"Are you upset that I was chosen champion as well?"Matilda the newly picked Beauxbatons second champion asked.Fleur cursed herself in her head for allowing her emotions to show so easily.She wanted to appear calm and confident but it was hard with how pissed she was.Fleur's plan was to go with Madame Maxine to watch Hermione perform the spell.That hadn't happened though because when she went to Maxine's office to ask for permission the headmistresses forbid her from going.The excuse used was it wouldn't be wise to have so many people witness how to magically alter the cup.Fleur understood the reason but she didn't have to like it.Now she was waiting with all the champions for her mate to join them.Hermione hadn't been at breakfast and Fleur was almost convinced she wouldn't show up.
"No of course not.I'm excited to be competing with you.I have no doubt with our combined skills we will take the top two places on the podium when this is over."Fleur said.
"I'm not sure of that but I'm glad you aren't mad."Matilda had been excited to be picked as the second champion and was looking forward to experiencing the tournament with her fellow Veela.
"Finally."Fleur looked to the door when she heard Harry Potter's voice seeing Hermione walking in with Prof.Snape.
"Good it's seems everyone is here.Let us begin with taking a few photos then we can start the weighing of the wands." Mr.Crouch motioned for the champions to move to an area set up with three chairs."Each school will have one person take a seat and the other stand behind them."
"How about we do boys in the back girls in the seats?"Rita Skeeter a woman Fleur knew of and hated suggested.
"I think having the students paired with their schools tells a better narrative."Dumbledore said.
Rita didn't miss a beat."Let's do both and then decide later."
"Hermione will stand behind Potter."Snape said as the students arranged themselves.
Fleur quickly took the place beside Hermione using the opportunity to make small talk while everyone was moving around."Is Hogwarts always so cold?"
"You're cold?"Hermione asked.
"Yes, in France the weather is quite a bit warmer this time of year.None of us packed the appropriate clothing."Fleur told her.
"I see."Hermione waved her hand over Fleur and Matilda.
Fleur was about to ask her what she did when she suddenly felt warmer.It seemed Matilda did as well."What did you do?"
"Fleur what happened?"Matilda's voice was somewhat panicked.
"I apologize I should have asked first.I cast warming charms on your robes.Now they will adjust to the temperature you prefer regardless the weather conditions."Hermione explained.
Fleur was impressed.Her mate with just a wave of her hand solved one of the biggest problems all the Beauxbatons students had.Hermione didn't even use her wand."I've never heard something like that before."
"It's one of my own creations."Hermione told her.
"The other girls are going to be very jealous."Matilda joked.
"I would gladly help charm all of their robes as well."Hermione offered.
"Are you sure?There are 20 of us."Fleur wanted to accept the help as she knew her flock would benefit from the spell but she didn't want to take advantage of her mate.
"I assure you it's no problem.I will make sure I am at dinner tonight and do it then."Hermione said.
"Thank you Hermione that is very kind of you."Fleur's Veela was puffing up with pride at the fact her mate was already taking care of the flock.It would just cause the flock to respect Hermione more when it was revealed they were mates.
"Now everyone look this way."The photographer took a dozen pictures in the first poise then a dozen with the girls seated.Fleur bristled when she noticed Victor shove the other two boys out of the way so he was positioned behind Hermione.
"Now we will have inspect each wand." Mr.Crouch said."Why don't we have the Durmstrang students go first."
Fleur knew she should pay attention to what each competitor's wand was made out of but she wanted to use the opportunity to talk to her mate.She found Hermione standing away from the crowd when Fleur approached."So are you excited about the tournament?"
"Well I would think so,yes?How about you?"Hermione asked.
"I am very excited.The tournament was the reason I came here."Fleur told her.
"Well you are most likely to win."Hermione said.
"How so?"Fleur asked.
"Well you are the heir to the Delacour flock meaning you have advance mental and physical conditioning.Not only that you have the pressure as a Veela to prove your worth to the world and if I know Veela culture as well as I think there is nothing that will stand in the way of a Veela doing what needs be done to prove their worth."Hermione said like it was no big deal that she had just confessed to knowing not only Fleur's background but about Veela culture.A culture that was highly secretive.
"How did you know I was the heir?"It wasn't common knowledge outside of the flock who was in the line of succession further down than the next in line.All of Fleur's cousins were training as well but it wasn't advertised which Delacour was going to take over from Fleur's aunt.
Before Hermione could answer her name was called to have her wand examined."It was lovely talking to you."
"You as well."Fleur was upset she didn't get her answer but was highly curious of what Hermione's wand was made out of.It was sure to be something unique if the worried looks on Dumbledore and Snape's faces meant anything.
"Oh this is indeed exciting." Mr.Ollivander exclaimed loudly."Not one of mine.Not at all. No this was made by it's owner wasn't it?"
"She made her own wand?"Matilda whispered to Fleur as they along with the rest of the room silently watched Hermione's wand being examined.
"Hmm let's see what type of wood we have here.I've never heard of a wand made of Dragon Blood wood before.Very interesting, very interesting indeed." Mr.Ollivander mumbled to himself looking like he was in his own world."Now what kind of core do you have?"
"I bet it's something illegal."Harry Potter said.
Fleur along with most of the room jumped in shock when the wand maker suddenly squealed with excitement.Fleur knew the man was eccentric but to see him squealing like a school girl was odd even for him.Not able to stop herself Fleur asked."What is it made of?"
"I never would have believed it if I didn't examine it myself.Her wand core is made from a sliver of the horn of an elder unicorn freely given." Mr.Ollivander told them.
"Unicorns don't freely give pieces of their horn to anyone.Are you sure you are not mistaken?"Karkaroff asked others nodding in agreement.
"If it was not freely given the wand would have rebelled and killed the one using it."Fleur didn't like the look the wand maker was giving her mate."How did you get the unicorn to give it to you?"
"That's enough.I believe it's Mr.Potter's turn now."Dumbledore quickly shut down any further questions for Hermione.That didn't stop Fleur from trying to think of a way to ask the girl how she did it.
"I believe I will start with Me.Granger for the interviews."Rita motioned for Hermione to follow behind her."We have room set up to talk in private."
"That won't be necessary." Prof.Snape said.
"Why not?"Rita asked.
"Ms.Granger doesn't have anything to hide from her competitors.Isn't that right Ms.Granger?"Fleur narrowed her eyes when she saw the professor raise an eyebrow at Hermione.The pair were planning something but exactly what Fleur was not sure.
"Of course Professor."Hermione agreed.
"Then why don't we at least move it to the side of the room."Rita was obviously trying to hold back her anger but Fleur could tell the woman was pissed.
"What do think that's about?"Matilda asked.
Fleur shrugged."They obviously don't want Hermione in a room alone with Skeeter."
"Hopefully we don't have to be alone with her either."Matilda said.
"If Hermione doesn't have to she can't make the rest of us."Fleur said as she inched closer to the pair using her enhanced hearing to hear what they were talking about.
"Now is it true you are not actually a student at Hogwarts?"Rita asked.
"I am a student."Hermione told her.
Fleur watched Rita frown."I was told you are not enrolled in the school."
"I am currently doing independent study with Prof.Snape."Hermione told her.
"And what exactly is it that you are studying?"Rita asked.
"Potions."Fleur had to hold back a laugh hearing Hermione's one word answer.
"Yes but why are you doing that independently?"Rita asked.
"Because I am studying for my mastery in the subject."Hermione said.
"You are studying for your masters?"Rita obviously didn't believe Hermione was that smart.
Hermione nodded."Yes."
"How old were you when you graduated Hogwarts?"Rita asked.
Hermione shot a look to Dumbledore who nodded back."I graduated at 7 years old."
"Seriously?"Rita was obviously shocked as was Fleur.She knew that Hermione was a prodigy but to test out of school at 7 was an incredible feat.
"Yes, I took my N.E.W.T.S when I was 7 years old."Hermione told her.
"What subjects did you test on?"Rita asked.
"All subjects that can be tested I tested on."Hermione said.
"What were your scores?"Rita asked.
"I got O's on everything."Fleur wasn't sure why she surprised by Hermione's grades.If the girl graduated at 7 of course she would be smart enough to ace the testing.
"What have you been doing since you tested out?"Rita asked.
"I have been pursing masteries in the subjects offered in Hogwarts."Hermione told her.
"Why is it that no one has heard of these achievements?I mean someone of your intelligence would be celebrated.Why did you stay at Hogwarts?"Fleur wanted to know the answer to that question herself.
"I didn't wish for fame."Hermione said simply.
"So you are hiding?"Rita accused.
"No, I am learning."Fleur was proud Hermione didn't fall for the trap that Rita set.
"Is entering into the tournament your way of coming out of hiding?"Rita asked.
"I entered the tournament for a chance to see how my skills will hold up in such a challenging environment."Fleur furrowed her eyebrows. She knew that Hermione didn't enter her name into the cup but why was Hermione claiming otherwise.
"I've looked into your background and couldn't find anything before your time at Hogwarts.Actually even your time at Hogwarts isn't well known.What exactly are you hiding?"It seemed to Fleur that Rita had very little to use against Hermione to get much of an article.By the way she asked that question it showed she was at her breaking point.
"You know what's funny?"Hermione asked.
"No I don't, why don't you tell me?"Rita's tone made Fleur bristle.She didn't like the way the woman was speaking to her mate.
"The fact that the government feels the need to have people register their animagus forms.I think it's quite disgraceful for a government to gladly take taxes from individuals while taking away certain rights.It must be horrible to those people.Having to pay the salary of those who want to regulate them."Fleur wondered why Hermione suddenly changed topics but when she saw Rita's face go pale she had a feeling that Hermione knew something Rita didn't want her to know.
Rita cleared her throat."Well thank you for your time today Ms.Granger.I look forward to seeing your performance in the tournament."
"The only way to change those laws is for people like yourself to use your platform to highlight the injustices in the world."Hermione told Rita.
"Who's next?"Rita asked ignoring Hermione's comment."How about the famous Harry Potter?"
Fleur rolled her eyes as Harry happily made his way over to the seat Hermione had left vacant.She was sure that Harry would give Rita several quotes to fill the article.Fleur wondered if she should mention the fact that Harry had attacked her and was being held in the dungeon until the tournament was over.It would cause quite the scandal and would likely have the public demanding the boy's release.Fleur was confident that wouldn't happen no matter how much pressure the public put on the ministry.With Dumbledore supporting the decision to hand Harry over to the Delacour Flock Harry wasn't getting out of punishment unless the British wanted to go to war with the French.Fleur doubted that they would think a single person even if he was Harry Potter was worth it.Looking around for her mate Fleur felt disappointment when she saw the girl making her way out of the room.She was hoping for a chance to talk to Hermione again. At least she knew she would see her at dinner.