The Girl from France
Alternative version to The Goblet of Fire. Gabrielle Delacour is Harry's age. I don't think I will continue the Harry and Hermione story.
I don't own Harry Potter.
"Hogwarts will be home to two other wizarding schools this year. We are hosting the legendary Triwizard Tournament!" Dumbledore bellowed to the excited faces of the Hogwarts students. "We are joined by Mr Bartemius Crouch from the Ministry of Magic." Dumbledore bowed and gestured for an elderly looking man with a sharp face and grey hair to come onto the stage.
"I am pleased to inform you that you will be joined by Beauxbatons Academy of Magic and Durmstrang School." Crouch began. People began whispering joyfully. "To enter this tournament the Ministry has decided that you must be 17 or over. Thank you." Boos and howls emanated from the angry looking crowd.
Fred and George Weasley shouted, "Rubbish!" and "Disgraceful!" repeatedly. Hisses came from the Slytherin table and the Ravenclaws scowled. Some of the Hufflepuffs stood up and flailed their arms around.
"SILENCE!" yelled Dumbledore. "These actions are necessary. Our guests will be arriving shortly." Just then, old Argus Filch came running into the hall. Most of the students laughed as he hobbled-sprinted to the stage where the headmaster was. He climbed onto it with some difficulty then whispered something into Dumbledore's ear. "It seems they are already here." Announced Dumbledore loudly. The room went quiet.
A very large woman strode into the Great Hall. She stood at about 9 feet. Her long body was covered in a black and red overcoat. She walked towards Dumbledore and everyone noticed what was behind her.
Two dozen beautiful French girls swayed behind her. Many of the boys of Hogwarts wolf-whistled and clapped, some even stood up.
This is when Harry noticed two girls smiling at the back of the group. They were both very beautiful and had long, silky blonde hair. They looked like sisters. The older one must have been about seventeen and the younger looked possibly Harry's age.
The Beauxbatons girls wore light blue, knee length dresses which defined their curves. Ron stood up and began to clap much to Hermione's dislike. Yet Harry eyes were still fixed upon the younger girl at the back of the line. He didn't even realise that his mouth was open until Hermione whacked his arm. "Ouch! What was that for?" chided Ron and Harry at the same time. Hermione had hit them both.
"Stop staring!" Hissed Hermione angrily. Harry and Ron looked at each other and laughed.
"Welcome, welcome!" greeted Dumbledore warmly. "I hope you'll find it a comfortable stay. I would like to invite your students to seat themselves at this table." The old wizard gestured towards the Ravenclaw table from which cheers emanated at the sound of it.
The Beauxbatons students sat down and peered around the Great Hall.
"Thank you Dumbly-dorr." The giantess said with a heavy French accent. She smiled and took a seat at the teachers' table.
Just then two men walked. Followed by another two. Then another two. The Durmstrangs' had arrived. They wore dark grey curasses and had brown leather boots. They carried wooden poles and banged them on the ground as they strode in.
Something at the back caught everyone's attention. A man of seventeen swaggered in. He wore a large fur overcoat and a fur hat. He had blue eyes and a defined jaw line. It was Viktor Krum! The star of world quidditch!
Harry had watched him perform in the Quidditch World Cup Final that summer for Bulgaria. He had caught the snitch but Ireland had won.
There were gasps from the crowd.
"Albus, Albus." Said the scary looking Bulgarian headmaster as if greeting an old friend.
"Welcome Igor. I hope your year here is enjoyable. Please let your men sit." Dumbledore gestured to the Slytherin table and the Slytherins clapped. Harry spotted Malfoy looking smug and Ron scowled.
Igor took a seat next to Snape and they began talking quickly and quietly. Harry was not surprised. Harry thought possibly that they had been Death Eaters once.
"Let the feast begin!" Dumbledore exclaimed. The usual feast popped up and everyone began chatting profusely.
"What is this?" said Ron glumly whilst holding up a bowl.
"Bouillabaisse." Snapped Hermione, "It's very nice and I had some in France last year." Ron scowled and put it down.
Harry and Ron struck up a conversation about Viktor Krum and the World Cup when they had a pleasant surprise. The younger French sister came over and politely asked, "Ave you finished wiv ze Bouillabaisse?"
Harry, who was normally cool, calm and collected found himself tongue-tied. Ron's cheeks turned a slight pink but even Ron managed a, "Yes, you can have it." The girl smiled and turned to take it back to her table but she spun around and said, "What iz your name?" she was looking at Harry! Harry took a few seconds to realise that she was staring at him intently. "Oh… Harry. Harry Potter." Harry smiled warmly
"Hello Harry. My name iz Gabrielle Delacour." She turned and walked back to her table.
Harry's cheeks burned red. "Harry." Began Hermione interestedly. "You've never been that way with a girl before." She looked deep into his eyes then concluded, "You fancy her."
Harry stammered, "Don't be absurd!" but his cheeks grew a darker shade of red.
Harry stole glances at Gabrielle throughout the feast and even occasionally she was looking back but she lowered her head immediately.
After Dumbledore had explained the rules of the tournament to all the students, Harry and Ron went back to their dormitory. Harry collapsed onto his four poster bed and unknowingly dreamt about Gabrielle.
The morning after, Harry and Ron went down to the hall to watch older students place their name into the Goblet of Fire. Harry watched Cedric Diggory and Viktor Krum enter their names until a slender French girl walked in accompanied by a few Beauxbatons pupils and Gabrielle.
Gabrielle spotted Harry and smiled nervously, Harry beamed warmly at her.
The older girl put her name in and cheers broke out. The Beauxbatons struck up a conversation with Diggory and his mates. Gabrielle looked bored.
She slipped away from the conversation and came over to Harry. "Hello Harry, do you mind if I sit wiv you?"
"No, not at all." Harry gestured to the seat next to him. "How are you finding the castle?"
"I zink zat it iz great! Beauxbatons iz a lot smaller." She said excitedly.
"Is that your sister?" Harry pointed at the girl who had just entered her name.
"Yes, she iz Fleur. Very popular wiv ze boys." She added with a cheeky grin which made Harry smile even harder.
"How old are you?" asked Harry intrigued.
"I am fourteen. Fifteen in April. When iz your birthday?" Did she just wink at him? Harry gulped, "Fourteen as well. Fifteen in July."
"Gabrielle. Come on." It was Fleur.
"Sorry. I will see you soon I hope. Goodbye Harry." She kissed Harry on the cheek and then stood up!
"I hope so too. Goodbye Gabrielle." Said Harry distractedly. Did she just kiss him? Harry moved his fingers to his cheek and felt where her lips had touched.
"God Harry! Stop blushing! You're making a scene!" Exclaimed Ron.
Harry did not care. She had kissed him.