Here it is. Chapter 5.
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Harry reached the Fat Lady who didn't look too pleased to see him. He gave the password and she swung open without a word. He entered the common room to find that it was completely empty.
"Thats weird." Harry commented looking down at his watch. Only 9pm.
He had just spent the last couple of hours in the Great Hall with Fleur and he friends. They had been left alone by the rest of the school in an early indication to what the wide reaction would be. Hermione had come and said hi briefly but then she disappeared back to the Gryffindor table. Either way he had enjoyed his night. Fleur's friends were a good people and didn't seem to care like the rest of her classmates that she hadn't competed.
Harry's mood had well and truly faded however as he had reached the common room, finding that everyone had already gone to bed.
"I guess a celebration is out of the question then." He muttered as he climbed the stairs to his dorm.
He opened the door to find Ron sitting on his bed in conversation with the rest of his classmates. It ended abruptly as he entered the room.
"What do you think you are playing at you prat?" Ron spat as Harry sat on his bed.
"Excuse me?" Harry replied.
"The whole school would have killed for a shot in this tournament and you didn't even try. You gave up like those other pathetic champions." Seamus piped up.
"You heard our reasoning, those dragons did not deserve to die." Harry exclaimed.
"Weak is all it was." Ron muttered.
"You are insane." Harry said to Ron. "You are both insane."
"You are the one who has made a disgrace of our school." Seamus said.
"Unbelievable." Harry muttered under his breath. He turned to Dean and Neville. "And what about you pair."
"Err, I dunno Harry." Dean said, Neville keeping his eyes on the floor.
"Un-fucking believable." Harry said, shaking his head. "I don't need this, I am out."
He turned on his heel and stormed out the door. He flew past Fred and George who were now in the Common Room and felt kind of bad when they called out after him. He didn't turn around however and it was only when he opened the common room door and came face to face with Hermione that he stopped.
"Where are you going?" Hermione asked him.
"Out, anywhere, I can't stay here right now. Where have you been?" Harry asked back, warily.
"In the library. Where else?" Hermione smiled.
"Of course." Harry chuckled to himself.
"Why can't you stay here? What happened?" Hermione asked.
"Humph." The Fat Lady made a noise from the half wide opened door.
"Oh, sorry there. Perhaps we should go somewhere else." Harry said quickly, closing the portrait behind him.
"That might be a good idea." Hermione said.
"This could be interesting though you know." Mélanie said as her and her two friends walked back to the carriage from the castle. "None of the students seemed to take what you champions did very well."
"I have never been liked at Beauxbatons, so I don't think it will bother me now." Fleur laughed along with her friends.
As she got closer to the carriage she said to her friends. "I do hope it is not too nasty this time though."
She walked through the front door of the carriage and was assaulted by silence. The entire common room fell collectively silent as she walked through the door. She was greeted by every eye in the room, then everyone returned to what they were doing before she came in, no one else bothering to look at her.
Fleur and her friends continued on to her room. And sat down on the bed.
"That wasn't weird or anything." Zoé said as she sat down.
"I am afraid this might be the way it is for a while." Mélanie replied.
"I wonder how the other contestants are faring?" Fleur asked.
"Not well I imagine. They copped a bit of a barrage from the crowd when they stood down too." Mélanie said, laying back.
"But surely they will be okay. I mean Krum is Krum, and Harry is Harry Potter. You would think there would not being anyone more popular at their respective schools. And Cedric also seems very well liked." Fleur threw her hands up in frustration.
"There is not much we can do about it now. Next time you see them, have a talk to them and see how they are faring. But everyone made their own choice, so everyone is on the same page." Zoé said, trying to calm her friend.
"You are right. You are always right. I should just try and get some sleep I think." Fleur relented. "I am going to try to talk to the other champions tomorrow though."
"That is a good idea. But for now, you need to sleep, it has been a big day." Zoé said as she then Mélanie kissed their friend goodnight and left her to sleep.
Fleur got into her bed but sleep did not come easy. What would her family think of her? It was not something that she had considered at the time but perhaps she should have. Would they be angry? Would they be proud? What would they think of Harry? Why did she just ask herself what her family would think of Harry?
She shook that thought from her mind, it had been a long day, she was just being silly. She lay down and eventually sleep came to her, but not without a certain champion popping back into her mind.
"So what happened?" Hermione asked, as they sat down in the secret passage on the 3rd floor, the only place Harry could think of that would be quiet and not patrolled by prefects.
"Ron being a complete prat, as per usual. Along with the rest of them." Harry said.
"Care to explain?"
"They think that I threw the challenge because I was scared. And that I have brought shame on the school, blah blah blah." Harry said, frustrated.
"Err, you might encounter a bit of that over the next couple of days." Hermione said.
"What? What do you mean?" Harry quizzed back.
"Uh, well. That sort of seems to be the consensus around the school. That the four of you backed out because you were scared, not because it was the right thing to do." Hermione explained, quickly adding upon seeing Harry's face. "Which it absolutely was, don't get me wrong. I am just going by what i have heard and seen."
"Great. Actually, not like it it the first time the school hasn't been on my side." Harry said.
"Second year?"
"Exactly. And this can't possibly be worse that people thinking I am the heir of Slytherin can it?" Harry laughed.
"No I suppose not." Hermione smiled at Harry's improved mood.
"Ron though, what a git." Harry sighed.
"Yes, well. He just needs to cool down." Hermione said.
"He needs to cool down? Why should he even be worked up? You know what. I am getting sick of him. He can come to me this time." Harry said, trying to keep his voice in check.
"He is just jealous, you know that." Hermione tried to explain.
"No, jealous doesn't cut it this time. This is why I am not sleeping there. I'm going to Mcgonagall." Harry said, standing up.
"For what?" Hermione said, standing too.
"To find a new place to sleep." Harry said, starting to walk towards the exit.
"Okay, well I'm coming too." Hermione said. following along.
Harry and Hermione charged down the stairs towards Mcgonagall's office, surprisingly only having to stop twice to account for the changing staircase. Perhaps more surprising was the fact their didn't run into a prefect on their way.
Harry reached Mcgonagall's office almost at a run and briefly paused. It was late and she might not be in the office. He knocked anyway and heard an "enter" from inside.
"Ah Potter, Granger, it is a bit late isn't it?" Mcgonagall looked up from behind her desk.
"Yes but, this couldn't wait. I need to be moved from the dorm. I am not staying there with that lot." Harry said as he came to a stop
"Why is that?" Mcgonagall gave her full attention to Harry.
"Well, Ron is being a complete idiot along with the rest of them about the task. They won't stop going on about how we gave up and didn't deserve to be Hogwarts champion and this and that." Harry said.
"I see. And where do you propose you go?" Mcgonagall asked.
"Uh, I haven't actually got to that part yet. I was hoping you could help me." Harry admitted.
"Well Mr Potter. We don't usually make arrangements for students to sleep elsewhere as there is really no where to put you. I am afraid you are just going to have to ignore it for now, however if arrangements can be made I will let you know." Mcgonagall explained.
"But Professor Ron is being truly horrible." Hermione chimed in.
"As I said Miss Granger, there is no where we can put him." Her word was final.
"I understand. Thanks for your time." Harry left the office as quick as he could.
They walked back to the common room in relative silence.
"I'm out of ideas." Harry said.
"Me too actually." Hermione admitted.
"Well that isn't very common of you." Harry laughed.
"Shut up. You will just have to put silencing charms around your bed for now." Hermione said.
Harry sighed. "I suppose you are right."
Harry and Hermione reached the fourth floor when they were met by an unexpected guest.
"Dobby? What are you doing?" Harry asked the elf who turned around so fast he nearly spun himself off his feet.
"I is cleaning Mr Harry Potter sir. It is what us house elves do at night." Dobby's eyes went wide. "Why are you out of bed Mr Harry Potter sir? You should be sleeping."
"Ah actually I have just been to see Professor Mcgonagall about some new sleeping arrangements. Things aren't going too well in Gryffindor." Harry said.
"What happened?" Dobby asked.
"Well after the second task people haven't been exactly pleasant to me." Harry explained.
Dobby got very angry. "People aren't being nice to the great Harry Potter? I can make them pay if you like?"
"Oh no, no no no. Dobby that wont be necessary. But anyway Mcgonagall said she didn't have anywhere for me to stay so I will need to sleep in my dorm." Harry said.
"Why don't you use the come and go room?" Dobby asked.
"The what?" Harry looked at Hermione, she gave him a blank expression back.
"The come and go room. On the seventh floor. Not many people know about it. I can show you if you like." Dobby said, already marching up the stairs.
"I suppose we had better follow along." Hermione said to Harry.
The pair of them followed Dobby up the stairs from floor to floor. They arrived on the seventh floor and worked their way through the corridors past varies paintings and tapestries until they reached a blank stretch of wall across from a painting of a man trying to teach trolls ballet.
"Oh I miss ballet." Hermione said to herself.
"What?" Harry didn't catch what she said.
"I said I miss ballet, I used to do it as a child." Hermione smiled.
"I didn't know that." Harry laughed.
"Yes, but I stopped when I was quite young, lack of coordination was a problem." Hermione said.
Harry turned his attention back to the room. "Dobby there is nothing here."
"Ah, yes. All you need to do is walk past that wall three times and think of what you want." Dobby nodded.
"Okay." Harry wasn't sure. "The blank wall?"
"Yes, the blank wall." Dobby replied.
I am going to feel incredibly stupid if this doesn't work he thought to himself. Worth a shot however, Harry walked past the wall three times thinking of a place to sleep. Nothing appeared in front of him.
"There is nothing there." Harry said.
"What were you thinking of?" Dobby said.
"A place to sleep?" Harry questioned.
"No you need to tell it that you need it. The room only reacts to peoples needs." Dobby explained.
"Right. Here goes nothing." Harry walked past the wall three more times.
He heard a little pop and a door appeared in front of him. Acknowledging the shocked look Hermione was giving him he grabbed the door handle, twisted and went inside.
He was greeted with what looked like a wizards version of a hotel room with a big double four poster bed, an ensuite and a lounge in the corner.
"Wow, I didn't realise this was possible." Hermione said having followed him in.
"And I can just stay here? Whenever I want?" Harry asked the elf.
"Yes sir, and you can use it for all sorts of other things too. I really should be getting back to cleaning. Goodnight Mr Harry Potter sir and Miss Granger." Dobby said before disappearing with a pop.
"Well that was sudden, I didn't even get to thank him. Anyway, this room definitely needs more investigating. but I am tired. I'll walk you back to the common room then come back?" Harry asked Hermione.
"Sounds good to me." Hermione said stifling a yawn.
As they were walking away Harry heard a pop and the room disappeared behind him.
Fleur was eating breakfast with her friends the next day when Harry came into the Great Hall. By this stage the school community had taken to just ignoring the pair of them which didn't bother Fleur at all.
Fleur smiled and waved at him to come over. He spotted her and her friends and was soon at the table.
"Hey ladies, how have you been?" Harry asked the three of them.
"Same old really." Zoé said. "Ow 'as everyone been treating you?"
"Uh, not great." Harry started to pull some food towards him. "It isn't the first time though so it is okay."
"Not the first time? What 'appened ze first time?" Fleur asked.
"Probably a story best left for another time." Harry didn't feel like telling the heir of Slytherin story right now. Especially to a group of girls he had really only just met. "What about you Fleur? How have they been treating you?"
"Not good. But I am used to it also. So it is okay." Fleur said.
"Why would people treat you poorly? If you don't mind me asking." Harry looked at her.
"Ah well. You see. It is 'ard for Veela to make friends. Zat is why I am so grateful for mine." She smiled at her two friends. "Once we reach maturity, zat is we become adults, it is very very 'ard as all of the girls become jealous and all the boys desire you. Zat is just on a superficial level. I actually hate it."
"I can see how that would be frustrating." Harry nodded.
"Which is why I like 'anging out with you 'Arry, you seem immune to my charm." She flashed him her most dazzling smile.
"Well, I uh. I don't know about that." Harry managed to get out." The girls all laughed.
"Relax, she is just playing with you, quite mean Fleur is." Mélanie reassured Harry.
"Hey." Fleur swatted Mélanie. "I am not mean. But yes, I am only kidding."
Fleur looked up from her plate of food to see Cedric walk in the door.
"Ey 'Arry, I wanted to talk with ze other champions. Want to come?" Fleur asked before getting up and walking towards Cedric. Harry sat for a moment then realised she wasn't waiting for him and gave chase.
Fleur reached Cedric just before he sat down.
"Hey Fleur, Harry, whats up?" He said, smiling at both of them.
"I was wondering if we could talk. All four of us." Fleur asked him.
"Now?" Cedric replied.
"If you don't mind." Harry chimed in. "I think I see Krum so it is a good opportunity. Since its Sunday so I can't imagine any of us have anywhere to be."
"Thats a good point. Lets go get Krum." Cedric said.
15 minutes later they all found themselves under a tree next to the lake.
"I just wanted to say first of all I am sorry if I pressured any of you into anything at ze task. It was not my intention but I felt I had to protest the challenge. So if you actually wanted to compete but I made you feel like you shouldn't, I am sorry." Fleur said to the other three.
"Nonsense Fleur, it was the right thing to do." Cedric said.
"You already know how I feel about it." Harry said.
"And I also believe that although I probably would have competed anyway, not competing was the right thing to do and I am glad I did not. So I should be thanking you." Krum said to Fleur, his surly demeanour not really disappearing, but softening somewhat. That was good enough for Fleur.
"Okay zats excellent news. Secondly, 'ow is everyone being treated after ze task. I know myself that my peers 'ave been acting rather odd towards me and I wanted to know if you guys were experiencing ze same." Fleur looked around.
"Again Fleur, you know how people are acting towards me. But yeah, they have been pretty cold, even the people in Gryffindor." Harry said.
"And you Cedric?" Fleur asked.
"The same as Harry, although perhaps not quite as bad, although there has been an increase in the number of 'Cedric stinks' badges I have seen around lately." Cedric laughed.
"Zat is 'orrible." Fleur frowned.
"It is not so bad and its what Harry went through earlier this year." Cedric shrugged.
"Very well zen. 'Ow about you Viktor?" Fleur asked. "I 'ope zat being a Quidditch star you are immune to ze fate ze rest of us 'ave suffered."
"Unfortunately not, there has been a drop in the number of people that seem to 'care' about me. Which has been amazing. I prefer it this way, no nonsense. But it has been a little lonely." Krum said, summing up his situation.
"Well that settles it then." Cedric said. "We are all just going to have to hang out together a bit more often then, screw the competition."
"I am not going to complain about sat." Fleur said.
"Nor am I. Viktor?" Harry asked.
Krum seemed to think about it for a minute. "You all do seem like genuine people. It sounds nice."
Fleur smiled as she realised she may have just made 3 more friends. This would bring her total to 5 and the most number of friends she had ever had in her life.
"Well, I will let you get back to your days zen. Zanks for ze chat." Fleur smiled at them all.
Cedric and Krum said their goodbyes and walked off, leaving Fleur and Harry alone together next to the lake.
"Feels good to have friends doesn't it?" Harry said.
"I zought 'Arry Potter of all people would 'ave plenty of friends." Fleur said.
"As we have seen this week, apparently not." Harry said, laying back.
"It is okay, you don't need lots of fake friends, just a few really good ones." Fleur layed back too.
"If you don't want to go back to ze 'all for lunch zee serve it on the carriage?" Fleur asked him after a while of laying in comfortable silence.
"That sounds nice, hope its all good food." Harry said.
"Pft. It is cooked by french 'ouse elves. Of course it is going to be good." Fleur said, looking slightly disgusted with the thought of bad food.
"C'mon, lets go then." Harry said. He helped Fleur to her feet and they walked together to the carriage for lunch.
...
A/N So I am going away tomorrow and will not have my computer so therefore no writing. I wanted to get this out before I left because I had been away for so long before and thought I might treat you to two chapters in a week (crazy right). Only problem with that being I had to go to a fair bit of effort to get this chapter out in time and writing it felt a little forced. Not how I like to write. So let me know if it was not up to scratch compared to my other chapters but that is the reason if it is not. On the other hand, if you liked it, don't hesitate to let me know either :)
Thanks for reading.