A/N: Hello people and welcome to a fun, light-hearted fic with Harry, Fleur and friends! Part 11 with still another 10~ on the way! (There could be a bit more too, maybe!)
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Harry, Ron and Hermione had just sat down in the library when the two other members of their group appeared therein the archway; Gabrielle and Fleur. Unlike what they'd usually do, that being to study in some empty classroom or even aboard the Beauxbatons carriage, this time, they fancied using Hogwarts. There were a plethora of books, more so than could be found anywhere else, and Hermione possessed a pass to the restricted section on account of her advanced studies.
Studies that Harry and Ron had previously thought to be a touch too much, especially when either of them cared to look just at what she was reading. Who would've ever thought that her having such a blank check would benefit Harry when his life inevitably found itself the subject of somebody else's play.
He shook his head and stood, pulling the chairs out that were on either side of him. It wasn't like Fleur or Gabby would sit elsewhere. Not with Hermione and Ron seated across from him. Even after the Chess game and exposure therapy Ron had with the French witches, he still was only able to be so close to them sans the presence of his favourite game.
"Sorry we are late," Fleur said as she slid into the chair right of his; it 'accidentally' grew closer to his own, enough so that their knees brushed. "Zere was a 'ang up, but we are 'ere now, no?"
"You are," Harry couldn't help the smile that came to his face.
Gabby snorted, a rarity. "As eef Fleur would ever 'ave us mees time weez our 'Arry."
Fleur grinned then, and looked around the table at Harry and the others. "You 'eard my leetle seester? Our 'Arry, she says, and zen she acts as eef only I would be sad to mees such time," Fleur tutted. "She ees adorable even when she tries to act ozzerwise."
Harry snickered. Gabby was pretty adorable, and as if she read his mind, she stuck her tongue out at Fleur in response to her words.
Yup, Harry thought to himself. Definitely adorable.
Far more so than the topic they'd be bringing up now that the five were together. At least Hermione cast private charms to ensure nobody would overhear them. If that hadn't been enough, she'd even cast a spell that mixed the letters of any words when viewed from outside the area of effect.
It'd see them left well enough alone, given any person who tried to speak with them wouldn't have their words get through.
"So," Hermione said. "We're ready, right?"
Fleur pouted. "Ees zere no time for small talk?"
Gabby, who'd still been pouting at her sister for outing her, joined Fleur in her teasing of the other girl. "She does not like us as 'Arry does — 'ow sad."
Ron snickered, and then Harry, as for Hermione… she gaped at the two and then pointedly looked away as Gabby and Fleur began to giggle.
After a few seconds had passed, Harry spoke up, the smallest of smirks on his face. "What did you have in mind today, 'Mione?"
"The unforgivables," Hermione said, all the confidence one could imagine in her tone despite the topic she made mention of. "Well, one of them in particular, as you can imagine."
Harry sighed. He knew just what she'd be bringing up.
"Imperius, init?" Ron said, breaking the silence that had fallen over him when Fleur and Gabrielle had arrived.
She blinked at him. "Surprisingly perceptive of you, Ron, and yes. It's the Imperius. Harry's as unaffected by that as he is by Fleur or Gabrielle's allure, which means even that can be resisted. If that's the case, which we know it to be, that means all of us present should be able to do the same if exposed to it enough times. Mayhaps dozens, hundreds, and I suppose with it being magic, there's a chance we're never immune, but we can build up a resistance at the very least," she elbowed Ron lightly so as to get his waning attention returned. "It could assist you in being near Fleur, Gabrielle and other Veela we'll meet in the future."
Fleur wrapped an arm around Harry's shoulders and scooched closer still, her chair now pressing against his with their legs doing much the same. "Eet ees better ze faster you learn to 'andle eet. Gabby and I weel be 'ere a very long time," her eyes shifted to Hermione, whereupon doing so, she grinned. "And you 'ad better get used to us as well. Gabby and I look forward to more time weez you, and for longer zan what you usually spend."
Surprisingly, or rather, unsurprisingly, Harry didn't doubt that. Fleur had shown just how intent she was on not only winning his affection, but his love, and she seemed to have a certain fondness for Hermione. One that Gabrielle shared — the pair loved teasing her.
"... ees true, 'Ermione. You and Ronald boz should join us weez 'Arry more often, and for longer." Gabby spoke as if it were imperative that those she spoke to joined them with far more frequency than they normally did.
Back to Fleur after Gabby's words, it was clear she desired a relationship, serious and real. It still made him nervous… but it was full of so many positives, and obviously the biggest one was her.
"Eef zere ees no problem as well, we would meet your parents and 'ave ours join us. Eet ees good to 'ave zem know us when trust ees so 'ard to come by zeese days." Fleur's words conveyed something he hadn't thought of; a desire to meet Hermione's and Ron's families. It seemed she was serious as could be in her intention to stay by his side. Enough so to express a desire to introduce herself to all dear to him and his two best friends.
If only his parents were present for Gabrielle and Fleur to meet. To the backdrop of his friends' voices, he thought of how his mum or dad might react to the Veela. From what he'd been told about his parents, they wouldn't so much as mention an issue — his mum would probably welcome her with open arms while his dad and Sirius teased him about the Veela girls. It was unfair they'd been taken from him. Unfair they'd never see him marry. Unfair he'd never get to show them any children he had one day.
Harry had to fight the frown from his face. Thankfully, more words from Fleur made doing so easy, and soon enough, a dorky smile had come to his face as he lost himself, momentarily, in thoughts of a future with her. He was shaken some few seconds later by the latter half of Gabby's sentence.
"... stunned to zeenk about eet." Gabby said, finishing with a giggle.
"Oh, zank you Gabby, I 'ad almost forgot to ask 'em today," Fleur used the hand around his shoulders to turn his face towards her own. When she did so, he nearly thought she'd swoop in for a kiss — he'd have let her — but instead, she cocked her head at him and pouted. "Weel you say yes today? To marry me?"
Harry blinked at her, amused. He'd only just agreed to date her, and now here she was mentioning marriage. "Give me more time?"
Fleur hummed, and then she looked past him to Gabby. "Tomorrow eet ees, zen," she gestured to Hermione next. "Go on, I 'ave de-ra— steered ze topeec away enough as eet ees."
"Thank you," Hermione said, with amusement very clearly on her face, especially when she'd seen Harry swallow under Fleur's gaze; it was nice to not be the subject of Fleur or Gabrielle's teasing. "I propose we go over notes I've taken, and afterwards, we have Harry cast it so as to help us — he can't be any more resistant than he already is, and naturally, he'd not take advantage of us."
Ron shifted in his seat, clearly uneasy. "Reckon this is already enough practice for me," he nodded not so subtly at Fleur and Gabrielle. "When I get more resistant to them, I'll join you lot for tha—"
"You're still doing the reading." Hermione prodded him in the chest; it was clear she was very adamant about that.
He huffed, looked to Harry for assistance… and then started reading, albeit begrudgingly, the notes Hermione had made for them. Harry, Fleur and Gabrielle tucked in not too long thereafter.
The group of five turned four had left Hogwarts entirely when it came time to practical practice with the Imperius, instead seeking out a quiet spot in the woods wherein they'd hide themselves with the shrubbery and privacy charms. It was easily done and beautiful to boot, and Hermione had thought to showcase Harry's ability to resist to Fleur and Gabrielle to prove to them that he was able and so the pair could take notes; mayhaps they would see something where she might not.
But that wasn't the case. No, Fleur simply blinked at him when Hermione set down her wand, her face awed just as Gabby's seemed to be.
"You realise she said I was immune earlier, right?" It was Harry's turn to be amused.
Fleur stepped right up to him and put both of her hands on his face. The coldness of them felt nice against the warmth of the day, as did the impromptu massage she gave him as a result of moving his head around. Her eyes peered in his the whole while, and once she seemed finished with her examination, she cocked her head to the side.
He nearly made a bird comment.
Nearly.
"Zat 'as not been found before, no?" Fleur's question was most certainly directed Hermionewards, given he nor Gabrielle had a chance in knowing if that were true or not.
"Only a few times. Dumbledore supposedly. Merlin, Morgana, some people also claim Voldemort, though I doubt anybody tried," Hermione seemed to make her point given the names mentioned. "I should have made the correlation sooner. Your allure and the Imperius both have a way in messing with one's mind — I would wonder if it's something genetic, or if it's per person via magic."
Fleur stood tall. "Eef such an expereement needs to be 'ad, zen when 'e comes of age, I weel volunteer. For ze good of mageec, no?"
Gabby shared a look with Harry while Hermione let loose a sigh.
The former of the three spoke first. "She 'as gone mad een zees country."
Harry reckoned he just might do the same, given every year somebody tried to kill him.
"Alright," Hermione clapped her hands together to rouse Fleur from her thoughts of the future and all the babies it'd entail, as well as Harry and Gabrielle's attention from one another as they shook their heads whilst silently conversing. When she saw that all three were watching her, she gestured to Harry. "You can start on me if you'd like. We'll go in turns so the others can observe and see if anything occurs."
"Occurs?" Fleur queried.
"See if you get a particular expression, if you twitch when you feel like you're resisting — stuff like that. Any observations are good observations," Hermione sounded clinical as ever, and then she marched on over to Harry, coming to a stop right before him. "Go on, Harry. Whip it out and let's see what I can do."
Fleur opened her mouth, but Hermione acted faster, cutting the former off with a look and words. "Not a word, Fleur. You know what I meant."
Gabrielle giggled. Her sister had been predicted, and dealt with. Seeing such a thing was always amusing since it came with a huffing Fleur.
Harry snickered alongside her, and then, after a look around the place, he raised his wand. It was strange to see Hermione on the other end of it. The two didn't practise like that all that often, and even when they did, he'd always held back. Who wouldn't when sparring with a friend?
"Do it already!" Hermione's voice betrayed a certain urgency, and when he blinked at her, she elaborated. "The anticipation is killing me."
"Can't we ge—"
"You won't get in trouble. Nobody here will tell, and we'll clear our wands afterwards with something like expelliarmus — any spell so long as it's safe if a priori were cast," Hermione shot a quick look around at the other two witches for support, and it was very quickly given. "Now get on with it Harry, or I'll see if you're immune again."
He snickered. "Fine," he levelled his wand once more and uttered the spell. "Imperio."
In one instance, he saw everything that made Hermione… Well, Hermione, in her eyes, banished away. She was just empty. Gone. It was hard to describe, but she just wasn't there.
"Hermione, raise your hand if you hear me."
Sure enough and without delay, Hermione raised her hand. It made Harry snicker until he realised just how quickly she'd done as he said. "Alright, reckon that's eno—"
"Do anozzer command or two, she would 'ave us see eef she ees able to break out of eet, no?" Fleur made a good point. She seemed amused too.
Harry did reckon she was right though. Hermione would want to learn from this, and Fleur would take notes even if she found the happenings amusing. "Alright, 'Mione. Stick your tongue out at Gabrielle."
Again, she did so without pause.
"You know, I can see how this could be abused." Harry was equally thankful now that he realised just how much trust she put in him; it was more than anybody had ever done before even if there were others present.
"And weez your requests I can see just why she trusts you to do eet to 'er," Fleur saddled herself up right alongside him. "You are too pure for ze world. But don't worry my dear, I weel keep you eennocent."
Gabby giggled. "You weel leave 'eem no such way, seester. Mama weel 'ave to—"
"Not anozzer word, sweet one," Fleur's words were sweet as honey, but the warning therein was anything but.
Harry dropped his wand arm, and the spell a moment thereafter. Hermione was immediately blinking herself back to sentience, and whilst she looked dazed, she was still present; Merlin it was hard to describe.
"Welcome back." He sounded cheeky, he had to admit it.
"I didn't resist, did I?" Hermione huffed and folded her arms, and then she sought out Fleur. "Any resistance at all? Did my face twitch? My nose? Anything?"
Fleur shook her head from side to side. "Zere was not so much as a second's pause when 'Arry gave you an order."
Hermione looked rather put out upon hearing such words, and then, with a huff, she gestured to Fleur. "You're up, then. Let's see if you're able to resist or refuse what he tells you."
When Harry swallowed, that earlier nervousness returning given the spell which they were using, Fleur tutted at him. "Zere ees no need to worry, 'Arry. I already trust you as much as my mama or papa, no?" she moved closer still, the tips of her toes touching his. "Weezout ze spell, you can give me whatever order you would like and I would obey, but let us see eef zat ees ze same weez ze spell."
"You do have to try," Hermione said, prodding Fleur in the back as she took out a notebook. "We can't just have you do as he says without so much as an attempt being made. If some—"
"Nobody else weel ever be able to control so many of us — eef we stay togezzer, all ees fine… but yes yes, I get what you mean. I weel do as best as I can," Fleur stood tall, looking down his wand with a smile that showed no signs of nervousness. She almost seemed eager.
"Ready?" Harry asked, not sure if she was or not given said look.
"O— Yes," Fleur dipped her head. "Eet weel be eenteresting to see 'ow eet feels to not be yourself — maybe ze spell was based on our allure."
Hermione shrugged while Gabrielle manoeuvred closer, intent on getting a look at her big sister before she was put under Harry's spell. The former of the three mentioned spoke with a grin as she readied her quill. "Tell us how you feel afterwards, and the spell could very well be based on a Veela allure or something similar. There's no telling."
Harry let her finish her sentence, and then, he cast the spell with a barely audible 'Imperio.'
He saw Fleur continue to peer at him for a second, at minimum, but like Hermione her eyes seemed clouded over… it was strange though. She still maintained her smile, her face didn't go expressionless, blank really, as Hermione's had.
"Fleur, raise your hand if you can hear me." Harry reckoned he'd have her do what he'd had 'Mione do. Every experiment needed a baseline question, yeah?
Fleur continued to look at him, not raising her hand… until a further few seconds passed, and then, slowly, she did as he'd bid her to do. It made him cock his head; why the hesitation?
"She seems to be resisting, but there's no tell outwards so far as I can see," Hermione stated aloud, for the benefit of Harry and Gabrielle as she wrote down those same words in the notepad held aloft before her. "Another few orders — if she's able to resist, we need to make the most of this."
"Alright," Harry said with a shrug, his eyes remaining on Fleur regardless of who else spoke. It felt so strange having total control of another person. Wrong too, like this was something no person should be able to do. Those that had minds of evil, well, he could see why such a spell was considered an unforgivable even if one simply did as they were doing now. "Fleur, raise your right hand and touch your nose."
Again, there seemed a certain hesitation, and that smile that'd been present on her face remained. Her face only seemed partially blank too, like she was just there, under the surface of her eyes willing herself to be listened to or seen, but like she couldn't quite break out.
Still, after a few seconds' time passing, she raised her finger and did as he'd asked.
Hermione took a step closer to Fleur and stood atop the tips of her toes, her face so very close to Fleur's as she examined the other girl. It was dangerous given Fleur's ice, but Hermione trusted him not to drop the spell or give an order whilst she looked at their friend, and Fleur, well, her trust had already been stated.
"What do you think, Gabby?" Harry reckoned he'd ask the younger Delacour for her thoughts whilst Hermione took to recording her observations. It'd make things a little less awkward for him.
"I zeenk Fleur weel 'ave you try zees on 'er every day," One of Gabby's hands took hold of his as she moved to his side. Unlike Fleur, her grasp wasn't aggressive or anchoring, it was softer, gentle, almost fleeting; others might think like he did, that she was a miniature of her sister, but he'd come to see her as so much more than that. "She weel not want to be controlled so ease."
"So easily," Hermione corrected, and right as she took a step back. "And I agree. I don't believe anybody does… I suppose I owe Ronald an apology too. Your allure isn't an Imperius, but it's not too far off, is it?"
Harry winced. Not at her comparison, it wasn't made in bad faith, but for Ronald. The other boy hadn't wanted to join them for this part of their studying and he could understand why, especially when Hermione just laid it out there.
"Fleur, you can put your arm down and give me a hug now, we're just about finished." Harry reckoned with 'Mione moved away now, he could finish with her and go on to Gabby next. That was assu—
Fleur followed that order before he could so much as finish his thought, her arms wrapping around him and squeezing as tight as ever. It made him blink at Hermione while her head rested on his shoulder.
And then he dropped the spell.
Immediately, he was the first to speak, but Fleur was right after him.
"Welcome back."
"And 'ow'd I do?" Fleur didn't pull back too much, only enough to look him in the eyes; her arms remained wrapped around his person and the rest of her stayed pressed right up against him. "My 'ead feels foggy."
He snickered. "You didn't do too bad. You resisted my first two commands for a good few seconds, but this last one, well…"
Gabby cut him off. "Zere was no effort to reseest, Fleur loves to 'ug you too much."
Hermione nodded, and piggy-backed off the younger girl's words. "If you ordered her to kiss you, hold your hand, hug you, anything of the sort, I doubt she'd put up any sort of resistance. That was why she hesitated when you had her raise her hand or touch her nose — she saw nothing for it in her, and so she tried to resist."
"Did you hear the orders?" Harry was curious.
In an instant, both Hermione and Fleur spoke up. "Yes." the pair looked at each other, and Fleur continued when Hermione gestured for her to do as much.
"I could 'ear your voice een my 'ead. Eet wanted me to do as you wanted, but to leeft my 'and or touch my nose," Fleur wrinkled her nose. "Such orders deserved to be eegnored."
"And the hug?" Harry was amused. It'd been a spur of the moment thing, but evidently, she hadn't minded in the slightest.
"Eet was ze only order I wanted not to reseest, so I deed not question eet, no?" Fleur leaned in and kissed one cheek, then the other, and then she pulled back again to rest her forehead against his own. "Ahh, 'ow warm you feel."
Hermione blinked at the other girl, and after shaking her head, gestured to Harry. "I think it's Gabrielle's turn now," she looked at the aforementioned girl next. "Assuming you'd still like to give it a try?"
"You don't 'ave to," Fleur was quick to assure her sister of that fact. "Eet ees strange, but eet feels not too 'orreeble eef 'e ees ze one doing eet. You just 'ave to focus on our 'Arry's voice and do your best to not do as 'e says."
Gabby very slowly nodded. "I weel try eef eet 'elps us to reseest and know what to expect eef ze spell ees ever used on us," she shifted her feet, but remained where she was. "Eef only to be Veela allowed us to reseest as 'Arry does."
Fleur hummed in agreement with her sister, and very slowly parted from Harry. It was clear she didn't wish to pull away from him, but Gabby needed her chance to practise. He imagined she was also quite eager to see how her little sister did too, given how protective she was of her. It didn't take a genius to figure out Fleur would keep Gabby safe even at the cost of her own safety; she was like Harry in that regard.
"Alright, leetle seester," Fleur, now fully extracted from her spot flush against Harry, grasped Gabrielle and pulled her closer, until she was right before Harry with the tips of her toes touching his own, much like Fleur's had been when he'd cast it on her. "Remember what I said, no? T—" the rest were a flurry of words spoken in French, and likely for Gabrielle to better comprehend whatever it was that she was being told.
He could see Hermione paying attention too… which most definitely struck him as strange. She couldn't understand French, right?
All the same, he waited the next few seconds in silence until the lot of them were finished speaking or listening, and then, when he saw Gabby nod at him, he raised his wand. "Certain you're ready?"
"Do eet before I lose my nerve," Gabby's voice conveyed an urgency, and so he obliged.
"Imperio," the effect splashed over her, and her expression shifted. Like Fleur, it wasn't completely blank, just different. Her brows furrowed together in an adorable fashion, and like her big sister, she seemed not quite there, but not totally gone either. "You two ready as well, yeah?"
Hermione gave him a nod as she stayed right close to Gabrielle, intent on notes whenever he gave his first order.
Fleur, on the other hand, hovered right betwixt he and her sister, her eyes on the latter of the two all the while. He could see the mask of worry on her, and it nearly made him drop the spell as a result thereof. Harry had always been the one to solve such a look, not be the cause thereof. Thankfully, that confliction was put to rest when he saw a nod, subtle and most assuredly silent, but a nod nonetheless.
"Raise your hand, Gabby," He reckoned he'd just go with what he'd established first, and progress from there.
Gabby's eyebrows crinkled further together, seemingly in concentration or something of that ilk, but a second or so later, she raised her hand; she resisted longer than Hermione, but less than Fleur. He supposed they should have expected as much, and furthermore, he reckoned the Veela seemed to have something inherent about them that aided in dealing with mind-affecting spells.
If they didn't, then Merlin, the Delacour family had more than just political power behind it.
"She has the most obvious signs thus far," Hermione observed, again, aloud.
Fleur leaned in right close to her baby sister. "I deed not do as she does when she fights 'Arry's words?"
"No," Harry answered before Hermione could. "To be fair, you didn't look too far gone. You were almost there, but it's hard to describe without really seeing it for yourself. Gabby's kinda like that from what I can see, she just can't resist as much as you can — 'Mione, do you reckon age and magical strength factor into it?"
Hermione did something which she seldom did when it came time for questions to be asked; she shrugged. "There's no telling," she said. "Rumours, thoughts, speculation, theories, those are all that are had when it comes to the effects of the spell on the minds of various beings. Magic is seldom understood even by those who create spells, hence the reason most believe intent is so important. Others believe Magic is alive."
"And ozzers zeenk eet can be dominated," Fleur sniffed. It didn't take much thought at all to understand who she was making mention of.
"Some do think that way, yes. There's too much thought, but I believe you're right, Harry, if it's worth anything." Hermione agreeing with him was definitely worth something. She was seldom wrong, and so if he shared an opinion with her, it was likely a good one to have.
"Huh," Harry turned his attention back to Gabby, seeing her still holding up her hand. He couldn't help himself. He snickered. After a few seconds of doing just that, he eventually found himself once more and gave his second order. "Put your hand down and balance on one leg."
Gabrielle stayed with that look of deep concentration or such on her face, and her hand did go down right fast, but the balancing act he required took longer. One second, two seconds, and then thereafter, very slowly, her right foot raised off the ground. It was only just hovering, and it didn't rise any further, but he supposed that was what he'd asked for.
"Higher." He'd give that a go. This was proving funny, and likely valuable to the two note takers.
As before, Gabby hesitated in doing as he asked, but sure enough, she did it. He raised a brow at Fleur when she looked his way. When she opened her mouth, he was expecting her to tell him to drop the spell, but that wasn't at all what she had in mind.
"Order 'er to 'ug you and see eef she ees quicker to do eet zan ze ozzer orders," There was amusement laced in her tone to be certain, but there was that same inquisitiveness that Hermione would oft have about her present too. No wonder the two got along as well as they did.
"Alright Gabby, you heard her yeah?" Harry opened his left arm, which was empty and gestured for her to come towards him. "Give me a hug."
Her hesitation was a split-second or so, and then, like Fleur, she darted into his arms. It wasn't aggressive or forceful or anything. It was just a soft, comfortable hug.
"Good?" His question was asked Fleurwards, and when he received a nod in response, he dropped the spell hopefully for the last time of the day; they had a myriad of notes to go over, after all.
As soon as the weight of the Imperius was off her shoulders, Gabrielle pulled her face from where it'd been buried in his chest and glared at Fleur. "Zat was cheating."
"And 'ow ees zat?" Fleur arched one of those perfectly kept, sharp-looking eyebrows of hers. "Eet ees eemportant to know, eesn't zat correct, 'Ermione?"
"It is," Hermione agreed. "If it's any consolation, you did better than I did before the hug."
"What about Fleur? Deed I do better zan 'er?" Gabrielle fluttered her eyelashes as she looked betwixt Harry and Hermione.
"Not quite," Hermione was the one that answered. "But you weren't too far behind her either. It would seem the both of you are better at resisting it than I am, for whatever reason — I do hope to find whatever the cause just by further examining how it interacts with you."
"Not today, zough," Fleur said, grasping one of Harry's hands as Gabrielle took hold of the other; with the ice of the pair, each desired contact with the only person other than one another they could have.
Harry was right lucky, he reckoned.
"Of course not," Hermione agreed as she stored the notebook back in her satchel. "I have entirely too much reading to do now that we've got a sample of how each of us do. The observations will need cross-referencing with one another and other accounts that were recorded, and… and I'm rambling.
"He could try again weez me later, as much as you would 'ave 'eem do," Fleur said, eyeing Harry up. "After our deener — as I said, 'e ca—"
"We're good for the night!" Hermione squeaked out, going red at Fleur's words and the memory of those which she'd spoken earlier on.
A quick look from Harry in the direction of Gabby revealed the younger Delacour's blush as well. The pair of them were endearing, or maybe he was just too desensitised when it came to Fleur's teasing.
Whatever the case, he was fine with it as the pair of French witches said their farewell to Hermione and she did the same in return. Harry said his own too when the lot of them were finished, and then, he found himself being dragged away by the hands.
As that happened, he couldn't help but grin to himself. Their grasps matched their hug; Gabby's was soft and sweet, and Fleur's was firm and possessive.
The trio emerged from the woods, and as they did, birds began to cry out in alarm from the noise they made. Another woodland critter hurried away in the brush too, but whatever it was got away without so much a sight given.
Harry let out a breath.
Birdsong, the slight warmth of the day now that they were under sunlight, the grass, the presence of Fleur and Gabrielle.
Maybe his luck had finally turned around after his name had been thrown in the tournament. It certainly seemed that way given all that'd happened with him and the two pretty witches that had hold of him.
Sirius would be right proud if he saw him.
A week or thereabouts later saw the three witches of the group united in Fleur's room aboard the Beauxbatons carriage. Ron and Harry had gone with a group of their friends off to the pitch to get some flying in, and while Fleur and Gabby had been tempted to go and watch so as to tease Harry and see just how capable he was in yet another aspect of his life, they'd opted not to.
Instead, they thought it was worthwhile to spend time with Hermione, and away from so many eyes that'd undoubtedly go wandering on account of their presence. There was a catch though. The three wouldn't be spending that time studying or sifting through books for whatever knowledge they thought they needed at the present, no, it was nothing of the sort.
Fleur had procured — thanks to her mother — no small number of wine bottles for consumption whilst away from home. She'd only ever drink them on nights she stayed in, lest she not have her senses about her whilst out on the grounds of Hogwarts, and she wouldn't let her Gabby get too deep in her cups.
Hermione, however, was fair game. She'd never seen the other witch beyond a buzzed state, and Fleur was most certainly interested in seeing how the other girl could relax.
"Fleur," Gabby gestured to the door a second after a knocking sounded thereupon it. "Eet's 'er."
Even when it was just the pair of them, Gabby would use her English; she said she wanted to get better at it. Fleur imagined she knew just why that was as well, though she'd not taken to teasing Gabby overly much. She had years and years to do just that, and with no breaks — Harry and Hermione would get the luxury of the latter, hence why she had to pay the pair of them so much extra attention.
With a wave of her wand, the lock upon the door was hefted up, and a moment later, the door was pulled inwards. All the while that happened, Fleur remained resting atop her bed, her feet hanging lazily in the air while she'd take the occasional sip of wine.
It was very decadent, and very enjoyable.
"Hi," Hermione waved when the door was opened enough for her to see Fleur and Gabrielle. When she walked in a few seconds later, she very primly and properly sat in one of the chairs near to Fleur's bed. "So… what have you two been doing today?"
"We napped after breakfast, so our day ees steel very young." Fleur gestured to the bedside table, atop which pastries with charms to keep them fresh still rested. "You are welcome to 'ave from zere whatever you would like."
Hermione smiled prettily. "Thank you — they look great."
"Ze elves aboard ze carriage do so much weez so leetle space, eet ees wondrous," Fleur gave credit where credit was due.
Gabrielle agreed too; each, like most Veela, held an especially soft spot for the diminutive friends of wizards, witches and just about all other intelligent, friendly beings. "Zey are very talented, and very nice."
"They are. I couldn't imagine Hogwarts without all the work the house elves do for it. In fact… no, nevermind," Hermione wouldn't discuss an idea she had that revolved around the aforementioned house elves. It was controversial with just about whoever she spoke to, that wasn't to mention that such a topic wasn't remotely the reason they'd called her to visit them. "You said you wanted to…?"
Fleur held up her glass of wine. "Dreenk ze wine I 'ave 'ad laying 'ere from when we arrived," she stuck her tongue out at Gabby then. "My leetle, adorable seester ees, 'ow do you say, a lightweight, yes? Eef I drank weez only 'er, eet ees likely I would be very seeck ze next day… unless we deed not feeneesh eet, and zen zat would be a waste, no?"
"I don't know," Hermione shifted. "I don't drink much either. Ever, really."
"But zat eesn't to say zat you won't dreenk weez us, ees eet?" Fleur took a pause then, sipping from the glass she held daintily in one hand as she used the other to pour Hermione a glass of her own. Not physically, goodness no — she used her wand to do just that, and then floated it on over to the other girl. "Zere ees no doubt you weel enjoy eet. Unlike most eet does not 'ave a beeter taste. I prefer almost everyzeeng to be sweet."
Gabby giggled. "Zat ees why she 'as eyes for 'Arry as much as she does."
Fleur tutted at her sister right as Hermione grasped the floating glass of wine, taking it from the air and holding it much like Fleur was; her mother did the same whensoever she drank, rare as it was. "Harry is very sweet. He's definitely the nicest boy in our year, probably the entire school."
"Oh?" Fleur leaned forward, as if she'd just heard some of the juiciest gossip one could. "What else 'ave you noticed about 'eem?"
Hermione sputtered, and Fleur giggled alongside Gabrielle, and after doing so for far too long, she blurted out something to drag away the attention from herself; she couldn't have picked a worse topic. "I'd have liked if… if we'd seen results when we'd practised with Harry," she shifted away from Fleur in a manner that she hoped wasn't discernible. "Wouldn't you?"
Amused at the blunt change of topic, Fleur giggled, but allowed Hermione to do as she'd done and even answered her question. "Zere ees not a zeeng to mind eef eet ees 'e zat casts eet on us, no?"
Again, Hermione shifted in her seat. "I suppose I didn't hate Harry using it. We know he's not the type to abuse it."
"And ze orders?" Fleur pressed. "Eet felt good to 'ear 'eem and do as he asked of you, no?"
"Fine." Hermione folded her arms. "I wouldn't want anybody else using it on me, but from Harry, it — I don't mind, I mean to say. Obeying him was pleasant."
"Ze eempereeus ees said to be 'ow men feel when zey are under our allure — ze pleasant sensation when one ees ordered, ze urge to obey, to not let down ze person who tells you what to do or 'ow to do eet," Fleur spoke in such a way that Hermione hung on nearly every word.
But once finished, a thought cut through the memories of their practise with Harry. "I hadn't liked how it felt when Professor Moody casted it on us. It didn't feel good, and certainly not pleasurable," she shook her head vehemently. "I felt dirty when he'd finished — that's not at all like Harry's casting of it… or your allures…" she paused, trailing off.
Gabby spoke up when Hermione failed to, and before Fleur could say something that'd see their smart, bushy-haired friend flush for the hundredth time that day. "We could 'ave 'Arry test eet on us again. Zere ees no 'arm."
Hermione blinked. Gabrielle liked it. Fleur liked it. Morgana, even she had liked it.
That could only mean one thing, and it struck her with a startling sense of realisation. One she repeated aloud. "We're perverts." It was a horrifying conclusion to be made.
Fleur and Gabby shared a look, and then the former did as Hermione had done earlier; she abruptly changed the topic, for once having mercy on the poor soul that was Hermione.
"We weel ask 'Arry to try again later, but before zat," Fleur leaned further forward, and all the while taking intermittent sips of wine between words. Without Hermione taking notice, at some point through their discussing of the Imperius, Fleur had removed the distance she'd created. "Zere ees anozzer to deescuss."
Gabby made a noise of understanding from Hermione's opposite side, herself closer now. "Ze very smart one?"
"Smartest and strongest of 'er year, I 'ave 'eard," Fleur said, agreeing and furthering the words her sister said. "You know who we speak about, no?"
Hermione shook her head. She wasn't sure just who the two had switched to discussing now; Greengrass maybe, or Bones, but Bones wasn't quite as smart as the Slytherin witch seemed to be. Her curiosity got to her. "Who?"
"Who?" Fleur mimicked, and then, when she realised Hermione was genuine, she scoffed. "You, of course — zere ees no ozzer weetch zat ees bright or powerful as you. Or pretty."
Hermione flushed red, and while she almost made to disagree, she didn't; that would further the conversation, and that was something she most assuredly didn't wish to do. "I was thinking," she took a pause so as to sip at her wine. The pair were still giggling madly, so she thought the boost of confidence the alcohol would give would help her. "Your allure, the ice — where's it come from?"
Fleur tutted, very quickly catching on to what Hermione was trying to do. "Do you want to be ze one to answer, Gabby, or do I 'ave ze pleasure to do so?"
"You." Gabby's answer was said with a smile on her face, albeit one that was trying — and failing — to conceal amusement.
"Zank you seester," Fleur blew a kiss to the younger girl, and then fixed Hermione with the utmost serious look. "Ze powers and ice come from one very seemple zeeng."
Hermione leaned forward in her seat. "Yes?" She wished she had her notebook, but Fleur hadn't wanted her to bring anything aside from herself… she hadn't even intended on bringing up anything remotely studious either, but it was better th—
"Our unyeelding ambeetion to kees brave, black 'aired boys," Fleur schooched closer to the edge of the bed, her allure growing stronger as she said her next words. "Or cute leetle brunette bookworms."
Gabby sighed then, drawing the attention away from Hermione, much to the latter's relief. "Do you zeenk 'e weel allow me anozzer kees? Eet was…" she sighed again, seemingly lost in her reminiscing even despite the water such memories likely brought along with them.
Fleur seemed distracted then, looking away from Hermione and to her little sister instead; she failed to notice Hermione's growing embarrassment as a result thereof. "I zeenk 'e weel do more zan allow you anozzer kees, Gabby," she leaned forward to pull her younger sister close, and with no resistance from her, started cuddling the smaller girl atop the bed. "And eet was better zan you zought, no?"
Hermione took a sip of her wine then, noting the sweetness Fleur had gone on about as the younger girl gave her answer. Now, Hermione certainly wasn't using wine she'd been given to nurse at and use as a means of keeping herself out of the conversation so she could be nosy. No, there certainly wasn't a reason to listen to the two speak in detail about how their kiss with Harry made them feel, or, Morgana… how his lips felt.
Nope.
There wasn't so much as a thought about Harry's lips, or face, or—
She took another sip, and tuned back into the conversation at hand.
It was Fleur speaking. "… already zat I was worried I would never 'ave a kees. Not weez nobody able to touch me weezout ze zreat of deaz," she squirmed, a happy look coming about her. "But zat ees no worry any longer."
"Eet ees not," Gabby agreed.
The pair turned to her then, their moroseness from the drink seemingly dissipating.
"What do you zeenk, 'Ermione?" Gabby was the one to speak to her, kind and including as always she'd been since the pair had gotten to know one another.
"About what?" Hermione wasn't sure just what Gabby was asking. It didn't sound like there was a question, not with Fleur and Gabby's worries put to rest thanks to Harry's presence.
"A kees, of course," Fleur cocked her head. "Ah, I should ask eef you 'ave ever 'ad one first, no? I would zeenk ze answer ees yes, of course, but 'ow do you say? Zere ees no 'arm to ask?"
Hermione shook her head after a second's pause; obviously a peck from family wasn't being counted here. "I've not had my first kiss yet, and you're close — there's no harm in asking," Hermione took a breath before she elaborated regarding the kiss. "There's not been a wizard I'd like to kiss or that wouldn't be awkward in kissing. Not really."
"Zat ees sad," Gabby received a pinch from Fleur as soon as the words left her mouth.
"Eet ees 'er choice," Fleur tapped Gabby on the head then, a mischievous look about her. "Why not 'ave a kees weez Gabby? I would offer me, but you are too cute to freeze."
Gabby giggled. "A kees between friends ees not a problem. Of course, only eef you would want to."
Hermione wasn't sure if it was the wine talking, or if it was just a spur of the moment, random and fun decision she'd made, but she shrugged. "A kiss between friends isn't a problem. Definitely not."
Fleur laughed as she released her hold over her sister. She took a sip of wine next, and then gestured for her sister to go. "Don't leave 'er to wait, Gabby. Zat would be eempolite to tease weez."
Not one to be impolite ever, Gabby passed along the smaller glass of wine to her big sister, and then hopped from the bed. She landed with her feet making a slapping sound along the bit of the floor that wasn't covered by rugs, and from there, moved very quickly to the table and chair which Hermione was seated at.
There was no 'ready?' or other question. No, Hermione had already said it'd be fine, and Gabby wasn't Harry. She wouldn't ask twice or thrice over before doing something to make sure it was all right; she'd take you at your word like Fleur… or Hermione herself.
And so she leaned in, and pressed her lips against Hermione's for all of a second's time, and then she withdrew with that same giggle that was oft about her. Immediately, she was peering at Hermione's face. "Well, 'ow was eet? Were my leeps as soft as I 'ope zey are?"
"For ze last time, Gabby," Fleur said, rolling her eyes. "I doubt 'e 'ad a problem weez zem, and no, leetle weirdo, I weel not feel your leeps weez my 'and."
Gabby pouted and fixed Hermione with the most wounded, pout-filled expression she thought she'd ever seen.
Unfortunately for her, Hermione was embarrassed. Very embarrassed. That'd been her first kiss, even if it'd been quick as could be and fleeting as a cool breeze on a hot day — it was still her first kiss ever with somebody that wasn't related to her. It hadn't been unpleasant either. She could very easily see why so many peers loved snogging whenever they got the chance to.
She blinked as she felt that heat in her face grow warmer still.
"Well?" Fleur spoke up again, prompting her to say something. "Do not leave us een such suspense, 'Ermione. You weel never 'ear ze end of eet eef you do not tell Gabby 'er leeps are soft enough."
"They were soft enough. Definitely," Hermione swallowed after saying such words, fearing further embarrassment or teasing, but nothing of the sort happened.
That wasn't to say there was no reaction, it just wasn't what she'd have thought; Gabby cheered, shot forth for a very short-lasting hug, and then popped back whence she'd come, that being atop the bed so as to cuddle her big sister once more. She looked to be the epitome of pleased upon hearing Hermione's words.
"Zank z—"
Hermione, with her confidence about her for whatever reason, cut Fleur off to broach a hypothetical question. One that was ringing in her ears after the kiss she'd gotten. "What if I actually do fancy the occasional witch?" it almost sounded like it was said aloud just for herself, but it wasn't.
She genuinely wanted the opinion of the other two present in the room with her.
Unfortunately for her, she wouldn't receive words from either, for the pair simply looked at one another before returning their eyes to her, unamused and staring.
Hermione coughed to herself then. "Right," she said, taking another sip of wine before muttering her next words. "Further experimentation is required to confirm or deny that hypothesis… I see why our classmates started earlier — oh," her voice grew louder again. "Gabby?"
The girl in question cocked her head at Hermione. "Yes?"
"Kissing you sort of feels like," she furrowed her brows, looking for a comparison and finding one after poking around in the back of her mind for a few seconds' time. "It sort of feels like especially cold ice cream. Does that make sense?"
She pecked her again, catching the other girl off-guard as she confirmed that comparison.
The answer she received to her words and her actions?
Laughter.
Very loud laughter, and all from Fleur.
As for Gabby, she simply shot Hermione a teasing look and said she'd enjoyed the kisses.
The next morning saw Harry walking down one of the — now — many paths that'd see him to the Beauxbatons carriage. It was as woodsy as ever it'd been, with no shortage of life skittering or flying about, or walking, in the event of a flock of birds that passed him by. The type with legs rather than wings, but not the type he'd be called racist for calling birds.
He snickered to himself at the thought.
Ron and he had used birds a lot for witches, but now, it was a bit problematic if either of them did. Still, Harry could picture himself meeting Fleur's entire family, Veela as many would be, and randomly, he'd drop the word birds. Him or Ron.
The two were great at finding trouble.
Harry gave a polite nod to a few French witches when they passed him by and did much the same. Thanks to the tournament, he'd begun to receive more respect. If not after the first task, most definitely after the second, considering he'd been wounded and he'd helped multiple hostages.
There was no world in which he didn't do just that, and really, he didn't care for the respect or what not of those that didn't trust him, or those that believed everything they read. It'd only be a matter of time until some poisonous person spat words in which they'd be made to change their mind once more.
Still, he could be civil, especially to Fleur and Gabby's schoolmates.
Harry's final few steps outside saw him to the entrance of the carriage, and seeing as nobody was going through or going in, he pushed it open and did just that. The day seemed quiet, for some reason, but that worked for him. The less people, the better.
And so he walked down the familiar hall that'd see him to the room at the end thereof. He raised his fist when he reached it, and knocked. Maybe he listened for any signs of life as well — sometimes, he swore Fleur or Gabby could sleep through just about anything. That, or the pair took entirely too long to ready themselves for the day; they already looked right perfect, what use were cosmetics?
There was no movement or what have you from inside. Not even the usual voices, of which Fleur usually spoke up to have Gabby open the door, or she'd do so herself with a flick of her wand.
But there was nothing.
He knocked again, a bit louder this time. He didn't want to wake them if they were getting their beauty sleep in, but he did also desire following through the plans they'd made for the day — that being studying, going for a lunch break somewhere in Hogsmeade, and then back to some more studying before an evening meal and game later in the night.
Again, there was no—
Wait, that was definitely some rustling inside.
As if to confirm that he wasn't crazy, the door went ajar suddenly and without warning, much less any words being said. Still, he supposed that was enough of an invitation to walk on in. It wasn't like the door could be accidentally opened, not when Fleur kept the thing locked more often than not.
What he saw upon pushing through the door made him stop in his tracks not more than two steps in. When his mind returned to him, he closed the door and latched it just like Fleur usually did.
Fleur, Hermione, Gabrielle, for some reason in their underwear and with two bottles of wine between them, were atop the former's large bed. He could see a bit of spillage that'd be very easily cleaned by the foot of the bed, but the wine was only a passing thought — the why, really, as to the sight before him.
He reckoned the trio had a witches night while he'd gone away with Ron and the other blokes to fly around.
"Fleur?" It had to be her that had let him in, right?
She groaned and rolled over, the figure of Gabby clinging to her and being pulled along for the ride; she squeaked, but didn't rise, much less wake.
Harry blinked when he saw that occur. He didn't exactly have any pepper-up potions with him, or anything else that'd cure a hangover. Despite what some might think, even after a Quidditch match which they'd win most of the time, he didn't really drink. Not nearly enough to have any repercussions the following morning.
Slowly, he approached the bed on the side opposite of Fleur; Hermione's side. He figured he'd wake her and see if she had anything of the sort prepared. He reckoned if anybody would aside from Fleur, who was rather incessant on getting a bit more sleep, it'd be her.
Harry nearly tripped over a glass that was by the side of the bed, and hidden by a pair of shoes, but he found his footing and a moment later, Hermione's side. When he touched her shoulder to wake her, she definitely felt a bit chilly, which, given the circumstances, he reckoned made sense. He shook her gently after that momentary reflection, but like Fleur, she mumbled something and buried her face deeper in the pillow. Gabby, on her other side, squeaked again and rolled, pulling a bit of the blanket with her.
He shook his head at the three and shook Hermione again, this time more firmly. He didn't see Fleur's eyes open, narrowed as they were at him for waking her from an especially good dream, nor did he notice Gabby extending a hand his way for a morning hug.
Harry was right and properly tunnel-visioned on Hermione, and that second, firmer shake did what he needed it to, and not a second later, she came to with blinking, blurry eyes… and then she leaned up and pecked him right square on the lips. Harry wasn't sure if he'd imagined that, or if she'd really done it.
At least, not until Hermione rubbed the sleep from her eyes and blinked up at him… Fleur gaped and Gabby dropped her arm; evidently, neither of them had seen that coming either, given the speechlessness about them.
"O—"
Hermione's eyes went wide as could be, and she rose with a stumble. When she spoke, her words were mumbled as could be. "...go… ready for breakfast," and like that, she was out the door with a bound.
He was left looking after her for a good few seconds, and then he turned his attention to Fleur and Gabrielle. The pair were as speechless as he was, and each were looking where Hermione had just gone off.
"So… I guess last night was a good night?" Harry wasn't sure what else he could say.
Sure, he'd nearly raised a hand to touch his lips, but he didn't.
He was just confused as could be, but the bloke in him was happy. Accidental as it may have been, he'd gotten his third kiss from a witch.
This year was definitely the best of them all.
Harry slid into the chair opposite of Hermione. Fleur and Gabrielle were atop the former's bed, as usual, snacks scattered at the foot thereof that Harry or Hermione would simply levitate over if the need took them. The four were going over various tomes and notes they'd taken throughout the year, seeking out any that might assist them with the upcoming task.
And Merlin, was that task right close to starting. There were days left, meer days, and then the tournament would be over with. To the lot of them, that couldn't happen soon enough; it was nothing but drama and danger, and the latter seemed all too real after the second task.
"Oh, I 'ad a zought," Fleur said, her legs kicking as they hung in the air. "You weel go een first, we know zat, 'Arry."
"We do." He agreed. He was in the lead, and that was how they'd done things for the second task.
"So he'll wait for you?" Hermione seemed to guess where Fleur was going, and he swore they'd talked about this before. "You think he'll be allowed to?"
"Zey weel not stop 'eem. Zey 'aven't yet," Fleur blew him a kiss, her smile wide as could be. "You agree, no? To stay close togezzer ees ze way to make sure ze ozzer ees safe."
Harry didn't disagree. Not even remotely. They'd done the second task together, and he saw how that'd gone. "Of course I agree. I wish we could've done the first task like that too, but pulled through, didn't we?" he grinned. "Reckon together, so long as we focus on surviving instead of winning, we'll be fine as can be."
Fleur's smile grew wider, and she gestured to him to come closer. "Such sweet words deserve a kees at ze least."
"Don't read into kisses too much." Hermione's words struck Harry as weird and sudden, but the other two in the room had knowing expressions worn upon their faces.
"Oh?" Fleur made to sit up in bed, and so Gabby took the chance to speak.
"We 'ave to read eento eet." Gabrielle was adamant and smug. Bratty maybe; she pulled such a tone and look off well.
Fleur agreed. "We 'ave too. I would 'ave to ask eef you would kees me eef you were able as well, but I zeenk I know ze answer to zat, no?" She took hold of Harry next, and whilst Hermione gave no answer to her question; it made both the French Veela smirk... until Fleur spoke to the boy she'd caught. "Now, for zat kees, no?"
He snickered, but he didn't resist as her face neared his own.
The time had finally come.
The morning of the third task had come about, and by the end of the day, the whole tournament would be over. It was a queer thought. Especially when Harry considered all that'd happened thus far in the year; from the start during the Quidditch world cup, to where he was now, awake in his bed and on his way to the Quidditch pitch.
Well, not there right yet, but soon enough.
There was still breakfast to have first. Breakfast and time and words with his mates, with Fleur and Gabby, and with anybody else he felt like speaking with before the task began.
Merlin. It'd all be over soon.