Chapter Text
31st Octorber 1994
Fleur's evening is....exciting.
Currently she sits in a side room of the Great Hall inside Hogwarts. Just moments ago, the Goblet of Fire chose her to represent Beauxbatton as the Champion to the Triwixen Tournament. It was a huge honour for her, being able to represent magical France, her school and the Veela.
Being a Veela is not always easy in the Magical Society, especially among Wixen. Prejudice always follows because of her heritage, but luckily big parts of the world treat them as an equal, as long as you do not act unbecoming and abuse your own heritage. Sadly, Magical Britain is not one of the nations that treat Magical Creatures, like Goblins, Werewolves, Centaurs and Veela, as equals.
It is not a big secret that Britain is unfairly bigoted and prejudiced, proven inside their society, history and laws. They are generally frowned upon by the International Convention of Wixen (ICW) and are generally shunned by other nations, not that they particularly care since the end of the British Wixen War, dubbed as the Bigotry War by the international community.
The attempt of the British Ministry to include themselves back into the International Community was an untypical attempt, but the hope remained that they would be able to include themselves back in. So they allowed for the Quidditch World Cup to be held in Britain and later on the reintroduction of the Triwixen Tournament, formerly called the Triwizard Tournament.
Unfortunately, the debacle at the finale of the Quidditch World Cup was after the agreement was signed by the schools and respective Ministries and they still proceeded with it. Though, they demanded the security has to be improved dramatically. One, that the British Ministry and Dumbledore agreed to fulfill.
Up until now, it appears the security measures seem to hold, but it has only been a day since they arrived. A point was made to only let students of the age of 17 participate and while they were grumbling students from all schools, it was generally agreed upon that it was a good idea. So many people, not only Champions, but spectators as well, have died in the past, which was the entire reason why they cancelled it in the first place.
The only other Champion currently with her is Viktor Krum, representing Durmstrang as their Champion and is a world class Seeker, having just returned from the finale flying for Bulgaria, but loosing to Ireland. Nobody is denying, that he is one of the best in the world, despite still going to school and no one is denying his capabilities to participate in the Tournament.
When it comes to experience being in the middle of a stressful situation, with everybody watching your every move. and dealing with the press, he will be unmatched in that category. How he will fair in the Tournament, will be seen. Though, he will be at default be the public's favourite, with the best chances to win according to them.
For what reason, he decided to participate, eludes Fleur at the moment. He has the money, the fame and the glory. "Is he merely adding the cherry on the top? ", she thinks to herself. There is some jealousy in the back of her mind, being adored and loved by the public and not being judged by his heritage. Being recognised for her skills and talent is one of the things she yearns for, it is one of her reasons to put her name into the Goblet to begin with.
She wants to prove that Veela do not have to rely on their heritage alone to be recognised as talented, respected and powerful witches. Yet, she also wants to prove herself among the Veela, making her clan, which is practically one large family, proud of her. She knows that many are already proud with her, especially her immediate family. Top of her class, smart and social. At Beauxbatton, she is the Veela the other of her flock look for if they have a problem.
At Hogwarts, it will be the same. The schools were allowed to bring the Sixth and Seven Year students with them and Beauxbatton had 7 Veela, while Durmstrang had 2 for a total of 9 Veela. That means, that Fleur had 8 Veelas to look after. Luckily, at that age, they act responsibly, are able to solve their own problems and keep their Thrall under control. Something, that is not easy for a young Veela Teenager, but they all are back home at their respective schools.
She already misses Beauxbatton with its beautiful gardens and the singing of the Wood Nymphs in their Dinner Chamber, which she thinks is to be far superior to Hogwart's Great Hall. What she already misses the most is the food. What Hogwarts is good, but it simply is not home.
She is brought out of her thoughts when a Girl enters the room. The girl wears a Hufflepuff uniform from what she has learned, but she looks far too young and small to be 17. Her most notable feature is her large curly hair, which somehow has the width of her shoulder and goes down to her butt, which is by no means small. In fact, Fleur thinks she is quite well endowed in general and thinks of her to be quite attractive.
Yet, that mysterious girl did not smile. It is entirely blank and neutral, not even a glimpse of nervousness in her eyes. Fleur just cannot read her and that intrigues her. The girl does not even nod in greeting and stands at a wall.
Fleur looks at Viktor confused, who also returns the same expression. She looks back the girl, studies her for a moment and then asks with a slight french accent, "Excuse me? Are you Hogwart's Champion?"
The girl looks at her and nods.
"I am sorry if I offend you, but you appear not to be of age."
"I am 15.", the girl says, with no hint of any emotions whatsoever, no smugness, no pride, no stutter. To be fair, it kind of creeps Fleur out.
She understands the implications of what the girl just said: She tricked Dumbledore's Age Line.
Dumbledore, while not necessarily well respected, is recognised as a powerful and smart wizard internationally. You had to be, when you were the leading person to duel Gellert Grindelwald and end the Global Wixen War. At the time, he was celebrated as a hero, but his international popularity fell with Bigotry War. That, however, does not change the fact that Dumbledore fought and had huge parts in 2 different wars.
Fleur had to admit, that girl pulled a quick one on Dumbledore and for that, she could respect the Goblet's decision for choosing her and the girl herself. "I have to remember not to underestimate her."
"What year are you in?", Krum asks in his own Bulgarian dialect.
"4th."
That surprises Fleur again, for she had honestly thought that she would at least be in 5th year. This means, that the girl had only 3 years worth of spell under her belt and is not even halfway done with her magical education. "And with that she bypassed Dumbledore?", she wonders, suddenly questioning Dumbledore's capabilities and whether his years as the Headmaster of Hogwarts somehow diminished his once famous and respected talent.
Before either of them could continue asking, the door opened again. In came a boy with Gryffindor uniform and raven black hair, which looks like a mop. However, what concerned her the most, was the distraught look on the boys face, which she recognises as Harry Potter.
She has heard of the Boy-Who-Lived. It is still considered a mystery as to how the boy survived Voldemort, though the claim that he survived the Killing Curse is considered to be pure speculation and propaganda internationally. Many people agree, that his mother probably did something that killed the infamous Dark Lord. But the truth is buried with the dead and the poor boy will not have remembered that night.
The girl moves up to Harry, with no distinctive hurry or urgency. Harry spots her and walks up to her, relieved to see her and needing someone to lean on. "I-I..", he stutters, but is caught off by the girl's nod, apparently understanding as to what is happening, which neither Fleur or Krum have a clue of.
With a loud bang, the door opens and a flurry of people who appear angry or concerned enter and walk towards Potter. The girl moves in front of him and stands between potter and Dumbledore. What confuses her the most about that moment, is the purposeful and controlled movement to not push or move Potter and, again, the missing emotion on her face and body language. She moves with an idea and purpose in mind, but not showing the personal reason for it. She is definitely shielding Potter from them, but whether she did so because she does not trust them, she is scared or worried for Potter, or because she pursues some other agenda, is not shown by her.
"My Boy,", Dumbledore says calmly, in a grandfatherly manner. ", did you put your name into the Goblet or asked an older student to do it for you?"
That is when it dawned on Fleur as to what is happening: Harry Potter is the 4th Champion. But how?
Potter looks at the girl and Fleur sees, how he wishes for her too defend him. As if the girl knows his wish, she takes over. "Headmaster,", she says with no emotion or hurry, ", may I see the parchment which was given to you by the Goblet?"
"Miss Granger, I believe I was talking to Harry."
"You can obviously see on his distressed state, the way his body appears to be smaller, arms close to his chest and body, legs slightly wider than his shoulder as to prepare to dash and run, head low and most notably, close and behind me. I am correct to assume that his reaction of his name being called out as the 4th Champion was first denial and hesitancy, requiring for him to be called out again. The way he moved here was slow, but also urgent, head low, searching for help from the crowd?"
Dumbledore hesitated, as if considering how to respond to that. ".....Yes."
"In the past 3 years of Harry's interaction with the staff and yourself, do you see in him the capability to fake his own emotional state. Also consider the past 3 years of events happening at this very school and Harry's unwilling involvement into each of them. Adding his infamous and unfortunate relationship with Voldemort, I believe it would not be out of the realm of possibilities that, just like the Finale of the Quidditch World Cup a few months ago, that Death Eaters had their hands at this.", she argues calmly and factually.
"It is......a reasonable explanation.", Dumbledore concedes.
"And the most likely. If you have any doubts, you can always have your staff and confirm Harry's behavioral abilities. If I please have the parchment with Harry's name on it.", she says, holding out her hand.
"You insolent little brat!", a man with black greasy hair sneers, but the Granger girl does not even spare him a glance, intensively looking into Dumbledore's eyes. A few moments pass, but Dumbledore concedes and hands her the piece of parchment.
She takes it and analysis it. "For the Goblet to select a Champion, it requires a piece of Parchment imbued with the Magic of the name written on it, in order to subject them to the Magical Contract, as well as the school the person. I would suspect that this particular piece of parchment was taken from an essay that Harry has written. Due to the nature of writing with a quill, which is required at Hogwarts, the parchment is imbued with the magic of the person. Considering, that the name of the school has a different signature as Harry's, it can be safely assumed that someone else wrote it. However, under normal circumstances, the Goblet would have ignored the parchment, because it did not recognise the school. I suspect someone, possibly even the same person, has used a powerful and purposefully placed Confundus Charm on the Goblet, in order to add this 4th school. The Charm and it's magical signature has most likely disappeared at the moment the Goblet spit out Harry's name."
"With my previously made statement and performing this particularly complicated piece of magic, it can be safely assumed that a person with access to Harry's essay and of age and experience has illegally entered Harry. The most likely subjects would the Professor's of Hogwarts. Seeing as a new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor is appointed each year, my primary subject would be the current one, especially since Professor Moody is charged with the security of the Tournament."
"I believe that is not necessary, Miss Granger.", Dumbledore says. "Alastor is a very old friend of mine and would never commit to this."
"It is fine, Albus.", Moody grunts. "Excellent deduction, Miss Granger. 15 points for Hufflepuff. I can only second her explanation. Out of curiosity, if you would lead this investigation, what do you do next?"
"Despite the Headmaster vouching for you, I would request for you to quit your position as Head of Security here. Then a new one would be implemented, someone with no close affiliation to anybody close here. Seeing, that each of you has many and far reaching influences, I would request for the Head of the Department of Law Enforcement, Amelia Bones, to take over and assist in the investigation. However, seeing as there is no definitive proof and the signature is faked and most likely not traceable, I can force no searching of places, except for the ones done freely. The investigation would stagnate until the next bigger event or suspicion arises. I could request for the shadowing of certain people, but these would have to be signed upon and require, again, reasonable suspicion."
"Not only reasonable, but also legal. Another 10 points for Hufflepuff, Miss Granger. I would suggest a career as a Lawyer for you."
"I would highly doubt that a Rulebreaker would be allowed an apprenticeship under a lawyer or how would you plead on participating in this Tournament, Miss Granger.", the greasy haired man sneers.
"Not Guilty, Professor Snape. The rules merely suggest that it is discouraged.", she explains. "The discouragement is enforced by the Age Line. However, since I was able to circumnavigate it, it did not apply to me."
"And how did you cheat your way in?"
"I avoided the Age Line by giving my piece of Parchment to my familiar, Crookshanks, and then levitating him over the Goblet and telling him to drop it. Due to him being my familiar, he is imbued with my magic and passes one of the additional requirements Professor Dumbledore set into the Age Line. However, he has forgotten to add a requirement to check for humanoid wixen and thus I was able to enter my name into the Goblet. Being Chosen was up to the Goblet's decision. Additional ways I theorised would have gotten my name into the Goblet I have written down here.", she says, handing Dumbledore a roll of parchment.
Snape sneers at the Girl, but everybody present, except for Snape, Dumbledore and Harry, seem to be surprised by the girls confidence, ability to face down 2 imposing figures head on, not wavering once under them and, once again, a total lack of emotions. That creeps Fleur out, but she was impressed and now very curious about this girl.
Dumbledore looks over the parchment. "Very impressive, Miss Granger. You surely have a inventive and investigative mind. All of the ways listed here are not only possible, but also perfectly legal. How you are not inside Ravenclaw is still beyond me."
The girl does not react on that comment.
"That still does not explain whether he can participate or not!", Karkaroff exclaims.
"Headmaster Karkaroff.", the girl begins. "As I have mentioned. The parchment submitted had Harry's magic imbued, which was used to bind him to the magical contract. He has to participate or he will loose his magic."
"The Girl is right.", Crouch confirms. "The Boy has to fight in the Tournament."
The adults begin to shout at each other regarding consequences and actions to be done, but Fleur focuses on the Granger girl. It is clear from Potter still cowering behind her, that they have a history of trust, at least with Harry trusting her. She is clearly smart and well informed, but she cannot figure out whether she is primarily confident, caring, righteous, rebellious or devious. She sees all of these traits in her there, but she cannot place it on a single one. "An Enigma."
From Potter she can see that he is clearly scared, but also tired, both physically and mentally. Like he is tired of others choosing for him. "There is clearly something bigger going on here.", she concludes and decides to ask the 2 of them the first private moment they get.
Fleur looks to Krum, to see his reaction to everything. He appears to be just as intrigued by the girl as she is, Making eye contact, they both agree that the 2 of them will work on this mystery together. "Competition be dammed."
As the adults calm down, Bagman calls the Champions together and explains to them what the first Task is going to be: Bravery and Skill in the face of the Unknown.
As they all depart, Madam Maxime grabs Fleur by the shoulder and guides her outside and towards the Carriage. They walk in silence.
"«What is the girls name?»", Fleur asks in her mother language.
"«Hermione Granger. 4th year Hufflepuff.»", Madam Maxime answers. "«More I could not inquire at the moment......She is....odd.»"
"«That puts it lightly. In the entire interaction she shown absolute zero emotions or intent. I can only guess basely from her actions what she wanted.....Very smart and knows no fear.»"
"«I noticed that too.....She is close to Potter.»"
"«I don't know. Potter seems close to Granger, but I am not sure about her being close to Potter. Protective, maybe, but she is so hard to read......Krum and I agreed to inquire about the 2 of them.»"
"«You work together with the Durmstrang Champion?»"
"«On the matter about who that Granger girl is, yes. I think we both agree that for the Tournament we will not assist each other.»"
"«That is fine with me....Will you help the other 2?»"
"«Granger entered legitimately and honest. As far as I know, she is Hogwart's Champion and I will treat her as such.....Potter did not wanted to, so I will assist him where Granger can't. I do not want him to die at the cause of others.»"
"«That is acceptable...Fleur, before I sent you off to bed, I want to tell you how proud and happy i am that you got chosen to represent our school. I know you will give this your all and I am also aware that you want to do this without relying on your heritage, to proof that being Veela does not limit or define you. It is an admirable goal, but please, remember that your health takes paramount and should you be in any danger, do not fear to reach back on your heritage. I do not wish wish having to explain your injuries to your parents.»"
"«I understand, Madam Maxime. I wish you a restful sleep.»"
Harry walks closely to Hermione after the Champion's announcement. It was a very hectic night for and despite for Hermione needing to go into a different direction to her dormitories, she still decided to walk him to Gryffindor Tower.
After 3 years he still can't place his relationship with her. She rarely talks outside of talking the facts or a discussion. He has never seen her actually display any sort of emotion and it is rare as it is for them to be together, outside of their classes. If you would ask him, she was a stranger to him, but at the same time his closest ally. Merlin knows what they already went through together with Ron, Neville and Ginny.
It was clear to him, that once his name was called out, he would go to Hermione and let her deal with the adults. To him, adults rarely cared for him and the only people he could count on was himself and those similar to him. Ron is a good friend for the day-to-day routine and he sees in Neville something similar to him. Ginny is there, but with Hermione he does not have to say what is on his mind and she just gets and knows it.
As to why and how, he would say 'Magic'.
The only certain thing he knew about her, was that she is top of her class in every subject she takes, except for Divination, which she has dropped alongside Care of Magical Creatures, and the Flying Lessons in 1st Year. While Harry takes to the practical quickly and easily, Hermione just floors everyone with her theoretical knowledge and dedication to learn and practice towards perfection.
There are many rumors surrounding that girl, many of them contradicting and outlandish, but what everybody agrees on is that that girl does not fit in Hufflepuff. Everybody is convinced that with her wit and talent, she should be in Ravenclaw. Those who have seen her more 'angry' side, if you can actually track it back to her that is, would say she is a dangerous Slytherin, but there are none that would ever admit it. Harry personally thinks, that she deserves a place among Gryffindor, because he has seen the bravery Hermione can display, if you call calmly and calculatingly facing lethal danger with no emotion whatsoever bravely and not shock.
But Hufflepuff? Only Luna would say that.
Harry finally arrives at the Fat Lady portrait, after walking in silence with Hermione, which he is thankful for, because he needed the quiet before the storm of a party hits him once inside. He breathes in and out, faces Hermione with an honest smile and says, "Thank you, Granger. I would not know how to have explained myself if you were not there."
Hermione looks at him with the same neutral expression, which he swears that it beats Snape's own neutral expression, solely on the fact that Hermione is able to hold it constantly without breaking once in his 3 years of knowing her. "Good Night, Potter.", she says and then turns around to head to her own dormitories. But before he could say the password, he hears her saying in that same neutral and emotionless way, "I hate Mondays."
That surprises Harry. Not that she just said something as if it were a fact, but because she said something not trivial or necessary. He debates whether that is actual useful knowledge that you can use on her or if it was just her attempt at being 'normal' or that it was truly just a spur of a moment. You can never tell with her.
He shakes his head and wonders how the Hufflepuffs take with her being the Champion and if they actually attempt to throw a party.