summary: Harry saves Fleur late at night while roaming through Hogwarts from a hunting Filch, after their late night encounter Harry learns about Fleur and before he knows it falls for the french veela.
In the dark and eerie corridors of Hogwarts, with the clock striking well past curfew, Harry cautiously treaded under his trusty invisibility cloak. Clutching tightly onto the Marauder's Map in his hands, he navigated through the labyrinthine hallways, determined to reach the sanctuary of his dormitory after an arduous night spent preparing for the daunting first task.
With each step he took beneath his invisible shield, Harry couldn't help but feel a sense of unease gnawing at him from within. His eyes instinctively flickered back towards the intricate lines and dots on the map clutched tightly in his grasp. The names etched onto its surface held both promise and peril in equal measure.
As if sensing danger lurking nearby, two names suddenly materialized before him: Fleur Delacour and Filch. Fleur's presence alone was enough to raise questions but it was clear she was trying to escape Filch.
As Harry stood there, his mind wandered back to the encounter with Fleur. The memory of her sweet voice uttering the words "little boy" replayed in his head like a broken record. It was such a brief interaction, yet it had left an indelible mark on him.
Caught in a moment of contemplation, Harry pondered over what he should do next. One option that crossed his mind was to let Fleur stumble unknowingly into Filch's clutches while hidden under his invisibility cloak. However, as annoyed as he felt by this dark thought, he ultimately decided against it.
Taking up position around the corner, Harry carefully studied the Marauder's Map for any signs of Fleur approaching. His heart raced as he saw her figure drawing nearer and nearer on the magical parchment. When she finally rounded the corner, Harry swiftly removed his cloak and revealed himself to her.
With a hushed whisper cutting through the air, Harry called out to Fleur from behind their newfound hiding spot. Her expression shifted from surprise to relief as she quickly made her way towards him and took shelter beneath the comforting folds of his invisibility cloak.
Fleur nervously glanced at Harry, her voice filled with doubt as she took a deep breath. "Are you absolutely sure this plan is going to work?"
Harry's confident demeanor remained unwavering as he replied, his tone laced with determination. "I've been at this for three long years now, and we're still standing strong. Trust me."
As they huddled together in the dimly lit hallway, their hearts raced in anticipation. The weight of the situation hung heavy in the air around them. Fleur couldn't help but ask one more time, her voice barely above a whisper, "But are you really certain?"
Harry placed his hand on his lips and motioned for her to stay quiet. With bated breaths and heightened senses, they strained their ears to listen for any sign of movement outside their hiding spot.
Suddenly, the distinct sound of footsteps echoed through the corridor - Filch was approaching. Their bodies tensed up instinctively as they pressed themselves against the wall even harder.
Filch let out a frustrated groan, his annoyance evident as he scanned the hallway for any sign of her. Despite walking back and forth, he couldn't spot Fleur anywhere. Growing increasingly impatient, Filch finally decided to give up and leave the hallway in frustration.
Just as Fleur was about to pull the invisibility cloak over herself and make her escape unnoticed, Harry unexpectedly grabbed her arm, causing her to stop in surprise. With his trusty map in hand, Harry had been keeping a close eye on Filch's movements and noticed him making his way back towards the hallway. The old caretaker rushed past them without even realizing they were there, mistakenly thinking he had found someone else.
Relieved that they had successfully evaded detection once again, Harry double-checked the map to ensure that Filch was now far enough away from them. Satisfied with what he saw, Harry confidently pulled off the invisibility cloak from both himself and Fleur - their mission was almost complete.
Fleur couldn't help but express her gratitude with a smile as she uttered a heartfelt "Thank you, monsieur." In response, Harry simply nodded silently before an unexpected sensation washed over him. It felt like an invisible force pulling him towards Fleur inexplicably. Confusion filled his eyes, shaking himself a little he looked at her confused. Fleur's eyes widened after a few seconds. "You resisted the allure!"
"Uhm, yes?" Harry replied, his voice tinged with uncertainty. He hadn't anticipated the question to be a big deal, but there was something about Fleur's presence that made him slightly uneasy.
Fleur leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "The allure of a veela," she began, her voice carrying an air of mystery. "Usually makes every man become a drooling fool." Her words hung in the air for a moment as she observed Harry's reaction.
Harry paused for a moment, processing Fleur's statement. His brow furrowed as he contemplated his own experience. "Oh," he finally responded, his tone thoughtful yet resolute. "I do feel its pull, but it doesn't make me act like an idiot like the rest." As the words left his lips, Fleur couldn't help but notice a glimmer of self-assurance in Harry's eyes.
A smile slowly spread across Fleur's face as she continued to study him intently. There was something intriguing about this young wizard who seemed unaffected by her veela charm. She found herself drawn to his unique demeanor and wondered what set him apart from others under her spell…
Fleur looked at Harry with an impressed expression on her face. "Impressive," she said, her voice filled with admiration. However, curiosity got the better of her and she couldn't help but ask the burning question that was on her mind. As Fleur bit her lip nervously, she inquired, "Do you have a girlfriend?"
Harry's eyes widened slightly at the unexpected question. He paused for a moment to gather his thoughts before responding. With a slight chuckle, he reassured Fleur, "No-no, Hermione is just a friend." The mention of Hermione's name brought a warm smile to Harry's face as he continued, "She's actually my best friend."
Upon hearing Harry's explanation and seeing his genuine affection for Hermione shine through his words and smile, Fleur nodded approvingly. It seemed evident to her now that their bond went beyond mere romantic involvement; it was rooted in deep friendship and trust.
"I'm sorry for insulting you," Fleur said softly, her voice filled with remorse as she delicately trailed a hand along his arm. Harry, feeling a mix of emotions, including nervousness and discomfort at the touch of Fleur's hand on him, responded hesitantly, "That's alright."
However, unable to shake off the unease he felt from the physical contact, he instinctively pulled back slightly. In response to his withdrawal, Fleur couldn't help but pout disappointedly.
With a hint of confusion in her eyes and sincerity in her voice, she asked gently, "You do not like when I touch you?" Her question hung in the air between them as they both grappled with their own feelings and intentions.
"Don't take it personally," Harry said, his voice laced with a hint of hesitation as he tried to divert the conversation away from the sensitive topic. Fleur furrowed her brows in response, clearly not fully convinced by his attempt to brush off whatever had been said. Sensing her unease, Harry quickly offered a solution to ease her discomfort.
"If you want," he suggested, "I can accompany you to the entrance and show you the way to that enchanting carriage everyone's been raving about." A glimmer of hope danced in Fleur's eyes as she considered his offer. With an assurance that came from possessing both a map and an invisibility cloak, Harry promised that Fleur would be undetected by Filch again.
A grateful smile tugged at Fleur's lips as she gratefully accepted his proposal. "I'd like that," she replied softly, appreciating both his thoughtfulness and willingness to help.
As they made their way towards the gate leading out of their current location, Harry clutched onto the map tightly in one hand while draping the cloak over his arm - prepared for any unforeseen circumstances along their journey. The atmosphere between them was filled with a mix of anticipation and nervousness; small talk punctuated their walk but silence
also hung heavily in the air, as both Harry and Fleur were lost in their own thoughts and emotions.
Reaching the gate, Harry and Fleur stood side by side, their anticipation palpable. Fleur's eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for any signs of approaching individuals. "Thank you very much, 'Arry," she expressed her gratitude with a touch of her enchanting French accent, causing Harry to feel a pleasant shiver down his spine. Hearing his name roll off her tongue in such a sweet and alluring manner was undeniably satisfying.
With a warm smile playing on his lips, Harry replied nonchalantly, "No problem at all, Fleur." Unexpectedly though, Fleur took a step closer towards him and planted a soft kiss on his cheek. The sensation left him momentarily stunned as he couldn't help but acknowledge how delightful her lips felt against his skin. It was an intimate gesture that caught him off guard yet stirred something within him that he couldn't quite put into words.
"Thank you for your help" she said seductively, giving him a playful wink before gracefully making her way towards the carriage. Harry couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement at her words. As he watched her disappear from sight, he let out a long breath he didn't even realize he was holding. The anticipation and intensity of their connection had caused his heart to race and his mind to wander into forbidden territory. Adjusting his pants discreetly, Harry couldn't deny the effect that Fleur's presence had on him – it was impossible not to be affected by her allure and charm. Deep down, he secretly hoped for more opportunities together or simply to hang out in each other's company.
Sometime later.
"And Harry Potter has done it!" Bagman shouted as Harry grabbed the egg from the Hungarian Horntail's nest. Harry looked around the arena with a small smile on his face feeling proud he had overcome the challenge. Professor Mcgonagall was standing close by on the ground.
"Mr Potter!" Harry heard her shout. Harry walked behind Professor McGonagall as they made their way to the medical tent.
When they entered Harry looked at Cedric who had his arm wrapped in a bandage, Krum who had one side of his robes burned and was being assisted with the burns and Fleur who had a few small scratches and some dirt on her face. Considering the dragons they had to face, Harry did rather well. "Mr Potter!" Madam Pomfrey said.
After Harry was checked over by Madam Pomfrey, Professor McGonagall gave him a sincere smile and told him that she would return when the judges were done deliberating on all of their scores.
Sitting in a mostly private little room waiting for the Professor to return, he was ready to leave when the cloak was pulled back and Fleur entered.
"Mon ami." Fleur said with a smile.
"Hi Fleur." Harry said, had no idea what she just called him but it sounded sweet.
Fleur sat down at the edge of his bed placing a hand on his leg. "That was impressive." She said smiling. "Facing the most dangerous dragon out of them all." Harry shrugged a little, he was mostly glad it was over. "So modest." She said her hand was trailing over his leg slowly. Harry would be lying if it didn't affect just a little.
"I wasn't able to see your performance sadly but by the looks of things you did pretty good as well." Harry said. Fleur smiled brightly at that.
"So impressive for one so young." Fleur, getting a little closer to him. "Resisting the allure, out flying a dragon what more?" She went on.
Harry swallowed nervously. Then they heard someone enter the medical tent. Both of them left the bed and were about to leave Harry's room until Fleur stopped them. Harry looked confused at her until Fleur leaned in again and kissed his cheek. Just like the first time it felt amazing this time she was holding his hand while she kissed him. "See! touching can be nice." She teased him a little. Harry blushed. Fleur left him standing, Harry groaned annoyed as he again had a tent in his pants quickly thinking of horribly inconvertible things he was able to join the rest after Professor Mcgonagall shouted for his name for the third time.
After the Yule hall announcement.
"I need to open the ball." Harry said with dread in his voice.
"Don't be nervous, many girls would love to go with you." Hermione tried to boost his confidence. "You're a champion." She added.
"That's the problem. I need to open the ball with a dance and I don't know how to dance." Harry said, groaning annoyed. They entered the greatest and as Harry looked over to the ravenclaw table there was a massive line of boys ready to ask Fleur as their date. Harry felt rather annoyed by that, but felt a little better as he noticed Fleur turn down one after the other.
"Seems like she's got the pick of the litter." Hermione said Harry could hear animosity in her voice.
"I don't think she likes it." Harry noticed Fleur's frown as she got disturbed once again while trying to talk to her friends. Hermione huffed.
This went on for a couple of days.
"You really need to get a date." Hermione said to him.
"I know. It's just…" Harry didn't know what to say.
"You don't have to do anything special. Just ask a girl." Hermione tried. "I didn't get asked in a special way." She added a little nervously. Harry looked at her with a smile which surprised her.
"You have a date? Good for you Hermione." Harry said, smiling at her.
"You're not curious who?" Hermione asked.
"If you don't want to say for now that's fine." Harry said, shrugging. Hermione looked almost relieved at his words. "As long as you're not going with Malfoy of course." Which earned him a well deserved punch.
"EW! prat." Hermione said with a little smirk.
Harry smiled as he looked around the great hall for any girls he might like to ask as his dates. Cho was already going with Cedric sadly, Daphne Greengrass would be nice she's very pretty it wouldn't work probably, Ginny maybe? His eyes then landed on Fleur, he wasn't too sure if she already had a date but the line of boys next to hear he would presume she didn't.
'Bloody hell why not.' He thought. Gathering all the gryffindor courage he could muster he left his seat and made his way over to the ravenclaw table. Walking past the line he noticed Cedric giving him a wink and a mouth to go for it as he sat next to Cho.
Walking past Mclaggen who eyed him with murder. "Uhm excuse me?" He said. Fleur who turned from her friend at first looked annoyed until she noticed who was before her.
"Mademoiselle would like to be my date for the Yule ball?" Harry asked. It felt like an hour for Fleur to reply as the seconds ticked by the great hall got so quiet you here a fly zoom around the hall.
"Oui I'd like that very much." Fleur said with a smile. Harry needed a minute for her response to render in.
"Great!" He said, the girls around Fleur giggled.
"Join us." Fleur said, making room for him. Harry sat down a little nervous. Looking around the room almost all the boys seemed like they wanted to hex him. Soon though the great hall went back to its usual busy self. "Can you dance?" She asked him in a whisper. Harry shook his head a little and embraced. Fleur seemed almost delighted by it. "I'll teach you. After dinner we'll practice."
Harry and Fleur practiced dancing a lot from then on. The first time Fleur asked him to put his hand against her back Harry almost wanted to stop right there but Fleur noticed his hesitance and simply took his hand and moved in the right position. After a few times Harry started to really enjoy himself while dancing with fleur. After each dance lesson Harry and Fleur sat down and talked about all sorts of things, fleur talked about her life in France while Harry mostly talked about his past years and every near death experience.
After yet another great dance session Harry returned back to the Gryffindor dorms. As the fat lady let him past, Hermione left her chair marching over to him with a deferment expression that was always bad for him he felt. "Where have you been this time?" She asked him, demanding an answer. Harry opened his mouth but before he could answer Hermione added. "And don't say you needed some time to clear your head, because you've been in an amazing mood so I know it's not to deal with the tournament."
Harry sighed. "Promise not to tell anyone?" Hermione nodded. "I was with Fleur…. She's been teaching me how to dance for the ball." He said feeling a little embarrassed.
"That's it?" Hermione asked to which Harry nodded. "Why didn't you ask me if you needed to learn how to dance?"
Harry looked at her surprised. Why didn't he ask Hermione to give him dance lessons?
"So you practiced with your date Fleur?" Hermione said a little too cold from her normal voice. After he had asked Fleur to be his date Hermione wasn't as supportive as he had thought.
"She's really nice," Harry said quickly, his words barely audible as he overheard Hermione mutter a skeptical "I'll bet." At that moment, an idea sparked in Harry's mind. He decided to extend an invitation to Hermione, urging her to join them next time. With a confident tone, he reassured her that Fleur wouldn't mind and explained that Fleur's seemingly princess-like attitude was actually a shield she used to protect herself from those who couldn't control their emotions around her. Harry emphasized how much Fleur cared about people who had earned her trust.
After a while of discussing their interactions with Fleur, Hermione noticed a genuine smile on Harry's face. Seeing him happy brought warmth to her heart; it was all she could hope for in their friendship. Sensing the evening winding down, Hermione announced that she was going to bed. Surprisingly, Harry agreed and decided it was time for him to retire as well. Just before parting ways for the night, he surprised Hermione by pulling her into an unexpected embrace—a hug initiated by him for the first time ever.
Caught off guard by this display of affection from Harry, Hermione looked at him with surprise etched across her face. It was a small gesture but one filled with significance - it spoke volumes about the changes Fleur brought out. As they pulled away from the hug, Harry looked into Hermione's eyes and whispered a heartfelt "Thank you."
Later
Harry and Fleur found themselves in an unexpected situation - dancing together in a classroom, preparing for the upcoming ball. Harry, who had never considered himself much of a dancer, was pleasantly surprised at how much he enjoyed it. Fleur, with her natural grace and expertise as a veela, effortlessly guided him through the intricate steps and movements required for a formal event.
As they twirled around the room, Fleur took the time to explain every little detail about dancing with a partner at such an occasion. From proper posture to synchronized footwork, she patiently shared her knowledge and skills with Harry. It was evident that she had spent countless hours perfecting her craft.
Just weeks ago, Harry couldn't have imagined himself willingly engaging in something like this. The idea of dancing with someone else seemed foreign and uncomfortable to him. But now, thanks to the unexpected turn of events brought upon by the Triwizard Tournament's goblet of fire, he had not only met the beautiful Fleur he was actually looking forward to the ball.
The mere thought of having Fleur Delacour, the stunning and enchanting Beauxbatons champion, in his arms for the duration of the highly anticipated ball sent a rush of exhilaration through him. It was an indescribable feeling that he had never experienced before - a mixture of nervous anticipation and sheer joy. As Harry envisioned himself twirling across the dance floor with Fleur, he couldn't help but imagine all the boys from Hogwarts gazing on with envy-filled eyes. Holding arguably one of the most beautiful girls in his embrace would undoubtedly make him feel like the luckiest person in that magical hall. The prospect of their jealous glances only added to his excitement, fueling his confidence as he prepared to embark on this unforgettable evening with Fleur by his side.
"You're doing great 'Arry." Fleur complimented them, they just finshed dancing three songs in a row without harry messing up once.
"I have a truly remarkable teacher," Harry exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with admiration as he turned to face Fleur. The warmth in his voice was undeniable, reflecting the immense impact this mentor had on him.
Fleur's excitement radiated through her every word as she responded, "Oh, Harry, you won't believe what my maman revealed to me earlier! She unveiled the most exquisite dress I will be donning for the night." Her anticipation was palpable, and she couldn't help but giggle softly at the thought of it. "I am absolutely confident that you will adore it just as much as I do."
With a playful twinkle in her eye, Fleur added mischievously, "Of course, darling Harry, I trust that you can contain your enthusiasm and keep any drooling tendencies under control when you see me in this enchanting outfit."
Harry couldn't help but chuckle at Fleur's teasing remark. "I'll do my best," he replied, a hint of amusement in his voice. "But I can't promise anything. You are going to look absolutely stunning, Fleur."
Fleur gently smiled and delicately stroked his cheek with warmth. She took a firm hold of his collar, drawing herself closer to him. As their faces drew near, Harry visibly swallowed nervously. Fleur planted a tender kiss on his soft cheek.
The gentle touch of Fleur's lips on Harry's cheek sent a shiver down his spine, filling him with a sense of warmth and affection. It was a simple gesture, but it held so much meaning for both of them. In that moment, they shared an unspoken understanding of their deepening connection and the anticipation building between them.
Both Harry and Fleur were abruptly pulled out of their deep thoughts as they heard a sudden knock on the door. Startled, Harry quickly made his way towards the door, feeling a mixture of curiosity and anticipation. As he swung open the heavy wooden door, Hermione's familiar face greeted him with a warm smile that instantly put him at ease.
"Hermione!" Harry exclaimed in genuine surprise and delight. Fleur turned her attention towards the doorway as well, her expression lighting up upon seeing their friend standing there.
"Harry, Fleur, how's practice going?" she asked eagerly, genuinely interested in their current endeavor.
"Magnifique," Fleur said. Hermione and Fleur quickly became friends after Harry convinced her that Fleur was a nice girl.
"How about your preparations for the ball?" Harry asked the brunette, his curiosity evident in his tone. Hermione and Fleur exchanged a knowing glance before bursting into laughter. "Not going to share?" Harry pressed further, eager to uncover their secret plans.
After a moment of mirthful giggles, Hermione finally composed herself and responded with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, "It's a surprise." Her voice carried a hint of excitement as she spoke about her upcoming date. A faint blush crept up on her cheeks, revealing just how much anticipation she held for this special occasion.
As the conversation continued, Harry couldn't help but wonder what surprises awaited him at the ball. Hermione hadn't even mentioned who her date was going to be.
In front of the Great hall.
Harry's knee shook nervously as he stood at the door, anxiously awaiting Fleur's arrival. It was a peculiar request from her to wait for her at the entrance, but Harry complied nonetheless. As he glanced around the room, his eyes met Professor McGonagall's gaze. There was something different about her expression - an unusual smile played on her lips. In that moment, Harry felt a sense of comfort wash over him.
Just as he began to calm down, Professor McGonagall's eyes shifted behind him and she smiled even wider, if only for a brief second. Curiosity piqued within Harry and he turned around slowly, his eyes widening in astonishment at what awaited him there.
Standing before him was none other than Fleur Delacour herself, adorned in an exquisite silver dress that accentuated her beauty even more. Her smile radiates warmth and charm as she locks eyes with Harry. The sight of her took his breath away; it was as if time had momentarily stopped just for them.
Fleur closed the gap between them and Harry couldn't take his eyes off her. Fleur's dress was gorgues it hung perfectly on her perfect body and sparkled in the dim light of the Great Hall. The silver fabric shimmered with every step she took, making her appear almost ethereal. Harry felt a rush of emotions flood through him - excitement, nervousness, and an overwhelming sense of gratitude that Fleur had chosen him to be her date for the evening.
As Fleur walked into the room, her radiant beauty captivated everyone's attention. The boys couldn't help but be mesmerized by her presence, their eyes fixated on her graceful movements. Some were so entranced that they found themselves drooling uncontrollably or needing a gentle nudge from their dates to snap out of it. The intensity of their admiration reached such heights that a few even had to discreetly adjust themselves as they continued to gaze at Fleur in awe. Her allure was undeniable, leaving an indelible impression on all those who were fortunate enough to witness her enchanting presence.
Harry felt a magnetic pull, an irresistible allure that seemed to envelop him in its enchanting grasp. The power of this force was undeniable, yet despite its captivating nature, Harry managed to resist its temptations. It didn't matter how strong the allure was; he remained steadfast and resolute.
As Harry shook off the effects of this compelling charm, his actions only seemed to further intrigue Fleur. A radiant smile graced her lips as she caught his eye and playfully winked at him. The way she responded to his resistance hinted at a newfound admiration for his strength of character.
"You look absolutely gorgeous," Harry said, his eyes filled with admiration as he gazed at Fleur. Her radiant smile lit up the room, and he couldn't help but feel captivated by her beauty. Fleur's laughter echoed melodiously through the air as she playfully reached out to touch his collar.
"And you, my dear 'Arry, look incredibly handsome," Fleur replied with a mischievous glint in her eyes. Her words were accompanied by a gentle teasing tone that hinted at their playful banter. The way she effortlessly complimented him made him feel both flattered and appreciated.