The Beginning of Something Good.

A/N: I have read a few stories concerning Harry and Fleur and while I am borrowing a few small ideas, the majority of this story is my own musings into what the relationship could be between them.

Chapter 1.

Harry Potter sat down by the lake in his favorite hiding spot, away from everyone who currently thought of him as the cheating fourth champion of the tri wizard championship. It had only been 24 hours since his name was withdrawn from the Goblet of Fire, but already he could feel the stress and the loneliness he was suffering from as a consequence of someone else putting his name in the goblet. Not even Ron, his best friend of 4 years had even believed him. That was what hurt him the most. Ron had always stood by his side and defended him when the whole school had turned their back on him for one reason or another, but Ron this time seemed to be one of the few Griffindores who were actually angry and Harry knew exactly why. He had always known that Ron was jealous to an extent of his fame, which he thought utterly ridiculous considering the cause of his initial fame and the consequences of that fateful night, mainly being brought up by his abusive muggle relatives. Ron however tended to look on Harry's life with rose tinted glasses. He did not see the suffering and torment that Harry went through, he did know how it was to have everyone staring at you and critiquing your every move. All he knew was his short sighted idea of the fame and glory that Harry had. Fame that Harry would gladly get rid of in a heart beat if he could and if it would result in the return of his parents.

Harry sighed as he shifted his thoughts from his for now ex best friend to glance over the lake. He wondered what else was going to happen this year to him to knock him over in some way. He hoped at last something good would happen to compensate for what seemed to be all the bad luck that always followed him in his shadow, just waiting to jump out and grab him. His thought and eyes shifted suddenly as he heard the snap of a twig behind him. Not knowing whether it was one of the few friends he had left, or whether it was Drako Malfoy, he quickly span around on the rock and produced his wand in a flash. He relaxed somewhat when he realized it was Fleur Delacour. He somehow knew that even though she had portrayed an outraged participant of the championship, she did not mean him harm today. He lowered his wand and smiled slightly and said "Hi Fleur."

Fleur had been startled with the speed that Harry had spun and produced his wand, but was immensely relieved when he lowered it as soon as he recognized her. She was quite ashamed of the way she had acted towards him Halloween night and once she had clamed down somewhat, she could sense nothing but honesty from him. "Hello Harry." She said quietly, not quite meeting his eyes as she stood there before him. Harry gestured to the rock and said "Take a seat." Fleur smiled and met his eyes for a moment and then walked closer and sat down next t him and they both looked out over the lake in silence for a moment. "I know what it is like, Harry." Fleur said quietly, still looking over at the lake's surface as Harry quickly glanced up at her in confusion. "I know how it is for people to judge who we are from what they have heard, rather than knowing the person within. I am half veela, Harry, as I guessed you know from the reaction of that boy you sat with the night we arrived at the castle. No one ever takes the time to know me either. They consider me as someone different. Someone to be stared at and talked about behind her back, someone who can't have feelings like the rest of them because I am so different."

Harry was stunned by her words. She did completely understand him, although from a slightly different perspective, her situation almost mirrored his. Veela were well known to ensnare the senses of men as witnessed during the quidditch world cup. He could very quickly see how no one would see past that stereotype that people had of her kind and knew she must also be very lonely and hid it with the arrogance and anger and contempt she showed the night of Halloween. Not knowing why his heart was hammering so hard in his chest, he reached out and took one of Fleur's hands in his. Her hand was so soft and small compared to his and the flesh a delicately creamy white that he found quite alluring. Fleur tensed up at the touch and quickly looked over at Harry, her eyes opened wide and her nostrils flared as if she was breathing in a scent. Harry just gazed back at her with his emerald green eyes, confused at her reaction and not sure what to do.

Fleur turned to him and moved nearer, verifying to herself what she already had, but just had to make sure. Harry sat there, as still as a statue, letting Fleur come closer to him, somehow not worried at all by her behavior. A certain peace had come over him as he held her hand and breathed in Fleur's own scent. "My god," Fleur breathed after a moment "You are the one, Harry."

Harry confused even more now and not understanding what she said "Yes I guess I am the one who understands more fully the lonely life you have led Fleur." He broke off though as he saw her smile and shake her head slightly. "No Harry, I was not talking about that. Do you know much about Veela?" Harry shook his head, a little bewildered by Fleur's question.

Fleur reached out and took his other hand into hers so they both held hands, facing each other. "Harry, Veela while having the ability to subdue men with their allure are very monogamous once they meet their fated mate. The one that they truly belong with and the pone they would spend the rest of their lives with. For this very reason, a lot of Veela often die alone and sad because their mate could be anywhere in the world. However, when they do met and they are close enough to each other, their scent identifies them to one another. Do you feel at peace with me now Harry, despite how you were feeling just before I came to see you?" Harry nodded silently as he processed this information, not sure what to think. He then said hesitantly "It is as if I am at complete peace and could stay with you here forever." Fleur smiled happily at Harry's comment and said softly "That is the sign for you, Harry. I however feel an overwhelming attraction to you, as if no other man or being could ever compare to you." Harry blushed at Fleur's words and was not sure what to say. "So, er, does this mean that I am fated to be your mate Fleur?" He asked shakily, his heart thumping even more now that he realized what the look in her eyes had changed to once she had smelled his scent. It was passion and longing. Harry was surprised to find though his own body reacting similarly, being attracted to her in a way he had never been to any girl before. It was not like the Veela enchantment, where he felt he needed to prove himself to her though, it was almost as if she was his other half and he knew he needed to be with her, to hold her and kiss her. Fleur's face took on a light glow as she blushed softly as she answered "Harry, you are under no obligation from me, if you choose not to, you do not have to. I only tell you this because I see some reaction from you as well. I only tell you this because I now know that you are the only one for me, but in the end it is your decision." Harry saw the fear in Fleur's eyes and understood she was scared that he would reject her, that he like most men would just assume this was some trick and push her away. His heart told him otherwise though and slowly, he brought her hands up to his lips and kissed them softly and kissing them softly, said "I could make no other choice Fleur; I too know you are the one for me. I could never hope to find someone who measures up to you in any way. Even though we have only just met, I feel so much more connected to you than anyone I have ever known." Seeing the hope in her eyes transform into happiness, he drew Fleur to him and they leaned forward, tilting their heads slightly and shared their first kiss.

It was everything that they both anticipated and so much more. Feelings like electric shocks ran through them from the contact of their lips and quite soon they had deepened the kiss and were kissing very passionately, Harry's arms wrapped about Fleur's waist, her hands locked about his neck and running through his hair. They finally, grudgingly, broke apart and pressed their foreheads together, looking deeply into each other's eyes. "We need to meet with out headmasters." Harry said simply and Fleur nodded and smiled, enjoying the intimate contact between them. It was quite a long time before they left their spot as they continued to explore each other's lips and tongues, but when they did, they walked hand in hand for the Great Hall as it was somewhat near dinner time, although neither had noticed the hours that had slipped by.