Death is but the Next Great Adventure

Wand Weighing & Wicked Winged Beasts

In the last chapter: Beauxbatons and Durmstrang arrive at Hogwarts. Harry's name comes out of the Goblet of Fire. Everyone is shocked and also worried for our little Savior. Harry writes Voldemort another note.

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Fleur Delacour had been the official champion of Beauxbatons for roughly a week now. They were still weeks away from the first task and she could already feel the constant eyes on her from the other students. However, that was nothing she wasn't already used to, considering her heritage. Even back in France, she'd always stood apart from everyone else. Not above or below, really, just . . . apart.

France was far more tolerant of creatures and 'half-breeds' than Britain. She'd known that before agreeing to travel to Hogwarts with the other top students of her year. She was just glad that her quarter-Veela side didn't immediately make her a target for discrimination, even if it did invoke unwanted attention.

Thankfully, over the years at Beauxbatons, Fleur had been able to slip her way into a small group of friends so that she would not be completely isolated during school. Fleur counted her lucky stars that most of those friends had also come to Hogwarts with her. Currently, she was sat at the Ravenclaw dining table across from her good friend, Armand, while they ate breakfast.

Fleur was tearing off some fresh bread for herself when she spotted one of her fellow champions—and arguably the most interesting out of the bunch—entering the Great Hall with a small group of friends. Her sharp, deep blue eyes tracked the graceful movements of the fourth year as he took a seat at the Slytherin table next to a blonde she'd often seen in his company. Looking a little further down the table, she noted that she wasn't the only one watching Harry Potter. Viktor Krum sat in the middle of a cluster of Durmstrang students that seemed to be trying to talk to him and get his attention, though he completely ignored them.

Armand turned to look over his shoulder and see what had captured his friend's full attention. He turned back with eyes alight with intrigue.

"Now there is one of Hogwarts' more interesting peculiarities." Armand leaned forward as he spoke in their native language, the corner of his mouth perking up in what could only be described as devious.

Fleur nodded in agreement. When she first arrived at Hogwarts, she had known a little about the boy—but really only the tragic story of his parents' death and the fall of a rising dark lord. She had expected the arrogance and pitifully lack of ability that came with a life of fame and reverence. Fleur had only been there a day before the selection ceremony, so she hadn't really the time to notice Harry Potter. Afterwards, though, he had her full attention.

It wasn't that she believed his fear to be ingenuine that night, or that any of this had been planned on his part, but there was far more to Harry than what coalesced on the surface. After the selection ceremony, Harry seemed to return to what was considered his 'normal' behavior which consisted of blank stares, cold temperance, and sharp intelligence. Fleur was older than him and therefore couldn't observe the young champion during his classes, but she really didn't need to. She could see everything she needed to by watching those around Harry.

Harry was a cool mask of indifference, but the others were not always so subtle. Fleur noticed almost immediately how ridged the 'houses' could be around each other—some even going as far as being blatantly antagonistic—and yet, Harry Potter moved through them as if he was following a different current. Harry had friends from other houses and other years, and if he wanted to sit with them for a meal, nobody even batted an eye. People didn't hesitate to move aside to make room for Harry at their table. Everything about Harry didn't just command respect, it made people eager to give it.