Rhapsody of a Veela

Part 46 - The Unexpected Road-Trip

It had seemed like such a good idea at the time, with only a few weeks of the Summer Holiday left, the valuable quality time with your boyfriend and fiancé Fred was running out. While you had always thoroughly enjoyed your time spent at The Burrow in Ottery St. Catchpole, it had proven itself as quite difficult to get any time alone with Fred whatsoever. Indeed, Molly seemed to always appear out of thin ear, whenever an opportunity to privately speak of your engagement had appeared. Perhaps she was suspecting something, although you had made quite sure to forbid Ginny from telling anyone.

Then there was the happy groom and bride to be, Bill and Fleur, who had been planning to visit Fleur's family in France. A topic unfortunately brought up at every single dinner table, as it seemed Fleur could not stop herself from describing how splendid and large her home was, and how much there was to do in her hometown compared to here. Molly herself seemed like she could simply not wait until Fleur and Bill went away, even if she'd naturally miss her son.

One late Goblin-Wine and Firewhisky induced evening spent in front of the fireplace in the sitting room, the topic was again brought up – but this time it was clear that it had evolved into something else entirely. A flushed Fleur beaming and pleading that you would come along on the trip as well, and that she would not mind if Fred came too.

"Come on Y/n, it will be amazing!"

"Oh I don't know" you smiled, almost spilling the content of your glass as you shook your head and frowned towards Fred.

"The Delacour Estate is really a sight to see this time of the year" Bill chuckled, "Just don't tell mum I said that"

Fleur curled up on her knees, almost knocking over an empty bottle of wine as she gestured with her arms in excitement.

"Yes exactly! - And Maman, she can teach you more Veela magique, maybe she will even know something about your mother"

Her last point had been the one to convince you within an instant, in fact ever since you had spoken to Dumbledore about your Veela Mother and the fate she suffered at the hands of Death-Eaters after the Dark Lord first fell, the idea of uncovering more of the mystery had seemed to become a secret obsession of yours. You wanted to know who she truly were, why her path had ever crossed the Dark Lord's, and if and why she had ever loved someone monstrous and evil like him.

A good place to start your quest seemed to be with Veela's rather than the Witches and Wizards, and perhaps Fleur's Half Veela mother would know something of value.

"I think it's a splendid idea" you finally said, after bottoming the remaining Firewhisky in your glass, perhaps it startled Fred as It had seemed earlier that you would never in a million years agree to it at all.

"What do you think Fred?, I wouldn't dream to go without you" you continuing, clumsily turning to him.

Fleur was already celebrating your yes in delight, throwing her arms around Bill where they sat in front of the Fireplace. Suddenly it was as if you and Fred weren't there at all.

"Anything for you darling" Fred drunkenly grinned, "I'm sure George could manage business for a little while"

"So it 'es settled then!" Fleur happily declared, raising her glass into the air in victory, "You come with us to France!"

As the day finally arrived, Molly was understandably quite fearful, even if she was relieved that she would not have to deal with any Fleur Delacour for a while. During the past days she had first tried to convince you not to go, given how dangerous the times you were in was, and when you did not budge she wilfully tried to persuade her son Fred of taking to reason, of course without any success. You knew she would never say it out loud when you could hear, but it was clear as a day that she was worried about the target you had on your back given your parentage. You, being the sole heir of the Dark Lord put her son in danger too after all.