Blush | Fleur Delacour

                                    

                                          



 Beauxbatons was beautiful in the early summer; it was warm with a cool breeze. Your favourite activity was to explore the castle after curfew- there was always something new to find, a new hallway with beautiful paintings to walk down. Even after years of attending, the castle's ornate golden decor, high ceilings, and astounding chandeliers never ceased to take your breath away. 
                          
    But your favourite activity by far was sneaking off the castle grounds with your best friend Fleur and to the small lake by the school. Fleur loved sneaking out and breaking the rules. She'd been Madame Maxime's favourite pupil from the day she stepped into the school, so there was a heavyweight on her shoulders to be successful; so she seized every chance of freedom she could get. That's why she'd waken you up in the middle of the night to go for a swim. Sneaking off the grounds was no easy task if you were caught- you'd be given a month of detention, but the payoff was worth it. 
                          
    The moon reflected brightly off the lake- the surrounding mountains made you feel as though you were in a fairytale, the scene was breathtaking, but not as much as Fleur was. The moon shone brightly against her pale skin as she slipped out of her blue silk school uniform, your breath hitching as the fabric revealed her bathing suit, she tied her hair up with the blue ribbon before turning her head to see you fully clothed, "Why are you still wearing your clothes?"
                          
      You let out a nervous chuckle and kicked off your shoes, the soft grass tickling your feet as you shimmied out of your skirt. 
                          
    "Let's jump together," Fleur held your hand and started counting down- when she reached three you both ran towards the water and jumped, causing a big splash around you. You felt the cold shock your body, but it was a welcomed relief from the summer heat. You swam up to surface where Fleur was waiting for you, "Took you long enough, I was starting to get worried."
                          
    You brushed away the hair from your face, "I didn't know it was a race, because we both know I could beat you in one," you smirked, you knew Fleur's competitive habits would never back down from a challenge.
                          
    "Is that so? Well then, let's race to the other side of the lake. Loser has to do the winner's potions essay," You nodded, and you expected Fleur to start a countdown, but she suddenly started swimming.
                          
    "Hey, that's not fair!" you tried to catch up to her, but it was pointless. Even if you had a fair chance, Fleur still would've beat you. You pulled yourself up onto the grass, collapsing next to Fleur. That did not go according to plan, not that you knew what you were trying to do in the first place, but it certainly wasn't doing Fleur's potions essay. 
                          
    "Aw, poor Y/n. Here, have a consolation prize," Fleur giggled, placing a soft kiss on your cheek. Your voice was trapped in your throat- your cheeks were suddenly warm from the contact- there were no coherent thoughts in your mind.
                          
    You cleared your throat, sitting up and squeezing the water out of your hair, "Thank you," you whispered timidly.
                          
    Fleur was puzzled by your actions, she was a very affectionate person, so why were you suddenly uncomfortable by her? "I always kiss you on the cheek, why are you blushing now?"
                          
    "I'm not blushing, I'm just out of breath," You twirl a piece of grass with your fingers. No matter how much you tried to act normally, you couldn't, not after feeling her lips on your skin and wishing for more. But that couldn't happen because Fleur was your best friend. 
                          
    "Then why won't you look me in the eye?"
                          
    You looked at her to prove that there was nothing wrong; her soft eyes were scanning your face for an answer. Had she crossed a line? She never thought about the possibility of her affection making you uncomfortable, "there's nothing wrong, Fleur. Seriously."
                          
    "If you are bothered by my actions, all you need to do is tell me, and I'll stop."
                          
    "That's not it," you paused before you blurted something out. What were you supposed to tell her? That you'd been in love with her since the day you met?
                          
    "Then what's wrong, you can tell me, mon amie. We're best friends," friends. You were friends; you winced at the word. 
                          
    "Of course, I blush, Fleur! What else can I do when your eyes are so blue and your voice so soft? My heart does summersaults at the mention of your name, but you smile at me the way friends do, and I'm a mess because you have no idea I feel this way."
                          
    The confession was a weight off your chest, but the look on Fleur's face filled you with dread. You should have never said anything, you quickly stood up to get your clothes on the other side of the lake, "We should go back before someone notices we left."
                          
    You quickened your pace before Fleur had a chance to talk, you couldn't handle the rejection right now, not after you'd let yourself be so vulnerable. 
                          
    Fleur caught up to you, grabbing onto your wrist to make you face her, "Y/n-,"
                          
    "I can't. I know you only see me as a friend. I shouldn't have said anything. Can we just forget about this, Fleur? Please?" your cheeks were streaked with tears.
                          
    "What if I don't want to forget?" You looked at her with your mouth slightly agape, she held both of your hands and pulled you closer, "You said that I look at you as a friend, but to me, you are the most beautiful person in the world."
                          
    "Fleur, I-."
                          
    "I love you, Y/n," Fleur kissed your cheek and whispered into your ear, "Never doubt that." 
                          
    You were blushing once more, "I won't," You gushed, walking hand in hand back to the castle.