticing.
Perhaps-Pucey moved to step closer to them and Fleur shrank in on herself. But the boy fell flat on his face when his feet refused to leave the floor.
Fleur blinked at the fallen boy and Harry took her hand. She flinched away before realising it was him, then she latched onto his arm.
'We'll get you for this Potter.' Perhaps-Pucey snarled through what looked like a broken nose.
Harry led Fleur away from the irate boys and led her deeper into the bowels of the castle. Neither said a word as she clutched onto his arm.
Ten minutes later, Harry stopped in front of the massive black iron doors and lay a hand on them.
''Arry?' Fleur said and Harry paused.
He turned to meet her eyes.
'I'm sorry about before. I told myself that I was going to be better after the summer. But, some things are just so ingrained now, its hard to forget what happened.' Fleur whispered.
Harry lowered his hand from the black iron door and faced her.
'When those boys moved toward us, I didn't see them. I saw those Death Eaters from the World Cup, I've had nightmares about those...men.' Fleur said and her lip curled.
'I don't know why I still reacted that way. Last year, I won the Beauxbatons Duelling Championship, I defeated the seventh years. I was the top of my class. There's no reason why I should be afraid on men in masks, or simple boys.' Fleur snarled and her ice-blue eyes flashed.
'It's okay.' Harry started.
'Non, it's not 'Arry. It's not okay. I am Fleur Delacour and I am one of the brightest students to pass through the halls of Beauxbatons since its creation. I will not allow myself to be afraid of children and animals.' Fleur snapped.
Harry remained silent and Fleur sighed.
'I'm sorry, but its just so aggravating to feel that overwhelming need to flinch away when simple men try to touch me.' Fleur muttered.
Harry reached out a hand toward her and she took it in hers.
'But not you 'Arry. Never you.' she whispered as stared at their joined hands.
Harry smiled at her and she nodded.
'Enough about that, there will be time in the future for dealing with that. Right now, you have a mystery for me to solve?' she asked.
Harry nodded and reached out a hand to touch the black iron doors.
The doors opened and Harry led Fleur inside the cavernous crimson lit room.
She stared at the blood red sphere in the centre of the room.
'Where are we?' she breathed, the altercation with the Slytherins forgotten.
Harry moved closer to the sphere as it pulsed with crimson light.
'We are in the Heart of Hogwarts.' Harry said, watching the pulsing light.
He placed a hand on her shoulder as she reached out to touch the sphere.
'Fleur.' He said.
She blinked and broke eye contact with the sphere. Instead, she met his gaze.
'I don't know what will happen if we touch the sphere. It is what the castle draws magic from to power everything inside it, including the wards. It's charged by the ambient magic given off by all the students and Professors.' He explained, and she froze.
She stepped closer to him, and her once silver hair, now stained red, framed her face.
'How did you find this place?' she asked, and he released her shoulder.
He turned away from the sphere, he instead turned to the entrance. It looked so much like the Chamber of Secrets.
Fleur moved to take his hand and with a gentle hand on his cheek, turned his gaze to meet hers.
''Arry?' she asked.
He sighed; his free hand reached up to take hold of her hand on his cheek.
'This is the place the Peter Pettigrew captured Holly and Susan at the end of our last year here. Where he held his base of operations as he built his army of mind-controlled slaves.' Harry paused and his eyes never left Fleur's.
'I almost lost them. I almost lost my dad too.' He whispered, and she wrapped him in a tight embrace.
He clutched onto her as the lifeline she offered.
'Have you talked about it to anybody?' she asked in a whisper.
He was silent for a minute. He held her close.
'No, apart from what I've told you in the mirrors.' He admitted.
Fleur released him and drew her wand. She flicked it and conjured a stuffed couch with a soft floral pattern. The couch faced the sphere, and she dragged him down onto it, she pulled his unresisting head into her lap.
'You don't have to tell me anything, but if you decide to, I will listen. Either way, I would like to stay in this room a little longer. You can wait until tomorrow to show me your magical time room that you've been itching to show me.' She said, and he stifled a chuckle.
He let out a breath and settled into her lap. For the first time in what felt like years, he relaxed and let down his guard.
After twenty minutes of being lost in their own thoughts and revelling in the feeling of Fleur's fingers as they ran through his hair, Harry spoke.
'Fleur. Last year, a lot happened.' He started, then paused.
Fleur didn't make a sound. She only continued to run her fingers through his messy hair.
Harry took a deep breath and shut his eyes. He thought about the events of his third year and forced himself to experience them, and as he did, he told her about them. She had a vague understanding from their mirror calls, but not enough to get the full picture.
He told her about the suicide in the Great Hall, the vacant stares of the students as they watched him, the Aurors in the castle and his father keeping them in the loop. After a brief pause, he told her about discovering both Holly and Susan missing, along with his father.
He explained that one of his dorm-mates, Justin, had been controlled since the start of the year, under his nose the entire time.
Harry paused, tears in his eyes as he fought himself. He used his occlumency to delve into his memories that he subconsciously wanted buried. He felt the pain and the fear of that night as if it were happening right then.
The only thing that kept him calm and in the moment was Fleur's fingers in his hair, anchoring him to reality.
The memory of that night washed over him, and he explained every tiny detail he could think of. Everything that gave him pause, he focussed on until the fear and the pain of that night faded.
He told her about the mind-controlled muggles and magicals, and the fight against them. How the Professors came to the rescue, only to be almost overwhelmed.
After a moment of hesitation, he pushed through his reluctance to tell Fleur of how he found Susan and Holly chained to the walls of the room. He even pointed at the repaired walls where they were bound. Harry gave in to the tears as he explained how Pettigrew had been minutes away from forcing himself on Susan.
'Fleur, they both had to watch as I fought Pettigrew. They watched as I lost.' Harry paused, his eyes closed as he buried himself in the memory, as if it were happening in front of him.
'All of my training didn't help me when I needed it. I couldn't defeat Peter when he was groping Susan and torturing Holly. He'd tortured my father too and I couldn't do anything to stop him.' Harry paused, taking a shuddering breath.
'It was only because Remus helped that we defeated Peter. Peter ran off in his Animagus form, a rat, and was later caught by Remus. Aunt Amy, she's the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, saw to it that they tossed him through the veil for his crimes.' Harry stopped and slowed his breathing.
He took a deep breath, then let it out.
'The man did terrible things to the women he had control of. Aunt Amy asked us not to go to the trial, she didn't want us to know what he did.' Harry whispered.
Fleur shivered and held him closer in her lap, her fingers shaking in his hair.
'You know the rest.' Harry finished in a whisper.
A few moments passed and Fleur's fingers slowly returned to stroking his hair, after the shaking subsided.
'Thank you 'Arry, for trusting me with your story. I will always be here for you whenever you need me. You are my best friend.' She murmured and silence grew between them again.
A few minutes passed, both lost in their thoughts before Fleur's fingers ceased their ministrations.
'Does something try to kill you every year?' she asked.
Harry let out a small laugh, though it held no joy.
'It's normally Longbottom, the Boy-Who-Lived, who is the target. But last year, it was me instead.' Harry admitted.
He opened his eyes and gazed up at Fleur's angelic face, marred by worry.
'I have a feeling that something will happen this year as well, and normally, it starts on Halloween.' He said, and she looked down and smiled at him.
'This year, I am here with you, so you have nothing to worry about.' She grinned.
Harry smiled at her and noticed for the first time where he was lying, and how it wasn't just any beautiful girl, but Fleur. He saw her tight figure-hugging powder blue uniform and couldn't help the blush that warmed his cheeks.
Fleur grinned and said nothing, though she wore a pleased grin. Her fingers continued running through his hair, and Harry slowly fell asleep to the soft sound of her humming.
Harry woke as he hit the ground. Fleur fell on top of him and she groaned, a hand to her head as she sat up. Harry shot to his feet a moment later, wand out and his eyes scanned the crimson lit room.
He saw no threats in the room, and no conjured couch.
Harry leant over to help Fleur up and returned his wand to its holster. He ran a hand through his hair.
'I'm sorry for wasting our day together.' He said, and she took his hand.
'It wasn't a waste. I haven't slept so well in years, even if it was just a couch. Well, until my conjuration faded anyway.' She admitted, and Harry grinned before checking her for injuries.
'Do all your conjurations last that long, or can you make them last longer?' he asked.
Fleur cocked her head and narrowed her eyes.
'How long do yours last for?' she asked, a dangerous edge to her voice.
Harry laughed and held his hands up in surrender.
'I've never thought of it, but I'll be happy to test it out tomorrow in the Room of Requirement?' he asked, and her stare lasted a few more seconds before she smiled and nodded.
'I'm looking forward to seeing this special room of yours.' She said, and Harry grinned.
'It is pretty special, but it'll have to wait until later. We need to get your name in the Goblet of Fire before you run out of time.' He said.
Fleur blinked.
'Merde.' She hissed.
She ran out of the crimson lit chamber and back up the corridors the way they came. Harry's gaze followed her retreating form for a few seconds, impressed that she knew the way. He cleared his head with a quick shake, then rushed to catch up.
Five minutes of flat out running later, Harry rounded the last corner and watched Fleur stride into the Great Hall as though she hadn't been running like a competition sprinter seconds earlier. Harry stepped into the Hall to see a handful of students sitting down at their tables already.
He figured they'd been watching the stragglers enter their names and wondered who else left it till the last moment.
Harry took a seat at the Hufflepuff table and watched Fleur stride back to him. She took a seat by his side with a wide grin on her face.
'The Goblet accepted my name. I was worried I was too late.' She admitted, and Harry grinned.
'Even if you were late, it would have been stupid to not choose you.' He said.
She rolled her eyes, but nudged him with her shoulder, a wide grin on her face.
It was only fifteen minutes later when Susan and Hannah walked into the Hall, Holly at their side with her arms out wide, waving them like she was re-enacting a particularly interesting story.
The three saw Harry sitting with Fleur and scowled before joining them. Holly sat down on Fleur's left side, walking past Harry.
'Have you allowed anyone else to see her today, Harry?' Holly asked.
Fleur winked and Harry before she turned to Holly.
'He has been very greedy. But he showed me around the grounds and the castle.' She said.
Holly leaned forward and glared at Harry before sitting back so Fleur was between them once more.
Holly gestured for Fleur to lean forward, like she was telling a secret. Fleur did so, and the two held a near silent conversation.
Susan sat on Harry's other side and tapped his shoulder. He turned to see her raised eyebrows, along with Hannah's smirk.
'What's wrong?' he asked, and the red head's eyebrows rose even higher.
Harry blinked, his gaze moving to Hannah's who gave him a shrug, which he figured meant, 'You're on your own.'
Harry turned back to Susan as Daphne, Luna, and Hermione took seats on the opposite side of the table. Each of the girls gave him raised eyebrows to match Susan.
His gaze moved between the five girls like a deer in the headlights, then Fleur's laugh drew his attention. She lay a hand on his shoulder.
'It's okay 'Arry, you're just a boy.' Fleur said.
Harry blinked. He was sure he was just insulted, but he was unsure how or why.
'Good evening, everyone.' Fleur said with a soft smile as her eyes moved between Daphne, Susan, and Hannah, who she'd met before.
'My name is Fleur Delacour, it is nice to meet you.' She said, smiling at Hermione and Luna.
'Harry has told me all about you all and I'm looking forward to getting to know you all better over the course of the year.' She paused and met Daphne's almost hostile glare.
Fleur took a breath and squeezed Harry's hand under the table.
'I hope we can become friends. I would very much like to have some, especially you girls.' She said, and she turned to meet Harry's eyes.
Fleur's gaze went back to the group of silent girls.
'There's just some things us girls can't talk to Harry about.' She said, and they all turned to him.
They laughed.
He huffed.
'If I'm going to be the butt of a joke, the least you can do is let me in on it.' He complained, and they laughed again.
Fleur and Susan both patted his shoulders.
'I feel like a dog.' He grumbled, and Holly leaned forward around Fleur.
'That's what you get for only being friends with girls.' Holly said.
Harry sighed.
'At least it's better than putting up with Malfoy or Longbottom.' He admitted before he noticed the glares the girls sent him. Their expressions showed how unimpressed they were.
Harry sighed again.
'Whatever I did, I'm sorry. Now, can you all please pick on someone else?' he asked.
Hermione huffed.
'That was too easy.' She complained.
Luna smiled.
'Nargles don't dare to face him, but he caves in the face of teenage girls.' She commented, and the girls were silent for a moment.
Harry caught Fleur's questioning gaze and ran a hand through his hair and let out a breath.
'I'll explain that later.' He said, and she nodded.
Hannah leaned forward to look at them past Susan.
'So, Fleur, did you enter the Tournament, or were you busy catching up?' Hannah used her fingers to gesture the quotation marks.
Fleur blushed for a moment before a smile spread across her face.
'I only entered a few minutes ago.' She admitted.
The girls all turned to stare at him again.
'What?' he asked, his tone held a distinct defensive note to it that brought a smile to the group's faces, apart from Daphne, who rolled her eyes.
'I was showing Fleur around the castle.' He explained, and Holly scoffed.
'Any good broom closets?' she asked.
Both Harry and Fleur blushed, triggering more laughter from the girls, except Daphne.
Daphne stood.
'It was good to see you again, Fleur. But it is a feast. We need to return to our House tables.' She murmured before leaving the group to walk towards the Slytherin table.
The others let out sighs and Hermione was the next to stand and made her way to the Gryffindor table. Holly and Luna followed suit, and Holly paused, resting a hand on Fleur's shoulder.
'Are you joining the rest of the Beauxbatons students, Fleur?' Holly asked with a smirk.
Fleur nodded and turned to Harry.
'Sorry.' She said, her hand reached out to touch his arm.
Harry smiled at her, and his eyes widened as he saw the Hall was full. Most of the students were watching the head table, where Dumbledore sat with the other school heads and the two ministry judges.
'It's okay, good luck. I'll see you after the Champions meeting.' He said.
She grinned, her hand on his arm and it lingered for a moment before she moved a metre away to sit at the Ravenclaw table, Holly on one side and Luna on the other.
Harry turned to watch the Professors at the Head table.
An hour later, dinner was finished, and Harry watched as Dumbledore strode to stand beside the Goblet of Fire. The Goblet sat upon its pedestal and its blue flames licked the air above. It was exactly eight when the Goblet's flames turned a vibrant crimson and, along with a shower of embers, out shot a piece of paper. The flames returned to their normal blue, and all eyes turned to the Headmaster, or more accurately, the sheet of paper in his hands.
'We have the first contestant for the Triwizard Tournament, so without further ado, the Champion for the Durmstrang Institute is Viktor Krum.' Dumbledore announced, his voice carrying through the Great Hall.
The Hall erupted with cheers and the surly Bulgarian seeker stood from his place at the Slytherin table and strutted toward the front of the Hall.
Harry narrowed his eyes at the young man. Krum strode toward Dumbledore as if it were a foregone conclusion that he was chosen. He glanced at the other Durmstrang students and noted they wore expressions of stone. Perhaps it had been.
Dumbledore directed Krum to a door. The door had never been there before, and Harry wondered if they had changed the castle. How difficult was it to create a new room in Hogwarts he mused.
The Goblet's fire changed colours again, and another name shot out into the air. As the name drifted down to land in Dumbledore's hands, the Goblet's fire returned to its cerulean blue hue.
'The Champion for Beauxbatons Academy is Fleur Delacour.' The Headmaster announced.
The Hall erupted in cheers once more, though this time it was predominantly from the male members of the crowd.
Harry noted with a smile that Hermione, Ginny, Susan, and Hannah cheered for Fleur as well. He hoped the others who sat behind him did, too.
Fleur stood and beamed at Harry and her brilliant smile lit up the room. She turned and moved toward Dumbledore, who gestured toward the same door Krum had gone through.
Once at the door, she turned to Harry and gave him one last smile before she disappeared through it.
A moment later, the Goblet spat out another name.
'The Hogwarts Champion is Cedric Diggory.' Dumbledore announced, and the crowd exploded into cheers.
Harry chanced a quick glance and saw that even the Slytherins were cheering for Cedric. The seventh year grinned and made his way to the same room as the other Champions.
Dumbledore held out his arms wide and smiled at the students in the Great Hall.
'Thank you all for your support of the Champions-' he paused as the Goblet spat out another name before its flames died out.
The piece of paper drifted down through the air and landed in Dumbledore's hand. The Hall sat in silence as he read the paper and his face drained of all colour.
His face was as white as his beard.
'It seems that Hogwarts has a second Champion.' Dumbledore murmured, though it carried throughout the Hall as much as any shout.