Apolline laughed. "Bernadette thinks she's ze one who made a killing 'Arry. Three days after ze auction she already 'ad orders for over a quarter of ze skin at many times what she paid for it even with ze actual clothes not being available for Three years. I'll try to introduce you to 'er zis summer. Though you 'ave to be careful or she'll try to convince you to sell 'er line of fashions."
"Arry does need a complete new wardrobe zis summer…" Gabrielle said smiling mischievously. "And 'e makes a wonderful model."
"Don't try to deny it Harry. You know you had fun when we picked out your clothes," Hermione said.
"I think it had more to do with the company, than the actual clothes purchasing," Harry smirked.
"Well you're in luck. The same three women will make themselves available again this summer."
"Can we go shopping for knickers for you three as well?" Harry thought.
As he watched the three young ladies blush, Mr. Delacour said, "I doubt I want to know what you just said 'Arry, but maybe we should 'ead back upstairs and walk around a little? It's almost time for lunch."
"And some of us still have a Potions final to take," Hermione said.
"And I 'ave my Charms final today," Gabrielle replied. "Can I 'ave a kiss for good luck 'Arry?"
"Of course," Harry replied and started to give her a small kiss but as their lips touched; Gabrielle reached her arms around his neck and turned the kiss into a more passionate one than Harry would have been comfortable with in front of her parents. Parents or no, he couldn't resist giving Gabrielle the kiss she wanted. When it ended, Harry remembered he was kissing Gabrielle in front of her parents. But when he turned to look at them expecting a more stern expression, they both were wearing a bemused look.
"Uh..sorry…I…well," Harry stammered.
"Nothing to be sorry for 'Arry," Gabrielle's father replied. "You were just doing what our daughter asked from you. I will not play ze angry father."
"Well in that case, the potions final is probably going to be difficult as well," Hermione said as she still felt the kiss Harry and Gabrielle shared. "Maybe I need a little luck as well."
The rest of the day passed more quickly than Harry would have wanted. The nervous confidence he had felt earlier started to turn to only nervousness and he felt the same feelings from Fleur. Every time he looked, the sun seemed to be hastening toward the horizon instead of the slow march it should be making. In what seemed like no time, it was the start of the evening feast to celebrate the event. Mr. and Mrs. Delacour sat with their daughters and Harry who in turned introduced them to Ginny and the twins.
The Great Hall fell into silence later when Professor Dumbledore rose from his chair as the charmed ceiling darkened to twilight. "Ladies and gentlemen, in five minutes' time, I will be asking you to make your way down to the Quidditch field for the third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament. Will the champions please follow Professor Hagrid down to the stadium now," He nodded in the direction of the half giant who was rising from his seat at the Head Table.
Harry kissed Gabrielle and hugged Hermione and Ginny while Fleur hugged her mother and father as well as her sister and Hermione. The entire Gryffindor table erupted in cheers and applause as Harry and Fleur left the table and joined up with Viktor and Cedric.
"Al right there Harry?" Hagrid asked and then "And the rest of ya?" When everyone nodded at him, he continued. "Okay then follow me," He led then out of the hall and through the front doors. Harry walked silently beside Fleur still wanting to take her hand in his. Neither of them had anything to say except an occasional "It'll be over soon."
"I'm going to let Sirius and Remus out of the Chamber," Hermione said. "Once I have the map, I'll stay in Myrtle's bathroom. Good luck."
As they walked onto the Quidditch field Harry momentarily stopped. The hedges were now twenty feet high and completely surrounded the field. In the falling darkness the looming hedges took on a sinister quality, making Harry feel uneasy. Hagrid led them to a spot in front of an opening into the hedge; an opening that had an unnatural darkness behind it.
"That must be the entrance," Harry said to Fleur as he stared at the darkened opening.
"Oui," Fleur replied as she glanced at the opening.
"It will be over soon," Harry continued as they waited for something to happen.
"Not soon enough," Fleur replied.
It was only a couple more minutes before the students started to arrive and fill the stands. Voices arose from all around as the students started taking their seats eagerly awaiting the start of the final task. The laughing and joking of the crowds helped ease the tension that surrounded the Champions. Harry glanced at Fleur and smiled. "I love you."
"And I love you."
The sky was losing the final light it had left. After months of spending time with Moony, Harry instinctively sought out the moon and found it to be nearly nonexistent. Then he remembered it was only three days until a new moon. "We won't get any light from the moon in there," He thought to his bond mate. She also looked up and searched the sky.
"Good thing we know zat light spell isn't it?"
Harry felt a hand on his shoulder and looked to see Cedric who had a nervous smile on his face. "Ready for this Harry? Fleur?"
"I hope so," Harry replied honestly.
"We'll see Cedric," Fleur answered.
Cedric offer his hand to Harry. "Good luck in there."
"You too."
Fleur gave the older Hogwarts champion a kiss on the cheek. "Good luck Cedric."
"Watch it Fleur; you'll make Cho jealous," Cedric joked.
"Not to mention Bill," Harry added under his breath. The mention of Cho Chang's name brought up an image of the young lady he had had a crush on earlier in the year. He remembered the jealousy he had felt when he had found out she was going to the Yule Ball with Cedric. "If only I had known what was going to happen," Harry thought.
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