Favorite AO3 story (Hermione pairing - fxf)

Unlikely, But Not Impossible by theagonyofblank

https://archiveofourown.org/works/230186/chapters/351510

Fleur/Hermione

7 chapters

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Chapter 1 The First Task

"She's a veela!" Ron exclaimed, red in the face and breathlessly. It had just been a few hours since the arrival of the students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, and Ron unsurprisingly had already managed to find a girl to fawn over, desire for from afar. Him, and most of the male population of Hogwarts.

"Of course she isn't!" Hermione was quick to snap in reply, the corners of her lips tugging downwards. (She could've sworn that the girl had sent her an almost shy smile when she visited the table, but perhaps that was just a figment of her imagination. Anyway, it didn't matter, for all Hermione had done was glare back.) Hermione did notice Harry raising an eyebrow enquiringly in her direction now, as though trying to figure out what was on her mind, but she showed no sign of having paid him any attention at all. Instead she watched, still frowning, as the pretty Beauxbatons girl walked off, her hips swaying from side to side.

Hermione was vaguely aware of Ron rambling on, most likely something about the pretty French girl, but she tuned him out, looking back down at her meal. Without thinking she started, "Ron, would you pass the bouillabaisse?" When she looked up, she was met only by his incredulous stare, as well as Harry's. "What?" she snapped, frown forming again.

"Hermione..." Harry began slowly, uncertainly.

It was then she remembered that Ron, the bloody idiot he was, had just given the French girl the remaining bouillabaisse. "Oh. Right," she sighed now, cutting off any further explanations Harry might try to offer her, her annoyance replaced by quiet resignation. If only she knew how things would just continue to be like this for the rest of the year.

"Ron, would you stop stuffing your face?" Hermione admonished as she took her seat, late for dinner because she'd decided to take a shower before coming down. She looked at Harry almost imploringly for help, but rolled her eyes when he only laughed. The red-haired boy she was addressing turned to her curiously, but then turned back to his food when he realized that she was just looking to pick a fight. Something of the sort, anyway. "The Triwizard Champions are about to be chosen, honestly..."

"Yeah?" began Ron as he swallowed a mouthful, turning to focus on Hermione. "Then why were you late, if this is so important to you?" He eyed a turkey leg and using his wand, levitated a piece over to himself, causing a younger boy in the House to yelp in surprise and stare at him in shock.

Hermione, watching the staff table, had noticed Professor Dumbledore getting up at this point and thus didn't make any attempt to answer. Soon the headmaster's deep voice filled the room, speaking a little about the Triwizard Tournament. He had most everyone's rapt attention... except Harry's, for some reason.

"Oh, come on, Hermione. Ron has a point," Harry pushed, watching Hermione for her reaction. "Where have you been?"

Hermione let out a derisive sort of snort, but other than that said nothing. There wasn't any sort of secret to keep; she had just gone to take a shower – that was that. Of course, she had forgotten that she'd charmed her hair dry, so it didn't have that stringy look. But now wasn't the time to be talking. She lifted a finger to her lips and shushed her friend, gesturing towards the professor to signal that Harry should listen. And seeing no way not to, Harry turned his attention to the headmaster.

"Any second."

Hermione turned towards the source of the voice, and smiled back at the grinning face. Lee Jordan; briefly she wondered if he had entered his name– he seemed the type who would, and he was of age.