In The Shadows² ★ Draco Malfoy

*O.W.L results

Briar had been making frequent visits to the Burrow now that she had her werewolf side under control, and when Mrs Weasley informed her Harry would be visiting soon, Briar decided to stay with them for a while too

She and Ginny were of course sharing a room, and when they woke up they found Fleur and Mrs Weasley in the kitchen preparing a breakfast tray for Harry

Ginny and Hermione hadn't really taken a liking to having Fleur around, but Briar and Fleur were very close because of their lessons for the Order and Briar liked having another veela around so she felt less out of place

But Briar knew Ginny was unhappy dealing with Fleur all day, so she was quick to suggest that the pair head up and see Harry, who was in the twin's room and when they came in Ron and Hermione were already there

"He can't be worse than Umbridge, can he?" They heard Harry saying

"I know someone who's worse than Umbridge," Ginny said as they walked in "Hi, Harry."

"Hey, Harry" 

"What's up with you?" Ron asked.

"What do you think?" Briar grinned

"It's her," said Ginny, plonking herself down on Harry's bed. "She's driving me mad." 

"What's she done now?" asked Hermione sympathetically. 

"It's the way she talks to me - you'd think I was about three!" Ginny complained

"I know," said Hermione "She's so full of herself."

"You just don't like that she's also my friend" Briar chuckled

"I should be your only friend!" Ginny joked

"And me," Hermione added

"Can't you two lay off her for five seconds?" Ron said angrily 

"Oh, that's right, defend her," snapped Ginny. "We all know you can't get enough of her." 

"Who are you - ?"

The bedroom door flew open again, and Harry instinctively yanked the bedcovers up to his chin so hard that Hermione and Ginny slid off the bed onto the floor. Fleur stood in door, tall and willowy with long blonde hair and she appeared to emanate a faint, silvery glow. To complete this vision of perfection, she was carrying a heavily laden breakfast tray. 

" 'Arry," she said in a throaty voice. "Eet 'as been too long!" As she swept over the threshold toward him, Mrs. Weasley was revealed, bobbing along in her wake, looking rather cross. 

"There was no need to bring up the tray, I was just about to do it myself!" 

"Eet was no trouble," said Fleur Delacour, setting the tray across Harry's knees and then swooping to kiss him on each cheek "I 'ave been longing to see 'im. You remember my seester, Gabrielle? She never stops talking about 'Arry Potter.She will be delighted to see you again." 

"Oh...is she here too?" Harry croaked. 

"No, no, silly boy," said Fleur with a tinkling laugh, "I mean next summer, when we - but do you not know?" 

Her great blue eyes widened and she looked reproachfully at Mrs. Weasley, who said, "We hadn't got around to telling him yet." 

Fleur turned back to Harry, swinging her silvery sheet of hair so that it whipped Mrs. Weasley across the face. "Bill and I are going to be married!"

"And I'm best maid!" Briar grinned and the other half veela affectionately placed a hand on Briar's shoulder 

"Oh," said Harry blankly. "Wow. Er - congratulations!"