Quaffle, Bludger and Snitch
After lunch, Fleur had found that Hermione had already left the Great Hall, surely to go to the library. She had flicked her wand with an 'Accio' incantation for Artemis' bag of treats of who was perched on the leather shoulder pad she had conjured onto her shoulder.
Entering the library, she saw the Gryffindor at her usual table, looking out of the window, and walked towards it. No matter how many times she watched the brunette, she could never get enough. Every time, it just made her heart grow fonder, her love grow stronger. Walking towards her mate, Fleur threw a suspicious glance at the Bulgarian Seeker who was once again behind a few bookcases. I heard he prefers to be outdoors doing exercise but I am seeing him in the library a lot. It's weird. Shrugging it off, she focused back on her lovely Gryffindor.
"May I sit?" she bent down and whispered in the pink ear in front of her.
Turning, Hermione was pleased to see Fleur accompanied by a beautiful white bird with scattered black spots, "Fleur! Of course!" she replied, pushing her things aside so Fleur could have space, "who is this?" she asked, pointing at the bird, as Fleur slipped in the chair facing her.
Smiling, Fleur answered, "Zis is Artemis, Artemis je te présente 'Ermione. Dis Bonjour." [Artemis, I present you Hermione. Say Hello.]
The bird chirped and bowed much to Hermione's amazement. "Wow! I've never seen a bird do that before! What did you say to it? What type of bird is it?" asked Hermione enthusiastically.
"I told her your name and told her to say 'ello. She iz a gyrfalcon," answered Fleur, pleased to see the curiosity and excitement shining on the Gryffindor's face. She was happy that Hermione liked her bird. The falcon chirped in response to Fleur's words.
"The name suits her," said Hermione, admiring the beautiful black and white plumage the bird possessed. While she had her cat Crookshanks and loved him to bits, she never got around to getting an owl.
"Artemis, va te faire une nouvelle amie," said Fleur. [Artemis, go make yourself a new friend.] Hearing Fleur speak French made Hermione feel a weird fluttering in her stomach. She watched as the gyrfalcon tilted its head towards her before hopping from Fleur's shoulder onto the table. Fleur took out her wand and pointed it at Hermione, who looked at her warily.
"Do not be scared. I will not 'ex you" said Fleur, reading the fear in the brunette's eyes. She wanted the brunette to trust her so she kept eye contact with the swirling molten chocolate to show her honesty. Seeing the girl nod in acquiescence, she conjured a leather shoulder pad similar to hers onto the brunette's shoulder. With a whispered order from the blonde's mouth, the falcon immediately jumped onto the pad, scaring Hermione, who froze.
Fleur laughed at the sight in front of her. Hermione was sitting rigid, with a panicked face, trying to stay as still as a statue while Artemis was watching the new specimen she was now perched on with curiosity. "Relax 'Ermione. She iz not going to 'urt you." Opening the bag of treats, she took out a few sugar treats and handed some to the brunette. "'Ere, feed 'er some of zis"
Hermione slowly took the treats onto her palm and held it out in front of the bird, who pecked at it so fast, it was soon all over. "I've never seen birds eat sugar treats"
"She iz special." Said Fleur, giving the pair in front of her a warm smile. They looked so cute together. "'Ave to give her zat or else she steals my candy" chuckled the blonde, remembering all the times she had found Artemis stealing from her room.
The Gryffindor smiled, nodding and was startled to feel a nibbling sensation on her ear which sent her into a fit of unrestricted giggles.
The transformation on the brunette's face amazed Fleur. She fell more in love, looking at the beautiful and cute girl in front of her. The Gryffindor's face was shining with innocence and glee and the image was beautiful. "She likes you" Fleur whispered, bending forward to tap three times onto the table.
"She is really nice" complimented the Gryffindor as Artemis hopped onto the table and faced her. Reaching out, she caressed the head and feathers of the bird.
They spent the next two hours talking about various topics, like birds, France, England, school and charms while Hermione fed Artemis more treats, the bird staying next to her, loving the caresses.
"We need to go. Zere iz a Quidditch match today," said Fleur reluctantly, pushing out her chair to get up. She didn't really want to leave the company of the Gryffindor.
"Ah yes! Beauxbatons is playing today! Will you sit next to me in the Gryffindor stands?" asked Hermione, starting to gather her belongings. She felt the need to extend the invitation. She really wanted to make an effort in this friendship, she really wanted a friend in Fleur and she also wanted to show she was not the mean girl from before.
"Ah, I cannot because I am playing," replied Fleur, sad to have to say no to the Gryffindor.
"Oh, you play!?" exclaimed Hermione, surprised by the information. She would have never guessed that Fleur played Quidditch. They started to walk to the Quidditch pitch after Hermione had finished packing, Artemis once again, perched on the brunette's shoulder.
"Oui, I am ze 'Poursuiver'…mmm…Seeker! I think this is 'ow you, English, call it." said Fleur, as they walked down the hallways to the exit of the castle that leads to the Quidditch pitch. Rummaging through her bags for her falconry leather glove. "'Ere, take zis" she said, handing them to Hermione, "Would you like to keep Artemis with you?" asked Fleur smilingly, seeing her bird already getting attached to the brunette.
"Oh, sure!" Hermione replied, pleased that Fleur trusted her with her bird. She would like to spend more time with Artemis, a chance to get close to a bird in general as well as a chance to get to know Fleur's bird specifically. She liked the falcon.
Fleur then handed her the bag of treats and explained the multitude of tricks that the bird knew as they emerged out on the Hogwarts grounds. Hermione was fascinated with the explanation Fleur was giving her. She didn't own a bird, always used the school owls for her mail but those owls only let her tie her letters to their legs before taking off. They didn't do anything other than that. From her interaction with Hedwig, even he didn't do much other than deliver mail. This falcon looked well trained and seemed to be able to do a lot of things.
"Now, if you want it to fly away, she will go to my window at ze carriage. First, you make sure she iz not on your shoulder" continued Fleur, " You zen say 'Vole' " On hearing the order, the falcon took off from Hermione's shoulder, giving the brunette's shoulder a strong push, with its wings ruffling her hair into a tousled mess, leaving Hermione startled.
"Artemis, revient!"[Artemis, come back!] shouted Fleur, she looked at Hermione apologetically, "Sorry" she said sheepishly, "as I said, it iz best if she is not on your shoulder when you give the command becauze it messes wiz your 'air" she said, pointing at Hermione's ruffled hair, as the falcon glided back and dropped back onto Hermione's shoulder.
"Oh, and if you want to introduce 'er to your friends, tell 'er "Dis Bonjour" and she will chirp and bow. Won't you, ma petite Artemis?" she asked, patting the bird on the head which chirped in reply and bowed down.
"Oh, je suis désolé, I keep rambling," apologised Fleur, embarrassed, "maybe it iz too much to remember."
"No, it is fine! It's amazing! I understood everything," said Hermione, reciting some of the commands Fleur told her which made Artemis take off again, turning her hair into a bigger mess.
"Artemis, revient!" Fleur shouted again, "Your French iz not bad" she commented, shaking her head at her falcon.
"I went to France for the holidays, three years ago. I only learnt a few words though. I am just copying you," replied Hermione shyly, trying to pat her hair down with one hand as the bird landed on her shoulder for a second time.
Fleur nodded in understanding, really wishing she had gotten the chance to know her mate at that time she had visited her home country. Maybe she would have had the chance to show her around, take her to the most romantic places and woo her totally the French way but they probably would have been too young.
Soon they were standing in front of the entrance to the Quidditch Pitch. "I have to go through here to get to the Gryffindor Stands. The Player Lockers are the other way." Hermione pointed to the corridor to her left.
"Thank you 'Ermione. I will see you after ze match?" Fleur asked, hopeful, not getting enough of the brunette's presence.
"Yes, good luck." And with a smile and a wave, she disappeared into the bleachers. This match was sure to be interesting.
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QUI…QUI…QUI…QUIDDITCH!
The weather was really gloomy with grey clouds looming over the pitch. Well, in Scotland's standard, it was good weather for Quidditch, no rain, snow or thunderstorms. Hermione had managed to find Harry, Ron and Ginny sitting in the front, at the Gryffindor bleachers.
"Wow, Hermione, where did you get that bird?" asked Ginny curiously, eyeing Artemis. From what she knew, Hermione never mentioned getting a new pet.
"She is Fleur's. Her name is Artemis," replied Hermione, smiling as she realised she felt comfortable with the bird now and was not rigid anymore. It had taken so little time for her...
"FLEUR'S?" bellowed Ron, interrupting her train of thought, as he turned towards her, shocked, "You mean FLEUR DELACOUR!?"
"Hmm yeah?" replied Hermione hesitantly, not liking the face the redhead was making.
"You know Fleur Delacour and you didn't tell me?" he asked, approaching her with a mixture of disbelief, jealousy and annoyance painted on his face. Not that anyone noticed. All they saw was his usual scrunched face, the one he did when he was thinking, when he was eating, when he was annoyed… uhh, pretty much all the time.
"Ron! It is none of your business!" replied Hermione, annoyed with his behaviour. It was annoying of him to question her. She had the right to make friends with whoever she wanted and she didn't have to report anything she did to him. Plus she knew his fascination with Fleur and wanted to spare Fleur his behaviour and the embarrassment.
"Oh come on!" Ron retorted, realised he had pissed off the brunette. He walked closer to her, grasping her hand, trying to pacify her. "I didn't mean anything by it. It's just boy stuff. No need to get jealous, Mione." He said, showing his apologetic face yet slightly miffed that Hermione hadn't told him that she was close to Fleur.
Hermione was flabbergasted that the boy thought she was jealous. She so was not. Where did this moronic thought come from?
She was about to retort when a sharp cry echoed next to her. Artemis had bent down, getting into Ron's face and shrieked loudly in warning as if to tell the redhead to back off.
Ron backed away fearfully, face scrunched up, confused. He looked willing to do something about the bird but he then decided against it. It was Fleur's after all. He huffed at the bird before walking back to his seat, next to Harry.
Hermione was trying to understand what had just happened. With the face Ginny was making next to her, she was probably doing the same or just asking herself how her brother could be such a prat. I would bet on the latter. Hermione brought up her gloved hand and Artemis jumped onto it. "Merci" thanked Hermione in French with gratitude in her voice, stroking the protective bird, very well aware that the bird had defended her. Artemis twittered in response.
"Wow!" exclaimed Ginny, amazed at what had just unfolded right in front of her own eyes. That bird was terrific! "Can I have a bird like that to chase away my brothers as well?" she asked, looking at the falcon with wonder.
"She is precious, isn't she? Already amazed me so many times. Come on, let's sit." Hermione gestured to two seats a bit further away from the redhead boy and both girls plopped themselves onto it. Taking out her wand, Hermione conjured a bird perch. The bird easily hopped onto it, "Let's watch Fleur, yeah?" Hermione proposed while caressing the bird, which responded with a chirp.
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Fleur closed her locker and adjusted the straps for her fingerless gloves and also that of her arm and shin guards. She was wearing the Beauxbatons Quidditch robes that consisted of a shirt and pants of similar colour to the school usual uniform. Over it was a silver vest with a cape attached, slightly darker blue colour with silver trim and shining over the crest on her shirt was her gold "C" Captain Badge. She grabbed the handle of her Firebolt, her parents having gotten her name engraved in gold on it when they gifted it to her and started making last-minute checks on the broomstick. She loved the broomstick, it was fast and made her feel free. Flying was one of her passions and she loved sports, so Quidditch, being an amalgamation of the two was one of her favourites.
Happy with the state of the broom, she walked to her teammates to give them the pep talk before they walked out in-formation of the tunnel onto the pitch, Alexia, the Keeper, on her right flank.
Hermione watched as the Beauxbatons players walked out, easily spotting Fleur with her shiny blonde hair and was impressed to see the gleaming Captain badge on her chest.
"Blimey! Look, Harry! That's Fleur and she has a Captain Badge! I didn't know she played Quidditch. She looks far too pretty for that!" exclaimed Ron, his voice carrying over to Hermione's ears.
"Shut up, Ron!" yelled Ginny, her brother was such a git sometimes. She didn't like his implication, especially with her being the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain.
Hermione tuned out the stupid words of Ron. She had to or she might just blast the boy away with a hex. The players on both sides lined up to face each other before shaking their opponents' hands, which the Slytherins did with sneers and smirks on their face while the Frenchs stayed neutral. It impressed Hermione how Fleur stayed cool as she shook hands with the Slytherin players who were surely throwing remarks and swears at the blonde. It was what the Slytherins did usually, from what she heard from Harry' and Ginny's own experience.
"Now, I want a nice fair game, all of you. Mount your brooms!" said Madam Hooch, as she walked in the middle, dressed in her refereeing robes, with her own broom held in her hand and her whistle dangling from the chain around her neck. Giving them the signal, she watched as all of them flew into the air for their warming up exercise.
Soon the players were all doing a few warming rounds of the stadium before getting in formation in the air. Madam Hooch kicked open the Ball Box to release the bludgers and the Snitch, which zoomed in front of Fleur's face as if taunting her. Madam Hooch took the quaffle, launching it in the air before whistling. The match was underway! Blue and green zoomed erratically from all sides, in all directions.
Fleur zoomed in on her broom, snatching the Quaffle in mid-air before launching it backwards to her Chaser, Brittany Pierce, behind her. Shifting to the middle of the pitch, she watched as Brittany avoided the bludgers effortlessly as a dancer in the air and passed her back the ball which she caught easily. Pulling onto her broom handle, she started ascending, fairly aware that two Slytherin Chasers were after her. A bludger zoomed past her, narrowly missing her arm as she leaned her body to avoid it. She then did an acrobatic loop to destabilise the Chasers after her, dropping the Quaffle as she turned at the top of her loop. Quinn Fabray, another Chaser, who was zooming past from underneath her, caught the pass easily and the Slytherin Chasers shifted target, deciding to abandon their chase after Fleur to go with the Quaffle Bearer, Quinn. Giving chase as well, Fleur stuck close to the back of the two opponent Chasers. "Manœuvre Double Diamant!" She shouted, giving her position to her teammates, for them to slide into required formation.
Quinn kept going towards the right goal hoop, drawing the Slytherin Keeper to her side. As the two Slytherin Chasers flanked Quinn and were going to crush her in, Quinn did a short-throw backwards before diving, sending the Quaffle right into the hands of Fleur who dodged the third Slytherin Chaser who tried to swipe the red ball off her.
Fleur repeated the move Quinn did, throwing the Quaffle behind to Brittany, who had slid into Fleur's previous position after Quinn's pass to Fleur, already waiting for the second pass. Brittany hurled the ball into the unguarded left hoop, giving a shout of victory as the Quaffle passed through it with unerring accuracy.
Lee Jordan: "Goal by Brittany Pierce. Amazing play by the Beauxbatons team involving their Seeker Captain, Fleur Delacour! Beauxbatons 10 – 0 Slytherin! She surely turned the heads of the Slytherin Chasers and Keeper with her amazing tactics! – Brains and Beauty too!"
Minerva McGonagall: "JORDAN!"
Lee Jordan: "Sorry Professor, just a fun fact!" he laughed, enjoying his casual spot as a commentator at Hogwarts now that he had graduated and worked at the radio station.
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"Hey, it's rare to see a Seeker handle the Quaffle, usually they go directly after the Snitch" mused Ginny.
"Yeah. I don't know. I guess she has a reason for it?" shrugged Hermione, pondering on the tactics in play. It had been an impressive maneuver.
Giving a high five to Brittany, Fleur smiled. She had done her work. Working such a big part into scoring the first goal had made the opposing players wary of her play. Now she could zoom in all over the field in search of the Golden Snitch and it would disrupt the Slytherin's attention from the Quaffle and her Chasers. Tactics, she grinned. She turned around, eyeing the perimeter for the Snitch. "Hijo de Puta!" She heard Santana Lopez, one of her Beaters swear at one of the opposing beaters for having tried to drive a bludger towards Brittany earlier and laughed.
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One hour into the game and it was Beauxbatons 150 – 100 Slytherin, Fleur's manoeuvres contributing seven goals into their tally. Fleur was circling the pitch, still trying to find the elusive Snitch.
The gloomy clouds had started to retreat when suddenly, a ray of sunshine glittered on something in the air, catching the Beauxbatons seeker's eye. Fleur lunged towards it at full speed, alerting the Slytherin seeker, Draco Malfoy, who had been looking for the Snitch himself while keeping an eye on her.
The chase was on! Draco sped his broom towards the golden ball until he found himself zooming side by side with the Beauxbatons Seeker towards the golden ball. He elbowed her then tried to ram her off.
Draco was bumping into her, trying to get her off-course but Fleur kept tight control on her body and broom. The Snitch changed direction, plunging closer to the ground and both seekers dived with it.
"Manœuvre Fleur De Lys!" Fleur shouted. A few seconds after, Quinn zoomed past her, destabilising the Slytherin followed by a vicious double bludger hit from Santana Lopez, which forced Draco off-course to avoid the two cannonballs.
Extending her hands to the maximum, Fleur felt the fluttering of the golden wings of the Snitch onto her fingertips. Sliding herself a bit fore on her broom, she tried to grasp it, she was so close. So concentrated on the golden ball, she missed what a Slytherin player had sent back towards her. Too late. She felt the bludger hit her directly on the side of her chest, throwing her off the broom. She crashed onto the ground, sliding on the damp grass to a stop.
Hermione jumped up, feeling her throat catch, her face paling as the bludger hit Fleur. Collective gasps echoed all over the arena. She held onto the stand railing till her knuckles went white as she watched with terror, the blonde fall from her broom, crashing hard onto the field.
Lee Jordan: "Oh my god, Captain Fleur Delacour takes a bludger to the chest!"
Fleur tried shook the fogginess that was creeping into her brain due to the pain, tried to breathe as much as she could. Coughing, she spat out blood. Ribs punctured lungs. Mon Dieu, it 'urts. She thought before slipping into unconsciousness.
Medical staff were already rushing on the field as Madam Hooch blew the whistle, "Beauxbatons wins!"
The Snitch was firmly enclosed in her unconscious Beauxbatons seeker's fist.
Cheers erupted all around the bleachers, all except in the Slytherin stands.
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Lee Jordan: "Final Score, Beauxbatons 300 – 100 Slytherin! With a fantastic catch of the Snitch by Captain Fleur Delacour, having managed to catch the Snitch even with taking a bludger to her chest. It was amazing how…."
Hermione hadn't been listening, she hadn't even waited a single second more before she took Artemis and ran to the stairs. While she had been descending from the stands, she had seen the Beauxbatons Headmistress, Madam Maxime, carrying the blonde out of the pitch while Madam Pomfrey was administering First Aid as much as she could. She knew where to find her; downstairs at the Medical Tent that was connected to the Quidditch Pitch. She had to get there fast.
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