…Great Hall, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Fleur Delacour entered the Great Hall of the premier English school of magic. She had traveled to England expecting to be constantly disappointed. To her, the English were brash, uncouth and, worst of all, entitled. And she expected that the appearance of the Lady of the Lake in their Ministry of Magic would have only made them more so. Reading the English magical media had already proven that they had ignored that the reason the Lady had appeared was because the English had been prepared to commit a grave injustice against a muggle. She shuddered to think what would have become of the poor woman had she not been under the protection of the House of Potter.

For her personally, she was also not hopeful. She was a Veela. She belonged to a race of mono-gendered magical beings that were ethereally beautiful and surrounded by a magical aura that caused anyone with an attraction to women to become instantly infatuated with them. Most of the men she dealt with in her home country of France were of the French nobility and so had learned to control themselves (to a degree) around the Veela allure, but the English were known to become barbarians at a mere whiff of it. And no matter what had happened at the Quidditch World Cup, she was sure that she would spend much of her time in England fending off brutish suitors.

Oddly however, her night and morning had not been developing as she had expected. Hogwart's presentation during the opening ceremonies had been impressive and she was close enough and observant enough to notice that Harry Potter had come up with it in the time it took their Headmaster to finish his opening speech. She had not been in the Hall to see the phoenix and the Hogwarts Guardian, but she had seen the procession and the transfigurations had been mastery level. Or so she had heard from the teachers.

Then, following the opening ceremony, she had learned that for reasons she did not know, her and her fellow Beauxbatons students had been forced to sleep in the castle instead of their carriage. The carriage was more than large enough to sleep them all comfortably but instead they would have classes in the carriage and sleep in the castle. She had prepared herself for a drafty night surrounded by heavy scratchy blankets. Instead the rooms they had been given were very elegant and had been quite comfortable. The beds were soft, and the linens were of the highest quality. Her sister had even indulged in a bath that she insisted had been heavenly.

The surprises continued in the morning when her group had been met by a male and female prefect who had guided them from their rooms to the great hall, giving a charming tour of the school as they traveled. She would not dare speak it out loud, but in her heart where the truth dwelled, she had to admit that the castle was much more magical than her own school. The presentation the night before had included the Hogwarts Guardian welcoming them on behalf of the castle and she found that she would be unsurprised if it turned out the castle was actually alive.

They had met up with the students from Durmstrang outside the great hall at the end of their brief tour. They had a pair of prefects with them as well and when they entered the hall, they discovered two tables had been set aside for each of their schools. The Beauxbatons table was wonderfully French with table covers and individual chairs, instead of bench seating. There were even two well-dressed elves standing at each end of the table to offer service as needed. A glance at the Durmstrang table showed that it was also made to be welcoming to the culture of that school.

The possibility that the English would be good hosts had never crossed her mind, but they were. She glided to the table set for them with delight, deciding to give the English a chance. They had made great efforts to make her stay comfortable and even though she hadn't expected them to be good hosts, it was no excuse for her to be an inconsiderate guest. She promised herself to share her thoughts when Madame Maxime gathered them for morning classes. She knew the Headmistress would not countenance her students making a poor showing for their school.

She seated herself at the head of the table as she was the undisputed "queen" of the delegation and the student most likely to represent Beauxbatons in the tournament. The other 15 Veela that had come as well seated themselves at her end of the table with her sister seated the farthest away. Her attention was drawn to her friends when she finally understood their frantic whispering. She was struck dumb by what they were saying and was shocked that when she thought of it, that her friends were right.

While the Beauxbatons' delegation had 16 Veela students, neither of the prefects that had guided them through the school had batted an eye at any of them. That could be ignored with the assumption that the boy was gay, but her friends had rightly pointed out that none of the boys in the room seemed to be particularly affected by them. They were a group of gorgeous French blondes, so of course they got a lot of appreciative, and in some cases creepy, looks. But, none of the eyes contained the clouded adoration that they had expected.

Her closest friend (and rival), Chantelle, whispered that she had drifted near the Gryffindors, who were known the world over for their rashness and had barely earned a glance. Fleur quieted the group of girls and for the first time took an actual look around the large room. She once again had to appreciate the room she was in. It thrummed with magic and the enchanted ceiling was a true wonder. The stone floors had been ground and polished so perfectly as to be like the polished granite tiles that she was used to in her own school. The long tables were a rich dark wood that had patterns subtly inlaid into the grain representing the House they hosted.

She refocused and turned her attention to the students. For the first time taking a proper look at them. They were not arranged as strictly as had been described by all the books she had read. The Hufflepuff table seemed to be led by a boy in Gryffindor robes and the table had younger students from every house. The same was true for the Gryffindor table and the Slytherin table. The Ravenclaw table was completely empty except for book bags. A second viewing identified the leaders as the Prima Potentia heirs, which made sense to her, but even beyond them the boys that made up the school were oddly impressive to the man.

Then she looked on the girls and began to understand why her Veela nature had seemed to be ignored. At least 30 girls mixed around the school were beautiful enough to match her and her friends. And at least 5 of those actually caused her to feel deficient for the first time in her life. Then there was a girl at the Gryffindor table that Fleur thought may be a succubus under a glamour. It was not just that she was scandalously dressed in a skirt that did nothing to hide her red panties, but she radiated pure eroticism and sexuality even when standing still. The girl's aura of lust had to be magical in Fleur's opinion.

Part of the reason she was a leader in her school was because she was the most powerful of her kind there. Her control over her genetic magical gifts was second to none and her power when using them outstripped all the others. So she decided to investigate the odd phenomenon and rose. All the other girls nodded with eager expectation. For a group of girls that liked to complain regularly about the "trials" of being so beautiful, most of them seemed to need Fleur to put the world right again.

Fleur glided over to the Gryffindor and for the first time in her life, she didn't try to contain her allure and she moved to accentuate her beauty instead of trying to diminish it. She was surprised that the gasp came from her own table and that the Gryffindor table had only looked at her with a bit of confusion then recognition. Recognition created some excitement, but the infatuation and adoration, she had expected was absent. She glided near the "succubus" and then asked the closest boy, an intimidating red-head, "Pardon, but may I have some of your tea, I enjoy the English variety on occasion."

…Back at the Beauxbatons Table

Gabrielle Delacour did not know whether to groan in embarrassment or laugh hysterically. Her sister and her friends had almost been apoplectic when no one noticed them. It wasn't even fair to say no one noticed them. They were a group of gorgeous blonde girls. They were noticed. What had not happened was that no one had become blubbering fools. Something each of the girls swore they hated, but clearly missed now that it was gone. The girl wondered again how much of it was nurture and how much was nature because it wouldn't be long before she would emerge and she hoped she didn't turn into one of Fleur's friends.

Her sister was haughty and could be very bitchy if she chose but was generally circumspect about her nature as a Veela. So Gabrielle was surprised that it seemed like her sister had also taken it personally that none of the boys in the school were overly impressed by her. She had a feeling that even if Fleur unleashed her entire allure that she would fail to enthrall as many of the males as she would expect. She hoped that in the face of indifference her sister's temper did not cause her to do that as it would be a major international incident and would reflect very poorly against her kind.

The Veela conclave had already been in an uproar over the enclave of Veela that had decided to act as the mascots for the Bulgarian team at the Quidditch World cup. Not only had the girls acted down to every disparaging rumor, reputation and stereotype of Veela but they had been publically ignored in favor of a lone seventh year from Hogwarts. Gabrielle quickly looked up and down the table to find the girl in question. She thought it was hilarious and wanted the girl's autograph.

…Gryffindor Table, Great Hall, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Most people do not know, but only about 30% of beauty is determined by physical characteristics. It is lust and desire that is 90% determined by physicality. Beauty is determined by all of a person's senses. The primary ones like sight and hearing, but also the secondary and tertiary senses. The senses that pick up on confidence and grace, kindness and joy. They are the senses that cause a simple eye to seem to twinkle and a simple laugh to sound like a tinkling bell. Beings of love and infatuation, like the Veela are magically surrounded by an aura that taps into these senses, but that does not mean that they are the only ones that can express it.

The wizarding world before Harry Potter was prudish. Sexually liberal behind closed doors but repressed in public. Harry Potter had set that on its head. His status as a high noble, his presence as a powerful mage and his fame (both earned and unearned) had made him a cultural leader. And that had only been solidified when Neville Longbottom (another high noble) had done the same at the same time. That had been brought to Hogwarts and then exploited to its fullest by one muggleborn slave who thrived on exhibitionism.

In three years Karli and the other women of the Potter, Weasley and Longbottom circle had been a force of seduction, lust and beauty and it had spread like a virus through the school. By the time Fleur was gliding across the great hall, the students of Hogwarts had cured teenage awkwardness. Every girl dressed to her best ability and was comfortable in her own skin and body. Every boy was sure of who he was and what he wanted and, in both groups, all the points of insecurity and self-doubt when it came to sexual development had been sealed tighter than the many orifices that they had all explored on one another.

Worse for Fleur, she had set her sights on the core of the sun that was sexual freedom and exploration for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, so she was a bit taken aback when the red-headed boy opposite the suspected succubus said with a flourish, "Gentlemen, a fair damsel is in our midst. Guard your tongue, lest we insult her. She is a guest in our hallowed halls, and we dare not have her leave with a foul impression."

Daphne and Susan looked at each other and Susan made a gesture for Daphne to speak. "Sir Ronald, are we not damsels deserving of the same?" she said innocently though no one believed it. "My fair lady, you are no damsel, you are a Queen, a dangerous one that needs not protection from me." Ron said. Ginny jumped up then and demanded, "What of us?" and Ron turned to her as if prepared for her outburst. "You, dear sister, like all Gryffindor women are courted on a battlefield and it is more an insult to hold our tongue than to speak truthfully." All the Gryffindor girls banged their cup and yelled "Huzzah"

Daphne rolled her eyes and turned to a shell shocked Fleur. "Pardon this brute. He plays at having grace but forgot to even ask your name, before bloviating." Fleur, who had been to many diplomatic events with her father knew how to recover quickly, and replied, "I apologize, I should have introduced myself; I am Fleur Delacour." Before anyone could speak, Harry Potter addressed her. "Do not worry friends. She is family." That caused the table to become raucous again and Fleur looked at the boy-who-lived aghast.

Saving the confused girl, Susan explained, "I believe your aunt is Blanche of the Avignon Enclave, and she is in a relationship with the Alpha of Alphas of the Lycan Packs, who is a vassal of House of Potter, so Harry considers you family." Fleur was treading water trying to get her mind ahead of what was happening. As she had been taught she took a breath. Blanche was her mother's sister and Fleur knew she had mated with the Alpha of Alphas of the Lycans, but she wasn't knowledgeable about the intricacies of the English nobility and didn't know what vassalship meant in England.

Deciding that the girl, Susan, had not lied to her she decided to just flow with her basic understanding. "It is a pleasure, Lord Potter. My aunt speaks often of Lord Marauder and how happy he makes her." The table gave another cheer. Partially because Remus was known and liked at the school but also because he was a Gryffindor alum. Harry spoke, "Please, call me Harry. As I said we are family and if I allow these scoundrels to call me by my name it would be an injustice to not offer the same to you." He then turned and continued. "If I may. This is Sir Ronald Weasley. Friend, confidant, bodyguard and first of my Dragon Flames."

Fleur was sucked in by the gravitas of the table. She was introduced to everyone. Given the tea she had asked for and found herself "adopted" into the group. For a person who was used to controlling every interaction she had because of her beauty and popularity, it was odd to be so flustered. Then she found her cheeks flushing crimson when Seamus Finnegan declared. "Really, Potter. A Veela. You already have Karli." Before she could become indignant, her embarrassment was compounded when Sir Ron spoke up, "He is right. I think I shall court her. Veela's are creatures of fire. And the beauties of the fire element are mine to claim."

"Claim!" Fleur exclaimed in anger. "You dare!" In the face of her anger, the boy claiming to be knight barked out a laugh, "You see. Will and fire. None of you can deny such a lady is mine to seduce." Fleur's anger was once again stoked at the fact that all of the boys at the table nodded in agreement. Once again flustered, but now bolstered by her anger she rounded on the red-headed English brute, only to be stopped by the fact that he was in front of her.

She was derailed by the thought "How did he get in front of me, you cannot apparate in Hogwarts." Then his tone softened and he said, "I am sure I have not made a good first impression and that the thought of being courted by me, at the very least, irritates you. But I am a man that appreciates a challenge only slightly less than I appreciate someone with as much fire as you. Let us separate now, so you can think of the many hurtful ways you will reject me and I can think of the many ways I will overcome."

Fleur found her knuckles kissed gently and then she was sent on her way back to her own table, tea in hand. Even after arrival she could not get her feet under her. The same was true for all the Veela who had watched the entire confrontation in silent astonishment. All but one. Gabrielle Delacour was giggling and desperately trying to not break out in open laughter. Other members of the Beauxbatons delegation where not so circumspect causing a recovered Fleur to fume. Unfortunately for her, beneath her indignation was an interest in someone who was not only unbothered by her nature but wanted her for her "fire" and not her beauty.

…Office of the CEO, The Potter Group, LLP, London, UK

Justine Chambers was a trained nurse. She was actually very good at it and had served as a trauma nurse in one of England's most respected trauma center. But she had burned out after less than a year which led her to working at a small school in a small town where the most blood she was likely to see was on a scraped knee. Her world had obviously been thrown into madness since that decision and she was supremely happy for it.

Along with falling in love and being impregnated by a minor, she had discovered the world of magic and had found that where she had a trained skill in nursing, she was a natural at business. She was a hands on administrator that didn't like to micro manage, and had already turned the culture of Rover around in only three weeks.

First she had frozen all firing. She had given a speech to all the workers promising that everyone would keep their jobs, at least through the turbulent transition. To that extent she had promised re-training as necessary to guarantee that everyone would have a place in the new Rover Group. Since part of the new direction of the company was a complete overhaul of the engineering and manufacturing, that retraining would happen at the same time as the factories were to be retooled.

She had followed that by a series of departmental "mixers" where she got one on one time with the employee leadership groups of each department. It was a 9 day bonanza that saw her meeting with representatives from 9 Departments in 7 cities. And she had charmed them all. She was a gorgeous woman in a field that was primarily male and she had a skill at being charming and flirtatious and still garnering respect.

The white collar guys fell for her knowledge of car mechanics and engineering, while the blue collar guys found kinship with her vast number of tattoos that made her relatable to their middle class and lower middle class sensibilities. And, again, her well-fitting and only barely professional outfits and flirty smiles worked on them all equally.

They weren't only charmed by her lower necklines though, as she had come to them with financial plans that promised job security and comfortable wages for everyone, even the janitorial staff. The white collar staff had balked at her wage plan but she had won them over with a well defended presentation that showed that the extra cost to employment would be offset by better retention and that happy workers would reduce the influence of the labor unions.

They had been disappointed that she was, in fact, a supporter of labor unions but wanted to strike a balance where the leaders of those groups couldn't use unfair practices by the company to justify truly unreasonable demands. Normally, that might be a naive hope on both sides but her Harry was not beyond using mind magics on the self-serving.

At each location she had mingled with the larger work force. Separating from the "important" people and chatting with the regular worker. She even had a heartwarming conversation with a woman who had six children about her own first pregnancy, sharing some of her fears about motherhood. By the time she was back in her office, the entire company was in high spirits and hopeful that the uncertainty that had followed the company for nearly a decade was finally settling.

It was just in time because the selection of the Triwizard Champions was approaching where her Harry was going to be made to compete. Justine chuckled to herself at how little that worried her. Her lover, her master, her husband, her baby's father. He was part of a plot that would put him against a dark lord who had all but brought the English wizarding world to its knees and would have likely taken the world. But she knew he stood no chance against her beloved.

She shivered thinking of him and pulled herself together. She had a job to do. When it was time for Harry to make his announcements, she needed to be ready. She was not just the CEO of his acquired car company but she was also his liaison to the muggle world. Her majesty's government had done much to give Harry the opportunity to exist in both worlds without threatening the statute of secrecy and she would not fail him.

To that end she went back to planning the presentation of His Grace Duke Harry Potter that would be occurring at Buckingham Palace in a month. It was important for it to be big news but not so big as it was noticed too much by the other muggle governments. At least not until he legitimately became the richest man in both worlds. She was also arranging some land purchases with the help of the crown that would present him as a proper Muggle English noble.

Harry had considering buying Potter Castle in the muggle world but it would be too big for a "lost" duchy and bring the muggle and magical too close together. In the magical world his ambition was to be as close to royalty as possible, but in the muggle world he didn't want to threaten the existing nobility, so she was looking for a manor in south west England, but not too close to Potter Castle. She had found one in Bath and was waiting on Harry's approval.

She looked over a final document. One that brought amazement to her. Since Harry was still underage and his "rags to riches" story was already public knowledge, the Queen's brain trust decided to go with what had been speculated in the press and she was now a French cousin to the House of Potter and was a noble in her own right. A baroness. And the person that had found her lost relative. She never considered herself a gold digger or particularly enamored with wealth or nobility. But the power that Harry was pulling to himself was undeniably panty soaking.

…Great Hall, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

The students had been given three days to decide and enter their names into the Goblet and the hour had arrived to meet the competitors. Once again the students and press gathered into a transformed great hall. Anticipation was high and excitement was thick in the air. The three heads stood in front of the goblet, all with smiles. The heads of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang confident in their expected representatives and more so in their ability to win, Dumbledore's smile was because the day represented the beginning of the end of Harry Potter's impertinence.

The normal fire of the goblet turned to a magical blue and everyone fell into a hush, recognizing that the selection had begun. No speeches were given and instead everyone watched the blue fire. After 15 minutes the fire released sparks and a paper flew out, to be plucked from the air by Albus Dumbledore. He turned and smiled at Igor, before reading out. "The champion of Durmstrang is VICTOR KRUM". As one the entire Durmstrang contingent rose and gave a mighty stomp of their feet that resonated with magical amplification.

Meanwhile, whispers had broken out in the crowd. No one knew Victor Krum had traveled for the competition. Igor Karkoroff looked smug. He had hidden the boy for this moment. His student was an international Quiditch star and despite his loss at the World Cup, everyone acknowledged it was not his fault. He was also very powerful and was nearer to a Dark Arts Master than a seventh year student. The press where equally excited, which also made Igor smirk at the fact that his school had stolen some attention from the blowhard, Dumbledore.

Victor moved to the front of the room and gave his head master a short stiff bow before Dumbledore directed toward the antechamber where Lavender had redressed in her cassock and stood sentry. Victor's eyes narrowed at the girl. Her presence challenged him and he thought to make a statement about the weakness of Hogwarts to have a girl as a guardian, but decided it was not the time.

The crowd was still chattering when the flame started to spark again. Everyone became quiet and another folded paper leapt from the goblet. Dumbledore deftly caught it and opened it before turning to smile at Madame Maxime. "The champion of Beauxbatons is FLEUR DELACOUR". There was no unified exaltation, but all of the students of the French school cheered their champion. Fleur rose gracefully and moved toward the chamber guarded by the Hogwarts champion.

When the fire began to spark again, there was a palpable silence as the "home" team anxiously awaited their champion. The paper flew from the fire and, once again, Dumbledore ably caught it. He looked to each of his fellow heads with a smile bordering on a smirk before opening the paper. His smile dropped from his face and he was just able to prevent a scowl. His initial pause was thought to be an attempt to draw out the excitement but it lasted too long and grumbling began.

Caught publically, once again and unable to change what was about to happen, he put on an excited face and announced, "The champion of Hogwarts is RONALD WEASLEY". The name explained the headmaster's pause as it was mirrored in the student body for a moment before the entire room rose in celebration. Ron was exceedingly popular but was known to be very powerful. That the tournament happened when all the most powerful students were ineligible was a point of aggravation for the students but Ron had gotten around it and Hogwarts' student body was sure the cup would be theirs.

Ron's overblown attempts to woo Fleur Delacour, while already having 4 girlfriends, all of whom supported his efforts had made the visiting school's students aware of him. That he was the same person that killed Severus Snape and deflected a killing curse with a "club", increased the interest in him. But he was known to be a fourth year in a competition meant for seventh years confused them. He was clearly powerful, but power didn't mean knowledge.

Still the Hogwarts students seemed ecstatic and Ron strode purposely toward the front of the hall, gave a Harry Potter a high five on the way, and ended in front of Dumbledore who he gave a smirking bow, before heading for the antechamber. He even stole a kiss from the guardian before entering. The kiss caused another cheer and the entire school yelled "Huzzah".

Albus smiled inside at what was about to happen. He began to speak, "The champions have been chosen and…" he and everyone stopped when the fire started to spark again and spat out another paper. Despite his "surprise", Dumbledore plucked it out of the air. He looked at his fellow heads in trepidation and confusion, which they returned. He opened the paper and frowned. Then in a quiet and confused voice he said confusedly, "Harry Potter?"

Antechamber to the Great Hall, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Fleur Delacour had not stopped looking at the boy in shock. Sir Ronald, as he was always called when in her presence, was the Hogwarts champion. She refused to admit it but his brash charm had become amusing to her and the handsome warrior with a sense of humor vibe was definitely one she would appreciate normally. But he was too young and she was too stubborn to forgive that at their first meeting, he had dared to claim her.

Still she had investigated him and knew that his confidence and bravado was earned. He was a blooded warrior. He was reported to be fiercely loyal and protective of his liege and, if the more salacious rumors where to be believed, a voracious and capable lover. That the last came from his own prime lover only confused her more. She was outraged that he wanted to add her to his "harem" and fascinated by his apparent ability to keep them all happy. And there was the fact that her full Veela charm did nothing to him.

Now she was a bit worried. He was powerful, but was he knowledgeable. The tests were meant to magically exhaust them, which meant that to complete them would take cleverness and careful use of magic. Ron seemed like the type to just power through and she wasn't sure he had enough power to do that for the whole competition. But instead of concern for that, he was flirting with her. And doing a good job of it.

"My Lady, I must say that I am unsurprised, but still impressed by your selection. I am a simply man but I have an eye for amazing women." She refused to blush, but knew she failed at it. His words were meant to flatter, but his level of sincerity couldn't be faked. Then she heard Victor huff in disdain. From the moment she arrived, it was clear he thought her useless. Because she was a Veela, because she was a girl, both. She didn't know, but it irritated her that Victor was the type of boy she was meant to be attracted to. He was her age, strong, famous and wealthy. But he seemed to hold her ability in contempt while the "too young" boy was attracted not only to her beauty but her ability.

She would tell her sister of this, as she had shared all of her interactions. Even though her sister only would laugh at her. Gabrielle had advocated for him from the beginning and promised that if she didn't accept his charms, she would after she emerged. It was funny but Fleur had a feeling her "little" sister was serious.

Great Hall, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Albus Dumbledore had a blind spot when it came to Harry Potter. Or perhaps he had tunnel vision. When it came to the "savior" he could only focus on the boy. He especially could not see the actual repercussions of the House of Potter and just saw the ones he perceived. So, he was once again shocked that instead of distrust or accusation, the hall of Hogwarts students rose in cheering. The students from the other schools and the media representatives' first reaction had been in keeping with Dumbledore's expectation but were all confused by the Hogwarts student response.

In a rare moment of unpreparedness Harry Potter was also caught flatfooted. He was prepared to be trusted after he spoke, but was pleasantly surprised that he didn't need to say anything to have the near full support of his school. Still, he needed to take control of the press response and the cheering was distracting the headmaster and the two heads of the visiting school, so he took control.

He stood regally and raised his hands to call for attention. His cheering classmates quieted to hear what their hero had to say. None of them even considered he may have cheated. But none of them took the time to care how or why it had happened. Dumbledore had miscalculated because the Triwizard tournament and the goblet of fire was little known to the students, so they had no real reference as to what was supposed happen. What they did know was that Harry Potter was the most powerful amongst them and between him and Ron, the victory would be Hogwart's.

When the crown silenced to turn to Harry Potter who had moved to in front of Dumbledore, he began "Friends, while I appreciate your support, I fear that something may have gone wrong. I did not enter my name into this competition. As with my decision to step away from the position as Hogwart's guardian, so too would this competition distract from my responsibility to my family." Celebration turned to contemplation, which turned to realization, which turned to anger. Unfortunately for Dumbledore, the anger was not directed at Potter but at the system that would betray Harry's commitment to his family.

Dumbledore had regained his equilibrium, but it had been too late to stop Harry from addressing the spectators. Honestly, he had planned to intercede before Harry could speak, but with the unanimous support he was receiving, he doubted ushering the boy out of the hall would have worked anyway. He was caught flat footed again when the crowd turned to him with the distrust that he had expected to heaped on Potter.

What followed was a 10 minute forced investigation that discovered that the Goblet had been confounded to select Harry Potter as the sole student from a fourth school. A discovery that led to a bark of derision from Harry Potter, "as if my loyalty would be to any school but Hogwarts" which was followed by a "Huzzah" from the Gryffindors. It was also discovered that Harry was magically bound to compete.

That news was met with an explosion. The crowd was yelling, the press was screaming questions. Igor Karkoroff and Madame Maixime were screaming about the injustice of Hogwarts having two competitors. Dumbledore had gotten the chaos he wanted but none of it was focused on Harry Potter. In fact, he had worked so hard to make himself the "Lord" of Hogwarts hosting the tournament that much of the blame was beginning to turn towards him.

During the fourth explanation that the goblet had been confounded, Harry windlessly set of a "flash bang" which quieted everyone. "Friends there is a solution. It seems that despite my wishes, I am magically bound to compete in this tournament. There is nothing to be done about that but to step forward with honor and the pride of Gryffindor. However, it is unfair and dishonorable for Hogwarts to present two champions to this tournament while our honored guest present only one. "

The crowd grumbled in agreement. Albus Dumbledore had learned to be careful with his words. To no longer assume that the public would respond as he wished and so didn't interrupt Harry as he spoke. Setting himself against the boy in the moment would undo whatever gains he had made leading up to the tournament. And the boy had already acknowledged that he would participate in the tournament, which meant that his main plan was still on track.

"The goblet only binds the participants. Its effect on the competition is now done. So I say we charge Headmaster Karkoroff and Headmistress Maxime to choose a second student to also compete. That they will be allowed to choose their second competitor and Hogwarts is stuck with me seems an appropriate advantage to give in recompense for this slight. Dumbledore desperately wanted to speak. He did not want Harry to end the year a hero, but that was already a lost cause. Turning the public against him after the events of the night would be impossible, so he leaned in begrudgingly.

"That is an excellent suggestion, my boy." Dumbledore spoke up. He turned to engage Madam Maxime and Karkoroff, but was interrupted by Harry saying, "Please Headmaster, I have asked before that you not address me so informally." It had been a reflexive action to speak as he did, but he was forced to hold his tongue and bury his outrage at being chastised, BY A STUDENT, in public. Instead he gave a curt nod and moved to discuss the situation with the other two heads.

Antechamber to the Great Hall, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

The excitement was over for the moment though the next day's papers would only re-ignite debate. Still the antechamber now held six students. Madame Maxime had selected Chantelle as her second competitor. The girl was a rival to Fleur, but that was not just in beauty, she was the second best student at the academy. Contrarily, Igor had chosen a young man named Andrei Dotchev. Andrei was a sycophant and had been charged to do everything in his power to aid Victor in achieving a victory.

Harry stood next to Ron who had Fleur on his other side. He was smirking because when they all re-entered the antechamber after the "excitement", she had moved to stand next to him. Ron was not sure she realized she had done it until she noticed his smirk and was left fuming. Chantelle did not know the reason for the smirk but enjoyed her rival's annoyance and so smirked as well, which only further infuriated the original French champion.

All the students were made to pay attention when the seventh task was explained to them. Madame Maxime was a potions mistress so it was her who explained. "A room has been set up for each of you. It is warded so that only you may enter and will serve as your preparation area. You can use it for any purpose you desire, including sleep if you prefer not to be distracted by your fellow students. Within your room is a potion's laboratory and there you will be asked to brew the Felix Felicis potion."

All the competitors looked at each other. They all knew the potion, it was one of the most famous in the wizarding world. One dose would ensure that you had the luckiest day of your life. But it took six months of precise effort to brew and one error would turn it into a deadly poison. A poison that looked like a perfectly brewed potion. Once you completed the first infusion, no matter what you did the potion would maintain a syrupy consistency and glow gold.

"The rooms will be monitored every hour of the day" the headmistress continued "by wards, charms and a dedicated house elf. No one but you may enter the potions area and you may not use your final potion. Not only must it be checked, lest you kill yourself, but the potion is forbidden from use in the final event. " The tall woman finished.

After that they were led out of the antechamber into the hallway. As they passed the massive doors to the great hall, noise could still be heard as the three schools celebrated their chosen champions and the press conducted interviews and delivered reports through the wizarding wireless. Harry shared a smirk with Ron when their keen hearing picked up on the beginnings of a betting pool that had them pitted against one another.

The six students were led to a hallway on the third floor that Harry and Ron recognized as the location of the room that once held fluffy. The castle's ability to re-arrange itself as necessary was very impressive. The hallway now had six doors along one side. Each door had a gold plaque with the name of one of the competitors.

After keying them each into their rooms, each head took their two students to the side and offered them some last words of encouragement. Dumbledore looked at Harry and Ron and said little more than "good luck". They smiled as he walked off. Clearly the evening had caused him to be unable to maintain his grandfather façade.

Hall of Champions, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

30 minutes had passed since she had been keyed to her room and, once again, Fleur had to admit that she had been incorrect in her assumptions about what her experience would be while visiting England. Her room was just the latest. The room was richly decorated and offered a bedroom, sitting room, bathroom, practice area and, of course, a potions room.

According to the rules, as explained by Madame Maxime, she could entertain guest in her apartments, but the potions room was restricted just to her. Unsurprisingly, the potion room was one of the best she had ever seen. It had all the best potioning ingredients and equipment, but she also recognized a muggle influence. There was a shower in the corner and a ventilation hood over her work area. "Very nice" she thought.

She returned to her main room and prepared to settle in when there was a knock at her door. She moved to the door wondering who would visit her. She didn't think Chantelle would as the girl had already become smug at her opportunity to show she was the better of the two of them. And she didn't think Gabrielle could find her until she brought her for visit. She opened the door and looked up into the smiling face of Ronald Weasley.

"Sir Ronald?" Fleur said. She should not have been surprised at his presence with his insistence on "courting" her. He smirked at her slip of the tongue as she normally refused to call him "Sir" and play into his pathetic attempts at chivalry. She refused to admit how often those attempts caused her to either smile or blush. "My Lady" Ron said, "I have come to ask you if you would accompany me on a walk through the gardens. I imagine or lives will soon become hectic and it may be our last opportunity for calm."

It was not a bad idea. He was right that with the beginning of the tournament she was about to have precious few moments of peace of tranquility. But she was unsure if she wanted to spend that time brushing off "Sir Ronald's" attempts to woo her. She cringed in her mind at her unfair thought. Ron was persistent but he was not pushy and he definitely wasn't blubbering. In truth, he was one of the few men she had ever been able to deal with so intimately with normality.

She finally noticed that behind him was one of his girlfriends. Lavender. Fleur never imagined herself in a polyamorous relationship but she was a Veela so it was not something she was bothered by. Like most Veela, she was bisexual, but it was rare for them to find themselves in a multiple relationship unless the other members were also Veela. And it was a rare man (or woman) that could attract multiple of her kind. That all of Ron's girlfriends were as beautiful as she was and also not intimidated by her in the slightest was another in a growing list of things that was causing his charm offensive to work.

"You remember my first love, and guardian of Hogwarts." Ron said gesturing to the other blonde. "She has agreed to be our chaperone. We Englishmen do not have the best reputation and I wanted you assured that your virtue was safe in my hands." Fleur shivered in response to his words. That was the other problem. Ron was ruggedly handsome and behind his chivalry and kind eyes was a power and confidence that chipped away at her attempts to hold on to her initial anger at him claiming her. Especially since his bold claim only added to the power he projected.

She was normally very stubborn. And that part of her brain began to deny him but was shouted down by her romantic side, her sexual side and a host emotions that were tired of stubbornness getting in the way. So she sighed and said, "I would be delighted Sir Ronald. And thank you Guardian Brown, my virtue truly appreciates it." Both Ron and Lavender beamed beautiful smiles at her and she felt a flutter of desire in her stomach at how attractive they both were.

…Grounds of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

At the same time as the more bold and boisterous seduction, a more subtle one was occurring. After leaving her students, Madame Maxime headed back to her school's carriage to make preparations for the following day's classes. She had only brought around 40 students with her so had taken on the responsibility to be their teacher while away from the school. She enjoyed teaching and was more than capable of continuing her student's instruction in all their subjects.

On her way she ran into Rubeus Hagrid, the one person she had wished to avoid. As was the case with people like her, she instantly knew that he was half giant and she was sure he knew the same about her. It was not something she advertised and, in fact she worked hard to turn a seemingly obvious observation into a rumor that shouldn't be shared in polite company. But professor Hagrid gave her pause and it was a pause she didn't want to have or deal with.

In her experience most half giants had too much of the giant instincts. So they were generally unkempt, inarticulate and clumsy. Professor Hagrid, on the other hand, was swarthy and carried himself with power and control. In her younger years when she hoped to meet a fellow half giant that had the same upbringing as hers, he was exactly what she had hoped to find in the world. Unfortunately, it was many years later and she had developed a bit of shame about her ancestry.

Her distracted thoughts brought her too close to him and he turned and said, "Good evening Headmistress, lovely night we are having." She looked at him warily trying to search from some form of accusation in his tone. Giants were known to enjoy the outdoors and she wondered if his comment on the night was alluding to that. She calmed her paranoia and acknowledged that it was, indeed, a beautiful fall evening.

"May I escort you to your carriage?" He asked and she bristled, her paranoia once again rising to the surface. She took a breath. She was a very powerful witch. She doubted she could defeat Albus Dumbledore but he would have to work for his victory, so she had little to fear from the man before her. She was even able to recognize his charm through her fearful brain. Deciding it would not hurt to get a better understanding of the man and his motivations she allowed him to accompany her.

He did not speak about what they both knew to be true about each other, and instead asked her about her school and the joys and disappointments she found in teaching. He revealed that it was his first year as a professor and that he had surprised himself at how much he enjoyed it. It was an hour before she realized that they had reached her carriage long ago and were just talking outside under the cloudless sky.

Olympe, which is what she invited him to call her, eventually was the first to crack on the subject that she had early desperately wanted to avoid. "Did you always know you were a half-giant?" she asked, surprising herself. He was so polished that she had felt a kinship with him. She found herself wanting to know if he had the same challenges growing up a half giant and fighting the urges to be "less that civilized".

He chuckled at her and said, "I am surprised, it was pretty obvious you didn't want to talk about that." Even before his re-birth Rubeus Hagrid was a very empathetic and insightful man. He had a caring soul that looked carefully at others and cared about them, even if he did not know them. Olympe was surprised, she hadn't thought she had given any outward indication that she didn't want to talk about herself in that way.

Rubeus chuckled again and answered her body language. "It is very clear if you know what to look for, but do not worry I doubt anyone pays enough attention to notice." Then his face turned melancholy before turning to a bright smile. "I don't think my story is the one you want to hear. I wasn't born in privilege. I wasn't raised to be proper and in fact if you had met me even a year ago, I would probably offend you sensibilities."

She wanted to be offended but knew what he was talking about and figured he was right. But now she was curious about what could turn a man from the typical half giants she had met to the charming handsome man that stood before her. Once again showing his ability to read her like an open book, something which impressed and terrified her in equal measure, he warned "It isn't a happy tail until the very end, but if you're willing it is a very happy ending."

Already caught in the grasp of his smooth baritone voice, she just nodded. He told her his entire life story. From his childhood in a simply village to the abandonment of his mother. His time at Hogwarts. Accusations against him and expulsion. And decades of Alcoholism and depression. It truly was a sad tale interspaced with too few moments of happiness. Then he spoke of Mytsi and how she healed him. And then Amelia and finally Rosmerta.

Olympe listened with rapt attention, spellbound by his words. She ignored the spike of jealousy she felt when he began speaking about Mysti and the incredulousness that he was the man that was dating the 600 year old vampiress and the English Minister of Magic. His half-giant status had not been mentioned in the newspapers she had read. She found herself desperate to ask about the workings of a polyamorous relationship as England's explosion of them fascinated her.

Before he could answer the question he saw on her face, a black smoke coalesced into the form of a short but clearly powerful woman. Olympe jumped at the appearance of the famous vampire. When the woman looked at her then to Rubeus, Olympe had a shiver run down her back. "Ooh Ruby, have you found another beauty to join your clan." It was clear to all what Mytsi meant and Rubeus answered her chidingly, "Be nice Mytsi, she is very charming but is a bit shell shocked at all the details of my story."

He then turned to her and took her hand. He kissed the back of her hand and said, "It's time for me to leave but I want you to know I am interested. You are beautiful and a joy to speak to and with fear of upsetting you, I must admit that my nature does call out for you. Be well Olympe, I will see you in the morning." She would not remember later that she wished him a goodnight because of all her confused feelings but she did and he turned and left.

…The Seventh Task of the TriWizard Tournament

Victor Krum

Victor Krum was an asshole. Every terrible stereotype associated with an overly talented jock applied to him. He was selfish, narcissistic, entitled and a whole host of terrible character and personality traits. What made it worse was that he was not only an athlete of legendary skill, he had an intelligence to match. The list of the victims of his bullying, both physical and verbal, that wished for him to fail at something is tragically long. And the absolute joy they took in him losing in the world cup was unexplainable.

The boy who was the TriWizard champion for Durmstrang Academy had taken that loss with absolutely no dignity. It had not been reported but the violence he had unleashed on his teammates after the defeat had led to him being kicked off the national team. Fans and sponsors were lobbying to reduce that to a suspension and it was gaining momentum as it was becoming more and more clear that none of the other members of the team would be returning anyway.

It went without saying that he intended to win the TriWizard Tournament. He didn't even care that three additional students had been added. His desire, his need to win was absolute and failure would not be tolerated. To that end he had begun to work on his potion immediately after gaining access to his room. Part of participation in the tournament was that he was excused from any class he chose. He planned to attend none.

He moved to his belongings that had been delivered to the room and unpacked his portable library. He was very intelligent and where some would have hoped he would have gone off half-cocked and failed even before he started, that would not be the case for Victor Krum. He was an asshole but he was also well chosen by the goblet and undeniably gave Durmstrang the best opportunity to win.

His one flaw was that Victor Krum had no imagination or creativity. But he did have a deep and abiding respect for those who did. For example, he knew everything about Josef Wronski, the polish inventor of the Wronski Feint. Not only did he know the man's history, but he knew everything about the development of the move. For Wronski, it was instinctual artistry but for Victor it was arithmancy. And because he had broken it down thoroughly, he was able to do a feint that would make the originator proud.

In the same vein he looked to understand the creation that was the Felix Felicis through its inventor, Zygmunt Budge. And everything about the process the man used to develop it. Once it was an equation, then he knew he would be able to produce the absolute best version of it ever.

Andrei Dotchev

Victor Krum doubted anyone else was taking the competition as seriously as he was. He was wrong and would have been truly surprised that one of the other persons applying early focus to the potions part of the tournament was his own "teammate", Andrei Dotchev. In a school where the Headmaster's favorite bullied everyone, it was unsurprising that neither Victor nor Igor had any real remembrance of Andrei. That was made truer because Andrei had purposely made himself forgettable.

Andrei was a talented young man. His magic was strong and his intelligence was high. He was easily in the top 5 students of his school. But he was one of the most ardent haters of Victor Krum. He was also one of the few trying to do something about it. All of his skill and achievement at the school was due to a singular focus on reaching and then beating the bastard. Knowing the headmaster would never offer support to someone who wanted to challenge his favorite, Andrei had remade himself into a sycophant.

Because of that he was given the same access as Victor and was present for all the additional lessons and training. He even had a front row seat to Victor's glorious loss in the World Cup. He still shivered in joy at the giant stadium screaming in joy at his defeat. The reason for the hate was because of Monica. She had been his close friend and a girl he had a massive crush on. She, of course, wanted the Quidditch star. She had gotten him. Then he got bored. And then he "shared" her with his friends. He lost his dearest friend and he wanted Victor to lose too.

Like his hated "teammate" Andrei turned to his books. He was one of the few who came prepared to possibly be the champion. All his other schoolmates were the sycophants he pretended to be and just accepted that it would go to Victor. That it actually did, only drove Andrei more. Thoughts of Monica in his head. He had finally had a go at her as one of Victor's friends but she was not the same. He wanted to make love to her to steel her away. But she just wanted a fuck. "Damn Victor"

Andrei believed his key to victory would be his tools. He expected his competitors to stop at the first page and choose the equipment that would impact their potion the least. But to him, that was a novices approach to potions. He would examine each ingredient and figure out the exact material he should use to prepare them. A silver knife vs a gold knife or a gray marble pestle vs a black marble one. Before he started he would map out the entire process and have every tool prepared to perfectly mix his ingredients.

Fleur Delacour

The last thing on her mind when she returned from her stroll with Sir Ronald Weasley was the Triwizard Tournament and definitely not the potion she would have to brew. It was not that she didn't care about it or had become more concerned with a boy. It was simply that she understood pacing. She could not crack the entire thing that night and it was best to start these things with a rested mind and body. That was why she had allowed herself to be taken on a walk.

Sir Ronald had been right that it would be, likely, their last night of peace and she thought that it would help calm her spirit after the excitement that had occurred during the selection. Truthfully, however, her time with the "Redheaded brute" had been wonderful. Ron's charm left her off-guard. He acted the perfect storybook knight but it was clear to all that he did so with sarcasm, though the sarcasm was oddly respectful of a childlike view of chivalry. He had a bawdy sense of humor but was skilled at walking the line between being risqué and offensive.

His most admirable skill was that he had managed to entertain both her and his girlfriend on their walk. She never imagined she could find herself being flirted with at the same time as another woman by the same man and feel no irritation. Not once did she feel ignored or that his attention was on her too little. Sir Ron had truly impressed her. She had also been charmed (and flirted with) by his "fair lady" and by the time they returned her to her rooms, she felt as if she was being courted (successfully) by both of them.

She still viewed it as harmless fun though. As with most Veela, she was bisexual and could see herself with either of them but to join Ron's harem fit too closely with the reputation Veela held for lacking sexual control and living lives overcome by lust and indecency. Still it was hard to ignore the warmth and comfort she felt talking with them while they showed her the grounds of their school.

When she finally settled in bed and had her final thought about Sir Ron and what she would tell her sister about him in the morning, she crossed her legs and slipped into meditation to plan how she would attack the tournament. Her plans for the potion would be developed in the morning when she had a clear head but she took the time to look over the entire tournament, review what she had been told and come up with general ideas that she would investigate later. Her greatest concern was managing her magical reserves to avoid dangerous magical exhaustion.

Chantelle Segal

It is very rare for a Veela to have self-esteem issues. They are beings of beauty and they know it. Any moment where they may doubt themselves is immediately followed by a moment when a man or woman, entranced by their beauty or grace is prepared to remind them of how wonderful they are. The fact that their beauty never fades only adds to the confidence that surround them. There is typically only one Veela in any group that could be burdened by insecurity. And that is the position of the second.

Veela are all ethereally beautiful but that does not mean that when grouped together that some are not more beautiful than others. By some twist of magical fate. The most beautiful a Veela is, the more she has of every other "attractive" quality. So the most beautiful Veela is also the most powerful, the most intelligent, the most charismatic, the most everything. So for Chantelle who was the most beautiful of her generation in her Enclave to arrive at Beauxbatons and slip into the position of the second most beautiful had been a blow.

She had not taken it lying down. She had pushed herself to try and knock Fleur from her pedestal. Something that was possible since a Veela could increase her beauty by becoming smarter or more charming or improving herself in any way. But no matter what she did, Fleur remained ahead of her. And so when Fleur had been chosen ahead of her to represent Beauxbatons, she had not been surprised but she had been hurt by yet another confirmation that she was not the most beautiful.

"But fate has sided with me." She thought to herself as she settled into her rooms. Like Andrei, she intended to grasp this opportunity with both hands. If she defeated Fleur her beauty would rise and Fleur's would diminish and she would be where she had always belonged. She had been living in a haze of unfulfilled promises for seven years and she had the opportunity to return to her enclave as the most beautiful Veela of her generation.

Despite everyone "knowing" who would be selected, Madame Maxime had insisted that all her ladies pack as if they would be selected and had personally inspected each girl's luggage. So Chantelle had been deep into her books almost as soon as her headmistress had dismissed her. Her focus was on the ingredients. She wanted to make sure that she was able to separate out the best portions of each ingredient. She believed that would be her key to victory. Perfect portions meant no impurities which meant a perfect potion.

Ron Weasley

After returning from his walk with Fleur, Ron and Lavender returned to the Room of Requirement and released all the sexual tension the Veela beauty had built in them on the rest of their lovers.

Harry Potter

Harry Potter fucked his girls.