Full Summary:
Valerina Ashford was invisible. Not literally, but she might as well have been. No one really noticed her except for her best friends, Neville and Daphne that is. To the rest of Hogwarts and the outside world, she was invisible. Bland, nothing to be noticed. Until someone finally saw her.
She wasn't sure what to expect when Fleur Delacour had taken notice of her, but she knew that her life would never be the same again. And she hoped that it would be spent loving Fleur Delacour endlessly.
Harry Potter AU. Voldemort stayed dead after Harry Potter killed him as a baby. No Horcruxes. Harry Potter is still the Boy-Who-Lived, Sirius is alive and not in jail, he raised Harry. Not Harry Potter-Centered, most of the story revolves around Valerina Ashford and Fleur Delacour, though Harry Potter will definitely make appearances as well as the rest of the Golden Trio when the time comes. Starts in Fourth Year, continues from there.
Chapter 1
Here it was. The start to another lonely year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Or at least, that was how Valerina Ashford viewed it to be. Sure, she was never truly alone. She had her cousin, Daphne Greengrass, and their best friend, Neville Longbottom, by her side. However, when it came to those two. She sometimes felt as if she were merely a third wheel. Though it's been three years, and neither of them have confessed to the feelings they held for one another.
Still, they were there when she needed them. Which was nice. They never let her ever truly feel alone, and she appreciated them both for that. Without them, she would surely believe that she was invisible to everyone. Not a lot of people really noticed her. She was what muggles would deem a wallflower. She tended to try and blend in. She enjoyed not being noticed.
Daphne would often tell if she would just put herself out there a little more, she'd make more friends. Neville says anyone would be lucky to be friends with her. They both tell her to just get out there and try. But what was the point?
She didn't need an abundance of friends to be happy. She was perfectly fine being alone. She preferred it that way. Less drama, less chance of her getting into trouble. Less of a chance of being hurt when people realize she's not all that great. When people realize her mother was a pureblood witch, who fell in love with a muggle man who didn't come from money and was disowned from the Greengrass family because of it. When people realized she had nothing but her name, which meant nothing to them but everything to her. Since it was the name of her now deceased parents.
She didn't want to be abandoned. With Daphne and Neville, she was sure. She knew they weren't going anywhere. Daphne met her after her parents had died during the War against Voldemort. She had nowhere to go, and she had ended up in Wool's Orphanage until she was 4. Her uncle, Florian, had found her. He wasn't like her Grandparents. He didn't want the young one to suffer alone. He took her in, and he gave her a proper home within Greengrass Manor. When Valerina met Daphne, they both felt an instant connection to one another. And from there, their bond continued to strengthen. Daphne defended Valerina from those who wished to see her brought down. No one was allowed to pick on Valerina Ashford, unless you wished to incur her cousin's wrath.
Neville, he was so sweet and pure. Untouched by the world around them. When the cousins first met Neville, he hardly had a backbone and would stutter around them. However, after a few years of hanging around the pair, he soon became the young 14 year old man he was today. The type of young man who would stick up for his friends if need be, and never let anyone walk all of him or them. With Neville, things were easy. He was easy to talk to, easy to understand, and he understood Valerina, having lost both of his parents himself.
The three of them, three peas in a pod. Nobody understood how their friendship worked. A Ravenclaw, a Slytherin, and a Gryffindor. But they didn't need to. Nobody had to understand them, but them. That was all that mattered to Valerina.
"Val?" Neville's voice sounded from across the compartment, bringing Valerina from her thoughts. She looked away from the window that she had been gazing out of and turned her piercing violet eyes towards her best friend.
"Huh? Oh, I'm sorry, Nev. I didn't mean to zone off like that. What were you saying?" Valerina questioned, a small warm smile coming to rest across her features.
"I had asked if you were excited for Quidditch this year," Neville chuckled softly, "I heard that you were taking over for Seeker for Cho Chang, since she had requested to learn to play Chaser after the match against Slytherin last year."
Quidditch. The only thing that Valerina loved more than books. Her Aunt Adorabella didn't care much for her playing the sport, finding it highly unladylike, however Valerina didn't care. She always felt free whilst playing Quidditch, and not that she cared but that also seemed to be the only time she wasn't invisible.
"Oh yes," Valerina smiled softly, "Davies said that since Cho doesn't want the position, I can take it the next season if I wish. I'm very excited. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed playing Chaser, but being a Seeker was always my dream. I've been practicing rather hard to be able to play as Seeker and Davies noticed it."
"I'm happy for you, Val. You earned it," Neville beamed proudly at his best friend, who merely smiled softly before returning her gaze out the window to watch as the seas of green zoomed past them.
"Father was so proud when he heard that Val would be starting Seeker for Ravenclaw, Mother a little less proud but proud nonetheless. They both promised to come to the first match when Val plays," Daphne explained, "You will come to greet them once they arrive, won't you, Nev? Mother and Father missed you terribly over the summer."
Since the start of their first year, it was obvious that Neville would become a permanent fixture in both of the lives of the cousins. They wrote about him often in their letters home, and of course Florian and Adorabella wanted to meet the boy who had their girls so struck, and invited him over for the end of the summer. He had spent every last month of summer with them since. Except for the past summer due to him spending it with his uncle in France.
"Of course," Neville grinned, "So, did either of you hear about this announcement Headmaster Dumbledore has this year? I heard the Weasley twins talking about it on the way on the train. Apparently it's huge."
"How huge?" Valerina questioned as she turned her attention back to the conversation.
"Huge enough for the twins to be discussing it. I haven't heard much, just that the Ministry may be around for something big that's happening at school," Neville shrugged.
"Well, guess we'll just have to wait to hear about then," Daphne shrugged, "Hey, Val, did you bring your chess set?"
"Yeah, of course. Want to play?"
"I wouldn't have asked otherwise."
And that was how the trio spent the rest of the train ride until they were set to change into their robes for school. The girls went first while Neville left the compartment with his robes to find a spot to change and to also give the girls some privacy.
"You and Neville have been awfully touchy today," Valerina commented as she used her reflection in the compartment window to tie her tie.
"What? We have not. We've been the same amount of touchy as we've always been," Daphne huffed defensively causing Valerina to turn her head to look at her, lifting an eyebrow silently.
"You held his hand whilst playing chess, Daph...Did something change between you two? Did you confess your undying love for him through your owl correspondence this summer?"
"Of course not, you ninny. He doesn't even fancy me in that way," Daphne rolled her eyes, "We're just friends."
"I'm his friend, and I don't hold his hand," Valerina teased, and Daphne scowled at her cousin silently. Val rolled her eyes and held her hands up in surrender, "Alright, alright. I'm done teasing. I'm just saying, Daph. I think he fancies you. You should go for it. You and Neville have been dancing around one another since second year."
"I don't want to ruin our friendship," Daphne mumbled as she sat back down in her seat. Val frowned at that and went to take a seat beside her cousin, wrapping an arm around shoulders.
"You wouldn't ruin anything, Daph. I'm sure of it. Neville really does adore you."
"You think so?" Daphne questioned softly whilst leaning her head against Valerina's shoulder.
"I know so," Valerina smiled softly, leaning her head against her cousin's and closed her eyes silently.
"Well, what about you?" Daphne asked as she sat up quickly, causing Valerina to have to move her head out of the way before they clashed.
"What about me?" Valerina's brows furrowed in confusion at her cousin's question.
"Is there anyone you fancy?"
Valerina froze at this question. Of course, it wasn't like Daphne didn't know about her struggle with her sexuality. She told Daphne and Neville everything. When she was first starting to discover the fact that she may like the same gender, she told her friends immediately. And of course, the both of them were completely supportive. Neville was a bit awkward at first, but that was just due to him being raised by his grandmother. He came around shortly after.
Ever since then, Daphne had made it her personal mission to find Valerina a girlfriend. However, none of the girls at Hogwarts really caught Val's attention. Sure some of them were pretty, but looks weren't all that Val wanted. She wanted someone who wouldn't abandon her, someone who would try to know the real her, and not the version of herself that she portrayed. No one at Hogwarts really wanted to see that version of herself.
"No," Val stated simply, "And don't try to change the subject."
"I'm offended that you think so little of me. As if I would ask about your lovelife, just to avoid having to discuss my own. I genuinely wish to know if you fancy anyone."
The door to their compartment slid open after a knock, and Neville was standing there, wearing an amused grin on his face, "Daphne asking about your lovelife again?"
"When isn't she?" Valerina rolled her eyes as Neville entered the compartment and took a seat across from the two girls.
"You really ought to leave her alone, Daph. Val tells us all the time that no girls at Hogwarts suit her fancy. She'll tell us when she finally develops a crush," Neville chuckled.
"Or she'll become an old maid and be forever alone. Do you want that for our friend, Neville?"
"Of course not, but we're still young. She has time. Besides, who knows maybe this year will be the year our little Ravenclaw finally finds love," Neville teased causing Valerina to roll her eyes.
"Yeah, not likely."
Valerina Ashford was not looking for love. Especially not with anyone at Hogwarts.
Valerina hardly ever really paid attention to the Sorting Ceremony. She kept her gaze on the book in her lap, and she only ever clapped when she saw that her House was cheering and clapping. She felt someone nudge her in her side, and she turned her head to smile politely at her fellow housemate, Luna Lovegood.
"It's over," Luna hummed softly in that dreamy voice of hers, "You may want to listen to Dumbledore's speech this year."
"Huh? Oh right. His supposed major announcement," Val smiled softly, "Thanks, Luna," she said before she turned her attention towards the front of the Hall where the last first year, Aaron Warren, was being sorted into Ravenclaw. Valerina clapped politely for yet another new housemate as he approached the table and took a seat between Roger Davies and another first year, whose name Val couldn't remember.
McGonagall gathered the Sorting Hat and the stool whilst Dumbledore rose from his chair and approached the podium at the front of the room, "Welcome to another new year at Hogwarts," said Dumbledore as he looked around the room, meeting the eyes of as many students as possible, "I realize that you all have been waiting patiently, and for that I thank you. Now before I leave you to the wonderful feast ahead of you, I must speak on a few important matters this coming year."
Valerina closed her book as she waited patiently for Dumbledore continued on with his speech, "I have been asked by our caretaker, Mr. Filch, to notify you all that the list of forbidden objects now must include but are not limited to, Screaming Yo-Yos, U-No-Poo, and Bombtastic Bombs. That brings the list up to four hundred and seventy-three items. You may see the full list posted outside of Mr. Filch's office. Should these items be seen on the grounds, Mr. Filch has full permission to confiscate them and bring you to your Head of House for the proper punishment."
"The Forbidden Forest, of course, is Forbidden and is out of bounds for all students. And now lastly, onto my final announcement. It is to my great pleasure to announce that this year, that Hogwarts this year, will be playing host to the Triwizard Tournament."
Dumbledore paused, possibly for the dramatics in Valerina's opinion. There was excited chatter amongst the hall, everyone whispering to their peers. Dumbledore raised his hand to silence his students, and after a moment the entire Great Hall went quiet to await for the Headmaster to continue, "There will be three magical tasks that the three Champions will compete in for the Triwizard Cup. The winner of the cup will gain fame, glory, and of course, one thousand galleons of personal prize money.
"However, before we all set our sights on being the Hogwarts Champion, I must warn you. The Tournament was once held every five years as a way of creating ties between the other schools, but it was discontinued due to the death toll being too high. We have been assured that this year we are guaranteed the safety of our Champions. With that being said, the Tournament will still be potentially quite dangerous. I recommend that only the most knowledgeable and skilled of you will have what it takes to bring glory to our school."
"You should enter," Luna's dreamy-sounding voice sounded from Valerina's right, and she turned her head to look over at the smiling blonde.
"You're in the Top 3 of our year, and the most skilled witch at Hogwarts. Everyone knows it, I'm sure you could win."
"I don't know, Luna," Valerina shrugged her shoulders, "Not sure I'm alright with the whole high death toll thing. Plus, I'm not really looking for eternal glory and all that."
Luna nodded knowingly, and that left Valerina a moment to actually think about the conversation they just held. Valerina knew that if she entered the tournament, she would no longer be considered invisible. All eyes would be on her, and she wasn't sure she would be able to handle that. On the other hand, 1,000 galleons was quite a fair sum of money. With that, she could probably get herself a new broom. A faster one, one as fast as Potter's. She could easily become the best Seeker at Hogwarts. Perhaps become noticed by the Holyhead Harpies or Puddlemere.
Valerina smiled softly at the mere thought of being able to play major league Quidditch, leaning her head against her hand as she daydreamed. Before she could dwell further on the dream any longer, Dumbledore began speaking once again, "However, with the news of the Tournament, there come some extra caveats for the school year. Perhaps the most upsetting news for some of you is that there will be no Quidditch League this year. I severely apologize for the inconvenience and hope that you will understand. Now, it is time to feast, tuck in!"
"No Quidditch?! This is an outrage!" Davies called from the end of the table. Valerina agreed with his statement, however, she kept her thoughts to herself as she usually did. She glanced around and met the eyes of Neville where he sat at the Gryffindor table.
"Alright?" He mouthed to Val, who merely nodded her head and offered a shrug of her shoulders. Neville nodded once in understanding. Val was disappointed that Quidditch wouldn't take place that year, but perhaps if she did enter the tournament and won, she could afford a new broom and she could be prepared for the next year.
It seemed that the Triwizard Tournament was all that anyone in the school could talk about after that first night. Everyone was buzzing with excitement at the thought of the Tournament taking place at their school, and almost everyone wanted to participate.
When Valerina pitched her idea of participating in the Tournament to her friends during a study session in the library, Neville was all for it.
"It's not every year that something like this happens, and it's not like you're not without the skill, Val. You're one of the most talented witches of our age," Neville beamed at his friends, "I say go for it."
"Plus eternal glory doesn't seem all that bad, and the galleons would come in handy for a new broom," Valerina added in.
Daphne, however, was against the entire idea. She didn't want her cousin to die in some ridiculous tournament for a mere 1,000 galleons and glory. Her words. She didn't approve of it, but she would support it.
"If you die, I'm going to murder you," Daphne threatened, and Val rolled her eyes silently.
"No one is going to die, Daph. The tournament isn't that dangerous," Val tried to assure, but Daphne didn't believe it. She was convinced that someone was going to die in this tournament, but she wanted to be sure that it wasn't Val.
And so she agreed to help Val with her training for the tournament should she become a champion.
