Disclaimer: I own none of the things you already know of.
Harry Potter and the Smallest Change.
Chapter 25. Fourth Year, Part 7. 1994.
The next three weeks passed in a flurry of activity.
During the week, Fleur attended her own classes with the Beauxbatons class, Madame Maxime taught them everything. But each morning she spent with Harry running and exercising on the grounds of Hogwarts and each evening they spent together, along with their friends in the library, studying.
Weekends changed and saw Fleur joining Harry in the Room of Requirement at dawn on Saturday, only leaving to return to the Beauxbatons carriage in the evening for curfew. This occurred on Sundays as well.
Over those three weeks, Harry noticed an increasing level of animosity being aimed at Neville. Most of the Gryffindors shunned him, including Ron, leaving the Boy-Who-Lived alone most of the time.
Harry saw Neville outside running in the mornings during the week. He ran laps around the lake and fired spells at a handful of trees on the outskirts of the Forbidden Forest on the far side of the lake, out of view of the castle. He figured Neville was taking his training seriously enough that he didn't have to interfere.
Fleur had filled Harry in on the Weighing of the Wands ceremony, which ended in a publicity nightmare. The photographer of the Daily Prophet was caught in her Allure and did little more than take photos of her, rather than the other champions.
The vile reporter had dragged away Neville, and the resulting article caused the school to turn ever harsher eyes toward the Boy-Who-Lived.
It was a Hogsmeade weekend and Harry and Fleur sat at the Hufflepuff table, waiting for their friends to join them. They'd been up at dawn and had already gone for a run and had an impromptu duel on the outskirts of the Forbidden Forest.
Harry smiled at her, and she grinned back. She placed a hand on his knee under the table before she turned back to her breakfast.
A few minutes later, Holly and Luna entered the Great Hall and took a seat on either side of the couple, Holly next to Harry, and Luna next to Fleur.
Holly leaned in close to Harry's ear.
'So, are you guys going on a date today? We rarely see you two on weekends.' She asked with a smirk, and Harry rolled his eyes.
Something moving caught Harry's eye, and he frowned, trying to make out a badge on a Gryffindor's chest.
The writing changed.
'Holly, what's with the badges?' He asked after seeing another badge on a Hufflepuff walking toward them.
Holly huffed and crossed her arms in front of her chest.
'Fine, ignore my question. The badges appeared a few days ago. I think I heard someone say that Draco is handing them out to people.' She said and Luna, beside Fleur, nodded.
'I think Draco is working for the Shrieking Bafflers, there's no other reason why he'd give those badges away for free.' The blonde girl said with certainty.
Harry blinked; his eyes darted to Holly, who shrugged then nodded.
'You might be right Luna, who gives badges to the school for free? He's not the charity type.' Harry frowned and Fleur squeezed his knee.
''Arry, look.' The Veela hissed and gestured with a nod of her head at a Gryffindor only a few metres away.
It was a fifth year that Harry didn't know. They wore the same badge that others in the Great Hall wore. The badge read, Support Cedric Diggory, the Real Hogwarts Champion.
'Well, it's a bit rude, but rather tame if he's trying to insult Longbottom.' Harry mentioned, taking a bite of toast.
'Wait, 'Arry.' Fleur whispered.
Harry narrowed his eyes, and waited.
The badge changed the words it said to Longbottom Stinks.
Harry rolled his eyes.
'And here I was thinking Draco had somehow had some personal development and learned some subtlety.' Harry said, disappointment in his voice.
'Should we not put a stop to this bullying? It is being done by a sizable portion of the school.' Fleur whispered.
Her eyes narrowed and her jaw clenched.
Harry took a breath and held his immediate response as he turned and saw her expression. Then he realised how this might affect her. Had she gone through something similar?
Harry nodded to himself, and his jaw clenched.
'We will take steps, give me a moment, will you?' he asked, and she turned wide eyes to him.
He smiled at her.
Harry stood from his seat and jerked his wand blindly behind him.
He summoned a badge off a random student's robes.
A feminine shriek erupted from somewhere on the Ravenclaw table, but Harry didn't care. He strode up to the head table, straight for Professor Flitwick.
The diminutive Professor's eyes had lit up as Harry approached but fell as the small man saw Harry's grim face.
'Mister Potter, how can I help you this morning? I hope my house has done nothing they shouldn't?' Flitwick asked, and Harry frowned.
Harry placed the stolen badge on the table in front of the Charms Professor, unaware of the badge's owner making their way to the head table behind Harry.
'Sir, it has come to my attention that these badges are being passed around the school.' Harry said, gesturing toward the badge.
'Now the message doesn't seem too bad, though it is skirting the borders of bad taste.' Harry said.
Flitwick nodded and examined the badge.
Flitwick dropped the badge with a start as the words changed and the Professor's eyes narrowed.
'Do you know who is passing these around?' Flitwick asked and Harry sighed.
'I've heard it was Draco Malfoy, but I have no evidence other than hearsay.' Harry said and Flitwick nodded.
The two were interrupted by a fifth year Ravenclaw that Harry had not noticed before.
'Hey, Potter. What did you-' the girl said before she froze in Flitwick's glare.
'Miss Edgecombe, is this your badge?' he asked.
The girl blinked and her eyes darted about, as if searching for an escape.
The Ravenclaw, Edgecombe, turned and glared at Harry with a venom he didn't expect.
'No, Professor.' She said, her voice sickly sweet while she glared at Harry.
'No? Then why did you interrupt Mister Potter and myself?' Flitwick asked and the Ravenclaw blanched.
'Uh…' she trailed off and Harry quirked an eyebrow.
He saw a tear in her robes, on her chest, right where a badge would be placed.
'Miss Edgecombe, you seem to have damaged your robes, right there.' Harry pointed at the tear in her robes and Flitwick's eyes narrowed to slits.
Harry felt the man's magic roiling and was surprised that no one else in the room seemed to feel it.
'Mister Potter, ten points will be taken for theft from another student. But you will receive ten points for revealing bullying in the school. Please enjoy your day in Hogsmeade.' The Professor said, his voice dangerous.
Harry nodded.
'Thank you, Professor.' He said, and without a glance toward the frozen Ravenclaw, he returned to his table.
As he left, he heard Flitwick continue, his voice faded with distance.
'Miss Edgecombe, you will come with me to my office, and we will discuss how this badge came into your possession. Minerva, would you join us? This concerns one of your Lions.'
Harry sat back down beside Fleur and reached out to take another slice of toast but froze upon feeling seven sets of eyes on him. He raised his head and looked at Susan, who sat on the other side of the table between Daphne and Hannah.
'What?' he asked.
Susan facepalmed.
'You really don't understand how strange you are, do you?' Hannah asked from beside Susan.
Harry frowned.
'No, what are you talking about?' he asked and felt Fleur's hand slid down his leg.
He turned to look at her.
''Arry. Thank you, I don't know how you did it, but thank you.' She said and smiled at him.
Harry blinked.
'What did I do? Nothing has happened yet?' he asked, and a chorus of groans spread around the group.
Fleur squeezed his leg.
'You stood up for a boy who needs it. You took a stand against bullying, and somehow gave the Professor, Flitwick, was it?' she paused, waiting for his nod, then she smiled.
'Now, with that girl going up to the head table, incriminating herself, you gave Professor Flitwick a target to begin his investigation.' Fleur said and Harry tilted his head to the side.
'I don't think it was as impressive as you all think it is, but if it makes you happy, then I'm glad.' Harry said and smiled as she beamed at him.
A cough interrupted the two, and Harry saw Daphne with a rueful smile on her face.
'Will we be seeing the two of you in Hogsmeade today? Or will you be off being secretive?' the Slytherin asked, and Harry grinned.
'No, I'm afraid you'll have to put up with our company today, Miss Greengrass.' Harry said, and she smiled for a moment before she covered it with a huff.
'Good.' she said.
Fleur leaned forward, her gaze moving between the girls before she smiled at Harry.
'So, what is the town like?' She asked, and Harry shrugged.
'I've never been before. Last year was the first year we could go, but I think people didn't really feel safe.' Harry said, looking around the group.
Hermione smiled at Harry, which faltered as Fleur turned to her.
'Oh, it's wonderful there. I went last year with… Neville and Ron.' She trailed off.
Hannah put a hand on her shoulder. It was clear Neville's behaviour still hurt Hermione.
Fleur nodded, then looked around the group.
'Then perhaps we will find out together about the town?' she asked, and Susan grinned at the Veela.
'I've heard the Madame Puddifoots cafe is great for couples.' Susan smirked, and Fleur blushed.
Harry grinned at Fleur, then he turned to Susan.
'We may check it out, but I think today we should explore as a group. At least for a few hours, then go our separate ways. It should be fun.' He said, and the girls nodded.
Hermione looked miserable, and Harry was glad Hannah was with her. He had great friends.
As the group walked down to Hogsmeade, a group of older Gryffindor students stood on the side of the path, chatting with each other. Harry held Fleur's hand, and the two walked in the middle of their group of friends.
Fleur's hand tightened around Harry's fingers, and he looked up to see her tightened jaw. He followed her gaze and saw the Gryffindor boys gaping at her.
Fleur's distaste was evident, and the Gryffindor girls glared at the boys, in a few cases hitting them. Harry squeezed Fleur's hand, and she turned to him, wearing a faux smile.
Harry squeezed her hand again.
'Sorry Fleur.' He muttered under his breath, and she sighed.
'It's not your fault. I just wish I could control the Allure better.' She glared at the ground and Susan put a hand on the Veela's shoulder as they walked.
'It's okay. We know you don't want the attention. It's clear to all of us that you only see Harry. It's not your fault that boys are dumb.' Susan smirked.
Fleur blinked at her, a smile grew on her face.
A spring returned to Fleur's step as the group drew nearer to Hogsmeade.
'Finally, it's going to be great here. I've heard all about the shops here, hopefully they won't be too crowded.' Hannah said as she held Hermione's hand and dragged the Gryffindor along, her dark mood grew lighter as they neared the town.
A few minutes later, the group explored the town and walked through the many shops, each selling different things. They wandered through Zonko's, the joke shop, and neither Harry nor Fleur saw anything to spark their interest.
After exploring a few shops, the group dispersed to explore separately. Harry and Fleur walked over to have a look at the place Susan had suggested, Madame Puddifoots.
On sight, Fleur's lip curled in distaste.
Fleur led Harry away from the sickeningly sweet pink café and toward another place where they could find food. Outside a pub called the Hogs Head, Harry peered through the window before turning back to Fleur and shaking his head.
The place was grimy and dank.
Fleur released a disappointed huff and Harry paused, turning to her.
'I'm sorry the town isn't all that impressive.' He said, and she sighed.
'It's not your fault 'Arry. I'm just excited to be doing something with you that doesn't involve training.' She said, and he blinked.
Fleur rolled her eyes.
'Honestly 'Arry, I understand you are obsessed with protecting those you care about. But there's more to life than fighting or training.' She explained, and Harry continued to stare.
Fleur sighed.
''Arry, is all this training worth it if your friendships, and those you care about, feel that you don't care for them? Is spending all your time preparing to protect them worth it if they leave because you didn't spend time with them?' she asked.
The blood drained from his face as he realised what she was saying. His eyes widened, and she gave him a warm smile.
She cupped both hands on his cheeks and kissed his nose.
'There's nothing wrong with getting stronger, but it's important to remember to enjoy the important things in life.' She said, then a bitter smile appeared on her face.
'I lost all my friends, and I had none until yours accepted me into their group. They did that because of their love for you 'Arry.' She finished, and Harry took a deep breath.
'You're right, I'd never thought of it like that before.' He admitted, and she smiled.
'I know.' She said simply and gave a faint shrug.
Harry nodded to himself and led Fleur away from the Hog's Head by the hand.
'Topsy.' Harry called and a moment later, a House-Elf appeared and bowed to Harry.
He smiled at the small creature.
'Would you be able to help me out?' he asked.
Topsy nodded with enough force that its ears flapped like wings.
'Can you deliver a picnic for the two of us in about fifteen minutes?' he asked.
Topsy's eyes widened before it nodded with even more fervour than before and popped away.
Fleur raised an eyebrow at him, and he smiled. He held out his arm for her and she took it with an amused smile. Harry led her out of the town and a few minutes later, they entered the tree line near the town. This stretch of forest was separate from the Forbidden Forest, it was on the other side of the town.
He walked until he stopped in the middle of a clearing. The temperature dropped as they approached winter and many of the trees were dropping their leaves, but they were deep enough in the trees that they were hidden from any casual passer-by.
'I'm going to put up some wards. Did you want to add any I miss?' Harry asked.
Fleur grinned, a sparkle in her eyes, she was always up for a competition.
Fleur watched Harry as he worked for a few minutes as he applied wards to the clearing and when he finished, she grinned.
'Very good. You missed a few, and a couple of others are a bit sloppy, but very good.' She beamed at him and drew her wand.
'Here, watch.' She said as she tweaked his wards and added a few more.
Harry watched with a wide grin as she turned back to him, a proud smile on her face.
'So, it turns out you have been listening to what I tell you.' She purred as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
Harry blushed at her tone before he grinned at her.
'Well, I do have incentive to learn, don't I?' He asked, and she smirked.
'Yes, you do.' She leant forward to kiss him.
A moment after their lips touched, a House-Elf popped into the warded clearing and clicked its fingers.
A picnic blanket appeared on the grass and a basket sat atop it.
Topsy popped away after it gave a small bow.
Harry grinned and gestured for Fleur to sit on the blanket. She rushed to sit beside the basket and peered inside.
Fleur gasped and pulled out two wine glasses and a bottle.
''Arry, this is elf wine.' She breathed.
Harry raised an eyebrow.
'Is that good?' he asked, and she huffed, examining the bottle.
'Elf wine is some of the most sought-after wine in the world. It has almost no alcohol in it, but it gives the drinker a wonderful sense of peace.' She whispered and Harry gave a soft smile, watching her examine the bottle like a priceless relic.
'It sounds like you've had some before?' he asked, and she gave a wistful sigh.
'I've only had a sip of Maman's glass at a function years ago, before Papa was Ambassador to England.' She murmured.
Harry nodded, not knowing what else to do.
He leaned forward and peered inside the basket. He pulled out a plate of sandwiches.
'Did you want one?' he asked.
She tore her eyes away from the bottle and smiled as she poured some into the two glasses.
Harry gave her a plate with a fresh sandwich on it before taking a bite of his.
He blinked and opened the sandwich up to find a range of leafy salads, and some kind of berries, cut in tiny slices.
'Is everything okay?' Fleur asked.
Harry nodded, still peering at his sandwich.
'You should try your sandwich.' He said and watched as she frowned and took a bite of her sandwich.
She let out a low moan that sent a shiver down his spine that had nothing to do with the cold. She met his gaze.
'It tastes amazing. Do you have the same thing?' she asked, and he nodded.
He took another bite of his sandwich.
'I do not know what it is, but its brilliant.' He murmured as he took another bite.
He felt peace flood through him, and he let out a sigh. Both Harry and Fleur lay down on the grass beside each other and stared up at the clear blue sky, a strong sense of peace settled between them.
Fleur reached over without looking and scooped her wine glass in hand and leaned up to take a drink before she relaxed again.
Harry let a contented sigh escape his lips.
'It's so relaxing out here.' He murmured.
Hours passed as the two relaxed in their clearing, protected by their wards as they finished the bottle of elf wine and basked in the other's company.
But eventually, the sky turned a burnt orange before it darkened. The November chill seeped into the clearing and broke Harry out of his restful state.
Harry groaned as he sat up, then he forced himself to stand and stretched his muscles. He held out a hand for Fleur as she rose from the grass and brushed off stray leaves and twigs from her skirt.
Harry finished stretching and turned to the remains of their picnic.
'Topsy.' Harry called and the House-Elf appeared, eyes wide.
'Topsy, thank you very much for such a wonderful picnic.' Harry said that the greenish hue of the House-Elf's skin darkened.
'It was the best picnic I ever had, thank you.' Fleur added, and the House-Elf looked like it would faint from the praise.
Topsy bowed and disappeared with a pop, along with the remains of their picnic.
Harry turned to Fleur and sighed.
'I don't really want to go back to the castle.' He remarked, and she nodded with a soft smile.
'But we still don't know what the First Task is. I'm not looking forward to going back to study every four or five X creature hoping one of them is our foe.' She complained, and Harry chuckled.
Harry waved his wand at the surrounding wards, dispelling them. Fleur matched him and in minutes, the wards were down.
Harry shivered as he realised their wards had seemed to also have blocked out most of the cold. His breath came out in a cloud of mist.
He tossed a Warming Charm at Fleur and conjured a heavy coat for her that covered her completely, obscuring her form under the thick furs.
Fleur did the same for him and together, they started the long trek back to the castle.
Once they were back on Hogwarts' grounds, Fleur froze, her gaze drawn to the forest.
''Arry, did you see that?' she asked, eyes narrowed, and Harry frowned.
'What is it?' he asked and drew his wand in an instant.
'It was a flash of light from the forest.' She whispered, her own wand in hand.
Another flicker of red light appeared above the forest and the two glanced at each other.
'Do you want to go get dinner?' he asked, his eyes didn't leave where the light had been.
Fleur hesitated. Her gaze darted between the castle, the forest, and Harry.
She sighed.
'You're having a bad influence on me. All I want to do is investigate it.' She said, and Harry grinned.
'Well, there's no time like the present.' He said and tapped his wand on her head, casting the Disillusionment Charm.
She faded from view, and he cast the spell on himself and he joined her in invisibility.
'Damn.' He muttered.
'What?' Fleur's voice came from near where she had stood earlier.
'Have you moved?' Harry asked, reaching out his hand toward her.
His hand groped around for hers, but he heard a gasp as his hand squeezed something soft and about chest height.
He froze.
'Are you having fun? Don't we have something we were going to look at?' Fleur's voice came from in front of him, some impatience in her tone, but it was equal to the embarrassment and amusement.
'I'm sorry.' Harry started and Fleur took his hand after a moment.
'Hush, we're investigating.' She whispered and led him toward the forest by the hand.
Together, the two almost invisible students moved into the forest, headed east. Harry realised one limitation of the Disillusionment Charm when they'd tried to use the point me spell and couldn't see the results.
After about twenty minutes of walking, following the occasional flash of red, Harry paused, and drew Fleur to a stop as well.
'What?' she asked, and Harry could imagine the silver eyebrow quirking at him.
'Do you feel that?' he asked.
It was warmer. At first, he thought it was the coats they wore, but it was uncomfortably hot when he should be cold.
'It's warmer here.' Fleur whispered just as a gust of warm air rushed past them.
Fleur squeezed Harry's hand and continued toward where the hot air had come from. Another flash of red erupted in the forest's darkness, but this time, a deep growl filled the air and the two froze.
The forest rose to their right, and they crept up until they crested it.
On the other side lay a clearing.
In the clearing, dozens of wizards and witches bustled about, but it wasn't the people that drew their attention. Around the outside of the clearing, in four great cages, were massive dragons.
Harry groaned as his mouth went dry.
'I think we've found out what the First Task is.' Harry whispered and squeezed Fleur's hand.
A moment later, Fleur squeezed back.
'Perhaps signing up to this Tournament wasn't the best idea.' She admitted, her voice soft.
Harry kissed the back of her hand, which was weird because he couldn't see it.
Her breathing was heavy, like she was hyperventilating.
'Fleur?' he asked, squeezing her hand.
'How am I doing to beat a dragon?' she whispered, and Harry caught the emotion in her voice.
'I'm not sure, but we have a few days to figure it out. Did you want to stay a little longer?' he asked, and she remained silent for a moment.
'I'm sorry. I forgot you couldn't see me. I shook my head by the way.' She said, and Harry let out a small chuckle.
'Okay, we'll head back now.' Harry said, and they stood.
'I will not let a dragon defeat me.' She declared, and Harry squeezed her hand.
'I won't let a dragon defeat you either.' He said, and she squeezed his hand.
'Thank you.' She murmured, then fell silent.
The two made their way back to the castle, they removed the Disillusionment Charms as they exited the forest.
'Did you want to skip dinner and head straight for the Room of Requirement?' Harry asked, revelling in being able to see her again.
Fleur shook her head.
'No, we should join the others for dinner. I wouldn't be able to stay in the Room for long, anyway.' She said as they approached the castle doors.
'Okay, then after dinner I'll get started on research.' Harry said, and she nodded, her gaze far away.
Harry led her into the Great Hall and the two sat at the Hufflepuff table with their friends.
Holly narrowed her eyes at Harry.
'What's wrong?' she asked, and Harry let out a breath, then gave her a warm smile.
'I'll tell you guys soon, but it's big.' Harry said and Holly nodded, though it was clear she did not know what was going on.
The others nodded as well, but looked equally confused.
Harry looked around the group.
'So, what did everyone get up to after we went our separate ways? Did you enjoy Hogsmeade?' Harry asked.