Chapter 83: Chapter 81 - The Yule Ball Pt. 4
***** Regular Chapter ***** A/N: I couldn't get this sounding the way I wanted yesterday tbh and ended up working on it pretty late last night. Maybe its my slight OCD, but ya, changed this convo a handful of times lol. Anyways, I'm gonna try to release another chapter later today after work. Make up for the cliff last chapter ahaha. *****
"Fleur...." Khan looked at her directly in, the eyes, taking on a serious tone, much to her worry.
They were just enjoying a lovely dinner conversation... why did her husband suddenly get so serious?
"I've been doing a lot of thinking recently about... stuff. And well...." Jordan paused, to take a few calming breathes, much to Fleur's chagrin, her worry growing by the second, as she listened to her husband, seemingly struggle to find the words to say.
Why did this sound like the beginning of a cheesy break-up line in a romance novel she read?
Her face took oh a clear look of worry, her forehead furrowed in concern.
"Fleur, please don't be alarmed or think that something terrible is going to happened." Khan noticing her face, tried his best to reassure her, though the tension in the air was palpable.
"Ok... then why did you become so serious all of a sudden?" Fleur questioned suspiciously.
"I um... just want to talk about our future together." Jordan stumbled over his words, but finally confessed his feelings with his ears bright red, much to the listening Fleur's shock.
Fleur's heart raced as she waited (im)patiently for him to continue, unsure of what to expect. She felt a strange mixture of curiosity combined with a bit of apprehension, swirling within her.
"I don't know how, or when it happened, but in the short time that we've known each other, you have somehow grown to become a very important person to me." Khan started off seriously, contrary to how he was currently feeling, being very unused to sharing his feelings and emotions.
"You are seemingly always there for me recently, supporting and caring for me, by my side, as I studied for my OWLs. And just now again, with you intending to support me after we graduate.... honestly that means more than words can express."
"It is because of this however, that I found myself thinking about us, our developing relationship, and the future direction our lives will eventually take."
Khan paused to take another deep breath, before continuing on seriously.
"And well.... as a result, I've sent a formal letter to your father, this very afternoon, to- um- state my intention to formally court you."
Fleur's eyes widened in surprise, her worry momentarily forgotten. The realization of what Khan had just said slowly sank in, and a sense of joy began to fill her instead.
'But why did he just make it sound like he was breaking up with me?' A touch of hesitation and self-doubt began to creep back into her thoughts, as she went over their entire conversation in her head.
"You.. sent a letter to my father? To court me?" Fleur repeated, her voice happy, but tinged with a bit of uncertainty. "Is that all what you wanted to tell me?"
She was certain that there was more to this conversation than just telling her that.
Khan nodded, his smile softening as he observed the emotions playing across her delicate face.
"Well, to answer your questions in order; Yes I did. Yes, to court you. And no, that's not all I wanted to talk to you about."
"Then wh-"
He held up his hand that was holding hers, bringing it up to his mouth, and giving it a kiss, subsequently silencing her incoming question.
"Look Fleur, honestly, I don't know much about relationships, but what I do know is that I have come to cherish you. From the second you've come into my life, you are seemingly always there with your unwavering support and care, helping me and looking out for my future. For that I am eternally grateful."
Fleur's uncertainty softened as she listened to Khan's heartfelt words. Her curiosity grew as she wondered what else he had to say.
"But I want you to know that I also want the same for you." Khan continued, his voice a mix of earnestness and determination. "I want our future to be not just about me, but about US. Where it is not just about supporting me, but rather, about US supporting EACH OTHER's goals and dreams."
Her eyes widened with surprise, with a hint of disbelief coloring her expression.
This is what her husband wanted to talk about?
"Jordan... I'm happy supporting you." She looked at him in the eyes. "I don't want for anything, and the Delacour family is very powerful in France, both politically and otherwise. I would much rather dedicate time to helping you reestablish the Khan family."
Khan gently reached out with his other free hand, cupping Fleur's face softly.
"Fleur, I appreciate your support more than words can express. But I want you to know that your dreams and goals are just as important as mine are to me."
"You are a Triwizard champion, and have your own unique talents and passions. I want to see you flourish; to pursue the things that make your heart come alive!"
Fleur's eyes shimmered with a mix of emotions, caught between her desire to support her husband, and her own uncertainties about her dreams; or rather her lack of dreams.
"But, I don't even know what my dreams are..." Fleur whispered back, her voice tinged with self-doubt, eyes beginning to look watery, as she confessed to Khan. "I've always been focused on my studies, or family expectations. I... I'm not even sure I have something of my own to pursue."
Khan's thumb gently brushed against Fleur's cheek, wiping away a stray tear that escaped her eyes.
"It's never too late to discover your own dreams Fleur. At least this way, we can find the path that leads to your own happiness and fulfillment, together."
Her heart swayed with conflicting emotions, torn between her dedication to her family and being a proper noble wife, and the longing for something more.
Could she dare to believe in herself?
"I- I don't want to let you down, Jordan." Fleur confessed, her voice trembling slightly. "I don't really know where to start... I'm scared."
Growing up part Veela truly had taken its toll on Fleur. With the rest of the world viewing her and her kind as good for one specific thing only, and her classmates only reinforcing that belief, it subconsciously led Fleur to believe the same, as she made her way through school.
Thus, even with the support of her family, she had never really considered what she wanted to do with the rest of her life, once she graduated. She had always just subconsciously assumed that she would eventually just get married, and become a noble Housewife, supporting her future husband and their family.
To hear Jordan talk like this, offering to support her and help her find her dream, was overwhelming.
"Fleur, you won't ever let me down when it comes to this. We can navigate it all together, and find that balance between our shared future, and your individual aspirations."
Khan's eyes softened, filled with unwavering support.
"Trust me."
*****
When dinner had been completed and all the food consumed, Dumbledore stood up, asking the students to also do the same.
After waiting a few moments for everyone to follow his words, Dumbledore then waved his wand, clearing off all the tables, and pushing them to the back wall, leaving the floor clear.
He then conjured a raised platform, on top of which sat several instruments; A set of drums, several guitars, a lute, a cello, and even some bagpipes were present.
Khan and Fleur, who had managed to grow closer during their intense dinner conversation and were acting very intimately, watched as a band called 'The Weird Sisters', made their way onto the stage, to wildly enthusiastic applause.
They were all dressed very oddly in dark black robes, that appeared to be tastefully torn and ripped, each of them sporting very wild hair. Picking up their respective instruments, they proceeded to tune them, preparing to perform their set.
Khan, who had seemingly been interested in the band and was watching them closely, was startled, as he realized that the lanterns and candles illuminating the great hall had begun dimming, in preparation for the opening dance.
"Fleur.... shall we?" He stood up, and turned to his beautiful date, helping her out of her chair, before he turned to look at his other fellow champions.
Looking over, it seemed that the other champions had also noticed what was happening, each of them and their partners, also standing in preparation.
Smiling at his two younger friends, who looked quite terrified to be dancing together in front of the entire school, Jordan could not help but check out Hermione and her outfit once again.
Talking about his relationship and future with Fleur just earlier, Khan could not but reflect on all his other close relationships with all his other girl-friends.
With him sitting at the head table with one of his best-girl-friends from his past in Natty, and his literal first friend this current era in Hermione, Jordan could not help but imagine having the talk he just had with Fleur, but with them in her place.
After all, Khan was slowly becoming more comfortable with his feelings, especially after being forced to confront them with Fleur.
And he was realizing that many of his relationships in the past, were indeed those with potential romances, if they were actually given a chance to grow and bloom.
Khan shook his head, glancing to his other side quickly, where one of his best-girl-friends was seated, still looking quite fantastic for a witch over 100.
Poppy and Natty previously both helped him with his various adventures and quests, with himself also doing the same, and helping them out with their respective quests and personal problems.
And speaking just now with Fleur about their romantic relationship and their respective futures, it occurred to Jordan that he was essentially asking for a similar relationship to the one that not only his parents seemed to espouse, but to the relationships he also previously maintained with Poppy and Natty.
If he didn't enter his coma, would he have had these types of conversations with them as well?
Looking over Natty once again, Khan blushed as he thought to himself, that he would have been a lucky wizard, if his partner still looked like that, when over 100.
Glancing back over to his current date Fleur, who was glowing by side, as they approached the dance floor, Jordan said a silent prayer that Fleur would hopefully maintain a similar figure when they grew older...
The Weird Sisters struck up a slow waltz-like tune, as the champions and their dates, made their way onto the brightly lit dance floor.
Turning to Fleur, his left hand grabbed her hand, with his right arm going around her waist, as they held each other, slowly beginning to dance around gracefully.
Both of them being from Noble families, they were of course both educated in formal dancing, and put on a veritable show, for the watching students.
Where Harry and Hermione and Krum and his date, were both basically revolving slowly on the spot, Jordan and Fleur were executing a very professional looking slow-waltz, dancing a slow boxstep together, as they both used the international standard waltz to show off their skills as a couple.
As all the students were very impressed, many of the watching people decided to join the champions in their fun, all of them soon coming onto the dance floor to share in the festivities.
Khan soon saw many familiar faces, dancing all around them.
Madame Maxime and Dumbledore were waltzing close by Khan and Fleur, their respective headmasters moving quite gracefully together, and putting on a show comparable to that of their dancing champions.
Harry and Hermione appeared to also be enjoying themselves, both of them dancing around together with embarrassed smiles on their faces, but nonetheless, not stopping even though champions were no longer required to stay up dancing.
Surprisingly, Jordan also saw Daphne Greengrass with a rare small smile on her face, dancing with who he assumed was her little sister.
'I suppose she took her as a date, since her sister would not be able to attend otherwise, being a lower year.' Khan thought to himself, as he observed the two of them, thinking about Daphne and her unique circumstances that he had heard from Lenny. 'Hopefully I can help them out someho-'
Looking back over towards Fleur, Khan was slightly surprised with what he saw, that he interrupted himself out of his thoughts.
Dancing right behind Fleur and himself, was Natty herself, dancing up quite the storm. And while her appearance and dancing wasn't that much of a surprise, who she was dancing with, was.
It was a dreamy looking blonde girl, who was spinning on the spot, looking like a ballerina, and smiling quite happily, as she laughed alongside his old friend.
Khan of course recognized her instantly, but was quite surprised that she appeared to know Natty so intimately.
"Luna? You know Natsai?"
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