"How did training go?"Natalie asked Fleur and Matilda from her seat at the table in the Great Hall during dinner.Fleur hadn't been paying much attention to the conversation so far as she was looking around for mate.Hermione had said she wouldn't be attending the meal but Fleur was still hopeful that Hermione would make an appearance.As the time passed that hope was slowly dying as Fleur hadn't seen any sign of mate.She knew Hermione said she had plans but Fleur was thinking that after dinner she could search her out to at least say good night.It would be nice to see Hermione before she had to meet Hermione's family the next day.

"I had a great time.The same probably couldn't be said for Fleur though because it took Hermione more time to release her from the spells she used during the duel than it took for the actual duel to be over."Matilda told them.

"Wait, what?"Greta asked.

"Yeah, Hermione bested Fleur in less than two minutes.It was awesome!"Although Matilda would never want to duel Hermione herself it was fun to watch her go against Fleur.

"Is Hermione really that good?"Natalie had never seen anyone beat Fleur.She honestly didn't think it was possible with how advanced Fleur's dueling ability was.

"She is so good Madame Maxine asked her to teach her the spells."Fleur had been beyond surprised when the headmistress asked but reasoned she would have asked the same if she was in the woman's position.

"Seriously?"Greta didn't know if she believed that.

Matilda nodded her head."Seriously, Hermione spent the entire practice after they finished the duel teaching us new magic.Madame Maxine was beside us the whole time learning with us."

"Some of the spells Hermione created herself."Fleur bragged.

"Hermione created spells good enough that Madame Maxine wanted to learn them?"Natalie asked.

"Yes, she has created some spells that I will personally be using the next time I duel someone."Fleur was definitely going to use the one that stuck her tongue to the roof of her mouth.

"I wish we were allowed to train with you guys."Greta would love to have the chance to learn some unknown spells.

"Hermione said she would join us again.Maybe you could ask Madame Maxine to let you come when she does.I mean the worst she can say is no."Matilda suggested.

Before either girl could reply a group of owls carrying letters and packages flew into the room.When one landed in front of Fleur she took the two envelopes it held and gave it some meat off her tray.Looking at the letters Fleur smiled."I got one from my grandmother and one from my mothers."

"Does that mean your grandmother has a plan for you to meet Hermione's family?"Natalie asked.

"Let's find out."Fleur opened the letter from her grandmother and began to read it silently to herself.

Fleur,

The information in your last two letters have given me a lot to think about.The many things you have told me are concerning as each detail could effect the clan negatively if not handled properly.First let's deal with the fact that your mate is Phyllis Debolt's heir.That could be a great boon to our flock if a good impression is made.I'm leaving it up to you to forge that partnership as it is your mate that is her daughter.It would look less obvious if you were the one building the relationship with her instead of me.I have faith you will do a good job and not let the flock down.

As to the fact that Hermione introduced the Laaskos to a herd of centaur.I want you to try and forge a relationship with the ones near Hogwarts.Have Hermione introduce you so we can send our own envoy to begin peace talks.It would be a wonderful if we could claim such creatures as our allies.Having access to the magical knowledge they have would give us an advantage over our enemies.

You also mentioned that Hermione created a potion to control our thralls.To say I was surprised to find out such a thing existed is an understatement.The Laaskos having the patent and complete control over it is very beneficial to them.I don't need to tell you how much influence they would have if it ever became known that such a potion existed.Most Veela would do anything to get their hands on it and that gives the Laaskos power over most if not all clans.They could gain not only a lot of wealth from selling it they could gain many favors as well.You need to figure out a way to get Hermione to give you the recipe so we can make it ourselves.I'm sure even though she claimed that her clan owns the patent that she has the majority control and can override the matriarch's objection to us having it.

Bringing up the topic of the Laaskos themselves,Hermione saving the heir and earning a life debt is very good for us.The fact that your mate is respected enough to have the clan elder adopt her in a blood ceremony shows how much influence she has with the flock.I have told you before of my efforts to get a meeting with the Lassko elder and with your mate being so close to her it will guarantee a meeting.I will need your help securing this. You are not only second in line for clan elder but your are mated to her.It will be up to you to ask for permission to start a courtship.If you weren't in line for elder then I would do it for you but since you are tradition dictates you be the one to ask.

I know you are concerned with how to go about it and I have decided that you should offer her one of your own feathers.The significants of such a gesture will be more than enough to prove your seriousness in earning her approval.I have also instructed your mother to bring a book on our heritage for Hermione as she mentioned that Hermione not only liked to read but enjoyed genealogy so I told her to pick one from my personal library.Hopefully that will be something she enjoys.

Finally I would like to say good job on getting a meeting set up with a member of the new house.I'm disappointed it isn't the head but having a relationship with one of the people taking a seat is good as well.I know that the meeting was because of Hermione and it just proves to me how important it is that you begin a proper courtship as soon as possible.The sooner our clan can claim Hermione the better.I'm planning on holding your wedding right after you graduate so I expect you to make progress very quickly.

I will see you at the family reception,

Grandmother

"Damn it."Fleur wasn't sure what to think after reading the letter.It did confirm her fears that her grandmother was going to try and force her to use Hermione for her connections.She was now more worried than ever about how the next morning would go.

"What did she say?"Matilda ask.

"Nothing good."Fleur handed the letter to her.

Natalie leaned over to read the letter with Matilda."Holy shit she didn't hold back at all."

"Nope."Fleur said.

Matilda handed the letter to an impatient Greta."How does she expect you to pull all that off?"

"I don't know but I'm not comfortable with it."Fleur didn't want to manipulate her mate into helping her flock gain more power and influence.

"I mean the bit about the thrall potion.I don't think it would be a good idea to ignore the Laaskos and just ask her to give you the recipe for it.Not only would it be disrespectful to the Laaskos themselves but it could get Hermione in trouble with her clan."Natalie wasn't sure what their elder was thinking asking Fleur to do that.

"I think your grandmother is asking too much."Greta said.

"I think so too."Matilda agreed.

Fleur was beginning to feel a head ache coming on."The problem is that even if she is how do I tell her I'm not going to do it?"

"That is a problem."Natalie wasn't sure how Fleur was going to navigate all this.She was just happy she wasn't in Fleur's position.

"Maybe you can talk to your mothers about it."Matilda suggested.

"They could help but I think for this I may have to contact my aunt."Fleur would need all the help she could get if she was going to go against her grandmother.

"That would be a good idea but it won't solve the problem of what you are going to do tomorrow."Greta said.

"I think the only thing I can do is just do is make it look like I am going along with my grandmother's plan."Fleur knew if she went against her grandmother's wishes there would be hell to pay.

"You never know, you might not get the chance to actually speak to any of Hermione's family."Matilda didn't actually believe that but wanted to make Fleur feel better.

Natalie could easily pick up what Matilda was trying to do."True, just because they are there doesn't mean they will have time to talk to you.I mean they are there for Hermione not to be introduced to strangers."

"The problem with that is I do need to talk to the clan elder.I need her permission to pursue a courtship with Hermione."Fleur reminded them.

"That's a good point.I forgot about that."Greta said.

"I think you offering her your feather will make her see how serious you are about Hermione."Veela didn't give their feathers away often and Natalie knew if anyone understood how important one was to a Veela it would be a clan elder.

"Well pledging myself to the clan elder to call upon without question is very serious."Fleur giving a feather to the matriarch gave the elder the opportunity to gain a single favor from Fleur that she couldn't decline doing no matter if she wanted to or not.

"Are you going to ask for a private audience or give her the feather in front of everyone?"Matilda asked.

"I think I will have to see how everything turns out.I'm not even sure if I will get the chance to speak to her let alone ask for a meeting."Fleur was hopeful she would but wasn't counting on it."Although I'm not comfortable doing it I may have to ask Hermione to set one up for me."

"Do you think Hermione's guards have told the elder about you already?"Greta knew that if it was someone from her flock in Hermione's position that the guards would report everything that happened no matter how small.

"I have no doubt that the elder knows about every word and interaction I have had with Hermione since the guards have shown up.As a matter of fact I wouldn't be surprised if I was investigated thoroughly.I'm sure by now the Laasko matriarch knows more about me then I do myself."Fleur was worried about exactly what the elder would think.It wasn't that she had any hidden secrets or indiscretions it was just nerve wracking thinking that anything she had done in the past would determine if she would be able to begin a relationship with her mate.

"I'm sure she won't find anything bad.I mean it's not like you were a rebel who caused trouble and broke laws."Natalie said.

"I just worry about what the guards say about my interactions with Hermione.I haven't done anything that impressive in front of them."Fleur winced thinking about how many screw ups she had in front of the guards."My first impression wasn't the best and I can't say I've done that much to change their minds about me."

"Regardless of what you did or didn't do in front of the guards you will still have the opportunity to impress the elder in person.I think if treat her with respect and show how much you care for Hermione that she will forge a good opinion of you."Matilda knew that Fleur could charm anyone.The only problem her friend would have is if her grandmother got involved and was pushy.

"With that reminder I think I am going to go back to the carriage.I doubt I will get much sleep tonight so I'm going to ask our healer for a sleep potion."Fleur knew that without the help she would spend the night pacing her room going over all the horrible ways they meeting could go wrong.

"I think that's a good idea."Greta said.

"If we don't see you before you leave tomorrow good luck."Natalie didn't have to say it as it was obvious that the your going to need it was heavily implied.

"Thanks,I think."Fleur knew they meant well but her friends didn't really make her feel any better.Standing from her seat and waving her good bye over her shoulder she began the long walk to the carriage.The next morning was going to be very stressful and Fleur just hoped that she would not make a fool of herself.So much was weighing on her shoulders to make sure she made a good impression.Failure was not an option and Fleur hoped against hope that her grandmother wouldn't be to upset with the way she handled everything because there was no way she was going to force Hermione to do anything.Her mate wasn't a tool to be used, she was a person and deserved respect.How to make her grandmother see that was something Fleur didn't know but she would find out.