Puzzle to a Frozen Heart

Chapter 10

(Ladies and gentlemen: Fleur Delacour!)

"What now!" Hermione barked as she heard a door knock. She opened it, getting a mildly pleasant surprise when encountering Fleur outside her room "Oh, Fleur. Didn't expect to see you up so early," she commented, seeing that it was only 8:00 am. Her best friend rarely left the bed before 10:00, counting that she rarely slept through the night.

"I was looking for Oliver but 'e wasn't in 'iz room," Fleur confessed, before inviting herself inside Hermione's room.

"Why were you looking for him?"

"I wanted 'im to give moi a tour of 'ze school," Fleur said matter of factly.

"Oh, I can do that. I'm the Head Girl after all."

"No offense 'Ermione, but I kind of want 'im to give it to me."

"Why?" Hermione asked with puzzled expression. As far as she knew, Oliver wasn't... "Wait a minute, don't tell me..."

" 'E's hot, I want 'im."

"No you don't. He's my best friend and a Jedi Wizard at that!"

"So?" Fleur seemed really careless and calm at Hermione's alarmed and obvious answer.

But before Hermione could answer, the door opened and Harry, still in his Quidditch robes, came in. Setting sight on his charge's company, he made a quick attempt to leave the area, but Fleur was quicker than him and grabbed his arm before he could even move.

"Don't go. I was just leaving. I assume 'zat you're 'ze famous Potter, 'Ermione's ex,"she stated with a malicious smile.

"Excuse me!" Hermione exclaimed, outraged and practically jumping from the desk chair in which she was seated on.

"Ex?" Harry asked, a little lost; as surprising as that could be.

"Excuse her Potter, she's not used to getting up this early. Speaking of that, weren't you leaving Fleur?"

"Juzt a moment 'Ermione, I 'aven't introduced myself properly. I'm Fleur Delacour," the part Veela said, extending her hand towards Harry.

"I'm Harry."

"Pleasure. It'z nice to finally meet 'ze man who stole 'Ermione's 'eart."

"Fleur! Out!" Hermione barked, grabbing Fleur by her arm and dragging her towards the exit. Once outside, Hermione couldn't contain her anger.

"Fleur, how dare you! Do you have any idea how much you have embarrassed me!" she was screaming by now.

"Oh, come on, 'ze boy's clueless. All men are."

"Well, if he was clueless, now he isn't thanks to you."

"So you're admitting 'zat what I said is true, which means you still feel somezing, oui?" Hermione's voice was full of meaningless stammers to Fleur's great amusement. "You still don't know 'ow to 'ave fun. Now if you excusez moi, I 'ave to find Wood."

"Whatever," Hermione muttered as she walked inside once more. As she did so, she found herself face to face with Harry, who was wearing only a towel.

"Crap," she cursed.

****

Oliver couldn't believe what he had just heard. This was beyond Jedi training; it was torture! It was the only thing in all his life that had made him almost regret being a Jedi wizard! No, Dumbledore couldn't do this to him, life wasn't that mean, was it?

"No Sir! Please, there must be someone else! I have classes to attend to, prefect meetings, and a Quidditch team! I can't be her Jedi Wizard!" he exclaimed. No, 'exclaimed' wouldn't cover it, hell, he was practically begging.

"Mr. Wood, I've already made my decision."

"Professor! I haven't graduated yet! You can't do this to me!"

"Mr. Wood, you are one of the best Jedi Wizards we have. Ms. Delacour is to be your charge. End of discussion."

"But..."

" Have a good day," said Dumbledore, opening the door and waiting for Oliver to take his leave.

"Okay, Professor. But just until you get a replacement."

"There will be no replacement." With this said, he closed the door in Oliver's face.

****

"What?" Harry asked, apparently oblivious to his exposure.

"Forget it," Hermione sighed, heading to the common room.

Suddenly, she heard a tap on the window. When she went to check, Harry was attending to a small owl on his arm. He looked at her and handed her the letter that had been attached to the owl's foot.

"Here you go, it's for you."

She quickly opened it, eager to know who would write to her. Her expression changed however, when she began to read the parchment:

Dear Honey Bunny,

I miss you terribly. Why didn't you come to the Burrow this year? Are you mad with me? No way! That can't be! I didn't do a thing! Anyway, we could have had a lot of fun. Oh, well, your loss.

Your very loving and desirable boyfriend,

Ron Weasley

PS: Kisses and kisses!!!!

Her expression was of pure disgust now. Harry, who had already gotten dressed, took her expression as fear and drew to the conclusion that it was another of Voldemort's threats.

"Give me that!" he commanded, snatching it from her. Voldemort would have it now.

"No, wait!" Hermione tried to stop him but it was too late. He was already reading it.

"Honey Bunny?" Harry was perplexed. But perplexed was an understatement as he reached the parchment's end, "WEASEL????"