Of Veela and Wolves - Chapter 11

"Dragons." Harry rubbed a hand over his face. "They want us to face dragons."

Fleur had decided to sit beside him during meals now. This led Daphne and Astoria to join him as well. His encounter with the Fake Moody in class led to him having plenty of space at the table. Only Hermione and Ron stuck around. He had to put his foot down to stop the Weasley twins from monopolizing all of his time. Once they found out that he could use his enhanced senses to perfect his potions they wouldn't leave him alone. They had approached him with the various plans for the store they planned to open. Their mail-order business had been wildly successful. With his help they knew that the potion side of things would be even better. They had approached him with a selection of ingredients to pick the best more than a few times. It did not make for an enjoyable meal.

The rest of the Gryffindor house had started to relax around him. They still gave him space, but it wasn't as broad as it had been.

"We'll figure something out." Hermione patted him on the shoulder.

She shot both Fleur and Daphne a glare at their low growls.

"Stop it." Harry ordered. "Hermione is my friend." He focused on Daphne. "We both know she doesn't think of me that way."

Daphne sighed. She nodded.

"Fleur." Harry met her eyes. "Hermione is my family. You can leave if you don't like it."

"I am sorry, Hermione." The Veela dropped her gaze.

Ron watched on in amusement. Now that Fleur had focused her allure on Harry it was easier for other men to be around her. Even without it she was still an incredibly attractive young woman. Ron was happy to be able to spend time with his friends without being turned into a drooling mess. His presence also provided Astoria another sibling of sorts.

"She'll be Ron's sister too." Astoria chimed in.

"What?" Ron dropped his fork and stared at Astoria.

"Nothing." Astoria beamed at him.

Hermione blushed bright red. Her eyes darted to Fred who smiled back at her. Ron shifted his attention to Hermione. He studied her for a long moment before he followed her gaze. His jaw dropped as he realized who she was looking at.

"No." Ron whispered. "But… He… You…"

Astoria patted him on the shoulder.

"Hagrid can't help me since it's Tournament business." Harry spoke mostly to himself. "I'm going to be spending a lot of time in the library."

"I can help." Hermione said happily.

"Thanks." Harry laughed.

"The carriages have a library as well." Fleur offered. "It isn't as large as the one back home, but I would gladly share."

Daphne glared at her.

"Could I come?" Hermione practically bounced in her seat.

Fleur nodded. If not for the table between them Hermione would have hugged the older girl.

"I will speak to Hagrid." Daphne offered. "I have Care later and can ask a few questions."

"Thank you." Harry smiled at her.

The bell rang to signal the end of lunch. Hermione stood and waited for the others. She gave the front doors a longing look.

"I will show you the library after your classes." Fleur soothed her.

Hermione did hug her this time. Fleur stiffened at the sudden contact. She let out a strained breath and patted Hermione on the back. Hermione stepped back. Her cheeks were red. She smoothed out her robes and took a deep breath.

"Thank you." Hermione said. "I look forward to it."

Fleur and Harry watched her leave. It only took a few steps before the twins joined her with Fred being closest to her. Ron followed a few steps behind them with a dazed look on his face. He had taken it better than expected.

"I need to find him a girl." Harry muttered.

"I'll handle it." Daphne stepped up beside him.

"Thank you." Harry gave her a gentle smile.

She inclined her head in reply. Her eyes turned hard as she turned her attention to Fleur. She shot her one final glare before she left for her class. Fleur smiled broadly at her in response.

Fleur held out her hand to Harry once they were alone. Harry shrugged and took it. She led him out to the carriages with a hop in her step. Harry arced an eyebrow as the angled away from the main cabin. Instead, she took him to one that was a near the end. The door swung open when she tapped it with her wand. He half expected to step into a bedroom. The tense peace between her and Daphne would have been shattered if that were the case.

They stepped into a wide, bright hallway. It was a good few degrees warmer in the carriages. There were windows along the way displayed the French countryside.

"It's beautiful." Harry said with an appreciative nod.

Fleur gave him a knowing smile. She let him appreciate the carriage as she led him to the library. The walls and floor appeared to be made of wood that shimmered like gold. Intricate latticework stretched the entire ceiling which provided plenty of light.

It took a couple of minutes to get to the library. Harry gave Fleur a questioning look. The room was roughly the size of the Gryffindor Common room. It also had a grand total of only five shelves.

Fleur gave him a sly smile as she stepped up to one of the shelves.

"Dragons." She spoke the word loud and clear.

The books at her eye level shifted to the shelf below. A moment later the empty space was filled with a new selection.

"It is connected to the library back home." Fleur giggled. "I could not resist the urge to tease you."

Harry joined her in front of the shelf. They scanned the titles to see if anything appeared to be helpful. Of the ten books, only two looked to be useful. Hagrid probably would have loved to read about the migratory patterns of Eastern European Dragons, or the nesting habits of a Chinese Red Stripe.

The took a seat at one of the empty tables. Fleur sat directly next to him. She was so close that their shoulders rubbed against each other. Fleur let out a loud, dramatic sigh as she rested her head on him. He didn't bother to open the book.

"Fleur." Harry chuckled. "What are you doing?"

"You are comfortable." She wiggled closer to him.

"I mean, all of this." Harry dropped his voice so only she could hear. "The first night we met you tried to roast me with fireballs. Now you're flirting with me and going out of your way to annoy my pack."

Fleur gave a genuine sigh. She straightened in her chair before she turned to face him.

"You know nothing of the history of Veela and wolves?" She asked.

"I didn't know there was a history." Harry shook his head.

Fleur muttered something under her breath in French.

"Veela have a long history." Her voice lost the flirty undertone and shifted to sound like a professor. "Many other non-human beings have crossed paths with us. Some we have gotten along with; Sirens and Furies are close enough to be considered family. While others are not as kind. Centaurs and Veela do not mix well together."

"There is a herd of Centaurs in the forest." Harry said cautiously.

"I know." Fleur stated flatly. "There are also Mer-people in your lake."

"Let me guess, Veela and Mer-People do not get along?" Harry asked with a small smile.

"We are beings of air and fire. They stand in direct opposition to us." There was a hard edge in her voice.

"What about werewolves?" Harry asked to ease the sudden tension.

"Veela and werewolves." Fleur returned to her normal voice. "You hear the song of the moon, yes?"

Harry nodded.

"We hear the song of the sun." Fleur ran a finger along his arm.

"Wouldn't that make us enemies?" Harry didn't see the connection.

"Non." Fleur continued to stroke the exposed flesh of his arm. "The moon chases the sun. An eternal hunt to embrace their other half."

"I think you've got that backwards." Harry chuckled. "You're the sun, and you've been chasing me."

"You are not a normal wolf." Fleur leaned in and nuzzled his neck. "If you were, you would pursue me as an animal in heat. Wolves may sing to the moon, but they chase the sun."

Harry knew that he should tell her to stop. Her scent would linger on him for a long time. It would irritate Daphne to no end.

"That doesn't explain this." Harry closed his eyes and enjoyed her touch.

"You do not chase me." Her breath teased his skin. "That makes you, my quarry. I intend to catch you."

Her teeth ghosted over his skin. He shuddered at the touch. They both jumped in shock at the sound of someone clearing their throat. Harry scanned the room to see an older witch nearby. She glared at the two of them. It was an expression he knew well from Madam Pince.

Harry gave the witch who had to be the librarian a shy smile. He didn't understand what she said, but the tone was clear. Fleur placed the books back on the table and led him out of the library.

"I hope you can still show Hermione." Harry chuckled.

"It will be fine." Fleur smiled at him. "I don't plan on seducing her."