To Satisfy a Veela
It had been a weird day, I thought as I made my way out of the Herbology classroom and headed back from the Greenhouses to the main castle with Ron and Hermione. Hermione was babbling on about how excited she was to work on yet another piece of homework. Ron again complained about how her relentless work ethic annoyed him and that she should just chill out and play some chess or something. After exiting the greenhouses we headed into the courtyard, thankful for the warming charms that came built-in with each set of Hogwarts robes, the frigid Scottish wind chilling our cheeks rosy nevertheless.
"Allo!" a familiar voice called, "'Arry! Monsieur Potter!"
We all turned on the spot and were surprised to see Fleur Delacour and a couple of her friends from Beauxbatons walking towards us across the courtyard, their sky-blue robes being buffeted by the wind. The beautiful French champion led the group and was striding towards us with determination in her eyes and a soft smile on her painted lips.
Ron, beside me, instantly turned into a gibbering mess, blushing at the memory of having pretty much shouted at Fleur an invitation to the Yule Ball the day before. With only three days left until the ball, I didn't have a date yet either. The situation had become dire.
"Hiya, Fleur. What's up?" I asked, lifting a hand into my hair awkwardly. She was so incredibly beautiful that she was almost painful to look at, but I managed to meet the gaze of her piercing, crystal-blue eyes.
"I wanted to say, 'Arry, you do not seem to be affected by my allure and you did very well in ze first task. I am very sorry for naming you a…er…leetle boy."
"Er, thanks," I replied, "And don't worry about it, I would've been frustrated if I were put in your position at the time."
Fleur smiled and nodded genially.
"I am expecting you already 'ave a date for ze Yule Ball, non?" she asked.
I shook my head and said, "Not yet" with an uncomfortable smile. Trying and failing to ask Cho out was an experience I was trying and failing to forget.
"Vraiment? I mean…truly?" Fleur replied with surprise, "But you are 'Arry Potter, and even if you were not, I can tell you are tres…er athletique? Quidditch 'as been good to you."
I had no idea where to look, did she really just say that? Fleur thought I was fit! What could I even reply?!
"You aren't so bad yourself," I replied with a smile, "I might've asked you to the ball if I wasn't sure you would have someone already."
Hermione looked at me strangely, obviously knowing that I'd had no such plans. The real reason for me not asking was because I was sure I didn't have a chance of her saying yes.
"Alors," Fleur said, smiling even wider now, "I have offers but do not have a date. I was 'olding back for ze right wizard."
My mouth went very dry.
"So…er, would you like to go to the ball with me?" I asked. It seemed like a sure thing, given the conversation, but I wasn't going to allow myself to even dare to hope.
"I would," Fleur replied, "And I will be wearing silver, we should match if we can. Can you dance?"
"Not really," I said, shyly. Surely this was going to be a dealbreaker. I'd likely just tread on her toes all night.
"That is okay," Fleur said brightly. Come to our carriage tomorrow night, I shall teach you.
"Okay," I said, nodding, trying not to seem too eager.
"I will see you zen," she replied with a small wave and turned to walk away.
I said "bye" as she made her way off with her friends and I sort of began to wave back but she wasn't looking anymore so I ended up tucking my arm away awkwardly, making Hermione snort.
Ron was a jealous git for the rest of the day. To be honest, I was still pissed off at him for not believing me when I said I hadn't put my name in the Goblet of Fire. Even Fred and George believed me, and they'd tried and failed to get past the twenty-one and over age line Dumbledore had drawn around the blasted thing. Even though Ron had apologised now after the first task, I still hadn't quite forgiven him.
"Of course, she'd pick you over me, why wouldn't she go with you over the Boy Who Lived?" Ron complained at dinner as we sat down at the Gryffindor table to eat.
"What are we talking about?" asked Seamus as he and Dean sat down to join us.
"Harry is taking Fleur Delacour to the ball," said Hermione, not looking up from her potions textbook, "And Ron is jealous as usual."
"What, Frenchie picked you?" Seamus said in shock, "You lucky blighter, have you seen her arse in those robes, and you can bet she's smuggling some major quaffles underneath as well."
"Seamus, you're disgusting," chimed in Lavender from nearby.
"Whatever," Seamus said, waving her off, "What I wouldn't do to spend a night with a veela, they're supposed to be insatiable."
Dean rolled his eyes, "It's just a ball, dude, he's not gonna get the chance to shag her," he said.
"Is that all you boys ever think about?" asked Hermione in annoyance.
Both Seamus, Dean and I all chorused a "Yep!" in reply, to groans from all the girls.
I'd sat with my back to the wall, so had a good view over the Great Hall as I had dinner. I spotted Fleur over at the Ravenclaw table and as I was having dessert she turned her head and smiled warmly at me. Nervous excitement bubbled up inside me. I couldn't wait for our planned dance practice the following night.
I was glad for a not-too-intense day of Divination, History of Magic and Care of Magical Creatures the next day, Thursday because I was struggling to keep my mind on anything but my upcoming meeting with Fleur. I remember being too nervous to eat barely anything at the feast that night, but at least Hermione managed to calm down my nerves a little, saying "If it all went wrong, it wouldn't be like your life had really changed at all, would it? What do you have to lose?" There was the Gryffindor part of her personality shining through.
I could see Fleur was already waiting for me outside the Beauxbatons carriage as I exited into the grounds. Her silvery blonde hair was tied up in a ponytail, and she was wearing simple pointed and thickly-heeled ankle boots, a thin fluffy white long-sleeved jumper and a pair of leggings. I had no idea how she was able to dress like that with the weather being as it was, and so the first thing I said as I approached her was, "Hi Fleur, aren't you cold?"
"Non," she replied with a soft but proud smile, "I am Veela, 'Arry, we are creatures of passion, of fire, my 'otness is not just in my appearance."
I laughed with her and said, "Fair enough." God, I loved how she pronounced my name.
"Thank you for meeting me 'ere," she said "Too many eyes staring up at ze castle."
"I know what you mean," I said, falling into step with her as we began to walk together around the side of the carriage and towards a small clearing amongst the trees at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Under the thick canopy, we'd be slightly protected from the elements to the point that the grass only held a hint of dew, but we would be still in view of the carriage.
"You do?" she replied, looking up at me. Even with her high-heeled ankle boots on, she only came up to my shoulder in height.
"Oh yeah," I answered, "People have been staring at me ever since I came to Hogwarts. It's the whole 'Boy Who Lived' thing. Now I'm a champion, it's even worse."
"Ah, oui, I hadn't even had ze thought," Fleur said with a smile of understanding, "We 'ave something in common, then."
As we came to a stop, we looked at each other in the darkness, only illuminated by the light coming from the carriage itself. This was fixed quickly by Fleur, who removed her wand from the ankle of one of her boots, waved it and three glowing orbs of light flew into the air around them, illuminating the scene.
"You 'ave very green eyes, you know," Fleur said, looking back at me.
"Thanks," I replied, not knowing how else to respond to her trying to break the ice.
"Okay, Madame Maxime told me ze first dance will be a traditional dance, a leetle like a waltz."
For the next hour, Fleur taught me the first dance for the opening of the ball, counting, "un, deux, trois" as we stepped. I trod on her toes a few times but she just smiled genially and corrected me. I don't know whether or not it was because I was just bad at dancing or because I was so close to her. The aroma of her perfume was intoxicating, and with a hand on her hip, I could feel how her almost impossibly tiny waist flared out into an ass that when she twirled, showed it was round and plump in her skin-tight leggings.
"You've got it, I theenk," she said after the hour had passed. Dare I even admit that on her face I could see the hint of a blush?
"Thanks," I replied with a smile, "It will be a whole different thing doing it in front of everyone on Saturday though."
"We can go one more time if you like, to calm ze nerves." she offered.
I nodded, it would be a good idea to go again, not just for the practice, but for another chance to be close to her.
We started again and were about halfway through the steps when, through no fault of my own, I slipped on something, maybe a stray leaf from the autumn's fall and I went tumbling into her, knocking her flat on her back, with me laid on top.
I couldn't help but notice the intimacy of our new-found missionary position and from our closeness when dancing, I'd been sporting a semi the entire time. Now though, I quickly became rock hard at the feel of Fleur's voluptuous form beneath me, that hardness pushing down onto her core.
Fleur raised her eyebrows at me and blushed.
"Monsieur Potter," she said breathily, "You are standing at attention already, we haven't even kissed."
Her azure eyes looked up at me teasingly, sparkling in the light of the floating magical orbs around us. Then those eyes looked down at my lips and I couldn't help but look down at hers, at their soft fullness and shapely cupid's bow. I couldn't help it, I leaned in and softly pressed her lips to mine, my heart pounding in my chest. I didn't want to push it though and pulled slightly away.
"That's better," I said with a smirk and she playfully swatted one of my arms with her hand.
"A cheap move to get me on my back, 'Arry," she said quietly with an unreadable expression.
"I slipped," I replied, not wanting to get in trouble with her already.
"Sure," she said with a smirk, letting me know she was teasing, "Now get off."
She gently pushed me to one side and I rolled off of her and onto my back. Then, however, I felt an icy breeze where I didn't want one. During the fall my jeans must have slid down slightly because the head of my hard cock was poking out of the top of my waistband.
Eyes wide in embarrassment, I went to tuck myself away, saying "Fleur, I'm so sorry, I-"
But she stopped me, not with words, but with a hand on top of my own, the one about to tuck my cock away. I looked up at her in confusion and saw her eyes were filled with dark arousal.
"Do not be embarrassed," she said quietly, "May I?"
I didn't say another word as she moved my hand away, and unbuttoning my jeans, she pulled out my rock-hard cock.
"Oh, C'est magnifique," she said, wrapping her hand around my length.
"It is?" I asked. I mean, I knew I wasn't small, but only one girl had ever called me large, and that girl wasn't a sexy twenty-one-year-old Veela.
"Oui," she said, "You must be very powerful. Ze size of ze penis relates to a wizard's power. It is why Veela always chooses powerful wizards and zis…zis goes almost from my elbow to my wrist, and it is thick. No wonder you were chosen for ze tournament."
"Thanks, I guess," I said breathily, barely able to concentrate on what she was saying as she languidly stroked the length of my shaft.
"'Arry, I must ask, before ze ball. Are you, 'ow do you say…a virgin?"
"Er, no," I replied, "But I've only been with one other girl before."
"Good," Fleur replied, "Ze first time should be with someone special, not just for wanton fucking."
"I guess," I replied, too naive at the time to guess where she was going with this. In truth, the girl I'd slept with was Katie Bell in the team showers after we beat Slytherin in the final quidditch match of the season last year and she wasn't really special to me at all.
"Fleur?" a voice called from the nearby, "Òu es-tu?"
Almost frantically, Fleur and I scrambled to our feet, and I'd just gotten myself tucked away before we saw the silhouette of Madame Maxime come around the corner of the carriage.
Fleur looked at me with a mischievous grin and called out "J'arrive dans un instant, Madame."
"We better go," I said, "I'll see you at the ball.'
"Oui," Fleur replied quietly with a nod, "But one more thing, 'Arry. I am not promising anything, after all, I do not know what you will be like with me in public, but I would like you to see if there's somewhere private we can go after ze ball."
"Really?" I said, probably a bit too enthusiastically with the giggle she responded with.
"Like I say, no promises. I will not be 'appy with you if you treat me like a piece of meat and parade me around like a trophy."
"No problem," I replied, brushing myself down.
She said, "Au revoir," and left the clearing to go back into her school's carriage while I made my way up to the castle, the frigid weather not dampening my spirits whatsoever.
I wasn't the only one thoroughly distracted the next day. The Yule Ball was all anyone would talk about. The older girls chatted about their outfits, the boys gossiped about which of the girls they were taking on dates, and the younger ones repeatedly voiced their frustration at the ball being only held for fourth-years and older. That is, unless you'd been invited by someone older than you. Ginny couldn't help but brag to those in our year group that she'd be attending too. I couldn't help but be proud to say "yes" when multiple people approached me over the course of the day and asked if I was really taking Fleur Delacour to the dance, but every single time the very idea made me nervous. Not in a good way, not because I was excited, but because for the life of me, I couldn't think of anywhere private that I could take Fleur afterwards, if I was incredibly lucky and things went that way, of course.
The night beforehand, lying in bed, I pored over the Marauder's Map by wand light, but I couldn't see anywhere that wasn't a dusty old broom closet or an old abandoned classroom. Not exactly conducive to a night of romance. It wasn't until well after the events of the Yule Ball that I'd even heard of the Prefect's Bathroom, not until Cedric had informed me of it, but even if I'd taken her there, there would be no guarantee of our privacy. Many prefects knew the password, after all.
After classes, I'd gone wandering around the castle, growing increasingly frustrated, until finally, I gave up. I needed to ask someone else, someone who knew the castle inside and out. I was down by the Hufflepuff common room when I watched a House Elf go into the Kitchen when I had the idea that solved it. I summoned Dobby and he told me about the "Come and Go Room", and after trudging from the depths of the castle near the kitchens up to the seventh-floor corridor, I'll admit I was apprehensive that the little elf might've been mistaken. His explanation had seemed too good to be true, but the end, Dobby was right and after pacing backwards and forwards my absolute saviour of a room appeared before my eyes. The Room of Requirement was amazing, and after changing the configuration a few times to see what the room had to offer, I finally settled on one that I liked. Now all I had to do was pray that no one else knew about it. The nerves I was feeling that night as I lay in bed did their very best to stop me from sleeping, but after all that walking, once I'd dropped off, I slept like a log.
It was because of those nerves that I ended up falling asleep quite late and so I slept in way past breakfast the next day. I only had a small bite to eat for lunch, can't remember what, but it was something small, nerves were getting the better of me, and I realised it. What if it actually happened? What if we actually, you know, shagged? I had so little experience and so little time. Sure I was apparently large, but was size all that mattered? She'd surely be amazing, but I would be…disappointing, maybe average at a push. I couldn't let that happen. I decided right then, that in fact, if we did shag, I'd do my damn best to give her the night of her life.
Knowing I'd be nervous, I'd bottled an extra phial of Calming Draught in Snape's class the day before. The potion was supposedly good for about eight hours, so that would sort my nerves out for most of the evening, now I just needed to figure out how to satisfy a veela.
I considered briefly going to Katie Bell, to ask her what she liked and didn't like about our time together, but the instant that thought arrived so did the immediate thought of "nope" at how mortifying the idea of finding her just to talk about it was. In the end, I decided what better place to learn something than the library, making sure to grab my invisibility cloak just in case I needed to get into the restricted section.
It only took me five minutes to find a decent chapter on Veela in a book on magical creatures that seemed good, but just knowing about them wouldn't be enough. I needed something on sex. Walking to the far end of the library to the usually deserted section dedicated to books for History of Magic classes I pulled my invisibility cloak from my satchel and threw it on.
I then stood very patiently waiting for someone to come through so that I might squeeze in. I waited for just over half an hour, but no one came. Eventually though, a couple of seventh-year Ravenclaws approached the gate from the other side and I just managed to get in before it clanged shut behind me.
Thankfully, the Restricted Section was deserted and I had free reign, at least for now. Thinking I better get moving I flitted across the shelves, looking for anything that might fit the description. It took about ten minutes but in the World Magics section I found a book titled, the 'Magicks of Sex' and stuffed it hastily in my bag. I was making my way back to the exit under my cloak when I realised, how on earth would I get out? There were still students milling around the library. I decided there was nothing for it. I opened the latch the tiniest amount and squeezed through, making sure to close the gate as quietly as good. I don't think anyone saw me, but I made my way back to the History of Magic section before removing the cloak again, just in case.
Now, where to read it? I only had about five hours before I should really start getting ready, but the books I had weren't exactly something I could get away with reading in the Gryffindor common room, or even the dorms. Instead, I opted to go back to the Room of Requirement, which provide me with a nice quiet reading space. I opened to the chapter in the Magical Creatures book and began to read. Here is an exempt I found particularly interesting:
'While Veela are magical creatures, they have human level intelligence and integrate well into the magical world. It is however, very important to note that they are sex based creatures, much like the lesser demon the Succubus. As such, while having a strong magical core of their own, once a Veela is past her maturity, her emotional wellbeing is stabilised by and her magical potency is enhanced by the absorption by magical semen, preferably from a wizard through the Veela's orifices. High magical potency levels in the semen is preferred and because of this Veela often seek out wizards of high magical power, which they usually gauge from a wizards standing in society, or if they can find the true indication of magical semen's potency, the wizard having a large phallus. Repeated absorption of the semen during Veela lovemaking is facilitated by the Veela's use of her Allure. She can at will channel a large quantity of the Allure-magic into her hand and upon touching the wizards genitals, cause an erection to occur and the males refractory period (the time needed for the wizard to reproduce his semen) to be eliminated. In short, the Veela can make the wizard ready to have sexual intercourse again until she is satisfied.'
The sex book too was incredibly interesting and thankfully not only focused on magical rituals in lovemaking, but due to some sort of magical power in the female orgasm that could be used in healing, it gave me a wide array of tips and tricks that I hadn't even thought of. My favourite part though, was something I hadn't even thought of, the idea of using own of my own magical abilities. It referenced the use of parseltongue in a section on parselmagics healing origins in India, I don't need to tell you in what section, but I was looking forward to trying it out.
Once I'd spent about an hour showering, shaving and getting into my dress robes, I attempted to do something about my crazy shock of hair, but it wasn't playing nice at all. I grew increasingly frustrated until Neville assured me that I looked good. You could tell that he was very excited, he'd been dancing around the dorms throughout the time we were all getting ready and had taken no notice at all of Seamus and Dean's teasing. With one last look in the bathroom mirror, I decided this was it. My dress robes were kind of fashioned like a muggle suit, all black with a black bow tie, but then I remembered that Fleur had requested that we matched. A quick 'Colovaria' charm sorted that out. Finally, I went into my trunk and necked the vial of Calming Draught. Feeling its effects almost instantly, I headed downstairs, thankful that I'd taken the time to have a quick look at my textbook to make sure that the amount I'd taken would last long enough. It seemed that I'd have about eight hours, more than enough time.
I didn't even wait for Ron in the end to go down to the Gryffindor common room. Ever since he had found out who I was going with he was barely even talking to me and so I also offered absolutely no words of support while he fretted around the dorms about his horrendous robes. Ron had barely even been able to get a date and it was only when Ginny came to his rescue and said that her friend Luna wanted to go did he get a date. Luna was apparently a Ravenclaw from our year below who had apparently grown up near the Weasleys in Ottery St. Catchpole. This meant that we ended up waiting for him in the common room to walk down to the entrance hall together and when he appeared he had a face like thunder. Parvati and Patil said that Hermione was still getting ready, so Neville, Ginny, Ron and I walked down to the Entrance Hall together.
The Durmstrang students were already there when we got to the Entrance Hall. Some of them had gone into the Great Hall already with some of their dates from within their own school and from Hogwarts, but the Beauxbatons students hadn't arrived yet. I didn't have to wait too long though, as not soon after the first of the students I recognised from the French school started filtering through from the grounds. I grew quite impatient as one by one, the Beauxbatons students coming through either went into the Great Hall or paired off with their dates from Hogwarts or Durmstrang. Of course, she was right at the back, walking with Madam Maxime, but she was definitely worth the wait.
Her long silvery-blonde hair, was made into a beautiful up-do, with two long, loosely curled locks framing her face and drawing my attention to her graceful neck and collarbones. The dress was a glittering silver, with a sweetheart neckline and held up by spaghetti straps but didn't show off too much cleavage, but it came in tight around her small waist and flared out around her hips. Her long legs were covered too by the shiny material, now pleated, which went down to her ankles. She looked modest, classy and elegant and it was clear she wanted to be viewed as more than just a sex object. Nevertheless, she was the hottest girl I'd ever seen and with her ruby red lips, she was downright snoggable.
"Hi Fleur," I said, greeting her warmly and giving her a soft, chaste kiss on the cheek, "You look beautiful."
"You look very 'andsome as well 'Arry." Fleur replied with a warm smile, "You weren't waiting for too long?"
"No, only about five minutes," I replied, offering my arm for her to take, "Shall we go inside?"
"Oui," Fleur replied with a nod, and wrapping her arm within mine we turned to walk into the Great Hall, but were then stopped by Professor McGonagall.
"No, Mister Potter, Miss Delacour," the Deputy Headmistress said, "You will need to wait out here with the other champions and their dates. The first dance is the opening to the ball before we sit down for our meals.
"Ah, okay. No problem," I replied and McGonagall gave a tight-lipped smile and a nod before turning away.
Looking around, we were still waiting for whoever Krum's date was and for Cho, who I'd heard would be going with Cedric. With Fleur on my arm, I didn't mind at all. Fleur and I chatted quietly. She complained a little about how there weren't enough bathrooms in the Beauxbatons carriage for everyone to use them when they wanted to. I made an involuntary swallow when she said that she needed the time to make sure that she was properly shaved for our date, wondering what on earth she meant. Her tone of voice said that she just meant her legs, but the quirk of her lip and look that she gave me said otherwise.
"Wow, is that your friend?" Fleur asked, "She looks lovely."
I nodded, quite shocked when I saw Hermione, looking resplendent in a sleek dress of periwinkle blue and sporting hair that was much more tamed than her usual bushy mane. I was even more shocked when she took the arm of Viktor Krum, though more than understanding of her secrecy of who her date was over the past few weeks. Ron had been incorrigible enough knowing I'd be going with Fleur, already. When she spotted Fleur and I, stood by the entrance to Great Hall, she and Viktor came over to join us.
"Harry, you look very smart," she said, "And you look lovely, Fleur."
"You look wonderful as well, Hermione," I replied, "Both of you. I especially like what you've done with your hair."
"It took nearly two bottles of Sleekeazy's," Hermione replied with a smile, "Your grandfather was a genius."
"Wait, what?" I asked.
"Your grandfather, Fleamont Potter, he's the one who invented it. The Potter crest is on the back of every bottle."
"Oh, I didn't know that," I replied, puzzled.
"Honestly, Harry," Hermione said with a playful roll of her eyes, "You should really learn more about your family."
"Sounds like it," I said with a grin.
After that Fleur and Hermione chatted for a while. I swung my arms awkwardly, not really knowing what to say to Krum. I didn't think talking about Quidditch would be the way to go, betting that it would be the go-to topic for anyone wanting to engage in small talk with him and must've become quite tiresome by now.
Soon enough, the last of the stragglers who weren't staff or going to be taking part in the first dance arrived and were ushered into the Great Hall. Two minutes later, we were asked to all line up to make our entrance. Once those double doors opened, I was very glad for the Calming Draught because even though I felt empowered having Fleur on my arm, there were a lot of eyes on us as we stepped into the hall. The excited atmosphere in the room was palpable, though I caught a glimpse of Ron's serious scowl when he noticed who Hermione had come to the ball with.
The enlivened chatter in the room quietened down as we all took our places to start the dance. Looking at Fleur, I saw an enchanting, encouraging smile in her bright blue eyes and felt my heart skip as I watched them crinkle up at the edges. She nodded and I placed my hand on her waist, feeling incredibly silky-soft material beneath my fingertips. A moment of anticipation as we waited for the music to begin and then all at once, we were off.
At the start, I caught myself mouthing 'Un, deux, trois', but I realised that we had more than prepared. I looked into her eyes and everything, everyone else just melted away, it was just me and her in that moment, which seemed somehow eternal, yet it was over far too soon, and we went from gliding, no, floating across the dancefloor, to back down to earth with a bump. When we were finished though, she was beaming at me while we clapped with the rest of the hall.
"You did wonderful, 'Arry," she said, leaving a soft kiss on my cheek that left it tingling, "I've never danced with anyone quite like zat."
"Me neither," I admitted, "I wish we could do it again."
"Me too. We'll get the chance again tonight, but it won't be practised as before." Fleur replied with a sideways sort of smile.
"I'm sure it will be brilliant anyway," I said, smiling back and taking her hand.
At the end of the hall, Dumbledore stood at his lectern, waved his wand and the lights flickered for a moment, causing all to draw their attention towards him.
"Students and Staff of Hogwarts, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang," the Headmaster announced, "Welcome to one of the Triwizard Tournament's most wondrous of traditions, the Yule Ball. Now that our champions at their partners have regaled us all with that most elegant bit of dancing, please all make your way to the edges of the hall at once so that I may set the tables."
Immediately, everyone made their way to the sides of the hall before Dumbledore waved his wand once again. In an instant, half of the Great Hall was filled with a large number of round tables, set with shimmering white tablecloths topped with gleaming golden cutlery, plates and goblets. The headmaster announced that the table to his right was the Champion's table, the one to his left for the faculty, and that everyone else could sit where they wished. Upon approaching where we would be seated, I was reminded once again that old Albus never missed a trick, as delicately laid on our plates were small cream cards calligraphed with the names of everyone meant to be seated at them. Clearly, Dumbledore himself had known who Krum's date would be all this time as well.
As the champions made their way to the table we found we were to be joined by three others, Barty Crouch and Ludo Bagman, who I knew, and a small, athletic-seeming young woman with hooded, storm-grey eyes and jet black hair. I only found out her name by spotting her place setting next to my own, but Gwenog Jones I knew her reputation, she was captain of the Quidditch Team the Holyhead Harpies.
"Gven," Krum said stiffly, from across the table, "I did not expect you to be here." He looked surly all of a sudden and it made Hermione look quite uneasy,
"Relax Vicky. I'm not here for you," I am here on invitation of Mister Bagman." she said with her lilting Welsh accent.
"I told you, Gwen, it's Ludo to you," Bagman said flirtily, which made the young twenty-something give a slightly uncomfortable nod and smile.
"And it's Miss Jones, to you," Gwen said in reply, making Bagman let out a small huff as he took his seat next to her.
Because Hogwarts starts at fourteen, I ended up spending three years at this horrible state school in Surrey called Stonewall High, one thing. It wasn't that bad, in the end as Dudley had gone to Smeltings, so I ended up making a few friends. I didn't have many friends to begin with, being quite timid after my time going to the same school as Dudley, but I eventually even began talking to some girls and realised quite quickly how just the simple act of chivalry made a good impression on them.
This was what I aimed to start with in my time with Fleur this evening, and as we approached our table, I made sure to pull out her chair for her, before pulling out my own. In response, she gave me a pretty smile, said "Merci" and sat down.
While Hogwarts started at fourteen, you weren't considered 'of age' until you were twenty-one, but the drinking age was seventeen. This was presumably why most people there needed to be fourteen and over, because several bottles of mead and elf-made wine were placed on the centre of each of the beautifully laid tables.
"Would you like some wine, Fleur?" I asked, showing her a bottle, "I don't know how good it is."
"It is French," she said, smiling, "Though let me have a look at my menu, I don't want to pick the wrong wine for my food."
I had absolutely no idea what she was talking about, but after deciding what I wanted, I asked her what the best wine would be for beef stroganoff, and as we both wanted to have the same main, I poured us both a glass of red. It was a real novelty, ordering directly from the menu after Dumbledore demonstrated how to the throng, and I decided to have a trio of melon for my starter, while Fleur ordered a seafood cocktail. Even though it was always amazing when the food just appeared in front of us at the table on our day-to-day feasts, ordering just what you wanted really felt special.
"So," said Gwen, to my left, "It seems we have three strong fliers at the table, you did incredibly well in the first task."
"Thanks," I replied, "But it wasn't that impressive, I was on a Firebolt, I'm sure you wouldn've been able to do the same."
"I'd like to think so," Gwen said, "But I don't think my nerves would've held up if I was trying to out-maneuver a dragon."
"Still, it wasn't really a display of any real power, I got very lucky," I replied, "It wasn't like what Fleur did. I wasn't lucky enough to see it, but I heard she managed to hit her dragon in the eye with a conjunctivitis curse. That's power and pinpoint accuracy."
"Yes, it was very impressive," said Hermione from across the table, "I don't think I would've been able to hit such a tiny target. Fleur beamed at the praise, saying "thank you".
"Yes, such a powerful witch should be recognised," said Ludo Bagman, leering at Fleur from across the table, "I could give you a personal tour of the Ministry, if you like, I'll even show you round my office."
"That would be lovely," said Fleur, brightly, "As long as I can bring my father, Sebastien, you know, ze French Ambassador to your Ministry,"
"Oh I'm sure he'll be too busy," Ludo said with a slight grimace, realising he'd overstepped the mark a bit.
"He's never to busy for his little girl," Fleur sternly assured him.
"It's so nice how we've got so many Hogwarts Students around this table. We might have had another, I was surprised that Harry asked you after I said no to him first." Cho said, proudly.
Fleur raised an irritated eyebrow, but I jumped right in there, saying "Well, Cedric is very lucky to have you as his date, but I'd already thought Fleur would be going with someone, otherwise I would've asked her first."
"I see," said Cho drily. Cedric looked on, amused.
"I've heard you could've asked out anyone in the castle, Harry. I've heard you're very powerful," said Gwenog, "I got the chance to have a bit of a wander around the old castle this morning before getting ready for the ball. I happened upon the Trophy Room, how did you get your 'Special Award for Services to the School' in your second year?"
"Ah, it's not a story that is suitable for dinner conversation I'm afraid," I said, I'll have to regale you another time.
"Hmph," Viktor said, clearly not liking the attention not being centered on himself, "He is still just a fourth year, how powerful could Potter be?"
"Well I watched him cast a Patronus that fought of a hundred dementors last year," said Hermione, proudly.
"Is it true, 'Arry?" Fleur said, "A hundred? C'est incroyable."
"More or less," I admitted, smiling sheepishly.
"You shall have to show me ze spell sometime," she replied, to which I nodded.
"Really?" said Crouch, taking a bite of his own appetiser while I poured Fleur and I another glass of wine, "You might have the makings of an Auror, Mister Potter, I'll be sure to put a word in with Amelia Bones if you like."
I had no idea who she was at the time and said, "That would be very nice, Mr Crouch, thank you."
We all chatted a little here and there when while we finished our starters before ordering our main courses. I decided I should try and spend a bit more time focusing on Fleur.
"Tell me, Fleur, what is your life like at school, you talk about your Dad being an Ambassador, do you have any other family?" I asked.
"Oui, my maman, Apolline, and my sister Gabrielle. She is my favourite, she's like a miniature version of me, though she 'as not grown into her Veela heritage yet, she is quite a handful."
"More so than her sister? I don't believe it." I replied, loading up my fork.
"Ahh, not in quite ze same way," she replied, lightly biting the corner of her lip and raising an eyebrow.
"Oh I can definitely believe that," I said with a grin, "Well I bet she's lovely, Gabrielle, I wish I had a sister, though Hermione here is as good as one."
Hermione though, wasn't listening, and was too busy trying to get Viktor to pronounce her name properly.
"Ah, so there is no romantic connection between you two? I had wondered," Fleur pressed.
"None at all," I assured her. Even though I could handle it, I felt Fleur's allure dial up slightly, it made the hairs on my arm stand on end.
"So Fleur," Ludo said, leaning heavily across the table, glassy-eyed, "What are you doing here with Harry? You should be here on a date with a real wizard."
"Ah you see, but Harry here is a real wizard."
'Yes, a real wizard would pay attention to the woman he invited and not others," Gwen said, irritably.
"Aha! So you do like me!" said Bagman.
"I didn't say that," Gwen replied, pompously, "But I have manners."
Ludo didn't like that one bit.
"You've been flirting with Harry here ever since we sat down, "Oh Harry, you must be so powerful."
"What can I say? I know talent when I see it. He's good with a broom."
"Exactly, you just like Quidditch players, that's why you were with Krum for so long." answered Bagman
"Oh just leave it, will you?" said Gwen. Fleur and I looked at each other. This dinner conversation wasn't exactly the way that either of them had planned it going, but it was entertaining nonetheless.
"Fine," Bagman said with a smile. Everyone ate quietly now, for a good ten minutes, the atmosphere of the table really awkward. Fleur and I talked between ourselves. I was making sure I showed an interest in her life at Beauxbatons and about her favourite subject, Enchanting, which wasn't taught at Hogwarts. I'll be honest it sounded a damn sight more interesting than Divination.
"Besides," said Cho, "Everyone knows Harry is just here with Fleur because he wants to get in her knickers." Cedric at her side, frowned at her.
"Actually," I replied, "Fleur and I thought it would be lovely idea to go together because we are both constantly being stared at. She is clearly more than just her looks."
"Why do you keep acting like this Cho," Cedric asked frowning at his plate, "Are you jealous, or something?"
"No, I just don't like that Harry only asked me because he thought he couldn't get Fleur," she replied, tartly.
"Didn't you want to go with me in the first place?" Cedric probed.
"Well yeah, but she's not better than me." Fleur responded petulantly.
"Are you a school Champion?" Hermione asked, clearly not amused by the conversation.
"Well, but neither are you!" Cho snapped.
"I would've asked Hermione after Fleur though to go as friends if she hadn't told me she already had a date," I added.
Fleur sniggered into her goblet, muttering "Not helping, 'Arry." at my side. We grinned at each other, and now that we'd finished our mains, she placed a dainty hand on top of mine.
"What can I say, I like getting into mischief."
"Ah, like me and Gabrielle." she replied, "What other kinds of mischief do you get up to?"
"Well, in our first year, Hermione, Ron and I fought a mountain troll."
"Truly?"
I nodded.
The conversation then turned a little more pleasant for everyone else at the dinner table, well at least for Fleur, Krum and I, who spent a little bit of time talking about the differences between the schools while we waited for everyone else to finish their meals. Around this point, Professor Dumbledore waved his wand, and a large stage appeared at the other end of the hall, surrounded by a thick black curtain. This sent a large wave of excited muttering around the hall and the frequency of the various clinks of cutlery on plates sounding increased while many tried to finish their dinner quickly. Soon the plates were cleared and Dumbledore stood up to address the hall once again.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, now that I trust that you have all been satisfactorily fed and watered by our sumptuous feed, it is now time for the dancing to begin. We have a very special surprise for you all tonight, so I bid you all to give a warm Triwizard welcome to… The Weird Sisters!"
Standing and clapping, however, was not what happened. The moment the four-piece wizarding band came on stage, the was a large amount of screams and scraping of chairs as two-thirds of the hall instantly got up and ran in front of the stage. Gwen, Cho and Cedric were off like a shot, while Fleur and I looked on, amused.
"Do you know them?" I asked.
"Oui," she replied with a nod, "Zey are popular all over Europe, zo I am more of a Funky Boggarts fan myself. But they do have some good songs."
"Would you like to dance?" I asked, getting to my feet and offering my hand.
"Absolument." she replied with a wide smile and after she'd hung her small silver purse over the back of her chair I led her to the middle of the dancefloor while the band started up their first song of the night. I initially just led her to the outskirts of the crowd, so that we might face each other when we danced, but as I stopped, with an excited look and not letting go of my hand, she walked past me, drawing me further into the boisterous throng. Once we were well within the mix, still standing side by side, we danced to the Weird Sisters together. For a girl that wasn't much of a fan, Fleur knew a lot of the words and I half watched her out of the corner of my eye as she danced and sang to many of the songs. As she began to let go of herself, I felt her lose slight control of her Allure and several of the boys began to look toward us. One Durmstrang student deliberately shuffled his way towards us and started whispering in her ear, but she shook her head and turned away slightly before the man's attention was brought back by his own date. Instinctively, I manoeuvred to protectively stand behind her. She looked back at me with a soft smile, still singing and then leaned her head backwards slightly, placing her soft cheek against mine and then reaching for my hands to wrap my arms around her waist. Her curvaceous body felt incredible against mine as we swayed on the spot. With how pronounced her derriere was as we moved I couldn't help but stand at attention, but she made no hint that she'd noticed. Surprisingly, it turned out that I did know a few of the songs and I loved singing along to some of the words with her, even though I know I'm absolutely tone deaf, and can't sing for the life of me.
The set the band played was just over an hour long and the best part of the whole thing was their finale, when the band slowed it down to play one of their romantic ballads. We stayed in our very comfortable swaying cuddle for most of the chorus kicked in, but when it did, she turned to the spot and wrapped her arm around my neck. Holding each other close, we swayed on the spot, but I made sure to act the gentleman and keep my hands from moving no further down than her lower back. As the song came to a close and the band said they would be back after a short break, Fleur and I stayed exactly where we were, just holding each other as the crowd began to dissipate and move back to their tables for some dessert.
"Thank you, 'Arry," Fleur said, smiling warmly at me.
"For what?" I asked with a frown. I had no idea what she had to be thankful for.
"For bringing me, for not being affected by allure, for not turning into a drooling mess, for taking up some of the attention that is always focused on me."
"You're welcome, I think," I replied, "But I can't help not being too affected by your allure. I can feel it you know, but I can tell it feels, different, magical. It's part of you, but I can tell its not all you. I liked when we were just part of the crowd, singing together, no matter how awful I am at it."
Fleur laughed, "Yeah you are not so great at zat, but you are right. I feel like tonight with you, I can be just Fleur, ze witch who has an 'andsome wizard on her arm and not just Fleur ze Veela, who can apparently 'ave anyone she wants and that's all she is."
"Anyone with a brain can see you're more than just your looks, Fleur." I replied.
Fleur wrapped her arms around me tighter and laid her head on my chest, sighing. I don't know what the shampoo she used in her hair was, honey and something, but it smelled amazing.
"I don't want ze night to end already," she said quietly against my chest.
"Me neither," I said, kissing her hair, "But there's plenty of time left. Let's go have some fun."
"We shall," she said, pulling away slightly and looking up at me, "I just want you to know one thing?"
I looked at her quizzically and she reached up, she pulled my head down to whisper into my ear
"In here, if you carry on being a gentleman and treating me with respect, like a lady, when we leave, you can treat me like a whore."