Ch. 58

21 December 1994

The witch stepped from her room wearing a tight fitting, black Prada original mini-dress. The front of the dress was classically modest with only a hint of cleavage while the back plunged down to the waistline. Sheer hose encased her long legs but when she walked an observant person could catch the occasional teasing hint of lace moving higher up the legs. Her silver court shoes accented her calves with a high heel but were incredibly, almost magically, comfortable. While most witches knew nothing of Muggle fashion, she wasn't going to limit herself in that way.

Making her way towards the Yule Ball, the witch repressed a sneer. (It wouldn't be wise due to lay the foundations for unsightly wrinkles.) She truly hated this place. It was wonderful to represent her school in the Tri-Wizard Tournament, but did it have to be in this barbaric place? The English couldn't even do that right. Now they had nine champions! And that silly little boy who was responsible for this chaos was now their 'host'!

Fleur Delacour entered the antechamber off the Entrance Hall where the champions were told to assemble with their dates. She was pleased to see her date, Roger Davies, waiting for her just inside the door with a bouquet of lavender roses in hand. The wizard may have been an Englishman barely able to handle her reined in allure, but he looked exquisite in his robes. He also had rather large hands and one never knew where the night could lead one.

Fleur was less pleased to see her cousin Alfonse standing with the Potter boy, Krum, and the other Hogwarts champion Cedric Diggory along with their dates. Diggory was with a rather attractive Asian witch while Krum was with a beautiful younger blonde girl Fleur had seen eating at the Slytherin table. Alfonse of course was with his long-time girlfriend, Claire. Potter stood with an… acceptable looking Indian girl on his arm wearing a fashionable version of a sari. The group was laughing at some sally of Alfonse's.

The Veela turned to her date just as Headmaster Dumbledore entered the room.

"May I have your attention please?" the old wizard called. He may have been an Englishman but Fleur still respected the man for his defeat of the last Dark Lord, much more than Potter who was still a mere enfant .

"The dignitaries and guests have assembled in the Great Hall along with your fellow students. Champions, please line up with your dates. Mr Potter, as host you shall enter last. All set? Very well, follow me."

Fleur naturally placed herself at the head of the line. As a Veela it was natural to be the centre of attention. Her grandmamma insisted that if one had to make an entrance, make it a great one. Fleur intended to do just that.

Headmaster Dumbledore led the way to the doors of the Great Hall. With a gesture of his hand the doors swung silently open. An instant later, unseen horns blew a fanfare announcing the champions' arrival.

Fleur allowed Roger to lead her into the Great Hall. Her allure was beginning to affect him badly with the skin-to-skin contact of their linked arms. The poor boy looked as though his brains were getting ready to dribble out his ear. Fortunately he was able to hold off as the couple approached their marked place at the head of the room.

That was when Fleur noticed someone she never expected to see! It was cousin Kalina! Her sister Veela lived in the Bulgarian enclave. Kalina was standing next to an older wizard that radiated a sense of danger but was smiling like a naughty little boy. He was rather handsome in that bad boy way but dressed in robes that spoke of Galleons and position. She could see why Kalina was so obviously taken with him.

The champions and their escorts moved to marked positions at the front of the Great Hall at the foot of the raised dais where the professors' table normally stood. Now it had been magically expanded to allow the staff and various dignitaries to sit. Two round tables had been set up at the foot of the dais for the champions and their dates.

The champions were to stand on their marks and wait while the school Heads spoke their welcome. By fortune of being the first champion in, Fleur and Roger stood in the far left position nearest Kalina. The Bulgarian Veela caught Felur's eye and gave a smile with a sly wink. Kalina always had the most unfortunate sense of humour however she was wonderful in stirring up the old biddies of the Sisterhood. Fleur felt so relieved to have someone here to talk to that would understand her. Her friends were nice enough but they simply didn't understand what it was to be in her position. Kalina, while not nearly as culturally refined as Fleur herself, was considered beautiful and magically gifted even by the standards within the Veela community.

Finally, the Durmstrang Headmaster finished his gloating comments and the students were released to begin finding their seats for the banquet to begin. Fleur however had other plans.

"Come," she ordered Roger. "I have someone I must speak to." With her arm still linked into the Hogwart's wizard, Roger had little choice but to follow her guidance.

"Fleur, my dear! You look ravishing!" Kalina announced as Fleur approached. The Bulgarian Veela spread her arms and stepped forward to embrace the French witch. Fleur released Roger's to respond in kind; each Veela leaning forward to bestow the lightest of kisses to the other's cheek.

"Kalina, I had no idea you would be in attendance! I knew you were part of the unit sent to support your national Quidditch team but I didn't know you had returned here!"

Kalina gave a little laugh. "In truth I haven't left and now I am rather doubting that I will." Fleur looked intrigued at that.

...

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