La Fleur de la Vallée

“Rise and shine! Wakeup call! Come on, up, up, up!”

Percy awoke that morning feeling sore and a bit disoriented. His aching torso was not improved by the long, brownish finger poking at his side.

“Time to get up, sir! Sir and madam must wake now! Master’s orders!” A tiny female house-elf peered at him with large eyes. “Master told Reggy to wake sir and madam in this room! Sir has business to attend! Up now!”

The elf left his side lightning fast and began the same process again to Fleur, who was sleeping quite soundly on the bed, a tangle of blond hair covering her face. Percy suppressed a laugh after he fumbled for his glasses and slipped them on. Fleur looked quite disgruntled at being woken up in such an undignified manner.

“I’m up!” Fleur scowled as she sat up on the bed. The house-elf looked satisfied.

“Reggy will be coming back with breakfast. Sir and madam must get ready while they waits. Madam’s clothes are packed and in the trunk right there,” Reggy pointed to a small trunk by the door before vanishing from the room.

“Is she gone?” Fleur asked groggily, rubbing her eyes.

“Yes,” Percy answered nodding.

“Good.” Fleur slumped back down on the bed and pulled the covers over herself, closing her eyes again as her head hit the pillow. Percy rolled his eyes and got up to walk to the bathroom in his room. After he showered and dressed he waked back into the room to see Fleur still sleeping.

“Come on, Fleur, you really need to wake up now,” Percy said leaning over the bed to nudge her slightly.

Fleur grudgingly sat up and yawned. “Fine, I’m up. Can I go back to sleep now?”

“No.”

Fleur scowled and tossed her hair huffily as she climbed out of the bed and walked to the bathroom. “You, sir, ‘ave obviously no idea what ’appens when a veela is grumpy from lack of sleep.”

“I’ll risk it,” Percy answered as she closed the door. He remembered the angry veela from last year’s Quidditch cup and wondered vaguely how bad a grumpy part-veela could get. He decided that some things are better left unknown and began packing up the few items he hadn’t packed yet.

Percy began wondering about the Ra Conference he and Fleur were to attend soon. Sure they had figured out it was to be held in Egypt and was probably connected with the Order of Phoenix, but what else was it about? What were they getting themselves into? Percy didnÂ’t know but he was anticipating the meeting with an excited nervousness.

Half an hour later Reggy reappeared as Fleur was walking out of the bathroom, brushing her hair. The elf placed two breakfast trays on the low table near the sofa. Reggy bowed low and disappeared again.

Percy scooted over on the sofa to make room and Fleur sat beside him. They ate in silence for a bit, each to their own thoughts. Unbeknownst to either of them, they were thinking nearly the same thing and it had nothing to do with Egypt, the Order, or anything else relevant to their imminent tripÂ… Unless thinking of the other counted as being relevant. Percy was thinking once again if what could have possibly come over him to kiss her, and a small part of him didnÂ’t regret it a bit. Similarly Fleur thought that it really wasnÂ’t so bad that her friend and partner decided to seize the moment last night outside her door. They both resolved to stop thinking about it at once and concentrate the more important matters at hand.

Neither spoke a word out loud, though, and they remained chewing in silence until their plates were empty. The moment they had finished with breakfast Reggy rushed back into the room and ushered them out, assuring them that their baggage would sent, and threatened them with bodily harm if they didnÂ’t hurry and get to the Ministry. Thoroughly bewildered Percy and Fleur soon found themselves outside of the Leaky Cauldron and hurrying towards the Ministry side street.

“That,” Fleur announced, “was the bossiest elf I have ever met.”

Percy chortled. “You’re just mad because it made you get up.”

Fleur made a harrumphing noise and stuck her tongue out at Percy, who raised his eyebrows.

“Well, aren’t we the epitome of maturity,” he said before crossing his eyes back at her and grinning. Fleur giggled.

“Look oo’s talking.” She replied crisply though the grin on her face countered her tone. Percy laughed and by that time they had nearly reached the massive Ministry building. Percy was surprised that they had walked down Diagon Alley so quickly without him noticing. He shrugged and opened the main door, letting Fleur go through first.

They walked quickly through the maze of cheap tiled hallways until thy arrived at the large wing that the International Department of Cooperation occupied. No sooner had they stepped in than Gregory Redford virtually pounced on them.

“Weasley! Delacour! Haven’t seen you two around in a few days! Taking a nice weekend off together, eh?” He grinned knowingly and winked in an annoyingly satisfied manner. Fleur rolled her eyes and too it upon herself to respond before Percy could drag her away.

“Well, Mr. Redford,” she began, her voice filled with scorn that was lost on Redford, “What Percy and I do is streectly our business. Whezer we ‘ave spent ze weekend working or shagging is entirely none of your concern. Come on, Percy.”

Fleur was fuming at the point, her accent becoming apparent and all, and she spun on her heel as soon as she was finished with her little speech and proceeded to walk away, grabbing PercyÂ’s arm and dragging him along in the process.

Percy was thoroughly bewildered and his ears were a brilliant shade of scarlet at FleurÂ’s words. He was, if it were possible, even more shocked that Redford who was staring at them dumbfounded with his jaw hanging open.

Theus was at his office door when the scene had unfolded and he witnessed the whole thing. By the time Fleur had stomped into his office with Percy in tow, Theus was already sitting behind his desk, straightening a stack of a papers and suppressing a laugh.

“Shagging all weekend, eh? I must admit I didn’t expect you two to get to know each other that well--” He began before Fleur interjected.

“Oh, shut it.” She glared at him, her arms crossed but Theus was relatively unfazed. If anything the sight amused him more.

“You really shouldn’t let Greg get to you, though,” he continued, addressing both Fleur’s anger and Percy’s embarrassment. “The man just has a knack for aggravating people.”

Fleur was considerably calmer by this time and she spoke normally again. “We came across some useful information this weekend, right Percy?”

Percy nearly instantly overcame his discomfort at the prospect of sharing their newfound knowledge. “Yes, he’s the Ancient Sun wizard of Egypt, close related to the--”

“Phoenix,” Fleur finished triumphantly, emphasizing what they were getting at. Percy shot her a glare at being interrupted, but she ignored him. Theus nodded, smiling.

“You’ve certainly done your homework and your guesses are correct. The Ra Conference is associated with the Order and was organized by a good friend of mine, Albus Dumbledore--”

Percy interrupted, his head perking up with a new admiration for his boss. “Dumbledore? You’re friends with Dumbledore?”

Theus nodded and continued where he left off. “Yes, Dumbledore organized it with the help of Phoenix members from the first war. Brendan Davis, Ava Harper, Yesmine Kelly, and Remus Lupin especially.”

Here Theus shot Percy a glance and Percy understood at once: Sirius Black was also a part of this. It was well known now to the Weasleys that Black was innocent but nearly no one outside of their family and DumbledoreÂ’s trustees knew, including Fleur.

“I believe you both probably have figured out by now that the new war is coming on fast. Percy, I’m sure you’ve heard it from your father and Fleur from either you or Olympe Maxime. Voldemort’s”-- here both Percy and Fleur cringed -- “minions are collectively growing by the day. Those lindwurms that attacked last night were evidence of that. More recruits are needed for Dumbledore’s organization. The Ra Conference is a meeting to recruit those adequate to help. You will be spending time in Egypt in a realm near Cairo that’s hidden from muggles -- much like Diagon Alley. You will be free to leave any time you wish though while you remain there you will be helping our cause against the evil imminent to sweep our world. The Ra Conference is a test of sorts, a lower branch of the Order you might say. The Ra branch as a whole will not be as informed of the confidential manners as the main group of Phoenixes as a security against possible betrayals. Not like the ones we had the last time. And as time passes you may find yourselves becoming full-fledged members of the Order.”

Theus paused and stood up. He paced towards his windows and looked out at the windy street below. He spoke again, not facing them.

“However, you do not have to attend. Both Dumbledore and I feel that it would unfair to send anyone to this conference against their will. I want each of you to consider this carefully before answering. There will be dangers, that’s inevitable. What, I cannot say, psychic power is not my area of expertise. But those lindwurms targeted you, Fleur, knowing that you were one of those chosen to go to the conference is that’s any indication of some of the dangers involved. You two were chosen to be partners in this and you must both agree to go if you are to attend. Weigh you options carefully.”

There was dead silence in the office for at least a full minute though it seemed hours. Not a sound to be heard in that office save the buzzing of the lights. The world went on as usual outside that office as though no monumental choices were to be made. Theus remained at the window, staring at the leaves swirling in the park across the street.

Fleur met PercyÂ’s eyes and they seemed to come to a mutual agreement without words.

“We’ll attend.”

Theus turned at Percy’s words and nodded gravely though he managed to smile at them. “Good luck to you both then. A private Knight Bus has been reserved for you and five others from this area chosen to go. Your luggage is already on the bus thanks to the house-elf Reggy who will also accompany you seven on this excursion.”

The solemn moment was ruined by a mortified Fleur. “Oh no, not Reggy! I’ll never get any sleep!”

******

Fleur was still grumbling quarter of an hour later when she and Percy set out to walk to the location Theus told them the Knight Bus would be waiting. Percy tuned out her string of half French, half English complaints and tried navigating through the Ministry Park by TheusÂ’ vague instructions. According to their boss the Knight Bus would be waiting directly on the other side of the thick mass of trees that lay within the park. The only trouble was trying to weave through these trees to actually get through them rather than going around in circles.

“Fleur,” Percy said at last after they had passed the same great oak for the third time in the heart of the small forest, “Do me a favour and be quiet!”

He seemed quite unaware of the look of injured haughtiness she sent at him as he muttered to himself trying to find their way though. She did, however, stop talking but replaced her mutters about the house-elf with fierce looks at Percy.

They stumbled around the woods for another ten minutes, once spotting a glance of the picnic area on the Ministry side of the trees in that time. At long last Percy stopped walking and kicked a rock viciously in frustration.

Fleur looked on with mild amusement and cocked her head slightly to her left. Through the trees a cemented lot could be seen, about half the size of a Quidditch field. At one end of the lot there was a drab, grey building with dirty windows. Parked directly in front of it was brilliant blue bus. The Knight Bus company was known for the deeply vivid shades their buses were painted.

“Follow the blinding blue,” Percy muttered, heading towards the bus. Fleur didn’t bother to conceal her mirth as she followed him, stepping lightly over the roots he stumbled over.

When they had reached the bus an elderly warlock stepped out of the grey building. What hair he had left was snow white, and he was slightly bent with age. Wrinkles creased his face as grinned toothlessly at them. In a high-pitched voice he spoke to them:

“Ah, the last two of you have finally arrived! Well, all the other nice young people to go along have already arrived and introductions are in order before we begin the journey! I am King Cole, your driver. Ah, and here’s rest of the Ra party now.”

Sure enough, five wizards emerged from the building soon after the ancient bus driver, making the “Ra party” seven, as Theus had said it would be. Fleur’s eyebrows shot up when she saw that she was the only female present as well as the youngest person there. She was about to remark but didn’t get a chance as King started the introductions.

First there were two wizards who were in their late twenties, Mark Ryan and Daniel Rivera, whom King bluntly introduced as a couple. Fleur was about to make another remark, this time about KingÂ’s rude bluntness but King cut her off again before a single word escaped her lips.

“Danny and Mark here are both employees in the Department of Accidental Magic Reversal. Daniel in Improper Use of Magic office and Mark’s Committee on Experimental Charms.”

Both of the wizards smiled cordially at then. Mark was tall and trim, with dark-hair and a pair of black-framed glasses on his handsome face. Daniel was a bit shorter and broader with light brown hair and a neatly trimmed goatee. Neither of them spoke yet though as King went right on talking without ever pausing for a breath.

The next wizard was a sullen looking character about the age of Professor Snape (so Percy guessed) by the name of Xanthus Journey. He had longish black hair, very dark eyes, and barely nodded a greeting from his spot leaning against the wall, a bit away from the rest of the group.

“Slytherin,” King whispered quietly to Percy and Fleur. “He’s older than he looks and he likes to be alone most of the time. Kind of a wandering type, I s’pose.”

Next was Ferris Riley, a brown-haired man with laugh lines around his eyes. He was exceedingly cheerful and shook their hands energetically as King introduced him. Ferris reminded Percy a bit of his own father with more traits of Fred and George.

Last was Alek Montgomery, a congenial man that was older than anyone else in the group (besides King). He had brown hair streaked slightly with grey and spoke with a regal air. He greeted them cordially before turning to King and suggesting that they leave soon.

King nodded. “Yeah, we should leave--” He paused to consult his watch, let out a small yelp, and literally pushed them all to the bus (Fleur and Xanthus looked particularly ruffled at this). “--now!”

With a loud bang! the bus took off and was soon hurtling through the countryside. Much to FleurÂ’s chagrin Reggy was aboard the bus and soon set about pushing everyone to their seats. Fleur sat down in huff next to Percy and looked around the bus for the first time.

The bus was quite spacious on the inside, and rather than the normal beds there were large, comfortable seats lining the bus. Rather than rows of seats with one aisle in the middle, the seats ran around the interior, their backs to the side of the bus. Reggy stood in the middle of the whole arrangement with her arms crossed, surveying the Ra party with a threatening look. No one defied her insistence for them to sit.

“So, what department are you two from?” Ferris asked from the seat facing Percy and Fleur.

“International Cooperation,” Percy answered importantly, straightening up in the seat. Fleur, bad-tempered from the appearance of the house-elf, rolled her eyes and slouched slightly beside him, twisting a strand of her hair and looking bored.

Daniel, from his seat beside Mark, laughed. “International Cooperation? Isn’t that where Redford works now?”

Mark wound his fingers in DanielÂ’s and simply snorted with indignation. Ferris looked amused at the International DepartmentÂ’s misfortune and Alek scowled slightly. Xanthus was the only one who didnÂ’t react, but he was keeping to himself in the seat furthest from everyone else anyway.

Fleur nodded disdainfully. “Yes, Redford is one our co-workers. ‘E can get quite, ah -- aggravating at times.”

“That, young lady, is an extreme understatement. You are too polite to the chap. He’s been irritating various Ministry departments for years.” Alek commented, raising one thick eyebrow.

“Why doesn’t that surprise me?” Percy grumbled. “He’s always interrupting when I’m trying to get something important finished; it‘s no wonder that the heads shuttle him around the Ministry.”

“He’s been moved around even more than that Bertha Jorkins,” Daniel put in. “And that’s saying something… Ow!”

Mark had elbowed him sharply in the ribs. “Be respectful. She was one of the first victims.”

“And I do feel sorry for the poor woman, but there’s still no denying her frequent change of departments,” Daniel replied logically before turning back to the rest of the group. “Who’s in charge now that Crouch is gone?”

“Theus. Prometheus Kent.” Alek took the liberty of answering. “He’s a good friends of mine. He’s already told me much about you two.” He nodded towards Percy and Fleur, giving them a strange look. Neither of them seemed to notice and after a moment, Alek rejoined the conversation.

The next few hours was spent with Percy eagerly discussing Ministry matters with Alek, and Fleur talking casually with the ever-bickering Daniel and Mark, and the good-natured Ferris. Xanthus still didnÂ’t say much, and when he did, it was usually a rather cynical or sullen comment. Every now and then King would call out where they were and point out any interesting landmarks, and Reggy appeared every now and then to pass out food or drink.

The topic of the actual conference was strangely avoided by everyone on the bus except for the occasional reference of themselves as the Ra party. Late into the night they kept up conversation until finally only Percy and Alek remained awake (Xanthus may have been awake as well -- they couldnÂ’t tell for sure as he stayed in his corner of the bus, his face unseen in the dark). They spoke in hushed tones so as not to wake the others.

Fleur had been the first to fall asleep, her head drooping onto PercyÂ’s shoulder. He was careful not to shift and wake her as he conversed with Alek. As the evening wore on his arm began to ache and he lifted it to drape it across the top of the seat above FleurÂ’s head.

“I hope you don’t mind my asking,” Alek began, “but I’m quite curious. Is there any sort of relationship between you and the young lady?”

He emphasized his question with a nod towards FleurÂ’s sleeping form. The question had been nagging him since he met the two but good manners forbade him to ask until now, well after he had gotten to know and had taken a liking to the boy.

Percy looked slightly surprised, but slowly shook his head. “Other than friendship, no. We’re nothing more than good friends.”

“I see,” Alek let the topic go, but the slight hint of discontent in Percy’s voice was not lost on him, even if it was on Percy himself. Their conversation remained casual after that until Alek too finally dropped off to sleep.

In the faint light of the moon and passing streetlights coming though the windows, Percy looked down at Fleur sleeping. He brought his arm down a little and delicately touched her hair. She shifted slightly as he did and repositioned her head on his shoulder, but did not awaken. Percy fell asleep soon after that, his arm draped just barely above Fleur.