A/N: Right. So, double chapter post. I will probably be doing this more often. Why? I don't feel comfortable posting 1 chapter at a time. I don't know why. I have two hypotheses: I do hate odd numbers, so there is that possibility. I also may just be feeling mediocre about the writing. So, we'll see. I am in class now as I post this, and have started on the next chapter (opening a word doc counts, right?), so, I'll try my best. Also, my email has taken to filtering follow/favs/reviews, but thanks for everything.

Harry woke up the next day, and the amount of Christmas presents he received surprised him. He set aside all those from people he didn't know, and opened the ones from his friends. Daphne had tried her best to find something related to elementals in her library it seems, and had gotten him a book. He stored it in his trunk with the rest to peruse later. He had gotten her the best enchanted necklace that he could. While having the heir ring provided some protection, the ones on this were a lot more varied. He had never studied enchanting, but he wished he could have done it himself. Neville had gotten him a dragon hide cloak with the Potter crest. Harry had gotten him dragon hide boots and a wand holster, with a certificate to a wand maker's shop for a wand in Knockturn Alley. Harry didn't doubt Neville's bravery, but in the worst case that he didn't want to go forth, his Grandmother would be more than willing. Susan and Hannah he had both gotten bracelets that were personalized and had Hufflepuff symbols. Susan's had ruby accents while Hannah's had topaz, for their hair. They also had protections on them. Now that people knew what he was, he didn't want the people close to him being targeted, like they almost were accidentally during the First Task.

A surprise came in the form of a gift from Fleur. He had sent her one, nothing too special, just a sapphire pendant. He thought it would match her eyes well, and figured that if they were going to be friends, he might as well. Her gift was simple: some chocolates and a note. Still, he hadn't expected anything at all.

When Harry got home, he wasn't sure what was going on. He'd ridden back with Daphne and Neville. Susan and Hannah rode with their housemates, understandable given what occurred between him and them. No, the strange part was at Kings Cross. He had been planning to simply Apparate from Kings Cross straight home. What he hadn't been expecting was Lily, waiting for him.

"Harry!"

It was strange to hear that name come out of her mouth. James was by her side, but really honestly ignoring him. He resigned himself to his fate and went to go stand by the two. He gave Neville and Daphne a shrug in response to their inquisitive looks. It wasn't long before Thomas arrived as well.

Thomas scowled at Harry before taking James's hand while Harry took Lily's. The two side-along Apparated to Potter Manor before Harry let go of Lily's hand and walked inside.

He went straight to his room and put his stuff away. He collapsed on his bed. Before he knew it, he was being awoken by the sound of knocking.

"Harry? I'm coming in."

Harry didn't really any choice in the matter. I mean, he wasn't an adult, and it wasn't his manor.

Lily came in and sat down at his desk.

"How was the term?"

"It was fine." Harry had no idea why Lily was suddenly asking him about school.

"So… Triwizard champion."

"Yea. I mean, it's not really something I wanted but it happened." This was the weirdest conversation he had ever had.

"I heard you did really well in the First Task."

"I mean, not surprising. It's in the paper."

"You know what else was in the paper…"

"Lily, what do you want?"

Again, Lily was taken aback by the use of her first name. Seeing her firstborn treat her like this was… unsettling.

"I just, I just wanted to get to know you a little better. Particularly with how much you've been in the news recently."

Lily could tell that this was the wrong thing to say. Instantly, the temperature seemed to drop. Lily could practically feel magic permeating the air.

"So that's why, huh? Suddenly, your other son starts to attract a little bit of attention and he's worth getting to know?! Suddenly, you start to care?"

"No, that wasn't it. That's not what I meant!"

"Then what did you mean?"

"I just, you've never had to deal with that, and I just wanted to make sure you were okay. And, seeing you in the paper so much just reminded me of how little I knew about you."

"Did you know anything about me, Lily? Do you remember the first time you went to Diagon Alley, or Kings Cross with me? No? That would be because it never happened. Don't tell me you were trying to protect Thomas from the reporters and that life, I know that's what you were doing. Whereas on the other hand, James was lapping it up."

Lily didn't have a response to this.

"When did this start? When did you remember I existed?"

"…This summer. When I saw your Hogwarts letters."

"Wow. It only took you 12 years."

"I'm sorry!"

"I can't do this. After 12 years, you decide to notice me? Do you even know who raised me?"

Lily was speechless.

"I'm going."

"Where are you going?"

"Maybe you'd know if you had raised me."

Harry was vaguely aware of Thomas's door opening. Harry walked past James who was sitting in the parlor.

Harry walked out the door and disapparated, Lily chasing after him, but having no idea where he went.

When Fleur got back home, her sister immediately launched into her arms.

"Fleur, tell me all about Hogwarts!"

"Hahaha, you're much better off at Beaubaxtons. Hogwarts is so drab, and cold. Beaubaxtons is a palace, and Hogwarts is this ugly castle made of stone."

"Yea, but you got to meet the Boy-Who-Lived. And his brother!"

"Gabrielle! Come here and help me set the table!"

Fleur gave a look of relief to her mother who gave her a knowing look of her own. Fleur went upstairs and collapsed on her bed.

"Sigh."

"Care to tell me what you're thinking about?"

Fleur looked up to see her papa standing in the doorway.

"You know, you never replied to my last letter. I was a little bit worried."

"I know papa. I just, you know everything happened so quickly. And then, I had to try to make it up with Harry-"

"Harry? First name basis Fleur?" Jean Sebastian raised an eyebrow towards her daughter. "I understood when he was a mystery person. But now?"

"I know, but it's just, he just seems to get me a little bit. At least, more than anyone else outside of the family."

"He also happens to be the one that saved you. Which means, as I suspected, he's an elemental."

Fleur gave her papa a look.

"Yea, only every single magical nation in the world knows that."

"You have to admit though. I know you didn't know what my suspicions were. But, imagine my surprise when I read in the newspaper that an elemental has been discovered and it was the very person you had wanted me to investigate."

"Yea, well, how did that go anyway?"

"To other people, he may as well not exist. Or, that was at least true in the past."

"What do you mean?"

"My counterpart in the British Ministry of Magic is Madame Bones. Well, one of her chief Aurors is James Potter. I have of course had some interactions with the man, but have never heard of Harry. Thomas, of course. Who hadn't heard of him? Well, I guess the same could be said of Harry now as well."

"Yea, he alluded to that a little bit. I don't think he has the best family life. He always referred to his father as James, and as far as I could tell almost never interacted with his brother."

"Hrmmm… Interesting. However, it is no longer our business. We know your savior's identity, and so I might personally go by later in the year to thank him."

"Papa! Are you trying to embarrass me?"

"Haha, of course. That is my job after all." Fleur lightly smacked him on the arm. "Your mother wanted me to tell you that dinner will be ready in five."

"Ok, I will be down soon."

Jean-Sebastian turned to leave, but…

"Papa!"

"Yes."

"Could you continue your investigation in private then? I feel like there is something off a little bit in the family."

"…Fine. I'll see what I can do."

"Thanks papa."

Fleur couldn't help but think back to her and Harry's last conversation. Everything he had showed her was so amazing. His powers, the room. The view of Paris that the room provided. It was all so amazing.

Dinner was an animated affair. Gabrielle couldn't stop asking Fleur questions.

"So, Fleur, did you meet the Boy-Who-Lived? Did you meet Thomas Potter?"

"Yes Gabby, calm down, it's dinner time."

Fleur's admonishment did nothing to settle her sister down, however, and Gabby's incessant questions brought a light chuckle to her parents. Fleur gave them a glare for not supporting her.

"What was he like? Is he like all the stories?"

Fleur had been dreading this moment a little bit. She really didn't want to lie to Gabby, but she didn't want to dash her hopes. While Britain's war never bled much beyond its borders, the impact of it did. There were sympathizers everywhere, not as many as there might have been before Grindelwald's defeat, but they existed. As such, Thomas Potter's fame was widespread, not just in Europe. After all, this was the first recorded case of someone surviving the Killing Curse. Defying the very curse's name. His name was known everywhere, and his books were marketed with that in mind.

"Non, he is not. He is actually quite… disappointing all in all. He can be quite rude. In fact, he completely dismisses his own brother."

Gabby deflated a little bit at this, but perked up at the mention of the brother.

"The brother though! The person who saved you! Was it love at first sight?"

"Gabby! I hardly love him. I barely know him."

"Yea, but you spent so much time asking about him and searching for him. To think he was right there that whole time!"

Fleur thought back to how she treated him in the beginning, after the choosing to eh champions and grimaced a little bit. And then she remembered the last interaction she had had with him and a light blush graced her cheeks. Jean-Sebastian was trying hard to contain his laughter.

"You're blushing! You totally love him!"

"Gabrielle, let your sister finish her dinner." Apolline finally stepped in.

Fleur had some trouble finishing her food. Jean-Sebastian didn't truly know how Fleur felt about the boy, but he hoped he was about to find out soon.

Harry decided to take refuge at Longbottom Manor. He wasn't sure how welcome he would be at Bones or Abbott Manors given the situation with Susan and Hannah. Daphne always had her own fights and battles to be fought during the holidays. That left Neville. And truth be told, even without those problems, he probably would have come here anyway. Neville had always been a trustworthy person.

Harry decided to accompany Neville to his greenhouses today. Maybe he could pick something up to improve his Herbology grade.

"So, it finally blew up, huh?"

"Honestly, not even that much. I just couldn't take her looking at me that way. Like she knew me. She knows nothing!"

"Well, at least she seemed to be making an effort now."

They had quite an odd relationship, the two of them. Neville's parents were in the Janus Thickey Ward, which was for irrevocable spell damage. The two of them were tortured. James, Lily, Sirius, and Remus had come to their aid, but just a little too late. Frank and Alice were both mentally damaged, but they had their moments of lucidity, and every moment like that Neville was thankful for. Thankfully, because of their improving condition, breakthroughs were being made in treating similar cases. Neville, because he had his parents for some time, wasn't sure what was worth. Having parents like his, or like Harry's.

"Yea, but at this timing? It seems too coincidental."

"I don't know what you want me to tell you, Harry. Look, you helped convince Gran to let me get my own wand and to pursue what I want. I'll always thank you for that. But, if I'm honest, you're being a little bit whiney."

"What?"

"Look mate. I know you hate them, and you have. I am not their biggest fan either. But you have the chance to perhaps reconnect with your parents. I mean, I'm lucky comparatively that my parents cared about me all my life. But, maybe you shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. I know the timing is a little suspicious and ultimately, it's your choice. Just remember that you have to live with that choice."

Harry sighed. Neville was right. He had to make a choice. He just, wouldn't make it now.

"You're right Neville. You said it was fine to stay here for the holidays?"

"Yea, of course. Gran is welcome to have you. It's not like anyone will be using the rooms around here any time soon."

"Thanks. I just need some time to think things through."

Right as he said that, however an owl started pecking at the glass door of the greenhouse. Neville took off his gloves and let the bird in. He took the letter of the bird and looked at it.

"It's for you."

"Me?" Harry said. He took off his gloves as well and grabbed the letter from Neville. It was handwriting that he didn't recognize. When he looked inside, he cocked in eyebrow and gave it to Neville.

Neville quickly read over it.

"Jean-Sebastian invited you to a New-Years Ball? Why on earth?"

"I don't know. There could be a number of reasons. Other people, I would suspect he's using me, either for my magical or familial status. But, I've come across him before, and he's a respectable person. Probably has to do with the World Cup, and the fact that I've befriended his daughter."

"So, are you going?"

Harry thought for a moment. It would be a good networking opportunity. Plus, it would be a good opportunity to get out. It also wouldn't hurt to see Fleur a bit. She could be a nice friend to have.

"Sure, why not? It's not like I can stay here forever."

"Are you sure there's no other reason?"

Neville had been joking as he said that. The most affection he had ever seen Harry express to people before Hogwarts were to him and Daphne, and he held them at an arm's length. Then, it was to Susan and Hannah. But, that was just a very close friendship. So, Neville was a little bit more than surprised to see Harry's eyes flicker for a moment.

"Wait, are you serious."

"It's nothing. She just understands me a little bit better than most."

Neville shrugged, but internally his mind was reeling slightly. Susan and Hannah had really changed Harry. He remembered the first ever interaction he and Harry had ever had.

"Neville, come here!" He obediently came down the stairs. No good ever came out of disobeying his grandmother.

As he came down the stairs, he realized that the Potter's were here. Except, they had brought along two people he wasn't quite familiar with. There was a red-headed boy and a boy who could have passed for Lord Potter's twin if Lord Potter were younger or the boy older. He carried himself with indifference, but he was confident. The complete opposite of Neville.

"Come on Ron! Let's go flying!"

Thomas and red headed boy, presumably Ron, grabbed broomsticks from Lord Potter. Lady Potter seemed about to protest, but let it go. The other boy went off, silently telling the two Longbottoms to not bring him up with a wave of his hand.

After shooting an indecipherable look towards the young Potters, Augusta and Neville greeted Lord and Lady Potter. "It's great to see you again."

"And you. I'm sorry, Thomas begged to have Ron over this time."

"Perfectly alright Lord Potter," Augusta said in a clipped tone.

"How are Frank and Alice?"

"Getting better, although some days it doesn't seem like it."

"Understandable."

"Neville, why don't you run along now?"

Neville went off to find the boy who disappeared earlier. The Potters came over fairly often, seeing as Lord and Lady Potter were his god parents, just like his mother was godmother to Thomas. But, he had never seen the boy who came with them this time.

He eventually found him seeing in the outer portion of the Library. It was a room specifically made because the long honored Longbottom-Potter alliance. Members of either house were allowed in the other's outer library, with certain exclusions. There were floo connections that connected each manor's outer libraries to the other. It was a sign of trust, both to be allowed in the other's home and to be able to partake in part of the other family's knowledge. It took quite a while to exclude the outer libraries from the main warding schemes of each manor, but it was done.

The boy was sitting, reading book on magical theory. Neville walked up and sat next to him.

"Who are you?"

"Harry Charlus Potter," the boy answered without looking up. "I can presume your parents and grandparents know about me."

"How come I don't know you?"

"My parents are to blame for that. They don't bring me out much. It's debatable as to whether they remember I exist. Your grandmother seemed a little surprised to see me."

"If she wasn't expecting you, how did you get through the floo? The manor is warded."

"I assume I was added to the wards when I was baby. From what I knew, before the attack, our parents were quite close."

The two sat in silence.

"So do you not like Thomas?" Harry asked out of the blue. He had switched to a new book, but Neville hadn't bothered to look at the title, choosing instead of pick out a Herbology book.

"I mean, he's alright. But, he's a bit too… outgoing for me."

"Heh, that's one way to put it. Do you really mean to say he's an attention seeker?"

There was just the slightest hint of bitterness there, but it was dull. Like, Harry had already accepted things about his life.

"No. I mean, yes he is, but he really just is a little bit too outgoing for me. I prefer some quiet."

"Yea, me too."

Neville didn't know what to say.

"Do you know the significance of this room, Heir Longbottom?"

The use of his formal title made him pay attention.

"Yes. I do. This room is one of two, the other being in Potter Manor. A symbol of our continued alliance. And what do I call you, Harry?"

At this, the faintest smile could be seen on Harry's face.

"Why, I'm Heir Potter of course. Whether or not Thomas knows it, that is who I am."

That was when they were both 7, going quickly on 8. Back then, as young as he was, his smiles were not due to joy, but rather due to success. His eyes showed no emotion. He was silent, antisocial, carefully choosing his interactions. Even back then, Harry's decision to befriend him was due to their families' alliance and Neville's own lack of closeness with the younger Potter.

Now, well, Fleur was the closest Neville had ever seen to a crush that Harry had ever had. How he had changed.

"I see. Well, what about travel?"

"Covered by the letter. It's a portkey."

Neville nodded. Of course, Delacour was head of the Ministry of Magical Law. It would be fairly easy to ensure secure transport to the invitees.

"So, how about it?" Harry asked.

Neville was so wrapped up in his thoughts, he missed the question. "Sorry, what did you ask?"

"Will you come with me?"

Neville was astounded. "Why me?"

"The Potters and Longbottoms have always been close. You are going to be the Longbottom. Greengrass's and my alliance is unofficial until we are both heads of our houses, plus I've already made that alliance quite clear. You and I have not had that opportunity, and while Susan and Hannah are both very close to me, neither of them have made a wish for an alliance clear, nor do i wish to choose between the two of them."

Neville didn't miss the emphasis on the word alliance when he was talking about Susan and Hannah, and so guessed that he was right about the both of them making their feelings known to Harry. He wasn't sure how he felt about that, seeing as he was currently infatuated with Hannah, but it seems as if the three of them had come to some sort of understanding, especially since Harry did not seem interested.

"Yes, I'll come."

"Good. You'll need to remember Augusta's teaching, and come in your best robes."

Neville nodded.

"There's only a week until the ball. Not much time to prepare."

The week went by super quickly, and before Neville knew it, it was time to go. Augusta seemed to beam with pride.. The two of them had formal dress robes The two of them grabbed the letter right before the clock hit seven, and they were whisked away.

All the portkeys were calibrated so as to stagger the arrival of the guests. Simple really. Harry and Neville immediately started moving so as to clear the Portkey arrival area.

The inside of the Delacour mansion was quite impressive, yet humble. The parlor and the ballroom were quite large, as expected of a family such as the Delacours. But, beyond that, the rest of the house seems very homely.

He and Neville stuck together for most of the beginning. It took a while to get used to everything. Since the two of them had time, Harry had used an immersive language charm on Neville, so he had a basic understanding of the language. It would help, but most people still knew some basic English. They were the only two Englishmen there. That made sense, as Britain was one of the more backwards magical countries, as a result of their lack of participation on either side of Grindelwald's war.

Harry by this point was quite well known. His picture had circulated everywhere, and he used this opportunity to try to network, the same as Neville, as much as possible. He was talking with the French Minister of Magic in English – the French Minister assumed he did not speak French – when movement caught his eye. As he turned, he saw Fleur's father standing there.

"Jean-Sebastian!" The French minister greeted the man. "As always, you know how to throw a party."

"A ball," Jean-Sebastian corrected lightly.

"Same difference. You did not tell me you were inviting Harry Potter!"

"Yes, well, he was the one who saved my daughter during the World Cup incident."

"Dreadful that was."

Harry chose this moment to speak up. "It is good to finally meet you in person, Mr. Delacour."

The French Minister seemed shocked that an Englishman had learned his language, but Jean-Sebastian smiled and took it in stride.

"Fleur told me that you spoke French. Tell me, Mr. Potter, can I ask you a personal question?"

"I may not answer, but ok." Harry readied himself internally for any questions about his family.

"Did you happen to be in France about… 4 years ago?"

'Shit,' was all Harry thought.

Jean-Sebastian saw that Harry seemed to be a little nervous, and tried to calm him slightly. "Don't worry, Mr. Potter. I'm not here to try to arrest you. We got who we wanted."

This seemed to placate Harry somewhat. "I will say that I was in France during that time. As I understand it, my reason for coming was taken."

"Yes, well, as it was deemed not harmful, I was able to take it. Would you like it?"

Harry's eyes lit up. "If you could, I would at least like to take a look at it. As you can understand, there aren't very many ways I can learn about, my abilities."

"Haha, I understand. I must admit, at the time, I was very confused about what I found. There was this one alley that had ice blocking the way. I never made the connection between that and the book because, well, it didn't have just information about elementals.

"Yes, that was me. And I know about the book, but I have tried tracking down everything about elementals that I can."

"At the age of ten? Where were your parents?"

"I don't have any."

"What do you mean by that?" Jean-Sebastian knew he might be pushing it, but…. "I just talked to your father pretty recently for an update on the Pettigrew situation."

"I don't much talk to James, and so wouldn't have heard."

Harry's posture made it clear that this conversation was over.

Fleur, thankfully for her father, chose this moment to come over and see him. She was wearing a fairly casual black dress. What she did not expect as she came over was the boy standing beside him.

"Harry! What are you doing here?"

Harry merely raised an eyebrow. "I was invited here."

"Papa! Why didn't you tell me you were inviting him! I would have-"

"Would have what, dear?"

"Nothing Papa! Harry, come over here and let's talk! I didn't expect you to be here!"

"I presumed so, based on your reaction."

Fleur blushed a little bit. "Well, I just don't normally see many friends here. Aimee is here, but other than that, it's a lot of old families and politicians. A lot of whom like to leer at me."

"That must get annoying. I mean, I've gotten quite a bit of that recently. Either leers or glares."

"Understandable, seeing as you are the first elemental in who knows how long?"

"Fleur!"

To Harry's surprise, what seemed like a miniature Fleur came rushing out of nowhere and tackle-hugged Fleur.

"Gabby! Get off. We're at the ball!"

"I know, but I'm soooo bored."

"Sigh. Harry, meet my twelve year old sister, Gabrielle."

"Harry? Like Harry Potter? Like Thomas's brother? What's he like? What about you? Can you show me your powers? I heard you saved Fleur, that's like all the fairy tales, the knight in armor coming to save the maiden."

Harry had been about to snap, but realized that that would be mean. He hadn't cared much for people back when he was young, but now he could see that Gabrielle was just overly curious, not such a terrible thing at that young of an age.

Fleur was about to hiss at Gabrielle when Harry started to answer her questions.

"Hello Gabrielle. Can I call you Gabby?" Gabrielle just giggled and nodded. "Well, Thomas is just like any other 14 year old boy. You should meet him before doing anything. And if you want, I can show a little bit."

Harry was aware that due to Gabrielle's outburst, many people were watching, including Neville. He was also aware that anyone who had learned who he was had been watching him for quite a while now.

He started channeling. Fleur had seen this before and wasn't surprised, but was still in awe. Everyone else made an audible noise of shock. The change was so sudden, so quick. Harry transfigured Gabby's shoes into ice skates, before waving his hand, making the immediate area around them ice. Luckily, they were off to the side of the ball room

Gabby shrieked and immediately started to skate around.

"Merci, Harry."

Harry just shrugged.

"Hey, is there somewhere outside I can go? It's a little bit hot here."

"Yes, there is a veranda near the main ball room. I can take you there."

"Thanks."

The two of them walked beside each other. Fleur and Harry were both hyper aware of anytime their hands happened to brush by each other. They passed by Neville who gave Harry a smirk.

When they finally got there, Harry leaned out.

"So, this is the view from your house, huh? Quite a good view of Paris."

"Not nearly as good as the one you showed me. Where is that even from?"

"Honestly, I don't remember. It was four years ago. I was running from your dad when an Auror found me. The only reason I really remembered your father's name was because that Auror sent a Patronus to your father indicating where I was. I had to knock him out."

"I remember that incident. Papa was furious that a member of the crime ring had gotten away. But, no matter how much he interrogated the prisoners, they insisted he had gotten all of them."

Harry scratched the back of his head. "Yeeaaa. Sorry about that. I mean, I just didn't want anyone to know I was there, and what I was there for, so I had to split. I already told your father part of the story.

"Harry?"

"Hrmm?"

"Can you tell me about your family?"

It was very clear that was not what Harry wanted to do. But, before he could tell her off she kept talking.

"Look, I know that we're similar. We've talked about it, but never really talked about it. And I want to. And I feel that your family is part of that."

Harry didn't know what to say. So, he sighed.

"My parents never really paid attention to me. Maybe when we were young. Maybe if we had all been older when Voldemort attacked, they would have been better parents. But, between the pressure from Dumbledore and the mania that is British wizarding society, Thomas's needs overshadowed mine. He needed to be protected, shielded, trained; they didn't abandon me. They just, forgot about me. With the attack on their friends, Thomas's protection became ever more important, and I was raised by house elves until I was 6. They didn't even make that decision. The house elves had to make that decision. After a few years, what they were doing seemed natural, so they just forgot about me. I was invisible to them."

Fleur couldn't imagine what that would feel like. To not know the love of her parents. Her emotions must have shown, because Harry waved her off.

"I am envious of my brother sometimes. But, at the same time, I have things that he might never have. True friends. Power. And if those are the parents he has, I'm glad that I didn't have them, lest I end up like him. I wasn't old enough to know what it felt like to have parents. Because of all that, I've never been seen for me. Not until now. I was always Thomas's brother, if they even remembered me. I was like a shadow. Always there, but only noticed every so often. Everything I did was put into perspective with what he did, or supposedly did. And what about you?"

"I can't say it's exactly the same. But, I feel the same way. None of my accomplishments are my own. The Grindelwald's war did a lot to curb opinions on blood purity and so called half breeds. But, still, there are some who express those opinions. And, disregarding those general ideas, a lot of people seem to think I use my heritage to my own benefit. The women are all jealous of me and think I'm trying to steal their significant others, while the men lust after me, all of them thinking that because I am a Veela, I am sleeping with people to get the grades that I do. That the only reason I am one of the favored students of Beaubaxtons is because I am pretty. That's why I wanted to compete in the tournament is to prove myself. That became even more important when I figured out champions were chosen by the Goblet. No way to seduce an inanimate object. It gave me a chance to prove myself."

"Well, we're definitely the same in that way. While I was completely expecting Thomas's name to come of the Goblet, my name coming out gave me a chance to show that I am as good, if not better than him."

The two of them just stood in silence at that, enjoying the other's company.

"I'm glad you told me that," Harry spoke first. "I could guess some of that, based on what I know of Veela. But, I never really knew the extent of it."

"I'm glad you told me about yourself as well. I… It's not exactly the same. But, I don't know, it's nice to be able to talk to someone else about this, not being seen for you, more as a what."

"Have you never talked about this to your friend?"

"Aimee? I have a little, but not much. We've been friends since we were very young, and that's why we're still friends. And she gets it, just, not as well as you do."

"Well, I guess the same goes for me. My friends understand, but only so far."

"I have a question actually. What did you mean that you expected Thomas to get chosen?"

"Well, Thomas is the boy-who-lived, and with that title comes a number of attempts on his life. A number of those he probably wouldn't have survived without me."

Fleur seemed to want him to go on.

"Well, it's just, as a Gryffindor, he tends to rush in first, think last. While I despise him, I feel obligated to try to keep as many people alive as I can if I can. That includes him. I've had to go after him and save him from whatever he has decided to face that time. So, naturally, when I heard murmuring and such, I thought that he had been chosen. I wouldn't say that I was happy to stay in his shadow, but now, I feel exposed."

"I know what that feels like. While I wasn't trying to hide my heritage, it wasn't public knowledge until a couple of years in, and suddenly, my every move seemed to be scrutinized."

Inside, Harry heard a countdown starting. The French seemed to have taken something from the Muggles then. He looked back towards Fleur, and the two of them just stared out at Paris, enjoying the view and each other's company.

After everyone started cheering, the two of them headed back inside. It wasn't long before Harry found Neville and decided to go back home. The last thing that Harry saw before being whisked away by a Portkey was Fleur's smiling face, and then she was gone.