Chapter 15
George Weasley sat down next to Fleur, "Nervous?"
"Non," she said, smiling at him, "I think I am ready for ze task."
"Well I'll be cheering for you," he smiled, blushing slightly.
"Not for your school's champion?"
"Hogwarts is segregated into four houses. The only house over the moon about Diggory being champion is Hufflepuff. Ravenclaw is just glad because the attention isn't on Gryffindor and Slytherin. But Diggory is also quidditch captain so Slytherin doesn't like him and he nearly killed Harry in a match so Gryffindor hates him."
"Und zo you cheer for me," Fleur mused.
"Plus you look better in a dress," George grinned.
Fleur smiled, "Zhorge you are so seely."
"Perfect to be the owner of a jokeshop right?"
"Oui, wizzout a doubt. Jou weel make a fortune," she nodded. George felt much taller hearing her approval. He liked Fleur very much and as they'd worked out together (George even volunteering to be her dueling partner) he'd come to learn about her. Fleur came from a very long line of Veela, which she said meant they were blessed by Apollo. She was also Veela, as there was no such thing as a part-Veela. George had quite the education about Veela from Fleur and he was certainly intrigued. She'd talked often about her family. Her father was the owner of French broomstick company Vitesse and her mother was a fashion designer. She had a little sister, Gabrielle, who Fleur was very close to despite Gabrielle being eight years old to Fleur's seventeen years.
In turn he'd told her about his parents, brothers, little sister. He'd told her about his dreams and goals. Fleur was very encouraging of his joke shop. He liked that. The only thing he was unsure of was what their relationship was. Where they a couple? They had such an easy way of interacting but they didn't kiss. She'd hugged him a couple times but that was it.
They ate breakfast together, being joined by Hermione, Harry, Dean, and Seamus. There wasn't much talk at the table. There was excitement in the hall that morning for the first task but most people were quiet. Hufflepuff all sat staring at their champion, who poked at his food. Krum could be seen eating as though everything was normal.
With the first task taking part before lunchtime, Harry and Dean were called after breakfast by the headmaster. Hermione kissed Harry goodbye before wishing them both luck. They both smiled and got up, following the headmaster out of the hall. Shortly after that the champions were told to head down to the area. Fleur looked at George, "Will you walk wiz me Zhorge?"
"Sure," George nodded, getting up from the table.
"Good luck Fleur," Hermione said.
"Zank you 'Ermione," Fleur smiled at her friend before leaving with George.
Their walk was mostly spent in silence. Once they were outside the castle George looked at her, "I'm sure you'll do great."
She smiled, "Zhorge you are very sweet."
"I try," he quipped.
"I 'ad 'oped to make friends when I came 'ere. I deed not dream zat I would not just make friends boot meet a nice boy. Especially zumone Eengleesh 'oo does not zink zat Veela are zust creatures meant for sex and to be attracteev to men." Not sure where Fleur was going with the conversation, George stayed quiet. "Zhorge you often 'ave complained about your bruhzzer's girlfriend boot per'aps you would not be opposed to…" Fleur frowned, "'Ow do you zay eet…"
George stopped walking and pulled her to face him, pulling her to him and kissing her, "Fleur will you go to Hogsmeade with me? And be my girlfriend?"
Her face lit up, "Oui, Zhorge. Zank you for knowing what I meant." She then kissed him.
George dropped Fleur off at the tent for the champions, then headed over the arena. He found Hermione and Seamus and sat down with them. Fred and Angelina could be seen snogging several rows away. He rolled his eyes. "Is she nervous?" Hermione asked him.
"If she is she isn't showing it," George answered.
"Did you ask her out yet?" Seamus asked, leaning forward to look at him from Hermione's other side.
"Yeah," George answered with a grin, "Was a bit nervous but she hinted at it and so I decided to outright ask her. We're going to Hogsmeade and we're a couple."
Hermione smiled and took his hand, squeezing it. "You better treat her right George."
"I will," he said. "I like pranks and fun and games but I can be serious Hermione."
"I was thinking more of your idiot brothers," Hermione said. "Ron the drooling fool and Fred the insensitive."
"Such stellar knight names," George chuckled. "I won't let them make her uncomfortable," he promised.
"Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, students of Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang, welcome to the first task of the Tri-Wizard Tournament!"Harry's announcement was met with cheers from everyone gathered. Dumbledore had assured Harry and Dean that the broadcast couldn't be heard in the competitors' tents, which was important because Harry and Dean had to tell everyone what the obstacle course was designed for and what they'd be expected to do. They weren't being watched by McGonagall today. Instead they had someone with WWN alongside them; he'd explained the equipment to the pair before sitting back to let them do their work. When necessary he'd throw the switch for commercials for those listening at home.
Dean smiled, "I'm Dean Thomas, he's Harry Potter, and we're your dashing commentators for the Tri-Wizard Tournament. But don't get your hopes up ladies; I'm the only single one."
"And he's not all that dashing," Harry grinned.
"Hey, we all know Hermione is only dating you out of pity."Down in the stands Hermione shook her head. No McGonagall obviously had an impact. Dean then added, "I'm just teasing. They're totally in love. Please don't hurt me Hermione."Seamus and George cracked up at that.
"Before Dean can get into any more trouble with my girlfriend let's take a look at just what the first task entails. This is an obstacle course with a magical twist. The contestant with the fastest time, or the only one who completes it, gets the maximum number of points, 50. That's ten each from Headmasters Dumbledore and Karkaroff and Headmistress Maxime, 10 from Gringotts representative Ragefist, and 10 points from Madame Bones, head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement who is representing the Ministry of Magic."
"The first obstacle our champions will have to face is called the Levitating Stepping Stones. Charmed by our exemplary charms master Professor Filius Flitwick, the task requires the champions to leap from stone to stone over five stones that are just large enough for one foot to rest comfortably. The catch is that these stones are levitating over a rather large area filled with dragon manure and some of the stones are charmed to lower when someone steps on them. Professor Flitwick has charmed them to be random for each champion."
"After landing on a platform the champions must then use a rope to swing over the Incubation Pit, an area filled with hot coals serving to incubate real dragon eggs." Harry didn't add that the eggs were protected with strong spells by the dragon handlers who were there so that they couldn't be crushed. The champions wouldn't know that so telling the audience didn't seem to be necessary. "Once they've landed safely on the other side of the pit the Champions will have to deal with the Unstable Bridge, which is made unstable courtesy of a colony of imps. This obstacle might look easy but you never know what the imps have in store."
"Once they've passed the Unstable Bridge they'll come upon the broomstick section. Without a doubt this is the easiest section, but looks can be deceiving. Harry you're the flying expert between us, you take this one."
Harry nodded, "This section is equal parts skill and intellect. The champions will have to fly through, around, and over various obstacles before they come upon a riddle. The answer to that riddle needs to be spelled out using large wooden tiles, which are strewn about a grassy field where the grass reaches just over 5 feet tall. They are required to gather the tiles one at a time before assembling them on the ground. If they get it right, the task is completed. If they get it wrong, they have two more attempts to get it. There are plenty of tiles out there. Because of the international nature of the task, the judges do accept answers in various languages and there are plenty of tiles that cover that."
"The Champions will draw to determine who goes first and will not be able to see how the others do. For up to the minute information, Harry will be on his broomstick shadowing the competitors as they make their way through the course. Using his eyes and abilities that made him a good seeker he'll keep us up to date with a play by play as the action happens."
"That's a relief otherwise we might miss something," Hermione heard from behind her. She looked to see Draco and Blaise sitting behind them.
"Before this year did you ever think you'd say that?" Hermione asked him.
"Definitely not," Draco smirked.
"Where are your two Durmstrang friends?"
"They have to sit with their school. Headmaster's orders," Draco answered, rolling his eyes. "That creep has some sort of fetish for Krum or something." George and Seamus snickered at that. "The Durmstrang blokes are for the most part nice guys. But they all feel invisible next to Krum."
"Beauxbatons definitely seems more inclusive," Hermione nodded. "At least, the other girls aren't jealous of Fleur or anything." George nodded his agreement.
"So George is dating the Beauxbatons champion," Draco smirked, "had any issues with the 'Puffs yet?"
"They aren't a threat. I think I scared them off after they tried to corner Harry and Dean." For the rest of that day and the next the Hufflepuffs who had attempted to cheat had the words I'm A Cheating Bully! flashing on their foreheads. If they put a hat on the sign moved to above their head. There was no way they could remove it and once the professors found out why they found themselves in detention. Given the esteem Dean and Harry were held in by the rest of the school since their first commentating job Hufflepuff had become the least popular house. Slytherin and Gryffindor and most of Ravenclaw shunned them.
Seamus looked up at them, "So who are you lot rooting for then?"
"George's girlfriend obviously," Draco smirked. "Marko and Anton don't like Krum and frankly I think Harry's a better seeker than Krum. And there's no way I'm cheering for Diggory."
"Why Draco you dirty anti-Hogwarts traitor," Hermione responded dryly. He stuck his tongue out at her in response. Since they had their extra classes together, they had begun to learn about one another since the year had started. It was apparent to her that Draco really was trying to change and she wanted to encourage that.
"Hey you befriended someone from another school. Watch who you call a traitor," he retorted. Hermione shook her head, smiling.
Inside the tent Albus Dumbledore explained to the Champions that Harry would be flying at a safe distance away from them while Percy Weasley held the bag the contestants drew from to determine their order. Dumbledore hadn't intended to ask Harry to shadow the contestants but when the WWN producer suggested it Dumbledore had thought it was an excellent idea, especially when he thought about Harry's ability on a broomstick and had seen Harry's excitement at getting to be on his broom.
The old headmaster was nervous for both Harry and Dean, but the boys both watched muggle sports and they'd heard plenty of muggle commentators. And they seemed excited to be getting to do this differently than it had ever been done before. Dumbledore loved it when people could bring about change in the magical world. Harry and Hermione seemed to be at the center of most of that change anymore; but then, they certainly didn't mind making the changes. Although he wasn't so sure that they even noticed that they were making changes. They just seemed to make them happen. Dumbledore wished the Champions luck and exited the tent. He had judging to do.
Dean was given the order of the champions' runs and he picked up his microphone, "First up today is Hogwarts' Champion Cedric Diggory!"
Cedric exited the tent and walked to the start. Harry hovered nearby, roughly ten feet off the ground, with his microphone headset on and ready. "On your mark, get set, go!" With that a bang was heard and Cedric stepped up onto the platform that led to the Levitating Stepping Stones.
Harry flew parallel to Cedric, but high up so that he wouldn't interfere. Harry licked his lips as he spoke, "He's eying those stones but spellwork won't help with this obstacle, just speed and agility. There's no way to know which ones will-Oh! Diggory is down in dragon dung! That is an unexpected result for Hogwarts' champion!"
"What a shocker! Harry what do you think caused his fall?"
As Cedric crawled out of the rather large pile of dragon manure Harry spoke, "He got a slow start as he stared at the stones trying to work out his strategy, then he stumbled as the stones shifted. There was no recovering once that happened Dean so down he went."
"Dragon Dung Diggory," George snickered. Hermione licked her lips to hide her smile as Seamus, Draco, and Blaise laughed heartily at George's new nickname for Hogwarts' champion. "Oh he's never living that down," George grinned evilly.
"I can see it now, an action figure of Diggory falling into a pile of dragon dung," Hermione said. "Going to sell that in your shop?"
"Ooh good idea!" George exclaimed, "But it'd be even better if I made a dragon figure follow him around and crap on him." The three other boys laughed uproariously at that.
The general mood in the stadium as Cedric was cleaned off was one of humor. Beauxbatons, Durmstrang, and most of Hogwarts had laughed at him. WWN went to commercial and Dean offered up some facts about Bulgaria and Durmstrang to the stadium as Krum was the next person up. Once Krum was in position Dean said, "On your mark, get set, go! Over to you Harry!"
"Thanks Dean. Krum is already moving faster than Diggory was. He's got out his wand…he casts a Feather-Light Charm on himself! That's good thinking given his broad physique. And with the weight advantage Krum makes it past the first obstacle like a breeze. Er, pardon the pun. Now he's onto the next task, the Incubation Pit. Krum is surprisingly light in the air on a broomstick, which I'm sure most spectators are eager to see for themselves, but these tasks will present a problem for him as the charm he used for the stones will not work here and he's got plenty of weight to get over that 15 foot gap. Will he use magic to help him?"
"And he does! Krum has cast a spell creating an ice bridge." Harry's face turned pensive, "An odd choice for me as the Incubation Pit is a sweltering, face-melting 50 degrees Celsius. Will that bridge hold?"
The answer to that question was no. Just as the bridge solidified and as Harry spoke the ice melted, causing a thick cloud of steam to rise up into the air. Several dragon trainers cast wind spells, dissipating the cloud instantly. Krum, looking more surly than usual, frowned. "It looks like Krum needs a Plan B! It's important to remember that time is a factor here because despite Cedric's fall one champion is left to run the course and if she merely has to complete it time will be of no concern at all."
"It looks like he's going to try the rope. He's got a high grip and he swings…oh! He barely makes it to the other side but he manages it! And now he faces the Unstable Bridge! This task is perhaps the most unknowable as imps are very mischievous and random."
"He's backing up; it looks like Krum is going to make a straight run across the bridge. Not sure if that's a good strategy or not. I guess we'll find out- here he goes! Ooh that was a hard landing! Krum is off the course!"
Dean took back over, "Well that was a surprise. Many tipped Krum to make it through the task easily. What did you think was his problem Harry?"
"I think he was very frustrated with the Incubation Pit, Dean. He looked very angry when the bridge melted and the dragon handlers vanished the steam. After taking too much time on that obstacle he looked to speed through the Unstable Bridge, which was obviously a mistake as the imps threw him right off of it. No dragon dung landing for him at least, but it's obviously a disappointment that he didn't complete the task."
"Completing the task falls to our third champion to attempt. As soon as the course resets we'll be ready to watch as Fleur Delacour takes to the course to show her male competitors just what she's capable of."
"Well that was disappointing. But then again I thought he'd end up in the dragon dung," Seamus said.
"I think he was planning something inappropriate when he cast the ice bridge," Draco said. "Krum isn't an idiot and only an idiot would cast a bridge of ice over a dragon incubation pit. When the dragon handlers blew the steam away quickly he looked really angry."
"You think he was going to cheat?"
"Krum was training like he knew what was coming," Draco answered. "So yeah, I do think he was going to cheat. Probably thought he could Apparate or something across the gap with the appropriate cover." Hermione frowned.
Seamus looked at Draco in confusion, "Fleur and Diggory didn't know, why would Krum?"
"Maybe Karkaroff told his favorite student but Madame Maxime and Dumbledore have more integrity than the former Death Eater."
"That wouldn't surprise me," Hermione mused.
"There's Fleur," George smiled, and everyone resumed watching the task.
"And now it's time for the last run of the day, Beauxbatons champion Fleur Delacour! On your mark, get set, go!"
"She's moving quickly, much faster than her fellow champions. WOW! She went through the Levitating Stepping Stones like they were nothing! That was amazing! She's got good momentum going into the rope swing and she's not stopping…She easily makes it across!"
"Her two male competitors are both much heavier than she is, giving Fleur the advantage in the first two obstacles," Dean observed, "but this obstacle is the great equalizer. Your weight is irrelevant, it's balance and quick thinking that you'll need to get across the Unstable Bridge."
"She's taking her time sizing up the imps and the movements of the bridge. Time will of course be no concern since the other two didn't complete the course but you don't want to lose your momentum. She's got her wand in hand, it looks like we're going to see some magic…why does she have on sunglasses?" Suddenly there was a loud flash. Harry rubbed his eyes, as did everyone else in the crowd. When he could see again Fleur was across the bridge while the imps were all blinking and rubbing their eyes still. Harry laughed, "That's brilliant! She's used a patented George Weasley spell to temporarily blind the imps so that she could cross without issue. Now it's on to the broomstick section."
"A flashbang spell was a brilliant choice," Dean admired, "very impressive."
"She's got the broom and soaring easily through the obstacles. Delacour is the only contestant who doesn't play quidditch but there's no doubt she's quite skilled on a broom. Now she's at the riddle. headed to the field. Does she know the answer? Only time will tell."
"We can't tell you what the riddle is as then people could attempt Sonorous Charms to try and tell her the answer," Dean said.
Fortunately the answer wasn't very long. Six letters later Dumbledore nodded and Harry spoke, "And the Beauxbatons Champion has done it! Fleur Delacour completes the first task of the Triwizard Tournament! Over to you Dean with the scoring!"
"Thank you Harry. With her completion of the tournament, and in an impressive 8 minutes 24 seconds no less, Fleur Delacour is in the lead with the full fifty points. Krum and Diggory did not complete the task, so they will not get the full points for second and third place. Instead they get 5 points for each obstacle they completed. That means Krum is in second with 10 points and Diggory gets 0 as he failed the first obstacle. Well that concludes our first task of the Tri-Wizard Tournament! On behalf of Harry, myself, and everyone at WWN thank you for joining us and catch us in February when the second task takes place!" The WWN executive nodded his approval before turning off their microphones.
George was quick to leave the stands. "Hey Hermione can you place an order for me with George for one of those Dragon Dung Diggory action figures?" Draco asked.
Seamus and Blaise promptly burst into laughter at that. Hermione suppressed her own laugh, "I can Draco but George needs the seed money to get himself up and running. I don't think he'll have much help from his twin either."
Seamus looked to see Fred following Angelina into the school. He felt kind of bad for George, being abandoned by Fred such as he was. But then again, George seemed really happy hanging around them and when it came to witches George had landed the hottest witch probably to ever enter the doors of Hogwarts.
Draco tilted his head thoughtfully, "What about Sirius? He has loads of money. Especially with all that money he got for being wrongly thrown in jail without a trial. He'd love to invest in a joke shop."
"George would never ask for money," Seamus said. "He's too proud."
Draco climbed out of the stand and helped Hermione step down, "Well then how about he gets a financial adviser? I'm good with numbers and money. Dean can draw flyers and box art. If we all help him with promotion and pre-orders and whatnot we might be able to get the items he wants to make funded by the pre-order money."
"He can develop items faster if he gets help from Hermione and Harry too," Seamus nodded, "and I can certainly help with promoting his business. Dean could draw a wicked label."
"I will help but leave Harry out of it. He always gets dragged into everything," Hermione said. "Besides, he's enjoying having less to focus on."
"He's probably too busy focusing on you," Draco teased. Hermione batted her eyes innocently and the boys all laughed.
Fleur was all smiles when George got to her, which was a little difficult as her classmates were congratulating her. He picked her up in a hug, "That was awesome! I'll even forgive you using my spell."
"Your spell eez quite good, Zhorge. Eet worked perfectly." She kissed him sweetly, "Did djou enjoy ze task?"
"Diggory lands in dragon dung, Krum is sent skywards by imps, and my girlfriend embarrasses everyone by acing the course. It was awesome," he grinned. "All that training really paid off."
"Zhen djou weel be my training partner steel?"
"Absolutely," he nodded.
She smiled and squeezed his hand, "Fantastique! Now we go find 'Ermione!" George found himself smiling as Fleur dragged him away. He loved it when she got so excited.
Chapter 16
Lots of people thought I was bashing Diggory and Krum; Hermione actually sums up what I was doing to them very nicely, as I have written Diggory and Krum both differently than their characters were in canon (well, we don't know much about Krum so maybe he is canon and JKR just wasn't explicit about him being a bit arrogant). You have to understand, the fourth book is my favorite book. But there's so much wrong with it. I don't know if JKR was putting in a little jab at the French but Fleur was supposed to be the best of Beauxbatons and she wasn't all that good at the tasks. The fact that she was writing a strong female lead in Hermione but then waffled when another strong female appeared on the scene (before eventually making Hermione a not so strong female lead) just irritates me. Think of the first task as less me targeting Diggory and Krum and more me avenging canon-Fleur. Because that sort of felt like what I was doing.
Happy reading!
Dragon Dung Diggory wasn't seen for the rest of the weekend following the first task. Rumor was that he'd spent the rest of Saturday in the shower. The atmosphere at the Hufflepuff table was so morose someone might have suspected Cedric had died rather than fallen into dragon manure. The rest of Hogwarts' students didn't seem to mind that their champion hadn't even managed a point in the first task. In fact once George had drawn up his concept art for his 'Dragon Dung Diggory' action figure, Dean had put it on a poster, and Draco and Seamus had spread the word, George found himself with a flood of pre-orders and all the money he'd need to make the products. Everyone understood it would take a bit of time but no one seemed to mind waiting. The promise of George coming through with it was enough for them. Draco made a priority list so that people couldn't complain and George went to work studying how to make them immediately.
Hermione's help was almost necessary, as George didn't want to let down the many students (all of Slytherin and Gryffindor and about a third of Ravenclaw) who had believed in him. As a result George spent only some of the weekend with his new girlfriend, who understood why he was spending so much time with Hermione and didn't protest in the slightest. Fred meanwhile spent his weekend with Angelina. They were definitely no longer in one of their fighting periods. Seamus and Dean preferred the fighting to the snogs on the common room couch; and they thought most of Gryffindor probably agreed with them. The two boys decided to try and save their house; they asked Colin Creevey to get a picture of the couple snogging on the common room couch. They then sent that picture to Molly Weasley.
One howler later and Fred and Angelina were snogging in broomclosets and abandoned classrooms and Dobby had thoroughly cleaned the couch for Gryffindor. Order was restored and the three boys were hailed as heroes.
The Thursday after the first task there was an article in the newspaper about Ginny Weasley. Her treatments were going well and the DMLE would be interviewing her and looking through her memories to determine what her punishment would be. Harry asked Rufus about it and Rufus informed him that it was unlikely she would return to Hogwarts. It was more likely she'd attend a smaller wizarding school like the one in Ireland or possibly even a special school in the United States that dealt with magicals with mental issues. That didn't sound good to Harry but Rufus assured him it was most definitely for the best.
Ron Weasley, meanwhile, would complain often about Krum not completing the task and being robbed of seeing him on a broomstick. His sentiments were shared by many other students, though none of them were from Durmstrang. That lot was over the moon that Krum had lost to Fleur.
Fleur was without a doubt at the center of the attention after the tournament. But she wasn't alone. Harry and Dean were mini-celebrities for their new job but for once, for Harry at least, he was eclipsed by someone else. That didn't stop him from getting mail from people who applauded the work they'd done. The letters that meant the most, though, came from the Grangers and the Thomases. They'd listened in on the sets that Sirius had bought them and they were all very excited and proud of the pair of them. That Dan and Emma were proud of him made Harry feel a little bit taller. Dean though was certain more than ever that this was the career path for him; he told Harry and Seamus that if he supplemented his income with helping George's business by making package art and marketing materials that would probably be enough to let him be a quidditch commentator full-time.
Fleur's performance also caught the attention of Amelia Bones; specifically her use of George's flashbang spell. She'd put in an order for a case of Flashbangs. Needing help, George went to Fred, "Look Fred we can really make our shop come true! If we can send off the case of Flashbangs then we can make the Diggory figures and we'll really be on our way."
Fred shook his head, "George it's just not sustainable. Constantly having to make new products on top of staffing a store and making all the products…it's just too much pressure and stress. Besides, I'm a great beater and Oliver reckons I can get a tryout."
George just stared at his twin. "You don't want to do the shop because it's too much work? It's always been our dream."
"Just a dream though. The reality would take way too much time out of our lives. With quidditch we'd have more free time plus when the business fails what are you going to do?"
"The business won't fail," George said. "I won't let it."
"And that Georgie is how you'll end up married to your work. It's better for it to always be a dream than to be a reality and bust," Fred patted him on the shoulder, "Oliver could probably get you a tryout too if you come to your senses in time."
George shrugged off Fred's hand, "I get being afraid of failure but that doesn't mean that you stop. And I won't."
"You're going to be hearing alot of 'I told you so' then."
"Or you'll be hearing it when I'm insanely successful and you're injured badly sitting on the sidelines hoping you aren't replaced by the next young talented beater," George responded, glaring at Fred. "At least now I know it's not Angelina that's the voice behind your recent changes in attitude."
"Oh come off it George. We have to grow up. No woman is going to want to put up with a prankster for a boyfriend let alone as a husband or father."
George shook his head, "Fleur likes what I'm doing and want to do."
"Yeah like you're going to be dating her for long," Fred scoffed. "She's way out of your league. A hot blonde part-Veela bird wants you? That's ridiculous George."
George had felt like he wanted to punch Fred only a handful of times in his life. This was one of those times. Unlike those other times, though, this time he carried through with it and punched Fred in the face before exiting the common room. Hermione pulled out her mirror and made a call.
George didn't know where he was headed but he soon found himself near the entryway to the castle. The doors opened suddenly and his eyes widened as Fleur entered. Upon seeing him she ran and hugged him, kissing him quite hard, "H-how…"
"'Ermione calls me und says djou 'ad a fight wiz your twin. Zat djou were upset. Are djou okay Zhorge?"
"I really like how you say my name," he mumbled.
She smiled and kissed him sweetly, "You show me one of your hiding places, yes? Zo we can talk about why my Zhorge ees upset." He nodded and led her to one of his spots. Fleur sat on a desk and pulled him onto it, guiding him onto his back and placing his head in her lap, "Now you tell me what ees wrong Zhorge."
So George told her the about the argument while she ran her fingers through his hair. When he finished he looked up at her and she spoke, "Well your tween ees not very much like you. 'E seems quite stupid und shallow. My Zhorge ees very smart und not shallow at all."
He smiled, "Your George?"
"Oui, my Zhorge. Ees my Eenglish wrong? I 'ave 'eard 'Ermione refer to 'Arry zis way und I zertainly view you as 'Ermione views 'Arry."
"No your English is correct," George assured her. "I just have never belonged to anyone in the way you mean before."
She helped him upright so that he was sitting with her, "Do you know zat Veela mate for life?"
"How do you know when you find your mate?"
"I can sense eet. In English or French eet ees 'ard to put words to," she frowned, "zat ees the best zat I can do."
"It's okay you don't have to explain it. Maybe Hermione can explain it to me later," he shrugged. "Reckon right now I'd rather kiss my girlfriend." Fleur smiled and met him halfway.
After a very enjoyable snog George turned a desk into a couch and they cuddled on it. "I still need help with the Flashbangs," he sighed. "And I need a name for my store."
"Per'aps 'Ermione und 'Arry can 'elp whiz zat," Fleur said. "I can 'elp you whiz your flashbangs eef you like."
George grinned, "Well okay but I can only pay you in kisses."
"Zat ees acceptable to me," Fleur smiled. "Zo long 'as no one else gets paid ze same."
George tilted his head, "Well I was going to offer to pay Harry in kisses but I think Hermione would kill me and I'm rather fond of living." Fleur giggled and kissed his cheek. George felt much better. He should probably thank Hermione for telling Fleur and find out what his girlfriend meant by Hermione had 'called' her. That sounded intriguing.
The next day Fleur got Hermione alone, "I know."
"I had a feeling you did," Hermione nodded.
"Yes but I now zink zat Zhorge knows und I deed not tell 'eem. Zo eef 'e says somesing eet ees because 'e figured eet out, not because I told 'eem. I would not tell someone unless you gave me permission."
"That's good to know," she nodded. "I'll deal with George. You certainly make him happy."
"Oui, Zhorge makes me very 'appy too. I do not like 'ow 'ees twin ees treating 'im zo."
"Given how close they've always been it's not surprising they'd eventually have a major blow-up," Hermione said. "George and Fred are used to always agreeing on everything. They don't know how to deal with a disagreement. It might take a bit but they'll be okay."
"You ah sure?"
"I am," Hermione nodded. "How are George's French lessons going?"
Fleur giggled, "'E ees trying, bless 'eem. I zink, zo, zat my Eenglish ees much eemproved. My accent ees probably ze 'ardest part to deal whiz."
"I think that just comes from practice," Hermione mused. "I can see if my parents still have those books they used to teach me French. They might help George. Or do what I do with Harry and reward his hard work with snogs. I think you'd find that he will learn much better."
Fleur laughed, "'Ermione you 'ave embraced eet well."
Hermione smiled and nodded. It had been rough, at first, but she did embrace being Veela. Being able to manipulate Harry in little ways would happen with or without being Veela but Harry knew he could do the same to her. The hardest thing for Harry to adjust to was the werewolf. Seeing how the wolf had responded to her the first time, though, Hermione took a risk and told the wolf all about Harry's abusive childhood. Hermione was certain if there was one area of Harry's brain that was thoroughly locked away from everyone, including the wolf, it was the memories of the Dursleys.
Her gambit paid off; the wolf's desire to take Hermione roughly and claim her as his never reared its head again. That made Harry feel more comfortable with the wolf until it just became a part of him. Not in the same way as Hermione, of course, but he didn't feel any fear or frustration with the wolf anymore.
"Once I did everything seemed easier to deal with," Hermione shrugged. Fleur nodded her understanding. "I have to get to class. See you later?"
"Oui," Fleur smiled, waving as they parted.
Hermione didn't see George until that evening after classes when they were working on the Flashbangs in an empty classroom in an unused wing of the school. It was one of George's many hideaways. They worked silently for awhile before Hermione looked at him, "You know, don't you."
"That you're Veela? Yeah," he nodded, continuing his work.
"How did you figure it out?"
"Well when Fleur told me she was Veela I thought about how Ron reacted around her. And the only other person he reacts that way around is you. So if Fleur is Veela and got that reaction, then you must be too. And then Fleur told me that most Veela come into their powers at 15 and I started to really look at you and saw the changes. And not just your wardrobe choices," he added. "Your hair has changed alot since your birthday. And your bust is a little bigger." Hermione raised an eyebrow at him, "Not that I stared too long," he said hurriedly. "Please don't hurt me."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "I swear you threaten to castrate Seamus one time and everyone thinks you'll kill them."
George laughed. So hard Hermione thought he would hurt himself. He fell off his chair clutching his sides, "Y-you…did you really?"
"He was teasing Harry and making kissy faces and being an arse about us being a couple so I told him if I ever saw him blow a kiss at Harry again I'd castrate him. The look on his face was great. White as a sheet in terror. I thought Dean and Harry would break something laughing at him."
"Hermione Granger has a good sense of humor," George said as he got up off the floor, "I guess I should have expected that. Can I ask you questions about Veela? With Fleur I know I could but sometimes things get lost in translation and I don't want her to misunderstand me."
"Of course you can. So long as you don't tell anyone. I don't want people to know just yet."
"I haven't even told Fred that Fleur's a Veela, why would I tell anyone that you are?" Hermione nodded in response. "So what is this mate business all about? Like, how can you tell Harry's your mate?"
Hermione thought about it. How to explain it to George? "It's…it's like a pull from a magnet. I just feel drawn to him. There's this connection between us that feels so intense at times…it's not easy to put into words. I just look at him and know we're mates." She looked at him, "Did Fleur say you were her mate?"
"No I told her what Fred said about how she'd dump me sooner rather than later and she told me that Veela mate for life. I think she was trying to comfort me. When did you tell Harry?"
Hermione didn't know how to answer that. Harry had known they were mates first because of the wolf. But then, George has asked when Hermione had first told Harry. So maybe she could fudge it a bit. "We became a couple before I came into my powers. But even before that I knew that we were meant to be. I think we both did. It was instantaneous from our first kiss. I don't think that was because I'm Veela. I think that was just…it was simply meant to be."
George sat silently and resumed his work on the Flashbangs. They were nearly finished with the order.
When he spoke again it was a different topic, "Hermione Fleur said that you called her. How did you do that?"
"A communication mirror," she answered. "Sirius sent me some for my birthday so I could communicate with Harry and our friends when we're apart." She pulled hers out of her bag and handed it to George, "The Marauders created them when they were in school and Sirius found them in his house as his house elf cleaned it out. He made a few for me."
George turned the mirror over in his hands, studying it, "How does it work?"
"Fleur," Hermione said into the mirror.
A few seconds later Fleur's face appeared, "Oui, 'Ermione? I zought zat you were working wiz Zhorge tonight."
"I am Fleur. He was curious about how I was able to contact you so quickly. I thought I'd show him. This is just an example. Bye for now."
"Au revoir 'Ermione." Fleur's face vanished.
Hermione looked at George, "Impressed?"
"Yeah," George nodded. "That's cool."
"George and Fleur both know about me," Hermione told Harry.
"Oh," Harry said, sitting down on their couch, "They're both keeping quiet?"
"Yeah," she nodded. "Fleur didn't tell George. He worked it out when he realized that Ron reacts to Fleur and me the same way."
"But most people don't know that Fleur is full Veela so we have that for keeping things quiet," Harry said.
"On the other hand once it's out that Fleur is, it will probably be out that I am."
Harry nodded, "Still…this has me nervous."
"Harry we can overcome it. Just because I'm Veela doesn't make you a werewolf," she reminded him. "And Veela are far more accepted than werewolves."
"Yeah but all the remarks they're going to throw at you…"
"Harry I can deal with idiot bigots," she sat down on the sofa next to him. He smiled at her. "The biggest concern is how people react if your secret gets out. Not mine."
"I sometimes wonder if you're braver than me."
"Well I haven't been betrayed as much as you have," she shifted so that she was in his arms, "by people you trusted. So it's easier for me to trust people than it is for you. To see the best in them."
Harry sighed in contentment, "I think I'm getting really good at sneaking out of the school."
"Don't get cocky Harry. That leads to mistakes. Look at how Diggory and Krum did at the task. They were arrogant and they both bombed it." Harry nodded. He was hyper-vigilant about his sneaking out. Most of the time Hermione didn't go with him. Harry instead got out of the cold, back up to the Room, and snuggled into a warm bed that had his Hermione already in it. That always made the transformation worth it. Not that Harry minded it; he found it didn't hurt if you just let the wolf take over. But what he didn't like was how cold he felt afterwards when he turned back. Going from fur to no fur was a dramatic shift. But the snuggling and Hermione smiling at him in the morning and kissing him and how thoroughly and affectionately she checked him for wounds and injuries…that was one of the most incredible things Harry had ever experienced and he got it twice a month.
That night would be his first of the two nights for November. "I won't get cocky about it," he promised her, kissing the top of her head and gently squeezing her to him. "Can I tell you a secret?"
"Of course you can," she answered.
"Sometimes I think about everyone who has come into my life and how they could react if they found out I'm a werewolf. I think about their responses."
"And?"
"Well I think about whether it would hurt, losing them. If they decided they couldn't be friends with me or in my life anymore."
She looked up at him, "Harry…"
"Before this summer, only losing you and your parents would hurt me. But now…now there's a ton of people I would really hate to lose. Not as much as losing you obviously…"
"Well of course not that's impossible. I'm in my own area of importance all by myself," she smiled.
Harry grinned, "Yeah. But I think about Rufus, about George and Fleur, about Sirius…and they're just the highlights."
"Maybe we can make being a werewolf not a scary thing the same way we've debunked the Boy-Who-Lived mythos. Just by exposure."
Harry stared at her, "Hermione I'm not outing myself."
"Harry I'm not suggesting you do," she kissed him, "I'm saying that it is inevitable it will be found out. And when it does, maybe people's opinions about werewolves will change just because they know you. And you don't fit any of those negative portrayals of werewolves the ministry pushes." She kissed him again, "By simply being you, people's minds will change."
"Can't you change people's minds about the Veela?"
"Sexy, dominating, powerful," she pressed her forehead to his, "I am all of those things."
"And I'm very glad for it," he grinned. "But you're not a boyfriend-stealer or a rapist using your charms to make men fall for you against their will."
"When I'm outed I'm sure that some people will think about that."
"Some?"
"Veela are hated, I think, primarily for their looks and how so many men have fetishized them. Nothing I can say can change how those men see me."
"You can intimidate them though," Harry smirked.
"Well that goes without saying," she kissed him, "Are you ready?"
"Yeah. Not looking forward to leaving you for the cold outside but it's always worth it."
"I'd call you a romantic sap if I didn't know how you grew up," she said, getting up and pulling him off the sofa, kissing him, "I love you Harry. Be safe."
"I love you too," he kissed her, "See you in the morning." She smiled and hugged him, kissing him once more before Harry slipped out of the room. She sighed and got ready for bed. This was the hard part, knowing that Harry was out there possibly in danger. But there was no denying that Harry could take care of himself so she could at least sleep.
The next day during Transfiguration Professor McGonagall announced the Yule Ball. Harry looked at Hermione, "Hermione will you do me the honor of being my date to the Yule Ball?"
"A bit thick there Harry but yes," she smiled, kissing his cheek.
"Gee, who could have seen that coming?" Seamus asked.
"I think the better question is who is desperate enough to accept an invitation from you," Hermione responded, sticking her tongue out at him. Harry laughed.
With Harry having asked Hermione so quickly, and it getting out that George had asked Fleur (and she'd said yes), the boys all seemed to be on a mission to find someone. Fred Weasley of course asked Angelina. The surprises began when Daphne Greengrass, a Slytherin fourth year, walked up to Dean and asked him to the Ball. And then Gregory Goyle asked Ravenclaw third year Luna Lovegood. Draco asked Padma Patil and Seamus asked her friend Su Li.
Most Hogwarts girls seemed to be hoping Krum would ask them, which Hermione didn't understand. He was famous but that seemed to be it. He didn't talk to anyone and he looked permanently angry. But then, she did have Harry as her mate and he was a perfect fit for her. Hermione was working on her research paper for her extra Transfiguration assignment one day when Krum walked up to her table, "You go to ball with me, yes?"
Hermione looked up, surprised at his appearance. She responded quickly, "No. I have a boyfriend and he has already asked me."
"I am better so you go to ball with me," Krum said.
Hermione's eyes narrowed, "No one is better than my Harry. Especially not someone arrogant enough to just declare that a girl should go to the ball with them. I will be attending the Yule Ball, Mr. Krum, with Harry Potter. I have never even spoken to you before; why would you even ask me?"
"Hey Hermione, ready to go?"
She smiled and kissed Harry, "No but since he won't leave I think we should."
Harry had been contemplating how best to punish Krum for asking Hermione to the ball; rip him to pieces with his bare hands or use his wand. Then Hermione had smiled and kissed him and the wolf had calmed down and Harry had regained full control of his short temper. He did glare at Krum before they walked away. "That was rude," Harry said once they were outside of the library.
"Very rude," she agreed. "Why would anyone want some foreign quidditch star when their boyfriend is you?"
He grinned and kissed her, "Glad I rate so highly."
"Whether you're you or the Boy-Who-Lived, Harry, you're better than him."
One snog in a broomcloset later they returned to the common room. Harry settled onto the couch and Hermione took her bag upstairs. "You look annoyed," Dean observed.
"Krum asked Hermione to the ball."
That got many people's attention, "He what?!"
"He didn't really ask me. He demanded I go with him," Hermione said, walking to Harry and sitting down next to him, "I was shocked."
"He wouldn't take no for an answer either," Harry frowned, though that vanished when Hermione kissed him, "You always improve my mood."
"It's a talent," she smiled.
Harry chuckled and slid his arms around her. Seamus asked, "What are you going to do about Krum?"
"Hermione told him no twice and that she has a date. If that doesn't get through his skull then she's fully capable of hexing him where it hurts." The boys in the room all shuddered. Hermione's evil smirk increased the shudders.
It felt like no time at all until Christmas was nearly upon them. Harry had learned to dance courtesy of his girlfriend and Fleur. For that matter, so had George, Seamus, Dean, and Draco. Draco could sort-of dance, having had lessons from his parents growing up, and Hermione and Fleur had both had lessons in their youth. Draco picked it up quickly after dancing with both girls a few times and then helped the guys, giving them tips and metaphors to try and help them.
George and Fred were still angry with each other, though it seemed to have cooled to a mild annoyance. The glares had ceased, at least. Hermione was certain before the new year the twins would make up; Fred was obviously suffering from not having George to hang around with. George spent most of his time with Fleur as the Dragon Dung Diggory figures were finally made and being delivered to the people who'd preordered them. He'd also perfected the Canary Creams, which turned the consumer into a human sized canary for five minutes, with some input from Hermione. Those were selling quickly. That meant he needed a name for his company. So far he had Prankster's Paradise, Gorgeous George's Grand Gags, and Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. He wasn't sure which was best.
As Harry went to bed on Christmas Eve (alone unfortunately as there was a blizzard happening and snuggling with Hermione seemed a better option than lying in a cold bed alone but he couldn't sneak away) he again marveled at how the year had gone so far. Who'd have thought becoming a werewolf and dating a Veela was the key to having a normal, relatively uneventful Hogwarts year?
Chapter 17
A/N- Christmas in 4th year chapters always seem to take longer to write and this one felt particularly painful. I'm not even done writing it. But seeing that I was at 9 pages I thought all you readers should have something to tide you all over through the holidays. Lots happens in this chap so enjoy!
Okay so now that that's done, time for my random chapter comments. Though it would pain her to even think it, Hermione might have some abilities in predicting the future. Either that or she can just read people. It's probably the latter. It's cute how the wolf tries to help Harry. And every time I read that part I still laugh. And the makeup and trowel remark is actually a joke my grandfather used to make about my aunt; according to my mom, she started "slathering it on with a trowel" as a teenager so the timing works. Apologies to anyone of Irish descent for the dancing remark.
And now that I've thoroughly confused you, enjoy the chapter!
George Weasley woke on Christmas morning excited. He got to go to the ball that evening with his girlfriend, his business was off to a great start, and it was Christmas. He moved to the foot of his bed and noticed an odd-shaped package. Well, maybe odd to some people. To George it looked like a broomstick. He opened it and stared. It was a brand new Vitesse Boreas broom. His eyes widened. "Is that a new broomstick?" He looked to see Fred staring at the broomstick in George's hands.
"Yeah," he said, finding a note tied to the broomstick. He removed it and read: To my George, I look forward to watching you play. This broom is the best broom a beater could have and only recently did they finally begin production on them. I hope you enjoy the first one off the line. Hugs and Kisses, Fleur
"Who's it from?"
"My girlfriend," George answered, smiling as he looked at the broom. "You know, the woman you said would dump me quickly because I wasn't good enough for her?"
Fred cringed. He did say that. "Where did she get you a broom like that? They don't even make them yet."
"First off the line from her dad's factory," George smiled. "Her dad owns Vitesse." Fred's jaw dropped. George carefully placed the broom on his bed. It was an amazing gift and certainly reinforced the value she placed on their relationship.
"Vitesse brooms are really expensive," Lee observed. "Are you that good a kisser George?"
George shook his head, smiling, "Lee mate a gentleman doesn't kiss and tell."
"Yeah but I'm talking to George Weasley," Lee laughed.
"I don't kiss and tell," he said, admiring the broom before moving back to his pile of presents.
As Fred opened his presents he thought about the broom Fleur had given George. It was…it was a really big gift. He felt rather stupid and rude. George never said a word against Angelina but Fred had been horrible regarding George finally getting a girlfriend. It had never occurred to Fred that George would want to follow through with the business. He'd always imagined they'd play quidditch professionally together; the shop just a dream for them to sit and dream about with a pint in hand as they watched their kids playing together. But it was obvious that George wanted the shop more than anything; even quidditch. Fred looked at George, who was smiling at a package of ingredients he'd been given by someone. He had hoped that by throwing a bit of a tantrum George would fall into line with Fred and what Fred wanted to do; but instead George had grown into his own. And there was no denying George was happy. That said, Fred really didn't want to run a joke shop. Fred wanted to play quidditch for ten years or so and retire so that he could raise a family. He wanted to be a stay-at-home dad.
Fred swallowed, "George?" His twin looked at him, "I'm sorry for what I said about you and about your girlfriend. I just never thought our goals and desires would diverge."
George looked at his brother and smiled, "Apology accepted. But next time you pull a Ron I get to prank you back into coherence."
"Agreed," Fred nodded, smiling at his twin. "So what are you naming your shop?"
"I have a few ideas I've been rolling around in my head," George said, "Just not sure which to choose."
"Well if you need a sounding board I'm available," Fred offered.
Harry woke and rubbed his eyes before smiling and getting up. He tossed a pillow at Seamus, who sat up, "Huh?"
"Happy Christmas Seamus."
"Oh, yeah," Seamus took Harry's pillow and tossed it at Dean, who yelped. "Harry did it," Seamus said.
"Jerk," Dean responded, throwing it at Harry.
Harry got up and moved to the foot of his bed, "Hey at least there're presents." The other two got up out of bed and moved to their piles.
"I wonder what Hermione got him."
"Probably a ball and chain."
"No that was his birthday present."
Harry rolled his eyes. Those two were ridiculous sometimes. Oh well. He'd get his revenge one day. He opened his present from Hermione. Inside the large box was a small photograph. A photograph of video games. Harry laughed. That was wonderful. "What?"
"Hermione gave me a picture of video games she's bought for me. They obviously won't work here so she had her parents take a picture and then she stuck it in this big box."
"That's actually pretty awesome," Seamus said.
"Hey Hermione got me a present," Dean said. He opened up the box to find a book, "It's an autobiography of a footy commentator," he grinned. "Harry your girlfriend rocks."
"Very aware of that," Harry smirked. Harry hoped she liked his present. Shopping for Hermione had been easy up until they became a couple. Then it became a little difficult, even if he knew Hermione would love anything he got her. There was just inherent pressure in getting a gift for a girl that was your girlfriend, lover, mate. And the wolf was about as helpful as Seamus and Dean would have been. A dead deer was not a romantic present no matter how many times the wolf killed one and brought it to the clearing to take up to the castle, though it did make Harry floss extra and gargle multiple times with mouthwash when he returned.
Hermione knew what most of her presents were even before she looked at them; people always gave her books. She thought that was rather daring, as she already had a massive collection of books. Unwrapping all of those was quick work. Harry, though, was less likely to get her a book (particularly since he'd gifted her those Morgana journals and notes on her birthday which she was still going through) so she was curious what he'd managed. By nature Harry wasn't very good at romance, but he tried really hard which was cute and made up for the clichés and lines he didn't know were lines. It was a box. "Just what every girl wants Harry, a box," she smiled, opening it to find a smaller box, "I'm going to guess George helped you wrap it."
After finding more boxes in more boxes she eventually worked her way down to a box that was a familiar size. She opened it to reveal a book. Hermione couldn't fight the smirk on her lips. The title of the book was- Super Secret Storage Compartment That Looks Like a Book. The author was, of course, George Weasley. "It's rather impressive what that boy can do with only a few galleons," she mused, opening the book to reveal a rectangle cut in the pages which held, of course, another box. "At least it isn't whiskey," she chuckled as she picked up the box and opened it to reveal a charm bracelet. She smiled. Given the level their relationship was at, this was not exactly the ideal gift. But they had to keep up appearances, which meant that they had to get age appropriate gifts rather than gifts appropriate for the seriousness of their relationship.
She picked up the bracelet. It was certainly expensive, she could see that. There was quality in the simplicity. It had a book charm, a lyre charm, a lightning bolt charm, a wolf charm. She smiled. The wolf could be explained away as when they became a couple even if it symbolized Harry being a werewolf just as the lyre represented her being Veela. Good foresight from Harry.
Harry was nearly ready to begin pacing when Hermione came down from the girls' dorm. She smiled and kissed his cheek, "Thank you Harry. I love it." He sighed in relief before finding himself dragged out of the common room. His confusion ceased when she pulled him into a broomcloset and warded it before snogging him. Not a bad way to start their first Christmas as a couple.
As they walked down to the Great Hall Harry asked, "Do you get nervous getting me presents?"
"No," she answered, "You're easy to shop for Harry. You're so grateful to get anything that it doesn't matter. That doesn't mean I don't put effort into what I get you," she added, "but it does take the pressure off."
"I was really worried about whether you'd like it."
She kissed him, "Harry whatever you get me doesn't matter. It's the thought that you put into it that counts."
"I thought that was just something girls said to their boyfriends when they got a gift they didn't like," Harry smirked.
Hermione laughed and leaned against him, "I'm sure some girls feel that way, Harry, but I mean it. I know that I'm hard to shop for; that's probably why most people get me books. That and I love books," she added when she saw his smirk, "But regardless, I'm just glad you put some thought and effort into a gift. You could have slapped a bow on yourself and I would have been happy."
"McGonagall wouldn't when I set off the alarms trying to stand at the end of your bed with the other presents," Harry chuckled. Hermione shook her head. Harry could be quite ridiculous sometimes. It was a no-more-horcrux thing that she rather liked.
Never had George seen the Great Hall so full during winter break. He moved toward Fleur, who was already sitting at the Gryffindor table. He sat down next to her, "Thank you for the broom," he said to her, kissing her cheek.
"I am glad you like eet," she smiled. "I quite like your present too."
"What did George give you Fleur?" Hermione asked as she sat down opposite the other Veela. Harry sat down opposite George.
"My Zhorge geeves me snowglobe of 'Ogwarts 'e makes 'eemself. Eet even 'as a button to make snow come out."
George looked at them and grinned, "It's tentatively called Winter Wonder-Globe. I'm thinking I can put a few different miniatures in but Hogwarts seemed the best first choice."
Hermione smiled, "That sounds really cool George. When you get your own shop you could put a miniature of that in it."
George nodded. Fleur kissed his cheek, "My Zhorge ees so brilliant." George put his hair color to shame, he turned so red at his girlfriend's praise.
"Fleur got me a Vitesse Boreas; first off the line," George said trying to get the topic off of his inventions.
"My fazzer did me a favor," Fleur shrugged.
"Vitesse has great brooms," Harry nodded approvingly. He looked at Hermione, "Vitesse is releasing four new broomsticks named after the four gods of the wind. Boreas is designed for beaters and keepers because of its stability, Notus is for chasers because of its agility and turning capabilities while maintaining speed, and Zephyrus is for seekers as it is the fastest and has precision turning. It's not as fast as the Firebolt, but if the Firebolt is a Ferrari then the Zephyrus is a Porsche. It's not the very best, but it's probably the best cheaper alternative."
Hermione nodded in understanding. Then she frowned, "That's only 3 brooms. What about Eurus?"
"That's their new kids' broom. It's kind of like the Cleansweep or Comet lines, except obviously higher quality. They are universal and unspecialized so kids can just fly around on them and while you can play quidditch on them, it's kind of like training wheels on a bicycle; you fly on it until you know which quidditch position you're best suited for."
"That's pretty clever," Hermione nodded.
"Und a good use for ze unlucky god," Fleur winked.
Fred entered the hall and walked toward them before sitting down with Lee and Angelina. George looked at him before looking at his friends, "Fred apologized this morning to me. But I think in part it's because of my new broomstick."
"You think he wants you to ask Fleur to get him one?"
"Sounds more like Ron than Fred," Harry mused.
"I just don't like how he apologized after he saw my broomstick. Either he wants one or he's sincere."
"George suspicious of Fred," Hermione tilted her head, "Never thought I'd see that."
He looked at Harry and Hermione, "Am I being paranoid?"
"Yeah a bit," Harry nodded. "Sound more like me than you."
"Zhorge, I zink zat 'Arry ees a bad influence on you." That had Hermione doubled over in laughter as Harry pouted and George nodded in agreement.
Breakfast was spent in good spirits for all; even the perpetually sulking Ron and nervous Neville had smiles on their faces. That the two had become good friends surprised Harry, but then Harry was friends with Dean and Seamus so if Ron wanted a friend in the dorm his only option really was Neville. The two seemed to have more in common than anyone might have expected.
It had snowed the evening before and so after breakfast Harry, Hermione, Dean, Seamus, George, Draco, and Blaise had a snowball fight with some other students joining in. They went in not long before lunch and the afternoon was spent with Hermione watching Harry, Dean, Seamus, George, Fred, Lee, Ron, and Neville playing Exploding Snap while she read one of the journals Harry had given her on her birthday. Morgana was incredibly brilliant.
Around four she kissed Harry and reminded the boys that the ball began at six so they should get ready soon before she headed upstairs to her dorm. "Why do girls take so long?" Ron asked. "Even Hermione seems to think it'll take a couple hours."
"Just something girls do," Fred shrugged.
"Well think about what girls here wear. School uniforms that aren't very flattering and robes that make them look like nuns. Now's their chance to get all dressed up and feel pretty and feminine," Harry said. "So they want to do it all up right and show everyone how good they can look."
The other boys all stared at Harry with blank expressions before George smirked, "And that is why Harry was the first to get a girlfriend. You lot are clueless."
"I didn't learn that until after Hermione became my girlfriend," Harry said. "But I did learn this summer that when girls work hard to look good it's to impress the boys they're interested in. So a compliment about how they look all done up matters to them even if to me Hermione could look great wearing a barrel or a burlap sack."
"That's very good advice Harry," Dean said.
"I think snogging Hermione makes you smarter," Seamus teased.
"That must be why you asked a Ravenclaw," Harry retorted.
"Better than having a snake ask me," Seamus smirked at Dean.
"I'm sorry you're not as irresistible to women Seamus," Dean grinned, "but you know what they say- vanilla's nice but chocolate is the best."
"I suddenly feel the urge to smack you both on Hermione's behalf," Harry said, rolling his eyes.
"Might want to. She might be able to sense their stupidity," George said.
"Hermione's scary like that," Ron agreed.
Harry cut his hair using the charm Draco had taught him before he took his shower and got dressed. "These dress robes aren't too bad," Harry said.
"Yeah," Dean nodded, "Harry do you know how to tie a bowtie?"
"Hermione's dad showed me," Harry said, moving to help his friend, "Hermione says they go to this dentist gala ball thing every year so he had to learn how to tie it." Harry tied it, "So why did Daphne ask you?"
"I don't really know," Dean answered. "She's really attractive. But I don't think I've ever really talked to her. Did Draco say anything?"
"Just that her dad is a well-known fence-sitter. He's a shrewd businessman but when it comes to even things like Voldemort he doesn't want to choose sides. Then after the fact he will say that Voldemort was wrong and evil."
"Gee sounds great," Dean said in a monotone, sighing.
"Just because he's like that doesn't mean Daphne will be. Draco said she doesn't really talk much."
"I do wonder why she asked me," Dean said. "I mean, is it because I'm your friend? Or is it my new fame? Or…"
"Or it's that she thinks you're good-looking and you're a nice guy," Harry squeezed Dean's shoulders, "take a deep breath. And just enjoy yourself. Even if it doesn't go anywhere." Dean took a deep breath and nodded. He could do that.
Hermione looked at her outfit in the mirror. It had needed to be altered and Fleur had graciously offered to help with that and so Hermione had tried it on earlier in the week and Fleur had quickly taken her wand to it. The result was a gown that fit her like a glove; not unlike how it had before the Veela had awakened and her body had begun to change. "You look gorgeous Hermione. Harry's eyes are going to pop out of his head," Lavender said.
Hermione smiled, "Thanks Lavender. You look good too." For Hermione's taste, Lavender was using way too much makeup like she always did but some girls simply liked to cake it on. Hermione had an aunt that her dad joked, 'Slathers it on with a trowel,' and Lavender at least wasn't that bad. "Who are you going with?"
"Ron Weasley," she answered. "The better question is who is Padma going with?" Hermione raised an eyebrow and Lavender elaborated, "She won't tell me. It's so irritating!"
"Well you find out soon enough right?" Hermione asked. Lavender nodded. "So just relax. I hope you have fun tonight."
"You too," she said, "it was very shrewd of you to make Harry your boyfriend last year. You've had more time to train him."
Hermione laughed, "Harry didn't need training. He's just a sweet guy naturally."
"Yeah you're lucky. There's very little boyfriend material in Gryffindor. The good ones are already taken."
"That's what women always say Lavender," Hermione winked. "Maybe you just have to look a little harder. Or find someone easy to mold." Lavender nodded in quiet contemplation.
Harry was stunned when Hermione walked down the steps to the girls' dorm. Seamus and Dean both smacked him on the back to make him snap out of it, "Wow," Harry said as she stepped off that last step, "You look amazing Hermione."
"Thank you Harry," she kissed him, "you look incredibly handsome."
"Moreso than usual?"
"A little bit more than usual," she teased. She looked at the boys, "You two look nice too."
"Thanks," they both said. Harry offered Hermione his arm in dramatic fashion, making her laugh as she accepted it.
"Where's George?"
"He left as soon as he could," Dean said.
Dean and Seamus met their dates near the Great Hall, like most students whose date was someone from another house. "Hi Daphne," Dean said, swallowing when he saw her. She was wearing red dress robes and looked, to use Harry's words from earlier, simply amazing.
"Hello Dean," she gave a small smile.
"You look incredible," he said.
"Thank you." Daphne Greengrass was often called the 'Ice Queen' of Slytherin, in part for her lack of emotion and also for her appearance. She was very pale and with platinum blonde hair. That meant that the blush that followed Dean's compliment stood out quite noticeably. Dean smiled. Harry was right. Daphne did like him. "You look very nice too."
"Thanks," he looked at her, "have you had a good Christmas so far?"
"I usually go home with my little sister so it's kind of weird, staying here for a change," she said. "But I certainly couldn't miss the Yule Ball."
"I usually go home too," Dean said. "But there was no way I was going home and missing watching Seamus try to dance."
"Is he that bad?"
"Well he's Irish," Dean laughed. Daphne giggled. "Actually, we got our lessons from Hermione and Fleur. Draco too. And Hermione and Fleur both graded me as safe for your feet."
"I'll have to thank them," she smiled.
"They do want it known that they're not liable for any sore feet though," Dean winked. Daphne giggled.
Harry was enjoying watching all of the awkward couples. A quick glance at Hermione confirmed that she found it amusing too. "Nice to not feel so nervous and awkward around each other," he whispered into her ear.
"Oh I don't know," Hermione mused, looking up at him, "I do enjoy seeing awkward Harry here and there."
"So this morning was good for you?"
"That was nervous Harry," Hermione leaned into him, "a completely different version of my handsome, charming, occasionally witty boyfriend."
Harry pouted, "Just occasionally?" She winked in response.
Soon they all entered the Great Hall, Hermione and Harry sitting at a table joined by Daphne and Dean, Draco and Padma, and Seamus and Su Li. They made sure to leave room for George and Fleur to be able to join them. "Where are the Champions?" Seamus asked.
"They have to sit at the head table for the dinner," Hermione said, "but Fleur said that they would join us as soon as they could."
"Sitting up there would not be fun," Harry frowned.
"Just you and two other couples and the professors," Dean's nose wrinkled, "Professor Scrimgeour is alright and Professor Dumbledore too but can you imagine trying to make conversation with McGonagall or Snape?"
"Professor Snape isn't that bad," Draco said, "he's just…"
"He just doesn't much care for being a professor," Daphne finished.
"That definitely shows," Seamus muttered.
"I don't think I'd like being on display eating," Hermione changed the subject.
"Or having to open the ball dancing," Padma said, "even if you're proficient that's a great deal of pressure."
"I wouldn't want to do it," Draco said. A few of the others nodded in agreement. "Not you Harry?"
Harry shrugged, "I've had to deal with many things since I entered the magical world. And I've learned one thing. No matter what, with Hermione by my side I can face it and together we always conquer it."
Draco looked at Hermione, "How do you deal with him when he's this cheesy and lame?"
Hermione gently brushed a stray hair from Harry's face, "Usually I just snog him and enjoy how adorably clueless he can be." Harry beamed, making Dean and Seamus laugh. Draco rolled his eyes.
Once everyone was seated the Champions entered the hall with their dates. George and Fleur looked quite good together, and Fleur looked absolutely stunning in her powder blue dress robes. Cedric entered with Cho behind them. Last came Viktor Krum. Harry's eyes widened, "Parvati?"
Harry and Hermione stared at each other, shocked, before looking at Padma who looked just as surprised as they were. "No wonder she wouldn't tell Lavender," Hermione said. Harry tilted his head and she elaborated, "Lavender was complaining that Parvati wouldn't tell her who her date was. I certainly wouldn't have said a word about being his date."
"From shame or to avoid the fangirls?" Draco asked.
"Well he's certainly not my taste," Hermione smirked. "But definitely the latter." Krum had tried to get her to go with him once more after that day in the library. In response he had found himself turning into a very large yellow canary. After that he seemed to get the message.
"Parvati looks excited," Dean pointed out.
"Krum doesn't," Padma said.
"He never looks anything but grumpy and annoyed," Draco shrugged.
"He does that very well," Seamus chuckled.
Once the Champions were sitting at the head table Dumbledore spoke a few words and their menus appeared. Dinner was impressive and delicious. After that the Champions opened the floor by dancing and everyone at Harry and Hermione's table watched, amused at the various abilities of the champions. George and Fleur were easily the most comfortable with what they were doing; Viktor Krum moved easier than someone of his build would be expected but the real entertainment was Cedric and Cho. Cedric looked like he was concentrating immensely on the task at hand and it was also obvious he didn't like being the center of attention. Teasing aside most of their table preferred watching George and Fleur dance. "Those lessons paid off," Harry said to Hermione.
"Let's see how you do before we declare that," Hermione teased. Draco bit back a laugh at that.
Albus Dumbledore sat at the head table, gazing at his students and guests. So much had changed since the previous Christmas. He would never have imagined that Harry and Draco would sit at the same table, let alone laugh and tell jokes to one another. That Hermione Granger and the Malfoy heir could become friends. And he'd certainly worried that the school would not embrace their guests; yet Miss Delacour had found friends and a boyfriend in Hogwarts. Harry and Dean's commentary, something he'd worried would have accusations of bias being hurled at him, was loved by the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students. Madame Maxime had even told him that she was impressed with the two boys' professionalism.
But the true excitement for Dumbledore was the imminent destruction of Tom Marvolo Riddle. The previous evening Rufus and Amelia, with the headmaster, had finally destroyed the last horcrux. They had all felt the divine presence as they made their way through the Gaunt home to find the ring. And the temptation he felt to put the ring on and see his sister had vanished nearly as soon as it arrived. Destroying it had also been quite easy. It seemed the gods wanted the horcruxes destroyed.
Or perhaps, Dumbledore mused as he watched Miss Granger and Mr. Potter dancing together, Miss Hermione Granger had prayed to her patron Apollo and the god had granted her request and stopped he who was harming and sought to harm her mate by making the entire task easier for those with the power and ability to stop Voldemort. Either way, tonight Tom Marvolo Riddle was being thrown through the Veil by goblins, Amelia Bones, and Rufus Scrimgeour who would be returning after the deed was done. The proceedings were all top secret but the results would be revealed to the world.
Harry enjoyed dancing with Hermione, but he was especially pleased to see that his two friends were enjoying their dates and not harming those dates' feet. George and Fleur danced toward them, "'Allo 'Arry and 'Ermione," Fleur smiled, "we switch partners, yes? I weesh to dance wiz ze 'ero of England's Wizarding World."
"I reckon you'd get loads of stares dancing with Hermione," George deadpanned making Hermione laugh.
"My George eez so seely," Fleur kissed his cheek, "but I zink we should switch partners for zis song."
"Sure," Harry said, "but I do think George is right. Hermione's the hero. I'm just the dashingly handsome sidekick."
"Gods preserve us Harry's picking up the Weasley twin ego," Hermione sighed, shaking her head as she accepted a pouting George's hand.
"I am wounded! I resemble that remark," George said as they began to dance.
"You definitely do," Hermione nodded. "Enjoying the dance George?"
"I like dancing," he said. "You get to be the center of attention and I rather enjoy that."
"Really? I hadn't noticed," Hermione teased.
"I know I just really hold it in all the time," George said seriously before grinning.
Harry and Dean were getting drinks for their dates when they saw Rufus entering the Great Hall, "I wonder where Rufus was," Harry said.
"Dunno but Dumbledore looks pleased." Harry looked to see that Dumbledore was smiling.
"Well it looks like good news so I guess that's good," Harry said. He looked at Dean, "How's your date going?"
"I think it's going well. Never been on a date before so it's hard to tell." Harry would disagree with that statement but he wasn't going to tell Dean that it was actually easy to tell. "I think I'm going to ask her to take a walk in the gardens with me."
"Do you want a second date with her?" Harry asked.
Dean was silent for a moment before speaking, "Yeah, I think I do." Dean accepted the two butterbeers, "Are you and Hermione going to walk through the gardens?"
"Probably," Harry nodded. "Just have to remember not to snog her silly because she's so beautiful in that gown tonight."
"Like you two need an excuse to snog," Dean snorted.
"No but they help us get alone time," Harry winked with a grin.
"You two are so weird," Dean shook his head.
"You say weird, I say in love," Harry smirked, accepting his drinks and starting to walk back to their table.