Since I forgot to post on time yesterday, I will give you a bonus today... 2 chapters!
Fleur was pissed. Apparently by taking the heat off of Harry, Skeeter had turned to her as the new target for slander and lies. The article painted her as a harlot and a tramp, and the entire wizarding world was reading about it over their morning coffee. Fan-fucking-tastic. She couldn't wait to get her hands on Skeeter in the next interview. She was ready to tear the woman limb from limb.
Unfortunately, the article made her 'adoring fans' feel particularly emboldened and seem to think that they had a chance with her. There was a constant sea of stupid boys chasing her everywhere she went, hounding her relentlessly for dates and more. She couldn't walk more than a few feet before someone else approached her.
It got so bad that she hid in the safety of her room for the remainder of the weekend, using the tournament as an excuse. She wasn't hiding out of shame, she was used to being the subject of rumors and looks. She had developed a thick skin and she frankly didn't care what people thought about her. Besides, aside from her family, the only opinion that mattered to her was Hermione's. She was hiding because she was so irritated there was a real chance she would lose her shit and actually hex someone.
Monday started off surprisingly well. She and Hermione had coordinated to go on a Lake run together. They spent the weekend exchanging messages from afar, which helped keep her calm while she was in her self-imposed isolation. She was glad that the young Gryffindor seemed to be just as annoyed by Skeeter and had assured her that she had her support no matter what was printed in the papers. It was surprisingly mature for the teenager, but she was in no position to question it. She was just grateful that Hermione hadn't gone running for the hills.
But her day went quickly downhill from there.
After her Potions block, Fleur was on her way to lunch, when she came across an altercation happening in one of the secluded courtyards. Harry was facing off against a tall skinny blonde boy with a pointy face. Draco Malfoy. She recalled reading about the Malfoy family's fall from grace after the Battle at the Ministry.
She couldn't hear what was being said, but it didn't look good. Both boys were squaring up for a duel, their wands out and pointed. Draco was wearing a large button switched between Harry's face and the message "Potter Stinks."
Fleur burst forward and stepped between Harry and Malfoy. "What ees ze meaning of zis?"
Malfoy's face went from livid to dangerously gleeful. "Oh, look, everyone! Potter can't even fight like a man! His girlfriend has to step in and save his arse!" The sea of serpents all roared with laughter.
Fleur narrowed her eyes at the boy. "Little boy, I suggest you stop while you 'ave some dignity left. I am not to be trifled wizz."
Malfoy scoffed "You think you scare me, Veela? Are you even worthy of being a Champion or did you have to pull some strings to get yourself in?" He made a rude gesture with his hands to emphasize his point. Draco kept taunting "Hey, Potter! How does it feel to be sloppy seconds? Or would you be thirds? Fourths? Stop me when I get it right…"
Fleur felt Harry stiffen at her side as the tension built. She just took him by the shoulder and pulled him away, "'E ees not worzz getting in trouble over." She whispered in his ear.
"Delacour and Potter sitting in a tree…"
Fleur's neck prickled, her Veela instinct kicking in, warning her. Without a word she spun on her heel and waved her hand, deflecting the incoming hex. "'Ow dare you curse someone when zeir back ees turned!" She growled, silently transfiguring Malfoy into a small white ferret. She smiled to herself when she saw the green-robed students running around, trying to catch Draco, who was frantically scampering all over the place, squeaking loudly. It was a much better look for him, in her opinion.
"Fleur…"
Fleur looked over and her heart dropped into her stomach. Hermione was on her knees in the grass a few feet away. Her eyes were wide and fearful, her hands covering her mouth. Fleur and her Veela panicked at the sight of their mate in pain. She was at Hermione's side in seconds, dropping down next to her. "'Ermione, what's wrong?"
Hermione just shook her head and muttered something about getting to the hospital wing, but her words were slurring together, making it difficult to understand what she was saying.
Fleur scooped the girl into her arms and cradled her close, carrying her bridal style towards the hospital wing. Fortunately for her, there was a little white ferret guiding her.
She could feel Hermione trembling against her, she had tucked her face against her neck. In any other situation, she would have been absolutely beside herself with happiness. However, she felt nothing but guilt. She must have deflected Malfoy's spell right into Hermione. How could she have been so careless?
By the time they arrived at the hospital wing, Hermione had passed out from the pain, her teeth almost six inches long and still growing. Madame Pomfrey got straight to work, bustling about Hermione's bed, grabbing potions and muttering healing incantations. After a few minutes the healer-witch finished her work and left the two women alone. Fleur sat quietly by Hermione's bedside, holding her hand as she waited for the girl to wake up.
Snape and McGonagall strode in a few minutes later and approached a nearby bed where the little ferret sat impatiently. With a swish of her wand, McGonagall transfigured Malfoy back into his greasy little self.
"My father will hear about this, you filthy half-breed creature!" Draco growled as soon as he was human again. He jumped off the bed and stomped over to where Fleur was sitting. The Slytherin boy was glaring daggers at Fleur, but she found it rather comical.
"About what, Monsieur Malfoy? I did nozzing." Fleur didn't look at the boy, still focused on Hermione.
"You cursed me! I know it was you!"
"I did nozzing of ze sort." She finally looked up, giving him an innocent look.
"That is a dangerous accusation, Mr. Malfoy. Can you prove it?"
"I saw her! She waved a hand at me!"
Even Snape looked doubtful "She… waved at you?"
"Are you suggesting zat you zink I am capable of bozz wordless and wandless magic? Well I am flattered, truly."
Malfoy opened and closed his mouth a few times, unsure what to say. It was clear he didn't want to give her too much credit.
"Zeir ees a simple explanation as to why I would dare make such an outrageous gesture such as waving my 'and. Zeir was a bee. I did not wish to be stung." Fleur just shrugged.
McGonagall failed to cover a small chuckle.
"I zink zat ze bigger issue 'ere is zat your curse ees affecting mon ami."
"Are you claiming that Mr. Malfoy cursed Miss Granger?"
"Oui, I am doing exactly zat."
Malfoy's face paled "You… you can't prove it!"
"On the contrary." McGonagall held out her hand for Draco's wand, casting Priori Incantatem and the hawthorne wand revealed the last spell cast. A mist appeared, showing Hermione's face and her teeth starting to grow.
"Well, I think that settles it." McGonagall said grimly. "50 points from Slytherin for fighting in the halls…" When she saw Snape start to protest, McGonagall glared at the other Head of House, silencing him with a single look. "Seeing as the victim of an unprovoked attack is a member of my house, I believe it is fitting that I set the punishment. And 25 more points for being an ignorant bigot and insulting Miss Delacour's heritage. And I think a week of detention with me… Do you think that is enough recompense, Miss Delacour."
"Oui, I zink zat ees satisfactory compensation for my wounded 'onor."
"Professor! You can't!"
McGonagall gave him a stern gaze "I can and I will. I can keep going if you like, Mr. Malfoy.
Malfoy stared at the elderly witch, his eyes full of rage but he slammed his mouth shut, clenching his jaw so hard that Fleur was certain she heard something pop in his jaw.
"Now, I believe it is time for you to go to lunch, Mr. Malfoy. And I do not want to hear anything else about you fighting in the halls. Though I would love the additional company."
"Au revoir, Monsieur Malfoy." Fleur grinned sweetly and waved her hand after him, wiggling her fingers tauntingly.
"As for you, Miss Delacour, I assure you that Miss Granger is in good hands here with Madame Pomfrey. I must insist that you go to lunch as well. I shall tell her that you were here."
Fleur nodded and reluctantly got up "Oui Madame."
The rest of the week passed slowly. Fleur could hear whispers and caught sideways glances wherever she walked, but it seemed that more people were more intimidated by her. Probably because word of the incident with Malfoy spread quickly and people were afraid that she would hex them. Even the attention from her little posse had died down.
When Thursday morning came, Fleur was ready. She and the other Champions had been excused from their morning classes so they could prepare themselves. As much as she wanted to spend time with Hermione, she decided to skip her run, not wanting to expend too much energy. She walked into the Great Hall with her head held high, taking her seat next to Hermione and Harry. The youngest Champion looked pale as a sheet and was pushing his eggs around his plate.
"You need to eat, 'Arry. You must keep up your strengzz."
Harry looked at her and took a bite.
Hermione laughed softly "I've been trying to get him to eat all morning! You seem well, Fleur. Are you feeling ready?"
Fleur beamed "Oui, mon ami, I zink I am feeling prepared."
After breakfast, Fleur went back to the carriage to prepare. She was supposed to report to the Champion's tent at 11:45 for a briefing on the details of the First Task, with the actual event starting at noon. She spent her time reviewing her spells and getting into her uniform. She decided against wearing a skirt this time around. Instead, she wore a pair of blue cotton pants and a matching blue long sleeve top. It was light material and therefore would be easier for her to saturate with her magic. She wore a light blue scarf as well. She pulled her hair up in a tight bun to keep it out of her face.
By 11:30 she was almost ready to go. She did a last minute check on her clothes, tightening the laces to her trainers and pulling on fingerless gloves. Her wand was tucked into a holster strapped to her thigh. With a deep sigh she headed out.
She was surprised to see that she was actually the last to arrive at the tent. She checked her timepiece to confirm that she wasn't late. The four students stood separately, each taking up residence in a corner of the rectangular tent. Fleur subtly observed the competition. Harry was swishing his wand, practicing the motions for the Accio spell. Cedric had his eyes closed but his face had a slightly green tint to it, as if he was about to be sick. She didn't blame him. Going up against a fully grown dragon was nothing to take lightly. Krum stood stock still, his arms folded across his chest, his chin tilted down slightly. Just like he had been before the Weighing of the Wands ceremony.
At precisely 11:45, Ludo, Barty and the three school masters entered.
"Exciting day, exciting day!" Bagman chirped excitedly. "Champions, gather around me, if you will!" Once they were circled around him, he turned to the other Ministry man, "Barty, the bag!"
"One by one, reach into the bag and withdraw the first thing you feel." Bagman instructed.
Cedric went first, pulling out a small bluish dragon, a miniature Swedish Short Snout. It had a ribbon around its neck and a little tag with the number 1. Krum went next, removing a red dragon with long whiskers. The Chinese Fireball was wearing the number 3. So far everything was the same.
Fleur reached in and hissed in pain as something bit her, "Ouch! You little shit!" She exclaimed under her breath. She felt sharp claws digging into her thumb and a weight on her hand. She withdrew her hand, revealing a dragon with a crown of sharp curved spines. Sharp black spikes ran down the length of its spine to its tail, which looked like a mace of spikes. The black backscales glinted in the light and transitioned to gray towards its underbelly. Its four tag swung around as the tiny dragon whipped its head around, spraying a tiny flame into the air
"Oooh, the Hungarian Horntail… viscous bugger that one. This should be a good show!" Bagman grinned and turned to Harry last, who pulled the Common Welsh Green, which would go second.
Fleur did her best not to react, but she would be lying if she said she wasn't scared. She was staring at the miniature dragon on her hand, trying to determine any point of weakness, but the scaly armor looked solid. It was glaring up at her, spreading its wings and hissing menacingly. At least she would go last, that would give her time to rethink her strategy. She knew that this dragon was the fiercest of the bunch and was also highly resistant to spells. Merde. She felt Madame Maxime's giant hand on her shoulder, giving her an encouraging squeeze.
"Each of these represents a very real dragon, each of which has been given a special egg to protect. Your task is to collect the egg. You must succeed because the egg contains a clue to the next task. Without the clue, you have no hope of surviving! So let's be sure to give it our all, shall we?"
Fleur wondered what this man might be like on Christmas day if this is how excited he got over sending 4 teenagers into perilous and life threatening situations. She was hardly listening to him explain the scoring criteria, she didn't care about the score. Her priority was figuring out a way to stay alive. Instead she was quietly reviewing everything she knew about this breed of dragon. It was aggressive, territorial, and highly intelligent. Unlike the Welsh Green, this dragon would attack unprovoked and would hunt its prey rather than wait for attack, making her sneak and spell strategy useless. Of the four dragons, she knew it was the most challenging. Saving the best for last.
It felt like she had barely had time to blink before it was her turn. Fleur took several deep breaths and started toward the tent opening, gripping her wand tightly.
The first thing she did when she stepped into the arena was cast her fire repelling charm. She saturated the thin cloth entirely, then quickly enlarged her scarf, wrapping it around her head. All that was visible of her face were two icy blue eyes staring out between the blue wrap.
Thankfully the arena looked the same as last time, so she knew that the nest was positioned on the opposite side of the arena. A labyrinth of boulders stood between her and her prize. She crouched down behind the closest boulder and cast a quick silencing spell on her shoes, as well as a charm to mask her scent. It wasn't much, but since the Horntail was a natural hunter, taking away any advantage would be wise.
Once all of her spells were in place, her next order of business was to find and battle the dragon. What was so hard about that?
She moved quietly between the boulders, growing more unsettled as time passed without her being able to locate the dragon. How could such a large creature hide so effectively?
The answer hit her a moment later.
One second she was on the ground, the next she was soaring through the air like a human Bludger and the Horntail's tail was the Beater's bat.
"Arresto Momento!" She managed to slow herself just as she was about to hit a rocky ledge. It still hurt but at least it softened the blow.
She felt blood starting to gush from her arm where one of the spikes impaled her but overall she was lucky that the dragon had hit her with the relatively blunt underside of its tail. If it had hit her with the top she would have been a human pincushion. Her ribs ached painfully, it was likely that at least one broken, probably more. She didn't have time to dwell on this, as she saw the dragon hovering above her and lining up for another hit.
She tucked and rolled out of the way just as the giant spiked mace came crashing down against the rock she had been lying on moments before, sending sharp rocky shrapnel that cut into her soft skin.
While her clothes made it easier for her to become fire resistant, the thin fabric did very little against brute force.
She needed to hide and get a strategy in place. With a quick wave of her wand, she summoned a giant dust cloud and sent it swirling upward to engulf the flying creature. The dragon shrieked with rage and she felt the ground vibrate as it landed.
Fleur used every second of the dragon's distraction to her advantage, darting out from where she was hiding and finding a new rock. Every foot she managed to gain was one step closer to the egg and getting the hell out of this arena.
She peered out from behind the rock to confirm the dragon was still on the ground. If she could keep it from flying she might stand a chance.
The Horntail thrashed its head, trying to rid its eyes of the dust, blindly spewing a giant flame in anger. Fortunately it seemed to have lost its lock on her and was looking in the opposite direction.
Fleur started waving her wand in elaborate movements, casting the Gemini Charm on herself, creating ten replicas, then sent them off running in all directions. Confused by the sudden influx of Fleurs, the dragon started lunging at whatever one was closest.
She ran like hell, not looking over her shoulder. She didn't particularly want to watch as the dragon ripped her doppelgangers pieces, anyway. She heard the audience gasping every time the dragon got another Fleur, worried that it might have gotten the right one. She counted in the back of her head.
There it was! The nest was 30 feet in front of her. She had 2 decoys left. She could do it. She leaped over the boulders and ran between the dusty paths. 1 decoy left.
She was on the same level as the nest now. It was a straight sprint to the finish. No decoys left. She reached out and grabbed the egg as she ran by, cradling it under her arm. She heard the crowd go wild and dragon handlers came running out of the sides of the arena to subdue the dragon. She sighed with relief. She had done it.
Then applause quickly turned into fearful gasps.
She turned to face the dragon, watching in horror as it fought its way through the dragon handlers. Now she was standing in the open with no support and a very, very angry dragon between her and safety.
The dragon started toward her, using the bend of its wings like forelegs, picking its way over the rocks. With a mighty breath, it roared and engulfed the French champion in a spray of red hot dragon fire.