A/N: Well here is chapter 2. I'm quite buoyed by the support I have received in my reviews and I thank you all most kindly for your response. I just hope you enjoy the story as much as I enjoy writing it.
Chapter 2.
About three quarters of an hour after they left the lake, Fleur and Harry made it to the entrance hall. Every few steps it seemed they had to stop to kiss, either one grabbing the other in a fiery passionate kiss. The result of all of this was that Harry's hair was more messy than usual and the entire great hall was filled with students eating dinner. They walked in, hand in hand and proceeded walking straight up to the teacher's table. As they walked they noticed the hall go quieter and quieter as the students noticed them and then whispering began to spring up as people caught sight of Harry's hand intertwined with Fleurs. Dumbledore watched the couple approached with his eyes twinkling merrily, as if the sight of Harry and Fleur together made him happier than anything else in this world could. Madame Maxime, who sat to the right of Dumbledore also smiled at the couple as they approached. She could see the happiness reflected in the eyes of both Fleur and Harry and knew that something significant had happened. They both stopped in front of their respective heads and Harry said quietly, so only the two people he was addressing could hear "Professor Dumbledore and Madame Maxime would Fleur and I be able to meet with you after dinner? We have something we need to talk to you about and it is quite important." Dumbledore's beard twitched slightly as his smiled broadened, hidden beneath his whiskers and replied, twinkling more than ever "Harry that would be fine. Meet us both in my office once dinner is over and we can discuss things in private." Fleur and Harry both nodded with happiness at this and turned and headed to the Griffindore table, still holding hands and sat down across from Ron and Hermione.
Ron was spaced out as usual by the presence of Fleur which amused Harry greatly and Hermione looked quite confused. Harry smiled at Hermione, as she was the only paying any attention to him at the moment and said "Hermione, I would like you to meet Fleur. We have just decided to start dating today after we talked by the lake for most of the day." Hermione's eyes widened at the fact that Harry had talked with someone other than her and Ron for such a long time and even more so when she had worked out that he must have opened up somewhat to Fleur if they had become so close in such a short time. She then smiled and said "I'm so happy for you Harry and I am very pleased to meet you Fleur. Any friend of Harrys is a friend of mine." Fleur smiled back at Hermione and nodded her thanks, saying "It would be nice to have real friends for once. Part of the problems of being part Veela is that you can never trust those around you to treat you as a person, rather than some oddity. Harry's trust in you and his high regard of you lets me know we can be very good friends." Hermione's eyes widened and she blushed from the praise and the fact that Harry thought so much of her and to say as much to Fleur.
They proceeded with dinner chatting amicably between the three and completely ignoring Ron, who once having come out of his trance, remembered he was still angry with Harry and chose to try to talk to Seamus and Dean. Harry couldn't have cared less about Ron now. As far as he was concerned if Ron could be a shallow as this, to think he would seek glory and fame and to actually be jealous of it, then he was not really much of a friend. Harry and Fleur never stopped holding hands throughout dinner, forcing them to eat one handed, which they did not mind at all. During lulls in conversation with Hermione, they would often glance at each other and catching the other's eye would smile shyly and shift slightly closer, to the point where Fleur was practically sitting on Harry's lap by the end of the meal. Hermione on her part had noticed all of this interaction and the change in Harry's demeanor from just the other night. He was despondent at the fact that Ron and everyone else it seemed except her, believed he had put his name into the goblet, despite his protests. Harry was now the happiest she had ever seen him, even happier than the times she had seen him fly, which was saying something.
When the meal finally came to a close, the three of them rose together and Fleur and Harry told Hermione they would see her later as they had to see Professor Dumbledore. She just nodded smiling and headed of towards the library to complete some of the homework that had been set for the weekend by the teachers. The couple made their way through the castle and couldn't help making use of the occasional alcove or broom cupboard that they chanced upon. They delighted in sharing this new intimacy with each other. Harry had never had any experience with girls and while he had nothing to compare kissing Fleur to, he somehow knew that anything he may have done I the past if the opportunity had presented itself, would have paled into mere worthlessness compared to how it felt to be with Fleur. Fleur for her part was also enjoying this just as much. She had kissed boys before and knew from Harry's rather frank admissions that she was the first girl he had even been with in any intimate manner. It seemed to her though that Harry was a natural at kissing as their bodies twined against one another and their tongues danced together.
They finally made it to the gargoyle at the entrance to Dumbledore's office and once giving the password headed up the flight of moving stairs and knocked on the door to the headmaster's office.
"Enter." They heard and opening the door, they found Professor Dumbledore seated behind his desk with his eyes bright and cheerful, with Madame Maxime seated slightly to the side, also with a smile on her lips as the couple entered the office and sat in front of the headmaster in the chairs he indicated. Dumbledore spoke after a moment with a smile "So Harry and
Fleur, you wished to speak with both Madame Maxime and myself?" The couple nodded and Fleur spoke up speaking more to Madame Maxime than Dumbledore. "Madame Maxime, I have found my soul mate, the one I was destined to be bonded with. It is Harry." Madame Maxime's face lit with joy at this news, as she knew the loneliness that the Veela who never met their mate went through. She rushed to the girl and threw he arms about her hugging her tight, saying "Oh Fleur, I am so happy for you! As one of my favorite students, I had always hoped you would find your mate and be happy. To find him at such a young age as well means you will have centuries together." Harry couldn't help but grin widely at this thought. He has found the love of his life at 14, meaning they had the rest of their very long lives, if he had anything to say about it, to spend together. Dumbledore enjoyed seeing Harry so happy. He could never think of a time when he had seen Harry so alive with joy and filled with so much obvious love for the French girl. He looked at Fleur and asked quietly "Miss Delacour, have you explained the bonding between the two of you and how it takes place?" Harry noticed Fleur's cheeks go slightly pink as she shook her head and said "No sir. With all of the joy and love filling my emotions, I completely forgot to explain things to Harry." She then turned to Harry and said softly "I am sorry my beloved, I was caught up in the many moments we had today to think that you may not know what has to happen now." Harry just smiled and leaning over, kissed her softly on the lips and said "It's ok love. I'm sure I'll find out now." Fleur smiled and nodded and looking questioningly at Dumbledore, she asked "Sir, could you explain the bond to Harry? It may be more understandable coming from you."
Harry waited in anticipation as he saw Dumbledore acquiesce to Fleur's request and wondered what it did all mean. "Harry," Dumbledore began, "The mating bond between a Veela and her mate is a lifelong commitment between the couple. No one can break the bond and the couple fiercely defend the other if they feel threatened of challenged in any way. As I am sure Fleur as told you, there is only one person fated to be with each Veela, their soul mate, if you please. Without this person, they can not know a fulfilling relationship with another being. They can get married and have children, don't misunderstand me, but all Veela hold out in the hope that they will meet their mate. It is quite apparent from F
Fleur's declaration and both of your behaviors that you are indeed, fated to be with one another, but in order for the bond to be fully sealed, you must join together as mates."
It took a couple of seconds for Harry to absorb the information that Dumbledore had just explained to him and when the truth of the last statement hit him he blushed furiously, making Fleur giggle and Dumbledore to chuckle as well. "Ah, Harry to be 14 once more and so innocent to the world around you. Please do not misunderstand what I said to be a directive to mate just because you need to seal the bond, but this is also a declaration of your love for one another." Harry nodded at this and understood. He knew there was no other one for him so he was relatively calm now with the fact that he and Fleur would be so intimate. Dumbledore continued "Now the main reason I bring this to your attention Harry is that once a Veela finds her soul mate they need to mate with 2 days of realizing their love. If this does not happen, then the Veela will die." Harry gasped as he heard this and looked at Fleur, concerned, for her verification. She smiled a little tremulously, but nodded, squeezing his hand softly. Harry took a deep breath and meeting Dumbledore's gaze, said "Well sir, since we have found out about one another I could never imagine a life without Fleur, ever. I am happy to spend the rest of my time on this earth being with her, so I am glad to meet the bond's requirements."
Both Dumbledore and Maxime were amazed with the maturity which Harry was treating the situation. Both of them knew from previous experience that any teenage boy would jump at the chance to be with a Veela, but Harry's reasoning to agree with the bond was for deeper reasons that many did not find at least for another decade. Fleur was not surprised at Harry's words, but was immensely touched by the depth of feeling he says them with. She knew he loved her, she could tell from the way he acted towards her, but the depth of emotion in his voice let her know that he would never consider another female over her, ever. It thrilled her to know someone felt so strongly about her. What was more thrilling to her though was that she returned Harry's feelings with equal passion and feeling. With Harry and Fleur's consent, Dumbledore quickly fire called Professor McGonagall and moments later she was sitting beside the couple having the whole relationship and the bond explained to her in detail. "Thus Minerva, I think it wise that we prepare private accommodations for Harry and Fleur as after the bond is fully formed, they are seen as married in the wizarding world." Harry was startled by this news as Professor McGonagall nodded and left quickly to make the arrangements. Seeing the look in Fleur's eyes, which he interpreted as longing to be really married, he brought forth all of his Griffindore courage and sliding from his eat, still holding Fleur's hand, knelt on one knee, saying
"Fleur, my love, I can not think of anything that would make me happier than to spend the rest of my life bonded to you. I love you with my heart, my soul, my everything. I worship the ground you walk on and thank the gods for fating me to be the luckiest man in existence. I just have one question for you though Fleur?"
Fleur, looking down, almost dazed replied softly "Yes Harry?"
Taking a deep steadying breath, Harry looked Fleur directly in the eyes, marveling once more at the warmth and compassion radiating from those sapphire blue orbs. "Fleur will you marry me?" Fleur was no longer dazed, she was now euphoric. She was more than happy to be Harry's mate, but being half witch, she also wished to be married also. The fact that this was also important to Harry made her heart burst with so much love that she leapt from the chair and into Harry's arms, crying "Yes Harry! I love you so much!" She then kissed him deeply and passionately, her hands running through his hair, their tongues meeting, completely oblivious to the startled gazes of the heads of their respective schools.
After a few minutes, the need for air forced them to part and Dumbledore took this opportunity to say "Congratulations to the two of you. While all of this is sudden, the depth of feeling that you both share is beyond question and I would be honored if you would allow me to perform the ceremony?" Harry looked at Fleur who nodded her acceptance with a smile and Harry also gave his consent. "Now the only question is do you wish to be married straight away, or do you wish for this to be more formal occasion?" Without looking at Fleur, Harry knew what she wanted and knew deep down that this was the bond at work, squeezing her hand gently; Harry replied "Sir, while the bonding needs to be done as soon as possible, I think a formal occasion would be best. I think Fleur deserves to have her family and friends here to witness the occasion. I also have a surrogate family that I wish to attend as well. This is the most important day in my life thus far sir and while sharing it with Fleur alone is special; I wish to share it with out families as well. Fleur just hugged Harry, wanting to snog him senseless for his caring of her needs and knowing what she wanted without asking. She knew for certain she was one lucky girl.
At that moment Professor McGonagall returned and Harry told the headmasters that they would let them know when they had decided a date and Dumbledore nodded, saying "That is fine. I am sure any time would be fine for the school as the majority of them would want to attend anyhow. I wish you both a good night and once more my congratulations." Madame Maxime echoed Dumbledore's sentiments and the couple both tanked her and the professor. Once they had left, Dumbledore turned to Maxime and said with a large twinkle in his eyes "I do believe we have seen a match made in heaven. One that will quite probably make the most powerful with and wizard of their age." Maxime could only nod at these words, the happiness for her student overwhelming.