Since that taxing evening, the members of the Court renewed their efforts to discover the secrets of the Founders' Room and the last Queen's Court. However, their main focus was on Morgana's story. The woman was vilified by history and that travesty would be corrected, but they would not portray her as a saint either. The woman would be shown as she was: a victim who became a monster. Nevertheless, the real story of the founders was their priority.

Professor McGonagall supervised in person the multiple visits Skeeter paid to the Sorting Hat. The reporter was overworking herself in an effort to have the book ready for the Yule Holidays - what a scandal it would be. This matter brought another concern to be sorted. Rita Skeeter was already a thorn in the side of the Death Eaters, but this book would turn her into a prime target, which meant she needed protection. With this in mind, Harry bought a quaint house in a Muggle neighbourhood. The wards were set in place and the woman would be soon relocated.

Harry Potter's musings were interrupted by the door being opened with excessive force and a furious Fleur stomping towards him. No one dared to intercept the girl for multiple reasons, the main one being that her training with Neville was successful, perhaps more than they were comfortable with. Through harrowing hours of practice, Fleur managed to achieve a partial transformation to the Veela's less attractive and much more dangerous appearance. While she was not able to grow wings yet, she could turn her skin into that fire-proof scaly exterior that her ancestors prided themselves on, and her dainty fingers into lethal claws. Considering this detail, the people in the room made the wise decision of looking from afar.

"Can you believe that woman?!" the girl exclaimed with a slight growl. "How dare she? But if she thinks that she will be safe then I will teach her."

"Hey, what happened?" Neville asked the girl, ignoring the alarmed looks he was receiving, but keeping himself out of claw radius while she grumbled intelligible curses under her breath.

"Maxime is what happened," Fleur snapped, taking a deep breath to control her anger. "She called Valerie and me to her office to tell us what the first task will consist of."

"While that might not be fair, but how is it different to Marcus giving us information?" asked a frowning Justin.

"Marcus gave us a general idea of the task because Harry said it would be boring if we knew all the details," Fleur began explaining while pacing around. "Besides, we already told Iwan and Valerie rejected our help multiple times. Maxime told us everything she knew about the task, including what creature we will end up confronting and what obstacles are in the way. While she doesn't have much information, she gave us a list of spells to practice that will earn us extra points... She kept Valerie in her office."

"I understand," Viktor sighed and approached the girl, who slumped once he put an arm around her shoulders. "That woman wants one of her champions to win, but she already has a favourite," he explained to the other members.

"She doesn't like anyone who is part Veela," Fleur muttered while clinging to Viktor. "She changed many of the school policies that were meant for our protection. While she is a half-breed herself, she disapproves of us and favours other students."

"So what will we do?" asked Neville, patting the girl in a comforting manner.

"That's obvious, my dear Mister Longbottom," answered a smirking Cedric, whose eyes acquired an uncharacteristic hard glint that surprised more than one. "As champions, it's normal to aid one another. Therefore, it will be no surprise that we are upset by the unfairness of Madam Maxime. I think Professor McGonagall will be furious, and that goes without mentioning our Minister," he said, smirking at his friends.

"Let's go to Flitwick, McGonagall is too passive," Harry sighed.

"Drink this," Flora ordered the still distressed French girl, handing her a vial that was consumed without hesitation.

"I'll contact Marcus," Luna commented in a dreamy tone. "That way he'll be ready."

Four champions walked towards the office of the Charms professors, filled with determination. While Fleur was gripping Viktor's arm with more strength than necessary, the boy did not complain and gave his silent support. Harry watched this interaction with amusement; the delicate French girl was anything but, and far stronger than anyone would give her credit for. He admired the Bulgarian's iron will to not complain when he was sure that bruises were already forming. The boy's attention was taken away by their arrival at Flitwick's office and he thanked Hogwarts for facilitating their trip through the school. Without further ado, he knocked on the door. They did not wait long until it was opened by a smiling teacher.

"Oh my, the champions are here, come on in," the man squeaked in excitement. "Do you need help with something? We can have a last-minute duelling practice!"

"Good evening, Professor," the four said, smiling at the man's antics.

"While I always appreciate the practice, I don't fancy being humiliated today," Harry answered with a smile while the group sat on the couches.

"Ah, such a shame," the man muttered. "I've acquired this book of spells that were created over the last few years. I'll lend it to you and I expect a few surprises for our next practice."

"Yes, sir, though we have a different reason for coming," Harry told the professor, who frowned when he noticed the distressed girl.

"How clumsy of me... May I inquire about what happened?" Filius asked Fleur, smiling at her.

"Madam Maxime called Valerie and me to her office," she began explaining, looking at her hands. "She told us what the first task will consist of."

With those words, the professor's eyes hardened, but he controlled himself before he could give the innocent girl the impression he was angry at her. Sighing, he flicked his wand and a small chest levitated towards them. The rich scent of chocolate filled the room and he offered a treat to the girl, who accepted it with eagerness.

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"I'll contact Madam Bones, so please, wait a few minutes."

He stood up and walked towards the fireplace, throwing in Floo powder and leaving the castle.

"That went better than expected," Cedric muttered, eyeing Fleur's treat.

"Madam Bones will use this as an excuse to keep the headmasters in the dark about the tasks," Harry commented, though he was frowning. "We'll have to convince them not to disqualify Fleur for the first task."

"I hadn't thought of that," admitted a scowling Viktor.

"I don't mind," Fleur shrugged. "It's not important either way."

"Do you want to compete?" Cedric asked the girl.

"Of course I do, but if I have to be disqualified for that woman to be punished then I don't mind."

"If you want to, then you will," Harry promised.

While they waited, Fleur offered a bite of her chocolatey treat to her friends, smacking Cedric for taking a large bite and then scowling at Viktor for not taking enough. Harry could only smile at the behaviour of the three supposed adults... Although, he was now also considered one, which brought many perks but it was still strange to think of himself as mature enough to assume all the responsibilities that adulthood conveyed. The flaring of the fire drew the attention of the bickering trio and their thoughtful companion. Professor Flitwick arrived, followed by Minister Bones and Marcus.

"Why is it always that, when something happens, you're involved in it?" Amelia asked Harry, a small smile stretching her lips at the boy's surprised expression.

"I have no idea what you mean, Madam," was his easy answer.

"Yes, yes, anyways. Let's get to the main matter, I'm a busy woman. Miss Delacour, can you tell us the exact information that was provided?" the woman questioned, taking a seat on the free couch.

"She mentioned an obstacle course, though she didn't give me much information about it," Fleur answered in an even tone. "She did tell us that we would confront a... Goose skunk?" the girl ended up almost asking the unfamiliar name of the creature.

"A goobsnark," Marcus corrected gently.

"That. She also gave us a list of spells that would grant us more points if we used them," she ended her explanation, handing the Minister a folded piece of parchment she retrieved from her robes.

"This is the list I gave the judges," muttered Amelia, glaring at the parchment.

"I'll take care of it," announced Marcus, much to the woman's relief, who nodded at him before he left through the Floo.

"Miss Delacour, may I know why you decided to report this incident?" Madam Bones asked.

"Because it is not only an unfair advantage over the other champions but the behaviour of the headmistress is unethical and a shame to Beauxbatons," Fleur answered, her eyes blazing with determination.

"Are you aware that we might disqualify you and your schoolmate from the first task?"

"Yes, I am," she said, meeting the woman's eyes without hesitation.

"Minister Bones, if you forgive my interruption," Professor Flitwick said, interrupting the fiery staring contest of the females. "Miss Delacour showed her integrity. I know it's too much to ask, but can you change a few details of the task? I'll personally help you to arrange it if you grant me this favour," the man promised, winking at his surprised students.

"There's no need," Amelia sighed, smiling at the people in front of her. "Marcus made a few backup plans in case of certain eventualities - it seems I owe him an apology for my merciless teasing regarding his paranoia. Miss Delacour will not be disqualified. However, I cannot promise the same regarding Miss Aguillon. We will give her until tomorrow night to tell one of the teachers. If she doesn't, then I fear she won't participate."

"Madam Bones, can't there be another punishment for Valerie?" asked a defeated Fleur, grimacing at her own words. "Perhaps she can have a point deduction, detention, or something similar. It would be cruel of me to be the only Beauxbatons representative," she said, surprising the two oldest people in the office.

"I promise nothing, but I'll keep your suggestions in mind," a confused Minister said. "I beg all of you to say nothing about what happened today. Marcus and I will sort the problem with the judges and Maxime."

"Miss Delacour, twenty points to Ravenclaw, for your honourable response and your loyalty to your friends," the professor declared, smiling at his students. "Go and rest now."

"Yes, Professor, thank you," Fleur gushed at the man.

"Have a good day," Harry said as a farewell and led his friends out of the office.

----------------------------------------

"They're an exemplary group," Amelia commented once the students left.

"Indeed," Filius agreed. "What will happen, then?"

"I'm not sure, but all the judges will be questioned under Veritaserum," the woman said with a tired sigh. "I will ask for another representative for Beauxbatons instead of the Headmistress. In any case, this gives me an excuse to have the nosey headmasters ousted from interfering in any aspect of the competition."

"So you chose other judges," the man concluded.

"Of course. It was ridiculous to have them in the position - conflict of interest and all that stuff."

"Ah, I always knew that you would have been a great Ravenclaw," the professor commented with an amused smile. "But after you sent Mister Smith to the infirmary with a broken nose and bruised unmentionables, I knew you were a Hufflepuff at heart," he chuckled, reminiscing on that particular incident years ago and making the woman blush in the process. "Susan's following in your footsteps."

"I received the letter from Professor Sprout," Amelia groaned, covering her face. "And I want to clear up that misunderstanding. Joseph thought it was a good idea to grope me and I taught him otherwise," the woman explained with a scowl. "Susan did it out of spite and the only reason she was given a second-degree detention is that none of the Hufflepuffs saw a single thing. Without witnesses, there is no crime. That doesn't mean that her comeuppance will disappear once she arrives home."

"Ah, I must agree with you. Minerva was amused, but Poppy and Pomona were quite livid, and I may have also been amused had the method been less violent. Mister Smith needed a wakeup call and I hope this is enough because it would break my heart to see him suffer the same losses as his father did to open his eyes."

"Professor Flitwick, the way you treat the students is the reason why you should be the next headmaster."

"No, thank you. There's far too much paperwork and not enough fun," the man said, wearing a kind smile. "I love teaching and I want to do that for the rest of my days."

"It's a shame, but do remember that if you ever change your mind I will support you," she commented in a candid tone. "I'll return to the Ministry now, poor Marcus is always doing more than necessary to help me, though I admit that without him I would have gone crazy already," Amelia confessed with a chuckle.

"Tell me if you need anything."

"I will. Have a good day, Professor."

The Minister walked to the fireplace and left the office. Filius could only smile at the woman who once was his student. Few would be able to understand, but teaching was perhaps one of the greatest honours that existed, not to mention the unparalleled pride that bloomed in one's chest when you saw your children grow up into marvellous people. The man smiled and went back to his desk, preparing his classes for the next week.