"Did you hear the news?"Natalie asked Fleur from her seat next to her at the dining table in the great hall. Fleur had barely eaten instead spending her time looking around the room trying to find her mate.Hermione said she would help the flock and Fleur wished she asked for a specific time.The waiting was killing her.She had so many questions for her mate about the spell Hermione used on her robes.Fleur thought it was just a warming spell but had noticed that it kept her body at random temperatures even cooling her down when she felt herself overheating.Fleur knew of warming spells and cooling spells but never one that did both depending on your preferences at the time.
"What news?"Fleur asked absentmindedly.
"This morning a new head household took over four of the houses of the sacred 28."Natalie told her.
That caught Fleur's attention."What?"
"Yeah, it's going around the of school.Some of the students overheard heard professors talking about it."Natalie said.
"Who is it?"Fleur asked.
Natalie shrugged."No one knows. Apparently they want to stay anonymous and haven't come forward publicly."
"What houses were taken over?"Fleur knew she had to pen another letter to her grandmother.The political implications of a single person taking over four pureblood family houses were enormous.
"Black,Malfory,Carrow and Rosier."Natalie listed off.
"So you are saying a 17 yr old just took power of the four wealthiest most influential houses in Wizarding Britain?"Fleur wondered if the person was a student at Hogwarts.If so maybe she could befriend them.It would be beneficial to have them as allies for her flock.
"Yes, a teenager now holds more power in Britain than all the other wizards combined."Natalie said.
"Merging those four houses gives them four seats in Wizgamots.Not only that they would be taking over all businesses owned by each estate."Fleur rubbed her head feeling a headache coming on."This is not good."
"No it isn't."Natalie agreed.
"A child could be easily manipulated by someone.They would need protection."Fleur would have to ask her grandmother to give her permission to offer security officers from the flock.If Fleur could word it right it would look more like a a gesture of friendship not a claim of ownership.
Before Natalie could reply they were interrupted by a loud voice shouting from across the room."What the fuck?!"
"Mr.Weasley come here right now!" Prof.McGonagall demanded as the red headed boy continued his tirade of curse words.
"It seems like Weasley just found out he lost his inheritance."Tina one of the Hogwarts students said.
"What inheritance?"Fleur asked.
Tina turned her attention to Fleur."Weasley's mother was the head of household for the Rosiers.It is well known that the Weasleys live off the family money.If they were to be cut off they would be broke.Mr.Weasley was kicked out of his family and only has a job to keep up appearances."
"It seems this new head of household is already making changes."Natalie commented.
"I can't wait to see what happens with the Malfoys and the Carrows."Helen another Hogwarts student commented joining the conversation.
"I hope both families get put in their place.Mr.Malfoy is always thinking he is better than everyone because he is the head of household.I would have paid a lot of gold to see the look on his face when he found out."Tina said.
"Carrow is no better neither are their kids."Helen added.
"Who are their children?"Fleur asked.
"Well their is Draco Malfoy who is an only child.Then there are Flora and Hestia Carrow who twins.They are all in Slytherin."Helen told them.
"I bet if the new head of household goes to Hogwarts they are Slytherin as well."Tina said.
Helen shook her head."They wouldn't be without everyone knowing."
"That's a good point."Fleur knew that someone that prestigious would have been outed if they went to Hogwarts.Unless they were being hidden for some reason.
"Hello."A female voice said right behind Fleur making the Veela jump in fright.
Looking behind her Fleur blushed when she saw Hermione standing there."Hello Hermione."
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to frighten you."Hermione tried to figure out what exactly she had done to startle the girl.
"I wasn't frightened."Fleur denied.
"Alright well can you show me who would like their robes altered?"Hermione asked.
Fleur's eyebrows furrowed at the lack of small talk.It seemed Hermione was in a rush."Yes it all of the students from Beauxbatons."
"Then everyone in blue."Hermione stood behind a group of blue robed students and waved her hand before moving on to the next group.
"What is going on?"Natalie asked."I feel warmer."
"Hermione used the spell I told you about on your robes.You can now warm yourself or cool yourself to whatever temperature you want."Fleur explained.
"Amazing!"Natalie tried to make herself colder and shivered when she felt the robe automatically adapt to her wish.
"She created the spell herself."Fleur proclaimed proudly.Watching her flock being cared for by her mate using a highly complicated spell Hermione created herself pleased her Veela.It was preening so much that Fleur was surprised she hadn't sprouted feathers yet.
"She is going to be a valuable member of our flock not only as your consort but because of her many achievements."Natalie could already predict Hermione's role in the flock would be more than just a figure head like consorts usually were.
"I wouldn't force her to give up her interests."Usually a mate of the clan elder dedicated their time to the flock's public image.Not that it was bad as most mates thrived in such a role.Fleur had thought her mate would be the same.Hermione changed her mind on that.Her mate was to smart and talented to be held down by such a superficial role.
"It would be cruel if you did."Natalie said.
"It looks like she is done."Fleur said as she watched Hermione stop at the end of the table to speak with a few of the flock.Not wanting her mate to be alone with her flock incase someone said something about them being mates Fleur quickly made her way to Hermione's side.
"If you truly worry about controlling your thrall there are certain potions that help mask the effect it has on others."Hermione was telling Greta a fellow Veela.
"Seriously?"Fleur asked in surprise.That was a problem that Veela kind had been trying to solve for centuries.
Hermione nodded."I worked on the potion myself and with the help of a couple of friends who tested it out on themselves was successful."
"Wait you are the one that invented the potion?"Rena one of Fleur's flock member asked in disbelief.
"Yes, it was intended as a gift from one clan elder to another to help with peace talks."Hermione explained.
"Which clans were they?"Fleur asked.
"I can't tell you that as it was clan business."Hermione said.
Fleur bristled at being denied such important information."I am the heir of the Delacour flock.I have a right to know."
"I know the customs and as a member of the flock in question I am sworn to secrecy."Hermione would never betray her friends. Especially not to another clan.
"What do you mean your are a member of a flock?"Fleur had never heard of a human who wasn't mated belonging to a clan.
"I was adopted by the clan elder in an official blood ceremony."Hermione didn't understand what the big deal was.Veela often adopted others into their clans.
Fleur wasn't sure what to think of that."You were blood adopted by a clan elder?"
"Yes and because of that I have taken the vow of secrecy.Because of that I can't tell you anything about my clan without my matriarch's permission even if I wanted to."Hermione had no intention of saying anything about her clan.
"What clan are you a part of?"Fleur asked.
"I would rather not say.It wouldn't be safe for people especially other Veela to know.You understand the implications of a clan elder's adopted daughter being alone without protection."Hermione would be a target to anyone who wanted to hurt her clan.
Fleur did know as she was never allowed to go anywhere by herself.She and her family always had guards with them whenever they left Veela clan property."I hope one day you will tell me."
"Maybe."Hermione doubted it but knew that was the polite way to respond.
"Can we get back to the potion?"Greta asked.
Fleur held back from reprimanding the girl for interrupting their conversation but the potion was something that she wanted to talk about anyway."Yes how would we go about purchasing it?"
"The patent is owned by my clan so I would have to ask them about letting you have it."Hermione said.
"Would they be willing to negotiate with my clan elder?"Fleur wanted to snap at Hermione because of that answer but it was to important to get the potion to act out.
Hermione thought about what her elder would say to the request."I will send word to her that you are interested.From there it will be up to her to reach out to your matriarch."
"I don't suppose you can put in a good word for us?"Fleur knew that they would need it if they were to negotiate with another clan. Especially for something so valuable.
"As you and your flock have been nothing but polite to myself and those that reside in Hogwarts I have no problem sending my support for you."Hermione wouldn't have usually vouched for strangers but she had heard good things about the Delacour clan.They were known to be honorable and usually kept their word.
Fleur smiled brightly."Thank you Hermione."
"It's no problem."Hermione waved off the thanks.
"So I was wondering if.."Fleur started only to be interrupted by Prof.Snape approaching the group.
"Hermione you have work to do."Snape said.
Hermione looked at her watch."I didn't realize how much time had passed."
"Well if you don't get moving you will have to start over and will be behind schedule."Snape told her.
Fleur tried to get a glimpse of Hermione's watch confused by the various calendars and charts she saw.It was like no other watch she had seen before and she added it to the list of things she wanted to talk to her mate about."Well if you have to go maybe we can have breakfast together tomorrow."
"Breakfast?In the hall?"Hermione had never eaten in the hall before.
"Well yes, that's where the schools eat breakfast."Fleur said.
"Hermione has an appointment in the morning she can't miss."Snape told her.
"That's true I am busy tomorrow."Hermione had the trials for the new potion the next day.
"How about you join her for dinner Hermione."Snape suggested.
Fleur had to work to keep the shock off of her face at the man's suggestion.From what Fleur was told the staff at Hogwarts kept Hermione away from everyone.So for the professor to be the one setting them up was surprising."Dinner would be wonderful."
"Alright then.I will have dinner with you tomorrow night."If Snape thought it was a good idea then Hermione would go along with it.
"I'll meet you here."Fleur said.
"Well see you tomorrow then.I promise to send the letter to my clan elder tonight."Hermione had a few letters to write so adding another one to the pile wouldn't be that big of a deal.
"Thank you."Fleur smiled at Hermione as she walked away with Snape.She wondered what Hermione was working on and what appointments she had.It seemed like the girl was very busy as she had had an appointment that morning as well.Maybe at dinner they would get to talk about some personal topics.Fleur would have to warn her flock to leave them alone so she could have some privacy.For now she had some work of her own to do.Her grandmother had yet to write her back after Fleur sent the letter about Hermione but Fleur wasn't worried.It would take time for her grandmother to have Hermione investigated.She needed to send a follow up letter to inform her grandmother of recent events.Hermione already being a member of a flock was important for her grandmother to know. The fact that she was a adopted daughter of the clan elder made getting word to her grandmother urgent. Especially if that clan elder was going to reach out to her grandmother about the potion.Flyer wondered how her relationship with Hermione would be effected by the fact that her mate was already a part of a Veela clan.Hopefully the clan was on good terms with her own because Fleur didn't want to deal with having to give an outrageous dowery when negotiating their marriage.Veela could be petty when they wanted to.