"Is something going on?"Natalie asked Fleur from her seat at the table in the Great Hall at dinner time. Fleur looked around the room wondering the same thing her friend was.The day had been normal enough and although she hadn't seen Hermione Fleur hadn't noticed anything out of the ordinary.It was the two dozen Veela guards standing around the room and blocking every doorway that had her thinking something was about to happen.Something bad if they involved so many guards.
"I don't know but if there was why are they using Veela guards?"Fleur didn't understand why Hogwarts would be having Veela as their security over humans.
"Have you noticed the professors don't seem to know what is happening either."Greta said.
Flier looked to the head table and noticed that the professors were whispering amongst themselves.It seemed all but Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall looked confused."I think it has something to do with Hermione."
"Why would you think that?"Matilda asked.
"Because the only two professors that look perfectly at ease are her guardians."Fleur explained.
Natalie pointed to the side door."She just came in so maybe what ever is going to happen is going to happen soon."
"I'm going to go talk to her.Maybe she will tell me what's going on."Fleur stood from her seat and made her way over to where Hermione was standing surrounded by a dozen guards.Fleur wondered why the number had increased to so many.When she approached and she was suddenly blocked by the guards she spoke."I just wanted to speak to Hermione."
"Ms.Granger isn't available to speak to you at this time."The guard told her.
"Why not?"Fleur asked.
"That's none of your concern."The guard said.
Not to be deterred Fleur raised her voice and called out."Hey Hermione."
"Fleur?"Hermione looked at the silvered hair girl in confusion not understanding why Fleur was shouting at her.
"I wanted to talk to you but your guards wouldn't let me."Fleur explained as Hermione walked over to her.She held back a scowl when the guards keep themselves between her and her mate.
"Oh well that's because we are busy right now."Hermione told her.
"Are you working on a project?"Fleur didn't understand why Hermione said she was busy as she was just standing near a door looking around.
"You could say that."Hermione pulled out a bottle of potion and handed it to Fleur."Drink this and then the guards will let you near me."
Fleur looked at the potion in confusion."What is it?"
"I promise it won't harm you as I doubt you are the one we are looking for however they need to take every precaution so if you don't wish to take the potion then you will need to wait until another time too speak with me."Hermione doubted Fleur was the one using polly juice potion as it hadn't been found out yet how to use it to become a Veela and Hermione had felt Fleur's thrall on many occasions.
"If you say it won't harm me."Fleur wasn't sure about actually drinking the liquid but trusted Hermione when she said it wouldn't hurt her.When nothing happened she looked to the guards."Well?"
"Ms.Granger I must insist that you not socialize with at this time.It is imperative that you are not distracted."The Veela guard said causing Fleur to hold back her annoyance at not only the continued denied access of Hermione but the fact that nobody had told her what was going on.
"I actually think it would be a good idea to have Fleur with me.That way if something goes wrong she is protected."Hermione wouldn't want anything to happen to the Delacour heir.Especially when there was Laasko guard members in the room.It would be horrible for clan relations if Fleur was injured under their watch.
"Fine but she is to be quiet and not distract you."The guard may have been speaking to Hermione but the glare sent Fleur's way was more than enough of a threat.
"Thank you."Fleur wasn't happy with the guard's attitude but she wasn't in any position to demand respect.Not only were the Laaskos more powerful than the Delacours Fleur knew the clan matriarch wouldn't think well of her if she fought with Hermione's guards.Walking past the guards and standing next to Hermione she asked."What is going on?"
"That I'm afraid is something I won't be able to tell you."Hermione said.
"Why not?"Fleur tried to keep the frustration out of her voice but from the glare she received from the guard standing next to Hermione Fleur knew she was unsuccessful.
"Because it wouldn't be smart to talk about something you want to keep private while you are in public."Hermione told her.
"Will whatever you are here for happening soon?"Fleur asked.
Hermione nodded."I expect it to happen any minute now."
"Well at least I won't have to wait very long."Fleur grumbled.
"No you won't.It should be happening in."Hermione looked at her watch."Less than a minute."
Fleur was going to ask what she should look out for when suddenly a large commotion came from he professor's table.Moving to get a better look from behind the guards Fleur watched in disbelief as who she thought was Professor Moody change into a black haired man."What the hell."
"I guess that solves that mystery."Hermione said.
"What is going on?"Fleur asked as she watched Prof.Snape , Prof McGonagall and Dumbledore point their wands at the man who was now being detained by a group of Veela guards.
"We have just discovered the person who put my name in the cup."Hermione told her.
"How did you figure it out."Fleur asked.
"I examined the cup and found out whoever put my name in used poly juice potion.To find out who it was I brewed enough of the antidote to lace the food and drink that everyone has been eating for dinner.After ingesting the food the man pretending to be Moody was unmasked as the effects of the poly juice potion wore off."Hermione explained.
"You have an antidote for poly juice potion?"Fleur had never heard of such a thing.
Hermione nodded her head."Yes, I created it a couple years ago when there was an incident with some students learning how to brew poly juice themselves."
"What's going to happen to that man?"Fleur asked deciding that was more important than asking Hermione questions about potions.
"We are going to go interrogate him right now.I should actually get going.They are waiting for me."Hermione didn't want to keep Professor Snape,Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore waiting.
"You are going to be part of the interrogation?"Fleur didn't think that Hermione would have been involved in something like that.
"Of course.I help out with that kind of stuff all the time."Hermione was actually known to help Dumbledore on occasion when he needed someone questioned from time to time.
"Can I come with you?"Fleur not only didn't want Hermione near the man who put her name in the cup she wanted to know what his reasons for doing so were.
"I don't know if that would be a good idea."Hermione wasn't opposed but didn't think it was Fleur's place to come.
"I promise I won't get involved.I just want to make sure this man isn't a threat to you or the rest of the competitors."Fleur said.
"I think for this I will just tell you tomorrow what he says.I don't know exactly what his purpose is and that could make it very dangerous for you to be around him.As you don't have any guards nor permission from your elder to get involved I don't think it's right for you to be there."Hermione told her.
Fleur hated that Hermione used her grandmother as an excuse to deny her because Hermione was right.For something like this she would have to get permission as the clan had it's own people for this kind of thing.Knowing that she had nothing else to say to make Hermione change her mind Fleur admitted defeat."You promise you will tell me tomorrow what he said?"
"If it is safe to tell you what he said then I am more than willing to tell you how the questioning went."Hermione wasn't going to promise full disclosure as the man may know things Hermione didn't want anyone else knowing.
"Then I'll see you tomorrow morning for dueling practice?"Fleur wanted to make sure Hermione was still going to show up.
"Of course.I am looking forward to it."Hermione wasn't kidding.She never got to do much dueling practice with people her own age.She had worked with Dumbledore from the time she came to the castle but other than the occasional attack she never got to actually use her skills.She was also very curious how she would stand up to someone who was the top of their class as Fleur claimed to be.
"I am as well."Fleur wanted to give Hermione a hug good bye but by the way the guards were glaring at her figured it wouldn't be a good idea.
"Good night Fleur."Hermione said as she made her way out of the room still surrounded by guards.
"Good night."Fleur called after her and in disappointment she made her way back to her table taking a seat.
"So what happened?"Natalie asked as soon as Fleur sat down.
"Hermione set up a trap to catch whoever put her name in the cup."Fleur told them.
"Wait what?"Matilda didn't understand what Fleur was talking about.
"Apparently Hermione examined the cup and found out whoever put her name in was using poly juice potion.Not surprising she had created an antidote to it a few years ago.Using the antidote she had the elves lace all the food and drinks with it so that when the person they were looking for ingested it they would be revealed as the potion wore off."Fleur explained.
"And Hermione was the one who did all this?"Greta asked.
Fleur nodded."Not only that but she is on her way right now to interrogate the man herself."
"They are letting her be involved in the interrogation?"Natalie was surprised to hear that.She wouldn't have thought for someone so young Hermione would be involved.
"I asked if I could go with her but she declined saying that it wasn't safe for me as I had no guards.I was going to argue with her but she pulled out the you don't have permission from your clan elder card."Fleur was going to have to figure out a way to get her grandmother to give her more authority because she had a feeling in the future Hermione would leave her out of things using that excuse.
"She isn't wrong."Matilda said.
"It's just kind of frustrating she knows our customs so well.I mean it's nice that she understands us it just irritates me that she knows how to keep me from things."Fleur grumbled.
Greta laughed."It looks like your mate already knows how to keep you in check."
"At least until she's a part of our clan."Natalie was looking forward to seeing how Fleur was going to navigate a relationship with Hermione.She doubted that Fleur would get her way as often as she was used to.
"That is if the Laaskos will actually be willing to negotiate a courtship."Fleur grumbled.
"Do you think they won't?"Greta asked.
Fleur shrugged."I mean what clan would want to lose Hermione?Her achievements and intelligence are more than enough to bring respect to her clan and her many personal relationships she has with very important wizards, witches and magical creatures makes her almost as valuable as a clan elder."
"I honestly didn't think of the Laaskos refusing a courtship being an option."Matilda had never heard of a mate bond that had been denied by either clans if the Veela and her mate were from different flocks."How are you planning on asking?"
"I haven't figured that out yet.Usually it would be my grandmother who is clan elder doing the negotiation but since I'm in line for the elder I have to be a part of the discussion."Fleur said.
"Have you talked to your grandmother about what you are going to offer for a dowery?"Natalie asked.
"I sent her a letter this morning with all the information I have found out since since her last response.In it I mentioned that we will be meeting the Laaskos on Wednesday for the family reception.She is probably making a plan already."Fleur just hoped that her grandmother's plan was enough to get the Laasko elder to listen to her because Fleur doubted that the Delacours would be given a chance to speak to them if it wasn't for Hermione.Especially if her grandmother had been denied an audience for decades.
"How are you feeling about meeting them?"If it was Matilda in Fleur's place she would be freaking out.
"I'm terrified.I mean this is my mate we are talking about.If I screw up then I will lose out on my chance to begin a courtship right away and will have to prove my worth to the Laaskos."Fleur knew that they would not be kind to her if she messed up the meeting."I have been going back and forth on everything from if I should approach them first, what I should wear and if I should bring a gift."
"A gift might be a good.Bring one for Hermione as well."Greta said.
"The other problem I have is it's not only the Laaskos I have to worry about.Phyllis Debolt is more than likely to be there as well.I'm not sure how to act around her.With the Lasskos it's easy because I know the customs but with Phyllis I have no clue how to address her.What if she doesn't approve of me being a Veela?"
"I doubt that she cares that you are Veela.Especially with how kind Luna was to not only you but to the rest of us at the party."Natalie had spoken to the blond haired girl and thought she was very nice.
"You know with everything we have found out about Hermione do you think that more than just the Laaskos and Phyllis will show up?"Matilda asked.
Fleur groaned."I want to say no but as I've learned with Hermione it's best to expect the unexpected.That means that some other high profile witch or wizard in our world will show up."
"Maybe a magical creature will be there."Greta said.
"What kind of magical creature would come to the family reception?Isn't it being held in the Great Hall?Would they be allowed?"Natalie didn't think that any magical creatures would show up at the school for Hermione.
"It is but that doesn't really mean anything as this is Hogwarts.It offers protection to anyone who isn't hostile."Fleur told them.
"I really wish we could come with you."Greta would love to see who actually showed up for Hermione.
"I do as well.I mean how much fun would it be to watch Fleur fumble through her introductions with Hermione's family."Natalie teased.
"I'm not going to fumble through anything."Fleur was offended her friend thought otherwise.
Natalie rolled her eyes not at all convinced."Sure you aren't.I'm positive you will be the picture of calm and grace."
"Regardless I'm going back to the carriage.I want to get to bed early to be as rested as possible for tomorrow morning."Fleur said.
"Oh yeah Hermione is going to be training with you tomorrow."Greta was jealous she wasn't going to get to train with the talent witch.
"Yes and because of that I need to be a sharp as I can be so I don't make a fool of myself."Not that Fleur thought she would. She just wanted to make sure she was ready for anything.
"I am going to go as well."Matilda knew that the next morning was going to be hard and wanted to be rested for what was to come.
"See you tomorrow at breakfast."Fleur said a a she stood and made her way to the door.She waved over her shoulder at the goodbyes called out to her.Fleur wouldn't admit it to her friends but she was very nervous for the next day.Not only would she be training with Hermione but she would be finding out what the reason was for her name being put in the cup.The anxiety of knowing that Hermione was going to be facing the man who did had her fighting her instincts to go find Hermione and make sure she was alright.She knew that was a silly thought as not only would Hermione have her guards but Dumbledore would be there as well.The man wasn't called the most powerful wizard ever born because of his book smarts.That didn't mean Fleur had to like others doing her job. It was supposed to be Fleur protecting Hermione and the fact that she hadn't even put in the effort to do so made her ashamed of herself.Hopefully she would be able to redeem herself because it wasn't a good look to the Laasko clan for Fleur to seem disinterested in Hermione's safety and the last thing she needed was to look bad in the eyes of the elder.