Chapter 3
"Have either of you heard of who has entered their name yet?" Daphne questioned as she sat down across from Neville and Valerina, who occupied the end of the Ravenclaw table together during breakfast that morning. Val was helping Neville revise his Potions essay. No one at the Ravenclaw table said a thing about the Gryffindor and Slytherin sitting with them, most of them didn't care and the half that did, didn't dare to speak on it in fear of incurring the wrath of the Greengrass Cousins.
"Seamus told me before you arrived that almost all of the boys from Durmstrang came in last night to enter their names," Neville said as he looked up from his essay and over at Daphne, flashing a small smile.
"I heard Cedric Diggory signed up last night after dinner, as did some of his friends," Valerina said as she picked at the piece of toast on her plate, "Not sure about the Beauxbaton students just yet." In all honesty, Valerina had been in the Great Hall since dawn waiting to see if Fleur would enter her name. Though she hadn't yet. Perhaps she was waiting for a grander audience. Val, herself, preferred not to be mobbed by the masses and entered her name that very morning when most of Hogwarts was asleep.
"Diggory seems an honest contestant," Daphne hummed, "He's quite intelligent, and everyone seems to enjoy his company."
"Have you entered your name yet, Val?" Neville questioned.
"I did this morning," Val shrugged her shoulders.
"You've signed your death warrant, y'know," Daphne rolled her eyes, and Val laughed softly.
"Easy, Daph. I doubt I'll even be chosen. There are far more capable students, and I'm only a Fourth Year afterall."
Daphne huffed but went back to piling her plate with food in silence. Val didn't mind, she knew that Daphne would come around sooner or later. Val heard the hoot and calls of owls, and she looked up just in time to see her owl, Noble, swoop down in front of her with a letter in his talons. Val took the letter, and she pushed her half eaten plate towards Noble so that he could pick pieces from it.
"Is that a letter from Father? I hope you've informed him of your stupid deeds," Daphne glared at her cousin.
"I did last night actually," Val stuck her tongue out at her cousin before she opened the letter. She wasn't surprised by the contents of the letter, far from it actually. It seemed something that her uncle would write.
My Dear Val,
Do not apologize for not writing sooner. I have heard much already from Daphne and Astoria alike. Though I do thank you for taking the time to write to us. Ah, the Triwizard Tournament. Haven't ever gotten to experience one of those myself, though I did hear they were all the rage back in the day.
You wish to enter? Then you should do it. Don't mind your Aunt, I'll handle her. If entering this Tournament makes you happy then I say go for it, lass. You only get to experience things such as this once in a lifetime.
Sad to hear that Quidditch was canceled this seasoning, just bought myself some Ravenclaw items to wear to show my pride for you at the games, but alas I suppose I will have to wait until next year.
Do tell me more about this beautiful girl you have met, and yes you did mention she was beautiful. Twice in fact. I'm proud of you for getting out there and making friends. I know that it has been hard for you, and you know that all I want is the best for you and your cousins. Do try not to hide in the shadows anymore this year.
Perhaps this Tournament is your chance to explore your horizons more, make more friends, and not be so alone all the time.
Don't worry about your Aunt. I'll deal with her. We will support you from home, and will continue to support you forever.
Stay safe, send Astoria and Daphne our love, and we shall talk again soon.
Love,
Uncle Florian
"It seems your father does approve," Valerina smiled proudly as she showed her cousin the letter from her uncle. Daphne took the letter and read it over before rolling her eyes silently.
"Of course Father would approve of this. But who is this girl he spoke of? You met someone?" Daphne questioned curiously, lifting an eyebrow silently in question.
"A girl? Let me see," Neville reached across the table to take the letter from Daphne before Valerina could stop him, and his eyes quickly scanned the contents. An amused smile formed on his features as he glanced over at Val, "You mentioned that she was beautiful twice? How interesting. Who is she? Wait! Was it the girl who sa-."
"Fleur!" Valerina quickly interrupted her friend before he could speak further as the beautiful witch in question approached their end of the table.
"Ah, Valerina, bonjour, mon amie," Fleur smiled politely bowing her head in greeting, "Are zese your friends?"
"Uh, yes, this is my cousin, Daphne Greengrass, and our best friend, Neville Longbottom," Valerina introduced, motioning towards Neville who offered his usual warm, inviting yet nervous smile and Daphne, who offered a simple nod of her head.
"It ees nice to meet you," Fleur smiled softly as she nodded her head in greeting to the both of them, "I must enter my name into ze Goblet, but perhaps I will be able to join you all in breakfast?"
"Yes, yes, of course," Valerina nodded her head quickly, and Fleur's smile grew wider, and Valerina had to remind herself to breathe at the sight of it.
"Excellent! One moment zen," Fleur smiled before she turned to make her way to the front of the hall. Valerina watched her walk away silently, a small smile spreading across her features.
"Oi, Daph, look at this. The French witch seems to have gotten our little Val struck. Who knew all it would take for find Valerina someone to fancy would be an International Tournament," Neville chuckled, and Valerina instantly snapped her head in Neville's direction, glaring at her best friend.
"No one said I fancied her. Sure, she is rather beautiful. But you, of all people, know I admire more than mere looks. Though she does seem smart, and I would like to get to know her more," Valerina smiled softly to herself at the thought of talking with Fleur more, Neville and Daphne exchanged looks with one another, and Val quickly cleared her throat, "As a friend and nothing more, of course."
"Oh, but of course. Friends and nothing more," Neville grinned, "Well, I for one, would like to know more about her as well. That is what this Tournament is about after all, isn't it? Intercontinental relations. You may be just the key to that, Val."
"Just be careful," Daphne chimed in, "If you are both chosen, there could be complications. Don't let anything happen to you."
"She's just a friend. Not even that yet," Valerina shrugged, "I'll be fine. Now shut up the both of you, here she comes."
And sure enough, strutting between the aisles as if she owned the place, Fleur was approaching them. The instant her blue eyes met a pair of violet ones, a soft smile appeared on her features as she took the seat, that Neville had so kindly freed up for her before she had even reached the table, beside Valerina. Neville sat down next to Daphne.
"Bonjour again," Fleur said to Valerina as she sat down, glancing over at the dark-haired witch, "Did you enter your name already?"
"Uh, yes, I did so this morning. Less of an audience, y'know? Not really searching for the attention," Valerina responded, laughing nervously to herself.
"Do you not play Quidditch for your House?" Fleur questioned, and Valerina opened her mouth to ask how Fleur could possibly know that but Fleur had quickly continued before she could, "Zat Chang girl mentioned it when I had asked about you last night."
"You asked about me last night?" Valerina wanted to desperately say that she didn't blush at this new information, but there was no way in denying the heat that rose to her cheeks.
"Um, well, yes. I was quite curious as to why you were sitting alone. And so I had asked Chang about you. She mentioned you played Quidditch. If you are not seeking attention, zen why do you play?"
"Um, well, because I love the feeling of being on a broom," Valerina answered honestly, "It's quite freeing, thrilling even. I like playing because it gives me freedom to be myself. More than myself, really. Plus, I just love the game."
Fleur hummed softly as she nodded her head in understanding, "I see. Zat is very admirable. Most play for ze attention, ze fame, or ze money. Or at least zose zat I know who play do. It is nice to find someone who simply plays for ze love of the ze game."
"Uh, thanks," Valerina smiled softly as she glanced away from Fleur and down at her half-eaten plate. Noble had eaten most of the bacon bits and so there wasn't much left, she simply pushed the plate away.
"No one loves the game more than Val does. Her entire being is Quidditch," Neville chimed in, chuckling softly, "I'm sure if she could play instead of sleep, she would."
"Very true. Remember second year, Nev? When she stayed out past curfew for two weeks in order to practice broom techniques so they could beat Gryffindor for the Quidditch Cup. She hardly slept, we practically had to force her to the night before the game," Daphne laughed softly, "Ran herself ragged. Mother and Father were worried sick when they got the call that she had fainted due to exhaustion after the match."
"Worked out in the end though, didn't it?" Valerina flashed a small impish grin, "We won, and I became a starting Chaser in Third Year. It was definitely worth Auntie's wrath that summer."
Fleur listened to the three friends as they spoke to one another, and she smiled softly to herself as she silently ate her breakfast. It made her happy that though Valerina appeared alone that first night she saw her, she wasn't truly alone. She had these two, who Fleur could easily surmise were her closest friends, from the way they joked and spoke to one another.
"Fleur?" Valerina spoke her name, and she quickly turned her attention to the witch in her thoughts, "We'll be heading to the library. Dumbledore wisely chose to cancel classes today. Thought no one would even be able to focus," Valerina snorted softly in amusement before she flashed a small smile, "Would you like to join us?"
"I would not wish to intrude," Fleur had said, but in her mind she was screaming yes. Any excuse to spend more time with Valerina was perfect to her. She wished to know everything about the young witch, and she couldn't very well do that if she did not spend time with her.
"Nonsense," Neville chimed in, "Daphne's gonna be helping me with Charms, so Val could use someone to talk with. That way her nose won't be stuck in a book," Neville teased playfully causing Valerina to roll her eyes in mock annoyance.
"You make it seem as if there is something wrong with reading. I would like to inform you, Neville, it is because I read so much that you are even passing half of your classes," Valerina jabbed right back, and Neville held his hands up in surrender.
"You're right, you're right. Keep on it, Val. I need to pass my OWLs this year, or Grandmother will kill me," Neville chuckled.
"Thought so," Valerina stuck her tongue out at her friend, and Fleur couldn't stop the smile that spread across her features at the sight. Valerina may have seemed rather closed off and distant when she had first met her, but with her friends it was obvious she was as relaxed as could be, playful even. Valerina turned her attention back towards Fleur, "So? What do you say? Will you join us?"
"Of course. Zank you for ze invitation," Fleur smiled softly causing Valerina to beam brightly at her. Fleur couldn't regret her decision to join the trio even if she wanted to. Not after seeing that blinding smile directed at her.
"Great! We'll go as soon as you've finished eating," said Valerina, and Fleur nodded her head once before returning to her plate.
The rest of breakfast was spent in companionable conversation between the trio and Fleur. Daphne and Neville made an excellent effort to include Fleur in the casual conversation, with Neville asking questions about France and Beauxbatons and French food, and Daphne asking more about French fashion and some personal questions such as if Fleur was seeing anyone back home. To Valerina's relief the answer to that question was no. Though she wasn't really sure why she was filled with so much relief. She decided to ignore that feeling and shoved it aside.
Soon, the trio and Fleur were rising from their seats at the Ravenclaw table and heading towards the doors of the Great Hall and to the library. As they walked down the corridor, they separated into pairs. Neville and Daphne and Fleur and Valerina. Val watched with a soft smile as Neville reached out for Daphne's bag to carry it for her, and then proceeded to boldly take her hand, leaning over to tell her something that caused her to giggle.
"Are zey together?" Fleur whispered softly to Valerina as they followed Val's friends down the corridor towards the library.
"No, but it seems that way, doesn't it? They've been dancing around one another since we were 12, but anyone with eyes can see they fancy one another. It's almost sickening to watch," Valerina chuckled softly, "Though I do imagine that they'll be together shortly. Hopefully. Daphne is hardly ever this happy, only when Neville is around. It's gotten to the point where even my aunt and uncle can see it."
"Perhaps zey are just waiting for ze right time," Fleur responded, "My maman always says zat love is complex. Sometimes it ees fast, all consuming and passionate. While other times it needs time to unfold, waiting for when those who are in love are ready to take zat leap of, er, how do you say it?"
"Faith?"
"Ah, yes yes," Fleur nodded her head as she smiled softly, "My maman also says zat love makes you crazy."
"If love makes me crazy then I'm not entirely sure I want it," Valerina snorted in amusement as she crossed her arms against her chest.
"You just have to find someone who makes you feel crazy, but in a good way," Fleur offered, and Valerina turned her head to look at Fleur, who was flashing her that rather beautiful smile once again.
"Right," Valerina chuckled softly, "Well if you find that, tell me how it goes and maybe then I'll give it a shot," Val smiled as they arrived at the library. Neville was holding the door open for the two girls, who had seemed lost in their own little world for a moment. He wore a rather knowing smile which caused Val to step on his foot as she walked past.
"Ow! Bloody Hell," Neville hissed.
"Sorry, Nev, leg spasm," Valerina smiled innocently as she stepped past her friend.
Neville mumbled something under his breath, something along the lines of, "Evil little witch," causing Valerina to glance over her shoulder at her grumbling best friend.
"What was that, Nev?"
"Huh? Oh! Nothing, I merely said such a beautiful little witch you are," Neville grinned innocently causing Valerina to laugh.
"Right," Val rolled her eyes as she led the way to her usual table. She dropped her bag onto the floor and dropped down into her seat. Once again Neville and Daphne had nabbed the two open seats across from her, leaving the only available seat beside her for Fleur.
Fleur took the chair without any complaints, "You would not mind if I also worked on some school work, would you?" Fleur asked Valerina softly, "I will still speak wiz you whilst working."
"Oh, of course not. I was going to try and get some reading done for Ancient Runes anyways kind of falling behind in that class this term," Valerina said as she dug around in her bag for her Runes textbook.
"Can I be of any assistance?" Fleur questioned, and Valerina's brows furrowed as she looked at the French witch.
"Don't you have work to do?"
"I can always work later. I truly would like to help you should you need it. Not to, er, brag, but I am quite excellent at Ancient Runes," Fleur flashed that heart-stopping smile Valerina's way, and there was no way Val could deny such a request.
"Well, er, I suppose a little help wouldn't hurt," Valerina smiled shyly as she looked down at her hands.
"Excellent! What do you need help wiz?"
And from there, the day continued on with the trio and Fleur studying together. Fleur offered her complete attention to Valerina who explained her struggles with the subject and Valerina listened in awe as Fleur taught her easier ways to handle the identification of different Runes. Valerina couldn't believe it, but Fleur Delacour was in equal measures smart and beautiful. She was indeed more than just a pretty face, and she was giving Val all of her attention.
She approached her, and she hadn't disappeared on her yet. It was such a strange sensation, to be noticed, and Valerina had no idea what to make of it. What she did know, was that perhaps, she was wrong. Maybe it wasn't all that bad, not being invisible. Especially if it's Fleur Delacour noticing you.
