You are the only Flower of my Life

"What it's like studying in Beaxbaton? What about the library?"

"Have you been in any other Magical School?"

"What about this book? Does your school have any other similar books?"

The moment Fleur gave her the book about runes, Hermione bombarded her with questions. The French witch's eyes flickered at Harry as if saying, 'Help me,' but Harry, the traitor, chuckled in amusement, and instead of helping her, he merely looked at them.

Fleur glared at him for abandoning her as she looked back at Hermione. "Beaxabaton eet's ze most beautiful school een ze world, Hermione. Eet's like a castle, and ze garden around ze school ees breathtaking. Ze most beautiful garden een ze world." Fleur answered, smiling brightly, and Hermione seemed to be paying attention to every word she said.

"Ze library ees magical. Once you enter inside, eet's as large as an entire house, made of four floors connected through wide grand staircases." Fleur explained more about her school; from what he was hearing, it sounded like a wonderful place. Harry briefly wondered what it would be like if he had studied in that school, but he quickly put that thought away. Hogwarts was his home, and he would have never become friends with Fleur if things were different.

"I 'ave been een Italy's wizarding school, eet's fascinating. Ze school ees split into two, one part ees above ground, and ze other ees underwater." Fleur explained, and she quite enjoyed their shocked expressions.

"Underwater?!"

"How does that work? The pressure would destroy the school!" Hermione questioned with a hint of disbelief, and Fleur could not really blame her for it. After all, she, too, had been very skeptical when they told her that the second part of Italy's Main Wizarding School was underwater.

"I'm not sure, but Benvenutaa ees Italy's main wizarding school. Ze witches zere told me eet was all built by one wizard, who worked on eet for a century. I asked about ze magic used zere, but zey told me that only ze highest een their ministry of magic knew ze secrets of their school." Fleur explained, and she could almost see Hermione's gears turning in her head while Harry seemed amazed.

"That sounds...amazing," Harry commented with a shake of his head, expressing his disbelief. He couldn't believe that until the fourth year started, he had never really thought of Wizarding School in other countries; he wondered what was so different in all of them. They continued talking more about the other wizarding schools, but unfortunately. Fleur had yet to visit any other places around Europe.

"Does your school has Houses like we do?" Hermione asked eagerly as she leaned over the table.

"Non, we are simply split between male and female. We are given our own rooms, and that's how eet ees for ze next seven years. But our school splits ze students based on their age. Zere are seven parts of ze school that are only used by ze students to sleep, zey 'ave ze common room and everything."

"Oh, we get sorted into four houses by the Sorting Hat," Hermione said before giggling to herself. When we all entered the school the first time, one of the students said that we had to fight a troll to be sorted." Hermione explained with a louder giggle; Fluer laughed along, finding the idea ridiculous.

"Well, we did fight a troll, heh, Hermione. I remember you yelling at us to use Wing-gar-dium Levi-o-sa on the troll." The bushy-haired girl swatted at him playfully, trying to look angry with him, but instead, the two shared a laugh, much to Fleur's surprise; she raised an eyebrow at the way the two just acted with one another.

"I'm curious, how deed you two meet? You must 'ave been friends right away?" Fleur questioned; she could tell from the way they talked and the way they seemed so relaxed with one another that the two were good friends, and she knew that out of everyone in the school, Hermione had been amongst the few who supported and trusted Harry right away after his name came out of the Goblet of Fire.

If Fleur hadn't known any better, she would have thought the two were dating, but Harry had told her that he had no girlfriend, and this was good news to Fleur. She couldn't wait to have that date with Harry in Hogsmeade.

"I wouldn't say we were friends right away, Fleur-" Harry went on and awkwardly explained the incident with the troll, and by the end, Fleur looked at him incredulously.

"So, Harry and Ronald saved you from ze troll, and you zree became friends," Fleur said, looking a little amazed that three first-year students were able to take down a troll.

Hermione and Harry felt a bitter taste in their mouths at the mention of Ronald. Since he had shown his true colors, Harry wasn't willing to accept him back as a friend, and Hermione had started befriending other girls of her age, including Ginny.

"Fleur, what do you think about Hogwarts? Is there anything you like?" Hermione asked, sounding curious, she noticed the way Fleur's eyes flickered at Harry for a brief moment, but she didn't miss it, and that's all she needed to see to know that something was happening between the two.

"Eet's old style, but eet's quite beautiful. I wouldn't 'ave thought of eet much, I even thought that eet looked boring when I first arrived here." Fleur confessed before turning her head to face Harry.

"But a stubborn wizard showed me all ze beautiful places een 'Ogwarts, and I can non longer find eet een my heart to think of eet as just 'Good'," Fleur said with a teasing voice at the end. Her eyes flickered at Harry again, the two shared a look, and Hermione smiled brightly.

"Anything else?"

"I quite like ze singer here," Fleur added with glitter in her blue eyes, but she quickly noticed how Harry tensed up. His fingers grasped the wooden table, and Hermione tilted her to the side, looking at her confused.

"Wait. which singer?"

"The birds, Hermione." Harry quickly answered before another word could be said, earning Hermione's attention. The birds near the Great Lake are majestic." He quickly added when he noticed that she didn't seem convinced. Even now, she seemed like she didn't truly believe him, but much to his relief, she shrugged her shoulders and looked back at Fleur.

For two more hours, the three of them talked; Hermione asked if Beauxbatons had something similar to Hogsmeade. Fleur explained that near the school was a whole town for them to explore called Harsenvaiil. She explained that only those in the third year or older could go to that town and said that it was mostly used by students to date other students.

Soon, the time came for Fleur to go back to her carriage.

"See you later, Fleur. Maybe I can invite Ginny next time, she's quite fun if not a little blunt." Hermione said cheerfully as the French witch walked out of the library.

Harry happily walked her back to her carriage, using the excuse that she needed protection, which was the worst excuse he could have come up with.

"Ahh, protection. Does that make you my silver knight?" Fleur asked in a teasing tone as they walked out of the door and into the Hogwarts Grounds. She couldn't help but tease him for that.

"Yes. All I need is a silver horse, and we can ride into the sunset together." Harry played along with her, and the two shared a good laugh, but her face turned a little serious once they reached a more private place on the grounds.

"Harry, why don't you want your friends to know that you can sing?" Fleur asked, sounding a little concerned as she turned to face him, cornering him against a wall.

Harry averted his eyes, and she could see a look of fear in his eyes. She wondered where that was coming from and why Harry would feel like this; his voice was that of an angel. She knew someone with a voice like him would easily become the most famous singer in the wizarding and muggle worlds.

"...I...Fleur. I want to show you something tomorrow early morning, can you wait by the Great Lake near the castle." Harry ignored her question, giving her a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

She knew he avoided her question, but she knew he would tell her eventually. She didn't want to force him. "Ohh, what don you want to show me early een ze morning? I 'ope you won't try to take advantage of me." Fleur couldn't help but tease him to try and lighten up the mood, and the way his face turned bright red made it all worth it. As her eyes looked down at his lips, she wondered how it would feel to kiss them.

"FLEUR!! I-I-I didn't mean it like-" He stopped talking when Fleur's beautiful giggles reached his ears, and since he was against the wall, she leaned forward and kissed his cheek once again, making sure her red lipstick stuck to his cheek, letting everyone know that Harry was no longer in their reach.

"I know that. I was just teasing you, Arry. But what ees that you want to show me?"

"It's a surprise." Harry said with a cheeky grin before doing something quite bold.

Since she was doing the same to him, he was sure there was nothing wrong with him doing the same. His lips kissed her cheek, and he couldn't believe how soft her skin felt. He slowly pulled away, fearing that he might have gone too far, but instead, Fleur was giving him a seductive look. The look made him feel in a way that he had never felt before.

"Arry—" Fleur leaned forward to kiss his lips...

"Fleur." The two quickly pulled away, and Fleur could feel her anger bloom in her chest like a raging fire. She whirled around, ready to curse whoever interrupted them, but the sight of her headmistress approaching made her stop whatever she had wanted to do.

"Fleur, it's time to train. Say goodbye to your plaything and come with me," Madam Maxime said authoritatively in French.

Fleur felt her anger growing like wildfire, her audacity to call him her 'plaything.' Harry wasn't that; she wasn't that kind of girl to play with someone's feelings.

"Harry, his name ees Harry Potter." Fleur corrected her with a determined look, speaking English so Harry would understand what she said.

Madam Maxime seemed on the end of her nerves, her face going red with anger. "I don't care what you call your playthings, Fleur. Now, tell the cheater to go back to his tower." Madam Maxime shouted in English this time so Harry would understand what she said.

Fleur's eyes went red with anger, and she was ready to insult her; who cares if she was her headmistress?

"Madam Maxime, you are the headmistress of your school, and here you are making fun of students from other schools. For someone so tall, you like stooping so low to have your way." Harry said with an angry expression. He didn't care what she called him; it was nothing compared to being called 'Freak' by the Dursleys for so many years. But insulting his friends and someone he knew he liked. He would never stand for that.

"You have quite a big mouth for someone who cheated his way into this tournament." Madam Maxime didn't know what else to say. She would not allow a worm like him, an English dog, to insult her like this.

"The Goblet of Fire is one of the oldest and most powerful Artifacts in the world. Do you really think a fourth year is capable of fooling an Artifact like the Goblet of Fire, because If I'm really so capable then you all might as well give me the trophy right now."

"Do not put your words in my mouth, cheater. You told someone to put your name there." Madam Maxime growled; she hadn't expected a fourth-year like him to counter her like this; she had expected him to walk away like a dog with his tail between his legs, but if Potter wanted to fight her with words, she would never admit defeat to a child.

"Then I'm sure since you are the headmistress, you are smart enough to understand that someone was capable of fooling the Goblet into believing there was a fourth school, and I'm sure you know who tried to kill me when I was a baby. I'm sure for someone of your rank, you would come to the conclusion that someone put me up to this to kill me, not to win any reward, or maybe I'm just overestimating you, and you are as petty as you are being right now." Harry finished, and Madam Maxima appeared shocked beyond belief; even Fleur fell silent but thankful that Harry stood up to her.

Madam Maxima stared at the two of them for a few seconds, grinding her teeth before turning on her heels and walking away with a loud huff.

Harry watched her leave, and once she was out of earshot, he turned to face her. "Fleur?" Harry called her, but he didn't expect to receive a hug from the beautiful Veela.

"You are brave, Harry Potter. Eet seems I found something else that makes you special." Fleur said teasingly to his ear with a hushed tone before biting his earlobe, earning a groan from Harry. He felt trapped in a way, but in a good way; he didn't want her to separate from him. He could feel her warmth, and he could feel her large breasts pressing against his chest, causing him to turn bright red.

"I weel 'ave a special reward for you, Arry, during ze date," Fleur promised him in a sensual voice. She almost purred before locking his arm with hers and walking back to her carriage.

Tomorrow

"Arry, what deed you want to show me here?" Fleur asked curiously as they walked towards Great Lake near the castle, stopping on the bank of the lake. She wondered what he wanted to show her, but the young wizard gave her a cheeky smile. Instead of answering, he put down the bag, opened the zipper, and pulled out several sandwiches. Fleur was sure he wanted a picnic, but she watched as he walked towards the water until the gentle waves touched his feet.

"Fleur, come here."

Fleur arched an eyebrow; she wondered where Harry was going with this, but she would lie if she said she wasn't curious.

"Take this one." He handed her a sandwich, still not explaining what they were doing here. "When he comes, don't be afraid. He won't hurt you." Harry instructed, and Fleur opened her mouth to ask who he was talking about when he blew a melodic whistle. Even his whistling sounded majestic.

She looked around, trying to spot a bird, but then she heard a boom! It was coming from deep underwater.

"Arry!" She called him out, feeling her heart beating faster, a hint of wariness in her voice. The sound got louder, and Fleur grasped her wand with her other hand, ready to defend herself.

"That won't be needed, Fleur. He's harmless." Harry reassured her without looking at her.

Fleur opened her mouth to ask who this 'he' was when her answer came in the form of a long purplish tentacle coming out of the water.

Fleur froze in place as the tentacle seemed to follow Harry's whistle. "It's good to see you, Miki." He said cheerfully as the tentacle swirled around the sandwich. Taking it from his hands, the tentacle sank underwater, but Fleur watched as it returned, this time with its attention on her.

"Don't worry, Fleur. He's harmless." Harry's soothing voice made her escape her stupor, and she stepped forward. She made sure Harry was near since this creature obviously knew Harry. She extended her hand towards the tentacle, ensuring she held the sandwich out with just two fingers.

Fleur swallowed thickly as the tentacle swirled around the food in her hand before once again sinking underwater. For a moment, there was nothing but silence; Fleur was ready to say something when the sound came again, this time much louder than last time.

Four more tentacles revealed themselves, but they were nothing compared to his head slowly coming out of the water. Two black eyes stared back at them. She was lost for words, and she could do nothing but watch as Harry reached down and petted the giant octopus as if he were a house cat. Once he pulled away his hand, Fleur wondered if the octopus would leave now when Harry turned to face her.

"Come on, Fleur. Say hi to Miki." Harry said, grabbing her hand and slowly pulling her towards this octopus.

Veelas didn't like water, and they tended to avoid water creatures. Right now, every Veela instinct was telling her to run away, but she didn't know how or why. She let Harry guide her hand until it touched The Octopus's head. His skin was wet and cold, but to her surprise, this octopus appeared happy by her gesture.

Harry whistled again, and she watched Miki slowly swim away from the shore before sinking back into the depths of the Great Lake.

Once she was sure he wouldn't come back, she breathed a sigh of relief, almost falling on her knees.

"What did you think?" Arry's voice brought her back to the real world, and she looked at his gorgeous green eyes like emeralds. She had never felt like this before, both terrified and amazed.

Veelas hated the depths of water; that's why there were beaches out there enchanted so Veelas could never be at risk of being too deep underwater. And the same goes for sea creatures, but Fleur had never seen something as dangerous as a Giant Octopus be so friendly with her. So, after going through this unique experience, she had only one thing to say to the young wizard who was changing her life and showing her things that she had never seen before.

"You are an extraordinary wizard, Harry Potter." She said, amazed, still not believing what just happened.

Harry smiled and seemed pleased before walking her back to the castle with Fleur, who asked hundreds of questions about the giant octopus and how it was possible for him to be friends with him.

One Week Later

Harry Potter sat at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall, his breakfast untouched and his stomach performing acrobatics that would put professional Quidditch players to shame. The enchanted ceiling above showed a perfect winter morning, with gentle snowflakes falling but disappearing before they could reach the students below. Yet Harry barely noticed the magical display, his mind preoccupied with thoughts of silvery-blonde hair and crystal-blue eyes.

Today, he would have his first date with a girl, and not just any girl – Fleur Delacour, his fellow Triwizard Champion. A part of him still couldn't believe that she had asked him for a date right when Harry had wanted to ask her. The memory of that moment still made his cheeks flush.

"Calm down, Harry, you look like you're about to face a dragon," Hermione's amusing voice broke him out of his thoughts. She sat across from him at the Gryffindor table, her usual stack of books beside her breakfast plate.

Harry ran a nervous hand through his perpetually messy black hair. "I think I'd rather face the dragon again," he murmured, pushing his eggs around his plate. "At least then I knew what to do. What if I mess up badly and humiliate myself? What if she realizes I'm just... me?"

Hermione set down her fork with an exasperated sigh. "Harry James Potter, look at me," she commanded, and Harry's green eyes reluctantly met her brown ones. "What should you do? Be yourself. What shouldn't you do? Try to be someone you're not. Fleur asked YOU out, remember? Not Viktor Krum, not Cedric Diggory – you."

"But why?" Harry asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "She's... well, look at her!" He gestured vaguely toward the Ravenclaw table where Fleur sat with her fellow Beauxbatons students, somehow managing to make the simple act of eating breakfast look elegant.

"Because maybe she sees what I see – a brave, kind, talented wizard who doesn't realize how special he is," Hermione said softly, reaching across the table to squeeze his hand. "Trust me, Harry. Fleur's the lucky one."

Harry felt a warm surge of gratitude toward his best friend. His eyes involuntarily drifted to the far end of the Gryffindor table, where Ron sat with Dean and Seamus, still maintaining his stubborn silence. The sight of his former best friend choosing to believe Harry had somehow cheated his way into the tournament still stung.

Harry opened his mouth to say something about Ron when a melodious "'Arry?" came from behind him.

Harry turned to find Fleur standing there, his heart performing a spectacular somersault, looking breathtaking in casual winter robes of pale blue that matched her eyes perfectly. Her silver-blonde hair was partially braided, with the rest falling in gentle waves past her shoulders.

"Bonjour, 'Arry," she said, a small smile playing on her lips. "Are you ready for our date?"

Harry jumped to his feet so quickly he nearly knocked over his pumpkin juice. Hermione's quick wandwork saved the goblet from spilling. "Yes! I mean, oui! I mean..." He took a deep breath, remembering Hermione's words. "Yes, I'm ready."

Fleur's smile widened, and Harry could have sworn he saw a hint of relief in her expression. "Wonderful. I 'ave never properly explored 'Ogsmeade before."

"Oh, you'll love it," Harry said, finding his voice as he grabbed his winter cloak. "There's Honeydukes – they have the best chocolate frogs, and Zonko's is brilliant for jokes and tricks, and..." He paused, suddenly worried he sounded too childish.

But Fleur's eyes were sparkling with interest. "This sounds perfect. I love chocolate, and my sister Gabrielle would adore some magical jokes to show 'er friends at Beauxbatons."

As they walked toward the entrance hall, Harry caught Hermione giving him a thumbs-up. He also noticed Ron watching them, his expression unreadable.

The ride to Hogsmeade was surprisingly comfortable. The initial nervousness began to fade as they talked about their respective schools, their families, and their experiences as champions. Harry found himself telling Fleur about the first task and how terrified he'd actually been.

"But you were magnifique!" Fleur exclaimed. "The way you flew – it was like watching a professional Quidditch player. I must admit, I was very impressed."

Harry felt his cheeks warm despite the cold December air. "Thanks. Your charm work was amazing though. I've never seen anyone handle a dragon like that."

Fleur laughed, the sound like silver bells. "The sleeping charm would 'ave worked perfectly if she 'adn't started snoring and caught 'er skirt on fire!" She shook her head. "I was so embarrassed. My classmates still tease me about it."

"At least you didn't get your robes burned," Harry said, grinning. "I still have scorch marks on mine."

When they arrived there, Harry opened the door and helped Fleur out of the carriage, earning a kiss on the cheek. They reached Hogsmeade, the village looking like a Christmas card with its snow-covered cottages and shops. Harry led Fleur to Honeydukes first, watching with delight as her eyes widened at the colorful display of sweets.

"This is incredible!" she breathed, examining a display of Sugar Quills. "We 'ave nothing like this in France. Though our chocolate is superior, of course," she added with a playful wink.

They spent nearly an hour in the sweet shop, with Fleur purchasing an assortment of treats for her sister and Harry buying them each a bag of Every Flavor Beans. Outside, they took turns trying the beans, laughing at each other's reactions to the less pleasant flavors.

"Ugh, soap!" Harry spluttered, while Fleur gracefully sampled one that turned out to be chocolate mousse.

"Your face!" she giggled, her usual composed demeanor slipping into something more natural and relaxed. "You looked like you'd just kissed a Blast-Ended Skrewt!"

"Have you seen those things in Hagrid's class?" Harry asked, grateful for the change of subject. "They're terrifying!"

They made their way to the Three Broomsticks, where Harry insisted on buying them both butterbeers. As they settled into a cozy booth, Fleur looked at him with curiosity.

"'Arry, may I ask you something?" At his nod, she continued, "Why don't you tell anyone that you can sing?"

Harry's expression instantly closed off, his shoulders tensing. "Can we... can we talk about something else?" he said, his voice tight, fingers clenching around his butterbeer mug.

Fleur noticed the sudden change in his demeanor, how his emerald eyes seemed to darken with an old pain. "'Arry? I did not mean to—"

"It's fine," Harry cut her off, perhaps more sharply than he intended. Then, softer, "Sorry, I just... I don't like talking about it."

"But why not?" Fleur asked, genuinely puzzled. "You 'ave a wonderful voice. In Beauxbatons, we are encouraged to embrace all our talents."

"It's just... people already stare at me enough, you know? The Boy Who Lived, the youngest champion in centuries... I don't need another reason to be different."

Fleur reached across the table and took his hand, her touch sending pleasant tingles up his arm, she knew he wasn't being sincere with her. "Being different is not a bad thing, 'Arry. Look at me – I am part Veela. Do you think it is easy, 'aving boys stare at me all day, never knowing if they like me for myself or just my appearance?"

Harry blinked, surprised. He'd never considered that Fleur might have her own insecurities. "Is that why you asked me out?" he blurted before he could stop himself. "Because I'm not affected by your Veela charm?"

Fleur's cheeks turned pink, making her look even prettier. "Partly," she admitted. "But mostly because you are kind, and brave, and you do not try to show off like the other champions. And..." she smiled shyly, "because when I 'eard you singing, I saw the real 'Arry Potter, not the famous one."

Harry felt something warm bloom in his chest, something that had nothing to do with the butterbeer. "Would you... would you like to hear me sing again sometime?"

"I would love that," Fleur said softly.

Later

"I 'eard zere's a 'aunted place nearby," Fleur said, linking her arm through Harry's as they stepped out of the Three Broomsticks into the chilly air.

Harry smiled, his breath visible in the cold. "The Shrieking Shack? Actually, it's never been haunted. There's quite a story behind it, though." He paused, considering how much to share. "When my father was at Hogwarts, one of his friends was a werewolf. They used it during full moons as a safe place for his transformations. The Whomping Willow guards the entrance."

Fleur's expression flickered with slight disappointment at the mundane explanation, but her eyes quickly lit up with curiosity. "I still want to see eet."

Harry chuckled and led her toward the imposing tree, memories of last year's confrontation with Sirius flashing through his mind as they entered the passage. The darkness enveloped them immediately, thick and heavy.

"Eet's so dark," Fleur observed, her voice echoing slightly in the confined space. "I can see why people thought eet was 'aunted."

"Lumos," Harry murmured, his wand tip igniting and casting a soft glow around them. The light caught Fleur's silver-blonde hair, making it shimmer. She turned to face him, her blue eyes reflecting the wandlight.

"Zis ees a good place to give you my reward, 'Arry."

Before Harry could protest that she didn't need to give him anything, Fleur grabbed the front of his jumper and pulled him into a kiss. His mind went completely blank as her soft lips met his. All those weeks of wondering how it would feel to kiss her hadn't prepared him for the reality.

He stood frozen for a moment before his arms found their way around her waist, drawing her closer as he began to respond to the kiss. He had no experience with this, but instinct seemed to take over as their lips moved together.

When he felt her tongue trace his lower lip, he parted his lips instinctively. The kiss deepened, becoming more passionate as their tongues met. Fleur's soft moan sent shivers down his spine as she pressed closer, her hands moving to his shoulders. The wandlight flickered, casting dancing shadows around them.

When they finally separated, Harry knew he must look completely dazed because Fleur giggled at his expression. "Deed you like eet, 'Arry?" she asked teasingly, already knowing the answer from his stunned smile.

Finding his voice, Harry managed to say, "I'm not sure. Might need another one to be certain."

Fleur's eyes sparkled with amusement. "We should keep trying until you are sure, non?"

This time, Harry initiated the kiss, more confident now. Each kiss was better than the last, their movements becoming more synchronized, more natural. When they finally pulled apart, both slightly breathless, Harry could still feel the tingling sensation on his lips.

"Wow," was all he could manage, earning another brilliant smile from Fleur. The happiness radiating from her matched the joy bubbling up inside him, making the dark, dusty shack seem somehow magical in an entirely new way.

His wand was still casting light between them, illuminating their flushed faces and bright eyes, and Harry thought he'd never seen anything more beautiful than Fleur in that moment, her hair slightly mussed and her lips pink from their kisses.

"Tu es merveilleuse, ma Fleur," Harry said in French, his accent making Fleur's lips curve into a fond smile.

"Zat was good, 'Arry, but I weel make sure to teach you 'ow to speak properly," she promised, her fingers trailing along his arm. Her mind wandered briefly to Gabrielle - would her little sister be thrilled or envious to learn that Harry Potter was now her boyfriend?

Hope flickered in Harry's eyes at her words, at the promise of something extending beyond this school year. It was something he'd been thinking about more and more lately.

"I'm sure you're a wonderful teacher," he said playfully, keeping her close against him. Fleur's arms settled around his shoulders, blue eyes meeting green in the wandlight.

"Oui, and I weel reward you properly every time you do good." She gave him a playful wink before capturing his lips again. Harry melted into the kiss, thinking he could spend forever just like this.

When they parted, Harry gathered his courage to ask the question that had been burning in his mind all day: "Does this make us... girlfriend and boyfriend?" His voice held a note of vulnerability, hoping this wasn't just a game to her.

Fleur's giggle was soft and affectionate as she caressed his cheek. "Oui. I'm your girlfriend now, and you are my boyfriend. You are mine now, mon ange." Harry's answering smile seemed to brighten the dusty room more than any Lumos charm could. He kissed her again before glancing around at their rather unconventional romantic setting.

"Should we leave now? The carriages will leave soon," Harry said, taking her hand, but Fleur stayed put. He turned back to her, confused. "Fleur?"

She remained silent, remembering Harry's words about the Patronus Charm: "Think of your happiest memory... For me, it's easier when I focus on why I want to cast the spell, and think of my own Patronus. When I first cast it here with you, I thought of my happiest memories and imagined Prongs himself. I wanted him to meet you."

Fleur raised her wand, closing her eyes and letting her happiest memories wash over her:

Gabrielle's first word - "Fleur."

The beautiful dress her parents gave her.

Her triumphant last day of fifth year at Beauxbatons.

Her parents' proud faces.

Being named top student.

Harry's unexpected, beautiful singing.

Flying with him around Hogwarts, seeing its wonders.

Meeting Miki.

Their first kiss.

"Expecto Patronum!" Her voice rang out clear and strong. Light burst from her wand, and for a heart-stopping moment, she feared another failure. Then a whistling sound filled the air as a magnificent eagle erupted from her wand tip, its wings spread wide, filling the space with silvery light. It circled them with a proud screech before landing beside Fleur.

She stood transfixed, joy overwhelming her as she gazed at her Patronus. Harry's hand squeezed her shoulder gently.

"Congratulations, Fleur. I knew you could do it," he said softly. She moved closer to her Patronus, her free hand reaching up to cover Harry's.

"I weel name you, EtoLia," she whispered, watching the silvery eagle's ethereal glow illuminate their joined hands.