Fleur looked at Harry as if he was the only thing in the world. His arm was firmly wrapped around her waist, she stroked his cheek softly; careful not to wake him up. A small smile crept on her face, their bodies were as exposed as the day they were born, but at the moment she didn't care.
He was in a deep slumber, she took this time to note his features. His skin was soft as if they have never been kissed by the sun. His lips were bright pink, they were slightly parted, and the Veela did everything in her power not to kiss them. She kissed her finger and softly planted it on his lips.
A soft ray of sun entered the room and hit his face, the young woman quickly pulled the blanket closer to them, she felt him shift, the grip around her waist tightened and he pulled her closer to his body. As if out of instinct. The young woman placed her other hand on his torso, she felt his muscular body; unlike his face, his body was rough. All those years of quidditch shaped him.
A small grunt came out of his body as if he felt her touch. She moved her hand back. Fleur smiled. She has never smiled as much as she had since she's been with him. "You know you didn't have to stop touching me," his voice was drowned in slumber. The young woman jumped a bit.
"You're awake?" she asked in a slightly embarrassed tone. A small smirk came on his face.
"Not for long, but I wanted to see how long you would keep exploring," his eyes opened halfway, and his emerald eyes looked straight at her.
The French woman giggled softly. She leaned in and kissed him. She was the first to pull back. "Your morning breaz is terrible by zee way," Harry rolled his eyes and pulled her tighter. The curves of their body seemingly fit together like puzzle pieces. Their faces were mere inches from one another.
"So, can I ask something?" the young woman nodded. "Was last night, your… well you know," Fleur couldn't help but laugh a but at his nervousness. As if he was asking a question he shouldn't have. She kissed his nose and that seemed to calm his nerves a little bit.
"Was zat my first time? I'm sure I already answered zat question last night. But oui. Eet was."
"Was there a reason for it?"
"Do you expect me to say eet some kind of magical Veela bond?" Fleur joked.
He chuckled. "Well, I didn't know you had something like that,"
"We do, eet's zee same zing you 'umans call marriage and love." The young woman touched his cheek and pressed her forehead on his. "I'm a girl 'Arry. I 'ave needs, just like you and everyone else in zis world. I zought I didn't need eet, or cared for eet. But zen I met you." Her answer seemed to make him blush a bit.
"I guess I'm in the same boat as you," He kissed her lips softly. "You are a really pretty girl after all,"
"Ah, be careful wiz what you say, or I will start zinking zat my charm is starting to make your mind melt." The Veela joked and firmly tapped the side of his head.
"Fleur, can I ask something? Something personal?" Fleur gave him soft eyes. This seemed to be the answer he might have been looking for. "Why do you always think you have to be perfect?" His question took her by surprise. She felt her body tense up at the word and he seemed to as well. "You don't have to answer if you don't want to,"
"Non, eet's alright." Fleur took a deep breath and looked at his eyes, they made her feel at peace. "All my life, everyone, my parents, my grandparents, my teachers. Zey told me one zing. You are a lady Fleur, you 'ave to be perfect. In everyzing I did, I 'ad to get it zee first time, or I would get 'it." He moved his hand up her back, to show support. She smiled at the gesture. "I would not be given love if I didn't. I was nozzing but just a tool for my family. I was raised to be a bride 'Arry. I was nozzing more but a tool for my grandparents to use to continue zee family name,"
"So, if they found out you were dating an Englishman, they would freak out that you're tainting the family bloodline?" he joked. Fleur laughed softly and felt more at ease. She kissed him and held it for a good moment.
"I don't give a damn what zey say. But zee truz iz zat I can't stand zat word. Zee first event, zee monster you saw. Is what I am, what I truly am. Veelas are strange creatures. We are known to be beautiful creatures, but zat is merely a talent of ours. We could rip you apart and burn zee world down but if we did, we would go extinct. So we are forced to interbreed wiz 'umans. So we are destined to be nozzing but trophies for some big family. Eet doesn't help zat I come from an old family. Zee Delacours, 'ave been around for a while and my parents didn't marry out of love. Zey married because zey were forced to and zat 'ow zey 'ave raised me. Zat one day I will be married off to some boy," A tear fell down her cheek, he quickly wiped it. The Englishman smiled and pulled her in for a kiss. She deepened it. She wrapped her arms around his neck and battled him for dominance.
The two pulled back and he looked her dead in the eyes. A serious but playful look was on his face. "I'm sorry you had to go through that Fleur. I really am. I can't say that I understand what you're feeling. But I will try to do everything in my power to make you feel… unperfect." He stopped to think for a second. "Is that even a word?"
The two fell into a burst of laughter. When the laughter stopped, Harry cleared his throat and looked at her again. "You don't have to be perfect. You aren't perfect, neither am I. I think that my nose is a little crooked, and I think that I am a little too skinny. For you, you were heavier than you looked." Fleur playfully slapped him for that comment. He chuckled. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding. But at the end of the day, you are Fleur Delacour, you're not a lady, you're not a bride, you're Fleur. The young man kissed her forehead. "And I wouldn't want anyone else,"
Fleur teared up and didn't seem to be able to hold them back. She buried her face into his chest. He held her as she cried.
"Thank you, Harry," She whispered under her breath.
Harry held his arm close as the cold arm bit at his body. He breathed into his hand as he watched the construction of a towers. The second event was two weeks out and by this point all the champions were near complete in their plans.
"That water is gonna be freezing," He thought to himself. "Sir, we are almost done with the tower," A worker's voice came from behind him. The Head Boy turned around and nodded. The worker walked away and the wizard turned his head towards the ship that was resting in the water. Krum came in third, his headmaster didn't seem to be too happy at that. "What dirty tactic are they gonna use this task," Harry thought to himself. His gaze moved over to the carriage, he couldn't see Fleur again. The next time he will see her, will be the second task. He was nervous for her. Or was he worried? He couldn't really tell.
"Are you just gonna stand there?" A female voice came from behind him. He turned around to find a stern Laura looking at him. He chuckled.
"What do you want me to do? Climb in the water and build it with them?" The Hufflepuff rolled her eyes and walked next to him.
"What do you think they're gonna have to find in that water?"
The emerald-eyed wizard shrugged his shoulders. "I couldn't tell you. If dragons were the first task, who knows what else they're gonna come up with,"
"Be honest with me, why didn't you enter? You could have easily won it all,"
"Me?"
"Don't kid yourself. Everyone knows you have more talent in your pinkie finger than everyone in this school combined. You could have easily burnt that dragon to a crisp." He turned towards the Head Girl. "So I will ask again, why didn't enter?"
Harry sighed and dropped his arms and placed his hands on his hips. "I couldn't tell you, I didn't want to. I'm sorry if that isn't the answer you're looking for. But that's just what it is. I didn't want to. I rather have Finn have all the glory."
"For someone so smart, you're really stupid sometimes, you know that right?"
"I rather be stupid and alive than smart and dead,"
"Well, just so you know. I think you're gonna be great one day," Harry was taken aback by her comment. It was strange for her.
"Why do you say that Laura?"
She looked at him and sighed. "You're everything I wanted to be Harry. A great athlete, a great witch, a top student. You have all the talent anyone could want. But talent doesn't get far, without hard work. And you have that too. I can't believe I'm about to say this. But I'm proud of you Harry. I really am. You've grown into a great young man."
"Excuse me?"
"You don't remember me, do you?"
"Should I?"
Laura chuckled and leaned her head back. Harry wouldn't admit it, but he never noticed how pretty Laura actually is. Her blonde hair complimented her brown eyes well. "We went to the same primary school. I wouldn't expect you to remember me, but I was that chubby little girl who always sat in the back of the class."
The memory hit the young man like a bag of bricks. "Oh my god, I remember. You…"
She stopped him mid-sentence. "Yes, I was and still am Large Laura. Let's just say I was surprised when I found out you and I were going to the same school when we left that place. I'm not telling you this as revenge or anything but let's just say that I figured you ought to know."
"Laura, I'm so sorry. I didn't know," reached a hand out but she rejected it.
"It's alright." She sighed once more and smiled, but he could see the sadness in her eyes. "Life is funny sometimes Harry, but as I was saying. I remember that you were quiet. Well, that hasn't changed, but your grades weren't always the best. I remembered that you always stayed inside of class to get extra lessons and that you always sucked at maths,"
"That hasn't changed," This got a laugh out of both of them.
"But my point is, I watched you grow, you went from a child to a great young man. I don't know if anyone has said this to you. But I am deeply sorry about your parents. I really am. I can't imagine how much pain you must have gone through. I know you're stressing out about being an adult. But I can tell you one thing. If I can get through all the bullying and all the anger. I know you can as well,"
Harry took a deep breath. "Thank you and I'm sorry, I really am. If I knew, I would have done something to help you out. But on the bright side, you lost a lot of weight," He winced at his choice of words but was surprised to find the young woman laughing.
"I appreciate it," The young woman turned around and began to walk away. But she stopped in her track for a moment. "One more thing Harry, I still think you would have won it all. Fleur's a lucky lady, treat her well Harry,"
"I hate the water," Fleur thought to herself as she caught her breath.
"One more time!" Her headmistress yelled.
The young woman took a deep breath and dove back into the water. This was gonna be hell.
Harry took a step back when he walked into the room. Many faces there surprised him. There was Luna, Hermione, Abigail, and one familiar yet unfamiliar face. She was young, very young. But he couldn't deny it. The eyes were the same, the hair was the same. The last girl was Fleur's little sister.
The young man walked up next to Dumbledore. Who was on the tail end of explaining what was gonna happen. He turned towards the young man. "Ah, Harry. It's so good to see you," he stated in a cheerful tone.
He watched as the other four were led out of the room. He turned to his headmaster as the last one left the room. "Sir, what is going on?".
The old wizard sighed. "Harry, the next task involves the champions rescuing the ones they love the most. Seeing that you are what Finn loves the most, we would have chosen you. But I asked you here for one other reason." The young man arched his brow. "I need you to promise me, that you won't tell Ms. Delacour what is gonna be happening. It would ruin the competition."
Harry clenched his fist. "You're gonna be putting them in the water?!" he yelled.
"Yes, but you must not worry. They will be under a spell and they will be alright. They won't be hurt in all of this. I promise." He stated calmly. Harry took a deep breath, it didn't calm him down one bit. "I also wanted to ask you one more favor, I need you to make sure that in case things do go wrong, you will be there to help." The emerald-eyed wizard nodded his head. "Thank you,"
Harry walked out of the room quickly and made his way over to the tower. He watched as the young girl was being difficult with the people. As he got closer, he could hear a bit of French. "No, no, I don't want to go in the water," She reminded him of his own sister. The young man walked up the wooden stepped and watched as the worker struggled to get what seemed to be metal chains on the ankle of the girl. He quickly walked up to them and offered to help.
He knelt down to the girl's height. She was crying. "I want my parents! Where is my sister?" She asked. Harry smiled and reached a hand out.
"Hello, my name is Harry, I promise you will see your sister soon," The young girl was taken aback by the young man's ability to understand her.
"You know Fleur?" Harry laughed softly.
"Yes, I know her very well. But you won't be able to see her unless you help us first." He picked up the chain and shackle. "I promise it won't hurt and the water won't be that cold,"
The young girl looked at the water and looked back at him. "I'm scared, mama always said never to go into the water, it will only hurt us," This comment made Harry's stomach drop. But he kept his composure.
"What is your name?"
"Gabrielle," Harry reached out his other hand and she shook it softly.
"Well, it is very nice to meet you, Gabrielle. I promise you, that you won't be hurt. If you do get hurt, I promise that I will get your sister for you," He held up his pinkie. She smiled and grabbed his pinkie with hers. "Now, please put these on," He watched as the worker placed the shackles and chain. One worker then cast a spell over the four and they were soon in a deep sleep. He watched as they were carried to the middle of the lake.
Harry held his breath and only one thought was in his mind. "I have to find Fleur,"
Fleur paced back and forth as she waited in the locker room. Her jacket did nothing to help the cold. Her attention was cut off when the door of the room opened. "Excuse m-" her thoughts were cut off as she immediately hugged the person who entered the room. He was stiff and his face wore a somber look. "What's wrong?"
He took a deep breath. "I promised I wouldn't tell but-" he stopped and took a deep breath. "The second task is that you have to save your sister,"
Fleur looked at him in horror. "What? Harry is-"
"It isn't a joke. You have to save your sister from the great lake. I heard and saw it myself."
The young woman clenched her fist and felt the anger inside her body rising. "ZEY CAN'T DO ZAT!" she yelled. Harry grabbed her shoulders and looked at her in the eyes.
"What did Gabrielle mean when she said water hurt you guys?"
"You saw 'er? Is she okay? 'Ow do you know it's 'er?"
"Same eyes, same hair, it's pretty easy and she's okay, I promise, but what did she mean?"
Fleur sighed. "She's misinformed. Eet only 'urts us when we are in our true form, she's too young to 'ave any traits yet." Fleur tried to calm herself down but it didn't seem to work. The young man in front of her held her close. And she hugged him back.
"Everything will be okay, I promise. I will be there to help if anything goes wrong. Just try your best," The young woman nodded.
"I don't know what I would do wizout 'er,"
"Just find her and you won't find out," The two locked lips and that was what helped her finally calm down enough.
Fleur held her breath as she looked down at the water. The wind bit at her skin and it was getting colder by the second. She looked back into the crowd to look for a familiar face. Their eyes met and he gave her a look of comfort.
The Veela looked at the other champions and noticed that all of them seemed to be just as nervous as her, it was odd to her that the other Hogwarts champion appeared to be stuffing his face.
"Good luck," A very heavily accented voice said to her.
She looked towards the Bulgarian Seeker. "You as well,"
The sound of the cannon shot off and she jumped into the water. The water felt like ice, she quickly cast the bubblehead charm and she was able to finally breathe. She looked around and noticed that the other champion was already swimming in different directions; it didn't take long for them to disappear.
An hour. That was all the time she had to find her sister. The water was a lot darker than the pool. It was nothing she could have expected. She felt like she has swan in a circle. The water itself seemed to have been alive. It didn't make Fleur any happier.
As she went through the water, she noticed something in front of her. Even in the water, it was clear what it was. It was her sister. As she got closer. She watched as something flew pasted her, barely missing her.
Fleur looked in that direction and noticed a humanoid looking creature. Its teeth were needle-sharp and its hands and feet were webbed. It gave her an angry look and charged at her. She quickly cast a spell at it and missed. But that seemed to make it rethink its course of action. The young woman quickly swam past it and moved forward toward the middle. She noticed there were more of those things. She knew she was headed in the right direction.
It wasn't long before she saw four people floating in the water, all of them seemed to be in a deep slumber. She only cared about one of them. Fleur noticed that there was another champion already there. It was the second Hogwarts champion, Neville. He had what seemed to be gills and webbed feet as well. She moved up to him and he looked at her.
"Oh, you must be Fleur," he said in the water, even though it was hard to hear, she could make out the sound. The young man handed her a rock. She knew what it was for and quickly cut her sister loose.
The older Veela grabbed her baby sister and swam to the top. When she broke the water. Her sister looked at her. The younger Veela struggled to catch her breath. But when their eyes met, Gabrielle's eyes seemed to fill with joy. "Fleur!" The two hugged tightly. "I missed you!"
"I missed you too, but we can talk later. I have to get you to safety." The younger sister nodded and the two swam to the tower that Fleur jumped from. They climbed onto the platform and were quickly helped out. They were led to the medical tent.
The two sat next to one another and the younger Veela refused to let go of her. "I missed you so much, Fleur!" She said through tears. "Christmas was so boring,"
"I missed you too, Gabby," The two hugged, Fleur, comforting her sister. "I promise I will make it up to you,". The older of the two looked up and saw a familiar face walking in. They exchanged smiles.
"You did great," Harry knelt down, grabbing Fleur's leg.
Fleur smiled back and her sister finally pulled back. "Oh, you're the young man who said you know my sister,"
He chuckled. "Yes, I am," He looked at Fleur with a wide grin. The young woman shook her head with a wide smile.
"Gabby, this is Harry. He is," The young woman grinned widely. "He is my boyfriend," A shocked but happy look came on the young Veela's face.
"Fleur! I am so happy for you," Harry smiled but had to stand up.
"I have to get back, I'll leave you two alone." He kissed the older Veela's forehead and walked out of the tent, back into the crowd.
"He's so handsome Fleur!"
"He is, isn't he?" she played along with her.
"YES! He looks like a prince, you are so lucky Fleur. Does he have a pony?" Fleur chuckled at her sister and kissed her on the head.
"I'll ask him when I get the chance. I do know he has an owl."
"Do you love him, Fleur?" Gabrielle asked in an innocent tone, with a hopeful look in her eyes. The older sister felt her stomach drop and she thought about the question. It felt like ages before she finally answered.
"Yes,"
AN: Nothing much to say but I finally got back into the groove of writing. So thank you for reading. I will try to upload as soon as I can.
