A Cinderella Story - In the Universe of Harry Potter

Well . . .

"My lady," said Harry, offering his arm.

Another smile graced her features and she took his arm, allowing him to lead her out of the quarters.

Outside of the room was a small group of wizards and witches, all dressed in fine silk and all talking in fast French.

Fleur murmured something to them in French, and they all bowed to the royalty before swiftly disappearing up the nearest corridor.

"Hmm - you 'ave a beautiful castle 'ere," said Fleur. "Almost as beautiful as my own," she added with a chuckle.

"So, I expect your visit to the Americas was pleasant, Miss Delacour," said Father, falling in step on Fleur's other side.

"Oh yes," said Fleur. "Some of my family is zhere - zhey 'ave found an island in Pacific Oceaan. It has taken quite some time, but zhey 'ave finally finished a castle."

"Sounds delightful," said James.

"Yes," hummed Fleur. "You must veesit sometime."

"Mmm - I'm sure we will," said Mother, who had taken Harry's other side.

They entered the Entrance Hall, and Harry led the way through a door off the Great Hall, right into the luxurious dining room.

Over a large, finely sewn rug was a long, oak table, stained dark with matching high-backed cushioned chairs.

"Dinner should be served shortly," Father said as Harry drew out a chair to the right of the head chair.

"So, I expect all ze decoraations be for some bash, eh?" Fleur asked lightly as Harry sat to her right, Draco to his right. "Zhey look like ze decoraations for a ball."

"Oh, yes, well, of a sort," said Mother hastily as she sat down on Father's left. "It's a party for young Draco - his seventeenth birthday -"

"What?" asked Draco. "It's not my - OW!" Harry had elbowed him in the ribs. "I - I mean - yes, seventeen, of course," he said hastily, clearing his throat.

He threw a glare at Harry as Fleur looked away, rubbing his side.

"You could have just kicked my foot or something," he hissed at Harry as Father shared charming jokes with the young Princess.

Harry grinned.

"I'd rather hit you," he teased.

"Why you little -"

"Ah - dinner is served!" said Father.

A dozen House Elves filed into the room, all carrying dishes above their heads. In unison they set the delicious-smelling dishes onto the table. Beef, pork, chicken - all types of vegetables - bowls of fluffy mashed potatoes, and an abundance of puddings and pies.

"Thank you," Harry said to Dobby, his favourite Elf as he set a dish of treacle pudding by his plate.

Dobby gave no comment, but his usual wide smile, sinking into a low bow along with his fellows.

"What fine food you 'ave 'ere, King James," said Fleur.

"Yes - but do you miss anything?"

"Bouillabaisse," murmured Fleur at once. "My favourite deesh."

"The House Elves can make it for you," said Father. "I could just -"

"Oh, would you?" asked Fleur.

"Of course," said Father, snapping his fingers. Dobby rushed out immediately, bowing at his master's feet. "Dobby - will you please prepare some Bouillabaisse for Princess Fleur?"

"Yes, sir," squeaked Dobby.

He turned and rushed back into the kitchens.

"So tell me of your kingdom, Fleur?" Mother asked politely.

"Oh, yes, after my parents passed away, Merlin bless their souls, I was taken in by my aunt, Madame Maxime, who raised me and my younger seester from the time I was ten. We call her Muzzer, though."

"Oh you poor dear," began Mother.

"No, no, it is fine," said Fleur. "They died a brave death - and that is what matters."

"Of course," murmured Father.

"Muzzer taught me everything I know," said Fleur. "And is the reeson I had such a wonderful upbringing."

The kitchen door burst open, and Dobby came bustling through, a large dish in his arms. It was obviously too heavy, for he swayed as he struggled to bring it to the table.

"Here is the Bouillabaisse, miss," he squeaked, struggling to set it on the table.

But as he struggled, the dish tipped on its side a bit, spilling ever so little into Fleur's lap.

She screamed, jumping to her feet.

Harry furrowed his brow. There was no need to fret - the dish wasn't very hot.

"You eeembeesil!" she said shrilly. "Look what you 'ave done to my robes!"

She raised her hand to his the terrified Elf, striking him in the head before Harry was on his feet, grasping her wrist firmly.

"Miss," he said, looking down at her, "I request that you keep your hands to yourself. Dobby did not mean any harm - it was an innocent accident that I assure you could be fixed with a simple spell."

For a moment Fleur glared at him before ease graced her features, though she still looked angry.

"Of course," she said, returning his gaze haughtily.

"Dobby," said Harry, releasing the Princess, "you may return to the kitchens."

Harry was angered by the Princess's striking. No living thing deserved to be hit, and he would not stand for it.

"I apologize again for striking the creature," Fleur said again, seating herself. "But in my Kingdom nothing of the sort happens. The penalty is clothes."

"Yes, well, I'm afraid we have much different accustoms here," Harry said firmly as he sat down again.

"Harry!" said Mother warningly.

"The Bouillabaisse is not hot eenuff," said Fleur, and Harry could sense she was slightly cross. "Please send it back -"

"O-of course," said Father. He snapped his fingers again, and this time a different House Elf came, one by the name of Winky, who was much smaller than Dobby, rushed to Father's feet.

"Will you please take this back and heat it a little more, Winky?" asked James kindly, handing the dish to the Elf -

"I'm sorry, I must be excused," Harry said, raising himself from the table. "Mother - Father - Draco . . . Fleur," he added reluctantly.

He turned on heel and left, hurrying to the Astronomy Tower. He needed solace.

*~*~*~*

"Oh!" gasped Pansy. "Mother - Mother LOOK!"

Both Francesca and Ginevra winced at the volume and shrillness of the young woman's voice.

"Pansy!" snapped Francesca. "We must not shout at people like cattle - GINEVRA!"

"I'm right here, stepmother," said Ginny, carefully hiding her exasperation.

"Well - let's see," said Francesca as Ginny cleared the tea dishes away. "Oh," she sighed delightedly. "We are pleased to inform you that a ball is to be arranged at the Hogwarts castle. Please have all the maiden's within household attend - for Prince Harry searches for a suitor."

"When is it, Mother?" asked Pansy excitedly.

"Tomrrow night," purred Francesca. "Oh this is wonderful news! I shall finally give my daughters the future they deserve - and it all comes down to young Prince Harry. . . Gather your sister, Pansy. We shall be going to the village."

Ginevra stood nervously behind her stepmother, dishes in hand.

A ball

, she thought. Oh how lovely would it be to go.

"S-stepmother?" she asked quietly.

Francesca turned about and raised a dark eyebrow at her.

"Yes?"

"Erm - may myself and Hermione go as well, stepmother?" she asked.

Francesca swept an appraising look over her, but hadn't answered yet.

"I - I mean . . . I mean, it said that all maiden's within household and . . . well. . ."

"Perhaps," said Francesca. "I'm sure it'll be all right if you finish your chores in time."

Ginny beamed.

"Thank you, stepmother!" she said.

"Of course," said Francesca, turning about.