"Oh, 'Arry! Are you 'aving breakfast in ze village as well?" Fleur asked. The rest of her classmates turned to look at who she was talking to. Fleur waved him over. "You 'ave been to zis village many times before, yes? We would like to sample ze local cuisine. Do you 'ave a favourite restaurant?"
"Three Broomsticks," Harry answered immediately. There were only two restaurants, and one tea shop. He certainly wasn't going to lead these students into the Hog's Head. "Hogsmeade isn't a very big village, I have to warn you. There isn't much selection." Seeing the questioning looks on the faces of some of the students, he quickly added, "But I'm not saying it's bad. Far from it. I love coming out to Hogsmeade and eating there when I can, but you'll find that everyone goes to the Three Broomsticks as well."
"Zen we should 'urry, if it gets as crowded as you say, non?" Fleur smiled and translated for the few who couldn't follow the conversation. They all seemed to agree on Harry's suggestion, and sped up to a brisk walk.
Harry led the way through the village. When a few of the Beauxbatons girls seemed to express some curiosity as they passed Madame Puddifoot's, he quickly urged them onwards. He didn't want to get caught inside that shop, especially not with Fleur and several other French witches. Along the way, he also pointed out a few of the other shops to them. Most of them seemed to know a few of the basics already, like the post office and Scrivenshaft's, where many had already visited for school supplies and larger post deliveries. Unsurprisingly, many of the girls also knew where the hairdressers were.
Madame Rosmerta was pleasantly surprised by the crowd of students that arrived for breakfast, with Harry holding the door for them, no less. Business had picked up a little with the Triwizard Tournament's second event. Many tourists were staying in Hogsmeade for the entire weekend instead of just visiting for the day, but fewer students came to Hogsmeade as well, preferring to stay at Hogwarts to share the excitement. Harry decided to have a second, light breakfast, while he made some recommendations for the others. It was rather difficult, given how much of the breakfast menu involved greasy foods, but everyone seemed to have a good time. When they were all finished, Fleur asked Harry, "What brings you to ze village all by yourself, 'Arry? I usually see you with your girlfriend..."
"Oh, well, you know the New Year's Ball..." Harry began.
"You are taking her, non?"
"Of course... I haven't asked her yet, though. I want to surprise her. I don't think she likes dancing, so I'll have to make the proposition... more attractive for her." He suddenly perked up. "Could you help me out, actually? What is a good way to ask a girl to a dance?"
"Well, if you will only be using me as an example..." Fleur giggled teasingly. "Begin with flowers. Always."
"I didn't think she liked flowers that much... I mean, she's really into books..." said Harry, doubtfully. And teddy bears, he added privately.
"'Arry, do not think of flowers as a gift. It is... courtesy," Fleur explained. The other girls at the table nodded. "It is much like... 'olding ze door open. Every special occasion. Begin wiz flowers."
Harry nodded in understanding.
"Now, does she enjoy chocolate?" Fleur asked.
"She does enjoy it a bit, but she's never been into sweets all that much," Harry explained. "Her parents are dentists." Seeing the confusion on their faces, he said, "Well, she likes to watch her health."
"Ah, zen just get chocolat noir instead." Fleur was practically ignoring him by now, imagining the ideal man that she had yet to find.
"All this just to ask her to go to the ball with me?" Harry was really worried that he'd been doing things completely wrong up until now.
"Well, she is already your girlfriend, non?" Fleur asked. "You would not need this advice from me unless you considered it a very special occasion, non? Is her birthday in December also?"
Harry shook his head. "No, that was back in September."
"And you did not get her flowers zen?" Fleur's eyes widened in shock and the other girls began to chatter rapidly in French.
"Uh... no?"
"Were you two already dating at ze time?"
"Yes..." Harry could sense he was about to get reprimanded for breaking every rule in some kind of secret girls' rulebook.
"'Arry... what have you done on dates wiz your girlfriend?" Fleur let out in exasperation. Harry explained their trips to Hogsmeade, a few of the broom rides which he felt were at least somewhat romantic, and even let slip that they sometimes just spent an entire day together in the library. Obviously, he left out the specific dates, given how some of them overlapped, but as he went on Fleur seemed to be shaking her head in pity... probably for Hermione. When he finished, she asked, "...And zis 'Ermione, she 'as no intention of seeking out someone else?"
"What? No... she'd never. We love each other dearly."
"Well, I must say zat Eenglish girls are far more patient zen we would be."
"I... really need to make it up to her, don't I? Can you help?" Harry pleaded, almost convinced that Hermione would dump him by tomorrow if he didn't buy her a field of flowers and an entire chocolate factory. Fleur and the other Beauxbatons girls felt that helping Harry with his relationship would be a good way to see the town, so they had him take them around town while they advised him what he needed to buy.
Four hours later, with a few trips to Honeyduke's, Gladrag's, Sunbloom's, and various other shops, Harry was walking back to Hogwarts with his arms full. Clearly, the Beauxbatons girls had an entertaining day with him. He did thank them for their help by buying a few extra sweets at Honeyduke's.
"Thank you for ze entertaining day, 'Arry. I 'ope things go well for you and your girlfriend."
"Thanks, Fleur. If you don't mind me asking, do you know who you're going to the ball with?"
"Non, zere is nobody for certain for me," Fleur sighed. "But I do 'ave my eye on Cedric... 'e is very impressive."
"Really? But not Krum?"
"Definitely not!" Fleur laughed. "Viktor is... a warrior. Too simple. 'e bites down on 'is target and does not let go. Cedric... knows subtlety, etiquette, and 'umor."
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