To: Sam

The Dungeons were so cold he could shiver, but embarrassment burned hot on in his face. Harry could feel his throat closing up even as the blood rushed up his neck, staining his face a violent shade of pink that would rival even the famous Weasley blush. His mouth opened but no words came out, just odd choking noises that only added to his embarrassment.

Fleur simply stood there, looking as beautiful as ever despite the angry look on her face. She had both hands on her hips, her long hair hung over one shoulder like a silken curtain, and her bright eyes sparked with annoyance. The parchment he had been carrying was scrunched in one hand, having been read and discarded.

"Vat eez the meaning of this 'arry?" she demanded, repeating the question that had closed his throat up in the first place.

"I- I- I-" he stuttered. His heart pounded, and there was an odd buzzing sound in his ears that he wasn't sure anyone else could hear. "Y-You weren't supposed to find out that way. I never meant for you to know, I- I just- I really like you."

"I don't know what passes for admiration een thees country 'arry Potter, but this," she shook the crumpled parchment at him, "this-"

Harry could feel himself getting smaller and smaller, just curling inwards in embarrassment and despair as his first real crush on an older, beautiful girl was ripped into small humiliating pieces. His tender, 14-year-old heart shrivelled, and he wished more than anything that the cold ground beneath his feet would open up and swallow him whole. Anywhere would be better than here.

"-this is very sweet."

Harry's head snapped up, and his eyes widened with shock. His cheeks still burned, but something akin to hope stirred in his stomach. Fleur looked down at him, tall as she was, and smiled lightly. It made his heart leap, and a smile tugged at his lips.

"Really?"

"Oui, you are very sweet to have written this about me. Your description of my eyes ees… particularly flattering," she said. "But we cannot be, dear 'arry."

It was obvious as his face fell, despite his attempts to hide it. The disappointment spread through him, but at least it lacked the sting of humiliation.

She took his hand and gently placed the carefully scripted love poem back in his palm. Harry watched her carefully, still unsure of what to say after the unexpected turn this encounter had taken. "I will remember you always, dear 'arry, but you are too young for me and I am too old for you."

It all seemed over,; his little heart was breaking, but he knew that it had been a pipe dream anyway. He nodded, awestruck at the softness of her skin on his hand. It was enough that he had gotten this chance, that he had found her alone, and even though he hadn't meant too, that he had confessed himself to her.

He didn't think it could get better, but before Fleur turned and stalked down the corridor and out of his love life forever, she sighed, bent at the waist and pressed a soft kiss to his still burning cheek.

Harry floated back to his dorm.

From: Mary