"Finally!"Matilda said when Fleur walked into the the common room in the carriage.She had been impatiently waiting to talk to Fleur since she saw the group that came to celebrate Hermione for the tournament in the great hall.Matilda had wanted to go say hello but her mothers had forbid her because Eloise was meeting many different magical creatures and they didn't want to jeopardize any chance for alliances.She understood and even though it was nice seeing her family she couldn't wait until everyone left so she could speak to Fleur.
"Finally what?"Fleur asked in confusion.
"We have been waiting for you."Natalie had been just as impatient as Matilda after she and Greta had been told about what happened in the great hall.The trio had camped out in the common room hoping to catch Fleur before she went to bed.
Fleur took a seat in an arm chair."Why were you waiting for me?"
"Are you serious?We want to know how it went with Hermione's family of course."Greta said.
"I don't know where to begin."Fleur was still somewhat shell shocked by what happened.
"We are most interested in the magical creatures so tell us about the goblins and the centaur."Matilda suggested.
"You forgot to mention the vampire queen and her people."Fleur told her.
"What do you mean vampires?It was daytime."Greta have never heard of vampires that could be exposed to the sun.
"I asked about that but was denied the answer."Fleur planned on speaking to Hermione about it as she had feeling her mate knew the reason why.
"You said vampire queen.What is she the queen of?"Natalie asked.
"Apparently Hermione is considered the princess of the Reinhold coven that rules over all vampires that live in Europe."Fleur told them.
"Hermione's a princess?"Greta didn't believe that.
Fleur nodded."Although there is a next in line for the throne Hermione is considered the queen's heir."
"So not only is Hermione the adopted daughter of Veela clan elder but she is a vampire queen's heir.That's crazy."Matilda said.
"You forgot to mention that her goblin uncle runs Gringotts."Fleur told them.
"Wait what?"Greta wasn't sure she heard Fleur correctly.
"Yeah Hermione was adopted by a goblin chieftain and matriarch.One of their sons is Griphook the goblin in charge of the entire Gringotts back.Hermione refers to them as grandmother and grandfather and considers Griphook her uncle."Fleur had been just as surprised as her friends when she was introduced.
"Who else was there?"Natalie imagined that the others there were just as prestigious as the ones they knew.
"Other than the vampires, goblins and Veela, Hermione's adopted sister Pandora Lovegood was there along with her mother Phyllis,the woman I told you about from the new house was there with her daughter and her sister who is also taking a ministry seat.The there was the leader of the centaur who live in the Forbidden Forest."Fleur listed off.
"Hermione is well connected."Natalie knew that Hermione was friends with magical creatures but didn't think they would have been such important figures in the magical world."She is going to be a very valuable member of the flock."
"Actually Hermione isn't going to be a member of our flock."Fleur told them.
"Did you get denied the chance to begin a courtship?"Greta asked.
"No I was given permission."Fleur said.
"Then why isn't Hermione going to be a part of our flock?"Matilda asked.
"Because a condition of entering a courtship with the intention of marrying Hermione is that I had to step down from my place as future clan elder."Fleur explained.
"How dare they?!"Natalie yelled in outrage.
Fleur held up a hand to stop her friends' outbursts."They dare because apparently Hermione's heritage makes her to important to be claimed by the Delacours."
"What do you mean her heritage makes her important?"Greta didn't understand how any human could be more important than a Veela clan elder.
"I was told that I couldn't find out about Hermione's background until we were engaged.I did find out that she is incredibly wealthy and that because of her heritage she is considered one of the most powerful witches in the world."Fleur told them.
"She's wealthy?"Matilda hadn't noticed anything that would show off Hermione's wealth.If anything Matilda would think Hermione was lower class considering the way she dressed.
"The goblins said that Hermione could fund more than one country with her wealth."Fleur wasn't sure how Hermione gained her wealth and was planning to ask the girl about it.
"It has to be true because we all know goblins don't kid around when it comes to talking about money."Greta said.
"It makes you wonder who exactly her family is.I've never heard of anybody with the last name Granger before."Natalie figured if Hermione was so influential then her family would be well known.
"When my grandmother investigated her she found no information on Hermione's family.All she heard were the same rumors everyone else knew and when I asked about her parents she said they weren't magical."Fleur reminded them.
"Maybe Hermione's family is important in the muggle world."Matilda suggested.
"That would make sense."Fleur agreed."If they were prominent muggles with Hermione having magic it could make her an important link between muggles and the wizarding world."
"Maybe they were some type of royals and Hermione is going to inherit a throne."Greta said.
"If Hermione were a muggle queen to a country being born with magic that would explain her relationship with all the prestigious people she is involved with.Even being adopted by Dumbledore so young would make sense because the ministry would want someone in that position to be protected.The fact that she is a prodigy is probably just a coincidence."Fleur concluded.
"So if Hermione is a muggle queen does that mean when you marry her you will become a muggle queen as well?"Matilda asked.
"I have to finish each requirement to prove my worth before I can even go on date with Hermione.Marriage isn't even on my radar right now."Fleur was more worried about the task she was given by Hermione's family than when she was going to propose.
"What do you mean each requirement?"Natalie asked.
"I mean that not only did I have to ask permission from the Veela elder but I had to get permission from the goblins, vampires and even the centaur.I have to follow each of their customs for the right to court Hermione."Fleur explained.
"Shit."Greta did not envy Fleur."What do you have to do?"
"Well for the vampires I have to provide a vial of blood to prove myself worthy of being with their princess."Fleur was creeped out by that but it was for Hermione.
"You are giving a vampire a vial of Veela blood?"Veela blood was sacred.Matilda had never heard of it being given willingly to a vampire before.
Fleur nodded."I asked if there was anything else I could do but she said no.She isn't going to drink directly from me.Hermione is going to draw a vial of my blood to give her."
"At least there is that."Natalie grumbled."What do you have to do for the goblins?"
"I have to hand over ten percent of my personal wealth and give them a laid out plan for how I will be able to support myself in the future so I'm not just relying on Hermione's money."Fleur still wasn't sure what job she was going to get when she graduated and was worried it wouldn't be prestigious enough for the goblins.
"I mean you are only 17 you don't have a job.Why do you they expect you to give them so much?"Greta asked.
"From what I could tell I got off easy."Fleur had seen the looks of surprise from the others when the goblins asked their price.Fleur had actually expected they were going to demand more because of their obvious dislike of her grandmother.
"What did the centaur want?"Natalie was most interested in what such creatures would deem worthy enough to offer in exchange for a courtship.
Fleur winced thinking about what the centaur asked of her."Their condition was that I spend the night in the Forbidden Forest with Hermione where I will be in charge of keeping her safe."
"Are they crazy?!"Matilda couldn't believe they would want Fleur and Hermione to be put in such danger.
"The leader said that to be worthy of Hermione I have to prove that I can protect her."Fleur was nervous about the task but like with all things she would do it for Hermione.
"After hearing all that I'm somewhat scared to hear what the Veela elder asked from you."Natalie knew that the Veela would request a lot for Hermione as she was an adopted daughter of the elder.
"That's the thing.When the the elder asked what I would offer that would be worthy enough for Hermione I told her I didn't think anything was as valuable as Hermione.She agreed and just when I thought I lost my chance she surprised me by saying that because I knew Hermione's worth and I didn't try to give her meaningless offerings that she would not require anything from me."Fleur still couldn't believe that.She expected having a hard time even to get the Veela elder to speak to her.
"No way."Matilda didn't believe that at all.
"Yes gave me her official approval."Fleur told them.
"You must of really impressed her."Natalie knew that Fleur could charm anyone but was beyond surprised her friend worked one over on the Veela elder.
"I think when I agreed to give up my heir status is when I gained her respect."Fleur said.
"That would gain anyone's respect."Greta said.
"Now all I have to do is set up a time to complete each task."Fleur wanted to get them done soon so she could take Hermione on their date.
"Speaking of task.Have you figured out what the first one is going to be?"Natalie asked.
Matilda looked to Fleur."I haven't heard anything have you?"
"No, I should ask Hermione if she figured anything out."Fleur would think that if anyone knew of the task it would be her mate.
"She would probably know."Greta agreed.
"I'm hoping she will come practice with us again."Matilda wanted Hermione to teach her some more spells as the ones they learned from her were very advanced.
"If she does I want to be there."Natalie hadn't gotten a chance to have Fleur teach her the spells Hermione taught her yet.
"I'll ask her next time I see her.We are working together on Saturday but I'll send her a note inviting her to join me for dinner in the hall tomorrow."Instead of sending an owl Fleur would ask one of the elves to give it directly to her.That way she knew the girl would get it right away.
"What are you working on?"Matilda asked.
"Hermione agreed to let me help her find a cure for blood malediction."Fleur was very proud that she was going to collaborate with Hermione on something so important.
"If you could cure that then you will get a lot of recognition in the medical world."Natalie said.
"Do you actually think you will succeed?"Greta asked.
"Of course we will."Fleur was somewhat offended the question was even asked."Hermione is more than talented enough to cure this on her own.I'm just glad she is allowing me to help because I know she doesn't honestly need it."
Greta held up her hands."I meant no offense.I know Hermione is more than able to cure this with your help."
"Sorry I just don't like to hear anyone doubting my mate."Fleur told her.
"I will not do so in the future."Greta promised.
"I think I'm going to head to bed.It has been a long and stressful day.That and we have training in the morning."Fleur was not looking forward to it because it was endurance training which meant that Madame Maxine was going to work their bodies to the brink of death.
Matilda groaned."She is going to torture us."
"I'll see you all at breakfast."Fleur stood and made her way out of the room waving over her shoulder in reply to the shouts of good nights.She wanted to get her letter to Hermione written to give to one of the elves in the morning.Hopefully Hermione wasn't to busy to have dinner with her.If she was maybe Fleur could suggest a walk around the black lake.She liked that idea.A nighttime stroll with the stars shining would be very romantic.Thinking about it Fleur decided to to forgo the dinner invitation and ask for the walk instead.She would prefer both but knew that Hermione's Veela guards wouldn't approve of so much time spent together without following through on the courtship conditions.That was another thing Fleur needed to work out.She wasn't sure when she would be able to fulfill the tasks while being busy with school and the tournament.She would make it work though because with all things concerning Hermione it would be worth it.