Chance Encounter

Lucius Malfoy grimanced as Cornelius Fudge led him through the crowd of eager Quidditch fans, pushing past all manner of wizards and witches of the type Lucius did not normally brush elbows with. Never a fan of Quidditch, Lucius had accompanied the Minister purely to discuss business with him; the match would be a treat for his son, Draco, not Lucius himself.

Halfway down the row, Lucius paused abruptly. Several rows below him, seated by a woman the size of whom Lucius had never seen, was the most beautiful girl he had laid eyes on. Her skin was pale bronze. Nothing, not even the witches of the famous Playwizard magazine, whom everyone knew received beautification spells and prettiness potions, could match the simple elegance of that girl's silvery hair. As Lucius watched, the girl turned and whispered something to the giantess. Lucius could just see the blue of her eyes.

"Father," said Draco in a whining tone that pulled Lucius back to reality. "I want a pair of Omnoculars! Potter and Weasley have them."

Lucius thrust his hand into his pocket, pulling out a handful of galleons, which he tossed absently at his wife. "Go with him, Narcissa. We will be wanting refreshments I'm sure."

Dutiful wife as always, Narcissa rose from the stands without comment, shooing Draco along with the expression of an adoring, if harried, mother. Lucius watched her disappear before turning to Fudge.

"Who is that girl?"

Cornelius blinked. "Hmm? That one? That's Madam Maxine of course, headmistress of Beauxbatons Aca --"

"No, that one. The blonde," Lucius broke in, pointing.

Shaking his head and adjusting his robes, Cornelius shrugged. "Not the faintest idea. Some student of Beauxbatons I presume."

"I want to meet her," ordered Lucius, who was well accustomed to bullying the Minister of Magic around. Money, of course, bought influence. "Now."

Cornelius gaped. "But Lucius, we've only got settled. The game's due to start in a moment."

Lucius stood, one hand smoothing his elegant hair, nearly the same pale shade as the girl's. "A quick meeting I assure you," he promised. "Then perhaps we can discuss the grant I was planning to give, to fund a libary named for you?" He raised one eyebrow, giving the Minister an intent look.

"Huh -- sure," Fudge answered, quickly jumping from his seat. He clapped Lucius on the back, beaming. "Right this way, old chap."

Carefully they meandered through the stadium, pushing wizards out of their way and attempting to avoid trodding on anyone's foot. Finally they reached the cluster of Beauxbaton's students.

"Minister of Magic," Cornelius announced pompously, sticking out his hand. "And you must be the charming Madam Maxine. On behalf of the Ministry, welcome to --"

Lucius coughed and gave Cornelius a meaningful look. Narcissa would be back any moment.

"Right," Cornelius said quickly, snatching his hand back. "Ah, Cornelius Fudge, and this is Lucius Malfoy.You must introduce me to your precious students. I presume we'll be seeing some of them -- well, soon," he finished, winking at Madam Maxine.

Flushed with pleasure, the headmistress pointed out her students. "Beret, Francine, Renee," she said, nodding at them to rise. "Ah, and Fleur Delacour."

The blonde girl rose quickly, her eyes on the field, where final preparations for the game were being made. She curtsied briefly, glanced at Lucius, looked away -- and then looked back.

"Enchante," Lucius said calmly, taking her hand. Her skin felt like silk and her hand slipped easily into his own. Bending slightly Lucius kissed her hand, letting his lips linger for perhaps a second longer then might be appropriate. He straighted up, his eyes still fixed on the girl, Fleur.

"Ms Delacour is our hope for -- well," Madam Maxine broke off, tipping Lucius a wink and a knowing look. Fleur wore a puzzled expression for a moment, but her brow smoothed a second later. Obviously, she knew about the tournament.

A champion, Lucius mused. He had been privy to the plans to establish a Tri-Wizard Tournament at Hogwarts, of course. Narrowing his eyes, Lucius appraised the girl. Fleur looked delicately beautiful, far too fragile for such a tournament, but something shone in her eyes that indicated an inner strength. Everything about her from her posture to the way she met his eyes indicated determination.

"I imagine you will run circles around the competition," Lucius said calmly, his gaze piercing as he stared into Fleur's eyes.

"I hope so," she replied, her voice steady. With the briefest of smiles she nodded. "It was nice meeting you, Mr Malfoy."

Lucius nodded. "And you."

Madam Maxine smiled and ushered her charges back into their seats. "Now then, the game is beginning. Look, Fleur, the veela."

Fleur glanced over her shoulder and nodded, looking rather distant for a moment. Then she turned back to Lucius. "Perhaps you will be able to attend one of the challenges? At the tournament?"

Lucius smiled. "That I may, schedule permitting of course."

"I hope it does permit," said Fleur meaningfully.

Feeling lighter then he had in some time, Lucius nodded. He took Fleur's hand once more and kissed it, this time gripping her hand a little tighter. She did not pull away but as Lucius released her caught his fingers and squeezed.

"Goodbye, Ms Delacour," Lucius said, turning to go. He raised his eyes, looking back at the box where his seats were. Narcissa and Draco were still gone. Pity, he thought. Draco would miss the start of the match if he did not hurry up. Still, he was glad Narcissa was not there. She would stumble down and interfere. Lucius had no idea why he didn't want Fleur to know he was married but the fact remained that he did not want Narcissa in the way.

Smiling, Fleur waved, then turned back in her seat to watch the impending Quidditch game. "Goodbye, Mr Malfoy."

"That's settled then," Fudge said, taking Lucius's arm to guide him through the crowd. "Nice bunch of kids."

"Yes, nice," Lucius agreed. He pushed past a small knot of wizards and took his seat, stretching his long legs out before him.

With a leer, Fudge elbowed Lucius. "Do I suspect a matchmaker in our midst?"

"I beg your pardon?" Lucius retorted coldly.

"You and that girl," Fudge replied. "C'mon, you can tell me. Looking for a suitable match for Draco, are we? She'd be it. Looks a lot like him."

Horrified at the thought, Lucius tilted his body a bit away from the Minister. "Certainly not!"

"He's a bit too young, I suppose," Fudge agreed, turning to watch as Ludo Bagman delivered commentary on the lepruchans that suddenly appeared over the field.

The match was over too quickly for Lucius, who spent it staring at Fleur's hair. He was transfixed, though he wasn't sure why.

On the way out of the stadium, shuffling along through the queue with Narcissa and Draco in tow, Lucius felt a sudden tug on his robes. He whirled, intending to curse whoever's grubby hands were wrinkling his fine clothing. Instead of shouting a curse, however, Lucius raised an eyebrow.

"Just saying farewell," Fleur said with a smile.

Lucius glanced over at Narcissa. She was busy with Draco, who was dragging her over to the remaining vendors, fully intending to stock up on every item being sold there. Looking back at Fleur, Lucius raised his eyebrow. "We have already said goodbye."

Fleur shrugged. "Perhaps, for now." She smiled and reached forward, giving Lucius's hand a brief squeeze. "Come to the tournament if your schedule permits." She looked at him evenly. "Or even if it doesn't."