Chapter - 5
He was left breathless.
"What iz zhe matter, 'Arry?" the stunningly beautiful girl asked as she edged closer to him. "You look like you're seeing a ghost. I assure you, I am still breathing and living. Or perhaps you 'ave forgotten about me?"
Yes. He had indeed forgotten about her. He probably couldn't even remember her name.
He recognized that face, however. Of course, he should. The owner of that face once married the eldest brother of his closest friend. She looked different back then. She had just crossed over into her early twenties when she wedded Bill. Of course, she had always been gorgeous. She was part veela after all.
The woman currently standing in front of him however was in a completely different league altogether.
Her silvery blonde hair was straight and much longer back then, reaching down to her waist. It was shorter now, reaching just below her shoulder and styled in beautiful wavy curls. She had them pulled all over to one shoulder, leaving one of her earlobes exposed. Her sky-blue lace evening dress matched her eyes and accentuated her curves. In the dim light of the balcony, her glow illuminated both of them.
She was elegant. She was stunning. She was gorgeous. She was the testimony of a woman's beauty. Everything that was synonym to the word 'beauty' applied to her.
For a few moments, he could only gawk helplessly as she drew closer to him. The smell of her perfume could only be matched by her beauty. It invaded all of his senses but not once did it feel overbearing.
"'Arry?"
She was now mere inches away from him.
Her voice woke him up from his stupor. He shook his head, trying to throw the effect she had on him, and looked into her eyes. It was then he realized that she had a pair of very beautiful eyes. It was bright blue and unlike most adults, the sclera of her eyes was clean and white, totally devoid of the blood vein traces so prevalent in most adults' eyes.
It took him a while before he could muster a few words. "I know your name," he blurted.
"Congratulations. I am sorry. I didn't bring any prize wiz me. I am not sure you deserve any since zhat iz zhe only zhing you remembered about me. We'll get to zhat later but first, I must apologize," she said.
"For what?"
"For what I did," said Fleur. "I saw you standing alone inside zhe banquet 'all. I know I couldn't just walk up to you and talk to you in front of everyone so I devised a plan to draw you out." She nodded towards the location where Hector was perching. "I should give zhanks to your friend up zhere. Don't worry. 'E doesn't know about it," she quickly added upon seeing Harry's expression.
"They could have sent someone else, Fleur," said Harry.
Fleur smiled widely. "Yes zhey could. I took my shot. It works," she said.
"A little bit too well I have to admit," said Harry.
"It iz and it iz a good zhing, don't you agree? Imagine if zhey sent someone a thousand times more handsome zhan you to fetch me," teased Fleur.
Harry rolled his eyes. He was aware of Fleur's intention to make him jealous. "That would be even better, I suppose," he retorted.
"But it iz not to anyone else I want to speak to," she replied. "Do you really 'ave forgotten me, 'Arry?"
"I'm sorry. It's been years since the last time I saw you. Too many things happened in that period. I guess I just didn't have the time nor the leeway to think about anything else," said Harry.
"Seven years, give or take a few months. I see that your memory of me took zhe back seat but zhat iz okay," Fleur said, frowning a little bit.
"Yeah well, sorry. Please don't be mad at me," said Harry, feeling quite guilty.
"I am not angry, 'Arry. I understand. I've been following you in zhe news. You're doing zhings zhat mattered most. You are keeping everyone safe. You've also avenged Bill's death. You 'ave my zhanks," said Fleur.
"It's part of the job, Fleur," Harry said. "And by the way, Kingsley was the one avenging Bill lest you forget. I got the stragglers."
"What a down-to-earth boy you are. You really don't know your worth, do you, 'Arry?"
Harry just shrugged. "You changed a lot. In your appearance, I mean. If it wasn't for your voice I probably wouldn't recognize you."
"You on zhe ozher hand are perfectly recognizable. Of course zhe media 'elp wiz zhat," said Fleur. "But you're certainly different from zhat young, scrawny boy I used to remember. You now look handsome and taller. I can't believe I 'ated you so much zhe first time we met."
It was true. He had indeed become taller than before. He still wasn't as tall as Fleur, however. His current height reached just below Fleur's ears.
"Yeah, I don't like you either back then. That 'leetle boy' comment you made sting quite a bit," replied Harry, chuckling. "But now look at us!"
Fleur also let out a small laugh. "Yes, look at us now. Two friends 'appily reunited. Though I 'ave to say, one of zhe friends iz feeling quite disappointed at zhe moment," she said.
Harry for some reason had a hunch to whom Fleur was referring. "You were disappointed? Of what?" he asked.
"Of a friend 'ho apparently 'ad forgotten to reply to 'er letter. Zhat same friend broke 'is promise to 'er and she iz very unhappy about it," said Fleur, glaring at Harry.
"Letter? What-... oh, right. That letter," said Harry upon remembering that Fleur did send him a letter once during his time at Hogwarts. "I am so sorry, Fleur. I want to reply, I really do. I guess that thought then took flight over my head. I completely had forgotten all about it. Again, I'm sorry."
Fleur sighed. "At least I know zhat you received it. I waz afraid zhat zhe letter might 'ave been addressed wrongly and got to zhe wrong people. I know you were busy but I waz still 'oping zhat you could take a minute or two to write a reply. A simple one would be sufficient. I guess I waz wrong to 'ope."
Harry was so overcome by guilt at this point that he failed to reply to Fleur's rebuke.
Fleur forced a bitter smile. "I lost many friends and loved ones to zhe war, 'Arry. I wish I could keep whatever zhat iz left close to me. At this moment, I don't 'ave much. If you don't want to be a part of it, I understand." She then glanced at the entrance to the balcony. "You got a 'uge event to 'andle, Monsieur Potter. I'm sure zhey need you inside." She then turned around and walked back toward where she stood minutes before.
Her voice was cold. All the warmth that previously reverberated from it had all but gone. Harry felt so bad. He knew that he should not treat her like that but in his defense, he had many things happen back then. Some of it was bad, so bad that somehow everything else including her letter ended up being thrown out of his mind. She of course knew nothing of this which was why he thought he owed her an explanation. The only thing left would be if she would be willing to listen to him and accept it.
He slowly approached her from behind. She was still facing away from him. "Fleur?" he said.
Silence.
"Look, I'm sorry that I forgot to reply to your letter and you have every right to be angry with me. Many things happened and I was caught in all of them. I know it sounded lame but it is the truth. I don't want to lie to you. I can tell you everything that happened if you're willing to listen."
Fleur remained silent. Her eyes remained fixed on the glowing lights of the Eiffel Tower.
"Fleur," he said. "It's okay if you don't want to listen to me but I got a job to do. This balcony is a restricted area and I can't let you stay out here all alone. In the event of a security breach, you'll be the first target. You're the daughter of one of the members of the Council of Ministers after all. I need to get you inside, right now," he said.
Still, Fleur remained silent.
Harry sighed. "Fine," he finally said. "I'll send two female agents to stay with you. You can stay out here for as long as you wish but I implore you to heed my advice. It is not safe out here, especially for someone like you. Just know that I am still your friend and I care for you."
But just as he was about to reach for his comm, Fleur spoke, "Are you?"
"What?"
She turned to face him. "Are you still my friend, 'Arry Potter?"
"Yes, of course. Why would I be anything else other than that?" came the reply.
Once again, he reached out for his comm. But just as he started to speak into it, Fleur's hand shot out and held his comm down and away from his mouth.
"Don't," she said. She then leaned towards him and breathily whispered, "If you are truly my friend, you wouldn't mind if I do zhis."
Fleur then took Harry's hand and with a sound of a pop, they both disappeared.
The topmost platform of the Eiffel Tower, moments later...
Harry gasped for breath as both he and Fleur appeared out of thin air. He and Fleur had just apparated.
Harry looked wildly around. He recognized where they both were. They had just apparated onto the Eiffel Tower's topmost platform. "You brought me here?" he asked Fleur.
"Yes," replied Fleur simply. "Iz zhere a problem, Monsieur Potter?"
"A lot," replied Harry as he continued to look around. His eyes found Elysee Palace, located a few miles away from the famous tower. "We shouldn't be here. We need to go back. Now."
But Fleur held him back. She immediately took his hand and her fingers intertwined with his. "No, we don't need to."
But Harry disagreed with her. "Fleur, I'm on duty and you need to go back to the presidential palace. The VIPs are leaving and so will your parents. Let's go. Besides, you're misusing the VIP privilege."
"What privilege?"
"The privilege that allows you to apparate out of the palace in the event of a security breach. You know the palace is under apparition lockdown, right? That privilege!"
"Oh zhat."
Harry was about to pull Fleur's hand when once again she held him back. "My parents know zhat I am with you. I told zhem. We're staying, 'Arry. You are still on duty, I know. Right now, your duty iz to protect me, zhe daughter of one of zhe 'ighest officers within zhe French government. You don't want anyzhing bad 'appen to me, do you?"
"And your parents are okay with this?" asked Harry, perplexed. He was pretty sure that Monsieur Delacour would be very well aware of protocols. He would never allow Fleur to run off just like that.
"I never wait for zheir reply," came the answer.
Harry shook his head. "Of course, I don't want anything bad to happen to you. But Fleur, I am supposed to protect you there," he said while at the same time pointing his finger towards the palace. "Not here."
"'Ere, zhere; It iz all zhe same," said Fleur nonchalantly. "Right now, I don't feel like going back. Papa iz 'aving a meeting wiz a few of his counterparts so it will be a while before we leave. But if you want to leave, fine. Go. Just leave me alone 'ere." She then let go of Harry's hand.
"You know I can't do that," replied Harry. "I won't."
"Zhen stay," said Fleur. "What are you afraid of? Zhat zhey will know zhat you're not at your post? It's not like you 'ave to stay at one location. You are zhe 'Ead of Security after all. Your men are doing zheir job as zhey should. Zhe way I see it, everyzhing runs like clockwork. You are not abandoning your job. Your current duty iz to stay by my side protecting me, zhe daughter of someone important. But if zhey thought ozherwise, don't worry. I will make sure zhat zhe least zhey could do iz put you out of your job."
Harry opened and closed his mouth. "The least?" he asked a few moments later. "Is this your idea of revenge? And it's all because of a letter?"
"If you put it zhat way then zhe answer iz yes," answered Fleur. "You'll be surprised at what I'm capable of doing if zhings are not going my way. You are now at my mercy, 'Arry." She then retook Harry's hand and said, "Now come."
"Remind me not to cross you anytime soon," said Harry as Fleur pulled him through the crowd.
"Of course. You would do well to remember zhat," said Fleur, smirking.
Both Harry and Fleur weaved through the crowd as they made their way towards the edge of the platform. The tower and its surrounding area that night were full of visitors. No doubt, the World War II commemoration event played some part in it. The heightened security measures seemed to not affect the visitors count. It was a blessing actually, especially for both Harry and Fleur. Nobody else on the platform was aware that two people just sprang out of thin air right in the middle of them. Unfortunately, it had a bad side as well. It took both of them quite a while before they finally found a vacant spot at the edge of the platform.
"So it's true," said Fleur as she leaned forward against the platform's steel railing. "Zhat zhey say you do not like Apparition."
"Not just apparition," said Harry as he copied Fleur. "The Floo Network. The Knight Bus. Basically every type of magical transportation except brooms."
Fleur cocked her eyebrows. "So you prefer zhe slowest?" she asked.
"No," replied Harry. "I prefer the most comfortable. There aren't many of those in the magical world."
"Zhat iz true."
Both of them went silent. Each of them drowned in their thoughts.
The view of Paris in the nighttime from the top of the Eiffel Tower was simply amazing. From their vantage point, they could see the famous Champ-De-Mars, Paris's well-known green space laid below them. The beautiful night panorama of the city of Paris and its suburbs laid bare in front of them. To their left laid the River Seine. Multiple boathouses could be seen parking along its bank.
After a few minutes of standing beside Fleur and soaking up the beautiful view of the Parisian night sky, Harry began to ease up a little bit. From the chatters he heard from his comm, everything had so far gone well at the presidential palace.
"Beautiful, izn't it?" asked Fleur as she reopened their stalled conversation.
Harry nodded in agreement. "Yeah. It is amazing."
"You know, zhis iz zhe first time I've been here," said Fleur.
Harry stared at Fleur. "Seriously? I thought you know, living in France, you could visit this tower every weekend."
"You zhink zhat zhe French people don't 'ave anyzhing else to do ozher zhan climb an old steel tower with every opportunity we 'ad?" said Fleur.
"No, that's not what I meant," Harry replied.
Fleur chuckled. "Of course not. Not all of us get to enjoy zhe privilege, 'Arry," she said. "I 'ad always wanted to visit Eiffel when I waz little. Ever since I saw zhe picture inside a book I wanted to come 'ere but Papa refused to bring us no matter 'ow many times I begged him. 'E told me zhat 'e waz concerns for our safety but you know at zhat young age, it waz difficult for me to understand."
Harry of course understood. Appoline, Fleur and Gabrielle were veelas, or at least quarter veelas. He was aware of the trouble that could arise if the three of them went out in public. The 'privacy' he and Fleur afforded right now was due to everyone else being too busy doing their own things like taking pictures, enjoying the night view, and proposing to their loved ones in marriage.
"So, not even Bill?" he asked.
Fleur's expression fell when she heard that name.
Harry immediately apologized when he saw the change in Fleur's expression.
"Don't apologize, 'Arry," said Fleur. "Yes. Even Bill. We didn't even get zhe chance to go on our honeymoon after our wedding. You remember what 'appened zhat time. We 'ad to go into 'iding. Bill fared better because of 'is blood status. I thought we would finally 'ave our own 'appily ever after zhe war ended. Zhat came but only for a short while. Bill waz immediately conscripted into zhe DMLE." At this point, Fleur let out a long sigh. Harry could see that her eyes were watery. "And zhen 'e died."
"I'm sorry, Fleur," said Harry. "For what happened."
Fleur suddenly looked sharply at Harry. "Stop apologizing for somezhing not of your making, 'Arry. Zhings could 'ave got a lot worst if you didn't kill zhat bastard, especially for someone like me. Did you know zhat under his rule, zhose who are like me are considered as lesser zhan 'uman? Zhat we're nothing more zhan some sort of magical creatures zhat anyone can own and easily be disposed of! We-, at least I owe you a lot."
Harry spoke nothing. He simply stared at her.
Fleur looked down and away from Harry. "I'm sorry for going off like zhat. I didn't mean to. Sometimes I get too emotional when I zhink about zhings zhat should not 'appened."
"We are making changes, Fleur. I can assure you that. We will make sure that everyone will be treated equally no matter who they are and where they come from. And we will never stop protecting," said Harry.
"Zhat's good to 'ear," said Fleur softly. She then smiled. "Now, enough about me. Let's talk about you."
Harry smiled back. "There's nothing to talk about me, Fleur. My life isn't exactly private, you know. There's really nothing new."
"Oh, I am sure zhere are still zhings zhat people don't know about you, 'Arry."
"Such as?"
Fleur suddenly hesitated. "I probably shouldn't mention it."
"Well, if you really want to talk about me, you should. I mean if you really want to know what's new about me from me, you already have the answer," said Harry. "To be honest, I am curious about what you know about me that I don't know about."
Fleur glared at Harry. "Alright, fine," she said. "You and Ginny. No newspapers and tabloids reported zhat."
Harry's eyebrows furrowed. "What about her?"
Seeing Harry's reaction, Fleur replied, "So what Molly said iz true. You 'ave broken up wiz 'er."
"You're still in contact with Mrs. Weasley?"
"Of course. Why shouldn't I? She iz my former mozher in-law after all. I only talk to 'er, 'owever," said Fleur. "Unlike someone I know, she still sends me letters."
Ignoring the jab in Fleur's last sentences, Harry asked, "What else she told you about me?"
"Not much. She told me zhat she waz very disappointed wiz what Ginny did to you. She felt guilty. She 'ad no idea 'er only daughter could do such a zhing," said Fleur. "I told 'er zhat you are a forgiving person. She said she knows zhat because you still visit zhem whenever you had zhe chance."
"She shouldn't feel guilty. It was Ginny's doing, not her," said Harry.
"It's 'er mother's instinct, 'Arry. She loves you as if you're 'er son."
"Yeah, I know."
"Anyway, zhat Ginny iz a complete idiot and a fool," said Fleur, frowning. "She doesn't deserve you."
"That's harsh, Fleur," said Harry, raising his eyebrows.
"Iz it, 'Arry? We both lost friends and families to the war. Bill nearly turned into a werewolf but still, I stayed by 'is side. My husband died but still-..." She couldn't continue and immediately went silent.
Harry nodded in understanding. "I think I know what you were trying to say. I already made peace with what she did to me. Let's just say that I was just being unlucky and we stop at that, what do you say?"
It took a while for Fleur to respond. "I can do zhat, I zhink. So 'ere we are, two people who were unlucky in love standing side by side at one zhe most romantic location on zhe face of zhe earth. Ironic, izn't it?" she pointed out.
Harry responded to that by looking around. Indeed, all around them, couples could be seen holding hands, kissing; some of them proposing to the other in marriage. He and Fleur were probably the odd ones within the crowd.
"Yeah, probably." He turned to look at Fleur. "Maybe this isn't the best place to hold a reunion given our circumstances."
"True but I still want to come 'ere. I got my wish tonight, zhanks to you," said Fleur.
"You're welcome, I think? I mean you could have just asked me instead of kidnapping me and brought me here," said Harry.
"Zhat iz an excellent idea. 'Ow do I do zhat? By writing you a letter?" said Fleur.
"There you go again," said Harry, not missing the sarcasm. "You're not going to let it go, aren't you?"
"Never."
Harry shook his head and they both chuckled. They then fell into silence.
"Is that your only wish, Fleur?" asked Harry moments later. He was looking at a couple standing not far from them. The boy had just proposed to his girlfriend. The girl accepted his proposal and now they were happily dancing, twirling around one another.
Fleur who also was looking in the same direction as Harry replied, "No. I 'ave a few more."
"Mind telling me some of it?"
Fleur however shook her beautiful head. "No, I don't zhink so. Sorry."
Harry smirked. "Afraid that the wishes wouldn't come true?"
Fleur chuckled. "You know I never believe in zhose zhings."
"Well, some do. Certainly not you though."
"People are free to believe whatever zhey want to believe, 'Arry. I prefer to keep all my wishes to myself if you don't mind."
"That's true," Harry agreed. "And I respect that."
"What about you?" asked Fleur. "Or are you like me who doesn't want anyone else to know about it?"
Harry looked at her and smiled. "Let just say that I'm not prepared to share the details with anyone just yet."
"Maybe someday?"
"Yeah, why not. Maybe someday," came the reply.
"Will I be zhe first to know?"
"Sure. I'll keep that in mind."
Fleur smiled satisfactorily. "I look forward to it zhen."
Once again, both of them fell into silence.
'Arry, I-."
But her sentences were cut short when all of a sudden, Harry's comm alive.
"Yeah, Harry's here."
"We're having the post-event security meeting right now. Where are you?"
"I'll be right there," spoke Harry into his comm. He then turned towards Fleur, who at that time was staring at his comm with great animosity. "We need to go back."
She forced a smile. "Of course."
Harry took Fleur's hand and once again, they weaved their way through the crowd. That call came at a perfect time actually. Many visitors, both male and female, apparently began to notice Fleur and they were gawking at her. Some men even tried to approach her when she and Harry were still standing together at the edge of the tower's platform.
"Hey! Where are you taking her?!"
Harry ignored the man's shouting. He pulled Fleur closer to him as he continued to weave his way through the crowd and with the sound of a pop, they both disappeared from the platform.
Back at the balcony of Elysee Palace
Harry took several deep breaths the moment he appeared on the balcony. His ears were ringing loudly.
Fleur who managed to reappear with grace was giggling. "We really need to work on your apparition skill, Monsieur Potter."
"Oh, I can apparate just fine, Fleur. I do that a lot," he said as he continued to massage his ears vigorously. "It's just that I'm still not accustomed to the sensation."
"Zhen you have no choice but to try to get used to it," stated Fleur. She approached him and began to work on his suit, dusting it off and correcting his bow tie. "You are an Auror. Zhere will be times when you need to get to someplace very quickly. Apparition iz zhe only way for you to do zhat."
"Yeah, I know. When you're right, you're right. I simply wish there would be some other way," he said as he watched Fleur working on his suit. Her face was merely inches away from his face.
"Unfortunately for you, zhere izn't. Zhere you go," she said as she put the finishing touch to his suit. "Now you look much more presentable."
"Thank you, Fleur," said Harry, expressing his gratitude.
"And to you too," said Fleur. "I 'ad a great time tonight, 'Arry. We should do zhis again sometime."
"Of course," said Harry.
"I must go. Papa and Maman are probably waiting for me," said Fleur as she took a glance into the main hall.
"Yeah, maybe you should."
Fleur was about to leave when suddenly she stopped. She looked back at him and said, "Well Monsieur Potter, now that you are single, I will be expecting letters from you. No excuses."
"Of course, Fleur. I promise," said Harry.
"You promise?" she asked.
"More like an oath. I'll write to you as soon as I get back to England," said Harry earnestly, putting every ounce of determination into his words.
But Fleur appeared not to trust him. She tilted her head and cocked an eyebrow. She then leaned closer to him. One of her hands reached up and held him by the back of his neck. "Don't make a girl a promise, let alone an oath," she breathily whispered into his ear. "- if you know you can't keep it."
Her lips produced a wide smile and after giving him a quick peck on his cheek, she immediately departed towards the palace's main hall.
Harry held his breath and watched her hip sway as she walked into the building.
One thing is for sure, he would have to make good on his promise the moment he got back home.
To be continued...
A/n: Just a short one this time.
To 'jslee102': As mentioned in Chapter 1, the angst is here to stay and the story, in general, won't divert much from the original. Keep on reading at your own peril.
I was hoping that I could produce another chapter before this year ends. We'll see.
So anyway, enjoy. And be safe.