"Who are you looking for?"Natalie, Fleur's friend and fellow Beauxbatons student asked.The pair were walking down the hallway on their way to potions class and Fleur had spent every opportunity she could trying to catch a hint of Hermione in the hallway in-between classes and sitting by the window in classes that had a view of the lake or the Forbidden Forest. She hadn't seen her mate yet but Fleur was hopeful.If she was really being truthful she was actually a little obsessed.Her mind had been focused on Hermione ever since she saw her the night before and the obsession had made paying attention in class impossible.
"Nobody."Fleur denied.
"You have been distracted all day."Natalie had been worried about friend.Fleur was dedicated to getting good grades and never goofing off in class.So the fact that Fleur had been called out for not paying attention in the last two classes was unlike her."Are you worried you won't be picked for the tournament?"
"No,I more than expect to be picked tonight by the cup."Fleur wasn't conceded when she said that either. She was the best her school had to offer and even the other students that came expected her to be picked.
"Then what is it?"Natalie asked.
Fleur sighed.Her friend would find out soon that she had found her mate so it wouldn't make a difference when Fleur told her."I found my mate last night."
"Oh my goddess."Natalie grabbed Fleur by the shoulders and squealed with excitement."Who is she?"
"Calm down."Fleur scolded while looking around noticing all the attention they were getting.Well extra attention as Veela they always had eyes on them.
"I'm not going to calm is exciting."Natalie shook Fleur's shoulders.
Fleur pried Natalie's hands off her shoulders and resumed walking."Yes, it is exciting however we don't need to make fools of ourselves."
"You're right let's save being a fool for when you are in front of your mate."Natalie chuckled at the offended look Fleur gave her.
"I will not make a fool of myself in front of my mate!"Fleur was offended that anyone would think otherwise."I am second in line for clan elder of the Delacour clan and not only that but I am going to be the school's Tri Wizard Cup champion.Acting like a fool isn't something I will do."
"That's some nice self promotion but I know you.You are going to act like you did when you were a tongue tied preteen talking to her first crush."Natalie couldn't wait to witness the hot mess that Fleur was going to be when she finally talked to her mate.
"I was 12 what do you expect.I have grown up a lot since then and I am more than capable of wooing my mate."Fleur didn't say that although she was capable the problem was that she wasn't sure how to approach her mate with all the protection around her.
"You still haven't told me who she is."Natalie said.
"Her name is Hermione Granger and she lives at Hogwarts."Fleur told her.
Natalie didn't understand Fleur's wording."Don't you mean she's a student at Hogwarts?"
"No, apparently my mate started school here at 5 years old."Fleur was very proud of the fact and had bragged to her grandmother all about it in her letter to the matriarch.
"Wait that is possible?"Natalie had never heard of a child so young starting in a magical school.
Fleur nodded."She finished schooling early and has stayed at Hogwarts gaining her masters in serval subjects."
"Your Veela certainly picked a good mate to stand beside you when you take over to lead the Flock."Natalie could already imagine the respect that Hermione would bring to their flock once it was announced she was Fleur's mate.
Fleur's inner Veela preened at the compliment.It was obvious to Fleur that her Veela was more than pleased with it's choice of soul mate."She truly is exceptional."
"Well I can't wait to meet her.I'm sure the others will be excited as well."Natalie said.
"I hope they can contain that excitement because I don't want them to overwhelm her before I even have a chance to have a conversation with her."Fleur knew that her flock would be excited but they would have to tread carefully with the situation.
"Why are you waiting to approach her?"Natalie didn't understand why Fleur hadn't already introduced herself to her mate.
"I was told she is under the protection of the staff and it is almost impossible to talk to her."Fleur told her.
"That doesn't make sense."Natalie said.
"I agree but that was what I was told.I haven't seen her today to try and have a conversation.I'm hoping she will be at dinner so I will get my chance."Fleur had been planning out what she was going to say since she left the great hall the night before.As she made her way into the dungeon Fleur stopped suddenly when she walked into the classroom and saw red and gold highlighted brown curly hair.
"Are you ok?"Natalie asked as she noticed Fleur's sudden stop.
"It's her."Fleur murmured.
"Who?"Natalie asked.
"It's her my mate."Fleur told her.
Natalie followed Fleur's line of sight."The curly haired girl?"
"Yes."Fleur made her way further into the classroom taking a seat in the front row closest to where Hermione was talking to a greasy haired man who Fleur thought was the professor.Fleur tried to hear what was being said between the two.
"I understand Hermione but I can't get the materials until the weekend."The professor said.
"I have what I need at the manor in my potions room.I can go tomorrow and get it myself."Fleur wondered what manor Hermione was talking about.From what Fleur understood her mate lived at Hogwarts.
"You have a meeting to attend to tomorrow."The man replied.
"I know but she needs the potion badly."Fleur felt her jealousy rise hearing Hermione speak of another woman.
The man sighed."You have to make sure you don't miss your appointment.It is to important to miss even for this potion."
"I know Severus but this is the third one that has come in this week.If we aren't proactive then I fear they will be successful."Fleur was completely confused on what her mate was talking about.Another one of what?And who was Hermione worried about being successful?
"You don't have to remind me about what is at stake."Fleur held back a growl at hearing the man Severus speak to her mate in such harsh tones.
"I apologize Sev.That was was rude of me to imply you didn't."Her mate said.
"I'm impressed, you picked up on your insensitivity rather quickly.Have you been practicing with the simulations?"It was taking everything within Fleur to stop from interrupting their conversation to ask what the heck they were talking about.
"I have.The one I am going through right now is teaching me how to recognize other people's feelings."Why would her mate need to learn how to recognize someone's feelings?Fleur wanted to pound her head against her desk to clear the confusion.
"Are you still having problems with facial cues?"Severus asked.
"Yes, I've been studying the books and photos but it's hard to understand without someone helping me."Her mate said.
"I sometimes wonder if it was the right thing to do keeping you so secluded."Her mate opened her mouth to reply but the man spoke before she could."I know it wouldn't have made a difference but we should at least let you spend some time with people your own age."
"I don't understand people in general let alone ones my own age.If Minerva didn't rescue me from the red headed boy I would have probably panicked and hexed him."Fleur wondered if Hermione was talking about the boy who asked her for a date.
Severus chuckled."Giving him a week's detention was a little extreme even to me.It did stop others from bothering you though so I guess it had it's desired effect."
"I still catch him staring at me.I worry that he is just waiting for the right moment to approach me."Fleur made a metal note to find the boy and give him a warning to stay away from Hermione.Not only did he make the girl uncomfortable but Fleur wouldn't put up with someone trying to pursue her soul mate.
"I'll make sure to keep an eye on him."Severus said.
"I don't think it's fair for you to terrorize the boy just because he bothers me."Fleur held back from telling her mate that was more than reason enough to target the boy.
"I don't terrorize him.I treat him and all the other idiots the same."The man said.
"You think everyone but me is an idiot."Hermione told him.
"Because they are."Fleur decided right then that this man was someone she liked.He obviously cared about Hermione and although Fleur couldn't tell it at least seemed Hermione respected the the man.So if Severus was important to Hermione than he was important to Fleur.
"Be that as it may they are supposed to be learning from you how not to be an idiot."Hermione replied.
"And with that you should get going because my class is here and are staring at the both of us rather rudely."Severus spoke the last part loud enough for the class to hear.Fleur looked around and noticed he was right the entire class was focused on Hermione.
"I will coordinate with Albus about my trip and let you know.He has requested that I be in attendance for the picking of the champions."Hermione found it interesting that Hermione called the head master his first name. Even Fleur's grandmother used his sir name when speaking to the man.
Severus rolled his eyes."The old fool just wants to show off his magic."
"Regardless I'll see you tonight."As Hermione made her way to the door she turned her head and looked at Fleur.
Fleur smiled what she hoped was a charming smile but when Hermione furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Fleur in confusion,Fleur realized that she had failed in trying to charm her mate.She felt her Veela deflate as she watched her mate shake her head and leave the room.Before she could get to depressed she reminded herself that Hermione was going to be at the feast.That would give Fleur the chance to show how good of a match she was when she was picked as the champion.There was no way her mate would be able to deny giving a chance to someone with such a prestigious title.