Meetings

Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/10940292.

Rating: Mature
Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Category: F/F
Fandom: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling
Relationship: Fleur Delacour/Hermione Granger, Fleur Delacour & Hermione Granger
Character: Hermione Granger, Fleur Delacour, Harry Potter, Ginny Weasley
Language: English
Series: Part 1 of Unexpected Meetings
Stats: Published: 2017-05-18 Completed: 2021-02-07 Chapters: 69/69 Words:
221686

Meetings
by CelticOffspring

Summary

Fleur and Hermione meet for the first time during the Triwizard Tournament and they met
a few other times after. It's only three years after that their souls recognize each other. Right
in the middle of a war. How will their families and friends react to such news? *Femslash*
Hermione/Fleur
 Prologue

Of course she remembered the first time she saw her, at least the first time she noticed her bushy
brown hair. It has been about two years and today she was standing by the door of a small kitchen
crowded with redheads and there she was, standing on the opposite corner of the room, talking to
her famous friend, Harry Potter.

“Fleur! It’s so nice to finally meet you!” The oldest redhead woman greeted her as she came inside
moments before. “Bill has been talking about you nonstop since he got here!”

“Mom!” Her redhead boyfriend groaned, she only smiled lightly.

His little sister was wearing a frown leaving quite obvious that she didn’t like the blonde. Fleur
knew the younger girls didn’t like her. What she didn’t know was why. It was imaginable why
Ginevra didn’t like her, she was dating her older brother. But it fled from her the motive of the
brunette dislike. Oh, right, there was the fact that her trail didn’t affect them. Still her intense
dislike…

“Hallo, Fleur!” The twins spoke to her in unison smiling widely.

“‘ello everyone!” She smiled.

“Nice to meet you again, Fleur!” Harry was now next to her, having left Hermione to whisper
almost angrily at Ginevra. He smiled at her motioning to hug her, which she reciprocated.

“Nice to meet you too, ‘arry!”

She arrived at the Burrow a few days after Bill, around the middle of Hogwarts summer vacations.
Fleur was highly distraught with Bill’s plan of her getting to know his family. They were dating for
a year now and neither had met each other’s parents. She wanted to let Bill get some family time
before she arrived so she made sure to get there at least a week after him.

Fleur knew that her Veela heritage wouldn’t allow her to actually fall in love with him as she knew
he wasn’t her mate. It might have escaped her mind that she should tell him that. And she was well
aware that she was being a bitch doing it, but she was beginning to feel a little lonely when she
moved to England and then began to feel attached to him. But she knew she had to talk to him
soon.

“Fleur, babe? Are you ok?” Bill reached her and stole her from her thoughts.

“Sure, just got lost in my zoughts.” She smiled faintly. And in a last minute decision, “I actually
need to talk to you later” she whispered to him, making him tense up.

“Ok. After dinner?” He asked as his mother shushed them all from the kitchen, asking only
Ginevra and Hermione to stay and help. Fleur nodded to him.

“I would be glad to ‘elp too, Molly.”

“Absolutely not! Bill, go show her the house and where she will be staying, with the girls!” She
said, making them get out of the room. Fleur heard a grunt coming from where she had been and
was quite sure it came from the younger girls that stayed behind. “Ginevra Weasley, you are going
to treat your brother’s girlfriend well! As will you Hermione!” The blonde heard the woman scold
her daughter at her antics.
“Yes, mom. I’ll treat Phlegm all right.” Fleur frowned, she had heard that one while in Hogwarts
during the Triwizard Tournament, but she had forgotten it completely.

“Enough with that silly nickname!”

“Babe, I’ll show you around.” Bill said, with his hand around her waist, making her stop paying
attention to the other’s blathering. He showed her every room stopping at Ginevra’s to drop her
baggage he had been carrying all along.

“Dinner is ready!” Molly said, poking her head out of the kitchen as they arrived at the room the
others were. As they got inside and sat, she found herself stuck between Molly and Ginevra.

“Ginevra, would you pass me ze salt please?” She noticed that she might have said something very
wrong as the girl had grown red in anger.

“Uh, you might want to call her Ginny, Fleur.” Harry smiled apologetically at her.

“Yeah! Unless you want a painful death.” Fred said, seriously.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Won’t ‘appen again.” She said nodding slowly.

As they finished eating, she grew nervous. That was it, she was going to basically shatter the
redheaded’s heart she was dating. She would regret it. Saying that to him now would make her look
even worse. She saw Bill stand from his seat and invite her for a walk outside. Both of them were
walking side by side, quietly. Once they were far enough from the house, Bill stopped and looked
at her.

“You wanted to talk…” he said, quietly.

“Oui. Bill I don’t know ‘ow to say zis.” She begun, looking at her feet.

“Have you found them?”

“Pardon?” Fleur looked up into his eyes.

“Your mate. Have you found them?” The redhead smiled at her, sadly.

“Uh, ‘ow… ‘ow did you…”

“I just happen to know one or two part veela wizards. And they have found their mates.” Bill was
now smiling at her sincerely, “And I just know I’m not yours. What we feel for each other isn’t
what I heard a veela and its mate feel about each other. At least in my part.”

“Oh Bill!” Fleur hugged him dearly. “I’m sorry I didn’t talk about eet before!” She began to cry.

“Hey, it’s ok. It’s not like you have been fooling me. You weren’t ready to talk about this and that
eminent war made everything worse. We need each other.” He soothed her a little. “Now tell me.
Who are they?”

“I ‘aven’t found my mate yet, Bill. I was just anguished about not telling you.” She said, leaning
out.

“Oh. I see. Fleur, I…”

“I’m sorry. You are my friend, above all. I should ‘ave talked to you sooner.”
“It’s really ok, Fleur. I am your friend and happen to consider you my best friend. We were only in
a friends with benefits phase.” He laughed. “No hard feelings. And if you want, I’d like to keep
dating you.”

“Seriously?”

“Well, of course. The time I spent with you was really good. I love you. Just not the way mates are
supposed to.” Fleur was awestruck. Of all the out comings she had imagined, this was not one of
them. “Only please let me know when you find you mate. And don’t listen to my mother’s
nonsense about marriage. She seems to think we should get married soon.”

“I will. Isn’t because you ‘ave been talking about me nonstop?” She gave him a smile and a soft
peck on the lips. “And I love you too, I’m really sad you aren’t my mate but I’m sure you will
eventually find the one for you and that’s why I can’t hold you behind by dating me.”

“And who said you would hold me back? Oh come on. No strings attached, we could try these
open relationships.” He smiled at her. “We are at war, Fleur. It’s not like I’m going to find the love
of my life now or anytime soon.” He hugged her and kissed her head.

“What did I do to deserve someone like you?” She said, leaning against him.

“What do you say?”

“Ok.”

“Good. Now let’s get back before mom starts to freak out that we are out for too long.”

They walked to the Burrow hugging and went to the living room where everyone was chatting.
Apparently, while they were outside some of the other members of the Order arrived. The room
was now crowded. The Burrow was strongly protected, they had a Fidelius Charm on it and at least
four members of the Order were guarding it’s surrounding.

Molly decided that they should throw a birthday party for Harry. Some of them were against it,
Moody, above all. Somehow, the Death eaters found out and they were attacked.

Fleur wasn’t sure about what transpired because was busy fighting one of them but she heard
someone among her own yell “The lightening is gone!”. Relief. One by one, the Death Eaters
retreated. And in the next afternoon a worried sick Molly received an otter patronus, letting her
know that her son, Harry and Hermione were fine and that Dumbledore had left them something to
do.

“They are just kids! Dumbledore was a crazy men!” An angry Molly stormed out of the room they
all were. The Weasley’s clock had all its hands indicating ‘deadly danger’.

About a month after Fleur saw Molly say her goodbyes to her daughter. Even with the school being
taken by Death Eaters, she had no choice. At least there the girl would be under some protection,
McGonagall’s.
 Chapter 1

About eight months later, Minerva sent the members of the Order a patronus summoning all of
them to the school, saying that Voldemort’s domain over the school had ended and that they were
on verge of a battle. When they got there, they found out that the trio was there and that they were
the reason that Hogwarts was now free. Well almost free, it was on siege. The trio was nowhere to
be seen, as Harry asked Minerva sometime before he could do anything. No one truly knew what
was going on except for them and maybe the older witch. Within a couple of hours, the dark forces
begun their attack as Harry Potter was not delivered as demanded by Voldemort. At that point, they
arrived.

Fleur could not believe her own eyes. The three of them were actually quite mature. Obviously, all
the time they spent alone must have made they grow faster than they should. The blonde was now
trying to understand what was happening to her. To be honest with herself, she knew. The
butterflies on her stomach, the need to protect. Her mate.

“Merde.” She said under her breath. Noticing that the three of them worked together as one, she
decided to stick around in case the needed any help. She needed to protect her mate after all.

“Are you ok, Fleur?” Bill was by her side and heard her cursing.

“Yeah. I’m fine. Zey are coming.” She said as a bunch of death eaters fled in their direction.

*****

"You have one hour.” An evil voice sounded inside everyone’s heads as the death eaters retreated.

They had some casualties, but Fleur was thanking Merlin that none of the Weasleys were wounded
beyond repair and that most of the members of the order were still alive. And the trio had suffered
little injuries, not that they really needed any help from her. Not the trio, actually, at some point
during the battle Harry had vanished. A few minutes later, he reappeared, in shock and holding a
flask.

Fleur observed closely and saw the boy ran upstairs.

“Are you really fine, Fleur? You seem off.” Bill never left her side even though he found it strange
the fact that his friend’s eyes wouldn’t leave the infamous trio, even in battle.

“Bill. I found her.”

“Sorry?” He seemed confused.

“Merde. I found my mate, Bill.” The blonde smiled at him, tears threatening to fall. “In ze middle
of a fucking battle!” She was now beginning to feel her face warmer. He smiled.

“You can’t stop looking at the three of them, your protectiveness towards them is almost
irresponsible, given you roughly protected yourself.” His smile got bigger as he followed his line
of thoughts. “And we must not forget you referred to you mate as she…”

The Veela couldn’t help but smile at him.

“Hermione Granger.” He said. “Fits you both, I believe. You are both fierce.”
“I still have to make her not hate me anymore.” She said, seriously.

“You will work something out. I’ll go stay with mom a little, love you. Good luck.” He left her,
both knowing that when the hour they had come to an end he would be back fighting alongside her.
They both had decided that as soon as she found her mate they wouldn’t be a couple anymore.

“Je t’aime. Au revoir.” Their relationship wouldn’t change that much, except for the sex part. But
she could live with that. She was saying goodbye to the boyfriend she had and later she would greet
her best friend.

As the hour passed by she saw the inseparable trio walking outside the castle, Ron holding a crying
Hermione. Not wanting to disturb them, she waited. A few minutes later Hermione and Ron
reentered the castle and went straight to Minerva. She seemed to be exasperated. Fleur went there,
not knowing what to do at that moment.

“… reckless that’s what he is!” She heard the older woman say.

“Pardon. What ‘appened? I saw ‘arry going outside, where is ‘e?” She asked the other three. She
was closer to the professor as soon as she finished speaking, Ginny approached Hermione,

“‘Mione, where is he?” she said.

The brunette, who had been looking at her feet since the professor’s outburst, looked sadly at her
friend. “He went to the Forbidden Forest.” Needless to say another word. The redhead understood
what happened and her face completely lost its color. In a blink Ron was beside her, helping her
seat. Since her friend would he fine, she turned her gaze to the older women. As her gaze locked
with Fleur’s, Hermione froze. And Fleur once again felt her stomach drop and the butterflies.

“Miss Granger! I believe you were about to explain Mr. Potter’s antics.” The woman sounded
slightly amused at the exchange occurring in front of her.

Hearing her name, the brunette snapped and looked at the professor.

“Sorry, professor. I believe you are familiar with Dumbledore’s theory about the Horcruxes.”
Minerva nodded. That was something discussed within the Order. “We were chasing them this year
so we could kill Voldemort.” everyone near them tensed. “As Professor Dumbledore had already
identified, the first one to be destroyed was Tom Riddle’s Diary and then Marvolo’s Ring, both
destroyed here in school. We unveiled Salazar Slytherin's Locket which Ron wrecked, then Helga
Hufflepuff's Cup which I dismantled and, most recently, Rowena Ravenclaw's Diadem destroyed
by Crabbe’s accidental Fiendfyre. Leaving one last Horcrux which we believe is Nagini,
Voldemort’s snake. Apparently those are the Horcruxes he intentionally created.” Realisation ran
through Fleur, as she understood what was indeed happening. Minerva had a look of horror.

“Oh my!” was the only thing she was able to say.

“HARRY POTTER IS DEAD!” Voldemort’s voice echoed inside the castle a while later. They ran
towards the entry, Minerva leading them followed closely by Hermione, Ron and Ginny and Fleur
was right after them, sensing Bill beside her. As they got outside, Hagrid came into sight, carrying
Harry’s body. A painful scream could be heard. It came from McGonagall and as followed by his
two friends and Ginny. What happened next was almost too quick to register what was really
happening. Neville stepping in front of them, the Sorting Hat being summoned by Voldemort to
later be set on fire on the boy’s head; the centaurs ending their neutrality; The House Elves coming
to battle leaded by Kreacher and Dobby. Fleur didn’t miss a sudden movement near Hagrid and the
fact that Harry’s body had vanished; Neville branding silver and striking the snake with it. And
then hell broke loose. Without noticing, she and Bill were fighting four death eaters shoulder by
shoulder with Hermione and Ron. The problem was, each time one of the death eaters fell, another
one appeared. At some point, Ron and Bill were replaced by Ginny and Luna and now the four
women were fighting Bellatrix. A Killing Course was shot, the next thing that Fleur sees is an
enraged Molly Weasley in front of them confronting the crazy woman.

“You will not touch any of those girls. You won’t mess with my family!” The redhead roared.

Soon they were dueling, both to kill. Molly’s rage didn’t budge and at one point Fleur saw the
crazy death eater begin to relax and make jokes about her family, then she saw a flash o light
striking Lestrange right on her heart and heard a high-pitched scream. And in front of her she saw a
flash coming from Voldemort towards Molly be absorbed by an invisible shield. Then she saw
Harry Potter appearing out of nowhere. Gasps and cheers were heard around the castle. She heard
Hermione and Ginny gasp and say his name. Fearing both of them would run towards him, she
placed her arm in front of them, protectively as she was in front of the three younger girls. Looking
at Hermione, she saw that the girl was actually holding her friend, who had an angry look on her
face. Harry shot an apologetic look towards them, one that Fleur could only imagine was directed
to the red headed girl.

The hole battlefield seemed to have been frozen.

“I don't want anyone else to try to help.” Harry said, this time towards his friend. “It has to be me.”
She nodded.

Everyone was in shock, watching as both wizards battering, and Harry spilling lots of things to
Voldemort. The hole exchange Fleur stood in front of the three younger girls wand in hand, ready
to protect them with her life if it came to it.

“I am the true Master of the Elder Wand!” The chosen one shouted. Causing the snakelike man to
roar in fury.

“Avada Kedavra!” He shot at the same time that harry shouted: “Expelliarmus!”

The Elder Wand was seen flying, apparently refusing to kill its master. The spell casted by
Voldemort rebounded and hit him. Quickly Fleur and some other members of the Order casted
bounding spells into the closest death eaters, whom were still in shock. She could hear Hermione’s
voice casting them too but the girl soon stopped and ran towards her friend, hugging him the other
two younger ladies in pursuit. Fleur smiled.

“Oh, I have been hoping I could see this look soon.” Bill side hugged her. She didn’t have words.
She was just happy that it was finally over.

The death eaters that hadn’t been held prisoners, fled. That would be a hell of a hunt, Fleur
thought. The Order divided itself in two, as part of them secured the new detainees and the other
part assisted Minerva rebuilding the most damaged parts of the castle. The House Elves took
charge of refurbishing the rest of the castle.

Fleur spent the next day with Bill and her family, having flooed her family to reassure her mother
that she was fine. Most students were going home today, after Minerva had made sure that their
parents were fine. Those that had nowhere to go would stay in school until the new minister,
Shacklebolt, and Minerva, the new Headmistress, figured what could be done for them. She was
caught off guard when Hermione approached her.

“Hi.” The brunette said, shyly. “Uh, I wanted to thank you for your help while fighting Bellatrix.”
“Not zat you needed eet but, de tien, ‘ermione” She suppressed the blush that was emerging to her
face by looking at her feet. And missed the other girl’s blush.

“Hermione dear, come here! You are family too!” Molly said as saw the younger talking to Fleur.

“I… Uh, I’ve got to find professor McGonagall. Excuse me. I’ll come back later.”
 Chapter 2

The wise girl made every possible effort to keep herself from running towards the headmistress.
The older woman sat with the other professors, chatting. They all stopped talking and Minerva
looked at her.

“Uh, professor, can I talk to you for a second?”

“Sure, miss Granger.” The woman smiled at her, standing from her seat and leading the girl to a
secluded area on the Great Hall. Hermione was nervous so she stared at her feet. “I would be very
glad to have you back at school so you can finish your education, Hermione.” The girl’s head shot
upwards. “Oh please, you really thought I didn’t know you would want to come back? I have been
the Head of Gryffindor the hole time you were here. I ended up knowing the three of you quite
well. An option will be offered to all the last year students that fought here, they can either stay in
school and finish their studies or leave and begin their live outside. Minister Shacklebolt assured
that the ministry will be happy to employ those who choose to leave Hogwarts. I imagine you two
friends will be happy to get rid of school just as I was sure you would come back next year.”
Hermione smiled, she too was sure that Ron and Harry would leave school.

“Thank you, professor.” The girl turned to leave.

“One last thing, miss Granger.”

“Yes?”

“I’m happy to inform you that your parents have been located by the Australian Ministry.” The
older woman smiled at the awestruck war hero in front of her. “After you vanished with Mr. Potter
and Mr. Weasley, I went to your house to cast as many protective spells as possible to protect your
family. Only to find out that they weren’t there anymore. While I was talking about that to Molly,
miss Weasley heard me and informed me of your plan to protect them. We were unsure that you
had pursued it until Mr. Weasley appeared, he confirmed what Ginevra said. Then I asked the
Minister in there to try and locate your parents. As the war now is over I imagine you will want to
go and reverse the spell.” The girl was smiling widely and crying at the same time. She hugged the
headmistress, not managing to keep herself from doing it.

“Thank you!” Hermione then wiped the tears from her face. “I’ll head to the library now to find the
reversing spell!”

“Oh, dear! That remembers me.” McGonagall took a parchment from her robes. “Filius spent some
time himself trying to find the spell. Here it is.” She handled the paper to the brunette. “Flitwick
asked me give it to you.”

“Professor Flitwick found the spell?”

“Yes, dear. Now, he told me that you will need some help to perform that one. It must be casted by
two wizards. As your best friends aren’t particularly good in this kind of spells, I recommend you
find someone to help you. Maybe Fleur Delacour or Bill Weasley as both work breaking curses.”

Hermione held the parchment as if her own life depended on it and nodded, going towards the
blonde woman and the redheaded family. She didn’t understand what was happening to her, the
girl that annoyed her to no end last year was now making her flutter every time she heard her name.
When she reached the family she was looking for, she was smiling. The girl sat down at between
Ginny and Ron, Harry was holding Ginny’s hand and the girl looked overjoyed. Hermione decided
that whatever it was that made she feel the way she was feeling around the veela, it could wait
until after she retrieved her parents. But before arranging her departure, she wanted to share the
news with her friends.

“Hey, ‘Mione! What’s that?” The younger girl asked her friend, forcing her back from her thoughts.

“Uh, McGonagall found my parents. And professor Flitwick found the spell I need!” She smiled at
her friends. The two boys had their attention turned to her as soon as Ginny spoke.

“That’s wonderful! So, when are you leaving?” Harry smiled at her. The months they spent alone,
fleeing the death eaters caused the two of them to know each other quite well, Harry knew that his
friend was eager to find her family. But who wouldn’t?

“As soon as possible. I actually need some help, since the spell needs to be casted by two wizards.”
She smiled at him.

“I’m all yours, ‘mione.” Harry said, causing Ginny to wrap him with her arms.

“No, you are not! Besides, you ain’t even good with these kind of spells.” The redhead said
causing the trio to laugh.

“Ginny is right, Harry you are frightfully bad at these. Professor McGonagall told me to ask Bill or
Fleur.” Again, the mention of the blonde’s name made her heart flutter. Looking at Ginny, she saw
her friend crook a brow at her name. Hermione realised that she couldn’t ask Fleur to accompany
her. She felt like this only when mentioning her, she didn’t want to imagine how she would feel
traveling by her side.

“Oh.” Harry said. He didn’t miss the light blush in his friends cheeks when she mentioned the
veela.

“You know, my brother and her are not together anymore. Maybe I have a chance with her now.”
Ron said dreamingly.

“Ron!” Ginny punched his shoulder, making him snap back to reality.

“What? I was just wondering!”

Harry was still looking at his friend when Ron mentioned Bill and Fleur’s breakup. That new
information caused his friend to hide her face on her hands. When she looked up again, she was
deeply blushing. What the heck happened while he was at the forest? He was confused.

Hermione noticed her best friend looking at her and realized he must have noticed something in her
actions, because he was starring at her curiously. And she noticed his eyes wander to where she
knew the blonde was. She decided that she should talk to Bill and make sure Molly wouldn’t be
bothered by her getting him away from so early. Standing, she made her way towards Bill.
 Chapter 3
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Fleur saw the brunette stand from where she was and walk towards her. Once more her heart
fluttered. The girl stood silently in front of her and Bill apparently trying to decide how to say
something. She felt Bill's gaze on her as she looked at the younger girl wordless. He turned to the
standing woman.

"Hermione!" It seemed to awake her as she turned to him.

"Yes, Bill, I need to ask you something and explain why." She looked in his eyes. Hermione was
obviously trying not to look at her, which made her sad. "After fleeing from the Burrow last year, I
stopped by my parents' house and whipped myself from their memories attempting to protect them.
And magically suggested that they went to Australia." Fleur felt herself widening her eyes. She
couldn't imagine herself doing it to her parents, that was a strong woman in front of her. She heard
the brunette explain what transpired while she was on the run with the two boys and what Minerva
told her. "So, I was wandering if you could help me with it…" This last part, Hermione said
looking at her feet.

"Well of course, Hermione! I'm pleased you asked. Now, let me see that spell." Bill smiled at his
brother's friend and looked at the spell written and explained in the parchment. "I believe we
should practice a little before going after them, but I'm kind of familiar with this spell. Fleur could
help you with your part as she knows it too."

"Oh! Thank you, Bill!" The wise girl smiled and turned to her, making her freeze. "Would you,
Fleur?" They now had their eyes locked and she could see the brunette's smile in her eyes.

"Of course, 'ermione!" She blinked, breaking eye contact, and leaned towards Bill to read the
parchment. "Eet's not an easy spell but from what I 'eard about you, you will get eet in a blink."
That observation made the other girl's face turn red.

"Thanks!" With some more talk they decided that they would leave as soon as Hermione got a hold
of her part of the spell.

"I'll talk to mom, let her know that we will be leaving soon." Bill got up and went to his mother.
Afraid that the girl in front of her would go back to her friends, Fleur decided to begin to explain
the spell.

"'ermione, do you know 'ow to perform wordless magic?" She asked. Since Minerva had instructed
the girl to ask for one person help, Fleur realized that she might know how to do this kind of
magic. Not that it surprised her at all. Hermione nodded. "You probably want to understand 'ow zee
spell works…" One more nod. "I believe you already know zee nature of zee obliviate charm.
Given you performed zee charm on your parents, you 'ave zee key to zeir mémoires. Which makes
zis spell a lot easier. When zee obliviate charm eez performed, zee memories are kept zere but zey
are not accessible. With zis spell, you will unlock zem, making everything come back to zee mind's
surface." The brunette seemed to be drowning in the new information. "I believe zat eez all zee
background information I 'ave to give you…" Hermione thanked her and left, leaving her to her
thoughts.

Was that the face the girl made every time she learned something? Fleur asked herself.
"Mom is not happy, but she understands the urgency Hermione feels." Bill was back.

"Oui. Zat must 'ave been 'ard. I mean, erasing yourself completely from your parents' memories? I
doubt I would have zee guts to do eet."

"Yes, I agree. Now, stop drooling." Bill said, with a smirk.

"I am not…" Fleur stared him, annoyed and blushing.

"Oh, yes you are! I know you, Fleur. Remember it." He said, taking his previous seat.

Hermione took only that afternoon to master the spell. Fleur explained to her that when casting it
on her parents she would have to picture in her mind the moment that she casted the memory charm
at them, the wise girl's eyes filled with tears as she remembered it.

She had trouble sleeping just like she had the night before, not because of the horrors of the war but
because she couldn't understand something that was happening to her. And boy, that bothered her
like hell. She was sleeping at one of the girl's dorm at Gryffindor's Tower, Ginny and she decided
that they should share the room because their roommates had left the school earlier. She decided
that since she couldn't sleep she should at least try to solve the puzzle that her head was at that
moment. She got out of her bed and, silently, took the books she had picked up at the library and
went downstairs to the common room.

Fleur heritage was something that always intrigued her but she never really had time to look at it
deeply. After spending the hole previous afternoon with the veela she decided that it wouldn't hurt
to know more about those creatures. The fact that she felt her heart fluttering and butterflies in her
stomach the whole time she was with her and Bill at the vanishing room didn't influence the
decision, at least that was what she was telling herself. She wasn't good with feelings, at least not
with what she was feeling. Hermione sat on her favorite armchair and begun to go through the
three books she had with her. Madam Pince knew she would be leaving the next morning and made
her promise that she would return at least two before leaving. Three hours into it, she heard a noise
coming from the boys' tower, minutes later Bill arrived at the common room.

"Oh! Hermione. You should be in bed…" He said. Seeing the titles of the books she was reading,
he smiled. "Veelas are fascinating creatures, aren't they?"

"Yes." The girl agreed absently only to realize what he had just said a second later and blush
profusely.

"You know, you could just ask Fleur about what you want to know…" He continued. Hermione
put down the book she was currently reading and looked at the older Weasley.

"I never treated her well and I don't like the prospect of asking her about her veela heritage without
a previous research." The girl managed to hide her blush but her ears were clearly red.

"Oh, yeah. I remember her saying she thought you and Ginny hated her." He was leaning against
the window by her side.

"Uh. I never hated her. I just hated the fact that her thrall affected your brother so strongly. I
happen to have had a crush on him during our fourth year." That was it she should go to bed.
Talking about her crush on Ron with his oldest brother indicated she was sleepy. She blushed
again. "I should go to sleep."

"I was going to the kitchen get a cup of tea. Would you like one, before we go to sleep?" he smiled
at her.

"I shouldn't. We are not supposed to wander around the castle after hours."

"Oh, there is that." He smiled at her trying to hide his own blush for not remembering the school's
rules.

They heard a crack and Dobby appeared.

"Hermione, would you want something? Dobby was making his last round around the castle and
heard you talking." He bowed. "Good evening, Mr. Weasley. Is there something Dobby can do for
you?"

"Oh, Dobby! You are a life saver! Could you please get us a cup of tea?" Hermione answered him.
When he disappeared, the room felt again in silence and the girl retrieved the book she was reading
before Bill arrived. Bill sat in front of her on the other side of the table and began to read one of the
books. As soon as he finished his tea, which Dobby brought quickly, he went back to his room.
Hermione stayed there a little longer but went upstairs as soon as she begun yawning.

The next morning, she went to the Great Hall ready to go. As Bill was. On her way down she left
the three books at the library. She was nervous, what would her parents say when they find out
what she had done? She would give anything just to have Harry with her, but she knew better. Her
friend was tired of traveling and Ginny wanted him to stay. The wise girl knew better then to
contradict the girl.

"Hey, good morning!" Said Bill, as he sat down in front of her at the table. Followed closely by his
brothers, who grunted something that could be called a greeting.

"Morning…" She answered them.

"'Mione had almost no sleep tonight. She is quite grumpy." Ginny sat by her side, smiling at her.

"I'm not…"

"I believe you never saw Hermione truly grumpy, Gin." Harry sat by his girlfriend side.

"That's quite true!" Ron intervened. The redheads laughed at the younger boy's face as he
mimicked his friend in a bad humor. Hermione was about to snap at the boy when Fleur sat by her
side, followed closely by Luna.

"What's so funny?" The veela asked, smiling at Hermione.

"We were just talking about how 'Mione is grumpy today." Ron explained, making the said girl
want to vanish from the world.

"Oh, she looks fine to me." Luna said, smiling.

"Bonjour, Weasleys. 'arry. 'ermione!" Fleur smiled widely at them.

"Bonjour" Hermione answered, not noticing the fact that she had spoken in the other girl's native
language. As the others only nodded at the older woman. When she realized that she had spoken in
French, she bushed. Making Fleur's grin grow wider, as Bill noticed.

A couple of hours later, she found herself saying goodbye to her friends and flooing to the Ministry
of Magic, from where she and Bill would floo to Australia.
Chapter End Notes

A/N: Please note that, as I said in my profile, English is NOT my first language.
Therefore, there will be some grammar errors. Anyway, hope you did like this chapter.
Please, review! Thanks!
 Chapter 4
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

"Uh… Bill?" Hermione froze mid step.

"Yeah?" He was walking in front of her.

"What exactly am I going to say when we get there? I don't believe they would let us in without an
explanation."

"Oh, the minister instructed me to say we are Government Officials. It won't be so hard." He
smiled reassuringly.

"Ok." They got into a rented car. Hermione drove, being a muggle-born had its silver linings. Bill
sat by her side, looking nervous. "Relax. I have license and… Oh, it's your first time on a normal
car, right?" He nodded. His face got a green shade as she started driving, making her chuckle. "I
guess it's the same feeling I had the first time I used a broom. You get used to it…" To distract
him, she turned on the radio. She noticed it did make him stop worrying about the car but made
him stare at the radio in awe. "For God's sake, Bill! Your father is a muggle enthusiast, you should
be familiar with those by now!" He shrugged.

"I guess I never payed so much attention to those. But that is simply genius!"

"I can't believe I forgot how much simply listening to music is relaxing."

"We were at war Hermione. It is comprehensible. And you were hiding for the past eight months,
saving my brother and Harry's asses!" With that they stopped talking, enjoying the music.

They had arrived in Australia an hour ago, met the minister who profusely thanked both for saving
the whole world. The ministry headquarters was in a different state from where they were heading
so it was arranged for them to floo to a wizard house nearby Hermione parents' home. It was a
fifteen-minute car trip, soon they were in front of the house, the girl was deeply breathing trying to
calm down.

"It's going to be ok, Hermione. You know it is. They will understand everything." Bill placed a
hand on her shoulder.

"Ok, let's go." That was it. She was actually trying to convince herself that she shouldn't cry when
she saw them, the girl missed them so much it hurt.

They knocked. A moment later her mother answered the door, completely oblivious that her
daughter was standing right in front of her.

"Yes? How can I help you?"

"Good morning, Mrs. Granger. My name is Bill Weasley and this is my partner, Hermione
Delacour." The girl felt her heart flutter by the mention of the veela surname. "We are here in the
name of the UK government to interview you. I believe you received a call from our superiors."
Bill smiled, trying to make himself believable. The woman smiled at them and let them in.

"Hermione, uh?" the brunette could only nod. She lost her voice as soon as she heard the woman's
voice. "Beautiful name. Means messenger and derives from the Greek god Hermes. If I had a
daughter that's how I would name her. Hermione, Hermione Granger." With a deep breath, the girl
managed to keep herself from crying. She smiled to the woman and quietly said thank you.

"Who was it, darling?" A men's voice sounded from another room.

"The government officials." She smiled when the man found his way to her side and shook hands
with the newcomers.

"Oh, right! Please take a seat. Would you like some tea?" The man motioned the armchairs and left
to where if seemed to be the kitchen when both accepted the offering. He came back with four cups
and a teapot in a tray and sat by his wife's side after serving them all. Bill and Hermione had made
sure to have their wands in hand when they sat down. Looking at the redhead, the wise girl saw
him perform a relaxing spell wordlessly. The couple in front of them visibly relaxed and smiled at
them. They put down their cups just as Hermione and Bill had just done.

With a slight nod, both wizards begun the spell. Actually there were a series of intricate spells, the
first made the receivers fall asleep. Smiling, Hermione finished the spell, waking them up. The
older couple opened their eyes and looked around them, confused. The woman was the first to be
fully awake and looked at her daughter slightly confused.

"Hermione Jean Granger! You better explain us why we thought you didn't exist for more than
eight months! And who the hell is this Delacour person you apparently married?" Hermione
flinches at her full name mention and sat down again.

"Uh, I think I should go. Hermione, I will be at the Jones' house, ok? When you are ready, meet me
there." She nodded, wanting him to stay but she knew it was something she had to do by herself.
He gave her a reassuring smile. "Pleasure to meet you." He said to her parents and disapparated.

"I think I will never get used to it." Her father said, referring to the redheads vanishing.

"Well?"

"Uhm, first I want to apologize, I know I shouldn't have done that with you." With one deep breath,
Hermione looked to her parents, apologetically but determined. "Since my fourth year the
wizarding world has been at war. One of the worst dark wizards returned to full forces, Voldemort.
He attacked Harry after the last Triwizard Tournament task, and regained his forces, which he lost
the night he tried to kill Harry and left him an orphan. I didn't tell you that because I believed that if
you knew it, you would take me out of Hogwarts."

"Of course!" Mrs. Granger squealed.

"Well, this war remained covered until Dumbledore died. He was the only person that could bring
fear to Voldemort. After that, he took over the Ministry of magic and begun persecuting anyone
that opposed him. And that meant most of the people I know in the magical world. Harry was the
number one enemy for him and so were his friends, meaning me and Ron. After I left home to the
Burrow, they attacked us there even though it might have been the most guarded house in UK."
Hermione looked away at this point, not standing to look at the horror expressions her parents had.
"I managed to flee from there, with Harry and Ronald. I had a plan, you see? After spending so
many years getting into trouble thanks to them I knew I had to be ready to anything. The minute I
took Harry from the burrow I knew I was too public enemy, and I knew I had to protect you. So, I
went home the same night and…" She was in a loss of words. How would she say it?

"Erased you from our minds and induced us to come to Australia." Her mother's eyes were full of
tears.

"I'm sorry!" Hermione felt like a kid again, asking for forgiveness for breaking something. She
soon felt her mother's embrace, soothing her. Only then she realized she was crying.

"It's ok. As long as you promise that you won't keep us from your like again." The older woman
said. Hermione saw herself nodding. When she felt like she could breathe again, she continued.

"The three of us were hiding for about eight months, doing what we could to come up with
something to defeat Voldemort. A week ago, we came to an agreement. We needed to get into
Hogwarts." She explained to them what transpired on the final battle. Carefully excluding the part
that Harry had been killed, she was aware that they would freak out. "While we were hiding,
professor McGonagall went home to protect you two and discovered that you weren't there
anymore. When she got the news of what I had done, she begun looking for you and to research the
counter spell for the Obliviate one. And here we are. I left Hogwarts as soon as I could."

"My daughter is a war hero!" Mr. Granger exclaimed, proudly.

"So, I guess the man that was here, Bill Weasley, came to help you with the counter spell?"
Hermione nodded. "And that when he introduced you as Hermione Delacour, he just said the first
name that came into his mind as he couldn't say Granger?" The younger girl felt her face turn
scarlet.

"I guess." She mumbled.

"Oh, so Delacour is a real person?" Her mother smiled as she nodded, slowly.

"She is a friend." Trying to fool her mother.

"I'll leave it be. But if it is important, I want you to talk to us. If not you father, then me only…"

"Mom!"

"Well now, when will we be able to know everyone? I guess that seven years without knowing
them is kind of too much." Her father said, smiling at his daughter and wife.

"We can go today, headmistress McGonagall made some adjustments on the school's protections
so that muggle parents could go there."

"Perfect!" Her mother smiled. "I guess we should pack."

"Uh, no need." Hermione smiled, embarrassed. "The Minister insisted on having a group of
wizards to move you back home. If that's what you want, of course."

"Well, of course we want! I was actually growing bored here in Australia." Her father smiled at
her.

When both of her parents were ready, they went to the house Bill referred to. It was the one they
got there. It didn't take long for them to be in the Australian Ministry, preparing to enter the
fireplace again and floo back to UK.

"Miss Granger!" She heard someone call her. In less than a second she had her wand in hand, a war
habit. As was Bill, both protecting her parents. "Oh, I'm sorry. I must have startled you. I'm deeply
sorry!" The man in front of them was the Australian Minister.
 "We are sorry, sir. War habit." She said apologetically.

"I can see why you are a war hero!" He said, smiling. "I was wandering if you could sign these
photos. My niece was actually born in England you see? She was in Hogwarts last year but her
parents decided to come live here because of the war. Apparently, you helped her while there and
she really admires you! When she heard you was on the battle and that you helped saving so many
lives she was thrilled. I wanted to make a surprise to her, since I couldn't tell her that I would meet
you…" Hermione's face was completely scarlet. She never imagined that happening.

"Is she in school?" She asked, not being able to actually answer him.

"Oh, yes. She's a third year now. She might actually be coming back home today…" He answered.

Hermione looked at her parents and Bill asking a silent question. They only nodded. "Well, I
would like very much to meet her. What time you think she will be back?"

The man smiled and looked at his watch. "She might be home by now… I could fletch her there
and bring her, so she can meet you"

"That would be wonderful!"

When the man got back with the girl, Hermione noticed that she kind of remembered herself when
younger. The girl was carefully carrying a rather big book, and smiled widely. When she asked if
Hermione could sign the book, the wise girl smiled at its title.

"I guess I'm not the only one that reads 'Hogwarts: A History'…" She whispered to herself, signing
the copy. She handled the girl the book. "I have to go now, Amelie. It was a pleasure to meet you."
She smiled to the girl. "Thank you for everything, Minister." She helped her parents to get into a
fireplace, explained once more what they had to say and entered one, holding the floo powder.

Chapter End Notes

Hello!

So, I guess I'm gonna post about 2 chapters per week after all! I'm kind of anxious to
know your opinion! Well Thank you for reading! Hope you like this chapter!
Please comment!

Thanks!
 Chapter 5
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Fleur had been waiting for them to come back the minute they went to the headmistress office. She
decided that it was better to try to distract herself with a book or something and went to her dorm, it
was on the Ravenclaw's Tower. She had chosen to sleep there, thinking it wouldn't be too obvious
she was actually head over heels for the Wise Girl. Choosing a book from the bookcase of the
common room she made herself comfortable on an armchair by the window, it had become her
favorite seat in the room.

"Oh. Hi, Fleur!" Luna entered the common room, skipping, and stopped in front of her a few hours
later. "How are you? I forgot to thank you for the help before, fighting those death eaters…" Fleur
smiled, that girl intrigued her. "Oh, you have an Wrackspurts infestation…" the veela was
confused again, it was the second time the girl talked about those creatures. "Quick, think about
Hermione!" She quickly added, making Fleur even more confused.

"Sorry, but…"

"To get rid of Wrackspurts you must think about something that makes you happy. You see? It
worked!" The younger blonde smiled.

"But why would you tell me to zink about 'ermione?" She said, trying not to blush.

"Well, she is your mate. I believe she would be a happy thought for you…"

"What? 'ow did you know? Oh, I'm going to kill zat freaking Weasley!" Fleur went pale when
Luna said mate and promptly stood.

"Bill? He has nothing to do with me knowing. You see, I tend to observe a lot everyone around me.
So I tend to see some things before others…" Luna smiled to Fleur as the latter sat back down.
"And the way you look at her…"

"But 'ow do you know about veela mating?"

"Oh, I love learning about magical creatures so when you came here the first time, I was intrigued
and read about your heritage."

"Oh… Luna, can you please not talk about zis with anyone? I 'ave to figure out what I'll say to 'er."

"Sure, Fleur." The girl smiled. Fleur watched as Luna fumbled her clothes, looking for something.
She held a galleon on her hands. "Ah! She is back!"

"Pardon? 'ow do you know?" Fleur suddenly was nervous.

"The headmistress has one of these" The girl showed her an altered galleon. "It's a DA galleon.
Professor McGonagall promised to warn us when Hermione got back. She's bringing her parents
here before taking them back home. Hermione invented those so she could let us know when we
had a meeting."

The veela was proud, her mate was indeed wise. Her's, that's how she liked to think of the girl but it
wasn't really the truth. Fleur talked to her mother on the prior day, telling her about Hermione. The
woman was pleased to know that her oldest daughter had such luck, it was known in the veela
community that finding a mate was really rare.

"I'm going back down to the Great Hall. Are you coming?" Luna's voice made her come back to
reality, she nodded and began following the younger girl. "I wonder why Hermione picked up so
many books on veelas last night. I never saw her demonstrating so much interest in magical
creatures before…" And again, Fleur's mind wandered to the brunette. Why was she doing such
research? The blonde noticed that she had to read more about her own heritage, she didn't know
much about the mating process. "Fleur? Are you coming?" The other girl asked from the Great
Hall's entrance. Out of her trance she noticed she had stopped at the last step of the stair case.

"Oui!" She said, fumbling to go after her and enter the hall.

When she stepped in the room, her laughter was the first thing she heard. Inadvertently, she smiled
and looked for her. When she found her, the brunette was already looking at her but quickly
adverted her gaze. Fleur walked to her, slowly, taking in every trace of her face as if she wouldn't
see her again. Hermione's mother didn't miss the way the blonde stared at her daughter. Fleur didn't
notice, but the woman greeted her with a crooked brow.

"'ello 'emione! 'ad a good travel back?" Fleur couldn't stop smiling.

"Oh, hi Fleur!" Her smile distracted her. "Mom, Dad, that's Fleur, she is the one I said that helped
me with the reversing spell."

"Pleasure to meet you!" Fleur said, snapping out of her trance before it was obvious.

"Equally. Thank you so much!" The older woman promptly greeted her.

"Miss Delacour! I was looking for you. Good you two are here" Professor McGonagall approached
them. Hermione startled as she had been lost in her own thoughts while her parents talked to Fleur.

"Oh, she is the Delacour person…" Her mother said under her breath in a way that only her could
listen. She looked at the professor and tried to keep herself from blushing.

"Oui, 'eadmistress."

"The Minister has requested reports on the battle, since you and miss Granger here fought mostly
together, I believe you could work on those." McGonagall smiled at them, Hermione grew nervous
at the thought of spending more time with the blonde. "And, Fleur, he is considering you to work
with him and the Auror Division dismantling the protections on some of the death eaters' manors."

"Yes, ma'am." They both said to the older witch. "I'll wait for him to get in touch." Fleur said.

"Good. Now, it is late for you to get back home today, miss Granger. I'd be happy to provide your
parents a place to stay in the castle. I believe a professor's chamber will do." She smiled and looked
at her parents, who nodded.

"Thank you, professor."

"So, how do you manage to keep so many information inside that little box you call computers?
And how do you make those moving photos you call movies without magic?" Mr Weasley
appeared from somewhere near the redhead gathering. He had gotten away from his wife, who was
trying to keep him from asking her parents so many questions about the muggle world. They
smiled at the redheaded man and began explaining as much as they could to him. Soon, both girls
were left alone.

"Uh, when will you be able to meet me and discuss the report?" Hermione nervously asked the
other girl.

"Anytime! I was planning on visiting maman soon, and I believe zee minister won't zink badly of
you eef you want to spend some time with your parents before zinking about zee war." The french
smiled at her.

"Oh, I guess I could use some time with them." She said, looking at them, the two people that she
missed the most on the past eight months.

"I'll ask zee 'eadmistress when zee reports are duo." the blonde walked away and Hermione caught
herself wishing that they would have to work together for a long time. It wasn't long when she got
back, smiling. "We 'ave until zee end of zee year to deliver zee 'ole file, with zee reports from
everyone zat fought 'ere. And apparently zee minister wants a report from zee Golden Trio about
your days 'iding and all."

"How much time were you planning on staying on France? We could meet after you get back…"
Hermione asked her, hoping it wouldn't take long.

"Oh, about a week but maman could make me stay a little longer. Sure." Fleur smiler at her. "I can
send you an owl saying when I'm going to be back and zen we can set a date."

"Sure…"

Hermione knew her parents would want to go back home early the following day and as soon as
dinner finished, she went to her dorm to sleep. This time she found a way to sleep since she wasn't
concerned about her parents and apparently, Fleur was willing to spend some time with her. The
next morning Hermione woke before Ginny. Not that it was unusual at all, the redhead shared the
habit of sleeping until late in the morning with Ron. She was used to it, having been friends with
the girl for five years now.

The first thing that she thought that morning had been Fleur and that made her furrow her brows.
Why the heck was she thinking so much about her? A thought crossed her mind but she dismissed
it, she didn't believe in love in the first sight and she had seen her before the battle. What could
possibly have changed? She needed someone to talk to and the sleeping redhead in the next bed
wouldn't do. The girl hated Fleur. Not that Hermione could really understand her.

She smiled, thinking about the blonde.

"Oh Merlin, what's happening to me?" She never had been like that about anyone. None of the
scarce boys she had kissed and certainly no girls. She needed sometime alone to think and analyze
it, that's how her mind worked. It was a good thing she would spend a week with her parents, in a
muggle environment. She got out of her bed and changed. Her eyes lingered at the words written on
her forearm, the scar still ached a little, what a war mark. She hated that name but simply looking
at it now made her feel stronger.

She heard her friend shuffle on her bed and she stood there, looking at her arm. No one, except for
Harry, Ron, Luna and, of course, Dobby, had seen it. She quickly masked it with a wave of her
wand. She was getting better with wordless magic. Ginny opened her bed curtains, sleepily.

"Good morning, 'Mione…"

"Morning, Ginny! I'm heading down to the Great hall for breakfast…" She smiled at the girl.
 "Ok. I'm going. I think mom wants to leave today too. Thankfully all the Order meetings are over. I
desperately need my bed." A grumpy Ginny begun to dress herself. "Hey, what's with you and
Phlegm? She seems to be around you all the time." The girl was facing her trunk and missed the
way Hermione blushed.

"Uh, nothing. It's your imagination, Gin." Was Fleur really near her all the time? "I just
remembered I promised that I would show my mother the library before breakfast. See you at the
Great hall?"

"Yeah…"

Chapter End Notes

Heeey! So, I always thought that because Luna is so underrated she was capable of
seeing things most people don’t. Just love her! What did you think? Please let me
know!
And thank for reading and for the comments! (Hope you liked this one, I had fun
writing Fleur/Luna interaction)
 Chapter 6
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Fleur spent the night trying to figure out how she would deliver the book she had in front of her to
Hermione. Before leaving the day before with the brunette, Bill told her that he saw her reading
about veelas. Fleur took some time, after they were gone, researching the books about her heritage
available in the library and came to the conclusion that those had almost any useful information.
She wondered how Luna managed to know so much about veelas. When asked, Luna explained
that she had actually brought some books. With that in thought and knowing that Hermione
wouldn't comeback in a while, she asked her mother to send her one of the most complete book she
knew about her heritage. Apolline managed to make it be delivered to her by one of the Delacour's
house-elves along with a portkey to France.

The veela had decided that she would ask Luna to give the book to Hermione. She was too
nervous. So, she managed to write a small letter to the wise girl and asked Luna to give it to her.
Both were up before the first light. As soon as she handled the book to the other blonde, Fleur
activated the portkey and headed to France.

When Hermione entered the Great Hall, it was empty, except for one girl. Luna. That was a strange
thing, Fleur usually was also awake this early.

"Good morning, Lun…" During the time they spent together after the Malfoys incident Hermione
began to really consider her a friend. The girl always intrigued her but she grew found of her talking
about all those magical creatures so passionately.

"Morning, 'Mione!" Only when she got closer to the blonde girl she noticed the book in front of
her. At first you thought it was Hogwarts: a History, you knew she had it as one of her favorite too,
but then you realized that its binding was different. She noticed your curiosity. "Oh, right! Fleur
asked me to give it to you. She had to leave earlier than she thought."

Hermione admired the book and noticed a parchment inside it. "Oh, she left already?" Her heart
seemed to sink a little.

"Yup, earlier this morning." Luna said, with a smirk that Hermione didn't understand.

She opened the book and first of all read the parchment covered with a handwriting that she could
only guess as being Fleur's.

Dear Hermione,

I'm sorry I couldn't deliver this book personally to you. Mother and Gabrielle asked me to go as
soon as possible, we have something to attend. Before you left with Bill yesterday, he told me that
you were reading about my heritage. Judging from the titles he told me, Hogwarts library doesn't
have the best collection about Veelas. And I remembered Harry once telling me that one of your
favorite books is Hogwarts: A History. You could consider this present book the Veelas: a history,
if you allow me the joke. This is the most complete book I know about Veelas. I hope you enjoy it,

Fleur.

Hermione felt her face grow hot. She opened the book once again, reading its title: History and
Cultural Context of the Veela Society, by M. Delacour. Her eyes widened when she read the
author's name, they were in some way related to her.

"Hey, 'Mione!" Harry entered the hall and walked to them. It was still really early and apparently,
her friend decided that he too should wake earlier than usual. The DA members had already gone
home, except for the ones whose parents were Order members and those already off age like Harry
and herself. "Hogwarts: a History?" He said, noticing the book in her hands.

"Fleur lent me this. It's about veelas and apparently is the next best thing to Hogwarts a history on
veelas. Because someone told her I deeply like this kind of book…" She glared him.

"Sorry…" He shrugged. "Where's Gin?"

"She should be here already. Must have slept again. She told me she would come soon." Hermione
smiled, she knew her friend had madly missed her. "Oh, she seems to think that Fleur is stalking
me…"

"Well you have indeed been orbiting each other these days…" Harry said with a smirk.

"What? She helped me with the spell…"

"Hermione, the number of Wrackspurts around is surprisingly high…" Luna looked at her
dreamingly.

"Oh, come on, you two!"

"Ok, Hermione. I'm going to ask you something and I really want you to think about it before you
answer me." Harry sat in front of her. "I'll ask you now that Ginny isn't here and I believe Luna
won't say anything about that conversation." Luna smiled and sat on the table so she could watch
both of them easily.

"Of course." the blonde answered. Hermione sat straight and motioned him to continue.

"I ask you that because I know you enough to understand that you might be missing something
here." She nodded. "The question is: what do you feel about Fleur?"

Hermione froze, looking directly into Harry's eyes. Her eyes went wide.

"I… I don't know."

"Right, I believe you need to think about it." He said.

"I was planning on doing it before I meet her in a week." Harry crooked a brow.

"You have plans to meet her?"

"Yes, the minister requested us to assemble the war reports." She said, innocently.

"Us who?" Ginny slowly entered the hall and sat beside harry, kissing his cheek and making him
blush.

"Fleur." She answered, ready to see her friend's frown.

"Oh, right. I think you mentioned it." She said and put her head on Harry's shoulder.

They stayed in a comfortable silence. Soon the rest of their families came down to have breakfast.
Luna and Bill were beside her, Ginny, Harry and Ron were in front of her, the twins were nowhere
to be seen. Her parents were deep in conversation with the older Order members.

"Harry, where are you going to stay?" Hermione asked. She was curious, knowing that he wouldn't
stay at the Grimmauld Place.

"I'm thinking of buying or renting an apartment in muggle London. Probably near the Diagon
Alley." He smiled. "But Gin here is actually trying to persuade me on coming back and finish
school."

"That would be wonderful!" She smiled but frowned right afterwards. "As long as you don't copy
my work anymore!" Everyone near her chuckled, except for Harry who only stared at his own
fingers.

"Sorry, 'Mione! I didn't think of it…" Gin grinned at her friend.

"It's ok. He is copying you this year." She laughed when her friend grimaced. "Anyway, Harry, I
was thinking of doing something similar after finishing here."

"Oh, we should look around sometime." She nodded.

After some time, they all said good bye and went home. Harry would stay at the Burrow while he
hadn't decided what to do and she promised Mrs. Weasley that she would pass by there with her
parents soon.

Hermione entered the house she had grown up and felt like crying. The last time she had been in
there, she didn't know if she would be able to see her parents again. She didn't even know if she
would survive. Feeling her distress, her parents hugged her. And she returned the embrace dearly.
The family fell into a routine, every day they would have breakfast together, got outside to walk on
the park nearby, had lunch and spent the afternoon inside, reading. Hermione had inherited her
parents interest in learning and reading. And now more than ever they were interested in learning
everything they could about the world she found herself in.

Within two days, she received a call from Harry. Asking her if she wanted to go to London the next
day and have a look on the available apartments which she happily complied. They met at the
Leaky Caldron early the next morning and begun their search. When they paused for lunch, they
had seen three apartments which none of them they liked.

"Maybe we should look if there are any available at the Diagon Alley. I'm starting to doubt we'll be
able to find one around here." Harry said, frustrated.

"Let's see some more before giving up. If we had given up so easily when we were searching for
the horcruxes, he would still be here and we, long dead." She argued.

"You are right, as always." he smiled at her. "And what about the question I asked you?"

"Oh, I haven't thought about it yet…" Her voice low, she was a little ashamed that she was trying
to forget that problem.

"Hermione…"

"I know! I need to know. I was just… trying to ignore my absolute confusion."

"Well, I'll cut you some slack by now. But you really should think about it. Changing the subject. I
want to ask you something that actually I should have earlier. I consider you my sister, you see?"
She nodded. "I have been wondering, since you said you are planning on moving to London after
school, would you like to share the apartment with me? I mean, if you want, obviously…"

"That would be lovely, Harry! I consider you a brother too!" She said before he could start
rambling.

They spent the rest of the day searching for the perfect apartment. Their last hope for the day was a
duplex near the Leaky Caldron. If they wanted, they would be able to go there walking. The
moment Hermione stepped into the flat she felt immediately like it could be her home. She looked
at Harry, and smiled. He was obviously in awe. The first floor had an open concept, it had a
modern design. The second floor had three rooms, all of them were suites.

"Hermione…"

"Oh My Gods, Harry! It's perfect!"

"I couldn't agree more!" He grinned at her. "I'll contact the seller today, if you agree."

"Harry, how am I going to pay for it?"

"That's another thing I needed to talk to you. Yesterday I went to Gringotts, as the last Black, Sirius
left a will. He left me half of the Black's properties and vaults, reinstated Andromeda to the family
leaving her a quarter of the vaults and properties and the last quarter has been left for you and
Ron." He said, smiling. "And he wrote a letter for you." He handed her an envelope. She was
crying.

"Sirius…" she whispered, ripping the envelope and unfolding the parchment.

Hermione,

I'm going to risk saying something you heard your entire life. You are one of the most intelligent
people I ever had the pleasure to know. Unfortunately, if you are reading this letter, it means I
passed while we are at war. I hope you managed to keep my inconsequent godson alive (because
both of us know you are the only reason he is in one peace) and that by the time you read it, our
world is finally in peace. I know you must be thinking that you don't deserve what I'm leaving you,
but you do and I'm have absolute certain that Harry will be pleased to tell you the same. As the
head of Black house, I have certain powers that allow me to include someone in the family. I would
be honored to have you in the family, if you want to. I left instructions so that you can be admitted
in the Black house. Thank you for saving my life and for trusting me.

With love,

Sirius.

Hermione was openly crying now. Harry hugged her and kissed her forehead.

"Harry, he…" She began, sobbing.

"I know, 'Mione. I know."

"I mean, a Black?"

Harry smiled, "Oh, yes. The goblins confirmed that he can do it. You would be fully a Black. I
have become one you know? As Sirius's main heir, I am now head of the house. As I already was
of the Potter. You would officially be my sister!" Hermione grinned.
 After she calmed herself down enough, they got out of the house. Immediately Harry went to a
telephone booth and called the owner.

"All set. We have a flat!" He said, stepping out of the booth, beaming at her.

"Hey, I believe that means you aren't going to Hogwarts this last year…" She began, while they
walked to the Leaky Caldron.

"No, actually I am going. Your ginger friend is quite persuasive." He smiled. "I suppose I'll need
your notes to study." She nudged him. "Ouch! I just need to revise everything. I'm taking it
seriously this year."

"Yeah, the only way I'll believe it is seeing." They reached the bar, had a butterbeer to celebrate
their new acquisition and parted ways.

Hermione apparated in her room, at her parents' house.

"I'm home!" She said, opening her door.

"Great! Just in time for dinner!" Her mother said from downstairs.

She changed into something comfier and went to the kitchen to see if her mother needed some
help. Hermione didn't discuss with them going back to Hogwarts nor moving out. She decided she
should do it. After dinner, they began telling each other their days. It was her parents first day back
at clinic, they had a lot of news and apparently, they had a busy schedule ahead.

"Uh…" She said, "I have been wanting to tell you something…" They were at the living room, she
was in an armchair facing them. Her parents motioned for her to continue. "Obviously, I missed last
school year. I talked to professor McGonagall and she allowed me to go back next year."

"We guessed you would want to do so…" Her mother smiled at her.

"There is another thing." She starred at her hands. "I have been thinking about moving out."

"Oh, when?" The woman in front of her didn't hold back the sadness, it was clear in her eyes.

"After coming back from school. I have a job offer from the minister to work in London… And he
actually has offered me an internship in a way, if I say yes, I'd get to work at the ministry until I get
back to Hogwarts."

"That's wonderful, darling!" His father said, his wife nodding.

"I met Harry today to help him finding an apartment. He ended up asking me if I'd like to share a
flat with him, as we consider each other siblings and we were both considering living in London."
She smiled at her mother, starting to cry herself. Realizing that a year from now she wouldn't be
leaving there anymore. "At the end of the day we found the perfect one. He is negotiating with the
owner…"

"Oh, my little girl is all grown up!" Her mother said, wiping her eyes. Hermione stood and sat
between her parents, whom hugged her dearly.

Chapter End Notes

A/N: And there goes another chapter! I confess I almost forgot to post today. Anyway,
I hope you are enjoying the story!

Please comment!

Stay safe,

Thanks for reading!

 Chapter 7
Chapter Notes

You may notice most of Fleur's lines are written in unaccented english, that's because
she is speaking in french, dears. Given I basically have no capacity to write in french
unless I use google translator. Hope you like this one!

See the end of the chapter for more notes

She had been in France for four days and Gabrielle was yet to let her be with the teasing about
finding her mate in the middle of a battle. Better yet, her mate was only one of the keys that led
them to winning.

"Hé Granger Girl!"(Hey, Granger Girl!) The younger had just found a way to tease her some more,
great. "So, I was thinking, we should go out so you can buy Hermione something…"

"I'd love to, but she's not my girlfriend and why would I buy her something being that the case?"

"I don't know. You could buy your friends there something and give her whatever you want…"

"Gabe, I'm not even sure I could be considered her friends."

"You said you had to go back so you can meet her!"

"Yeah, the part that we will be writing official reports should cross your mind!" She rolled her
eyes.

Fleur indeed wanted to buy Hermione something but she was positive the girl wouldn't accept an
out of nowhere gift. She wasn't even sure she would accept the book. A few hours later, Fleur
decided to read a muggle novel that Harry said he liked. She was currently cozily sat on the
armchair she had on her bedroom. The day she arrived there, she moved some of the room's
furniture around and ended up placing that specific armchair by the window. She was now so used
to the British cold weather that she magically changed her room's thermostat. The woman had a
blanket wrapped around her and was so caught up on the book that she didn't hear the faint knock
on her door, nor the sound of the door opening.

"Oh, my Merlin! It's freezing here!" Gabrielle whined, getting Fleur's attention.

"Good, then stay clear." She smiled at her sister, as the other girl drew her want out and performed
a warming spell.

"Better. Fleur, mom is looking for you."

"Ok. Going."

Fleur decided that she loved being back at her childhood house, she didn't need to worry about
anything work related or house related. There she was simply Appoline's daughter. Thinking about
work made her remember she had yet to answer the Minister about the work proposal she had
officially received the day she had gotten there. She made a mental note to do that as soon as she
discovered what her mother needed. The girl didn't need to ask her sister to know where to find her
mother, the manor they lived was huge, but her mother had a favorite spot. The garden. To more
exact, the greenhouse, taking care of her beloved flowers. Yes, that was the reason for her name.

"Were you looking for me, mom?"

"Yes, I have been meaning to ask you, how do you plan on acting about your mate?"

That was what she feared, her mother asking her about Hermione.

"I don't know. I'm not sure about what she feels about me by now."

"You are her mate, Fleur." Her mother sent her a scolding look.

"Yes, but I'm well aware that not all veela's mates are able to correspond the bounding we hold to
them." She breathed out, heavily. She hoped that it wasn't the case.

"I'll accept your answer by now. But have in mind that we will return to that conversation later."

"Yes, maman."

Fleur got back to her room and reread the minister letter, letting every inch of the proposal sink in.
He wanted her to be the head of the anti-dark magic task he was forming. Apparently with the
Voldemort's death and of some of his followers unleashed some spells around the country. Of
course she would accept. Bill was supposed to work with her too, the goblins wouldn't be very
happy about it. She wrote down two different letters, one to the minister and another explaining to
the bank's administration why she would leave her post there. She then called a house elf and asked
them to send the letters. She soon found herself in the same position she was before Gabrielle
interrupt her.

The next day, Fleur actually begun to find herself bored in the house and consequently started
computing the hours she had there before heading back to London. She then remembered that she
had yet to contact Hermione and let her know she would return in two days, as she guessed.

Hermione,

I'm heading back to London in a couple of days, as I told you the last time we spoke. I
suggest we meet so we can plan how we are going to work. The minister has indeed
requested me to lead a new task he is forming. Apparently, I'm now a ministry
employee. I hope you are enjoying the book, assuming Luna handled it to you. How's
your vacation going?

Hope you are ok,

Fleur

She then went to the owlery and found her own owl. After petting it and giving her some snacks,
she secured the letter on its leg.

"Wait a little so she can answer if she wants to, Yuna"

She then got back to her book. The next day, by noon she was greeted with two letters. One from
the bank, saying they were sorry for loosing such a good employee but happy that she would had a
wonderful career at the ministry. The other was from Hermione. Apparently Yuna had noticed her
anxiety about the response.
 Dear Fleur,

I'm having a wonderful time reconnecting with my parents! I'm happy to know you
will be working with the minister, you are a genius witch and I'm sure he will love
your work. Yes, Luna gave me the book. Thank you so much, reading it was very
enlightening. The minister offered me an internship while Hogwarts doesn't start again
maybe we will ran into each other there. I'll wait your contact so we can arrange that
meeting.

Regards,

Hermione

She smiled. One more thing to wait for. Less than 24 hours to London.

Fleur woke up the next morning fairly early. Within an hour, she was having her last meal with her
parents and sister.

"Dad, Hermione loved the book. Thanks for giving her a copy!"

"Oh? She already finished?" He seemed impressed. "I guess we just found out why she is being
called the brains of the Golden Trio!"

"Yeah. But I bet that makes Fleur be even more head over heels for her…" Gabrielle said,
smirking. The rest of the meal was spent with Fleur blushing at every comment and tease made by
her sister and father, her mother only observed them. When that was time to go, Fleur bade them
farewell and port keyed herself to her flat in London.

Feeling nauseous, she went to the kitchen to get nice glass of water. She breathed in deeply to
subdue the nausea, she loved London. Sure, she kind of hated Britain the first time she went there
but it changed. It was so long ago that she couldn't put a finger on what made her change her mind.
Leaning on the kitchen counter, she took a moment to think about how her life had changed since
she went to the Triwizard Tournament. For once she didn't have a mate, she didn't know who they
were actually. She was quite spoiled and arrogant, the last being a facade so she wouldn't have to
endure the boring conversations her schoolmates had all day long. So much had changed… She
suddenly remembered she had to owl Bill and let him know she had arrived and she could send a
note to Hermione too, couldn't she? She decided to send the note the following day so she wouldn't
seem so eager to meet her. After writing a quick note to her friend, she begun unpacking and
cleaning the house. She lived at muggle London, anyone would have guessed the girl would prefer
a wizarding neighborhood but she loved being surrounded by people that didn't even know what a
veela was nor that they existed. She decided that she should have lunch sometime in the middle of
the afternoon so she ordered takeover. She had a telephone, something she thought was a
wonderful invention. At least for people that didn't have floo. After eating she sat in her couch and
begun some random book she had bought in a muggle bookstore in France, the store attendant said
it was a good one and was surprised when she said she had never read it.

She lost track of time. She looked through the window and the sky was silky black, it was late. Her
owl flew into the window and landed on her knee, showing off her leg. The letter was obviously
from Bill.

Hi Fleur,

Good to know you are back. I'm yet to come back home from the Burrow, mom won't
let me leave. You already know how she is. This week was quite intense and I had to
 explain why we aren't dating anymore. I might have said we broke up months ago and
that we saw we were better as friends, which is true. Mom won't believe me and keeps
asking me what I did wrong, believe me she is quite sad you aren't in the family
anymore. When I said it to her she said it wasn't true and that you would always be
family to her. Oh, she invited the Granger for dinner tomorrow and I guess she would
be delighted if you came too. Anyway, I heard Hermione will be working at the
ministry while she is on vacation. So, I guess I'll have to control your drool over her
every day.

See you tomorrow,

Bill

P.S.: Mom says you should really come.

P.P.S.: Harry sends his love. My sister is starring at him. I believe she wants to kill
him for sending you anything.

She conjured a patronus quickly, and sent it to accept Bill's offer. Yuna eyed her outraged.

"What? You must be tired and I needed to confirm my presence."

The owl flew form her knee and went for some snacks. Now Fleur was a little anxious. The book
she gifted the brunette was something only a few people had access or were interested. It gave
away many of the veela supposedly secrets, a lot of information about the mating process. What if
the other girl figured it out? She knew she was overreacting, there was no way she could know.
She was going crazy and wasn't used at all with all that overthinking.

"Merde!" She got up from the couch and decided to make some tea, hoping it would make her
nerves calm down so she would be able to sleep and not be a total wreck the next day.

Fleur woke up the next day with a loud noise coming from her kitchen. She quickly found a robe
and her wand and got there cautiously. She was greeted with a ginger man making pancakes
singing quietly.

"Bill?"

"Oh, I woke you up. Sorry, I dropped the pan."

"I almost 'exed you! Are you crazy? What are you doing 'ere?"

"Sorry! I figured you would be anxious about meeting Hermione and her parents again. So, I
convinced my mother that I had to come fletch you. We have time to have breakfast and for you to
get dressed. Mom wants us there for lunch." He smiled.

"I'll get ready zen. Don't you ever do zat again. You scared ze shit out of me!" She said with a sigh.

"Sorry, sorry…"

Soon the meal was ready and she too, having packed a change of clothes. They left right after they
did the dishes. Actually, right after Fleur wrote a note and sent Yuna to deliver it.

"Who was that for?" Bill asked as they apparated outside the Burrow.

"'ermione."
"Oh…" He smiled.

"I told 'er I would let 'er know when I got back."

"And did you tell her…"

"No." The blonde broke him off bluntly.

"I see, you want to surprise her." He smirked. "You are really nervous about meeting her again…"
She nodded, hoping he would drop the subject. He went quiet as they entered the house. She was
immediately greeted by Molly.

"Fleur! Welcome darling! Make yourself home! Bill, Arthur is trying to set up the tent with the
boys, would you mind?" Her friend nodded and was out of the house again. "How are you, Fleur? I
heard you and Bill broke up, I hope you are alright!"

"Yes, Molly. We decided we were better off as friends, no 'ard feelings. I 'ave been great,
actually…" She sat by the table as the woman had motioned her, nodding at her answer.

"Tea?"

"Oui. 'ow are you, Molly? I 'aven't really talked to you since before zat awful battle."

"Things are great. I love having the house full, having all the kids here." Molly served two cups of
tea and sat next to her.

"Mom! Where are the twins?" The younger Weasley bursted into the room, only noticing Fleur
there a moment after. "Oh, hi." She said, frowning.

"They are outside helping you father, I believe."

"I am so going to kill them!"

"What did they do this time?" But she was already outside.

"WHAT THE HECK DO YOU THINK YOU WERE DOING?" Fleur could hear her screaming.
"CAME BACK HERE, YOU… UGH"

In no time, Fred and George ran into the kitchen, laughing. Apparently, they had planned on
running out of the room and inside the house. But both faced an invisible barrier, conjured by their
mother.

"What have you two done?"

"Uh? Nothing!" Fred answered, George nodding next to him.

"Seriously, transfigure my room into a newly married suite and transferring all Harry's things
inside?" Ginny's face had the same shade as her hair, the girl was standing by the opposite door.

"I don't know what you are talking about!" They both blurted in unison.

"That's not so serious, Ginny…" Molly was now trying to hide her smile.

"I was asleep, mom! And so was Harry!"

Fleur decided she should leave them alone as she didn't want to make her situation with the
redheaded girl any worse. She quickly finished her tea and got outside. She found the rest of the
family finishing the last touches on the tents. They were all laughing, except for Harry. Whom was
trying to blend into the ground.

"I 'eard you are now newly married, 'arry!" She said, causing everyone to laugh even harder and
Harry to look at her with pleading eyes.

"Hallo, Fleur…" The boy said, smiling a bit.

"Bonjour" She said to them all. She noticed the size of the tent. "'ow many Grangers are zere? Bill
told me eet was going to be only zem and me invited." She asked Harry who had approached her so
he could hug her.

"As far as I know, only three. Molly apparently got excited and invited the whole Order." She
nodded and smiled. "She loved the book, you know? Wouldn't stop talking about it when I met her
to search for an apartment…"

"Oh?" She couldn't help but smile and blush.

"I seriously think that there's no better way to conquer her than with books." He said, smiling.

"I just zought she deserved a better source…"

"Yeah, yeah. Anything you say."

Harry silently stood there, aware of the veela nervousness towards meeting his best friend once
again. The two of them - Harry and Fleur - weren't as close as he was with Hermione. And he
wasn't used to be good at reading people, that was probably something he got by spending so much
time with his best friend and the blonde loony and his fierce girlfriend. A thought came into his
mind, and he motioned the woman to accompany him and get away from the Weasleys.

"Uh, Fleur?" He begun, when he calculated it was far enough.

"Oui?"

"I'll not assume anything, so I'm going to ask you. What's your deal with Hermione?"

"Oh!"

"It's nothing like she needs protection. We both know she doesn't. I'm legit curious. I see the way
you look at her, it has actually changed since your first day in the Burrow."

"Oui. 'arry, are you familiar with ze Veela culture?"

"I know what Hermione told me. A bit about how your society works, how it's possible to be part
veela and something about mates." He answered, trying to remember everything his friend had told
him.

"What do you know about mates?" She was growing nervous. Was she really going to tell
Hermione's best friend about her being her mate? Not only best friend, she knew they both
considered themselves brothers. Harry's head snapped towards her, his eyes wide.

"Wait! Seriously?" He was obviously dumbstruck.

"I believe so. At least eef you 'ad understood zat your dear friend is zee one I identify as my mate."
She smiled nervously. His face turned into a huge smile.
 "I can't believe it! You and Hermione! I'm really happy!" He hugged her.

"'arry, as much as I like your embrace, I believe your girlfriend isn't too fond about me. And
knowing I must change zis eef I really want any chance in earning 'ermione's 'eart, I'd say let's keep
zee 'ugs out of question for now…" As soon as she said it, he freed her and smiled.

"I don't even know why she is like that…"

"Never mind, I'm sure we will come zrough eet." When they began walking back to the house, still
updating each other about their lives, Bill got out of the door.

"Oh, good. Lunch is ready. Come on…"

Chapter End Notes

OOOOOOH! Harry being the brother was legit fun to write! So, I hope you like this
chapter! Gabrielle is like 11/12 and just finishing her first year at Beauxbatons... At
that age I believe we are quite annoying! LOL

Thanks for reading!

Don't forget to review.

Oh, I decided to update every Wednesday and Saturday.

XoXo
 Chapter 8
Chapter Notes

Hallo! Surprise Chapter! Because I feel like it!

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Hermione decided that she should write about how she was feeling. She was never one to keep a
diary, she always had a lot to do, especially during the last seven years. If being friends with Harry
and Ron had done anything it was making her life anything but boring. She had brought a
notebook, one that would blend with the others she had, herself being afraid about anyone reading
it. And now she sat at her desk, facing its first page not knowing how to start.

"Oh Merlin!" She said, under her breath. And begun to write what was on her mind.

I believe I had truly began to grow up quickly when I first noticed that the so-called
adventures I had with Ron and Harry weren't common even to wizarding kids. The war
only accelerated the process further. When I decided I had to whip myself from my
parents memories I cried myself to sleep for three nights and then it came to me that if
I ever wanted to see them again I should stop crying and start preparing myself. I
knew what Harry needed to do and would never let him do it alone, but I believe Ron
only came along because we were doing and he liked to be in the group. So as soon as
the three of us were safe in the Burrow, I packed some of our things. The next three
months weren't easy. All the problems of coexistence Ron and I had, became obvious
and then he decided to leave because of a fight he had with Harry and me. He soon
returned, saying he was sorry about everything. I think I never trusted him the same
way I did before that, I don't know if I'll ever be able to. Soon after we were captured.
Being locked up inside the Malfoy mansion was probably the worse experience I have
ever had. Having Bellatrix Lestrange hovering over me and writing on my skin with
that blade was by far the most terrifying moment of my whole life. Being under the
cruciatus curse over and over again, hearing Harry and Ron scream my name while I
screamed what seemed to be the life out of me, is something I would never wish even
for my worst enemy. When Dobby rescued us, it was a relief, he managed to treat the
wound and was as horrified as Harry by its saying. He made sure to say I was the
most wonderful and kind witch he had ever met that I did not deserve such words
written on me. We all tried to vanish with it, no success. Luna was with us now but she
should be at school, so we sent her there with Dobby. Harry and I treated Mr.
Ollivander and Griphook's wounds and had the latter's help to enter Bellatrix's vault
on Gringotts. After that, we were alone again and with nothing to destroy the latest
horcrux we had found. So, we decided to go to Hogwarts. We managed to enter the
school and get in touch with professor McGonagall and then Ron and I went to the
first-floor girls' bathroom to find the chamber's entrance. Ron did some display by
mimicking Harry's words in parseltongue so we could enter and recover some fangs
from there. I soon destroyed the cup and we found our ways back to find harry. The
three of us found the last horcrux we were looking for, being the actual last one the
snake. When that one was destroyed, we went back to the Great Hall. Just in time for
the first attack. I'll have to admit I still find very weird that every time the three of us
were endangered most, all our attackers were sent flying towards the field. After a
 while into that battle, Voldemort gave a retreat order to his followers. Before that, we
managed to sneak out and went after him and the snake, planning to kill it. We were
greeted with Snape's death. We went back to the castle and Harry hurried to
Dumbledore's Office to watch Snape's memories, he came back crying and I instantly
understood. He had to die, Dumbledore had made him destroy every horcrux so
Harry's death wouldn't be in vain. He was a horcrux himself. I cried too. But let him
go. I felt obligated to explain to professor McGonagall what he was doing. And then I
had to explain it to Ginny. I believe I never saw her so sad and lost.

Hermione stopped writing, recollecting herself from that memories. She noticed she had been
crying all along and whipped her tears away. She went downstairs to get some water to calm
herself down. When she sat again on her chair, she read the last part of what she wrote, to
remember where she had stopped. She knew what she had to write and closed her eyes to recollect
the sensation and what she thought about that specific moment.

Only when I looked back to McGonagall, I saw Fleur. We locked eyes and I froze in
place, not knowing what I was about to say anymore. Everything ran out of my mind
and I felt like I was drowning in her eyes. I saw a smile on her lips and felt
lightheaded. Shortly after I explained to them what Harry had discovered, Voldemort
appeared with his followers and Hagrid carrying Harry. My heart sank and I couldn't
believe it then I realized we had to fight even without him. Everything went on so
quickly I was unable to keep track of what was happening, when I was back to myself,
I saw myself mechanically fighting death eaters by Fleur's side. Thinking back, I'm
able to understand I felt stronger by her side. It seemed like we were so used to fight
together that it was possible to think I had been away with her, not Harry. At some
point, Ginny and Luna joined us and we saw ourselves fighting Bellatrix. Instantly I
felt my body freeze and experience the same pain I had gone through in the Mansion.
Apparently, Fleur sensed my state and stood in front of me, I saw a light fly towards us
and be deflected by her. She stepped ahead only to be blocked by Mrs. Weasley
standing between us and that crazy woman.

Hermione let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. And kept describing her thoughts about
the battle. Then she was writing about the next day and again she wrote about how light headed
she felt while thinking about Fleur. The more she wrote down how she felt when she was around
the blonde, the more she became aware of what she felt towards her. When Hermione finished
writing about the last time she saw the older woman, and about the book, she heard a knocking on
her window. An owl she didn't know was outside holding a letter and apparently tired. Letting it in,
she took some treats she had brought for Hedwig and gave them to the unknown owl, after
retrieving the letter.

She smiled at the mere sight of the handwriting. It was unconscious. But after a while she caught
herself looking at the letter, smiling, without really reading its content. Realization sank into her.

"Oh fuck!" She said under her breath, catching up with her own feelings.

Hermione never really gave her sexuality a thought. She knew the magical society was quite more
open minded then the muggles, at least when it came to it. Her main worry were her parents. How
would they react?

"Calm down, Hermione. You are overreacting and overthinking. You don't even know how she
feels about you." She rambled, to no one. "Great, now I'm crazy!" After recollecting herself, she
answered Fleur's letter.
She went down to dinner when her mother called, thinking about the blonde and how much she
was looking forward to see her. Next day, remembering she promised her friend that she would
write him, she sat again by her desk and wrote everything she had uncovered about her feelings. As
she wrote down the last paragraph of the letter, or what Harry would call an essay, Hedwig came
flying into her window.

"Just in time!" She smiled at the owl. She was carrying a small note.

Remember what you promised me.

Love,

Harry

P.S.: See you in two days!

She added some lined to her letter, saying he was being annoying, thanking him for sending
Hedwig and promising to buy an owl for herself. Hermione spent the rest of the day and the next
one with her parents. On the morning of the Weasleys' dinner, she was greeted with a note from
Fleur, letting her know she was back in London, and with Dobby delivering a chipped cup, the port
key she and her parents would use later to get to the Burrow. She decided that she had to speak to
Ginny about Fleur that day. She was now feeling as if she was keeping a huge secret from her best
friend. And she would ask Harry to speak to Ronald. The girl grew nervous as time passed, it
wouldn't be easy to talk to the ginger, she was kind of strong headed. When they were all set to go,
Hermione explained a little about port keys.

"Ok?" Her parents nodded as she finished the explanation. "Let's go, it's time." They all touched
the cup and appeared outside the Burrow, the sun was setting as Hermione helped her parents to
regain balance.

"Hermione! Thank Merlin you are here! I was going crazy!" Ginny got outside, shouting at her
friend. Harry was right after her, followed by Mrs. Weasley, who greeted her parents and directed
them inside. Ginny hugged her and started to complain about Fleur, loudly. Harry had an
apologetic smile.

"Fleur? Is she here?" Hermione directed the question towards Harry but Ginny was quicker.

"Yes, Bill and mom called her. Ugh, she' so annoying!"

Hermione beamed but refrained herself from running inside the house. Ginny's complaint settled in
her mind. A frown arose on her face, causing Ginny to raise an eyebrow.

"Ginny, we need to talk."

"What happened?" the redhead looked worried.

Hermione turned to Harry, partly ignoring her friend. "Could you talk to Ronald about it? He will
probably need reasoning." He nodded and walked into the house once again. "Gin, I don't know
how to tell you this, as you hate her so much." She took a long breath, shaking a little. "I like
Fleur." She said, blunt. "I believe I'm falling for her. And believe me, I'm not under her magic. I
haven't seen her since she left Hogwarts last week." Ginny was looking at her, dumbfounded.

"But… But how do you even know that if you didn't see her after that?

"Believe me, I just know. I spent this previous week thinking about her. I couldn't help myself.
 And I have something to ask you. Please, try giving her a second chance. I don't even know what
she did to you."

Ginny looked at her feet, defeated.

"I think I just envied her because of all the attention she gets from everyone. Everybody seems to
love her. I kind of wanted it too. And Ron's attitude towards her annoys me. And come on she was
kind of a bitch at the Triwizard Tournament…"

"I see. She has changed. Will you be able to give her a second chance?" Ginny nodded, still looking
at her feet. Hermione hugged her. "Thanks, Ginny. It means the world to me. You are my best
friend after all." She heard the other girl sigh and hug her back.

"Right, she better not steal you from me." As they walked into the house, smiling, they heard a
door being slammed.

"SHE IS WHAT?" Ron's voice could be heard from the doorstep. Ginny giggled and Hermione
turned red.

"Ok, I think we should get everybody out of the house. Before you are outed by my dumb brother."
Ginny smiled. Hermione was profusely blushing as they entered the room where Fleur, her parents
and the rest of the Weasleys were. They all looked at them curiously. "We should go outside. I
think Harry and Ron are having some sort of couple's fight." With that, Molly promptly stood and
hushed everyone outside, the twins laughing at Ginny's joke.

Chapter End Notes

So, just because you are really awesome! Hermione has to write to understand what
ever is going through her beautiful mind...

I hope you like it! Wednesday I'll be back, promise!

Please comment!

Stay awesome!
 Chapter 9
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Fleur stayed behind. She wanted to talk to Hermione. Ginny was there, looking at her and
obviously fighting a grimace. The younger girl looked at her friend and slightly nodded, she passed
Fleur quickly. They were finally alone. Well not exactly, the girl's friends were upstairs apparently
arguing.

"Fleur!" She snapped back to reality and smiled at the girl.

"'ermione, 'ow are you going?" She felt her stomach flutter a bit.

"Fine! And you?" Her voice had the power to make her heart skip a beat.

"Awesome!" Beaming at Hermione, she stepped closer to her. "'ow did you find ze book?"

"Oh, Fleur! It's awesome! Thank you so much! The writer…"

"Oui, eets my fazer." Fleur smiled at Hermione. "'e says he can sign your copy eef you want…"

"Wait! You mean that copy is mine?"

"Well, of course!" She said laughing at the other girl's demeanor.

Beaming, Hermione pulled her outside by the hand. She couldn't keep herself from beaming too.
They joined everyone outside. About half an hour later, Harry and a frowning Ronald joined them.
Fleur started wandering what happened upstairs. Something very awkward was happening. As the
rest of the members of the Order arrived, that thought slipped from her mind. It was a pleasant
night, meeting everyone after that terrible battle was surprisingly good. The lighter mood was
obvious and Fleur wished Gabrielle could be there to meet so many important people, so many
important pieces of her life there, in England. She noticed that not only the official member of the
Order were there, but some of the older DA members were invited too. They were all gathered
retelling stories to each other, but mostly to the Golden Trio. Not wanting to intrude their
conversation, she made sure Bill would keep her entertained.

"Fleur, just go talk to her."

"No. She need to catch up wiz 'er friends."

"She will be able to talk to them in Hogwarts. That's definitely something you won't, even with the
reports."

"Later" She narrowed her eyes and Bill smirked, knowing he had partially changed her mind.

When dinner was served, Molly instructed everyone to look for their names on the table. Bill gave
her a knowing smile. "What did you do, Bill?"

"Nothing, dear. Nothing." As they moved closer to the long table, he motioned to a specific part of
the table. "Your name is over there."

After finding her name, she noticed Hermione give her parents, who were seated next to Molly and
Arthur, a hug and start searching for her name. When Molly saw what the younger girl was doing,
she motioned the direction Fleur was. Fleur had found her seat rather quickly because Bill had
indicated the right seat so she didn't feel the need to acknowledge who would seat next to her.
Seeing Molly point at her general direction, Fleur quickly read the neat handwrite, that was
obviously Molly's, on the place cards next to her. Wide-eyed, she looked at Bill who was smirking
contently. Before She could say anything to the men in front of her, Hermione found her way to her
side and sat down.

"Hello, Fleur!" In Fleur's opinion, the girl smile had become even more beautiful if it was even
possible.

"Allô, 'ermione!" She smiled at the other girl.

Luna came from behind Fleur, starling her as she saw Hermione. "Hello you two! Oh, seems like
I'm supposed to seat next to you too, Fleur!" Both girls saluted the younger blonde and smiled.

As Ginny and Harry approached them, the redhead whispered something on Hermione's ear that
made her blush and glare the boy, who was next to Fleur.

"Thank me later." He said, smiling and went to his seat next to Ginny.

"Hello, Fleur." the ginger said. That was odd, definitely odd. She had been doing her best to simply
ignore Fleur's presence ever since she arrived earlier than everyone else. Now the girl was trying to
be nice.

"'ello, Ginny!", smiling. If someone would complain about the other girl's demeanor, it wouldn't be
her.

"I heard you have been in France this past week. How's Gabrielle?" Ginny leaned on Hermione so
she could see Fleur's full face.

"Uh, she's great! She just finished her first year now and apparently is still completely strong
headed as always." The veela smiled dreamingly, thinking about her sister.

"Good to hear." Ginny had always liked her little sister much more, maybe she was only trying to
get news from the girl.

"I believe she is trying to persuade maman to let 'er come 'ere for vacation, apparently, she has no
patience to her classmates by now." She was happy to deliver some news. "She says she wants to
meet with whom I'm going to work with and see if she approves everyone…" Fleur smiled,
remembering her saying that she wanted to meet Hermione.

"She must be all grown! Let me know when she's coming!" Hermione beamed at Fleur, making the
blonde feel like pudding.

"Sure thing."

"So, I heard the minister wants you to head the aurors with Bill," Ginny changing the subject, "He
didn't tell what you are going to do exactly, probably because mom would freak…"

"Oui, ze minister asked us to train some new aurors too, I believe Ronald eez one of zem. Not zat 'e
needs much training…" Fleur couldn't stop smiling, she had Hermione by her side and was having
a civilized conversation with the girl's best friend. That was odd, but to be sincere quite good. But
her face turned into a confused when she heard Ron grumble. She saw Hermione turn around so
she could face Ron, turning away from her. Within seconds she saw Ron's frighten expression and
Hermione turn back to her.
 "Fleur! We need to schedule our meeting so we are able to write the reports." Hermione smiled at
her.

"What about we go for a drink? Zen we can arrange our meetings. But I believe you should get a
well-deserved a vacation…"

"Oh, sure." Hermione's smile clearly fell.

"You should have a girl's night…" Harry said, causing Fleur and Hermione to beam.

"That would be lovely…" Luna said, joining the conversation. Hermione nodded and turned to her
best friend who smiled weakly and nodded.

"Zats a wonderful idea." Fleur smiled, hoping that a night off would help her to change the ginger's
mind about her. "We could meet at a bar or even at my 'ouse… I can arrange to 'ave some of my
family's wine."

"I definitely vote on wine and Fleur's house!" Luna said almost jumping in excitement.

"Perfect!" Hermione grinned while Ginny half-heartedly smiled and nodded.

"'ow about Saturday night?" Fleur grinned at the other girls, they all nodded.

The dinner was over, most of the members of the order were gone and Fleur noticed that basically
she, Luna and Hermione were the last ones that didn't live at the Burrow still there. She smiled and
moved to thank Molly for the invite and say goodbye. She had noticed the change on Ginny's
behavior after Hermione arrived and thinking about it she noticed they spent some time alone
outside. Did Hermione ask the ginger to reconsider? Hardly. They were good friends and hadn't
seen each other for a week or so. Must have been that. She begun bidding farewell and soon
reached the redhead girl. Fleur smiled and motioned for a hug. Ginny complied.

"Zank you." The veela said, still hugging the girl.

"Uh…"

"I understand zat you can't change your opinion about me within seconds, but zank you for giving
me a second chance." Fleur said at earnest, smiling at the girl as she stepped back from the hug.
The redhead smiled.

Hermione was purposely the last person Fleur said goodbye to. Both were clearly sad but also too
preoccupied with not giving away their feelings to the other that they failed to notice the sadness in
each other's eyes.

"Uhm, until Saturday then, Fleur…" Hermione said in a small voice.

"Oui, until zen" Fleur waved to the redhead family once more and disapparated.

Chapter End Notes

I'll probably go crazy with the amount of essays I have due to friday...
Sorry about the delay, it's been a crazy week. I must tell you something: NEVER
procrastinate! Gods, I'm literally going crazy.
Anyway, I hope you liked the chapter… Another one will be up saturday.
Please comment!
thanks for reading!!
 Chapter 10
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

After Fleur left, Hermione's parents agreed that it was better for them to also go home. After
saying their goodbyes, they port keyed back home.

"Dear, is there any other way then this one?" Her mother said to her as soon as the sickness passed.
"It's not that I won't take that again but that one we took coming from Australia was way better.
That one is possible or it's only for international travel?"

"Oh! I'll see what I can do. I admit that port key isn't my favorite transportation either. I'll try to
connect our fireplace to the floo network. I don't really know about the regulations about it in
Muggles residences…" Hermione smiled and both of her parents were clearly relieved.

They all went to bed after a calming tea Hermione made them. The wise girl changed into her
pijamas and tried to sleep. When she closed her eyes, she saw the blonde's smile and heard her
laugh. Hermione couldn't refrain herself and sighted, a dreamy smile on her lips.

The next day she had breakfast with her parents and decided to go cloth shopping. She noticed she
didn't have much clothes other than her uniform anymore and she had been wanting to buy some
muggle clothes. Hermione spent most of the day in muggle London, walking with her mother, who
offered company. Money had never been a problem for the Grangers. They weren't as rich as
Harry, for example, but they were able to buy Hermione everything she needed and some of the
things she wanted. And now, Hermione received Sirius's heritage even not being a Black yet, the
money he left for her was on her vault. The woman had been considering Sirius offer and was
studying pureblood families, of course.

"Mom, uhm, Harry's godfather, Sirius, left somethings to me as you know. But there is something
he offered me that I didn't say because I wasn't sure it was even possible…" Hermione needed a
second opinion. They were having lunch in a small restaurant near the last store they had gone
into. Her mother was the perfect person to give her the opinion she needed, the woman had an
analytic mind just like hers. The woman motioned her to continue. "Well, Sirius offered me to
enter the Black's family…"

"And how would that work? Assuming you want it and is possible."

"Uh, from what I read, I need to sign some papers that have been prepared since Sirius's will had
been read at Gringotts. Apparently is some source of magic and in the eyes of the law I would
become Hermione Black, or Black Granger if I wish to keep my last name."

"So, it is almost a marriage."

"Yes…" Hermione blushed. "As we see marriage in the muggle law, yes."

"I understand you want my opinion." Hermione nodded. "Hermione, dear, if you think it has any
importance for you, then yes you should do it. Is there any specific motive for you to accept it?"

"Harry and I would be considered brothers by the magical society."

"Harry?" The older woman smiled. "I was wishing you would fall for him but yesterday made me
realize you have some other interest and he is dating that lovely redhead…" Hermione was
strongly blushing, having realized her mother had understood her interest in Fleur. "Well if you do
wish to be considered his sister, you should to go ahead. Will you want to keep the Granger?"

"Of Course! You are my family, obviously…" She smiled. They finished their lunch in a
comfortable silence, both smiling. They walked out of the restaurant and resumed the shopping.
Later, the older woman decided to go home and Hermione decided to go to the Diagon Alley they
bid farewell and parted ways.

Hermione entered the Leaky Caldron and brought a Butter beer, trying to ignore the stares she
always received while in the magical world. Being a member of the Golden Trio, as the Daily
Prophet named the three of them, wasn't exactly pleasant and now she understood why Harry was
always uncomfortable in public. She quickly drunk the beverage and readied herself to continue her
way to the magical ally, the woman was practically praying that no one would try to start a
conversation or even get an autograph. It had happened about two times and she already was
mortified that someone would want that. As if they were listening to her thoughts, she felt someone
tap her.

"E-excuse me." A little girl was shyly trying to reach her shoulder and get her attention. Hermione
turned to face the girl a little annoyed but smiled when she saw the girl. "I-I am very sorry to
bother you." The girl seemed to be around ten years-old and was fiddling with her fingers looking
at the floor. Hermione kneeled and reached the girl's face so she could see her eyes.

"Hey, It's ok. What's your name?" She smiled.

"Moire" The girl's eyes were full of joy.

"Oh, it's a beautiful name! Now, you, I believe was going to ask me something." Hermione said,
holding Moire's hand.

"Thank you. I actually wanted to thank you, for everything. I'm new in this world but since I knew
it exists I've been reading about it and you saved it all." The girl smiled at her. "I just turned eleven,
a month ago, but professor McGonagall was only able to reach me about four days ago. She
explained everything about the wizarding world to me and my parents and brought me to the
Diagon Alley so I could get to know everything. She also said that I will receive a letter in a few
months with my Hogwarts Acceptance and that then I'll be able to buy everything I'll need for
school. My parents noticed I'm completely curious and managed to buy some history books for me
as well as subscribe to the Daily Prophet. We came today to buy some more books… I can't
believe I got to know you!"

"So, you are a muggle born?" Hermione asked, smiling broadly.

"Yes. I hope it's not a problem…"

"Not at all. I am a muggle born myself! And thank you. It's a pleasure to meet you, Moire! Where
are your parents?" The older girl hugged the other and stood, trying to find someone that looked
like the younger girl.

"They are right there!" The girl pointed at a table where a couple was sat, watching them and
smiling. Hermione waved at them and turned to the girl once again.

"Look, Moire, I have to go now, if I wish to get Flourish and Blotts open. But it was an immense
pleasure to know you! And I hope to see you in school."

"What? You are still in Hogwarts?"

"Well, yeah. Maybe I can explain it to you later. But now I really have to go." Hermione smiled at
the girl and acknowledged her parents and walked to the back of the bar, still smiling.

"Eet seems you 'ave a fan…" She heard Fleur say, as soon as she tapped the last brick of the
sequence. Facing the source of the voice, she smiled even brighter. "'ello 'ermione!"

"Oh! Hi, Fleur! You should have said something, Moire would love to meet you too, I bet."

"I only saw you saying goodbye and telling 'er zat you will be zere in 'er first year. And I zink you
just conquered anozer Griffindor." Fleur smiled. "What brings you 'ere, eef I'm allowed to know."

"Just a little trip to Flourish and Blotts to see if they have any books I might be interest. I was
around here today, went shopping with mom. And you?"

"Same, actually. And maybe a little trip to Weasley & Weasley. I never really 'ad ze opportunity to
see ze twins job…"

"I see… What about we walk together? I could help you at the twins' store and keep you clear of
the worse tricks…" Hermione was feeling confident. Fleur beamed and nodded.

"You live nearby?"

"Uh, not exactly. Not currently, just outside London. You?"

"Actually, yes. But I leave in Muggle London. I really zink eets better zen to be recognized every
move I make. You know, ze Triwizard Championship."

"I understand. If it wasn't a little girl I think I would have snapped."

They fell silent, each thinking about the others situation. They entered the bookstore and traveled
through the shelves sometimes picking a book and reading part of the content. They both ended up
buying three new books and had some mentally added to their wish list. After a while they were
entering the twins shop and were greeted by the owners who happily gave Fleur a tour. When it
was over, Fleur was holding a package with at least ten Weasley products that they had given her
for free.

"'ermione, would you want to grab a cup of coffee somewhere? Zen I promise to leave you be…"

"Sure"

They found a little cafe near Olivander's shop and spent a couple of hours there. They both tried to
make small talk. Hermione was feeling awfully insecure now that she acknowledged her own
feelings for the blonde, she was being quite incapable of maintaining a simple talk and line of
thought as thoughts about how the other looked really good that day. One of the times she zoned
out, she was brought back by Fleur's question about the next year in Hogwarts. But she didn't quite
understand.

"Sorry, what was your question?"

"Oh, what are you expecting about next year? I remember you said you were going back to
'ogwarts to finish school even zough ze minister offered all of you a free pass and a job at ze
ministry."

"I felt like accepting the offer would be cheating and I like being there, it's homey. At least this
year I hope there will be no problem… Every other year there was something. Ginny managed to
persuade Harry to go back too. I hope it will be a good year." Hermione smiled, remembering her
conversation with her mother about Sirius' offer. "I just don't know how we are going to work with
me there…"

"Oui. But surely Minerva will figure it out…"

"I probably should remember her."

"You should enjoy your vacation, 'ermione…"

"Ah! Yes, but we still need to work. I still have to communicate the ministers request to all the DA
members…"

"You will simply ignore my suggestion about ze vacation, right?" Fleur sighed and smiled at
Hermione.

"Well, I'm not exactly on vacation. I'll work at the ministry until I get back to Hogwarts, beginning
this Monday."

"Zat's actually wonderful! So, you got yourself an internship?"

"Yes, I'll work at with the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, mostly about the House
Elves." Hermione was really proud of being able to say her ideas would be heard. Fleur smiled at
her.

"I guess I'll be seeing you zere zen."

"Yes! I guess we could arrange our meetings after work?"

"Oui. Next week? 'ow about friday? So we will have some time to adapt to our work routine."

"That would be wonderful! Where?" Hermione and Fleur were beaming and already looking
forward to their meeting.

"'ere? Ze coffee is quite good in my opinion and zey 'ave a more secluded area."

"Perfect! I actually loved it in here!" Hermione looked at the clock at the wall and stood. "Oh my!
It's quite late and I promised mom I'd help her with dinner… I'm sorry Fleur."

"Not a problem I didn't notice time passing eizer. I'm supposed to meet Bill for dinner. Ze minister
sent 'im our instructions for next week." Fleur smiled. "See you tomorrow zen? Unless you…"

"I'm looking forward to it. Girls night, I haven't been in one of these in ages!" Hermione cut her off
and smiled. She walked out of the cafe and apparated to her room.

"Mom? Dad? I'm home!" She shouted from her bedroom door.

"Great, hun! Dinner in half an hour. Sorry, I didn't wait for you to cook. I figured you met a friend
there when you got late." her mother answered her from the kitchen, downstairs.

"Yes, I'm sorry. I did actually, Fleur was there."

"I see…"

Hermione remembered her mother's request about the floo and began writing a request so their
fireplace could be connected to the Floo net. She wondered to whom she should send it. Maybe she
should go to the alley before going to Fleur's the next day. She should have brought an owl
already. She finished writing and started thinking about what she should wear the next day.

"That's ridiculous." She said under her breath. "I just met her." She was growing nervous.

"Dinner!" She heard her mother call her and her father.

"Going!" She folded the parchment and made sure it wouldn't fly because her window was open.
After dinner, she spent some time with her parents and went back to her room, wanting to unpack
all the clothes she had brought.

While she was going through her new clothes, she came to the realization that it would be
preferable for her to move already to the new apartment Harry and she would share. It was closer
to the ministry. Of course, she would be able to apparate there every day or even floo, but she
preferred walking. At least a little exercise would be good for her and except for weekends she
would hardly see her parents anyway. They would get back to the clinic on Monday too. When she
came to that conclusion, she decided to talk to her parents about it.

The three of them had a deep conversation about it the next morning and they all cried for a while.
After lunch, Hermione went to London and stayed there until it was time to meet the other girls.
They had agreed to meet at the Leaky Caldron and go to Fleur's from there, since none of them had
been there yet. Hermione spent two hours at the bookshop, not seeing the time pass. It was almost
time for her to go to the bar and she was yet to buy the three books she wanted. The woman was in
line to pay when the men in front of her looked back and went wide eyed. Hermione fought against
the urge of rolling her eyes. The guy starred at her for a few seconds before he started talking,
when the cashier called him.

"Uh, Miss Granger… Please, go ahead. I can wait." The men moved to let her go before him. She
looked at the clock in the opposite wall, she really could use the time.

"No, sir. No need." She said, her face growing red.

"I insist." She went ahead, praising Merlin that the wizard existed even though she hated the
attention. "And thank you for what you did for us."

"Uh… Thanks." She still was simply incapable of dealing with all that thankfulness.

When she finished paying for the books, she heard a little commotion at the store entry.

"You see? I told you she was here!" She heard her best friend's voice and looked once more to the
clock. She was late. The commotion had begun as her three friends entered the store. The four of
them were, by then, known members of the Order of the Phoenix and of Dumbledore's Army who
had important roles at the war. "Oh, shit…" The crowd inside the bookstore began to form a mob
as Hermione got closer to her friends.

"Out, now!" The wise girl said quickly to her friends as people were getting closer to them. Thanks
to their acquired quick reflexes, they were able to get out of there and before anyone outside the
store noticed them, Fleur clearly used her veela magic to keep any other person from them.

"I'm sorry, I should 'ave warned you zat I was going to use zat. I just figured you also don't like ze
attention we just got…"

They got out of the alley and into the bar then they were in muggle London. Once there, Fleur
suspended the magic. Hermione saw the other two sight. She was actually in awe and thankful.
The brunette had grown used to the harassment given Harry always received it and she was very
sure that Fleur herself was too. She noticed the veela had done that only to help the other two
anxiety that showed the moment everyone began to look at them at the store.

"Thank you, Fleur." Ginny said, leaning against the wall.

"De rien (you're welcome), Ginny." Fleur smiled. It was getting dark, and she moved to show the
way to her apartment.

Hermione and the other two girls followed her. Ginny began to glance at her friend when they
turned a corner. Both noticed the closeness of the older witch's house from Harry and Hermione's
flat. Basically, Fleur lived across the street from where they would. Ginny slowed her pace,
holding the brunettes arm so she would too.

"That reminds me," she said lowly, "Harry wants to know if you want to meet him tomorrow to fix
the last things about the flat. He is actually thinking about moving soon because of the
internship…" Ginny said this last part a little sad.

"Oh, sure. I was thinking of moving in earlier too." Hermione answered quietly.

Fleur went up the stairs once inside the building and moved closer to the only door visible on that
floor. Without a key, she touched the doorknob and opened it, motioning them to get inside.

"Feel free, I'll get ze wine and some snacks." Hermione entered the room as Fleur got to the
kitchen, leaving the front door open to them. Luna was the last one to get inside and closed the
door. The three girls stood near the door and looked at the apartment. It was not really surprising
for Hermione that the apartment was decorated in a simple and modern design nor the amount of
books the french woman had. What caught her attention was the number of photographs that were
hanging on the wall in front of her. The room had a white corner couch, the fireplace had two
armchairs nearby and there was a round table near the kitchen balcony. From where they were they
could see Fleur gathering the food and drinks.

"Fleur? Do you need help?" Hermione asked.

"Non. But thanks…" Fleur flashed a smiled at her a resumed her doings.

Hermione started walking around the room, reading the names of the books that Fleur had on the
stocked shelves. The other two girls decided to do the same. As Fleur got back from the kitchen,
holding four glasses in one hand and making everything fly to the table previously set, the three
women were admiring the pictures and recognizing some of the people there.

"'ey, I took ze liberty of making dinner for us…"

"Ah! What do we have?" Ginny, who was clearly hungry but wouldn't admit it to no one, got closer
to the dinner table as Fleur filled the four glasses of wine.

"Oh, the Weasley hunger!" Hermione said, making her best friend blush.

"I 'ope you like chicken and bacon… And pasta." Fleur said to the ginger girl and waited so
everyone was settled and took her seat by Luna's side. She served them and then sat down.

"I believe the Weasleys like everything…" Luna said, smiling at the ginger in front of them.

"At least Ginny has better manners than Ronald." Hermione stated, laughing.
"Who doesn't?" Said the redhead remembering her sibling's way of eating. "Fleur, that is
wonderful!"

"Merci!" Fleur was observing the three friends bicker, finding really heartwarming the way they
treated each other, Hermione and Ginny the most. For what she had seen, Hermione really
considered the Weasleys and Harry her family.

"Fleur, that wine is absolutely marvelous!" Hermione smiled at her, after taking a sip of the red
liquid.

"Zat eez ze 'arvest Mom and Dad decided not to sell and keep mostly for family events. Eet's pretty
good eesn't eet?" Fleur smiled as three other women nodded.

"Thank you, Fleur…" The ginger said. The girl seemed reluctant to speak what else she had in
mind. "I guess I own you an apology. I judged you before I got to know you…"

"No need, Ginny. I guess I 'ave to recognize I was kind of bitchy when we saw each ozer zee first
time." Fleur made sure to smile and reassure the girl it was indeed fine.

When they finished the meal, they moved to the couch, wine glasses in hand, and talked about
mostly everything. The wine bottle had been enchanted and refilled itself when it was close to
empty. At some point in the night, Fleur noticed that Hermione decided to stop drinking as she
would have to apparate home, a wise decision she could say. Fleur herself kept the drinking in a
low rate as always. They were laughing at Merlin knows what and when the laugh died they all
spent some time in silence.

"Fleur! Tell me! Your love adventures?" Ginny asked loudly, earning a stare from Hermione.
"What? I'm curious, I'm getting to know her better, I'm allowed to ask! And I already know
everything about your's and Luna's." The ginger had her head resting on her best friend's lap, her
legs were up hanging on the backrest which left her in a strange position. And she was now trying
to look into Fleur's eyes who was smiling at the interaction.

"Well, I 'ave 'ad some boyfriends and girlfriends." When she said the last word, she examined the
other girls' reactions. They remained unfazed, except for Hermione who had a strange glow in her
eyes. "And there was Bill…"

"Come on! Spill the tea!" Luna squealed.

"Not about my brother, please!" Ginny made a disgusted face apparently from imagining Bill and
her together. Hermione remained quiet, listening to the other girls.

"Not much, as I 'ad said earlier, I admit I was kind of a bitch in school and I kind of broke some
'earts just because I could. Zen my veela maturity came and I stopped doing so, kept to myself for
about a year and when I came to England, I met Bill, we became friends and I 'oped 'e could be my
mate. I suppose you are familiar with that term?"

"Yes, Harry explained to me. From what Hermione told him…" The other two girls nodded.

"When I realized I couldn't hold him back knowing zat any minute I could find my mate, I talked to
him. Zat was ze first time I visited you 'ouse, Ginny. He already knew everyzing I told 'im and said
'e 'ad my back. Obviously 'e made me promise to tell 'im when I find zem. We were still in an on
and off relationship until recently."

"Have you found your mate already?" Ginny pressed.

"I want to hear about Hermione's love adventures now! I only know Gin for long after all!" Luna
said, smiling and relaxing a little more in the couch. Fleur smiled at her, silently thanking her for
the save.

"Hermione has so little love life it's boring!" Ginny complained, and with that the older girl pushed
her from her lap, making the redhead fall into the ground. They all laughed at the girl's face as she
got up. "Hey!"

"Next time you will think before you speak!" Hermione said, with raised brow. "I dated Victor for
a Summer and that was a complete failure, believe me! Oh, and Ronald, for like three months in
sixth year. But he annoyed me so much… Yeah, I guess my love life is indeed dull." She laughed.
That laugh would be the death of Fleur, she came to that conclusion that night as she watched the
brunette. "I guess I kind of didn't have time for it between school and all the trouble your beautiful
boyfriend seemed to attract."

"Oh, that's true. His like trouble magnet!" Ginny said, resuming her position on Hermione's lap.

"'ow about yours, Ginny?"

"All the time I didn't have, Ginny had." Hermione laughed. "Get comfy, it will take a while!"

"Rude! Also not true! I only dated Harry and Dean." She earned a raised brow from Hermione. "Oh
right, Michael Corner too…" This time she earned a look from Luna. "Come on, I also hooked up
with two ravenclaw girls" Fleur smiled as the other two women laughed at their blushing friend.

"That leaves me. I only dated Neville, actually. After… You know… The manor." For the first
time, Fleur saw the other witch look sad. "We kind of decided not to when we saw we were better
friends a while later." The girl smiled at the other three. The four of them knew what happened
there, well Fleur didn't really know what happened to Hermione there but she knew it must have
been traumatic as the girl froze when she saw Bellatrix at the battle. Feeling the mood in the room
go down the hill, Fleur tried to make it better:

"So, I 'ave in my 'ouse one royalty and two girls who dated/date ze royalty of ze second wizarding
war!" With that Hermione choked and the other two girls rolled to the ground, laughing.

"Royalty?" Hermione managed to say after drinking the glass of water Fleur summoned for her.

"Hell yeah! Don't you read the Daily Prophet? That's how they are calling you three and Neville."
Ginny said as the laugh died.

"Actually I believe we have two royalties here, Fleur. Ginny was the head of the resistance
alongside Neville. I believe she was listed as one there too."

"Oui. I remember now. Ze Golden Trio, Neville Longbottom and Ginevra Weasley, zee Royalty of
zee Second Wizarding War, our saviors. I believe zey stated zat way." Fleur said, laughing and
putting her hands up as reading the headlines of the newspaper.

"Oh, shut it. No one is royalty. Everyone had an important role." Hermione stated.

"Yes, and yours included making Voldemort killable. C'mon you three must have had the worst
year and, except for Ron, you insist saying you haven't done anything extraordinary…" Ginny said
at earnest.

"I'll give that if you stop calling me royalty. That's nonsense."

 "As you wish" The other three said and bowed, mockingly.

"That's it! I'm out!" Hermione knotted her brows and turned away to retrieve her purse.

"Oh come on! We were just kidding!" Ginny said, holding her arm.

"I'm sorry, 'ermione…"

Hermione sighed. "Ok…"

"Now drink. You have no right to stay sober today!" Ginny handed her a glass of wine.

Fleur noticed Hermione took only one small sip of the red liquid and then only pretended to be
drinking the rest of the time. The veela decided that she wanted to befriend her first, even if the girl
couldn't reciprocate the feelings she had. Being close to her was enough for her, at least for now.
She begun to feel a little sleepy and apparently, Hermione took notice of that.

"Uhm, Fleur I should go, Harry asked me to meet him tomorrow and it's kind of late…" She smiled
at the veela. "And I believe Ginny and Lun are quite too drunk to go on their own… I should get
them home."

"Oh, ok… Eet was a pleasure 'aving you here. We should do eet more…"

"Sure. And I'm actually looking forward to Friday." Hermione hugged the blonde, both lingering a
little more than they should.

"WHAT? We are leaving already?!" Ginny complained as Hermione took the wine from her and
conjured a Patronus to notify the Weasleys that she was going there with the redhead and Luna.
Fleur said goodbye to the three of them and watched Hermione enter the fireplace, holding bot
girls.

She sat on her favorite spot on the couch, that was the exact same place Hermione was seated
earlier. She decided to read a little before going to sleep so she retrieved the book she had begun to
read the day before. She fell asleep with the comfortable smell of roses, the scent of Hermione's
hair she noted.

Chapter End Notes

Hey everyone! First: thanks for the comments! Second: I'm so so so sorry I
skipped three (?) updates, I got caught up by the end of the term. But fear not! Now
I’m quite free so I’ll keep updating on the days I said. I’m a Graduate now! Anyway,
keep commenting, please! It’s good to know what you guys think about the story.
Thanks!
 Chapter 11
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

The Weasleys' common room appeared in front of Hermione as Fleur's faded and soon she saw
herself being helped, by a very sleepy Harry, to bring the two drunk girls into Ginny's room.

"How was the night?" The boy whispered after they had put the girls on the beds and left the room

"Wonderful. She cooked for us, bacon stuffed chicken breast and pasta with pesto sauce. The wine
was splendid and I think Ginny gave up hating her, thank Merlin!" Hermione had an unnoticed
smile on her lips and Harry smiled at it.

"Good to know! Are you spending the night? I wanted to talk to you about some things…"

"Uhm, Ginny told me. I have to go home actually, but we could meet at the diagon alley
tomorrow. Say, after lunch?"

"Perfect! I've been wanting to ask you to lend me a book…"

"Oh, crap! I forgot to give Fleur the book I brought her. I'm sorry, Harry. I must go quickly. But
yeah, just tell me the name…" Not waiting for another word from Harry, she grabbed a handful of
powder and threw it on the fireplace after stepping into it. "Fleur's Apartment" Harry heard her say
clearly.

In a second she was again on Fleur's living room. As she opened her eyes, she was greeted with the
view of a sleeping Fleur with a book, she was apparently reading, laying open on her stomach.
Hermione smiled. She was beautiful sleeping. What the hell! She was beautiful doing anything.
She forced herself to focus and stop staring, retrieved the book from her purse and conjured a pen
and a piece of paper. Quickly wrote a small note for the blonde woman, leaving it and the book on
the center table in front of the sleeping woman. Hermione sighed and disapparated. She appeared
in her own room and got ready to sleep, which she did rather quickly.

The next morning Hermione woke up with a content smile plastered on her face, which didn't go
unnoticed by her mother who smirked as she saw the good mood her daughter was in when the
younger woman entered the kitchen giving good morning.

"I see the night was good…" She said, making Hermione blush.

"Yes, wonderful food and wine… And company, obviously." She smiled. "Mom, I have to meet
Harry today. Apparently, there are some issues we must solve about the flat. And I'll probably
move there today too. I hoped we could have a family lunch today?"

"Of course, dear!" The older woman had a sad smile on her face.

"Will you need any help with the moving out? You haven't packed anything yet… Oh right,
magic" Her father said, mockingly. He entered the room when she said she would move out that
day.

"I could use a drive. It's a lot of things and I should at least pretend to be a normal person as we
brought the flat in a muggle neighborhood…"
"Perfect! We could have lunch in London and then we meet when you and Harry figure everything
out. Around six? We could get everything in the car before we leave to lunch." The man was
excited to help his daughter.

"Sure. I hope Harry and I are able to fix everything by then."

They finished breakfast and Hermione went to her bedroom so she could pack everything. Just
when she finished - she had been deciding what would go and what wouldn't - her father knocked
on her open door.

"Ready, sweety?"

"Yes…" They made about three travels carrying boxes from her room to the car. "I think that's
all…" She said as she entered her room once more and saw that all the boxes were gone. Looking
around, she felt overwhelmed and started crying silently until she felt her mother's arms around her
and then her father's.

"Shhh… Hermione, dear, you will be an hour away and you can come here anytime you want. It
will never cease to be your home, baby." The older woman said. When Hermione calmed down,
they closed the bedroom door and left to London.

They enjoyed every second they had together at lunch and then left Hermione in front of the Leaky
Caldron.

"Here at six?" Her father asked, from the driver's seat. Hermione nodded and bid farewell from the
sidewalk. As they drove away, she entered the noisy bar hoping no one would notice her.

Fleur woke up with the sun in her face. She almost fell from the couch when she didn't recognize
her surroundings until five seconds later she realized she must have fell asleep while reading.
Lazily, she sat up making the book she had been reading fall to the ground. When she stood and
took the book from the ground, she noticed a book at the center table. She didn't recognize it and
she was pretty much sure it wasn't there before. The veela performed a quick verifying spell on it
and sat down again to have a better look at it. As she opened the book, a piece of parchment fell
from it. Clearly it was from Hermione. Her heart fluttered and she shamelessly smiled.

Fleur,

I'm sorry for breaking in while you were asleep. It must have taken longer than I
thought to put that drunk girls in bed. I wanted to give you this book as a thank you for
the veela one you gave me. I don't even know how you feel about Shakespeare nor if
you even know it, but that is my favorite play.

Hope you enjoy it,

Hermione

Fleur carefully closed the book she was previously reading, marking where she had stopped, and
reopened Hermione's gift. 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' she read. The blonde rested the book on
top of the other one and stood to refresh and make herself a cup of coffee. Less than half an hour
later she was leaning on her couch once again, mug in hand. She carefully placed the mug on the
table and eagerly retrieved the new book, beginning to read it. She had no doubt she would stay
home that day, devouring the book the younger woman had just given her.
Hermione kept her head down as she walked through the bar and into the almost deserted magical
alley. She walked to the ice-cream shop she knew Harry would be. They had marked the place as a
meeting point every time they were in the alley.

"Hi 'Mione!" She heard him say from behind her as she sat at one of the tables. "Your favorite." He
gave her an ice cream cone and smiled.

"Thanks, Harry! How's Ginny?" She asked, smirking.

"Hungover, as expected." He smiled. "So is Lun. Molly gave them a long speech before she started
taking care of them." They both laughed. "Did Fleur like the book?"

"Uh, she was asleep when I got back. I don't really know. I left it there for her." Harry nodded.

"'Mione, have you given a thought about Sirius' letter? I've been meaning to ask you that…"

"Yes, I have actually. And the answer is actually yes."

"And we could solve this today? I mean, we are here after all. All that is dealt at Gringotts."

"Sure. Ginny said you wanted to figure some things out about the apartment…"

"Oh, It's just that I'm planning on moving today and I hoped we could choose our rooms and
organize the apartment."

"Really? I was planning the same…" Soon they were heading to the wizarding bank. "How's Ginny
about you moving from the burrow?"

"She's not really happy but understands I need to. I don't really understand what I did to deserve her,
'Mione."

"A lot, Harry. A lot."

They got to the bank and while they were being attended, Hermione noticed that some of the
goblins were giving them a nasty look.

"Harry, the last time you were here, you apologized for the damage we made?" She whispered and
he shook his head in answer. Hermione turned her attention to the goblin that was attending them:
"Before anything else, we would like to formally present our apologies about the recent events we
have been involved…" The goblin looked at her in surprise.

"There is no need, Miss Granger. You have done a great service to us all."

"Nonetheless I'd like to apologize. I know it might be a stain on your reputation and it was wrong
no matter the circumstances."

"I see. Wait a minute." The goblin stood from his post and entered a room, coming back with an
apparently older goblin. They motioned them to follow and the four of them entered yet another
room. This one had a lonely giant desk.

"I realize you understand the importance of our reputation to us, goblins. And it admires me that
you worried enough to come here to apologize although I'm aware it's not the only reason. There is
no sense on you making a big speech apologizing as we all recognize the importance of what
happened here. That being said, I would like to know what you would propose to do so." the older
goblin said.
 "We would like to give you something that symbolically represents our sincere apologies and
recognition of wrong doing. Maybe a plaque?" Hermione was making all the exchange there, Harry
knew better then to try saying something. He just nodded, agreeing to everything she said. The
goblin smiled satisfied.

"I see you know our traditions. And understands them." With a hand gesture, the goblin conjured a
brass plaque with nothing written. "I recognize you are gifted with words, Miss Granger, I'll leave
it to you."

Hermione looked at the piece of brass and started thinking about what to write. After a few
moments, she flicked her wand and words began to magically appear.

Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger sincerely offer to the Goblin
community our apologies for what transpired during the Second Wizarding War. We
recognize the wrong doing and commit on demonstrating our profound respect for
thee.

She looked at both goblins silently asking for their approval. The older one apparently had tears on
his eyes, both nodded as they read the words the woman had wisely chosen. Hermione then
motioned to Harry who came closer.

"Touch the plaque here with your wand. You will be leaving your magical signature." He nodded
and did as he was told. She did the same. "Ronald will come as soon as possible to sign this, we are
sorry he is not her now." She said to the goblins. They nodded. That being done, both goblins asked
them to wait a little so they could gather the paperwork they would have to sign. When they came
back, every single page of it had Sirius's signature. When Hermione signed the last paper, after
Harry did so, another parchment appeared in the desk.

"Now, we need you to sign this with your new name." The older goblin said to Hermione. She did
so.

The duo left the bank happier than before and with a lighter conscience. They left the alley, quickly
passing through the bar, and headed to the apartment. Hermione still had two hours until she had to
meet her parents when they got there

Chapter End Notes

I hope you enjoyed!

Please comment!
See ya!
 Chapter 12
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

As they passed the entry to Fleur's building, Hermione smiled and wondered if the blonde had seen
the book and if she had already begun to read it.

"Fleur lives around here, right? Ginny told me her flat was near ours…" Harry said, not taking
notice of his friends smile.

"Yes. Right there, actually."

Soon they were getting inside their new apartment. Hermione looked around and smiled. They had
brought the flat with most of the furniture so it was mostly the same as when the saw it for the first
time. She noticed two new bookcases on the living room.

"I wanted to buy some bookshelves so you could have some books around here, so I asked Ginny
to help me choosing. We hope you like it."

"It's perfect but honestly I can only place about one third of the books I own here…" She laughed
knowing she had far too many books. Harry smiled knowingly. "We don't really have much to
decide, right?"

"I know you have one of the bedrooms in mind for yourself, 'Mione. I imagine it's one of the two
that have a balcony…"

"Uhh, I'd like to keep the one that has the backyard view… I basically fell in love with that one…"

"It's okay, I liked the other one better anyway. I had our fireplace linked to the floo network and we
also have telephone."

"We both have our keys. I'm assuming Ginny has a copy too?"

"Sure. You can give one to your veela too…" Harry teased. Hermione's face instantly became
scarlet.

"Fleur is not mine, although I'd like that, I think. Just shut up, Harry!" Hermione ranted as the men
in front of her laughed. "Oh, speaking of her, I might ask her what's the spell she used to make her
door respond to her and unlock itself when she touches it… I could use it here if you agree, of
course."

"A door that doesn't need a key to open? And that doesn't accept alohomora to be unlocked? Count
me in!" He said as soon as he managed to stop laughing. She nodded, mentally tacking note to ask
the blonde about it.

She still had about an hour until she had to leave and meet her parents. She began walking around
the apartment, almost squealing. Yes, she was sad to leave her parent's house and her old bedroom
but it was also a great joy to have her own place. Well, not only her own it was Harry's too. But
they both were very similar and she took notice of it during last year. The two of them were able to
roommate and she was sure that they would have wonderful time there.

"We need food." She said as she opened the fridge.

"Food that, in no freaking way, you are going to cook." Harry said mockingly.

"I had no intention to do so. You are way better than me cooking."

"The last time you tried to cook you almost burned the tent down. You are so no touching that
kitchen. I'm afraid you will tear it down trying to get cereal." They both laughed at that idea.

"Don't ever say that next to Ron. He won't ever let it go."

"Sure. What else we need? Food, some paintings to hang around…"

"I think that's all." They were both walking around the place. Hermione transfigured some of the
furniture into something she imagined they both would like better, always asking for Harry's
approval before making the change permanent. "I have to go meet my parents so I can bring my
things."

"Yeah, I'll head to the burrow to bring mine. What do you say about a family dinner?"

"It's a lovely idea. I was thinking about going to a restaurant, actually."

"I'll cook, Hermione. I should get going if I want that to happen." He walked to the fireplace,
waved her goodbye and was gone. Hermione looked around and disapparated. It was a good thing
the building held only two flats and that the other one was owned by a wizard too.

She appeared inside the Leaky Caldron and headed out just as her parents approached the bar entry.
They were both smiling as the got back to the car. None of them said much as Hermione guided
them to the building but she noticed some boxes that weren't there earlier. Before she could ask
anything about them, her mother caught her attention asking how they had found the place.
Parking the car in front of the building, her father got out and picked up a box so he could carry it
into the edifice. All boxes were jinxed so they would weigh no more than what the loader could
carry so it would be a rather easy job to get all of them upstairs.

"I should show you around first. Than we can come back down and get everything upstairs."
Hermione said to him, smiling. He nodded and followed her into the building, holding his wife's
hand. "Oh, Harry wants to cook for you and the Weasleys. I agreed to have dinner here. I hope you
don't mind"

"Dear, if he is half the wonderful cooker you keep telling us, it will be a pleasure!" Her mother
answered, with a smile and her dad nodded along.

When Hermione opened the door, they were greeted with a lot of noise. Hermione smiled, thinking
she wanted her home to be like that sometimes. It felt like Griffindor's common room. Mr. Weasley
was the first to notice them, he greeted them with a smile and a hug. Soon Hermione was being
mobbed by redheads. The last one was Mrs. Weasley, who came from the kitchen after hearing the
commotion.

"Thank you for bringing Ginny and Luna back to the Burrow, Hermione." She said after greeting
them.

"Oh, it was nothing. I did promise Harry I would and she is my best friend." Hermione smiled.

"Harry apologizes he can't come as he is cooking but dinner will be ready soon, I suppose you have
to bring your things to your room…" The redhead mother said. "Bill, Fred, George and Ronald!"

"Yes, mom…" The four answered.

"Go help Hermione bringing her stuff, so she will be settled before dinner!"

"Yes, mother…" The group obeyed.

All the boxes were brought up and were waiting for her attention on a corner of her room within
half an hour. They were all gathered on the living room, chatting and waiting for the food when the
fireplace erupted in green flames a very unique Luna emerged from there.

"I'm sorry, I'm late…" The girl was staying at the Burrow for a few weeks as her father was
traveling and gathering information for an article for his newspaper. "I wanted to bring a gift for
you." She was holding two boxes wrapped in red and smiled at Hermione.

"No worries, Harry is actually still cooking…" Hermione took both boxes and placed them on the
coffee table.

In a few minutes, Hermione and Ginny were settling the table. They all sat and enjoyed the meal
Harry and Mrs. Weasley made. All of them praising Harry's ability to cook. Ron made a joke about
Hermione lack of knowledge in that specific area and everyone laughed as he told the story of how
she nearly burned their tent.

"It might be my fault. I never liked cooking so I always had someone to do it or we would just go
out." Her mother defended her.

"Thinking about it, it's quite true. I don't remember seeing you at the kitchen very often when I was
little." Hermione smiled, seeing how her parents merged with the Weasleys and realized that she
always wished she could bring them together. They were all her family and she was very much
proud of them.

Later that night, after only her, Harry and, obviously, Ginny were left in the flat, Hermione started
to go through her boxes. Not before she opened her gifts from the Weasleys (a handmade red duvet
with a huge golden H in the middle), Luna (something the girl instructed her to place on her desk
so it could keep some creatures - she didn't understand its name - from her) and her parents (a
bunch of framed family photos and a big framed poster of her favorite Shakespeare play). As she
finished placing everything where she wanted, Hermione heard a light knock on her door.

"Come in!" Ginny and Harry stood in her doorframe.

"You are quick! Harry is yet to open his gifts…" Ginny said, nudging her boyfriend.

"It might be because I don't have anyone to distract me…" Hermione smirked, seeing both her
friends blush.

"Anyway, I wanted to show you something. Come…" Harry and Ginny headed to the third room
with Hermione right after them. She had been wondering what they would do with it. When Harry
opened its door, Hermione squealed in joy. "The Blacks have a rather big library and I figured you
would want to have access to it." He smiled as his best friend's body collided with his in a tight
hug. "Professor McGonagall and professor Flitwick helped us with some incantations so the books
that are not reachable will come to you just like Hogwarts' library."

"Oh, Harry! That's wonderful! Thank you!" She entered the room almost crying. From inside, the
room had thrice the size it should and had shelves all over the walls and a rather big one creating a
secluded area that had a long table and four clearly comfortable chairs mimicking her favorite place
at the school's library. Right in the middle of the room, there were four armchairs facing each other
with a small table in the middle. Analyzing closely those armchairs, three of them had a Gryffindor
 emblem embroidered on the cushion.

"Professor McGonagall transfigured the armchairs so they would be just like our favorites at
Gryffindor common room…" Ginny said as Hermione touched the badge with her fingers.

"But the fourth…" The brunette begun, thinking out loud. She stopped herself as she understood.
"Is it so blatant?"

"I would say yes if my beloved girlfriend wasn't here." Harry said earning an elbow in the ribs from
the redhead.

"I still can't believe I didn't notice it before…"

"In your defense, I didn't until I stopped to think." Hermione smiled at her friends. "Thank you,
really. This is probably the best gift I could ever wish." They smiled back, as she moved to give
them a tight hug. After admiring a little more, the room the three of them said goodnight and went
back to their rooms.

Chapter End Notes

Hey! I'm back!

I really hope you liked it!
Please comment and leave kudos!

Thank you for reading!

 Chapter 13
Chapter Notes

Since it's Wednesday and I said I'd go back to the schedule I set... And I feel bad for
making you wait so long: NEW CHAPTER

See the end of the chapter for more notes

The next day, Hermione woke before the alarm clock go off and smiled. It was her first day of
work. She got up and refreshed herself, before heading downstairs. Mid way, she was greeted with
the smell of fresh coffee and waffles. Harry always woke up before her, she reminded herself.

"Good morning…" She said yawning as she got to the kitchen balcony and saw Harry on the other
side making eggs and bacon.

"G'morning!" He smiled at her. "Nice pj's…" Hermione blushed, she was wearing shorts and an
over sized shirt which were transfigured so they had her house colours and an oversized badge on
the shirt front.

"Thanks… Where's Ginny?"

"Sleeping, obviously. She said she will go back home as soon as she wakes up as we will be out
most of the day and she knows she won't be up before we go." He smiled.

"Right." She had a cup of coffee on her hands and was slowly taking sips.

"I was going to suggest that we go to the ministry by foot. There is an entrance close from here.
And I could use the exercise…"

"Same here."

They had breakfast together and went upstairs to get ready. They left the flat and headed to their
first day at the ministry of magic as interns. The entry was, according to Harry, not far but it would
still be a nice walk. Both were using muggle clothes but Hermione had shrunk more formal vests
for them to wear if really needed.

"'ermione! 'arry!" Hermione heard the french accent and immediately knew who was calling them.

Harry eyed her and smiled. "Relax… Breathe." He said as the stopped and looked back only to see
the older Delacour sister running to them, also wearing muggle outfit.

"Bonjour! 'ow 'ave you been?"

"Bonjour, Fleur!" Hermione said, feeling her face getting hot.

"G'Morning! All wonderful! And you?" Harry said, sensing his friend wouldn't be able to answer
the blonde question. Hermione's brain seemed to be turning into mush the more she analyzed
Fleur's face.

"All right. I'm 'eading to zee ministry, actually. First day."

Hermione felt Harry's hand on her shoulder and snapped back into reality just as Fleur begun to
answer him.

"Oh?" Was all she managed to say and she mentally kicked herself. "Right, you said you would
begin today too… We should get going. I really don't want to be late…" Really? That was the best
she could say? Merlin's beard! The brunette complained to herself as she turned around and shook
her head. They began walking once more to the ministry entry.

"You came from zee Leaky Caldron? I understand you don't live in London…"

"We just moved!" Harry smiled. "We actually spent yesterday figuring some issues out and
decided to move sooner than we planned."

"Oh…"

"We are sharing a flat. It's right across yours, actually." Hermione smiled, "I forgot to tell you that
on Saturday…" She added and soon as she noticed the confusion on the blonde's face.

"You moved yesterday?" Fleur smiled at the other girl as both, Harry and Hermione nodded. "I
would probably 'ave noticed eef I left zee 'ouse, but I was razer occupied wiz an incredible muggle
book…"

"Oh, right! Sorry for breaking into your place… I did notice you was tired I didn't realize you
would be asleep…"

"Not a problem, 'ermione. I wasn't planning on sleeping. As I imagine you could see, I slept while
reading."

"What were you reading? If I may ask…" Harry asked, noticing Hermione's curious glance when
the blonde said her occupation for the previous day.

"Oh, A Midsummer Night's Dream." The blonde beamed. Harry nodded. Even though his friend
didn't tell him what was the book she had brought for Fleur, he instantly knew it was the one. He
knew it was Hermione's favorite and didn't need to look at her to know she was quite happy.

"Did you like it? I was hoping you didn't read it already…"

"Eet's one of zee best books I ever read. Zank you, 'ermione. Eet's a wonderful book and story. And
'onestly I believe I only read French muggle auzors…" Fleur was beaming and Hermione mirrored
her as the French eloquently praised her favorite book.

Soon the three of them were at the Minister's entry. Hermione grew anxious and nervous so was
Harry. The three of them walked through the fireplaces at the entry hall and Fleur excused herself
as she had to immediately go to the minister's office. The two friends looked at each other trying to
calm themselves and reassuringly smiling to the other.

"I should probably go. I must meet the head of department within ten minutes and I don't exactly
know where her office is. Good luck 'Mione! Lunch together if possible?" Harry hugged his friend
and went to the general direction he was supposed to as she nodded at the invite and gave him his
shrunk vests.

Hermione stood by the fountain for a few more minutes taking in the magical building. When she
looked at the huge clock that hovered above all heads at the hall, she gasped. "Shit." And almost
raced to the opposite direction Harry had gone. She managed to get to the office she was supposed
to go rather quickly and with a couple of minutes to spare and regain her breath. A flick of her
wand her robes were back into its normal size and over her muggle clothes. She knocked at the
door.

"Come in!" She heard a female voice from inside the room. With a sharp breath, she opened the
door. A middle-aged witch with black hair fixed in a tight bun looked at her and instantly stood.
"Miss Granger. A pleasure to meet you."

"Equally, Mrs. Lufkin." Hermione shook the witches hand.

"Please seat." She motioned to an empty chair as she sat back into her own. "Tea?" Hermione
politely declined the offer. "Well, let's get to business, then. Hermione, if I may…"

"I'd very much prefer, ma'am" The brunette managed do smile at the older woman.

"Evangeline, please." The older witch mirrored the younger smile. "Hermione, I honestly didn't
think you would get to work so early after the war. But I'm truly honored to work with you. I
personally share your concerns towards the house elves and hope we are able to make some
difference. As you might know, Minister Shacklebolt renamed every head of department so they
met his expectations. I'm might be new in this post but I've been working here for about fifteen
years. You will be my assistant until your return to school. For the time being, we have to revise
every law in the department jurisdiction so you will direct the other new interns through it." Seeing
the younger's concern shown in her face, she smiled. "I talked to your Headmistress, she made sure
to commend your work not only as a learner but as a leader too. The other interns will only begin
working in two weeks and by then we will have gone through everything you will need to lead
them. That being said, we should get to work."

Hermione got to work, absorbing every new information she found. Her lunch time was spent with
Harry and both exchanged their first impressions about their jobs. Harry was glad to have a safe
quiet time for the first time in what seemed to be ages and Hermione was rather happy to be
learning so much. The day passed rather quickly and soon they once again met by the fountain,
robes once again shrunk and safely inside Hermione's purse. They got to the exit and begun their
walk home. Hermione's mind ran to Fleur as soon as she got outside the building.

"Fleur said she would have to stay later and apologized for not being able to walk home with us."
Harry said as soon as he appeared besides the girl. She looked at him in question. "You actually
make a face when you think of her." He smiled. "And we both work at the same department we are
bound to cross ways. She went by the office to let me know she wouldn't leave with us." Hermione
smiled. Fleur was indeed thoughtful. "Uhm, 'Mione, Molly invited us for dinner to celebrate our
first day…"

"Yes, she sent me a message too. I imagined you would agree to it and did too. I actually miss the
whole family. Should we get home and get there by Floo?" Harry nodded.

Fleur had a hard day, revising the official training plan with Bill and Shacklebolt. As the three of
them decided to take a break and the minister was called back into his office, she looked for Harry
in the department and found him at the director's office.

"Excusez moi…" She said, entering the office as it had its door open ajar. Making Harry look up
from the book he was reading which she thought to be the one containing the departments rules.

"Oh, hello, Fleur! How has been your day?" He smiled at her, marking where he had stopped
reading.

"Wonderful! I've been revising zee training wiz Bill and zee minister. You?"

"Great! Safe and sound once in my life…" He mocked his own unfortunate luck. "It's good to have
a quiet time."

"I can imagine… 'arry I should get back, but I wanted to let you know I'll probably be 'ere longer
zen you two, so I won't walk wiz you… Sorry…" He nodded. As she turned to leave the room, a
purple haired witch entered.

"Fleur!" The woman greeted her with a warm hug. "How have you been?"

"Good. And you? 'ow's zee little one?" Fleur smiled at her as she replied saying her son and
husband were quite well. "'ead of department, uh?"

"Kingsley said he needed someone he could trust his life and offered me the job then told me I
would have Harry as assistant…" The witch smiled at Harry and again at Fleur who mirrored her.

"I should get going. A pleasure to see you, Tonks! See you tomorrow, Harry?" Fleur left the room
after getting a nod from the boy and hugging the other woman once again.

In her way to the office she shared with Bill, her mind wandered to the fierce Gryffindor she
managed to make smile earlier that day. At that moment, she decided she would make every
possible effort to be a good friend to Hermione. Fleur thought about the mating process and hoped
to have the courage to say something to the lioness before she got back to Hogwarts. The rest of her
day was spent discussing what new practices they would implement in the training plan. She went
back home quite exhausted.

Fleur entered her flat and went straight to her bathroom and begun to prepare a bath for her. While
the tub was being filled, she picked the book she had been reading before she begun to read
Hermione's present and treated herself with a glass of wine. Soon she was relaxing in her bathtub,
reading a previously waterproofed book and sipping her wine. About an hour later, she was on her
kitchen, wearing a silk robe and making herself a light supper. The blonde had been longing her
bed and complied her desire as soon as she finished eating.

The next few days were quite the same for her as the three were still preparing for the new auror
trainees. According to Hermione and Harry, their routine was too the same they had on their first
day. It was Friday and Fleur made sure to confirm their meeting after work to discuss what they
would do about the war reports before they parted ways that morning. She was growing anxious as
time passed even though it wasn't a date. She begun pacing until Bill made her sit on her chair and
told her to calm down and that she would be alright. Kingsley looked at them curiously.

"Well, she has a meeting with Hermione in a few hours…" Bill said, trying to explain. The other's
man confusion only grew.

"I thought they were friends. That's why I asked them to do the work."

"Zee problem, Kingsley, eez zat I'm attracted to 'er, in a way. We are friends, I 'ope at least."

"Oh, I see…" He smiled at her apologetically.

"Not a major problem. You couldn't know eet." She smiled at him. She couldn't sit still and begun
bouncing her knee.
"If you want to leave earlier, there is no problem." Kingsley said, understandingly.

"Non, I'd better 'ave something to occupy my mind."

"Alright." And they continued working. When they called it a wrap, Fleur bid them farewell and
went to the atrium level and found her way to the fountain, where they would meet every day to go
home together. Soon she was joined by Harry and then by Hermione, carrying a rather big tome.
They all looked quite drained.

"'ermione, would you rather meet me zere later so you can rest for a while, or get going?"

"If I get inside, I won't be able to get out again, I'm afraid." The Gryffindor smiled at her. "Harry,
could you get this book to my room or the library? It's rather heavy and I will need it during the
weekend" The boy nodded and took the book. "Thank you…" She nervously smiled at him. "Oh,
I'm sorry! I stipulated what we would be doing without asking you. Do you want to go home first,
Fleur?"

"Uh, non. I'm alright." Fleur smiled. "Let's go, zen?" After saying goodbye to Harry, they began
their walk to the Leaky Cauldron. They made the short walk in silence, both absorbing the
sensation of going somewhere with the other. Fleur more than ever feeling the veela inside her and
herself (not that a difference really existed) longing to at least hold hands with the younger woman.
The veela walked with pride but even with Hermione right beside her, her mind was in another
world. Merlin's beard, she needed to try and make conversation.

"How are your parents doing? I remember them from the Triwizard Championship…" Hermione
said, not being able to think of a better subject.

"Très bien. Zey are at zee moment preparing zemselves for Gaby's arrival. Maman ees already
complaining zat zee 'ouse eez too quiet but will complain even more two weeks after Gabrielle gets
zere…" Fleur chuckled with that notion remembering her sister's antics.

"Oh?"

"Let's just say the twins remind me of her."

"Remind me to never get too serious near her…" Hermione smiled.

"Oui… And your parents?"

"They are great! Mom is really happy that I managed to connect their fireplace to the floo network.
Apparently, the ministry developed a charm that keeps the floo from working if any muggle except
for them is in the house." Hermione smiled. "She is still getting used to it but it's great." Fleur
smiled back at her.

"We always talk about our days in our way back 'ome but I never got to ask you eef you are
enjoying zee work…"

"Oh, I love it! I'm actually nervous because I'm supposed to lead the interns until we go to
Hogwarts and I just begun…"

"You will be perfect. You are a natural leader, 'ermione." With that Fleur gathered all the courage
she had to give the brunette a side hug. To her relief, Hermione didn't flinch nor immediately
pulled back, but snuggled closer and held her by her waist. Hermione begun to chuckle shortly after
that. "What ees eet?"
 "Oh, nothing. It's just that I think that if Skeeter sees us like that she will say I'm hunting Triwizard
champions out to date and that you are my latest victim." The brunette said that blushing.

"Not zat I would care…" Fleur felt her own face get hot. "Zat woman ees incapable of telling a true
story for 'er life!"

"She did actually. A few months after the Triwizard incident, when the Daily Prophet was
slandering Harry and Dumbledore she wrote the true story to the Quibbler."

"'ow you managed zat? Assuming eet was you…"

"I just discovered a secret she didn't want anyone to uncover and made it very clear that I would tell
everyone about it if she didn't help…"

"She can be 'onest eef et's for 'er life, zen!" Fleur laughed.

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hope you liked it! Please comment and leave kudos!!
Thanks for reading!
 Chapter 14
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

They went through the wizarding bar and entered the magical alley, now they weren't holding one
another but were closer than before. Both girls entered the café and decided to use the secluded
area they had for client's reunions. As they entered the room, they both drew their wands out and
with some flicks soundproofed the area. With another flick, Hermione and Fleur enlarged the notes
they had made about the battles they had been into and some reports from their comrades. Fleur
heard a knock on the door and opened it.

"Oui?" She said to a house elf.

"Miss Delacour it's a pleasure to have you here again!"

"Thank you, Jilpy! 'ow 'ave you been?"

"Great! I'm being paid and well treated here…" Fleur smiled and nodded, she had arranged that job
for her. Since she saw the house elf abandoned on one of the few Death Eaters houses she had been
in along the week. Jilpy looked past Fleur and saw Hermione watching the exchange closely and
smiling. "Forgive my intromission, I see you are in official business. The usual, Miss?"

"Yes, Jilpy, please. 'Ermione, what would you like to drink?"

"Oh, a Mexican Hot Cocoa, please!" The elf nodded and went to the kitchen and Fleur closed the
door. "A hired House Elf? How wonderful! You always come here?"

"Oui. Jilpy was zee property of one of zee many death eaters arrested after zee last battle and was
abandoned in zee 'ouse. We found 'er while we were restricting zee access to zem until we give
clearance from dark magic. I managed to convince zee owner 'ere to employ 'er as she wanted to
work and 'ere we are…" Fleur was really proud of it. And to her joy, Hermione beamed at her and
gave her a hug.

"That is really brilliant!" They heard a knock once again. The protections they had put in the room
kept the house elf from apparating inside. Hermione pulled back to open the door and Fleur almost
whined from the lack of contact. "Thank you, Jilpy!"

"You are the Miss Granger Dobby talks about all the time!" The house elf said looking at her after
handling the hot beverages.

"Oh?"

"It's a pleasure to meet you!" The house elf bowed to her. Hermione smiled and mirrored the
action, having learned much about their culture since she tried founding SPEW. Her actions made
the elf smile. "The cups are enchanted so they will be refilled with a touch of your wands, despite
the protective spells. I made sure to protect the link to the kitchen too, don't worry." Jilpy bowed
again and got back to work.

"That was lovely!" Hermione smiled, closing the door and carefully taking a sip of her hot cocoa.

Hermione sat across from Fleur and they began to work. Turns out that Kingsley wanted full
reports since the Triwizard Tournament. From the DA, reports since its foundation. They both
spent good four hours studying the reports they had. Hermione had written reports of the first year
of the DA and had asked Harry, Ginny and Luna to do the same. The minister suggested that she
choose another two to write the reports besides Harry and herself and requested a report from every
member present at the ministry battle. After the battle, he said three reports would be sufficient.
Fleur had some reports of her comrades and a few of her own. They both had silently agreed that
each would revise the others work. Looking at the clock, Fleur startled.

"I believe we should stop now… Eet's getting late." She said. Hermione looked at her a little
confused than to the clock.

"Yes, we should get going…"

"'ungry?" Fleur decided to make a move. But convinced herself it wasn't a date. Before Hermione
could answer, Fleur's stomach growled. "Apparently coffee eesn't enough for me…" She added,
blushing a little. Merlin! She was indeed a blushing pudding near the younger woman.

"I'd love to. I believe Harry won't complain… Ginny is home today, so you can figure…" She
conjured her patronus and sent it to harry in order to let him know about the plans. A few minutes
later, they were leaving the cafe and a patronous hind approached them, and its message was
whispered in Hermione's ear. Fleur pretended she hadn't noticed the other woman's face get bright
red and begun walking again as the animal vanished.

"'arry?"

"No… Ginny. Her patronus used to be a horse but changed since they began dating, I believe.
Harrys is a stag… She says hi and thank you, by the way."

Fleur nodded. She had read about patronuses while in school and remembered reading something
about its corporeal forms and how they could change to match the mate's. She knew the two
Gryffindors were mates and that information only confirmed it.

"Oh, that mating isn't something exclusive for the veelas then?" Hermione asked, when Fleur
shared her thoughts about the couple.

"Non. Zee mating ees simply a soul choosing someone to love forever. For zee veelas eets stronger,
obviously, but eet exists to everyone. Full veelas are able to see zee strings linking each person
easier. I can only see a faint glow when I see mated people." Hermione was looking at the veela,
absorbing every ounce of knowledge she could. Fleur smiled at her as they crossed eyes. "Where
would you like to eat?"

"I believe we could eat at muggle London, it's friday and every single restaurant here will be full.
And I really hate the attention…"

"I know just zee place. I'll side apparate with you zere." Fleur took the brunette's hand after she
agreed and they both vanished from the street with a low pop.

The confusion was obvious on Hermione's face as she took in her surroundings..

"Fleur?"

"Oui?"

"Why are we in your flat?"

"You said you didn't want strangers' attention and I felt like cooking." Fleur smiled and moved to
the kitchen, motioning to Hermione to follow her.

Hermione damned herself for not being able to keep a sleeping Fleur from her mind as she caught a
glimpse of the blonde's couch. And followed her to the kitchen.

"Do you need any help?"

"Non, I 'ave all under control. Just sit over zere and get comfortable." Fleur said, smiling at her and
motioning to one of the high benches by the kitchen counter. With a flick of her wand, Fleur made
a glass of water cautiously land in front of her.

"What are you making?" Hermione curiously asked a moment later.

"Risotto aux champignons. I hope you like it."

"I love mushrooms!" They smiled at each other and Fleur got back to preparing the food.

Only a minute later Hermione caught herself staring at Fleur's butt. She shook her head and tried to
keep her eyes from the blonde, knowing she would stare again if she looked at Fleur. Soon the
brunette was once again starring at the older woman and unconsciously started to wander how it
would feel to touch Fleur in the way she really wanted.

"'Ermione, 'ow do you like your steak?" The blonde asked without looking at her. Hermione deeply
blushed as she heard her call her name.

"Uh, Medium to rare…"

"Ok." A few moments later, Fleur got out of the kitchen and cleared the table so they could have
dinner and retrieved a bottle of wine from a nearby room. That being done, she entered the kitchen
once again and served them. Holding both plates, Fleur went back to the table and pulled a chair
for Hermione. The brunette couldn't help but stare at the blonde the whole time and was under the
impression she was swaying more than she used to. That thought was quickly dismissed by
Hermione. Why would she do that, anyway? The brunette sat and Fleur graciously moved to sit
before her. They quietly ate both minds wandering. As Hermione finished, she made sure to praise
Fleur for her cooking ability. They spent some time chatting than Hermione begun to grow tired
and decided to leave. She had noticed that Fleur was too and insisted that they should get some
rest. Hermione got back home silently determined not to tell neither Harry nor Ginny about the
dinner she shared with Fleur. The house was actually silent and she got to her room praying that
her friends would not hear her. That night, Hermione tossed and turned as every time she closed her
eyes she saw the blonde swaying and imagined being able to touch her and kiss those French lips.
The next day she was ambushed by Ginny, who entered her room as soon as she heard Hermione
getting to her bathroom.

"Soooo?!" The redhead asked excitedly.

"So?"

"How did it go? You know you owe me the details! I told you everything about my first date with
Harry… Come one!"

"You gave me the details of your own free will. Besides, nothing happened. Also, not a date!"
Hermione felt her face get hot.

"And that's why you are blushing?" Laughed Ginny with a raised eyebrow.
"Really, nothing happened! It's just that…" Ginny now had her brows almost reaching her hair line.
"I observed her the whole night and that kind of turned me on. And, uhm, I can't stop myself from
picturing myself kissing and holding her!" Hermione said the last part with a sigh.

"Seriously? That's it?"

"I'm not really used to it, Gin. I figure I never really liked any boy, it seems I didn't really think
about girls enough because of school and those two trouble makers…"

"'Mione, that's quite normal! Everyone does that when are attracted to someone." Hermione sat on
her bed, trying to calm herself, and Ginny sat by her hugging her. "Anyway, breakfast is ready and
Harry is also curious about your night but I'm sure he won't ask anything. Let's go." The redhead
squeezed the other woman's arm and moved to the door.

Hermione hoped these feeling would go away after a day or two, to no avail. Every time she saw
the blonde walking in front of her, her imagination filled her head with sensations and pictures of
her kisses. She gave up trying to control it two weeks later, when she got home from their meeting
feeling hot and quite aroused for simply looking at the older woman.

About a month later, Hermione felt like she was getting better at ignoring her thoughts towards
Fleur and was looking forward and dreading going to her last year in Hogwarts. Not seeing the
blonde every day would help controlling herself but she was completely sure she would madly
miss being able to talk to her every day and being near her. With all that mixed feelings, Hermione
sat on her desk, locked on her room and begun writing in hope to make some sense. "I must be
completely mental." She said, reading what she had just wrote. Another month passed and she was
home after a tiring day of work. She and Harry had got back an hour ago and none had gathered the
courage to go change nor to make something they could eat. They had taken off their shoes and
instantly sat side by side on the couch looking nowhere. The fireplace lighted up and Ginny
appeared.

"Mom sent food. Apparently, Ron saw you two leaving and told her, she made you some food so
you wouldn't need to cook. I managed to convince her to let me bring it…" The redhead said,
carrying the food to the kitchen and casting a warming charm on it. Coming back to the living
room, she noticed none of them had moved. "Hey!" She said, making both snap back to reality.
"There's food. But you two better go change!" They nodded and got to their rooms. Once back
down, Hermione and Harry properly greeted the redhead.

"I never thought administrative work would drain me this much." Hermione sighed.

"I know, Tonks is making me work madly quick so I don't have much to do while in Hogwarts."

"Wait, you two will work while in school? How will that even work?" Ginny asked.

"No idea. Evangeline is also making me work more than ever… I figure they are negotiating with
professor McGonagall." The three had eaten and now Hermione was laying on the couch while
Harry sat with his girlfriend's head in his lap, the girl was mirroring her friend's position. Hermione
remembered the note she received from Fleur, excusing herself from the meeting they were
supposed to have that day, given it was Friday, because she would have to work late. She realized
she hadn't replied her and conjured her patronus to send her apologies. Once the otter got outside
the room, she got up, deciding she could call it a night.

"It's Friday, isn't it?" Harry asked Ginny, who nodded. "'Mione, don't you have a meeting with
Fleur?"
 "She said she would have to work late tonight."

"Now that I think about it, I didn't see neither her or Bill at work today. Apparently, someone else
taught the auror trainees today."

"Yes, she said something about having to secure a few more death eater's houses."

"Oh…"

"Good night you two. I'm so tired I think I'll pass out the minute I get to bed." Hermione said,
getting upstairs. "Remember to cast a silencing spell this time for fuck sake!" She shouted from her
bedroom door.

"Yes, ma'am! And good night!" Ginny answered giggling as Harry's face turned bright red.

Chapter End Notes

Hello again! So, Hermione catching up not only with her feelings but with her needs...
I hope you liked it! Next chapter will be long (I guess), Wednesday brings some news
and partying!

Thanks for reading! Please comment and leave kudos!

;3
 Chapter 15
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

The following day they sat comfortably having brunch and discussing silly things when a large owl
entered the window and flew towards them. It landed in front of Hermione and she gave the owl a
treat after retrieving three well known envelopes.

“Our letters?” Ginny asked and Hermione nodded. “I’ll let mom know. Do you want to buy the
books today? She will probably come as soon as I tell her.”

“I suppose we could.” Harry answered as Hermione nodded. Ginny got up and leaned into the
fireplace in order to let her mother know about the letters and that they would go shopping later
that day. When she got back, Hermione gave her the letter. The three letters felt strangely heavy to
Hermione. As they motioned to open them, a face appeared in the fireplace.

“Hey, Lun! Come on in!” Ginny, who was nearer, greeted the face.

“Are you going shopping today?” The face that resembled Luna asked.

“As soon as mom gets here.”

“Okay. I’m going with you, if you don’t mind…”

“Sure.”

In a moment, Luna’s full body appeared in the fireplace. Holding her letter still untouched. The
four of them opened the letters.

“Oh, I’m prefect once again!” Luna smiled. “I imagine who will be the Head Girl and Boy…”

“I suppose it’s someone from your year. Harry and I are supposedly no electable for it nor any of
the others who are coming back from our year.” Hermione said, smiling at the blonde and realizing
that the weight of Ginny’s envelope probably meant she was also prefect again.

“Uhm, Gin? Are you okay?” Harry looked at her girlfriend, worried. The girl was looking at her
letter and clinging at the envelope. She looked up and slowly nodded, smiling. Luna looked over
the redhead’s shoulder and squealed.

“Congratulations, Ginny!” The blonde hugged her friend from behind which caused the ginger to
snap back to reality. Looking at the other two in the room who had confusion written in their faces,
Ginny grinned.

“I’m the new Head Girl!”

“Merlin’s Beard! That’s brilliant!” Hermione squealed and ran to her friend so she could
congratulate her with a tight hug.

“Excuse me! Let me congratulate my brilliant girlfriend!” Harry said laughing as he managed to
detach Hermione from Ginny. He hugged her tight and kissed her.

“What’s the occasion?” Mrs. Weasley asked as she entered the room, followed by Mr. Weasley.
“Ginny is Head Girl!” Hermione promptly answered. Mr. Weasley immediately applauded his
daughter and Mrs. Weasley begun to cry.

“I’m so proud of you!” The older woman managed to say as she hugged her daughter.

Shortly they were at the Alley, shopping. Hermione, Harry and Luna calmly following the excited
three Weasleys.

“Have you read your letter yet?” Harry asked his friend.

“No, I have it with me, though.” Hermione answered.

“Yeah…”

They fell into comfortable silence, thinking about the following year. Each of them completely
aware that the other two besides them were also having the same thoughts. After they brought
everything listed on their letters, the group decided to make a stop before heading to Hermione’s
and then to the Burrow as Mrs. Weasley insisted in making a dinner in celebration to Ginny.
Unconsciously, or not so much, Hermione led them to the cafe she and Fleur went every Friday.

“It’s really cozy. I bet you will love it!” She said to the matriarch as they walked towards it. As
they entered the place, the house elf she had grown to know well approached happily.

“Miss Granger! We missed you and Miss Delacour yesterday, something wrong?”

“Oh, no, Jilpy! Everything is okay. Fleur just needed to work after hours so we skipped the
meeting.” Hermione smiled at the elf. “Jilpy, these are Molly, Arthur and Ginny Weasley, Luna
Lovegood and Harry Potter.” The elf made a deep bow at all of them and smiled when the three
younger corresponded the gesture and the elder nodded.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you! Would you like the reserved section, Miss Granger? It’s vacant.”

“There is no need…”

“Table for six, then. Follow me.”

When they sat down, the menu was distributed to all of them and a few moments later Jilpy was
back to take the orders. When she left, Luna inquired Hermione about the elf and she explained
happily.

They were halfway through their drinks when Hermione saw the glimmer of a well-known
platinum hair entering the cafe. She smiled. Harry noticed the change of mood of his friend and
followed her gaze as did Ginny and Luna. Soon he was waving to her, trying to get her attention.

“Oh, ’ello! ‘ow are you? Long time…”

“Hello Fleur!” Arthur greeted her and soon everyone in the table was talking to her.

“Sorry, I see you are in a family gathering. I’ll leave you be.”

“Bloomer! We are just taking a break from shopping.” Luna said.

Hermione had been quiet all the while the Blonde was talking to them. Unable to trust her tongue
to say the right thing. Decided to explain.

“Our Hogwarts letters arrived this morning…”

“And Ginny is the new Head Girl!” Harry completed the information.

“I assume eet’s an important position… Congratulations, Ginny!”

“Fleur, sit down, dear. Join us.” Mrs. Weasley said, smiling. Shortly Fleur had her usual beverage
in hand and they were all happily chatting.

When they had all finished their drinks, Molly tried to pay everyone’s beverage but it turned out
Hermione had gotten up a few moments after finishing her own drink and payed for everything.

“I know it’s short notice, but do you want to join us celebrating Ginny?” Mrs. Weasley asked Fleur
as they left the cafe. Hermione noticed Fleur glance at her best friend and saw the latest beam and
nod.

“Sure. I just need to go ‘ome for a while. I just got back from zee ministry. Bill and I spent zee
morning on field and had to report to zee minister.”

“I see. We will be waiting you then.”

“Harry, I completely forgot I need to buy an owl, would you help me choosing?” Hermione
realized she wanted to buy a present to Ginny and hoped to get away with this bogus excuse.

“Sure.” Harry smiled. Ginny began saying she would help too when Mrs. Weasley grabbed her
hand and dragged her complaining about how the two of them seemed to be attached by the hip
these days. When they were at a safe distance, Harry faced Hermione: “What should we get her?”

“I should be the one asking you that!” Hermione laughed.

“Quidditch supplies?”

“Yes, I believe it would be for the best…”

“Where are zee Weasleys?” Fleur had been talking to the owner of the cafe and approached them.

“We needed time to get a present to Ginny and ‘Mione made up an excuse. Thankfully, Molly
dragged Gin home with her. Now we have to figure out what to give her.” Harry promptly
answered.

“It was actually true. I need an owl, I just don’t exactly need help picking it up…”

“And what are you zinking about? Eef I may ask. Zee present, I mean.”

“Something with quidditch. I risk saying she is even a bigger fan than Ronald…” Hermione said.
“We could give her a new broom? Since she got an owl from Molly…”

“May I join you in zee present? I have no idea of what to give ‘er.”

“Sure.” Harry said.

As they entered the Quality Quidditch Supplies shop and brought a Firebolt, which still was the
best on the store. Hermione decided to buy a book about the team Ginny loved so much, one she
was pretty sure the redhead didn’t have and Harry got a servicing kit too. They apparated home
promising not to take too long. An hour later, Fleur knocked on their door so they could go
together.

The night was pleasant but Hermione couldn’t keep her eyes from Fleur. She was thanking every
single possible God of every culture she knew that the night was over but the moment she stepped
inside her flat, she missed the older woman madly. She was beginning to question her sanity by
then. She had faked a headache so she could go home earlier. Hermione got to her room, prepared
herself to sleep and remembered that she was yet to read the rest of the own letter. She sat on the
armchair she had on her room and retrieved the letter from her purse with a flick of her wand.

Dear Miss Granger Black,

As current Headmistress, I have been presented with the task of deciding if you will be
able to continue your internship during your last year in Hogwarts. I personally
believe you are completely capable of once again having a perfect score at your tests
while working at the ministry. I hope you prove me right. Along with your work I
believe you and Miss Delacour aren’t finished reporting the war, so you are expected
to do so. Given you will have so many responsibilities, you will have a permanent free
pass for after hours and that will be communicated to the prefects by the Head Boy
and Girl.

Also, being a war hero and an employed alumnus, you are given a new room. Notice
your quarters will be linked to the Gryffindor common room but will also have an
external access. As you and Mr. Potter share a flat in London I believe you will have
no problem sharing a living room. Once arrived in Hogwarts, after the welcoming
feast you and Mr. Potter must direct yourselves to your quarters and change the
password. The living room’s fireplace is fully connected to the Floo network and I
strongly advise you to charm it so only authorized people will be able to access it. You
and Mr. Potter have special permission to leave the school if needed, but you need to
inform me about your absence.

That being said, I’d like to welcome you back.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Headmistress

P.S.: I hope you and our Head Girl will be able to keep Mr. Potter from trouble and in
line.

Hermione finished reading the letter and sighed. She was actually relieved with the news but quite
worried given the enormous amount of responsibilities she would have. Hermione decided to sleep
and flicked the lights off after laying down.

A week after was Harry’s birthday. He had agreed on leaving the preparations of the party to
Ginny, who insisted she would throw the best party he ever had. Not that it was a hard thing to do,
given he spent his previous birthday either with the Dursley or being attacked by death eaters.
After the war, they all felt like celebrating, although Harry felt quite guilty for being alive.
Hermione and Ginny knew Harry well enough to know that if Ginny didn’t take the responsibility
of organizing the party, he wouldn’t do anything. The brunette received a note from her friend the
day before, asking her if she could get Harry out of the house for about two hours and now she was
dragging Harry out of the door after having lunch with him and Ginny, who pretended not to know
what she was up to.

“Hermione! Where the hell are we going?” He asked loudly.

“I need company to buy clothes and you need new ones.” She answered.

Harry rolled his eyes and stopped resisting. Two hours later, they were heading back to the house
with an enormous amount of shopping bags. As they entered the flat, Hermione noticed Ginny had
completely changed the furniture, the couch was gone as well as the bookcases and apparently, she
had transfigured the dinner table into a longer one that stood by the side of the room holding a big
variety of drinks and foods.

“Good, you are here!” The redhead sighted as she saw them both. “Thank you, Mione.”

“Anytime, Gin!” Hermione nodded, grinning.

“We should get ready. They will arrive in about an hour.” Ginny said, looking at Hermione and
grabbing her arm. “Harry, you should go too!” He just nodded, still taking in the room.

Harry got ready in less than half an hour and settled downstairs, wearing plain white shirt and black
trousers and knowing he should greet the guests that arrived. He decided to read a little bit and sat
at one of the small tables Ginny scattered around the room. Fifteen minutes later, he heard the
doorbell.

“Hi Fleur! How are you doing?” He said, as he opened the door a let the blonde enter the room.

“Quite good! And you?” She answered, looking around.

“She’s not ready yet.” He said, making her look at him. “I guess she and Ginny will be here any
moment. They are almost late” He added, looking at the clock. Fleur nodded.

“Oh! ‘appy birthday!” She fully turned to him and hugged him. After they pulled back, she gave
him the gift she had brought for him.

A few moments later, Ginny and Hermione met them downstairs. As soon as Fleur saw Hermione
she was in awe. The brunette wore a simple black dress but was barefoot just like Ginny and Harry,
she didn’t promptly notice the other, though. With a few sharp breaths, she recovered enough to
look at the other girl and praise them both. Ginny had also chosen a black dress. Hermione blushed
a lot when she heard the compliment.

“You look good too, Fleur.” Ginny said, Hermione nodded. Fleur was wearing a blue dress that
clung to her body in all the right places, its color remembered her of Beauxbatons’ uniform and she
knew it would bring up the color of her eyes. “And you can take off your heels if you like…” Fleur
stopped to think for a minute, walked to the corner Ginny suggested she could leave her shoes and
drew off the heels.

In a couple of minutes the fireplace begun to lit up and allow every guest to the party. Hermione,
as Fleur observed, lined up with Harry and Ginny to welcome everyone. She actually knew all of
them, most of them were already attending Hogwarts when she visited the castle in Harry’s fourth
year and the rest of the guest consisted basically of Order Members. She greeted everyone and
forced herself to look anywhere but Hermione. Within about half an hour, of her tragically failing
on her only task for the night, Bill approached her with a smirk as he got closed to her, he raised an
eyebrow.

“Your mate look quite good, Fleur but I think you need some air right now.”

“Uh, why ees zat?” She looked straight into his eyes and saw him rolling his eyes.
“And here I thought you were in complete control of you body and transformations…” Fleur
startled and noticed her vision was sharper than usual. The redhead nodded.

“Merde! Would you be a dear and get me glass of water, Bill? I’m ‘eaded to zee balcony.” He
agreed and they parted ways, Fleur stopping by the restroom so she could look at herself in the
mirror. The Fleur she saw in the mirror was a raw version of herself, one she had seen only when
she was livid or years before, when she couldn’t control her veela instincts. Physically the only
change that occurred was the color of her eyes, they were now deep orange. She closed her eyes
and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. How the hell she didn’t notice the change? She
was too focused failing on keeping her eyes from Hermione and didn’t notice how aroused she was
from the mere sight of the brunette. With a few more deep breaths she managed to make the color
of her eyes go back to the usual dark blue. She sighted, now fully conscious of her body thanks to
the technique she used to change back. The second took a step closer to the sink so she could wash
her face, she regretted. She had just become fully aware of how much Hermione had turned her on
(she was probably too worried when she made her way to the bathroom to notice).

She startled as she heard a knock on the door.

“Oui?” She heard her own voice sound harsh.

“Sorry, Fleur. Are you all right? I saw you hurry in.” Harry’s voice sounded through the door.

“Yes, ‘arry. I’m fine. I’ll be out in a minute.” Obviously, she had no choice but to ignore her needs
for now. She opened the door with a sigh after looking at her reflection one last time. Seeing Harry
standing outside with a worried look, she forced herself to smile at him and walked as calmly as
possible to the balcony in order to find Bill (walking was rather uncomfortable). She didn’t allow
her eyes to roam through the room and managed to get to the redheaded. He was leaning on the
rail, facing the party. She sighed and hid her face on her hands as soon as she got to him. Fleur was
highly ashamed of her lack of self-control so she avoided his gaze, looking to the stars.

“That bad?” He said, chuckling.

“I’m ‘opelessly drawn to ‘er and I don’t even know eef she likes me. I mean, more zan just as a
friend.” Her accent growing thicker as she grew frustrated with herself.

“Calm down, Fleur.”

“I should ‘ave imagined she would dress fancier. Eet’s ‘er best friend’s birzday after all. I mean,
even I did. I was caught off guard and I wouldn’t ‘ave noticed eef not for you. Zank you, by zee
way.”

“Shit happens. Just please promise me to stop torturing yourself and ask her out soon. It’s not good
for you. Your veela heritage…”

“Maman sent you a letter.”

“Yes, she is worried that’s all. She explained me what she could about how you would start
behaving if you don’t take action and wait until after her school year.”

“Oui, I won’t wait. I’m just afraid she doesn’t feel zee same for me and I don’t even know eef she
considered being wiz anozer woman.”

“You won’t find out any of these if you don’t ask.”

“I know. I could use some of zat Gryffindor courage…” Fleur sighted as Bill hugged her.
The rest of the party went on quite well. Fleur got a hold of her veela and managed to suppress her
eyes transformation. Controlling herself required so much energy from Fleur that after leaving the
party she could only get to bed and pass out, thank god the weekend had just began. About noon
next day, Fleur woke up to a consistent noise. Nonstop knocking. No one ever came to her
apartment and those who did had instant access thanks to the charm she had casted on the door.
She had added so a few permissions these last days but actually the only person that had ever came
unexpected was Bill and he knew he had access. Sighing she reached for a robe and went to answer
the door. She yawned as she opened the door. To her shock, Hermione stood on the other side, her
face quite reddened. She couldn’t help but smile.

“Bonjour, ‘ermione.” Fleur stepped aside to let the other woman in.

“Bonjour… Were you sleeping?”

“Oui,” Hermione began to apologize, “but I actually should ‘ave been awake by now. No
problem.”

“I’m sorry anyway. I was just worried, you left kind of pale yesterday. I just wanted to see if you
were okay.” The brunette said with a faint smile.

“Yes. I was just exhausted, I didn’t work zee ‘ole day but zee morning was quite strenuous.
Probably why I overslept. Eet’s almost lunchtime, right?” Fleur was still a little dizzy from waking
up so quickly. Hermione just nodded. “I guess I’ll skip breakfast zen. But a cup of coffee might be
in order…” The veela was basically reasoning out loud. “Uh, would you like some? Or you prefer
tea? Now that I come to think I’ve never seen you drink coffee…” She begun to move to the
kitchen and motioned to Hermione follow her.

“I’ll take the tea, I guess… Yeah, I don’t really like coffee…”

“That’s probably because you never tasted French coffee…” Fleur looked to Hermione with a
smile only to find Hermione blushing a little. After the tea was ready, she gave the mug to the
brunette and begun to prepare her own coffee. Once ready, they headed back to the living room.

They sat there for about two hours talking about everything they could think, probably to keep the
thoughts of kissing each other. And that thought had been on Fleur’s mind since the other woman
entered the flat. Hermione left when she saw the late time, apologizing for not being able to stay
and have lunch with Fleur because she had to meet her parents as it had been almost a month she
didn’t visit them. Fleur sat there, cursing herself for not being able to either act on her feelings nor
talk about it with Hermione. She knew that holding back her feelings would probably make her get
sick but not even that notion gave her courage to say anything to her. She was aware that they were
now quite good friends and didn’t want to risk that.

A month later nothing had changed, Fleur was quite certain she was the biggest coward in the
history of veela and was yet unable to make any move to change that. In three days, Hermione
would leave to Hogwarts and even though she knew the brunette would be allowed to meet with
her from time to time to discuss the reports they were supposed to deliver in four months, Fleur felt
the veela inside her growl in frustration every time she thought about it. It was long past midnight
and she was yet to sleep, she tossed and turned the entire night only being able to sleep from
exhaustion as the sun came out. Thankfully it was Sunday and she would be able to oversleep even
though she had scheduled dinner with Hermione to discuss some last-minute things they had to
before she went to the wizarding school. They wouldn’t be able to meet before the brunette
boarded the train, given she would work on the field with the auror trainees that whole week. Even
having slept after the sun had risen, Fleur woke up about two hours before the time she used to
have lunch. With a sigh, she rose from the bed stretching a little and went to the kitchen to prepare
a cup of coffee for her and retrieve a croissant for a quick breakfast. After that, she served herself
again with the dull liquid and headed to her bathroom to take a long calming bath as her nerves had
only grown since the day before.

Six hours later she opened a bottle of wine so she could have a glass while cooking. She had
cooked a lot for Hermione as they were now used to meet at Fleur’s to discuss the report and she
insisted on making dinner for both. She had decided to make pasta for them, actually she would
make the same food she had done the first time she had been in her house. A few minutes later, a
knock on the front door announced Hermione arrival along with her voice from outside calling the
blonde. She smiled, it was always good to see the brunette outside workplace and, even though
being about work, as it was the case. She told her to come in, not being able to leave the kitchen.

“Fleur?!” She heard the brunette call for her after closing the door behind herself.

“In zee kitchen!”

“Hi!” Hermione entered the kitchen to greet her. They had an unspoken agreement that the brunette
wouldn’t cook as both knew about her inability to do so. The younger woman took a glass from one
of the kitchen cabinets and filled it with wine, refilling Fleur’s too. “What are we having?”

“Chicken breast wiz bacon and pesto pasta.”

“Lacked creativity?” Hermione said mockingly with one brow risen. “No problem, I just love that
one.”

“Good. I’m not changing zee menu.” Fleur laughed. They had evolved to be more carefree between
each other, mocking each other. The veela liked that but was completely conscious that it was just
a way to cope with her feelings. At least from her end. Not that it worked very well.

Hermione entered the flat asking herself where the veela was.

“Fleur?!”

“In zee kitchen!” She heard the other answer.

After greeting her and getting a glass of wine for herself, she sat by the counter. They talked until
the food was ready that way, Fleur cooking and she drinking wine by the counter. She set the table
and they had dinner and talked a little, avoiding anything related to work until they cleaned the
table. Then they got to business and discussed the last reports they had received from their
comrades. When they finished, Hermione sat in silence for a second.

“I guess that’s it.” She said.

“Oui…”

“Oh, we should schedule our next meeting. So I can let professor McGonagall know about it…”

“Yes, but you should get some time to get used to being back to school…”

“It takes about a week.” Hermione smiled.

“And you will be working.”

“Okay, two weeks. The work is basically studying, anyway…”

 “I ‘onestly can give you ‘ow much time you need…” Fleur reasoned.

Hermione couldn’t help but smile at the blonde. She knew she would be completely used to her
schedule by the end of the first week there. And she was conscious that she wasn’t willing to go
more than two weeks without seeing the other woman.

“Seriously, two weeks is more than necessary. I swear!”

“As you wish…” Fleur smiled. She seemed to be relieved.

“We see each other in two weeks then?” Fleur nodded. “We just need to decide where…”

“‘ow about we do eet zrough owl?” It was her turn to nod.

Hermione looked at the clock on the wall and startled. “It’s quite late and you will have a busy day
from what you told me. And that’s all Ronald is able to talk about these days… I have to work
tomorrow myself. I should go.” Fleur nodded. Hermione was too engrossed with her own sadness
to notice Fleur’s, but it was written on her eyes. With a flick of her wand the papers scattered
across the table arranged themselves into two piles and she put them in her bag.

“See you in two weeks, zen. ‘ave a good journey.” Fleur smiled at her and hugged her.

Hermione made everything possible to make the hug last, she was quite comfortable. In a last
minute decision, she decided something. As she pulled back, she kissed Fleur’s cheek. That was the
closest she was able to do with the courage she had at the moment. But she had kissed quite close
to the blonde’s lips. Then she turned around, opened the door and left. She felt her face grow hotter
as she thought about that moment.

She had almost kissed Fleur.

Chapter End Notes

I must confess that the chapter actually had a normal length so I joined the next one
(that was rather short) just because I kind of promised a longer one.
Anyway, now it has a great cliffhanger (please don’t kill me, the one next will be up
by Saturday as scheduled)
Did you like it?
An aroused Fleur…
Please comment and leave kudos!
Thanks for reading!
;3
 Chapter 16
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Fleur stood dumbstruck looking at the building’s hallway. She noticed her vision sharpen and the
veela inside her howl in anticipation for something that wouldn’t come.

“Merde!” She muttered as she snapped back after the vision change. She closed the door.

What did that mean? Was that an accident or some sort of sign from the other girl? Merde! Merde!
Merde! She definitely had a lot to think about until they meet again. And that was obviously too
long. She decided to go to bed and try to sleep although she knew she would not be able to. Two
hours later she was laying on her bed completely unable to sleep. Only half an hour later she
decided to take a sleeping draught.

Hermione got home quickly and widely smiling, her face completely red. Something that didn’t
pass in blank to either Ginny or Harry. They exchanged looks.

“Spill!” Ginny said, looking at her friend with a raised brow. She and Harry had been reading, both
closed the books and watched Hermione closely. Ginny, who had been laying on the couch with
her feet on Harry’s lap, sat straight. The brunette sighted and sat on the armchair across from her
friends and begun to tell what happened from the moment she had gotten to Flour’s flat.

“Then I kissed her…”

“WHAT? You kissed her?” Excited that her friend had the courage to do so, Ginny shouted
interrupting Hermione.

“On the cheek.” She completed.

“Oh…” Ginny said, the excitement lost somewhere. “And then?”

“I, uh, left.”

“Oi? You just left? Why?” Harry heard everything in silence but was not a little confused.

“I kissed her on the cheek, but seriously it was so close to her lips that if I moved less than an inch
I would get them…” Hermione’s face grew even more red as she explained. “Then I left because…
Well I don’t really know.”

“Oh!” Ginny was now smiling madly. “Good one…”

“Sorry?” Harry was now even more confused than before.

“Yeah, she kind of gave her a sign she wants something with Fleur…” Harry nodded as his
girlfriend explained.

“I don’t even know if she will get that. Being French.” The brunette muttered.

“But the kisses are on the cheek and quite far from the lips and you know that.” Ginny got up from
where she was and closed the distance between them. The redhead hugged her friend to reassure it
was fine. “Come on, it will be okay, ‘Mione!” Harry nodded.
Hermione yawned. “I should get to sleep…” She got up and got to her room, saying goodnight to
her friends. She too had to take a sleeping draught.

Two days later, Hermione was yet to get the story from her head. As they headed to the Hogwarts
Express, she thought about that. What if she didn’t understand and thought it had been an accident?

“‘Mione?” She snapped back after being called and realized she was already inside the train,
sharing a cabin with Harry, Ginny and Luna. “Luna and I have to go to the front compartment to
meet the other prefects after the train leaves…”

“Okay…” She nodded.

A few minutes later, the train left the station and the redhead and the blonde left Harry and
Hermione alone. They both wished they had been left alone, at least. Apparently, the word that
Harry Potter and Hermione Granger had been seen boarding the express had spread between the
students and soon the hall in front of their compartment was filled with curious students looking
through the glass. They both felt like they were being held in a zoo but had no will to risk being
seen as snobs by closing the shades. Within half an hour, they saw everyone flee from where they
stood. Curiously, they looked into the hallway. Ginny stood halfway from the compartment she
had been, with an angry expression. When they opened the door, they were able hear the last part
of her rant.

“…It’s not a zoo, they are not animals. They are students just like any of you! Respect them!”
Hermione smiled at Harry. “And if I see any of you standing in front of that compartment be sure I
will deduct points from your houses! Yes, even before the beginning of the year!” Ginny had her
uniform on since she left their compartment and if proudly carried the Head Girl badge. Luna was
by her side, dreamingly smiling, and the Hufflepuff prefect of their year stood a little further back.
She turned to him, “See you later, Lorcan.” Hermione and Harry smiled thankfully at Ginny as she
and Luna got into the compartment.

“I think you just terrified most of them, Gin. But thanks.” Harry said, laughing.

“It’s nothing. We will have to leave to make rounds, but we are free for now, what do you want to
do?”

“Exploding Snaps?” Hermione suggested, to which they all agreed. And so, they spent the whole
travel chatting, playing cards and eating some candy. When they were near the stop, Hermione and
Harry changed and once again Luna and Ginny had to leave in order to supervise everyone getting
off the train. In less than half an hour the train came to a complete stop. As Hermione and Harry
got off, they heard Hagrid calling the first years. They smiled to each other, remembering their first
year.

“Harry! Hermione! How yeh’re doin’?” He said as soon as he saw them. They approached him and
greeted him. Soon Hagrid left with the newbies and they were waiting for Ginny and Luna so they
could get one of the last carriages to get to the castle. A few moments later they were all inside a
carriage going to the castle.

They entered the Great Hall and went to their tables, Luna biding them farewell. About five
minutes later, they saw the first years enter the room, following professor Sprout. Hermione saw
the little girl that talked to her on the leaky caldron, Moire, whom beamed as she saw her. She
waved to the girl, making Harry and Ginny look at the girl and then to her. The moment the girl
saw her friends, she clearly squealed. After the girl passed, Hermione explained in a hush tone
what had transpired that day. The sorting ceremony begun and the cheered loudly every time
someone got to Gryffindor, and Hermione cheered louder than any of them when Moire was sorted
to the scarlet house. That made her remind what Fleur had said about the girl. The girl practically
ran to Hermione, surprising her and making her laugh. Moire sat beside the brunette, beaming.

“Hello, Moire!” Hermione smiled at her.

“Hi!”

“Moire, uh? I’m Harry.”

“Yeah, I know. And you are Ginny?” The even year-old nodded to harry and turned to Ginny. “I’m
really happy that I got to meet you!”

“Pleasure to meet you!” Harry and Ginny answered, smiling at her. With that they felt silent, as the
Sorting ceremony went on. After that, McGonagall welcomed everyone and the feast begun.
Following what professor Dumbledore used to do, the headmistress made the full welcome speech
after dinner. She honored those who died in the battle and during war and apologized to the
Slytherins for preventing them from helping to protect the school, welcomed the newly employed
professors and gave them all the warnings needed. When she dismissed them, the three of them
guided the new Gryffindors to the tower. As they got there, Hermione and Harry excused
themselves so they could change the passwords to their quarters.

“She is cute.” harry said, as they got out of the common room and approached the painting
McGonagall pointed out to be the entrance their common room. It was a painting of Joan D’arc and
she was quite more pleasant then the Fat Lady. As the head mistress had told them to do, they said
the preset password and then changed to one they both agreed, which was Padfoot. Turns out they
only needed one, since the painting that gave them access from the Gryffindor common room was
the same one. When they entered the room, they casted the spells needed to prevent unwanted
visits from the fireplace. Their common room duplicated Gryffindor’s in a smaller scale, with
room and furniture for about six people, both bedrooms were upstairs they were just like the dorms
except they wouldn’t have to share with anyone. With a more cautious look, they discovered a
secluded room to meetings. After they checked everything there, they went to their house’s
common room meet Ginny. Looking around they found a bunch of their old house mates hanging
around, most of them greeted them and none stared. They all knew both. Hermione was relieved to
notice that and once again she felt home. Harry looked at her, knowing what she was feeling and
hugged her.

“That’s how you felt every time?” She knew the answer, but had to ask nonetheless. They sat in
their usual spot, away from the noise. Ginny found them quickly enough to hear Harry’s answer.

“Yes. Hogwarts felt like home first because everyone was just like me so I was not just a freak as
the Dursley said I was. That was actually even before the school began. Then I met you and Ron,
and it was home because I had friends, people who cared about me. Although I was and am still
The Boy Who Lived, most of the people here treat me no different. Specially Gryffindors, to most
I’m just a quidditch player who helped defending our school and home…” Harry smiled to
Hermione. “I think that’s what you see here, people don’t treat you differently because you are the
brains of the trio,” he smiled as Hermione grimaced at the nickname. “They treat you as one of
their most respected students who works hard to be in that position…” Ginny nodded.

“I think we are really lucky to be here. After my first year, I thought I would be judged and all but
everyone simply embraced me.”

“Yeah, I think we could say that we’re lucky…” Hermione smiled to both.

“Uh, excuse me.” A first year approached them, almost flinching when the three of them looked at
 her. “Moire said she knows you,”

“Oh, yes! Where is she?” Hermione took instant interest.

“Right there.” The girl pointed the other first year who was sat near the fire place, reading. And
looked uncertain to them. “I’m really sorry to bother you. It’s just that my mother told me that if I
ever got to know any of you I should thank you. I know it’s lame, but my mother is muggle born
and she actually…” The girl started crying and was immediately embraced by Ginny. After a few
moments, she managed to calm down. “We had to hide so she wouldn’t be caught by them…” The
three of them nodded. They knew how it must have felt like.

“Now let’s get you to your room…” Ginny said. “You need to rest, classes begin tomorrow…” The
girl nodded.

Hermione stood from her armchair and approached Moire. The girl was reading the first year’s
book of spells and apparently managed to master one of them quite quickly.

“I see you have been studying…” The younger girl looked up from the book and beamed.

“Uh, yeah… I didn’t want to come without knowing something…”

“I actually did the exact same thing the first time I got here.” Hermione smiled, remembering her
first year. “Moire, it’s quite late and you should go to sleep. You will have a long day tomorrow.
And if you ever need anything, you can talk to me. If you don’t find me, you can talk to that lady
over there, she will let me know you are looking for me. Now go to bed and go make some friends,
Hogwarts is where we find knowledge and friendship. Enjoy both.”

“You got to know Harry here, right?” Hermione nodded. “I hope I find a friend like him…” The
girl smiled and went to her dorm.

“You really have got the way with kids, ‘Mione.” Ginny had come back and watched the last bit of
the conversation.

“You too, Gin.” Hermione answered, smiling at her friend.

The three of them decided to head to their rooms shortly after. Harry shared the password with
Ginny and they decided they should keep the arrangement they had while on vacation, she would
only spend the night at his room on weekends. That way they both would have time to study.
Hermione was certain that the arrangement would last only a few days. Probably the fact that both
had to grow up rather quickly and the risk of losing each other made their relationship grow
stronger faster than usual for two teenagers. Hermione could see that neither of them was really
willing to let the other go as they said good night.

Chapter End Notes

And here we have another chapter!

Hope you liked it! Please review/comment, I really love reading your thoughts.

Thanks for reading!

;3
(no great cliffhangers on this one but sadly I'm no angel anymore)
 Chapter 17
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

The first day of classes was a real joy to Hermione and, as she could see, her friends felt the same
way. Even Harry was overjoyed to spend the day on school. At dinner, Luna joined them this time,
saying she wanted to spend some more time with them.

“I came to a resolution today.” Harry said as soon as the four of them sat.

“That would be…?” Ginny said, looking at him curiously.

“I decided that I’ll study harder than ever…”

“Finally!” Hermione said thrusting a fist upwards. Ginny and Luna laughed at her antics.

“Mostly because I understand I need to. But I want to truly learn. I think I’ve let Ron have too
much influence on me. Maybe with the company of your three brains I’ll be able to study and have
a life… That remembers me…” He looked hopefully to Hermione.

“Yes, Harry, I’ll help you with your schedule.”

“Thanks, ‘Mione! You are a lifesaver! Actually, you have done that to me more times than I’d like
to admit.”

They spent the rest of the night chatting, Luna was informed about the access to their room and
they headed back to the common room after dinner. Luna parted ways from them and went to the
Ravenclaw tower.

When they were midway to the common room, McGonagall intercepted them.

“Evening, Mr. Potter I need to know from you if you plan on continuing being part of the quidditch
team.” Harry nodded. and she looked from him to Ginny and back to him. “I assume you will keep
the post of captain.”

“Well, I prefer not to. The absurd amount of responsibilities…”

“I see. I needed to have this conversation with you before handling the post. That being said, I can
state with absolute certainty that Miss Weasley will do an excellent job with the team this year.”
Ginny squealed and the professor smiled at her fondly. “Now, if you would excuse me, I will
inform the head you your house about it, she will be pleased to know about it.”

Ginny looked at Harry with narrow eyes after the headmistress left.

“What?”

“The thing you love the most to do is playing quidditch and you definitely should be the captain.
Why didn’t you get the job?”

“As I said, I have a lot of responsibilities.”

“Yeah, as if you didn’t have the plans to the team.”

“Fine, I figured you would get the job if I didn’t. And I know how much you want to play in the
Harpies. And your chances to do so are even higher if you are the captain. And anyway, I’m
supposed to be out of school already…” Ginny smiled fondly and kissed his cheek. Hermione
rolled her eyes.

“Seriously, get a room.”

“Oh, I will.” Ginny said, narrowing her eyes to Hermione. Harry blushed deeply. And both girls
laughed at his inability to answer his friend.

Fleur hoped not to miss the brunette as much as she was right now. The kiss she had gave her was
yet to leave her head, a week after she was still able to close her eyes and remember the feeling of
her lips on her cheek. She would definitely go crazy. The blonde had spent the whole week in field
training with the trainees but every time she got home, no matter how tired she was she wasn’t able
to sleep right away. She noticed she would have to get used to not being able to have a good night
of sleep. Apparently, it was caused by not being able to see the brunette every day.

She had noticed that Bill’s brother had changed from being all over her to being a complete
annoying git since the dinner his mother hosted a week after the last battle. His antics were yet to
change, after more than three months being trained by her. She was certain that she didn’t do
anything to him and Bill said he hadn’t heard anything about it either. Ronald wouldn’t listen to
her nor pay attention whenever she gave the trainees the instructions they needed to get the mission
done. If Bill knew nothing, maybe Harry did. Fleur decided to send him a letter. She hoped he
could unveil that mystery because it was nearly impossible to work with the younger redhead.
Harry was yet to resume his paper work with Tonks as far as she knew so it probably wouldn’t be a
problem.

It was Sunday afternoon when an owl landed in front of Harry in their particular common room. He
and Hermione had Saturday as a day off with Ginny and Luna and decided to study in advance
because they would begin to work the next week. Obviously, it was the brunette’s idea but Harry
went along knowing it was better for him to do so. The other two girls joined them after lunch so
they were all in the living room. Harry looked at the owl curiously. Hearing the owl, Hermione
lifted her eyes from the book she was reading.

“Oh, Fleur wrote? I hope it’s everything okay…”

Ginny’s head snapped up and looked to the three of them with a lifted brow.

“You know the owl she owns? And how are you so certain it’s hers?”

“Uhn, Yuna is sweet and I…”

“Oooh, you got it bad!” Ginny laughed as she saw the brunette blush.

“Shut it! Harry, it’s obviously for you, open it!”

Harry took the letter from the owl and gave her a treat. Yuna flew to Luna, who was calling her,
and enjoyed the blonde’s affection. He opened it and frowned.

“What is it? Is she all right?” Hermione asked as she saw Harry frown.

“Yeah. It’s just that Ron is being a git and she has no idea of why.” Harry answered, knowing his
friend would grow nervous if he didn’t answer her. Ginny frowned, mirroring Hermione.
“He’s just noticed he doesn’t stand a chance compared to Fleur. You told him you like her, right
‘Mione?” Luna made herself noticed as she spoke. Hermione raised both brows.

“What the hell? He’s jealous of me or of her? He said he was over me the last time we spoke…”

“I think it’s both things! He obviously still like you but was acting strong because it’s Ron and he
kind of admires Fleur and has a crush over her.” Luna said it all as if it was the most obvious
things.

“That definitely makes sense. And sounds just like him.” Ginny agreed. Harry and Hermione just
nodded.

“Well, you can’t tell her that. I didn’t really say anything to her yet.” The brunette remarked.

“Just say you are going to talk to him and find out. And you need to act on that crush, ‘Mione…”
Ginny brushed the problem away and smiled to her friend. “When are you two going to meet
again?”

“This Friday.”

“Just ask her out.” Harry said, trying to hold back a smile.

“Says the guy that took two years to ask me out…” Laughed Ginny, kissing her boyfriend on the
cheek. Hermione was now in deep thought.

“Anyway, I’ll floo Fleur right now. She kind of asked for a quick answer.” Harry got up and neared
the fireplace with a handful of floo powder. Hermione watched as he called for Fleur’s flat and
silently waited even though she wanted to see the blonde. Harry emerged from the fireplace
smiling. “She asked about you.” He winked at his best friend.

Once again, Harry’s head vanished into the fireplace only this time he had called the Burrow.
Remerging he informed that Ron was busy but would floo in about fifteen minutes. The time
passed in a slow pace, Hermione started to get impatient mostly because she wanted to scream at
the redhead boy for being such an ass.

“Wouldn’t be better to discuss this in person?” Luna suggested, looking at the other three as they
all grew reckless. Hermione looked between Ginny and Harry, who nodded.

“I’ll inform McGonagall we will have a guest.” She conjured her otter and sent it to the
headmistress explaining the situation. By now it was pretty clear to Hermione that she already
knew about her love interest towards Fleur. In less than three minutes, a silver cat appeared in the
room carrying the professor’s acknowledgment. A moment later Ron’s head appeared in the
fireplace.

“We need to talk to you, Ron. Better be in person.” Ginny said to the ashes head.

“Ok.” The head disappeared only to be replaced by his whole body dressed in pijamas. “Oh, you
are all here…”

“Hi, Ron…” Said Luna. As the other three only nodded.

“Hi…” He said, throwing himself into an armchair nearby. “What is it? Can’t take the school
anymore?” He half smiled. His good humor didn’t last long, only until he saw Hermione’s
expression.
“We need to talk about Fleur.” Harry said locking eyes with Ron, who sat straight at the serious
tone of his best friend.

“What about her? I didn’t do anything. You said ‘Mione is interested in her and that I should hold
back and all…”

“You really need to be told that, don’t you, Ron?” Ginny laughed.

“What? You hated her not long ago…” Ron began to get agitated.

“Yeah, I grew up. I saw it was a dumb grudge.” Ginny answered.

The whole time Hermione sat still controlling herself and forcing her mouth shut. And she decided
to stay that way. It was good to have some self-control and not punch a friend straight in the face.

“Ok, we are talking about you, actually. Why are you acting the way you are towards her?” Harry
sat in front of his best friend while Ginny was next to Hermione also trying to calm herself.

“Uh?” Was the only thing Ron was able to issue.

“You. Are. Being. An. Ass. Towards. Fleur. Why?” Ginny asked, making sure to be very clear with
each word.

“I’m not!”

Hermione sighted. “Yes, you are. She is your boss, try respecting her and listening to her.” She
said, keeping her voice controlled.

“Look, you don’t really have to like her. Although I’d strongly insist that you at least try to change
your mind about it. You need to be civil and respect her the same amount you respect your
brother.” Harry said.

“But I do!”

“No, you don’t. You can even ask Bill about it. He noticed that. Hell, probably all the trainees did
so.” Ginny said.

Hermione stood from her place and locked eyes with him.

“Look, if you need to be angry with someone, be at me. I’m the one who has fallen for her, she
didn’t force me to anything.” The brunette sighed and looked at Luna, who was silent the whole
exchange. “Could you please make him see? I’m too tired to make this git to see anything.” Luna
nodded and Hermione tiredly climbed the stairs.

“Are you serious about it? You can’t seriously believe Fleur didn’t do anything with her!”

“In case you don’t remember, ‘Mione has always been immune to Fleur’s thrall. There is nothing
she could have done.” Ginny reasoned.

“Yeah and she wasn’t a FUCKING DYKE!”

“RONALD WEASLEY! YOU BETTER APOLOGISE NOW!” Ginny’s face got as red as her hair
and her tone reached her mothers. Ron recoiled into the armchair he had been all the time and
murmured an apology. “I really can’t believe I have a homophobic brother!”

“Gin, can you go see in ‘Mione is ok? There is no way she didn’t hear it all.” Harry forced the
redhead to look at him.

“Ok. I better go anyway, my real wish is to kill this idiot.” She sighted, kissed Harry and went after
her friend.

“You know it’s true, Harry.” Ron said silently after hearing Hermione’s door close after Ginny.

“Oh, right you are an absolute git! If anything, Fleur is much more in ‘Mione’s hand than
otherwise. And stop believing she is doing something unwillingly, she is not. She never was and
never will be this kind of person.” Luna said, looking at Ron. It was probably the first time she
spoke in that manner, not dreamingly. Except when she talked about her time at the Malfoy’s
manor, but again, she never talked about it.

“Ron, you know her. You know she wouldn’t have said anything if it wasn’t over analyzed and
that the first thing she would be sure to go through would be the thrall thing. Stop making up
apologies to be a git and accept Hermione likes her. It will be for the better.” Harry said silently.
Ron simply looked at him acknowledging the information both thrown to him.

“It’s no one’s fault 'Mione likes Fleur. And that doesn’t mean she is a lesbian, anyway.” Luna said
and Harry simply agreed.

“I need to go.” Ron murmured standing up.

“Please rethink your actions.” Harry said sadly.

After Ron left, Harry noticed dinner time had come and passed and the four didn’t have dinner.
“Dobby!” The house elf appeared with a low crack. Harry and Luna exchanged greetings with the
elf and the boy asked him if it was possible for him to bring food for them as they had lost
themselves in time. A moment later all books and parchments were gathered in four neat piles on
one side of their table and four plates filled with their favorite food were delivered by Dobby.
Harry went upstairs to call both girls so they could eat too. He found Hermione being hugged by
Ginny who gently soothed her. Hermione excused herself to the bathroom and said she would go
down in a minute after Harry assured her that Ron had left. They ate silently, none comfortable
enough to address a word about what had happened. Each of them got to their dormitories, Luna
left with Harry’s cloak so Filch wouldn’t catch her walking around after hours.

In the middle of the week, Hermione received an apology letter from Ron. She was still upset with
the boy and what he had said but was happy to have friends that supported her. She was dealing
well with all her responsibilities as expected as was Harry. There was a silent agreement not to
speak about what transpired Sunday afternoon and the two other Gryffindors and the Ravenclaw
held their breaths as Hermione read the redhead letter.

“He says he’s sorry about everything and that he even apologized to Fleur.” Hermione said and the
other three nodded and resumed what they were doing before the owl’s arrival. That was all they
said about Ron. The letter remembered her that she had a meeting with the blonde in two days and
nervousness grew in her as soon as she acknowledged it would be their first meeting after that
goodbye kiss.

Time passed quickly and their last Friday class was coming to an end and Hermione sat impatiently
on her desk, not really listening to professor Binns talk.

“Calm down, 'Mione!” Ginny whispered to her after seeing the brunette’s antics.

The bell chimed and with a flick of their wands, the empty parchment in front of Hermione was
 back into her bag along with the quill and the ink flask. Harry and Ginny only had time to grab their
material in order to follow the brunette to the Gryffindor tower. Hermione dropped her bag on one
of the armchairs and started to hyperventilate.

“Mione? Calm down.” Harry said, trying to help her to breath.

“You are nervous over that kiss you gave her, right?” Hermione nodded, looking at Ginny who sat
beside her. “Well, don’t. You are overthinking. And you have a business meeting now anyway.”
Obviously, reasoning with the brunette was the best way to make her calm down. After a few
minutes, she was much calmer and thanked her friends.

“You should go, dinner will begin soon…” Hermione said, knowing she wouldn’t be able to eat
with them as the meeting would happen during the meal.

“We want to say hi to Fleur first, then we will leave. Dobby said he would bring you both some
food, you just have to call him.” Harry said, smiling. “We will be in the common room if you need
anything and I probably will spend the night on Ginny’s room.” His cheeks blushed as he said the
last part.

A moment later, Fleur’s face appeared in the fireplace and she was invited inside. They all greeted
each other, the blonde making sure to give the brunette two kisses on the cheeks, making her blush
deeply.

“We should go…” Ginny said.

“Oh, I didn’t mean to kick you out of ‘ere.” Fleur said, worriedly. “We could do eet in my place…”

“Relax. We are just going to dinner.” Harry smiled. He and Ginny said goodbye and left.

“And eet escaped from my mind zee dinner time ‘ere, you should ‘ave told me…”

“Oh, no problem. Dobby will bring us some of it, I imagine you still haven’t eaten…”

“Oui…”

“Oh, and how is Ron by the way? Better?”

“Oui. Much better. I don’t know what you did but ‘e even said ‘e was sorry.” Fleur smiled.

Gosh, that smile really had the power to make Hermione weak on the knees. Breathing deeply, she
smiled back and begun showing the room to the blonde.

Chapter End Notes

Hey!
Thank you for reading! I hope you liked it!

Please comment and leave kudos!

;3
 Chapter 18
Chapter Notes

I'M BACK, BITCHES!

Hope you enjoy!

See the end of the chapter for more notes

That smile would be the death of her.

"So, you hungry? We could eat and talk about where we are on the reports." Hermione suggested.

"Sure." Dobby was called and the plates delivered. Soon they were both eating and discussing the
report. "I completely forgot 'ow amazing ees zee food 'ere!"

Fleur was barely capable of keeping herself focused on the task they had. That week had probably
been one of the worse she ever had. Clearly Harry had talked to Ron because he came back
Monday already with a better attitude. And apparently, Hermione heard about it too, having asked
about him. Two days into the week and she was already nervous about the meeting. Thursday
morning, she came to a resolution, having thought about it the whole week. She would finally ask
the lioness out. It was definitely dumb of her to not have done it before. She was long due to do so.
Fleur spent the rest of the day and the following gathering courage, she was doing so while they
discussed the reports. They barely advanced given her inability to focus. Three hours later, she saw
Hermione yawn and noticed she seemed really tired, Fleur was quite exhausted too.

"'Ermione, I should go. You seem tired and probably 'ad a long day…" Fleur began.

"Oh, no, stay, Fleur! I guess we could at least stop working and have cup of tea…" Hermione
interrupted her, tiredness was obvious in her eyes, but she was clearly trying to ignore it.

"Just a cup of tea. Zen I'll go. I also 'ad a long day…" Not that it would keep her from enjoying
time with the brunette.

Hermione called Dobby once again and asked the elf for two cups of tea. Hermione asked her
about her weeks and talked about hers. They were both finishing their tea when Fleur decided it
was now or never.

"Uh, 'ermione…" She broke the momentary silence.

"Yes?" The brunette looked away from her cup into her eyes. Fleur rested her cup on the table and
took in a deep breath.

"Uhm, I was wondering eef you would be interested in going on a date wiz me sometime…" There,
she said it.

"What?" Hermione blurted out.

"Uhm… Would you like to go on a date wiz me?" Fleur repeated sat in the same position as the
words left her mouth once again and was about to excuse herself when she saw the brunette's eyes
lit up and the younger woman smile.

"Seriously?" Fleur nodded. "Sure. When?" Hermione answered, beaming.

"Are you free tomorrow?" The brunette nodded. "You want to go to London or do you prefer to
stay on zee village?"

"Either. I just need to inform professor McGonagall…"

"I came to know a restaurant on London zat I believe you will love…"

"Sure." Hermione said, without a second thought. "I might have to go home before…"

"So, I'll meet you at your flat at seven?" Fleur could barely believe it was happening. The brunette
nodded. "Deal zen." The blonde decided it was better for her to go home already and got up from
her seat. "See you tomorrow…" Hermione moved to hug her. As soon as they pulled back, Fleur
placed a kiss on each of Hermione's cheeks. The second mimicking the brunette's from two weeks
before.

"Tell 'arry and Ginny I said bye and say 'ello to Luna, eef you may…" Fleur said right before
stepping into the fireplace.

As soon as she got her feet into her flat, she released a breath she didn't know she was holding.
Checking the time, she decided to call the restaurant and make reservations. After that, she noticed
how tired she really was and got to bed. The whole time she couldn't stop smiling.

As soon as Fleur vanished from the fireplace, Hermione squealed. She quickly accessed the
common room, it was late and the room had only seven years scattered around. When she didn't see
Harry nor Ginny there, she directed herself to the redhead's room hoping to get them in a decent
state. She knocked and entered the room. They were her friends and she, unfortunately had already
caught them in awkward circumstances. And right now, she couldn't care less. Fortunately, they
were hunched over a drawing of the Quidditch pitch, apparently discussing training techniques.

"Hermione!" Ginny said, being the first to notice the girl madly smiling, causing Harry to turn and
face her.

"Are you okay?" Harry asked, the brunette nodded.

"What happened?" Ginny insisted in making her speak. "Wait! You asked her out?" She smiled but
shook her head. "Then what? It has something to do with Fleur…"

"Sheaskedmeout!" Hermione blurted the words almost screaming. Both of her friends looked at her
questioningly.

"Sorry?" Harry said.

Hermione took in a deep breath. "Fleur asked me out." Her statement was followed by a squeal
from Ginny. Harry simply smiled at her.

"Finally…" He said lowly. His word missed in the chatting of the two girls. Hermione retold the
meeting to them and smiled as she remembered the moment the blonde asked the first time. She
blushed saying she had to make her repeat herself because her brain basically had an override.

"Ginny!" Hermione said, as soon as she finished to tell them what transpired.
"If McGonagall allow me to go too, I'll help, 'Mione!" Ginny nodded, not needing another word
from the brunette. Hermione nodded and thanked. "Now go to sleep. You have to be flawless
tomorrow!" The redhead smiled, making Hermione go to her room. She and Harry were already in
their night robes and decided to accompany the brunette back to the reserved dormitory.

Hermione talked to the headmistress right after breakfast the next day and the three Gryffindors
decided to leave before lunch so they would have all the time they needed. They ordered a pizza so
no one would have to cook. Time passed by and soon Hermione had one hour to be ready and she
was yet to figure out her outfit.

"Hey, it's just a dress." Harry said as he was bombarded with questions by both girls and,
obviously, he ended up being ignored. They were currently inside Hermione's bedroom going
through her clothes. The brunette ended up dressing every single dress she owned. Ginny finally
made up her mind putting together a shortish dress, a leather jacket and high heeled boots.
Hermione smiled as she looked at herself in the mirror half an hour after they begun looking for
clothes and Harry threw his arms up as he noticed it was over and he didn't have to give opinions
on outfits anymore. He got out of the room as Ginny was getting ready to go out. They would go
on a date too.

At seven, the bell rang and Harry answered, smiling. Fleur was wearing black skinny jeans, a white
button-down blouse and a leather jacket.

"Good night, Fleur…"

"'ello, 'arry!" She hugged him tightly.

"She is coming down any minute now…"

"Oh, hello, Fleur!" Hermione made herself noticed still at the top of the stairs. She noticed the
other woman's eyes go darker and get back to normal quickly but paid no reed to it. When she got
to the end of the stairs and approached the other two, Fleur was yet to say something. She turned to
Harry and smiled at him. Ginny appeared on the top of the stairs and it was his time to be
speechless. Hermione gathered the courage she had and held Fleur by the waist. That made the
blonde snap back to reality and look at her in the eyes.

"'i, 'ermione…" She said. "You are absolutely gorgeous." She whispered.

"Thanks. You too." That was true. When she got to the stairs on the first floor and saw Fleur she
was rendered speechless. Only a few breaths later she could greet the woman and make herself
noticed.

"Hi Fleur!" Ginny greeted the blonde, taking her attention from Hermione. Fleur moved to hug the
redhead.

"We should get going…" Harry said as both woman pulled back. They all nodded and left the
apartment.

The couples parted ways as they exited the building.

"What have you planned?" Hermione asked Fleur curiously.

"I 'aven't been 'onest. We 'ave restaurant reservations at nine. And I 'eard zere ees a play due to
begin in 'alf an 'our on a zeatre near zee restaurant…" Hermione beamed.

"That would be awesome. Do you know what play it is?"

"Non…"

They apparated on a nearby apparition site and had a short walk to the theatre. When they got there
and Hermione read the poster, she looked at Fleur with suspicious look.

"You knew what was the play."

"Oui." Fleur chuckled. "I just wanted eet to be a surprise."

The poster read 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.

Hermione kissed the blonde's cheek and thanked her. Fleur revealed two tickets to the play and
confessed she had been hoping the brunette would like the idea of the play without knowing which
it would be. They entered the Theatre smiling broadly and the whole length of the classic,
Hermione leaned into Fleur with her head on the blonde's shoulder. As they got out, Fleur guided
Hermione towards the restaurant.

"I found eet last Saturday and immediately zought of you. Zee food ees exquisite…" Fleur said
while entering the place. Hermione couldn't help but smile.

They had dinner and talked about everything, not wanting to miss a thing about the other. Time
passed quite quickly and soon both girls were walking towards the apparition site. They made a
quiet walk, enjoying each other's company. When they apparated in front of Hermione's flat they
were still silent. Fleur hugged the brunette.

"Thanks for the night, Fleur." Her arms were still around the blonde's neck as they were yet to pull
back from the hug. Hermione looked directly into Fleur's eyes and smiled. She thought about the
book the veela had given her and remembered something from it. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Am I your…?" For the first time, Hermione's words faltered as Fleur looked into her eyes and
nodded. Feeling lost into the blonde's eyes, and immensely happy about the finding, Hermione
leaned towards the other woman.

Hermione felt Fleur's lips in hers for the first time in her life and instantly smiled into it. She felt
the blonde smile too. The next thing she felt were her hands pressing her into Fleur and without a
second thought, she pulled the blonde closer to her too. She could sense the whole world fade away
as she got even more aware of how close Fleur was. Hermione felt the veela's tongue on her lower
lip, asking for permission to deepen the kiss and parted her lips with a low moan.

"Am I your…?" Before Hermione could finish her question, Fleur locked her eyes into hers and
nodded, drowning into the brunette's eyes. She saw her leaning in and closing her eyes and felt her
lips against hers. Closing her eyes, she felt her inner veela purr and held back a moan. She smiled
as she felt Hermione smiling and pulled her closer to her. She couldn't believe it was happening. In
a moment, she was completely aware of her surroundings then she wasn't, the only thing she cared
about in that exact moment was in front of her, kissing her. Fleur asked for permission to deepen
the kiss and heard a soft moan as the other woman parted her lips. When they managed to pull
away, they were both smiling and Fleur felt like the luckiest woman in the universe. Hermione
pressed her forehead against hers and looked into her eyes. They stood that way for a few moments
and exchanged some kisses.

"Good night…" Fleur whispered.

 "Good night." Hermione answered after another kiss. And fully pulled back to open the door.

Fleur watched Hermione get inside the apartment with a smile on her face. She noticed that her
vision was sharper and thanked merlin that her nails didn't turn into talons. The blonde was alone
outside the apartment and decided it was better to just apparate home. She was quite sure
Hermione noticed the change on her eyes, at least she had enough self-control to calm the veela for
most part of the night. She lost control for a second, at the exact time Hermione kissed her,
probably out of surprise. And that was the proof to anyone willing to see that she simply lost her
mind over the brunette.

Fleur appeared in the living room less than a second after she vanished from Hermione's front door.
She sighted and decided she deserved a glass of wine. The smile never really left her face, her
cheeks were beginning to ache but she paid no reed. Hermione Granger had kissed her. Hermione
freaking Granger! She replayed the night sitting on her couch, at the exact same place the brunette
had sat the first time she visited her and all other times. A fool smile on her lips.

She got to bed after that wine just as she promised herself. Sleep came easily, her veela and herself
still purring and smiling at the shadow of her lips on hers.

Hermione closed the door and took off her boots, as much as she liked those she preferred being
barefooted. Walking to the kitchen, she fixed herself a cup of hot cocoa, the one thing she could
"cook" without risking her existence or the flat's. She walked up stairs, calmly. Entering her room,
she silently casted a spell so she could stargaze and sat on her bed, replaying the night on her mind.
She slept under that sky after finishing her hot chocolate.

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Sorry, it took too long right? The ceremony of my graduation was last week and
a bunch of ppl of my family visited. Mostly ppl I'm able to see only once or twice a
year so, yeah... A small treat for you, THE kiss. Let me know if you like it!

Please comment and leave kudos! You are awesome!

;3
 Chapter 19
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

She woke up smiling, her cheeks hurt. Apparently, she slept smiling. The first thought that crossed
her mind was her, and immediately she felt her stomach flutter. She touched her own lips, not really
believing she had the courage to ask that one question. A mate? She never believed those
fairytales, never expected to find her prince charming. Well, in this case princess. Obviously, those
tales came from a truthful place. She closed her eyes once more and felt the blonde's lips on hers.
Opening her eyes again she noticed it was late and near lunch. An idea struck to her. She
remembered seeing a French restaurant somewhere near… Would it be too clingy?

"Whatever…" She murmured to herself after sighting.

She took a quick shower and dressed something casual. Jeans and a t-shirt. And, hoping both of her
friends were still sleeping or at least locked on their room, she descended the stairs.

"Well, she is finally out of bed!" Ginny said, smiling at her as soon as she stepped into the living
room. She groaned hearing the ginger's voice. "You have plans." She added taking note of
Hermione's clothing and obviously ignoring her friend's reaction, an eyebrow flying up. At that,
Harry appeared from the kitchen.

"Shoot…" Hermione said, under her breath.

"I believe, Gin, she wants to enjoy a certain veela as much as she can…" He smiled.

"Exactly what I thought, Harry. Should we let her go or demand details of their night right now?"
The redhead smiled at her boyfriend, who feigned deep thought.

"We should certainly demand details. But we have an entire week to do so…" He smiled at his
friend, who sighted in relief.

Hermione nodded (too eager to see the blonde to say anything to her friends), picked up her
favorite pair of all-stars and went through the door before Ginny could change her mind and try to
make her stay. Outside, she put on the shoes and proceeded to Fleur's building. Thank Merlin it
was right across the street or she would have cowered. Her courage ended just when she got to
Fleur's door. She took a deep breath and knocked.

"Coming!" A few seconds later the door flung open and a surprised Fleur faced her. "'Ermione!"

They starred each other, no words were exchanged as they only smiled. Hermione felt herself
drowning on the blonde's eyes once again.

"Bonjour…" Fleur said as soon as she snapped out of her own trance. She stepped aside so
Hermione could get in.

"Bonjour…" Hermione was obviously in a loss of words. As Fleur closed the door, she looked
around and noticed a delicious aroma coming from the kitchen. "Oh! You are cooking…" She felt
her smile falter a little.

"Oui. I was zinking of calling you, 'arry and Ginny to 'ave lunch. I figured you are going back to
school zis afternoon…"
"Yes… Actually, I came to ask you if you wanted to have lunch with me… But I can call home…"
Hermione looked at the ground, her courage faltering once again.

"Oh, zat would be a shame…" The brunette's head shot up. "I was going to call zem only as an
excuse…" Fleur smiled at her. In no time, the blonde was painfully close to her. The lack of high
heels remembered both that Hermione was slightly shorter then Fleur. Hermione felt a light touch
on her chin followed by a peck on her lips. She leaned on Fleur so she could return the kiss.

"Oh…" She murmured, feeling the blonde chuckle.

The veela took her hand and went back to the kitchen.

"Wine, pumpkin juice, water…?" She asked after checking the food, the brunette already seated on
her usual spot.

"Whatever you are having…" And was served a glass of wine. "I figured…" She said, chuckling.

"So, I'm a drunk veela?" Fleur laughed.

"I can only hope you are not. But you do like wine…"

"Oui… I give you zat."

Hermione took a sip of the wine and bit back a moan.

"This one is different from the one you usually drink."

"Yes. Maman sent me this one last night, I imagine. It appeared in my wine cellar…"

"You have a wine cellar?"

"Oui…"

"Yeah, you are a drunk veela!" Hermione smiled at her, making sure she understood it was a joke.

"Zen I guess I'll 'ave to suspend the wine for you…" Fleur said, quickly taking the glass of
Hermione's hands and placing it out of her reach.

"Oh, come on…" The brunette said, trying to get the glass back, only to stumble out of the bench
she was and almost fall face first on the floor.

After she rightened herself again, her face flushed, Fleur gave the glass back to her. The blonde
skirted the counter, laughing, and gave the brunette a tight hug. Hermione fought a little but soon
leaned into the older woman.

"Now, are you 'ungry?" The brunette simply nodded. "Good, it's ready."

They sat facing each other and ate.

"So…" Hermione begun, as they finished eating.

"Oui?" Fleur answered, smiling.

The blonde reached for her wand before she could say anything else and set the dishes to wash
themselves with a simple spell.
"What time you 'ave to leave?" Fleur asked, as she got up from her seat and motioned to Hermione
so they could seat comfortably at the couch.

"Well, I don't really have a curfew, but I am expected to head back today…" The brunette said,
leaning on the veela as they sat.

"I see… And I imagine you want to talk about yesterday…" Hermione nodded.

"Thank you for the date, it was wonderful. And for lunch today…"

"You are welcome, but zere ees no need to zank me."

"It was perfect and yes, I do since you didn't let me pay for anything." Hermione crossed her arms
and raised a brow, making sure to distance herself from the blonde.

"Eet was zee right zing to do. I invited you, I should pay. Zat's 'ow french do zings."

"Ok, then. I guess I'll have to ask you on a date too…" Hermione said nonchalantly leaving Fleur
stunned.

"Uhn…"

"Oh, dear merlin! I can't believe I left the French lady in a loss of words!" Hermione laughed. "But
would you? I probably shouldn't come to London often, but I suppose we could go somewhere in
Hogsmeade…" She began to rant as she got nervous at Fleur's lack of response

"Oui."

"What?"

"Yes, I'll go out wiz you. Again."

"Good" Hermione kissed her cheek, lovingly. "Now can we discuss some important maters?"

"As much as…?" Fleur looked at her curiously.

"Uhm. This mating thing. I understand what the book say, I was just wondering if there were any
other books I could learn from…"

"Oui. Most of zose books are about veela's and mates." Fleur pointed to the shelter that held
mostly french books. "And you can ask me. Or my maman and papá, I'm certain zey will be
pleased to explain what zey can to you. But you 'ave to understand that zee veela culture ees really
restricted, zere ees only a few zings we can tell you since you are not one or mated to one."

"I see. I understand that the mating is related to the veela and her mate having sex. But…"

"Zee mating ees much more zan sex. Eet only 'appens when both are conscious about eet."

"And it brings me to my next question…"

"'ow on earth you are mine." The brunette nodded, smiling. "As far as I can understand, zee veela
soul only chooses a mate zat ees able to challenge 'er. I only saw you were my mate after you came
back from your 'orcrux 'unt with 'arry and Ronald…"

"But you knew me before that…"

"Oui, you always caught my attention but I guess either of us were mature enough for us to
recognize…" Fleur sighted. "The zing with veela mates ees zat eet ees zee soul's choice, eet's not
conscious. Zee souls recognize each ozer. Differently from what most believe, a veela can find
anozer mate, eet ees difficult and could take years, but ees possible." Hermione nodded, she had
understood it from the book the blonde gave her. "Eet only happens eef zee mate revoke zee
connection before zeee mating ceremony. Which is zee sex… After that…"

"The veela dies and later the mate does too." Fleur nodded.

"Zee veela magic works in both ways. A mated veela can't live without her mate and a veela's mate
can't live without eet's veela. Zat part of zee 'eritage ees present in full power to anyone who 'as
even a slight part of veela blood." Fleur continued her explanation. Hermione sat straight and
looked at the blonde.

"Your father says in the book that a full veela can completely turn into its animal form. I saw your
eyes yesterday, it matched with his description of veelas eyes…"

"Zee changes occur in steps but I can't fully transform. Not as far as I know. My maman doesn't
talk much about eet. Zee eyes are zee first thing to change, actually. Zen nails into taloons. Zat ees
as far as I've been." Fleur smiled at Hermione. The brunette starred deeply into her eyes.

"Your eyes are beautiful." She said as if in trance, then quickly looked away. "But I guess you hear
that a lot…"

"I do, indeed. But coming from you ees much better." Fleur smiled and kissed Hermione's cheek.
She, then, lightly made Hermione look at her again. "Your eyes aren't blurred with ze thrall."

"Your veela eyes are too." Fleur blushed slightly.

"Zank you."

Hermione leaned on Fleur so she could feel her embrace. The blonde kissed her forehead and
sighted contently. Moving quickly, Hermione kissed her on the lips. They both moaned as they
deepened it. They stayed like that for about half an hour until Hermione snuggled further into her
and her breathing became slower.

Fleur felt Hermione fall asleep and carefully she summoned a blanket so the lioness wouldn't get
cold. She watched her sleep, as the brunette moved from her shoulder to her lap, and smiled
contently hoping she could do it for the rest of her life. Her mind began to wander as the time
passed and something began to plague her thoughts but she decided that it definitely wasn't the
time to talk about it. It was too soon. Remembering Harry would probably wonder if Hermione
was going back to school with him and Ginny, she conjured her patronus and sent it to him as a
message. She felt the younger woman stir and looked down to her, grinning.

"Oh my god! I fell asleep! Why didn't you wake me up?" Hermione sat up straight quickly.

"You look quite magnifique while sleeping and I didn't want to disturb you." Fleur smiled
reassuringly. "I sent a message to 'arry to let 'im know 'e doesn't 'ave to wait for you to go to
'ogwarts. I 'ope I did right…"

"Yes, it's ok." Hermione said, kissing the blonde's cheek. "Thank you. I should have told him
that…"

"De rien…"
They talked about almost everything that came into their minds. Fleur cooked again, she loved
being able to cook for Hermione and couldn't stop grinning the whole time. They ate in silent and
it was not awkward, but surprisingly relaxing. The whole dinner they exchanged lingering touches
and glances. After cleaning the table, something Hermione insisted to do, the brunette stood next to
her awkwardly. Fleur realized she should actually to back to school. Without a word, Fleur kissed
her. It was obviously a goodbye and both clinged at each other, not wanting to let go. With a sigh,
Hermione pulled back and looked into Fleur's eyes. Telling by the way she could see the different
shades of brown into the other's eyes, the french knew the lioness was looking into bright orange
ones.

"I should go." Hermione stated the obvious.

"Oui. I could accompany you to your house…"

"I was actually thinking about using your fireplace to go…" Fleur nodded. "About that books…"

Fleur smiled. "You can take any of zem. Alzough I would recommend you reading zis two first.
Eef you need, I can cast a translating spell…" She trailed off as she saw the younger shaking her
head.

"I know the spell… Don't worry. Those are in french?"

"Ancient french to be accurate. But a common spell should work."

They smiled at each other and Fleur braced herself for the goodbye. Not thinking twice, to quiet
her inner veela and her own heart, she leaned in and kissed the brunette. She felt her smiling into
the kiss and couldn't help but to do the same.

"What happened? You are quite smiley and it doesn't happen ever since a certain brunette went
back to Hogwarts." Bill asked Fleur as soon as she entered their office the next day surprising him
with her good humor.

"I just gave you good morning!" She said with feigned offense.

"And you usually does that in a grunt." He smiled at her as he saw her drop the acting.

"Well, I actually 'ad zee courage to ask 'er out." She paused to watch her friend's reaction, which
was raising both his hands to the sky as if in praise, "we went to zee zeater, to watch 'er favorite
play as a matter of fact, and 'ad dinner." Once again, she paused. "And as I was getting 'er back
'ome, she kissed me." She finished her story triumphantly and grinned. Bill simply smiled at her.

"Finally!"

"Yesterday…" She started again.

"What? There's more?" She grinned more widely, if that was even possible.

"Oui. I was cooking and zinking about inviting zem for lunch when she knocked at my door. So,
we actually spent the whole afternoon together." Bill nodded, smiling.

"Ok. Now I see why you are in such a good mood…" And he spent the rest of the day pestering her
about her good mood. Thankfully they weren't with the trainees as they had to do paperwork and
the group was being trained by Tonks.
 Hermione arrived at Hogwarts long after dinner and by the sounds she could unfortunately hear
from Harry's room, her friends had retrieved to bed already. She smiled thankfully, not really
wanting to spend half of the night telling with details what happened on the weekend. The thought
of it made her remember Fleur and she sighted contently. Hermione knew she would have to wake
up early the next morning so she went to bed, smiling widely.

She woke up smiling and quickly jumped out of her bed, getting ready so she could head down to
breakfast. When she got to the first floor she was greeted with an extremely excited Ginny and a
smirking Harry.

"So… Came back late?" Harry said, teasingly.

"Early enough to hear you two." She answered with a raised brow, making him blush and Ginny
laugh. "Thankfully this whole part of the tower has noise isolation. Or everyone would hear you
being loud as fuck." The redhead was yet to stop laughing and Harry was too embarrassed to say
anything.

"Your brother is really good. What can I do?" Ginny said as soon as she calmed down, making
Harry's blush deepen and Hermione laugh. "Seriously though, spill the tea."

"Impatient much?" Hermione smirked. She wanted to tell everything but was also hungry…

"I told you we should have made her tell us about the date yesterday before she left…" Ginny
whined to her boyfriend, who simply laughed.

"Relax, I will. Just with Luna together I'm pretty sure she wants to know too." Ginny groaned for
having to wait but began to move towards the exit. Her face lit up as soon as she opened the
passage.

"Lun!"

"Hi! I came to see if you were here already…" Luna smiled at her ginger friend.

"Yeah and 'Mione is about to tell us how the date went. And yesterday's afternoon!"

"Oh! You met yesterday too? Smooth!" The blonde giggled her brows, laughing and making
Hermione blush.

"I was not about to tell you anything! I just want some food and caffeine right now, so I'm heading
to the Great Hall." She brushed through both girls still blushing but clearly feigning annoyance. Her
three friends followed her suit, laughing at her reaction.

Chapter End Notes

A/N: HELLO again! So much fluff I think I need to see the dentist now... I really like
them being sweet and all. I don't have much to say... Hope you enjoyed it as much as I
did writing!

Thanks for reading, please comment and leave kudos! I'm looking forward to read
them! See you Wednesday!
;3

PS: Oh, just so you know, at the moment the story has around 80.000 words and about
30 chapters and I'm not really near the end… And I'm trying to keep the chapters'
length around 3000 words.
 Chapter 20
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Hermione managed to delay the moment she would tell all them until after dinner, since the four of
them had the day full of classes and she didn't want to talk about it in such a public place as the
Great Hall. When she walked through Joan of Arc's portrait she let out a sigh and sat on one of the
armchairs, dropping her bag besides her on the ground. She was quite tired but really excited to see
her friends' reactions to what she was about to tell.

"Wait for me! I have to check the common room…" Ginny said to Hermione from the entrance,
kissing Harry after. She apparently decided to enter the common room through Fat Lady's access.
The other two entered the room smiling knowingly and got comfortable. A few minutes later, a
flushed Ginny came into the room by the Gryffindor's access. "Ok. I'm here." She said taking the
empty seat next to Harry.

Hermione begun describing Saturday night as the most perfect of her life. She carefully told every
bit of the night to them, glad they didn't interrupt her but giving her the reactions she actually
expected from them. Well, from Ginny to be honest. As she was telling the night, her mind traveled
back to then and she had a smile on her face the whole time. It was almost difficult to speak.

"Then I kissed her." She said as if it was the end of the story. Ginny and Luna squealed and Harry
beamed at her.

"You seriously asked her if you are her mate before kissing her?" Ginny asked in an amused tone.

"For the lack of reaction from you, you already knew that…" The three of them nodded. "I guess
I'll accept that you didn't say anything because it's quite personal…"

"I only got to know after you went to you date. Harry told me." Ginny said raising her hand as if
she was trying to defend herself.

"I actually knew from the beginning…" Luna smiled.

"I actually had a brother talk with her…" Harry said blushing a little.

"WHAT?" She shouted making him flinch.

"In his defense, I believe it was better than when the twins cornered him after the last battle…"
Ginny said. All of them went silence for a moment, remembering it. "Ok, you kissed her. Then
what?" She asked excitedly, making the other two giggle and Hermione hide her face in her hands.
"Ooooooh! That hot? I always had faith in her!" She drew a fist upwards. Harry looked at her with
a raised brow. "Not always. But you know what I meant."

Hermione added the detail of seeing Fleur's veela eyes and went silent.

"Hey, it's not over! What about yesterday?" Ginny giggled her eyebrows.

Sighing, Hermione resumed telling the rest of the story. This time Ginny interrupted her to
complain about not being able to eat Fleur's cooking. Blushing when she got to the part she fell
asleep in Fleur's arms, she heard 'awns' from the girls. Harry stayed silent the whole time, simply
smiling. When she finished retelling her day, she smiled and let go a happy sigh.
"So, that next date…" Harry trailed off, smiling and knowing his friend must already have a plan.
Ginny nudged him. "Hey, if I didn't ask you would!"

"That's true…" The redhead smiled and kissed him on the cheek.

"I'll probably ask her again by Friday…"

"You won't talk to her before?" Ginny sounded dazzled.

"I don't want to bother her… She is working."

"Oh, my fucking merlin! Are you serious? She just told you about the mate thing…"

"That doesn't change the fact she is working."

Their bickering made Harry and Luna laugh. "She might be using the same excuse, though…"
Harry said lowly so only Ginny was able to hear. The ginger laughed, making Hermione give her a
questioning look. Ginny repeated what the boy had said, chuckling. The brunette blushed.

"It's true. It's not an excuse!" She stated, annoyed.

"If you say so…" Harry said, smiling at her.

With that, Luna decided to go. Biding everyone farewell, she exited the living room, but not before
she congratulated Hermione. Following her lead, the other three retrieved to their rooms.

Hermione spent the week quite occupied but trying to find a motive to get in touch with Fleur.
Multiple times she caught herself zooning out and thinking about the veela and Ginny teased her
numerous moments as well as soon as she gazed an empty wall for a long time. "Thinking about
your girlfriend?" She would ask her every time and she always answered saying they weren't. The
first time she mentally added a 'yet' to the phrase, her eyes went wide and she blushed. It was
Thursday night and she had been caught staring at quite a few walls by Ginny.

"What?" The redhead said, worriedly.

"Nothing…" She answered shakily. They were having dinner with Harry and Luna at the great hall.
When he heard Hermione's answer, he watched her carefully. The boy had heard that bickering so
many times during the week, he had begun to ignore them as soon as he heard Ginny ask her about
the girlfriend thing. He smiled and chuckled, making the redhead turn to him.

"She just realized she wants to be her girlfriend." He stated knowingly. At that the ginger bounced
on her seat, smiling. "I was wondering when she would figure that out…" Hermione looked at him
shocked. "What? I do know you very well…"

"Right…" She trailed off, in deep though.

Should she ask her? Hermione unconsciously smiled at the thought of being able to call Fleur her
girlfriend. That sight didn't make Ginny ease her teasing on her.

Friday right after lunch McGonagall strolled to them as they talked excitedly.

"Good afternoon, to you all." She said, smiling slightly. They greeted her and waited for her to say
what she intended to. "I need you," she signed to Harry and Hermione, "in my office tomorrow. We
have some important matters to discuss." Seeing the worried look on their faces and how Ginny
turned to say something to her, she added: "It's a good thing. And yes, miss Weasley, you may
come. Miss Lovegood too if she wants to." With that she exited the great hall.

"Any idea of what she might want?" Harry asked Hermione, who simply shook her head.

"I can only guess it's not urgent. Or she would have asked us to go today…"

"I don't know. She knows you have a meeting with your girlfriend today…" Ginny said, smirking.

Hermione ignored the teasing, too focused on what the professor had said. "Yes, but she could ask
us to move the meeting to Saturday…" Ginny laughed, making the brunette snap from her train of
thoughts.

"You didn't deny the girlfriend part." Hermione rolled her eyes and got up, annoyed.

They got to class, their most dreaded class. Seriously, such a boring class should never be the last
one of the last day of the week. History of Magic was a subject that even Hermione hoped didn't
exist. And apparently, she wouldn't be able to pay attention to it this year as it was just before the
meeting with Fleur. The class was dismissed and they headed to the common room, more calmly
this time. Harry, Ginny and Luna followed Hermione so they could greet Fleur and then head to
dinner.

"Will you stay here of go to Fleur's?" Ginny asked as soon as they reached the portrait, not really
knowing their plan.

"Probably we'll stay here. By the way, Lun and Harry, I'm sorry to ask you that, but our reports
have to include the Manor…" She shot an apologetic look to Luna. "By now we have practically
everything until the Manor. I think that we will go through that in two weeks if not earlier." Harry
and Luna nodded, part of the joy the blonde usually emanated faded as she thought about that time.
A silence fell in the room, none really knowing what to say. They were that way when Fleur's face
appeared in the fireplace. Noticing their faces, she hurried into the room.

"Are you ok?" She asked right away. They nodded.

"I remembered I had to ask them to write the reports about the Malfoys…" Hermione said quietly.
Ginny got up from where she was after kissing Harry's cheek and making sure he was fine and
greeted the newcomer warmly.

"Thank you for worrying…" was the only thing she managed to say while hugging a very surprised
Fleur.

"Ce n'est rien." (you are welcome.)

Hermione took a deep breath and shook her head to get rid of the bad memories. Then she noticed
that Fleur had her eyes trained on her, trying to know if she was really okay. She gave her a small
smile, trying to reassure her. In one fluid movement, Fleur got closer and hugged her, placing a kiss
on her forehead. She felt herself relax and truly smile. She heard a chuckle from where Ginny was
and glared at her.

"Before we all get the Granger Glare, let's go." Harry had enough time to recover from the
memories and Luna seemed to be in a better mood too.

"Zee Granger Glare?"

"The one she is giving Harry." Luna answered, smiling. "And me, now…"
"And there goes my plan…" Harry sighted.

"You are late for dinner." Hermione said without looking at the time.

"We aren't. We still have twenty minutes before it starts." Ginny said, looking at the clock, with a
smile. She noticed Hermione and Fleur were yet to pull back, the brunette leaning on the blonde's
shoulder. "Let's get going. So they can greet each other properly, apparently they are shy." With
that, Hermione looked into Fleur's eyes as if asking for her permission and kissed her. She heard a
wolf whistle as soon as she leaned to kiss the blonde. "I knew it'd work!" Ginny trusted a fist in the
air.

"Yeah, yeah. Now let's go. They still have to work." Harry said, smiling.

Hermione heard their movement and heard them geting out of the room. She didn't see anything,
being focused on Fleur's eyes while they waved between blue and yellow. She smiled after taking
notice they were alone, she didn't need to give Ginny more material to tease her.

"Hi." She said, the smile not leaving her face.

"'ello" Fleur smiled at her and placed a soft kiss on her lips. "Are you really okay? We don't really
'ave to work today eef you aren't…"

"Yes, it's just bad memories." Hermione looked at her thankfully and kissed her softly. "Thanks for
the hug… It really helped…"

"You looked really distressed, I just did zee first zing zat came into my mind." Fleur said, earning
yet other kiss. They heard their stomachs grumble and chuckled.

"We should eat." The brunette called Dobby and asked him to bring some food form them.

After eating, they sat by the table and resumed the work they were doing the previous Friday. A
few moments into it, they moved to one of the couches so they could be more comfortable and
resumed their reading. The first to yawn was Fleur. Seeing it, Hermione placed the report she was
reading on the table next to them and looked at Fleur.

"Want to call it a night?" She asked. Fleur nodded, putting down the paper she was reading. "I'm
sorry, I didn't even ask you how was your week…" Hermione said in a small voice.

"No problem. It was quite dull. We only 'ad paperwork and Tonks assumed the trainees zis week."
Hermione nodded and snuggled closer to the blonde, hugging her and getting comfortable.

"I was going to ask you if you want to go out tomorrow, but apparently, the headmistress has
something to discuss with us so I'll probably be occupied all afternoon. So, next week?" Hermione
smiled.

"Oui. Where to?"

"Uhm, I was thinking Hogsmeade as you probably haven't seen it recently and neither have I." She
placed a kiss on Fleur's cheek.

"Eet would be great." This time it was Hermione's time to yawn. "I should go."

After organizing everything, they kissed goodbye and the brunette stared at the flames until they
vanished. As on cue, Ginny strolled into the room, Harry right after her.
"Ah, she's gone…"

"Yep." Hermione said tiredly.

"Well, good night." Ginny said, walking towards the stairs. "Heart eyes." She added as she reached
its bottom. Harry followed her suit while Hermione rolled her eyes and the followed them.

The next day made Hermione worried sick. She knew they were supposed to meet the
headmistress after lunch and that, according to her, it wasn't a bad thing. She decided that it was
better for her own sanity to occupy her mind with something else, therefore she was now sitting by
her favorite table on the library studying, obviously. That was something she was proud of herself,
being able to focus on her studies and keep most of her worries from her mind. Well, her main
worries actually made her study harder as soon as she noticed they would always be put in danger.
The boys were always reckless and indeed she saved their lives many times. She realized she had
been starring at the same page of her transfiguration book for a while and quickly shook her head
so she could focus again on her reading. About an hour later the bell chimed and it was lunch time.
As on cue an also worried-looking Harry strolled into the library. He had been practicing quidditch
with Ginny to keep his mind off the meeting.

"Hey," He said quietly when he reached her. She raised her hand, gesturing for him to wait. As
soon as she finished reading the paragraph she looked away from the book.

"Hi! Lunch?" He simply nodded. "Aren't you going to take a shower first?"

"Did it already. Gin told me to come fletch you or you would get late." He smiled and she rolled
her eyes, but both knew it was true. She organized her papers and books quickly and placed
everything on her bag.

"Let's go."

Luna and Ginny met them at the entrance of the great hall, both looking curious and worried.
When they sat on their usual spot to eat, the headmistress went to talk to them.

"Take your time, as soon as you finish, go to my office. I'll be waiting." She smiled at them.

They exchanged worried looks as they started eating. About half an hour later they were seen
walking towards the headmistress tower, rather anxious. As soon as they got to gargoyle, Ginny
quickly said the password and they were heading up. Hesitantly stopping at the door, Hermione
knocked and they heard McGonagall's voice telling them to get in.

"Please take a seat. I'll explain the reason I requested you to be here and then we can discuss what
to do." They nodded silently as the four of them sat in front of her and waited for her to begin.

"For once they are not here because of something wrong nor life threatening." Snape's voice
sounded from the wall, and Dumbledore's chuckling could be heard after. The four of them looked
at both paintings surprised and McGonagall starred at the first, annoyed.

"Well, I have received a great number of requests and questions about the extracurricular activities.
One of the most requested is the Dumbledore's Army to be allowed back into action." She smiled
at them as they gasped. "I understand that three years ago the DA was founded so you could truly
learn Defense Against Dark Arts since Dolores Umbridge and the ministry denied you that. It has
come to my knowledge that some of the students that were listed to be on it, have developed
greatly on that subject. Knowing that, I'd like to ask you if you are interested." She explained,
when she saw Hermione and Harry exchange looks she added: "It's your organization. You
 founded it. Obviously, we will need at least one graduate to assist you, but that person doesn't have
to be a teacher."

"That's awesome!" Ginny squealed.

"Gin, I'm not so sure. We are on our last year here." Harry said, quietly.

"And we have the N.E.W.T.s…"

"I know you two have been missing some action! And we are actively studying while we are at the
DA!" Ginny stated excitedly.

"When you put it that way…" Hermione nodded and looked to Harry as he thought about the
matter. "It's actually your decision…"

"Yeah, I think we could manage that." He smiled at the three others. "But I want to suggest you
three to be teachers too." He smiled and the three girls nodded, knowing he wanted to acknowledge
their achievements during the war.

"Great! Now we have some things to discuss. As to who would assist you…" McGonagall began.

"Could it be Fleur?" Harry interrupted her.

"If she has the time, yes. I had a feeling you would mention her name." The Headmistress smiled at
Harry and then at Hermione, who instantly blushed.

They continued discussing for about two hours. They left the office and headed to the Gryffindor
common room.

"We should celebrate." Harry stated, happily, as they reached the painting.

"I didn't know you missed the DA so badly, Harry…" Hermione said.

"Not that. Do you even know what day is today?" Ginny said, knowing what Harry had in mind.

"Not really…" Hermione said, trying to remember what they could possibly be celebrating.

"That's golden! The brains of the G.T. can't remember her own birthday!" Ginny teased as they
entered the Gryffindor common room, leaving Hermione shocked. How could she forget her own
birthday?

"We actually have it planned. Go change, we meet here in half an hour. We're heading to
Hogsmeade." Harry smiled at her. Obviously, he noticed she didn't realize her birthday was so
close.

Chapter End Notes

Hey! Sorry, I had no time to upload it yesterday…

Anyways, It's Up! I'll try to keep the translations that way (italic an underlined) okay?
Or you don't need them?

I hope you enjoyed it!

Next one is 'Mione's birthday!

Thanks for reading!

Please review! Lets see if you can guess what will happen on the next one!

;3
 Chapter 21
Chapter Notes

Guys, I'm on a small trip for my mother's birthday and I really had no time to
proofread this chapter. I hope it's not too full of mistakes! Enjoy!

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Hermione went to her bedroom quickly, wondering what she would use as she didn't bring much
muggle clothes to Hogwarts and certainly none would fit a party night. As soon as she entered her
room she noticed some clothes carefully placed on her bed. A red t-shirt, white jeans and the
leather jacket that was currently her favorite pies of clothing. Realizing that Ginny was probably
the one behind that, she made a mental note to thank the redhead. She changed and headed back to
the common room. They were all already there, waiting for her and the three had changed too. As
she approached them, she heard someone call her. Looking to where the voice came she saw Moire
and smiled.

"Hi, Moire!"

"Uhm, hi! I wanted to go with you to Hogsmeade but clearly I can't. So I asked my parents to buy
this for you…" The girl smiled, showing a package wrapped in red and gold.

"Thanks, Moire! But you shouldn't have…"

"I wanted to. Hope you like it! Enjoy your night…" As soon as Hermione took the gift, she hugged
her and went running towards the dorms.

"That's sweet…" Luna said, smiling. They all nodded.

"Hey, put it here." Ginny said, extending the bag she was carrying. "You can open it later. We have
to go…"

No matter how much she asked, they denied to give her any information about who would be
there. To be honest, she was simply following them not even knowing where they were headed to.
At least they took the normal access to the village, a carriage was expecting them at the castle's
entrance. They walked towards the Three Broomsticks, Hermione as unconsciously nervous. Not
knowing what was going to happen making her restless. Harry noticed it and side hugged her.

"Relax. There are only people who you would want to see." He said, smiling.

"I just can't believe I forgot my own birthday…" She said quietly as they walked.

"I figured you would. Your mind is full with other worries…" Harry said.

"Yeah, full of a certain veela!" Ginny said, laughing. Her three friends laughed of her blushing the
rest of the way. When they reached the entry of the pub, Ginny knocked in a certain pattern
Hermione recognized as one she used with her brothers and opened the door after a second.

"Happy birthday!" She heard a chorus scream and felt Harry guide her inside the inn. Hermione
was beaming, seeing all of her friends were there, everyone from the DA and the Order.
"Your parents couldn't come, but said they want to have lunch with you tomorrow." Harry told her
as she recognized who was there. She nodded.

A beaming Fleur approached her. Hermione smiled even more, if that was possible.

"Bon anniversaire, 'ermione!" She motioned to hug her, but Hermione decided to kiss her. And
obviously a wolf whistle was heard, from Ginny as she guessed. As they pulled back, they beamed
at each other. Hermione tried to ignore the noise the rest of her friends were doing, half of them
were completely dumbfounded but the other half screamed 'finally's and 'It's damn time!'.

"Thank you…" She said quietly. After the completely pulled away, Fleur handled her a package.
Opening, she revealed a jewelry box. Her eyes flicked from the gift to Fleur.

"Open it…" Fleur was smiling, Hermione could see the glee sparkling on her eyes.

As soon as she clicked the opening bottom, she was in awe. A silver otter pendant held by a
delicate silver chain in it. She felt her eyes fill with tears as she looked at it. When she looked at
Fleur, she saw the blonde's eyes full with concern. "It's beautiful! Thanks!" She softly kissed her
and moved so the veela could place it around her neck. Hermione felt a light kiss on her neck as
soon as the other woman finished.

After that, everyone in the inn went to talk to her and give her their gifts. These Ginny forced her to
put inside the bag or it would take forever for them to sit. Fleur never left her side. When there
were no one else left to talk to them, Ginny shrunk the bag and gave it to Harry so he could keep it
until they got back to their bedrooms. A waiter passed through them and Fleur paused him, taking
two drinks on her hands.

"Firewhiskey?" Fleur extended one of the glassed to her, which she accepted.

Taking in the interior of the bar, she noticed the usual booths had been replaced by several small
round tables and one that she guessed she was supposed to sit, as it was the biggest one. Dobby
appeared and said something to Harry, who thanked him. The house elf, then, wished happy
birthday to her and vanished.

"Dinner is about to begin!" Harry stated loudly and directed her and Fleur to the bigger table. After
dinner, she could hear everyone chatter and enjoyed her conversation with her closest friends.
After a while, Madam Rosmerta appeared from the kitchens with a rather big cake and everyone
begun to sing happy birthday to her. Obviously, the twins managed to sing louder then everyone
and awfully out of tone and soon the music became an absurd cacophony. As it finished and
Hermione blew the candles, Fred began to chant for a speech joined closely by everyone in the
room. She shook her head, not really knowing what to say. Harry stood, holding his glass and
smiled as everybody's voice calmed down.

"Hello!" Everyone screamed hi to him. "I guess 'Mione doesn't know what to say, for once." He
smiled as he heard laughs and saw his friend's face become red. "So I'll begin the toast. Eight years
passed since I first knew her. We were coming to Hogwarts for the first time and Ron here was
trying to change his rat's color, the spell didn't work in case you are wondering." He began to
remember their first encounter, making everyone laugh at his last phrase. "Hermione entered the
cabin we were sharing as he begun to perform it. And as soon as he failed it, she said she had
already learned some spells and demonstrated it by mending my glasses. Which she had to do again
more times then I like to admit." Once more everyone laughed. Then he turned serious. "I'd like to
say our friendship begun then but it actually happened a few weeks into the school year that I
believe we really became friends. Ron said something that really upset her and she hide at a girl's
bathroom. That was the same night a troll invaded the school." A gasp was heard from the few that
hadn't heard the story. "We went looking for her to make her get back to the common room but we
were kind of late and the troll was in the exact same bathroom as she." Another gasp. "We
managed to make it pass out." Cheers. "I believe she thought she owned us her life, because since
then she has been saving mine and Ron's." Laughs and mostly nods from their friends as most
recalled their adventures. He turned to her and smiled, "Thanks for all the adventures we had. I
hope we are able to have some more."

"Preferably not life threatening!" Someone said loudly. Hermione guessed it was Mrs. Weasley.

"Yes." He answered and raised his glass. "To Hermione" After everyone cheered, he smiled and
added: "Thanks for being my sister." Hermione couldn't stop smiling. Ginny got up from Harry's
side and smiled at her.

"I hope you are ready to hear some embarrassing stories about the birthday girl!" The twins
screamed agreeing and Hermione groaned. "Relax, I'll tell only one…" The brunette starred at her
and Ginny relented. "Sorry guys, I just received the Granger Glare…" Everyone laughed,
apparently knowing what she was talking about. "No embarrassing stories… Anyway, I'll have to
be content with thanking her for being my friend ever since we met and for taking care of these
two apes here." She pointed at her boyfriend and brother as everyone laughed. She sat back and
smiled at Hermione, who returned the smile. The room became quiet once again.

Hermione was too distracted thanking Ginny for not saying anything to notice that another person
had gotten up and was preparing to say something. "Well, 'ello everyone!" She froze as she heard
Fleur's voice. After some cheering from the twins, the french continued: "I guess I can't say
'ermione and I were friend's from zee beginning eizer, 'arry. So we are in zee same boat." She
paused as everyone started laughing. "But compared to yours I might 'ave to say my friendship wiz
'er ees simply beginning. Alzough I feel like eet's been ages." She winked at Hermione. "I don't
really 'ave much to say about 'er zat you all don't know. But I might 'ave to say I've been 'earing
about 'er since before I came 'ere to the Triwizard Tournament. Apparently, being friends wiz 'arry
Potter makes you famous worldwide. But not only, I 'eard some zat knew 'er say zat she was
probably zee brightest witch of 'er age and zat we all know ees nothing but zee truz." Hermione
blushed slightly. "But you see, when I came to England for zee first time I was quite idiot and
actually zought zee world should be at my feet. 'Ermione was one of zee only ones zat didn't agree
wiz me, as my thrall didn't work on 'er. I believe she 'ated me until recently…" Hermione blushed
even deeply. "I don't know eef all of you are familiar wiz some of zee veela traditions…" The
majority nodded. "Good, so you will probably understand." Hermione froze, what on earth is she
going to say? "When zese three came back from zeir journey and we went into zee last battle
against Voldemort," some gasped and others froze at the mention of his name, "As soon as I saw 'er
appear I noticed somezing different about 'er and in me. I felt my veela stir." Some smiled
knowingly and others gasped as soon as they understood what her words meant. Hermione's face
was becoming redder as Fleur spoke. "For zee rest of zee battle I observed 'er and 'elped zem as
much as I could. Two days after zat battle, it came to my knowledge zat, before going on zat
journey to 'elp 'arry, she 'ad erased 'erself from 'er parents memories in order to keep zem safe from
zee death eaters. Zat made me admire 'er even more zan I ever did. I 'ad the opportunity to 'elp 'er
wiz zee spell to bring zeir memories back. She ees indeed zee most brilliant witch of 'er age."
Hermione's face was so red that her ears and her neck were beginning to get red too. "I 'ope our
friendship survives for years. Zank you for being yourself and letting me be your friend." Fleur
smiled at her and raised her glass. "To zee brightest witch of 'er age!" Everyone laughed and
repeated her.

Fred raised his glass and shouted: "To the brains of the Golden Trio!" She and Harry groaned at the
nickname while Ron simply smiled. Fleur sat back, beaming at her, and placed a kiss on her cheek.
With that, Hermione felt herself relaxing. Whoa! She's falling hard for Fleur. She looked at the
blonde and smiled at her.

"Want some wine?" The french asked, apparently seeing she almost didn't touch her firewhiskey.
Hermione nodded and the blonde got up once again and went to the counter, where Madam
Rosmerta was and returned with two glasses of wine. "Eet will refil eetself. Papa and Maman sent
you a bottle of our finest, but zis ees ze same we 'ad last Sunday."

"Thank you!" Hermione said, accepting the glass and giving Fleur a quick kiss.

The night went on and when all of them decided to leave and go to sleep, the sun was almost
rising. Hermione was grateful about the wine Fleur had brought because it kept her from being
completely drunk as Harry and Ginny were. The blonde offered to walk her to her room, knowing
she would be able to floo back home from there. Hermione smiled at Fleur as they entered the
living room. The silence there was really good. A moment later, Harry and Ginny entered the room
laughing and talking loudly, she rolled her eyes and thanked every possible god that she had the
spirit of casting a silencing spell on their room. As soon as the closed the door, everything went
silent again. Fleur raised a brow to her, silently asking what happened.

"I casted a silencing spell before we left to the inn." She smiled proudly.

"Zee brightest witch…" Fleur murmured and nodded. Hermione simply blushed.

"Are you tired? Want to stay a little longer?"

"Non, I could stay eef you wish." Both smiled and sat on a couch. Hermione got comfortable
besides Fleur and leaned the head at her shoulder. She heard the sound of her new pendant sliding
through the chain and smiled, looking at it. Changing the way she sat, Hermione managed to kiss
Fleur's cheek who smiled and looked at her.

"Thank you." She motioned to the small silver otter.

"Je t'en prie mon cher…" Fleur said.

"I might have to learn French…" Hermione chuckled.

"I said you are welcome…" the blonde smiled.

"Oh…" She kissed Fleur once more. Those kissed were kind of addictive. "So, that date next
Saturday…"

"Oui?"

"Still want to go?" Hermione asked, blushing.

"Of course. What time should I be 'ere?"

"How about two in the afternoon?"

"Perfect."

They stayed in silence for a while, hugging each other. Hermione snuggled closer to Fleur and
placed a kiss on the blonde's neck, after kissing her deeply, which made the veela shiver slightly.
Hermione smiled, noticing the other's reaction.

Fleur heard the brunette's breath begin to get even and calm. Smiling, it was the second time she
 had fallen asleep on her arms, she carefully got up making sure she wouldn't wake Hermione up.
She then took the sleeping woman in her arms and got up stairs in order to put her in the bed.
Writing a note to Hermione and making sure the alarm clock was set so she wouldn't miss lunch
with her parents, Fleur left.

As soon as she reached her flat, Fleur sighed. She didn't know how but every day that passed she
was falling more in love with the brunette. Quickly taking a potion to keep her from a headache
when she wakes up, she changed and went to sleep happily.

Hermione woke up the next day on her bed and with a slight headache about five minutes before
the alarm clock went off. Tuning it off, she crawled out of her bed and searched for the headache
potion she knew she had. After taking it, she noticed a peace of paper on her nightstand. She
curiously took it and before she read it, she recognized Fleur's handwriting. Hermione placed it
aside deciding to read it as soon as she was ready to leave, knowing she was a little late and she
still had to get ready to leave to her parents' house. Hopefully it would make her get ready quicker.
About an hour later, Hermione was ready and sat on her bed to read the note.

Good Morning, Hermione!

Hope you didn't get a hangover. You slept so I brought you up, sorry if I did wrong. Can't wait for
our date, I hope to hear from you this week. If not, see you Friday.

With love,

Fleur

Hermione smiled at the note and placed it along with the letters the blonde had written to her, in a
little box she kept on the nightstand's drawer. She left her room quickly and went downstairs, it
was quite obvious to her that Ginny and Harry were yet to wake up. Flooing to her parents house
should be the best option so she first checked to see if she would be able to go there. She called
them from the fireplace and when she saw it was okay, she flooed there. It has been a while since
she had visited her parents. She smiled while taking in the surroundings. Nothing changed, she
stated in her mind.

Chapter End Notes

So, birthday speeches! Hope you liked this as much as I loved writing it! And PDA!
Thanks for reading!
Please comment and leave kudos!
And everybody guessed right!
;3

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by inbox or email me: celticdaughterfics@gmail.com!
 Chapter 22
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

"Mom?" She heard a noise of things being placed on the table. She walked towards the dining
room.

"Hermione, dear. You are just in time!" Her mother hugged her and placed a kiss on the forehead.
Pulling back, she smiled. "Honey, she is here! And I think we should have lunch already…"

"Going!" Her father answered from upstairs. In less than a minute, her appeared. He, too, hugged
her and kissed her forehead.

They ate in relative silence as apparently, they were all starving. After the finished eating,
Hermione's mother walked into the kitchen once again and came out with a small cake and she and
her father begun singing happy birthday to her. As they finished singing and Hermione blew the
candles, they started talking. First the apologized for not being able to go to the party the previous
day. The simple mention of the party made the brunette blush, something that clearly didn't pass
unnoticed by her mother as she had a curious look towards her. Hermione asked they how they had
been, hoping the change of subject would delay that specific issue. She was incredibly afraid of
how they would react. She started fidgeting her fingers with the simple thought of that
conversation. Hermione managed to control her nerves for a while, entranced by what they were
telling her about how they had been. As soon as they stopped talking and her mother asked her how
she had been, Hermione sighed. There was no way for her to talk about it without telling them
about Fleur. By then they had moved to the living room to be more comfortable.

"I, uhm… I've been fine… I actually need to talk to you about something but I need you to have in
mind that I haven't really changed, it's just something I realized about me and…" Hermione
chocked, fearing they would have a bad reaction. "And I hope you are able to accept about me."
They nodded, letting her continue. "Since I came back with you from Australia, I started to realize
that, but I didn't want to say nothing before I was sure I knew what was happening to me…"
Nodding, her mother motioned her to continue. "I… I like Fleur." She blurted and started to cry,
already expecting their rash response.

"Yes, we know that, darling." She heard her mother say.

"In a romantic manner, I mean" she said, thinking she might had expressed herself badly.

"Yes." Her mother said yet again, kindly.

"We do know that."

Hermione finally gathered enough courage to look at them as she had been hiding her face in her
hands since she began to cry. They both had worried looks, but none appeared to be judging her nor
angry at her.

"Hermione, come here." Her mother tapped the small space between her and her husband.
Hermione tentatively stood and walked there. "I'll tell exactly when I knew you liked her, ok?" She
said soothing Hermione's hair. The younger woman nodded. "When you made us recognize you
and got our memories of you back, do you remember I asked about who was the owner of the
surname your friend had presented you to us?" She nodded, remembering how she had blushed.
"Well, I'm proud to say I still know my daughter pretty well." Hermione heard her father mumble
something. "Your father honestly only realized something was happening at the Weasleys' dinner"
She laughed. "He is still bewildered he didn't notice before." She added smiling kindly at her
daughter.

"Anyway, we waited for you to tell us because we figured you would need to think about it. We
never thought you would delay telling us because you were afraid of our reaction…"

"I think I got overwhelmed from the books I read about coming out and ended up this afraid…"
Hermione said as she calmed herself down.

"Now, tell us about Fleur. From what I was capable of see, she is very beautiful and french." Her
mother requested. Hermione blushed.

"Well, there is something about her that you might need to know before I say anything else about
her." Hermione moved to where she was before she sat with her parents. They nodded expectantly.
"Well, do you remember those old mythology books we used to read?" They nodded and she
continued to explain about the veelas. When she finished speaking, they had their jaws dropped.
But Hermione knew them enough to know they were completely amazed by the new information.

"The Vila exist?" Her father said.

"Not exactly the vila, veelas are semi-human. But you can say they existed, at very least…"

"I see…" Her mother began, looking at her daughter, carefully. "And you told us that because…"

"Fleur is a quarter veela, which means her grandmother was a full veela who found her mate in a
wizard as has her mother."

"Oh! That's why her hair look like platinum?" Her mother asked.

"Yes…" And why most people are drawn to her, she thought.

"And I'm right to assume you are her mate?" Once again her mother surprised her, she nodded
nonetheless. "Then when are we going to meet your girlfriend?" She beamed as she saw her
daughter's face become quickly red at the unexpected question.

"You already know her and she's not my girlfriend, yet." Hermione said, hiding her face causing
both of her parents to laugh amused by her antics.

"Ooh! Yet!" Her father said mockingly.

At that moment, Hermione decided that they had already teased her too much and begun to tell
them how her last month had been. She blushed every time she had do say something about Fleur
and felt like dying when she told them about their first date. "Smooth! She was quite lucky, it's not
a play produced very often." Her father said as she retold the date. They were happy to hear she
was happy and in love. When she finished, it was getting late and she had promised to have dinner
at Hogwarts with Harry, Ginny and Luna. She, then, said goodbye and guaranteed them that she
would try to get in touch more often and that she would tell them as soon as she and Fleur were
officially dating.

Hermione arrived at the living room pretty tired and just in time for dinner. As she stepped out of
the fireplace, she saw Harry and Ginny descending the stairs. She smiled at them.

"Hi lovebirds…" She said.

"Hello, 'Mione! How did lunch go?" Ginny answered.

"Wonderful!" She said, beaming.

"I know that face, you have good news." Harry said, after hugging her. For a moment, he starred
into her eyes as if trying to read her mind. Hermione said nothing, silently challenging him to
figure it out. She had shared her fears with him some time before. "Wait. You came out?"
Hermione nodded and Harry immediately hugged her once again. "I imagine it went well as I told
you it would."

"Yes."

"Hey! Don't leave me hanging! You came out? To your parents?" Ginny beamed as Hermione
nodded. "Oooh, she's planning on asking Fleur to be her girlfriend!" The redhead clapped her hands
excitedly.

"How do you know that?" Hermione asked, blushing even deeper.

"Harry is your brother, 'Mione, but I'm your best friend. I, too, know how your mind works." She
stated and hugged the brunette. "Now, let's go to the great hall or we are going to be late for dinner!
I'm starving!" Knowing better than to stay in between Ginny and food, they followed her as she
went through the access to the hall. They met Luna on their way to the great hall and the redhead
exclaimed "'Mione is going to ask her to be her girlfriend!" before she could say anything to Luna.

"Awn!" The looney blonde smiled and hugged Hermione happily.

"And came out to her parents!" Ginny added.

"That's how you know she'll ask her…" Luna said, laughing. "I didn't really expect her to tell right
away her plans…" Hermione looked at her, wondering how the blonde knew them so well.
Noticing her stare, Luna smiled. "I observe a lot." The brunette nodded.

Hermione's next day was exhaustive, beyond classes, her boss had a huge pile of paper for her to
review and she was helping Harry to plan the first DA meeting that would happen in two weeks.
They had been deciding on what to do for two hours and then Ginny gave the idea of inviting the
previous DA members to meet the new ones. The four liked the idea and decided to ask if it would
be possible to do that. They retrieved to their respective rooms after that. Hermione entered hers to
find a letter carefully placed near a steamy cup of tea.

Sipping the tea, she thanked Dobby out loud, knowing it was his doing. She, then took the letter
and opened it. Smiling even before reading the first line.

Dear Hermione,

I hope you had a good day. I caught myself wondering how you were and decided to write as I can
only imagine how busy you are, if Evangeline sent you as much work as Tonks sent Harry. Before
you ask me how I managed to get it so quickly to you, I kind of asked Jilpy to get it to Dobby and
ask him to make sure it reached you. I seriously hope it works. When I asked her (I did it before I
began to write) she said she was happy to help. I'm yet to go to field again, there's a frightening
amount of paperwork in my desk but I hope it will be finished by Wednesday. I'm growing restless.

How are you doing? And your lunch with your parents? I hope it went well.

Bonne nuit,
 Fleur

P.S.: Maman sent you two bottles of wine. I can bring it to you on Friday if you wish.

P.P.S.: I really need to say this: I miss you. And your kiss.

Hermione was yet to stop smiling when she got up from her bed and decided to write back to Fleur.
As she finished writing, she whispered to Dobby, asking if he was still awake. With a pop, he
appeared.

"Dobby figured miss Granger would want to write back." He said, smiling, after she asked him if
he could send the letter to Fleur. He caught the letter and popped away. She smiled and got ready
to sleep. Practically passing out as soon as her head hit the pillow.

Fleur had decided to make some exercises after sending Hermione what she wrote, knowing she
was too anxious to be able to sleep just yet. She was doing some push-ups when she heard a low
pop right beside her. Knowing what it might be, she smiled and looked in its direction. Dobby said
good night to her, leaving the letter on the coffee table and popped away, saying he had to go back
to the school. She finished the set she was doing and got up, retrieving the letter form the table.
Feeling too sticky because of the sweat, she decided to take a shower before reading it, in bed.
Much more relaxed, Fleur laid in bed to read what Hermione had written. She hadn't worried about
using pijamas as it was an unusual warm night.

Hello, Fleur!

Your letter just made my day, actually! It was a very exhausting day. The classes were good, my
best subjects actually, transfiguration and charms. Harry complained his brain would be
overheated any second. Yes, Evangeline sent me basically the same amount of work. When we
aren't studying, we are working. I believe I forgot to tell you what transpired on the meeting with
professor McGonagall, she said there has been a lot of requests to reactivate the DA but this time
as an official extracurricular club. She asked us if we had interest in doing so, we agreed. I think
we are actually getting crazy. She will probably get in touch with you soon given she asked us to
suggest a graduate to assist us during the meeting and we asked for you. Well, Harry did. I was a
little shy at the moment, but I did think of you. I really hope you can come.

Lunch went smoothly, it had been a while since I talked to them so they made me promise I would
reach out for them more frequently.

I would love the wine! Please bring it.

Hope Dobby gets you still up.

Good night,

Hermione

P.S.: Miss you too. And you kisses and hugs.

With that, Fleur put the letter on her nightstand and dozed off.

She obviously wanted to write to Hermione right after waking up but didn't want to disturb her,
although reading that she missed her too had left her longing for the brunette even more. Her
mother had said to her once that finding a mate wasn't easy but controlling yourself after finding
them was ever harder. The hunger she felt towards Hermione was almost unbearable at least when
they were apart, she needed the brunette by her site. Oh boy, it would probably be the worst and
better year of her life. Unless something changed. At least Hermione wasn't in danger. She couldn't
imagine how she would have been if she recognized the lioness as her mate before the war ended.
For that she had to thank her veela…

Fleur had a horrid Tuesday. She was hopelessly chained to her desk until she finished all the
paperwork and overnight some more had arrived. What kept her focused was thinking the sooner
she finished that, the sooner she would be able to go to the field.

"Hey, I'm going to lunch." Bill said, rising from his chair. She just nodded. "Are you coming?"

"Non. I desperately want to finish zis." She said, grimacing.

"Want me to bring you a sandwich? I won't be long. I kind of want the field too."

"It would be awesome! Thanks, Bill!" She smiled at him and he left.

Half an hour later, he was yet to return and her stomach was seriously complaining about the lack
of food. She focused harder on the parchment in front of her. When she heard steps in the room,
Fleur automatically guessed it was her co-worker. No one ever entered there.

"Finally! I'm starving!" She said, without looking up.

"Uh, I can buy you something to eat if you need, Fleur…" Her head shot up.

"'ermione!" She smiled sweetly, incapable of keeping it from her face. A moment later she got
serious. "What 'appened? Why are you 'ere?" Concern reached her face in a second.

"Calm down. Nothing happened. I just had the afternoon free after miraculously finishing all the
work Evangeline sent me and decided to get a book from her library for light reading." Hermione
was indeed holding a book. But Fleur would hardly call it light reading. "Then I figured I could pay
you a visit. You said you'd be here all day… I'm sorry if I'm disturbing you."

Fleur quickly stood. "Definitely not disturbing." She smiled.

"Bill said that to me… I believe he had some food with him. But he went in another direction when
I asked where was your office…" Hermione smiled at her, eyes shining.

"Uhm…" Fleur lost herself in the lioness' eyes. Miraculously not crashing into something in her
way, because she seemingly was unable to withdraw her eyes from Hermione, she hugged the
brunette. Moving her head a little, the lioness kissed her chastely.

"Hi…" Hermione said as soon as they pulled back, smiling.

"'ello" She grinned and kissed her again.

"So, how's work?"

"Dreadful." She grimaced. "But you just made eet bearable…" Hermione laughed, kissing her
cheek.

"Smooth. I can't really stay here for too long, unfortunately… But I'm glad I helped."

Fleur grinned. "A lot. Oh, Minerva reached me today."

"Really?" The blonde could see a glint of hope on the other's eyes.
"Oui. She told me about zee DA and explained me what I'm supposed to do."

"Oh…" The lioness was obviously eager to know her resolve about the matter.

"I said I might be able to assist you, as zee meetings will be on weekends." Fleur smiled.

"Thank you, Fleur!" Hermione hugged her, delighted. "I'll let Harry and the girls know as soon as I
get back."

"Je t'en prie mon cher." Fleur said, cupping her face. Mon cher. Was she rushing things by saying
it? She hoped not. The blonde was apparently incapable of not saying it to her. Snapping back into
reality, Fleur looked at her smiling and kissed her. It was a calm but deep kiss.

They starred into each other eyes for a moment after they pulled back. Hermione's eyes flicked to
the clock hung in the room and grimaced.

"I must get back…" She, then, looked at Fleur and smiled. "See you Friday?" The blonde nodded.
"Great! I think Harry will want to discuss the DA matter too…" She said thoughtfully.

"We can figure eet out zen." The blonde said, placing a kiss on her cheek. "I must get back to
work. Eef you see Bill in your way back, tell him I'm starving." She added, laughing as her stomach
complained loudly.

"Sure thing. Have a good afternoon…" Hermione said, after giving her a goodbye kiss.

"You too." Fleur replied. The brunette smiled at her from the door. With a sigh, the veela went
back to work ignoring her rumbling stomach. A couple of minutes later Bill showed off, smirking,
and gave her the sandwich he had offered with a bottle of pumpkin juice.

"Happier?" He asked, obviously not referring to the food he had just gave her. She hummed in
agreement, making him smile.

She refocused on her work as soon as she finished her unhealthy lunch.

Going to Fleur's office was obviously the best idea she had ever had. Hermione was happier for the
next two days and then she was happy because she would see her again by the end of the day.
Merlin, she was really head over hills for her.

"Hey, Hermione!" Ginny's voice made her get back to reality. "I don't even need to ask what you
are thinking about. I'd be astounded if it's not obvious to half of this school that you have your eyes
on someone…" She laughed as Hermione focused her eyes on her and childishly stuck out her
tongue.

"What do you want, Ginny?" She said, rolling her eyes.

"Oh, it's just that we are late for History of Magic." The redhead said. The four of them had
decided to spend the break they had just before their last class of the week by the lake and
apparently lost track of time. "Absurdly late, actually. Let's just go to the common room…"

Hermione nodded, knowing that they would lose their time trying to go to the class. She would
apologize to the ghost teacher next class. As soon as they reached their living room, the four of
them begun discussing their plans to the DA meeting. Luna had talked to the headmistress about
their idea but it wouldn't be possible to accomplish because almost everyone they reached already
had plans or something. Hermione sent Fleur her silver otter to let her know she could get there
earlier. About an hour later, they were all standing by the table, looking at a list with the names of
the students that showed their interest in the "club". As they were all discussing how to measure
everyone's ability, none of them noticed as the blonde entered the room through the flames of the
fireplace. Hermione startled and almost got a hold of her wand when Fleur approached her from
behind, only to relax instantly after the blonde hugged her.

"'ello, 'ermione…" she heard the veela murmur on her ear, causing goosebumps all over her skin.

"Hi, Fleur…" her voice came out quite hoarse and she felt her face getting hot. She turned on her
arms and kissed her deeply only stopping when Harry cleared his throat. Hermione looked at him
and he looked away. "Come on, you and ginny do worse. Shush." Luna and Ginny simply gave the
women amused looks as Harry blushed

"That's kind of true, babe…" Ginny agreed, making him blush even more.

"'ello everyone!" Fleur said before anyone made Harry even more frustrated. He smiled at her and
the three said hi. "What are you doing?" She asked, looking over Hermione's shoulder as the
brunette focused back on the parchment on the table. "Oh! Zat's a lot of people…" She smiled.
Ginny, who was standing between Harry and Hermione made the boy move and gave Fleur space
around the table. "Merci." Hermione noticed Fleur had moved to her side but was still holding her
by her waist and smiled.

"Yes, almost too many… I don't really know how we are going to fit everyone in one room." Ginny
said.

"Doesn't the vanishing room fit our necessities?" Harry asked.

"I'm not sure. We never really tried to expand its capacity. But it may work. I just don't know if we
should have so many performing magic at the same time." Hermione answered.

"We could split them in two fronts." suggested Luna

"One group could study zee zeory while zee ozer zee practical." Fleur added, making Hermione
beam.

"I do like the idea!" Harry smiled at them.

"We make a good team." Luna said, smiling back.

"Oui." Fleur smiled. "What are you planning to do next Saturday?"

"At first we thought we could call everyone back for a chat but basically no one can make it."
Luna answered.

"Now we were thinking about what to do…" Hermione added. "Right before you arrived." She
smiled.

"We could still 'ave a conversation at least to know what zey want to learn…" Fleur proposed.

"I like it." Ginny said, smiling. "Now, can we eat?"

The other four started laughing and nodded. They all agreed to have dinner together so they could
finish their plans so Harry called Dobby and asked him to get food for them. They began to eat as
soon as the house elf came back.
 "Our next problem is how we will be able to know their abilities…" Hermione provided.

"Duels?" Ginny said.

"Eet might work. Do we have any first years?"

"No. And just a couple of second years." Luna answered. "They are quite ahead from their class,
according to professor McGonagall."

"Duels are a good idea…" Harry said, smiling at his girlfriend.

As they finished eating, they had decided everything they wanted to. Ginny and Harry headed to
the common room and Luna went to the Ravenclaw tower after saying goodbye to Fleur and
Hermione. The lioness smiled at the veela and hugged her, sighing as she felt the blonde's arms
around her.

"Hey…" She said.

"'ey…" Fleur answered.

"Wanna chill for a while?"

"Oui… 'ow 'ave you been?"

Hermione looked at her with a raised brow. "You heard from me literally every day, Fleur…"

"From letters. I do like to 'ear your voice." Fleur smiled at her as she blushed. She relented and
begun to retell her week and then made Fleur do the same. Half an hour later, they resumed their
work. A few hours later Hermione put down the papers she had been reading. It was the last one
she had to review that night. Sighing, she leaned on Fleur waiting for her to finish reading.

"Are we finished?" Fleur asked, putting down her file as Hermione nodded.

"Yes…" She said, placing a kiss on the blonde's cheek.

"So, zat date…" Hermione hummed. "What are you planning?"

"You'll find out tomorrow."

"Fair enough. I'll meet you 'ere two in zee afternoon?" Hermione nodded.

The lioness and Fleur stayed in each other's arms until they began to yawn. The veela decided to
go, kissing the brunette goodbye.

"See you tomorrow…" Hermione murmured then Fleur gave her on last kiss and walked into the
fireplace, vanishing.

Hermione woke up the next day early. She was obviously anxious and begun organizing
everything she needed to make sure the day would be perfect.

Chapter End Notes

A/N: So I know it's been a while, sorry about that... I'll try to get back to the
schedule... So, Hope you liked the chapter, the date date with Mione paying is next.
(and was SO fun to write...). Hermione comming out was basically how it happened
when I did, so yeah... I'm lucky...

Please comment and leave me kudos!

;3

PS: I'M KIND OF WRITING A ONESHOT(at least trying to as I'm apparently

incapable of writing a short story...) OF GINMIONE. Let me know if you are
interested...

PPS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 23
Chapter Notes

Hey! Since I believe I won't have time to upload this tomorrow, here it is!

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Fleur spent the first part of the Saturday worrying. She didn't know what Hermione planned. She
decided to have lunch earlier to make sure she would be there on time. After eating, she chose her
clothes and began to get ready. As she finished, she sighed after realizing how terribly nervous she
was. She had chosen black skinny jeans, a gray tank top, and a dark gray jacket.

"Zat's ridiculous. Eet's not our first date…" she said to herself. She startled as she heard her
doorbell. "What zee fuck?" She murmured and then shouted from her room: "Coming!"

The moment she opened the door she was dumbfounded.

"Bill?" The redhead seemed completely out of air as if he had run the whole way from the ministry
to there.

"Hi…" He leaned on the doorframe to catch his breath, "I'm terribly sorry for disturbing you
today…" Fleur started to worry, she had never really seen him so agitated.

"What 'appened?"

"Lucius Malfoy has been seen." Fleur felt her vision get sharper. "I thought you would like to
know…"

The veela was completely lost in her thoughts to see the men in front of her subtle smile. She was
looking directly in his eyes as a red rose floated into her eyesight. Fleur looked at it with wide eyes
then looked at her friend, who was now openly smirking. She held the flower as if it would vanish.

"Thanks, Bill." She heard the voice she had already been missing the moment she left the castle the
night before.

"Not a problem." The redhead sent Fleur an apologetic look and disapparated.

Fleur was completely frozen on the spot but sensed Hermione move from where she was and hug
her reassuringly. She felt her body immediately relax a little.

"I'm sorry about that… I actually asked him to distract you, I didn't think he would get so low."
Hermione kissed Fleur's shoulder chuckling a little bit. "I guess he knew it would catch you full
attention. Sorry. He asked me to tell you that it's not true, in case you are wondering."

Fleur snapped back into reality as soon as she heard it wasn't true and relaxed completely in the
brunette's arms. "Merde." She closed the door still a little out.

"I'm deeply sorry." She heard Hermione say before turning around and looking into her eyes.

"Eet's okay, chéri." She leaned in to kiss the brunette, not thinking twice.
"I wanted to surprise you…" The lioness said shyly, making Fleur chuckle.

"'ey, eet's not exactly your fault." She kissed the younger woman again, softly. "And you did
surprise me. I loved the flower, eet's beautiful. Merci." Only then Hermione smiled at her.

"Not as beautiful as you are."

"Smooth. And zank you." Fleur kissed her once again but this time Hermione deepened the kiss.
By the time they pulled back they were both out of breath.

"Are you ready? I can wait if you aren't…" Hermione said after a while.

"Oui, I'm ready. And you are breathtaking, 'ermione." Fleur beamed seeing Hermione blush.

"Thanks… So are you." Fleur smiled. "Shall we? I suppose we could apparate there…"

"Just let me put zis in a vase." She quickly went to the kitchen and returned a moment later holding
a vase with the rose and placed it on the coffee table, smiling. Hermione approached her and kissed
her cheek.

After knocking on Fleur door, Bill sent Hermione his Patronus telling her to make sure to enter the
room only after he said the death eater's name. She used the floo to listen to their conversation.
And then flooed herself into the veela's living room, holding the rose she wanted to give her.
Wordlessly she made the rose levitate, after taking in the other woman, she was absurdly beautiful.
Hermione was over the moon, she actually thought Fleur would get mad at her for making Bill
distract her. She wasn't. At least not at her. She was pretty sure Bill would regret helping. She
could see the blonde's glee as she came back from the kitchen. After kissing her one more time,
they nodded at each other and disapparated.

Appearing at the apparition spot at the village. Hermione wanted to hold Fleur's hand but didn't
really know if she would be okay with it. They were in a hidden place and she took advantage of it,
kissing the blonde deeply before dragging her to the street. She had planned the whole afternoon.
When they reached the busiest part of the village, Hermione let go of the veelas hand. She was
trying to read her reaction when she did that and saw a shade of sadness pass through her eyes
which made her take the blonde's hand once again. Fleur looked at her.

"I didn't know if you'd want to hold hands in public yet…" Hermione explained her actions. Fleur
nodded and placed a kiss on her cheek.

"Always zoughtful…" She said, beaming. "Where are we going now?"

"Honeydukes, it came to my knowledge that you like some candies most stores don't have…"
Hermione answered, beaming. She really had to thank Bill a lot. Fleur grinned thinking about the
candies she was only able to find there.

"'ermione! Zere ees no way I'll let you pay for all zis!" Fleur complained, annoyed that the lioness
was preventing her from paying for the candies she had chosen. They had spent half an hour in the
candy store and they had picked a lot of treats. Actually, they had filled two bags with candies and
if her calculations were right, each had enough for about two months. "At least let me pay for
yours!"

"No way!" Hermione grinned as she took the candy bag from her hands. "You paid for everything
on our first date and said that's what French do. I might not be french but I asked you out. I'm
paying for everything!"

"Stubborn," Fleur grumbled. Seriously, why did she have to choose such a stubborn woman?

"I'll pretend I didn't hear you grumble," Hermione said. She was having fun with all that scene.
"Own, don't pout." She said, kissing her cheek. After the lioness paid and they were again walking
in the main street, Fleur couldn't keep herself from grinning. "What do you want to do now?"

"I'm sure you 'ave a plan." Hermione nodded and they walked towards the bookstore she
remembered going a few times five years before.

"I ordered a book by owl a few days ago, I just want to see if it's here already. And we could look
around." Fleur simply nodded, she would refrain herself, knowing the lioness wouldn't let her buy
anything today.

Soon they were both looking around. Fleur looked at Hermione, who had her back to her, seeing
how deep in thought the girl was, she approached and hugged her in a way they both were facing
the books. She was a little higher than the lioness so they actually fit perfectly that way, or anyway
as Fleur liked to think. Moving her head a little, she kissed Hermione's cheek and then rested her
chin on the lioness' shoulder making sure she wouldn't hurt her. They silently and in perfect
harmony moved around the store. At the end of what seemed to both half an hour that was actually
at least two hours, they were heading to the checkout. Hermione insisted on giving her two books
she demonstrated interest and chose one for herself.

"We actually have some time to spare. We could either spend it on a cafe Luna told me about or go
to Three Broomsticks. Almost no one goes to the cafe, according to Lun, and at this time almost
everyone that came to the village is at the inn…" The lioness asked, right after they got out of the
bookstore.

"Zee café eet ees. I don't really want to share your attention right now…" Fleur said, smiling at the
girl.

"I hoped you would say that… It's this way." Hermione started walking, Fleur keeping her close by
holding her waist They left the main street and headed to a small one on which she could hardly
see a student. "Oh, right there! It's really lovely!" The lioness said as they entered the store,
grinning. "Remember me to thank Lun, it's perfect!"

Looking around, Fleur smiled. It was a perfect place. It was really beautiful and happened to be
quite empty if not completely, the only person she was able to see was apparently the owner who
smiled at them when they entered. Hermione chose a seat closer to a lit fireplace, a couch
resembling the one she had back on the castle which supposedly had enough space for them to sit
comfortably side by side or for one of them to lean the head on the other lap. She sat and smiled as
Hermione gave a quick kiss and went to talk to the owner, who seemed genuinely happy to see
them. The lioness came back with two steamy mugs a few minutes after, grinning.

"Zank you, 'ermione!" She said taking the one offered to her, almost moaning when she took the
first sip from it. French coffee. "C'est délicieux!" She exclaimed loudly, making the brunette
snicker and the owner smile and say: "Merci!"

"Lun apparently found the perfect place indeed." Hermione smiled.

A few minutes later the owner approached them carrying a tray with two croissants.

"I hope you are having a good time. Here are your croissants." She left the plates on a table in front
of them. "If you want, feel free to choose a book from the shelves and read. They are here for you
to read."

When she left, Fleur looked at Hermione, who was obviously excited to be able to borrow a book
and smiled fondly. The lioness stood and walked towards the shelves the woman had shown them.
She looked at Fleur almost sadly. "They are all in French…" Smiling, she got up and decided to
see what they had. She laughed as soon as she finished reading the titles.

"I zink you will 'ave no problem understanding zis one wizout a translating spell…" Fleur said
softly as she picked one of the books and gave it to Hermione.

"Why?" The brunette inquired without looking to the book, but Fleur remained silent simply
smiling. Seeing that Fleur wouldn't answer her, she decided to examine its cover and gasped.
"Shakespeare…"

"Better. 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'." Fleur said, smiling as she saw the confusion on the
brunette's face be replaced with enthusiasm.

"Could you read it to me? I never really heard you say anything in French besides a few words you
say randomly…" Hermione's smile and request basically transformed Fleur into a veela pudding.

"Bien sûr!" The blonde said softly, taking the book and seating once again on the couch. Hermione
followed her, but instead of seating, she lay down and used Fleur's thighs as cushions. The blonde
paused.

"What? I'll not sleep! I swear!"

"Very well, but just to be sure, what time will your next plan begin?" She asked with a raised brow,
quite sure that the lioness would sleep in no time.

After looking at the clock, Hermione looked back to her. "We should leave in about an hour and a
half." Fleur nodded and, before the brunette could lay back down, kissed her. After making sure
they were both comfortable, Fleur began reading the book.

Staying true to her promise, Hermione didn't sleep. Although Fleur had seen her close her eyes
several times, only to open them again, after the French nudged her, saying she was not asleep. The
time came and they left after Hermione paid everything.

"I might buy this book." She stated.

"I 'ave eet. Well, maman 'as eet but I'm sure she will be pleased to let you keep eet." Fleur smiled.
As soon as they left the cafe, Fleur resumed holding the lioness by the waist, this time Hermione
leaned on her and held Fleur's hand in hers. They walked through a few more alleys only stopping
in front of a small house. It appeared to be a house, actually. There was a small sign where Fleur
could read: Angelique's. How she didn't now about its existence in the village she didn't know, but
it was obviously French. Hermione beamed seeing the blonde's reaction and kissed her cheek.

"I figured you were missing France, so I decided to do a small research and happen to find this
place. Professor McGonagall has been here, she says the food is fantastic."

Fleur couldn't resist the urge to kiss the lioness deeply. They pulled back panting. "Merci,
'ermione…" was what Fleur managed to say.

As they entered the blonde noticed the restaurant was really small and had only about three tables
for two. She felt herself falling even more for the brunette. If that was even possible. Again,
Hermione chose where to seat. It was a secluded area but really cozy. In a few moments, they
ordered and in less than half an hour later they began eating.

After having dinner, they ordered a crêpe Suzette to share and about half an hour later they were
walking on the village's streets again.

"Fleur…" Hermione began, sounding anxious. "I've been meaning to ask you something." She said
quietly as they stopped walking and Fleur looked at her.

"Oui?"

"I… Uhm… I've been wondering if… if you… if you'd like to be my girlfriend…" Hermione asked
shyly but looking straight into her eyes.

The blonde was dumbfounded for a while until she noticed Hermione start fidgeting
uncomfortably. She, then, noticed she didn't react nor answered the lioness. They were very close
to each other so Fleur reached for her, holding the brunette against her and before she could
say answer, she kissed her sweetly.

"I guess that's a yes?" Hermione asked as soon as they pulled away, beaming.

"Oui. Of course." Fleur said, grinning. She then placed kisses all over the brunette's face.

"Good…" the lioness sighed contently. "I should walk you home… Well, apparate with you there
at least." When the blonde started to argue, "I will do it. It's the least I could do for my girlfriend."

The way Hermione said it almost made Fleur swoon and she relented.

Hearing Fleur speaking French was almost a heavenly experience. The way her voice flowed was
unique. Hermione smiled the whole time the blonde was reading for her. She had been nervous
since the moment she flooed to Fleur's, not sure the veela would like all the surprises she had
decided to make. It was all going fine. They even had time to spend some time at the French cafe
Luna mentioned, getting Fleur to read the book in French was a bonus. Really, heavenly.

Her nervousness was building in, each minute that passed, she got alarmingly more nervous. When
they left the cafe, she had to breathe deeply to refrain herself from shaking visibly. The smile and
tears she saw on Fleur's face when she saw where they would have dinner, made her day. The
whole dinner she was nervous, but apparently, she managed to hide it from the blonde. As they
left, each step made her even more anxious. Harry and Ginny tried to make her calm down before
she left that morning by saying they were mates, obviously she would say yes.

Hermione resolved to say what she was so nervous to say. There was nothing she could do if the
blonde said no. Taking a deep breath, "Fleur…" She began, obviously anxious. "I've been meaning
to ask you something."

"Oui?"

She looked directly into Fleur's eyes, "I… Uhm…" Merlin, she was so nervous she was incapable
of formulating a proper phrase. "I've been wondering if… if you…" Gods! Get a grip of yourself,
Hermione Granger! "If you'd like to be my girlfriend…"

What seemed to be three hours later but really probably only three minutes, Fleur was yet to
answer her. The blonde reached for her and kissed her. She instantly relaxed.
"I guess that's a yes?" She asked as soon as they pulled away, beaming.

"Oui. Of course." Fleur said, grinning. The blonde then placed kisses all over her face.

"Good…" The lioness sighed contently. "I should walk you home… Well, apparate with you there
at least." When the blonde started to argue, "I will do it. It's the least I could do for my girlfriend."

Hermione noticed Fleur grin as soon as she said girlfriend and she smiled. They apparated to
Fleur's apartment in no time. As soon as they got there, the veela hugged her for a while.

"'ey… Want some wine? I would love to celebrate…" She murmured.

"Sure…That would be lovely." Hermione smiled. Fleur kissed her and went to the kitchen. The
lioness sat on her favorite place while the blonde was away. She came back a couple of minutes
later and gave her the wine. They drank it silently, enjoying each other presence. They both put
down the nearly empty glasses and looked at each other. Hermione was so happy, she wanted to
cover the blonde with kisses. Leaning in, she kissed her sweetly.

In no time the blonde deepened the kiss. They got so engrossed by each other that a few moments
later Hermione noticed she was straddling Fleur. Panting, they pulled away and the lioness was
greeted by two bright orange eyes. The veela was holding her by the hips and quickly resumed
kissing her. She tilted her head a little and the blonde used this small movement to part from her
lips and give attention to her neck, earning a moan from the lioness. Taking it as an
encouragement, the veela continued to distribute kissed on her neck. Not being able to control
herself anymore, Hermione took Fleur's lips on hers. A while later she returned the favor, kissing
her neck eliciting a moan, she smiled against her skin. Fleur quickly captured her lips once again
but didn't take long to pull away, making the lioness whine. The veela chuckled. Once again, she
opened her eyes and saw the veela's orange orbs. Gosh, those eyes! She pressed her forehead
against hers and sighed.

"Hello, beautiful eyes…" She said, smiling.

"'ello beautiful…"

"I guess I should go…" Fleur pouted but nodded nonetheless.

"Or I won't be able to let you move anywhere…" Fleur added, smiling devilishly.

"I wouldn't want to…" Hermione laughed. "I actually don't want to. You lap is too comfortable."

"Zen don't," Fleur smirked.

"Fleur…"

"I'd love to but not what I meant." The French interrupted Hermione before she could say anything
else, blushing deeply. "You can stay 'ere as much as you like and go to school zen or 'ome or even
sleep 'ere. I'd sleep in zee couch, obviously."

"Uhm, I see…" The lioness locked eyes with the veela and kissed her, deeply. When she pulled
back, she grinned hearing Fleur's whining. "I'd love to but I really must go." She got up from the
blonde's lap. "Now, get your Gryffindor girlfriend to the fireplace and kiss her goodbye,"
Hermione said, playfully.

"Oh, and eef I don't do as she says?"

 "You will go to sleep without a goodnight kiss and make her do so too."

"When you put eet zat way…" The speed with which she got up was basically inhuman, obviously.
Hermione laughed at that as she felt Fleur's arms around her. "I can't let my girlfriend go to
bed wizout a kiss." With that said, she began to kiss every inch of the lioness' face only stopping
when her lips met the brunette's. "Goodnight, mon amour." Her eyes went wide as soon as she
realized what she had just said.

"Goodnight, babe!" The lioness smiled widely and kissed her one more time before grabbing a
handful of floo powder and entering the fireplace.

The living room she shared with Harry and Ginny appeared in front of her in a second. And with
that her three friends waiting for her, awake. To be fair, only the redhead was really awake, the
other two were dozing off. It was rather uncommon for Luna to stay there this late, Hermione
thought.

"You are finally here!" Ginny exclaimed as soon as the brunette stepped outside the fireplace. "I
saw you two leaving the village quite early."

"Really? You were stalking us?"

"Well, no. I was bored and Harry was finishing an essay he had left so I went to the village for a
butterbeer with Lun. We saw you leaving as we were coming back." At that point, Luna woke up
and heard the story.

"She was curious about how your date was going, actually. Not bored. And I only went because
Harry was indeed finishing his homework and it's not a good idea to leave Weasleys alone for
more than a few minutes." Trusting Luna's version of the story much more than Ginny's, Hermione
raised a brow at the ginger who had the prudence of looking apologetic.

"Now that it's out there… How did it go?" She said, smiling. Ginny woke Harry up as Hermione
sat in front of them to answer the question.

After Hermione said everything, she beamed at them. Obviously, she had left the part of heavily
making out with the blonde out of the story.

"I told you she would say yes!" Luna smiled, as the other two nodded. "I'm glad you are officially
dating!" The girl seemed to be absurdly tired. "Now, if you excuse me, I'll head to Ravenclaw…"

"Hey, you can sleep here..." Hermione said, smiling.

"Yeah, you could have trouble with Filch walking around this late..." Harry added.

"And we don't want you to leave…" Ginny smiled at her friend.

"Ok…" Luna beamed.

Hermione looked at the clock as she yawned. "It's really late. We should go to bed."

Harry and Ginny insisted that Luna slept on Harry's bed so they went to Ginny's. Hermione went
upstairs as soon as they left, giving the blonde good night.

Chapter End Notes

NOW they are girlfriends... So, what did you think?

Hope you liked! Thanks for reading!

Please comment and leave kudos!

PS: I'M SAD NO ONE COMMENTED LAST CHAPTER! =(

PPS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)

PPPS: I'M WRITING An ONESHOT(at least trying to as I'm apparently incapable of

writing a short story...) OF GINMIONE. Let me know if you are interested...
 Chapter 24
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

The majority of their Sunday was spent outside, by the lake. It was a beautiful day and none of
them wanted to waste it so they all agreed to have some fresh air. After dinner, they headed back to
the living room. Where Hermione passed time reading and the other three chatting in a lower voice
so they wouldn't annoy her. Half an hour later, the painting of Joan of Ark appeared on the picture
of her they had inside to inform them that Moire was looking for them. Hermione immediately
worried and said she could come in. They greeted her and the brunette almost immediately asked
how she was.

"I'm okay. I just wanted your help with something." Hermione nodded motioning her to continue.
"I'm studying some spells ahead of the class, but I'm stuck with this one and can't really tell what
I'm doing wrong…"

"Oh, she's just like you, 'Mione!" Harry exclaimed, making the girl look at him confused.
"Hermione was always ahead of everyone."

"That's probably why she managed to keep him and my brother alive for so long..." Ginny added,
Moire smiled at the new information she had just gathered.

"What is the spell, Moire?" Hermione asked, motioning her to a seat by the table.

"Wingardium Leviosa…" Ginny, Luna and Harry laughed, making Hermione glare at them and the
younger girl to once again look confused.

"I know that story!" Luna said excited and receiving a questioning look from the eleven-year-old.
"In their first year, I mean Harry's and 'Mione's. When Professor Flitwick taught this spell, no one
was managing to perform it correctly and Hermione was sat by Ron that day. Apparently, he was
doing every thing wrong, from the movement to the pronouncing and Hermione corrected him,
saying: 'It's leviOsa, not levioSAA', he dismissed her and challenged her to perform it if she knew
it. Hermione obviously cast it perfectly. He and Harry still joke around how she corrected her…"

The girl was in awe but looked at the brunette to confirm the story. Hermione smiled at her and
nodded. Then they focused back on the spell. It was then that Fleur flooed there, surprising them.
Hermione was really glad to see the Veela.

"Bonsoir everyone!" The blonde said, smiling.

"Hey, Fleur!" Harry greeted her, followed by his girlfriend and Luna while Hermione patiently
waited and Moire simply stared at her.

"'ello, 'ermione!" Fleur said as soon as she reached her, hugging her and giving her a kiss on her
cheek. "I'm not sure I know you…" She said looking at Moire, who smiled at her.

"I'm Moire!"

"She's the girl that talked to me the day we randomly met…" Hermione provided.

"Oh, I see. 'ello, I'm Fleur."

"I know!" The girl squealed, making everyone chuckle.

"Moire is studying ahead of her class and asked for help with a spell." The brunette said, smiling.

"Which one?"

"Wingardium Leviosa." Ginny answered. Fleur chuckled, earning a glare from Hermione.

"Yeah, eet's no fun being zee receiving end of zis glare." She said to Ginny, making her laugh as
well as Harry and Luna. Fleur quickly placed a kiss on the lioness cheek and murmured "Sorry,
mon amour" She then turned to the younger girl and smiled "You couldn't 'ave a better teacher."

Hermione made sure that Moire was once again focused on what she was teaching her as the
French woman joined the other's conversation. "Now, let's see if you got it.", said the brunette
placing a quill in front of the girl. After three tries, the first year managed to perform it correctly,
earning applauses from everyone in the room. She, then, thanked everyone and gave the good
night as Hermione told her to got to bed.

"Hey, babe!" The brunette said as she sat by the veela's side snuggling against her.

"'ello, mon ange…" Hermione couldn't help but feel her heart flutter at the nickname. "I'm sorry I
came without a warning. I just wanted to see you." She added, making the other three 'awn' them.

"No problem. I was thinking about you…"

"Hey, heart eyes! We are here too!" Ginny joked, laughing.

Hermione ignored her and kissed Fleur. "Missed you."

"Oh, Merlin! They just began dating and are already like that!" The redhead exclaimed. When she
was about to say something more Hermione glared at her, making her shut up.

"Me too…" Fleur answered the lioness, ignoring Ginny. "And I wanted to wish you a good week
seeing we 'ardly will see each ozer…" Hermione nodded.

They all chatted a little but as it was late, Luna went back to her room and Ginny and Harry to
Harry's. Soon, both girls were yawning and Fleur decided to leave, wishing once again a good
week to Hermione and kissing her good night. Hermione went to sleep smiling, the blonde's visit
was obviously unexpected but made her a lot happier.

The week passed quickly, they were all anxious about the DA meeting. Hermione and Fleur
decided they could cancel the work meeting they would have because they were all already
distressed about the DA and the reports Harry, Luna and Hermione had to write would only make
it worse. They had to wait for this reports to continue their work. Her two friends thanked her and
Ron, Fleur for delaying it. The two girlfriends exchanged letters or flooed each other every day but
both missed each other madly. Thursday was Hermione's worst day and that could be attested by
anyone who go close to her. She was really grumpy by the end of the day. Her mood got a little
better when a certain veela flooed her to say good night. Friday she was still in a bad mood but it
was better than the day before, after all, she would see Fleur.

"So, what are you planning to do today since you won't work?" Luna asked during lunch, the
lioness' mood was getting better by the minute.

"Uhm, I don't know. I guess we could all go to Three Broomsticks. We are just spending some
time together."
"That would be awesome!" Ginny said and Harry agreed.

"Great! So we will have dinner there?" the three nodded. "I'll let Fleur know."

History of magic class passed in a blink and soon they were all heading to the Gryffindor tower to
meet Fleur. Hermione entered the room, dropped her bag loudly on the ground and grunted
something about changing the others followed her lead. Luna had carried a change of clothes with
her. In no time they were all back in the living room and Fleur arrived as soon as the least of them
reached it. She stormed to Hermione and kissed her. They only pulled away when they heard Harry
cleared his throat.

Ginny nudged him. "Leave them. Maybe it will leave 'Mione in a better mood!" She whispered at
him. Well, it wasn't really a whisper because everyone heard her.

Fleur hugged Hermione and smiled. "Grumpy much?"

"I missed you. I guess I got in a bad mood. They started complaining yesterday." Hermione
murmured as the blonde chuckled.

"I was in a bad mood too. Ask Bill. 'e started complaining by Tuesday." She whispered after
kissing her again. "And I missed you too."

Unwilling to let her lioness go, she continued holding her as she greeted their friends. They soon
went to the village, after sending the headmistress a message letting her know where they were
headed to. They had fun, Hermione never left her side. She had developed quite a taste for wine so
that's what they had, all of them. At the end of the night, none of them was drunk but they had
drunk a lot. Going back to the castle, Hermione leaned on Fleur, sighting. As soon as they got to
the living room, Luna decided to stay exactly where she was so she transfigured one of the couches
into a bed and simply slept. Harry and Ginny went to their bedroom quite sleepy too. Before Fleur
could say anything, Hermione kissed her.

"I really don't want you to leave." She said, after pulling back.

"I guess I could follow Lun's example and transfigure…" She paused mid-sentence as she saw
Hermione shake her head.

"If you stay, you can sleep with me." Hermione's face went red as soon as she realized what she
had said. "I meant sleep literally. Not that I don't want to… It's just that it's a huge step…" She
deadpanned, making Fleur chuckle.

"I know what you meant, mon amour." She said, looking the lioness in the eyes. "Are you sure? I
really don't want to force you into doing nozing…"

"Yes. I missed you too much and want to cuddle." Hermione said, hugging her.

"I'll stay zen. You are conscious we will 'ave to endure Ginny tomorrow when she notices I slept
'ere, right?"

"Yeah. But I'm quite sure it will be worth it."

They went upstairs holding hands, Hermione lent Fleur one of her pyjamas, Fleur got into bed first
and opened her arms so the lioness could snuggle against her. They slept quickly, something
unknown to them for a long time.
Fleur woke up in Hermione's arms and sighed if she had to wake up like that every day she
wouldn't complain. Well, that was obvious. She carefully snuggled closer to Hermione not wanting
to wake her up. The lioness began to stir so the blonde turned around to face her. "Bonjour,
beautiful!" She smiled as soon as the brunette opened her eyes.

"Hi, gorgeous!" Hermione said sleepily and held Fleur closer burying her face in her neck which
made the blonde chuckle. "You're warm. Can't we stay like this?" Her voice was muffled by the
proximity of her mouth to Fleur's skin. Her breath hitched when she felt the lioness kiss her neck,
making Hermione chuckle. They dozed off again only to be woken up in less than an hour by a
squeal coming from downstairs. Curious, they got up and went there to find Ginny looking rather
happy. Their table was set for breakfast.

"Oh! That's why!" Ginny said as soon as she saw them.

Luna smiled at them. "I saw that Fleur's jacket was still here so I assumed you had slept here. And
asked Dobby to bring food for us…" They nodded and braced themselves for Ginny's teasing.

"Food comes first! I'll tease you later!" The ginger said, taking a seat and not waiting for them to
start serving herself. Harry sat by her side, Fleur and Hermione, in front of them and Luna at the
head of the table.

They talked and the redhead happily complied her promise of teasing them. When Harry managed
to make Ginny stop, they were both flustered. It was late so they went back to their rooms to get
ready for the day as they were all in their pyjamas. Taking the clothes she used the night before,
Fleur took a shower and changed while Hermione occupied herself trying to find clothes for
herself.

"Babe, do you want to borrow something?"

"Eet might be a good idea…"

"I think this will fit you well." Hermione passed her a black plain tank top. "Do you need anything
else?"

"Non, I'm good." She said as she got out of the bathroom, holding her dirty shirt. "I might need a
kiss, zough." She added, smirking.

The request was happily complied. "You look great in my clothes…" Hermione said as she pulled
away and entered the bathroom to change.

Fleur sat by the bed they had shared and begun to make it. Hermione came back a while after she
finished doing it. The brunette was wearing jeans and her school bottom-up with the sleeves rolled
up. They then went downstairs to wait for the others. When they were all gathered, they went to
the Room of Requirement to make sure they would indeed have enough room for everyone. They
had lunch there and waited for everyone to get there. The students got there in groups, most were
in awe as they entered it. The room of requirement was unknown for most students and those who
knew it didn't understand how it worked. Fleur herself was impressed with its capability. When
they had walked in front of it, Harry asked for a room where everyone could practice Defence
Against Dark Arts. Walking in, they were all fascinated by how big the room was and came to the
conclusion that actually everyone would be able to simultaneously perform magic. Their group sat
together, near what looked like a teacher's desk. After Hermione nodded to Harry, they stood.
Everyone who had signed the parchment was there, standing and looking at them expectantly.

"Hi, guys!" Harry began after taking a deep breath. "I believe the first thing we should do is to
 introduce ourselves, so we" he motioned to their group, "will begin and then I'll ask each of you to
come to the front, say your name, age, year and house and maybe something about why you want
to be here. Ok… Well, my name is Harry, I'm 18 and obviously should be graduated but, you
know, I have been occupied with the war and didn't start the seventh year at the right time. I'm a
Gryffindor and my favorite subject is Defense Against Dark Arts." Ginny came next, then Luna
and then a very anxious Hermione. As she finished talking, she gave space to Fleur and smiled at
her.

"'ello! I'm Fleur, I'm 21 and, as most of you must 'ave noticed, I'm french so I'm from Beauxbatons.
Some of you may remember me as my school's champion at zee last Triwizard tournament. And
now you might be asking yourselves what I'm doing 'ere," she saw most of them nodding, "Zee
'eadmistress asked me to assist zose four. Not zat zey really need eet. But eet ees on zee statute zat
zese kind of clubs must receive assistance from a graduate, not necessarily a teacher. And 'ere I am.
I'm currently one of zee heads of zee Ministry's Auror Office, along with Bill Weasley." Fleur
smiled and gave space for the students, who one by one walked to the front end introduced
themselves.

Chapter End Notes

Hey! Hope you liked this chapter! Next one, the rest of the DA meeting! (I guess the
name of the fic was suggested because the kind of have lots of meetings, My best
friend chose the name...)

Please comment and leave kudos!

I finished writing my GinMione one-shot (if we can call that a one shot, it has 10,000
words...) I might post it soon!

Thanks for reading!

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)

;3
 Chapter 25
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

After everyone introduced themselves, Hermione takes a step forward and with one gesture from
her (raising her hand) everyone goes silent. She is pretty much happy with it, not that anyone
except her friends could notice that. The five of them were in line in front of everyone in stances
that could be read as a soldier like. They all were standing and had their hands folded on their
backs, their faces quite serious.

"Well, we were trying to figure out what you expect from this gathering. But we realized it might
be a better idea to let you tell us that." She began, "from what I gathered, you want more practical
experience either for fun and for academic reasons." she paused, hearing most agree with her.

"Zee zing ees: Defense Against Dark Arts eyes not about fun." Fleur chimed in, smiling as she saw
Harry release a breath. "We are not going to tell zose who are very for fun to drop the club."
everyone started whispering at once, making Fleur rise her hand just like her girlfriend had done,
everyone went silent almost agreeing that the blonde was scary. She might have used a bit of her
thrall, Hermione noticed as many of them had glassy eyes.

"We just want to warn all of you that this club is to be taken seriously. If you don't, you might get
hurt. Do you understand?" Harry says, very seriously. "do you have any questions?"

One girl raises her hand before anyone could think, Hermione feels like she already likes her.
Ginny motions for her to talk. "Is it true that all of you are able to perform corporeal Patronus?"
They all exchange a look to confirm everyone agrees with what they are about to do and, as one,
they perform the spell. Earning gasps from most of the students in the room. They let the silver
animals go around the room for a bit and then make them fade.

As soon as they fade, a boy raises the hand. Luna lets him talk. "My brother was here at the battle,
he said all of you fought together," they nod, "I was wondering if it would be possible to see you
fight. A duel, I mean. It's just that I've never seen anyone do that..." The boy trails off, Hermione
recognized him as one of the two second years. All other students murmured excitedly to see it
happen. The question is answered after they have a silent conversation. Apparently, they were so
used to being together that the quintet could read each other's expressions.

The veela approached Hermione, smiling, "I believe we could call someone for support." she
whispered in her ear, the veela's breath making the lioness shiver. "I can get Ronald or Bill 'ere so
we 'ave an even number." Hermione nodded. Fleur goes through the other three to make sure they
agree and conjures her Patronus once again to send a message to Bill, who was currently on the
field with the trainees. Hermione conjured hers to let the headmistress they were expecting another
person inside the castle barriers, explaining the situation. The same girl who had asked about their
Patronus raised her hand as soon as the silver animals were on their way. The brunette smiled,
figuring out what she was eager to ask but letting the girl express herself nonetheless.

"You used your patronuses as messengers." It wasn't a question, Hermione noticed but nodded.
"I've read about it but never thought it was really possible, given only a few people are able to
conjure corporeal patronuses." The lioness nodded once again.

Luna beamed at the girl and started explaining to everyone: "Using corporeal patronuses as
messengers can be even rarer than simply conjuring them. Only a few people care to research
about them and how they could be useful and those who do usually don't go to the point of really
accomplishing it." At that moment a Patronus came into sight approaching Fleur and less than a
second later another approached Hermione. "Most can't really see why. The Order of the Phoenix
found use in it after Dumbledore died and the war began to worsen. Most of its members were
deeply trained, those who weren't were trained. In about a month, every member of the Order was
capable of using the Patronus as a messenger. The DA members in school were soon able to do so
too with the help of professor McGonagall."

As on cue, the doors opened and the Headmistress entered the room, smiling at them and
practically ignoring the rest of the students.

"As much as I'd like to take credit for what you are talking, I might say you were all brilliant so it
was quite an easy job to make sure you were capable of doing so, Miss Lovegood." She said,
making Luna and Ginny blush a little. The professor sat on the chair that appeared by the side of
the desk as soon as she entered the room. "By all meanings, I should explain why I'm here. And no,
I'm not going to be present at every meeting, just this one," she said, looking at the rest of the
students. "I'm here to be the judge of the duels." Everyone was shocked, apart from the five
professors standing in front of them, Hermione had quickly passed the message after the
Headmistress' Patronus came to inform that to her.

They were still quite dumbfounded when the doors opened again, a moment later, revealing a
redhead wearing jeans and a white button-up shirt very similar to Harry's (they were all using the
uniform shirts except for the veela). "I see you haven't begun. Bill told me to rush but when I went
home to change mom made me wait so I could bring you some things. They're in your living
room." The redhead smiled at his friends whom he hadn't seen for a long time. After hugging
everyone (including Fleur, to her obvious surprise), he nodded to the professor and turned his
attention to everyone else. "I assume I should introduce myself. I'm Ron, Ronald Weasley. I'm a
trainee in the Ministry's Auror Division and a friend of them." He automatically took the same
stance his friends were, standing between Ginny and Luna, who had to move to her side,
awkwardly.

"Since you arrived, Mr. Weasley, I assume we should begin. You know the rules, so no dirty
plays." McGonagall said. "I'd like to suggest a certain pairing and order because I believe it would
be more challenging." She waited for the six to nod. "Miss Lovegood and Mr. Weasley can go
first. Miss Weasley and Mr. Potter go after them and then Miss Granger and Miss Delacour.
Everyone agrees?" They nodded, Hermione had a small smile on her lips. That would be the first
time that she dueled with the blonde. The headmistress then transfigured the long carpet they were
standing on into a duel stage, it was basically a long large table with a small stair on either side.

They were all on top of it since the professor didn't tell them to step away. The two couples stepped
out of the stage, leaving Ron and Luna standing there. The dual got to their places, bowed and
begun dueling. An hour later, they were sweaty and tired. Ron attempted to disarm Luna,
something she easily blocked and then counterattacked, stunning the boy with a quick silent spell.
That was the only silent spell used in that duel, much to Ron's anguish.

Before heading up to the stage, as the professor called them, Ginny whispered something in Harry's
ear which made his face get red. Hermione watched the exchange curiously and felt Fleur snicker
by her side. She looked at her curiously, before remembering she had a better hearing than her so
she must have heard what Ginny said. Raising a brow as a silent question and squeezed her hand
slightly. Fleur looked at her, smiling. She loved that smile, that smile always transformed her into a
goo pudding.

"Ginny made a bet with 'im. You don't want to know what, just make sure to soundproof zeir room
tonight, no matter who wins." She smiled at Hermione's horrified face and kissed her cheek.
Hermione was able to see some of the closest students watching them from the corner of her eyes.
When her attention went back to the stage, they were preparing themselves to bow.

"You are so going down," Ginny said, smirking to a very flustered Harry. Hermione forced herself
not to laugh at Ginny's choice of words, Fleur also chuckled by her side.

They bowed. Hermione began to analyze their duel just like she had with the other two and she was
quite sure Fleur was doing the same since she noticed she was quite concentrated too. Their style
was clearly more intricate than Ron's or Luna's, but she was aware that Luna had gone soft on him
as she didn't use wordless magic, knowing he was still unable to do so. Harry and Ginny mostly
fought in silence, it was quite obvious they knew each other deeply. Harry always knew how
Ginny would react to a certain spell and vice-versa. They watched the couple duel for about two
hours, they were just now showing signs of tiredness. For two hours they kept their eyes trained in
each other and ignored the rest of their room, they were both quite competitive. They were able to
duck and block basically every spell the other launched at the other. It was mesmerizing to watch
it was basically a dance, Hermione wondered if she and Fleur would be something close to it. In
one move, Harry ducked from one significantly strong spell and sent one flying to Ginny, who tried
to block and then to dive from it. The spell hit her and then she was dangling in the air by one leg,
laughing. Hermione smiled, knowing that this particular spell used to be James Potter's signature
one. Very much in an unlikely move to Ginny, she gave in. Laughing really hard after he broke the
spell and floated her to the ground, she kissed him quickly not really wanting to make a scene.

"Why did she cede? Eet's unlike 'er…" Fleur looked at her curiously.

"That's his father's signature move. He used once in Lily and it obviously didn't go well." Fleur
was clearly still curious. "Ginny must have remembered that specific scene. It was really hard not
to laugh. After the Triwizard Tournament and Voldemort got back, Sirius apparently decided to
keep his memories he had of Lily and James stored in case the worse happened. He wrote in his
will where they were. After hearing about it, Lupin decided to do the same thing and has been
sending him some of his memories too. Harry has been watching them every once in a while
during the week, with me and the girls. It's quite fun to watch the Marauders in action." Fleur
nodded.

"I zink eet ees our time, mon amour…" Hermione blushed at the nickname, not being used to it just
yet. And they started walking towards the stage only to the lioness stop in her tracks making Fleur
eyed her worriedly.

"Just to make it interesting and make sure you won't simply let me win," she whispered to Fleur
whose face became red instantly remembering what Ginny had suggested to her boyfriend. "Not
that, dirty mind." Hermione laughed a bit. "Whoever wins will pay the next three dates we go. No
possible arguing from the other part." The lioness grins at her veela and sees her eyes flick between
bright blue and orange. She had managed to get her attention. "Deal?" Fleur nodded, already
concentrating. Her concentration felt flat as the brunette kissed her softly. Hermione heard some
gasps and rolled her eyes as soon as she pulled away, but smiled to her girlfriend. Fleur strode to
the other side of the stage determined to win, just as much as Hermione was. They locked eyes
and, before they got into duel stance, smiled at each other.

They bowed. Both extremely confident that they would win. Locking eyes, they waited.
Apparently, both had the same strategy, patience. The room was clearly tense as the students were
aware that they were obviously pretty good and scary. Harry was smiling, aware that both girls
were curious about each other's fight mode, not having fought against each other. They both moved
 at the same time, casting silent spells and simultaneously dodging the spell the other cast. Harry
knew it was going to be a silent duel, the only sounds heard were the audience's reactions.
Hermione and Fleur were experts in nonverbal magic and were making a show out of it. They
made it seem easy, both smiling at each other as if they were entranced. And they were. The
challenge that Hermione proposed was clear in their heads, both wanted to win because of their
pride too. Ginny nudged Harry, making him stop his analysis on them.

"What do you think Hermione said to Fleur to make her blush before they got there?" She asked
him silently.

Shrugging, he smiled. "I'm certain that it was not what you said to me, Gin. They might have made
a bet too."

"I can see that happening…" Ginny said, smirking. "I wonder what they bet on… It can't really be
sexual, obviously." Harry smiled, trying to ignore the discomfort caused by his imagination, and
returned his attention to the duel. Ginny was obviously trying to figure out what could have made
the French woman blush.

Chapter End Notes

I should simply stop trying to make a posting schedule for me as I deeply suck at it.
I'm a bit lazy and, uh, I have to reread the chapter to make sure it's readable (at least I
try to) then I end up procrastinating (SORRY) (hence the lack of frequency). Anyway,
I'll stop making up excuses for my delay...

I hope you like it! Please comment and leave kudos!

Oh, next one will probably up soon as I don't want you waiting too much for our
favorite couple's duel...

Thanks for reading!

Oh, right, my other story is up. So go read it (I managed to keep it shortish) hope you
like, please review it!

;3
luv yah!

PS: So, I'm reviewing the chapters because of gramatical errors, one of the readers is
literally an angel and decided to help me... (shout out to jprsauve and his lovely
disposition!)

PPS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 26
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

The two girls on stage would be circling each other if they had space, but the so called stage was a
very long table, to be honest. Harry never really understood the reason behind that specific
tradition, sure the dueling clubs were a great distraction and a way to improve but, really? over a
long table? Harry stared at Hermione. He knew her and had trained with her for what felt like
forever, therefore he knew exactly how the wise girl functioned. Hermione was analyzing the
blonde, how she moved and trying to get a grip on a move that could give away her attacks. She
had thrown a few spells towards her to understand how she would respond and waited for Fleur's
attacks. Obviously, he was aware that this was how the best warriors should behave and, looking at
the blonde, he guessed that was exactly what she was doing too. But he knew Hermione was aware
of her give aways and looking at her, he noticed she was preventing herself from doing it. After a
little while, both decided it was time to really get into the duel and as on cue they stepped closer to
each other, just one step, and silently cast strong spells at each other. Having almost no time to
repel it, both dived into the ground earning a collective gasp. Fleur was the first to stand, the stress
apparently had already made her veela surface and sent another spell. Hermione managed to deflect
it, making the bubble shield the headmistress had conjured around the stage absorb it. Harry saw
the brunette raise a brow at her girlfriend.

"Really, babe?" She said, earning only a smirk from the blonde.

Ginny shuffled at Harry's side. "That was low…" She said in a small voice.

The man smiled at his girlfriend and shook his head. "She knew 'Mione would be able to deflect
it." He said, giving the redhead a knowing smile. "Fleur wants to win, obviously but by now she is
just making sure to show off 'Mione's full capacity. So is Hermione, in case you haven't noticed."
Ginny nodded, now paying full attention to the battling women.

They quickly fell into a rhythm, almost an elegant dance. They were both in good form. Fleur
mainly because of her job and Hermione because, well she wanted to. Harry knew the lioness
enough to know that she was just making sure she would be prepared in case they ran into trouble
again. About two hours later and after both of them got hit at the same time more than they would
like to admit, Harry started to take notice that they were getting tired. Hermione sighed but kept
going and so did Fleur. The rhythm fell a bit but only after half an hour one of them managed to
win. Hermione had managed to dodge a particularly strong spell, barely falling from the stage, but
got quickly on her feet. Fleur smiled at her as they stood still in front of each other. In half a second
they were both on the floor again but this time they were both hit.

"Damn! They are good. It's been at least two and a half hours. Merlin!" Ginny said, shaking her
head. Harry simply nodded.

They both squinted, in concentration. Hermione was the first to move this time. Harry saw the
smile on Fleur face. She deflected the spell Hermione sent her and dodged the second one, sending
a spell at the same time. Apparently, the brunette predicted it and easily deflected. What she wasn't
waiting for was the second one. Fleur had cast it immediately after the first. Harry identified it as
her signature move, from what he had learned from her files on the ministry. Getting hit by the
second spell made Hermione fly backward and lose grip on her wand, which flew to the veela's
waiting hand. Every one cheered. Harry heard Hermione groan and Fleur help her get up, smirking.
After making sure the brunette was fine, she smiled broadly.
"Are you okay, dear?" Fleur approached her, it was obvious to Hermione that the older woman was
trying to fight a triumphant smile. She wouldn't discuss the fact that the blonde was concerned but
she was still quite proud of herself. The lioness considered making that hidden smile fade by faking
a bruise. She groaned, who was she kidding? She loved that smile.

"Yes." She grunted and allowed the veela help her stand.

Fleur beamed at her making impossible for her to be mad about losing the duel. She fought the
urge to roll her eyes. They thanked everyone and waited for the other to climb the stairs and join
them. Hermione saw Harry look at the clock on the wall facing them, he looked at her silently
questioning her.

"Harry wants to know if he can schedule the second meeting for next Saturday." She said to Fleur
in a whisper, not needing to really ask him what he wanted. "It's late and we didn't manage to do
what we wanted…"

Fleur nodded. "Eet won't be a training day…"

She looked at her friend and silently nodded, knowing he had already asked Luna and his
girlfriend. He took a step forward and smiled. He thanked everyone and announced the next
gathering. Hermione saw everyone go out of the room, flooding the corridors and smiled. She
snaked a hand around Fleur so she was now holding the blonde next to her by the hip. The
headmistress congratulated all of them but especially her and Fleur for the duels and said she
would make sure their dinner would be served in their common room.

Arriving at the Gryffindor tower Ginny and Harry excused themselves to Ginny's room, promising
they would be right back as they wanted to change and refresh themselves. Luna smiled and asked
them if she could use Harry's bathroom, wanting to do the same. Ron sat on an armchair basically
to wait for Luna to come down so he could change too. Hermione kissed Fleur's cheek and smiled,
the silent question made as she squeezed the blonde's hand she was holding. Fleur nodded, smiling
slightly. They followed the younger blonde upstairs hearing Ron grunt.

Fleur entered her room after her, having held the door for her. Before the blonde could properly
close the door, she kind of pressed the veela against the door. That obviously took the woman by
surprise and made the door slam closed. Hermione smiled, feeling the blonde's body so close to
her's and kissed her deeply which elicited a moan from Fleur. Hearing it, the lioness held her head
by the neck and let her fingers play with the blonde's hair, earning another moan and Fleur's arms
around her, holding her even closer. She smiled against the veela's mouth. Her dominance on the
kiss persisted a little more but Fleur flipped them and soon her back was pressed against the wall.
She moaned as the blonde carefully bit her lower lip and lowered her hands to Fleur's hips to push
her closer as she felt Fleur move one of hers to her hair. After a while, they pulled back, panting.
Fleur didn't move away, simply joined their foreheads and smiled. Hermione mirrored her, looking
into her orange orbs. She loved the way they shun just as much as she loved her blue eyes.

"Hi" She managed to say, still panting.

"'i" Fleur murmured.

"You really look good in my clothes," Hermione said, justifying her acts. The blonde chuckled.
"better when you are fighting." She placed a firm kiss on the veela.

"You look beautiful when you are fighting too." Fleur stepped forward pressing Hermione against
the wall once again, smiling. The lioness smiled as their noses touched, and quickly melting into
Fleur's lips as soon as the veela kissed her deeply. She pulled back, making Hermione whine a little
missing her lips on hers. "We should change…" The brunette interrupted her with a kiss. "Or
Ginny will come 'ere and knock down zee door…" She completed after pulling back again.

"Ginny wouldn't dare. But, sadly, you are right." She made Fleur enter the bathroom first and
started figuring out what they could wear. Cursing, she decided to ask Dobby to bring fresh clothes
to Fleur. Obviously, she failed to ask him to bring a shirt. In a moment, he was back with what she
asked. She picked some clothes for her and a shirt she was sure would fit the blonde and her style.
"I asked Dobby to bring you some fresh clothes." She said, against the bathroom door.

"Merci!" After a while, Fleur stepped out of the bathroom wearing Hermione's bathrobe. She made
a mental note to buy another as soon as she could. Maybe a blue one, not that the blonde didn't
look good in red and gold. The lioness entered the other room carrying her clean clothes after
lightly kissing the older woman.

Fleur dressed up and smiled as she noted the shirt wasn't hers. "I see you really like seeing me on
your clothes…" She said as soon as she heard the brunette step back into the room.

"Well…" She interrupted the lioness with a quick kiss.

"I like wearing zem." She said, smiling and making Hermione beam. "Now, I believe eet's dinner
time and zee Weasleys must be 'ungry" Hermione nodded and opened the door for her.

"Congratulations on your victory, by the way. That move is quite clever." Hermione said as they
began descending the stairs. The lioness placed a light kiss on her clothed shoulder but didn't fail to
make her shudder a little. She stopped and turned to the brunette before they got into the other's
view.

"Merci." She kissed her lightly.

"We can hear you two!" Ginny shouted from the first floor, making them chuckle.

"Yeah, I can hear you every night, Gin!" Hermione shouted back, as Fleur turned back and
continued her way to the common room. Ron groaned loudly. "Sorry, Ron!" She added, laughing.

They were greeted by a flustered Harry, an annoyed Ron and the two other women laughing
loudly. Fleur gave a small smile to both men, knowing they heard quite more than they wanted to.

"Yeah yeah…" Ginny said as she calmed down.

"Speaking of hearing you two…" Hermione smirked. Fleur looked at her, knowing she wouldn't
stop until she made her ginger friend blush a little. "Fleur heard your little bet." The brunette
pointed Harry and Ginny. The man simply sat down and did his best not to let his face become a
tomato and Ginny at first became mute and then her face became red after she looked at Fleur's
knowing smile.

"What was it?" Luna promptly asked, obviously curious.

"It was nothing." Ginny managed to answer. She glared at Hermione daring her to say otherwise.

"I don't really know. Fleur didn't say." Hermione smiled at Luna.

"Oh…" Luna said, Fleur noticed her looking at both (Harry and Ginny) and making an
understanding face "I see…" she added, with a smirk.
"Speaking of bets…" Ginny recovered quickly. "What was yours with Fleur?"

"Yeah, we saw her blush..." Harry added, smiling but still quite red.

"Zee blush was me remembering what Ginny said to you, 'arry. She basically started zee same way
Ginny did." Harry blushed deeper if that was even possible.

"And the bet, it's just who would pay for the next three dates," Hermione said bluntly. She
obviously didn't like losing but Fleur couldn't help but smile.

"Seriously?" Ginny seemed incredulous. But Harry laughed.

"It figures!" The black haired men said. "Shit! We will hear her complain for weeks!" That remark
made everyone laugh, except for Ron, who was still quite disgruntled about his sister.

A moment later, the food appeared on the table along with plates for the six of them. Instead of
drinking the juice the elves had sent, they drank the wine Hermione offered them. She now had
three bottles, but she knew somehow two of them should be exclusive for her and Fleur. About
three hours passed and Ron excused himself and left. The five left in the room continued chatting
as none of them had plans for the next day. They had moved from the table to the couches about an
hour after the dinner. Fleur had sat on a couch with Hermione and now the younger woman was
laying down with her head on Fleur's lap. Her best friend was in the exact same position except her
legs were on Luna's lap. The younger blonde was happily chatting with them. They were all a little
drunk and at some point Ginny and Harry excused themselves.

"I should go too," Fleur whispered to Hermione after Luna simply transfigured the couch she was
seated in a bed. The brunette whined a little, making Fleur melt.

"Or you could sleep here again…" The lioness said, with pleading eyes.

Fleur obviously hadn't really wanted to leave so she ceded. "Let's go zen…"

"Good night you two… See you tomorrow." Luna smiled at them before disappearing inside the
guest restroom to change into her pajamas. Fleur wondered why she had these clothes there.

"She has been sleeping here sometimes so she figured she could keep some of her things here."
Hermione provided, apparently reading her curiosity quite well. Fleur nodded.

After entering Hermione's room, the lioness mumbled something about a sober-up potion and
opened a drawer taking two flasks from there, giving one to Fleur. None of them was really drunk
but the potion would keep them from headaches. After drinking it, Fleur found the pajamas the
brunette had lent to her in the same spot she had left them, neatly folded. She waited for the girl to
leave the bathroom and entered to change and prepare herself to sleep. As she got back into the
room, she saw a sleepy Hermione sitting on the bed.

"Hey…" The younger woman said, smiling.

"'ey…" Fleur always turned into pudding when she saw the lioness smile and often lost her words.
Hermione got up slowly and walked towards her, the smile never fading. She folded her arms
around her as she got closer and placed her hands over the blonde's neck. They stayed that way,
simply staring at each other's eyes, smiling. Then Fleur bent down and kissed Hermione. Right
after she pulled away Hermione yawned and they chuckled because Fleur couldn't help but yawn
too.

"Sleep." The brunette mumbled, burying her face in Fleur's neck.

"Oui." Without a warning, she lifted Hermione from the ground, which elicited a frightened gasp
from her, and carried the younger woman to the bed they would share. She made her lay down and
smiled at her, proud of herself.

"Yeah, you are pretty strong," Hermione said without opening her eyes as if she was reading her
mind. "Now, lay down. I want to cuddle." The lioness opened one eye and looked to Fleur as the
blonde didn't move. She saw a pouting veela standing near the bed and chuckled. "My hero!" She
smiled and reached for Fleur's hand. "Cuddle!" She whined when she saw that the French didn't
move. Kneeling on the bed, she hugged the blonde and dragged her into the bed. They landed with
a grunt on the bed, Hermione over Fleur. The brunette was chuckling a little when the blonde
kissed her deeply, locking her over her. They moved around the bed after pulling back and fell
asleep holding each other.

Hermione woke up in the same position she had slept, holding her girlfriend. But Fleur had turned
in her arms and was now facing the room instead of her. She smiled and snuggled closer to her,
being careful not to wake her up. She sank her head into the blonde's hair and lightly kissed her
neck. Fleur mumbled something she failed to understand and curled up against her. They drifted
again, both too sleepy to really wake up. After a while, she stirred a little but didn't really want to
open her eyes. She smiled, sensing Fleur's body against hers and hummed as she breathed in the
scent of the blonde's hair. Hermione couldn't help and began to place small kisses on her neck and
shoulders. The veela started to stir and she felt her sigh.

"Good morning, babe…" She whispered against Fleur's neck. The blonde turned in her arms to
look at her.

"Bonjour, mon chér…" Fleur said, sleepily. Hermione kissed her nose and smiled at her. She
moved closer to Hermione and buried her face in her mane. "Sleep." She smiled, remembering she
said the same word the night before. They both chuckled when Fleur's laziness was interrupted by
her stomach, growling.

"I guess you are hungry…" Hermione smiled. "Get up." She said, after kissing her lips.

Fleur groaned but got up anyway and held a hand to help Hermione up. She went to the bathroom
and Hermione after her and then they went downstairs. They found Harry sitting in his favorite
armchair in his pajamas, a cup of coffee in his hands.

"Morning…" He whispered. Only then they took notice of a sleeping Luna. He looked at her
worriedly. "We should have gone to Ginny's and left mine for her to sleep…"

"There was no need, Harry." Luna turned on her bed so she could face them. "I slept just fine
here." She smiled at him as he nodded.

"Oh, Dobby brought hot drinks…" Harry waved to the table.

Hermione looked into the mugs and realized each one had a different steamy liquid. She hummed
as she took notice of their smells. Taking two specific mugs, she offered one to Fleur and took a sip
of hers, sighing happily. She then forced her mind to remember which of the left ones should be
Luna's.

"It's the Chai," Harry said, smiling at her. "the Irish is Ginny's." Hermione took the mug containing
Luna's drink and looked at her friend with a raised brow. He shrugged and smiled at her.

"Morning," Ginny grunted as she stepped into the room. She smiled as Harry pointed her the last
 mug. "Merlin, Dobby knows everything!" She beamed as she tried the drink. She smiled at Luna
and then noticed the girl had actually slept in the common room. "Merlin, we should have gone to
my room, babe…" She said to Harry, who simply nodded.

"Nonsense." Luna waved at Ginny. "I slept just fine, as I have already told Harry."

Hermione made a mental note to start observing how the three of them behaved with each other.
She knew they would like to make sure any friend of theirs was comfortable in their house but
everyone knew that these transfigured beds were basically the same as the ones they had upstairs.
Harry looked overly worried, just like Ginny. The brunette cocked her head at their exchange.

Fleur saw the slightly confused look on the lioness face and smiled. She was completely adorable!
Taking advantage of her cocked head, she approached the brunette and kissed her neck, chuckling
at the woman's reaction.

"Hey… What do you want to do today?" The lioness asked giving her full attention, apparently
dismissing any thoughts she had before.

"Whatever you want, 'ermione…" They sat on the nearest couch.

"I don't really know, but I guess we could simply stay and talk…" She nodded.

Chapter End Notes

AN: Hey! Sorry I really had no time to update this Saturday. Deeply sorry. Yes, I
know I suck. Well, I hope you liked this chapter! What do you think is happening
about Lun? give me your thoughts!

Please comment and leave kudos!

Thanks for reading!

;3 Luv yah

See you soon...

I'm thinking about writing a side story with the duels but clearly, I have to study spells
and all so it might take a while.... (no promises about that.)

PS: Oh, right, my other story is up. So go read it (I managed to keep it shortish) hope
you like, please review it!

PPS: So, I'm reviewing the chapters because of gramatical errors, one of the readers is
literally an angel and decided to help me...

PPPS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach
me by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 27
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

In about half an hour, Luna had changed the bed back into a couch, their breakfast appeared on the
table and they were all happily chatting. As they finished and everything vanished, the Joan of Arc
painting appeared, saying Moire asked if she could see them. Harry was quicker and answered. The
first year entered the room shyly but beamed as soon as everyone in the room greeted her warmly.
Hermione was sitting on a large couch with Fleur, the blonde woman leaning on her as she was
hugging her. The wise girl smiled the youngster.

"Hey, Moire…"

"Hi! I wanted to see if I can hang with you a little… The girls are doing their homework and I
finished them yesterday…" The girl looked down.

"Sure!" Luna exclaimed while the others simply nodded.

"You are always welcome, Moire," Fleur said, smiling at her.

"Babe, you don't even live here…" Hermione said chuckling "But it is true, Moire."

"What are you doing?" The girl asked curiously.

"Cuddling and chatting," Ginny answered, smiling as she got closer to her boyfriend.

"We 'ave room 'ere eef you want…" Fleur said, smiling. The girl remembered her of her sister.
Moire nodded, getting closer to them. The veela made room for the younger girl so they both
would be leaning on Hermione and the brunette beamed at her. The girl joined them on the couch
and with little adjustments, they were all seating comfortably.

"So, Moire, how has your first year here been so far?" Luna asked.

"Great! It's all fantastic!" The first year grinned at the younger blonde. "It's all so new!"

"I know the feeling…" Hermione smiled dreamingly. Fleur looked at her girlfriend and moved
only a little bit so she could kiss her cheek. Smiling, she leaned her head on the brunette's shoulder
again. "And school?" Everyone but Moire chuckled. "What? It's important!"

"Of course eet ees,'ermione. We all just knew you would ask." She was glad she was by
Hermione's side, knowing that if it wasn't the case she would have to endure a full-on glare.

"Brilliant! Professor Sprout said I remind her of one of her older students." Moire answered
excitedly. "I don't know who, though!"

"Pretty sure I know," Harry said, smiling at his best friend.

They continued talking, when they didn't have anything else to ask the younger girl, they began
telling their stories while in school. In about two hours, the warrior painting came into view to let
them know that the rest of the first years were looking for Moire. The girl jumped from where she
was and thanked them for the stories then left to find her friends. Fleur laid down and used
Hermione's thighs as cushions and smiled at the brunette.
"She's really cute." The blonde said.

"She's like a younger version of 'Mione…" Ginny smiled at her friend, who smiled back not
knowing what to say. "No wonder you find her cute." She added, snorting.

Fleur threw a cushion at her without looking. The ginger managed to catch it, smirking.

"I'm one of the best chasers this school has seen, you know?"

"She's a remarkable seeker too…" Harry added proudly, kissing her head.

"Yeah, yeah. I doubt she can beat me." Fleur grinned, looking at the ginger. She saw the girl's eyes
sparkle.

"You play Quidditch?" Hermione asked, clearly surprised.

"Oui, beater."

"So, that challenge…"

"Anytime, ginger."

"Oh, Merlin…" Hermione groaned. Fleur looked at her questioning what was wrong, despite what
she said the brunette simply shook her head and smiled at her.

"Hey, why don't we have lunch in London?" Luna said, smiling as always.

Hermione nodded. "Professor McGonagall actually gave us permission to yesterday. I forgot to

say…"

"She has been quite flexible…" Harry noted.

"Eet might be because of zee battle." Fleur offered, but Ginny shook her head.

"It's just us. Actually, the rest of the school is following quite a common routine."

Fleur shrugged. "She must like you." They fell in a reflective silence.

"So, London…" Luna said a while later.

Ginny's stomach growled in response and they all laughed.

"Never stay between a Weasley and their food!" Hermione said. Fleur chuckled and got up.

Each went to their room to get ready, Luna trailing behind Ginny and Harry on their way up. Fleur
exchanged a look with Hermione as they climbed the stairs behind them. As they reached the top,
they saw Harry and Ginny going through their clothes while Luna directed herself to the bathroom
with a clean stack of clothes. "Oh, right…" Hermione murmured but still had curiosity stamped on
her face. Fleur didn't understand why Hermione was so curious. They were all friends, after all, she
had some of her clothes at some of her friends' houses. She followed the brunette into her room.

Fleur fell face first in the bed. She wasn't being really gracious these days. But she wanted to smell
Hermione's perfume one more time.

"You know if you want one of my clothes you can just grab one…" Hermione smirked. "No need
to sniff the bed, babe."
"Who said I was sniffing zee bed?" Fleur forced herself to stay in the exact same position she was
before the brunette spoke. She felt her face burn.

"Uhm, you're facing the bed for a while now… And I can see how you are not happy it's Sunday."

"Nonsense." She mumbled, still not moving. Fleur didn't hear her move, she simply felt Hermione
throwing herself on top of her, laughing hard. She chuckled and managed to turn her face in order
to breathe, only to have her face bombarded with kisses.

Still laughing, Hermione got out of the bed. "If you need something just pick from my wardrobe."
She said slipping into the bathroom. Fleur stayed where she was for another minute or so, then
decided to pick one of Hermione's shirts to wear. She noticed some folded clothes she recognized
as her own.

"Dear, did you ask Dobby to get more clothes for me?" She asked to the bathroom door

"No, he must have cleaned the ones you were wearing Friday. You left them with mine, after all."

"Oh, right…" She went back to choosing a shirt. Ignoring her clean one.

About an hour later they met downstairs. Fleur had her used clothes shrunk and in her jeans pocket.

"Where to?" Harry asked as they gathered around the fireplace.

"I could use a stop on my place. Leave my used clothes…" Fleur suggested. Before she could
finish her excuse, they all agreed, smiling.

She was the first to step in the fireplace and vanish to her apartment. Fleur had been expecting a
letter from her mother, one she only remembered when Luna proposed having lunch in London.
The older veela would answer anytime now and she would probably send the letter through one of
their house elves as the content was quite sensitive. Or at least she thought so. As she stepped
inside, she saw a rather big package over the coffee table with a folded parchment over it. Walking
to it, she heard the others arrive. She was aware that only she could see it as she felt a great lot of
veela magic around it. Well, maybe Hermione could see it too.

"Hey, babe… Were you expecting mail?" Theory proved. She nodded, feeling the others' gaze on
her she smiled. The magic that involved the package allowed her to give permission to others to see
through. She heard a gasp.

"Hey, that wasn't there!" Ginny said.

"Gin, wizarding world…" Harry said with a smirk but not less impressed than the ginger.

"Oh, veela magic!" Luna simply smiled.

"Oui, Luna… Now I should get eet to a more safe place. Eef you excuse me… Make your selves at
home." Fleur smiled at her friends (she was really happy she could call them that now, to be
honest), who nodded. "Eeef you want some wine, eet's in zee fridge." She added, looking at Ginny
and began her way to her bedroom. The blonde had the feeling the package's content was directed
not only for her but for Hermione too. When she didn't hear the brunette's pace behind her, she
turned. The lioness was shamelessly staring at her behind. She smirked, "'ermione? Aren't you
coming? I guess maman sent you something too." She said, startling the brunette, who blushed and
nodded.

As they entered her room and Hermione closed the door carefully, she placed the package on her
dressing table and took the parchment on top of it. The brunette slowly approached her and kissed
her shoulder hugging her from her back.

"What is it? You couldn't open it in front of them." Hermione stated. Fleur knew she would
understand.

"Oui. But I don't really know what eet ees."

She opened the parchment, aware of Hermione peering over her shoulder, and read:

S'il vous plaît, n'ouvrez que votre partenaire ou seul.

(Please, open only with your mate or alone.)

She smiled. It actually had her grandmother's handwriting. She heard Hermione sigh and mumble
something along "damn French" lines and she chuckled.

"Eet's from my grand-mère, says to open only with you or alone." She provided in a voice no
louder than a whisper. The lioness hummed. Fleur proceeded to open the wrapped volume,
carefully. She found an envelope addressed to her and a pile of books. Taking the envelope and
opening it, she saw that the letter was written in English much to Hermione's delight.

Dear Fleur,

How are you and Hermione? I hope you both are fine and safe. Well, I guess
Hermione is reading it too so, how are you dear? I look forward to meeting you.
Anyway, I obviously wrote this so Hermione could read it without your aid, Fleur. Its
content is directed to you both. First, as you asked, Fleur, your grand-mère is sending
some books on veela's culture. She says you must be careful as it contains our culture's
deepest secrets. And your father sends some of his notebooks from when he started to
research veela's mating with wizards hoping it will be able to enlighten Hermione.
That being said, I know it's quite early for it but I'd be pleased if you are able to come
home at some point of the Christmas Holidays. Obviously, the invite extends to your
friends. Your sister has been pestering me to ask you if she will be able to visit you
during the holidays. I don't know if you have any plans already. Let me know.

Miss you,

Your Mother.

Fleur smiled at the letter and gave it to her very curious girlfriend to read.

"Your father sent me his notebooks?" She could see the glee in the brunette's eyes as she nodded.

"We can go zrough zese after we get back from lunch." She rolled her eyes as she saw Hermione
pouting. "Ginny ees 'ungry. And I really don't want 'er eating all my food." The lioness' shoulders
slumped in surrender.

"Right, but then I'll kick them from here." She mumbled. Fleur smiled and nodded. When they
walked back to the living room, they saw their three friends sitting on the couch, patiently waiting
for them. Each had a glass of wine on her hands. "Let's go…"

As they went to the street, they decided where they would eat.
Hermione and Fleur were sitting with their friends at the table of a restaurant they had found in the
Diagon Alley. They were at the alley because Luna suggested. It was almost deserted and the
people that were there knew better than to disturb them.

"We could go to the cafe and say hello to Jilpy…" she whispered to her girlfriend, the blonde
smiled and nodded.

They had already eaten and decided to make their way back home. Obviously, they did as
Hermione suggested and went to the cafe first. When they were near both buildings, Ginny began
to drag Harry and Luna towards Harry's flat. The redhead looked at her best friend and winked.
Hermione rolled her eyes but silently thanked her.

"What Ginny zinks we will be doing?" Fleur asked as they walked to her place. She had obviously
noticed the exchange.

Hermione shrugged. "Her mind whirls around sex and mischief… But she was just teasing me. She
probably didn't notice you saw her winking…" She smiled at the blonde.

Fleur sighed theatrically as they reached the front door of the flat. "Eet's a shame I won't be
allowed to kiss my girlfriend as much as I'd want…"

"And why is that?" Hermione looked at the blonde, confused. She had stopped in her tracks and
stood by the door while the veela kept walking towards her bedroom.

"Oh, eet 'appens zat my papa sent 'er 'is journals and she ees far too eager to read zem…" She
answered, loudly as she was already in her room and the brunette still hadn't moved.

Hermione smiled to herself and quickly went after the veela. When she entered the room, Fleur had
her back turned to her and was obviously going through the package. The brunette approached her
and hugged her from behind. She smirked when she felt Fleur's breath hitched thanks to a small
kiss she placed on the back of her neck.

"Well, your girlfriend must be out of her mind if she chooses books over kissing you." She said in a
low voice, near the other woman ear.

She heard her take a deep breath as she placed a kiss on her neck.

"Oh, sometimes I question myself eef she ees sane…" Her voice wasn't louder than a whisper. "But
I wouldn't keep 'er from learning. She looks quite wonderful when she ees focused and all."
Hermione smiled at the praising, she wasn't used to it yet and gave the blonde another kiss, this
time on her shoulder. "Who am I to stay between her and knowledge?"

"Uhm… Her smoking hot veela girlfriend, perhaps?" Hermione then encouraged the blonde to turn
on her arms and face her. She was greeted by the orange orbs she admired so much.

"Zat I am." Fleur kissed her lightly.

"Quite full of herself too…" Hermione said, smirking. The blonde feigned offense and narrowed
her eyes. "But no less smoking hot." The brunette kissed the French lightly and smiled at her.

"You are so lucky I can't resist your smile…" The veela said, locking eyes with her. "Are you sure
you don't want to begin reading zem now?" She asked, clearly looking for any uncertainty on the
lioness' eyes.

"Yes, Fleur. I very much prefer enjoying your company. Besides, I can read them after I get back."
She smiled reassuringly and kissed her softly. Feeling Fleur's tongue trace her lower lip, she
allowed the blonde to deepen the kiss. Only when the need for oxygen was almost unbearable,
they pulled back. Hermione joined their foreheads and smiled.

They were both panting but none wanted to let the other go. Fleur was holding Hermione tightly by
her waist and she had her arms draped around the blonde's neck.

"Wine?" Hermione nodded. Fleur loosened her grip in order to allow the lioness to turn on her
arms so they could walk to the kitchen together. Both had the habit of not using their wands for
everything, Hermione because she was used to living with her parents and Fleur because she liked
to. After serving themselves, they headed to the couch and enjoyed each other's company.

A few hours later, about an hour after the sunset, Hermione looked alarmed to the clock as she
noticed the lack of sunlight.

"Merlin's beard!"

"I guess you 'ave to go…" Fleur said, pouting a little. Hermione kissed her in hopes to make the
pout go away.

"Unfortunately, yes."

They went once again to Fleur's room so Hermione could get the journals. The blonde entered her
closet while the lioness separated the journals from the other books. When the brunette got the
books on her purse, she retrieved the shirt of the pajamas she had used the night before from it.
Fleur came back wearing her pajamas.

"Since you were sniffing my bed…" Hermione extended her hand to Fleur, holding the pajama top.

"I was not." The blonde argued, mid pouting but moved to get the shirt nonetheless.

"Being that the case, I believe you won't need it…" Hermione tried to move faster than her
girlfriend and store the shirt back into her purse, which was nearly impossible given her heritage
and her Quidditch abilities (something she had just found out). Fleur managed to hold her wrist
before she could place it back.

"I definitely need eet." She smiled. The lioness was certain she knew exactly the effect her smiles
had on her. The veela had a long list of completely different smiles but this one was by far her
favorite and was one reserved for her. Her joy was shown not only by the smile, but it was obvious
in her eyes. Hermione had begun to notice that the blonde more frequently than not looked at her as
if she herself was the only reason she was able to smile and enjoy life. "Why are you staring?" As
she was drowning in the blonde's blue eyes (not that she could be blamed), she saw a shadow of
worry when she asked.

"Just admiring my favorite part of you."

"Uh, I could swear you liked my butt zee better. I guess I'll stop swaying zat much zen."

"Don't you dare!" The brunette laughed but made a point by grabbing the blonde's bottom quickly.
The shirt was quickly tossed in the bed general direction by an amused Fleur.

"So you like eet."

"Hate to see you leave, love to watch you go." Hermione said with a smirk.
 "Uhm…" Fleur kissed her softly, the lioness decided to deepen the kiss. Soon they were lost in
each other, when the air was needed, they pulled out smiling.

"I should go."

"'aven't dinner time passed already?"

"It has, but as far as I can see you don't really plan on cooking and I can't cook since I really like
your apartment and don't want to burn it down. So I might just go to the kitchens or maybe ask
Dobby for something to eat…" Hermione smiled, knowing the veela wasn't willing to let her go so
soon.

"Uhm, I could figure something out for us to eat…" Fleur hugged the lioness tighter, making a
clear point that she didn't want her to leave that early.

"I certainly won't complain. Dinner with my favorite person…" Hermione kissed the first piece of
flesh she managed to find, which happened to be the nape of her neck.

Fleur made them a quick dinner and they enjoyed each other's company some more. About half an
hour after dinner, Hermione found herself entering her common room at Hogwarts after saying
goodnight to Fleur.

Chapter End Notes

Sooo anyone eager to read some Quidditch scenes? No, it won't be the next one
because they have school and Fleur has a job and currently not allowed to wander in
the school premises unless they are heading to the DA meeting.... but soon enough! I'll
not spoil what the next chapter brings...

I hope you liked the update, please comment and leave kudos!

Thanks for reading!

;3 Luv yah

see you soon...

For those who live in the USA, I hope you are alright after these hurricanes and all
that! (to anyone anywhere affected by them actually...)

PS: Oh, right, my other story is up. So go read it (I managed to keep it shortish) hope
you like, please review it!

PPS: So, I'm reviewing the chapters because of gramatical errors, one of the readers is
literally an angel and decided to help me...

PPPS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach
me by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 28
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

The week passed at a painstakingly slow pace. What made Hermione go through it were Fleur's
letters and their conversations through floo. She missed the blonde more than she cared to admit
(she knew Fleur was aware of how much) and was obviously counting the days until Friday. She
was dreading the work meeting, though. That meeting meant she had to go through what happened
in the Malfoy's Manor (They wanted to follow the timeline and had reached that specific moment,
much to her dread). She had hated to remember her friends that they needed to write their reports
too. She would keep them from it if she could. It was Wednesday and she was yet to write the
report. It was fairly early in the evening and she had already finished everything she had to, except
for that fucking report. Sighing, she took off from the library (where she had been since supper)
and headed to the Gryffindor tower. Most of the students were already in their common room so
the hallways were quite empty. She got to the common room she shared with Harry in no time and
put her bag on a nearby couch. Hermione needed to talk to Fleur, only the veela could calm her.
She didn't want to remember that nights it was a terrible time for her and her friends. Hearing the
blonde would calm her down. She sat in front of the fireplace and flooed only part of her body to
the veela's place. As usual, she was sitting on her couch, reading and waiting for her.

"Hi, babe!" Hermione said, earning Fleur's attention.

"'ey… Eet's earlier zan usual, ees somezing wrong?" Concern was clear on the veela's face as she
approached her fireplace. Hermione loved how her accent got stronger when she was worried or
angry.

"No, everything is fine. I'll just head earlier to my bedroom and decided to floo you. I have to write
some reports and it's preferable that I do it in my room so…" Hermione ranted. Gods, she was
really nervous. Fleur nodded. The lioness noticed the worry never really left the other woman's
face. "I'm fine. Promise."

"Okay. Eef anything 'appens you call me."

"Sure." She smiled.

"I miss you, mon ange." Fleur smiled at her as if she had hung the stars just for her.

"Me too, babe…" Merlin, she loved that pet name.

They talked for a while. She could obviously truly go to her house, but she was fully aware that
they would lose track of time and she would be no one tomorrow. That's why they simply talked
and rarely they fully flooed. Secretly, she doubted she could ever be the veela's mate sometimes.
Not that she thought Fleur had lied, she didn't. Sometimes the years she had suffered bullying came
to her and made her doubt herself. And sometimes she simply couldn't believe her luck. So she
low-key thought that if Fleur missed her, she wouldn't be able to see she had been mistaken (Fleur
basically thought the same, not that Hermione knew that). When they said good night, Hermione
went to her room. She was indeed calmer. Not much, but still…

Hermione had been thanking every possible muggle God that she never really felt the
consequences of the torture she had been through. She had read about it, before the event. And saw
Neville's parents. Now that the war had ended, she had been able to think about it. She was
absolutely lucky to figure out how to lock that memories and experiences out of their minds,
knowing they still had a long way through the war. She had read about this kind of trauma after it
was all over. And that's why revisiting them was scaring her so much. There were few cases
documented about that and basically none about what she was about to do. No one knew about
what happened there, except for Harry, Ron, Luna and herself. And obviously, they were all in the
same boat. She hadn't explained any of it to the others but was sure Luna had figured it out too.
Merlin, she was scared as fuck.

She changed once she entered her room. Since Sunday she had been sleeping holding the shirt
Fleur had used as the pajamas top while there. She decided she would wear it this time. Her smell
was still in it and obviously helped her relax a little. Merlin, she was completely utterly in love.
She moved to her desk and begun the report. If the minister took all her reports, he would basically
have a continuous text ever since Cedric's death. In two hours, she was writing about Bellatrix's
torture. She was actually describing it in a very technical way, saying how long each strike took
(until the moment she couldn't count anymore) and how many there had been. She wasn't sure.
After she described the third one, she started shaking. By the sixth, she could almost feel them
vividly. Her whole body was aching when she got to the moment the mad witch started writing on
her arm. When she finished writing, Hermione was shaking. She had written until the moment
Luna left them and went back to school. The lioness took the sleeping draught she had gotten with
Madam Pomfrey and got to bed, hoping she wouldn't be in so much distraught the next morning.
She woke up the next morning just in time for breakfast, she tried to focus on the day she had
ahead instead of thinking about the report. She sat in front of Ginny and focused on eating and then
going to class. She was eating her second croissant when her ginger friend noticed something was
off.

"'Mione, what's wrong?"

"Nothing." She said, training her eyes on the plate in front of her. She had obviously hoped for the
best and it hadn't happened.

"I don't buy it." The redhead insisted. But before Hermione could answer, she felt more than saw
Luna sit by her. "Lun?" Ginny's tone made the brunette look at her blonde friend. The girl lacked
her usual smile and her eyes looked shallow. She saw a weak smile be formed on her face as if she
was trying to reassure the redhead she was fine. "Why are you like that?" None of them answered
but both looked at their friend this time. Harry wasn't with her, that was odd (to state the obvious).
The blackhead sat beside his girlfriend as soon as Hermione noticed his absence. He clearly wasn't
in his best days but was better than Luna, as far as she could tell. The older lioness saw the younger
look between the three of them and realization came to her face instantly. "Shit! That's why you
said you would stay up late and told me that you didn't want to disturb me?" She said to Harry,
who simply nodded. "You three are going to the hospital wing as soon as you finish eating." She
stated.

Hermione opened her mouth to argue but received a glare from her friend. After Harry finished his
meal (which was a simple cup of coffee), they followed Ginny sheepishly. As they entered the
room, the nurse approached the group with obvious worry.

"Uh, I think they are… I don't know how to explain. They had to write reports about a specific
moment of the war, apparently, they did so yesterday and are obviously not feeling well." Ginny
tried to explain as much as she could. The redhead had no idea of what had transpired there.
Madam Pomfrey simply nodded and guided them to three different beds.

"I hoped they wouldn't need to come. They came in individually, explained that they had to write
these reports and asked for a sleeping draught. I gave it in hopes it wouldn't be as bad as they
thought it would. To be fair, Miss Granger and Miss Lovegood were quite concerned. Mr. Potter
only came because Miss Granger apparently told him so." Ginny nodded, not knowing any of this.
"I would recommend full rest but I'm aware they won't accept it and it would be to no avail. I'll just
give you some calming potions so you will be able to go to class and Miss Weasley, thank you for
bringing them. I'll leave three more with you, make sure they take them after dinner." The nurse
said, after attending to the three.

Hermione instantly felt better after taking the potion and made sure to thank the nurse as did her
friends. She knew Harry didn't suffer any torture and that calmed her quite a bit, she didn't wish
that pain on anyone. Well, maybe that crazy witch. She had no idea of what Luna had endured as
she had been there for longer than them and never talked about it. The lioness forced herself to
focus completely on the classes they had and did everything that was possible to keep her mind
from wandering. After dinner, she took the calming draught. When they reached the common
room, Ginny insisted that they shouldn't do any chores that day and insisted on making them
playing exploding snaps for some time. Hermione flooed Fleur for a while and the other three
started to get ready for bed.

As soon as she saw Hermione's face on the fireplace she knew there was something wrong. She
asked the brunette, the girl dismissed it saying she was simply tired because she hadn't slept
enough. Fleur felt like there was something off but didn't press her. A few minutes later, Hermione
said good night. She knew the lioness would come to her when she was ready so she wished her a
good night and sweet dreams. When she was left alone, thinking about what could be happening to
her mate, the talk they had the night before made her realize something.

"Merde!" She got up and went through the papers she had, the reports they had been revising their
last meeting. Reading Hermione's she realized that the brunette was probably like that because of
the next one she would have to write. Calming herself enough, she sent a Patronus to the only
person she could think of, Ginny. The whispered message was a simple question. If the brunette
was being taken care. The response was also simple: 'yes'. With that, she managed to calm down
enough to fall asleep.

Ginny woke up to the sound of screaming. It took her a while to understand what was happening as
she had woken up and grabbed her wand immediately. She was fully awake, so was Harry,
obviously. He had managed to sleep when she held him, it apparently kept him from reliving the
mansion in his dreams. The two girls she heard screaming had no such luck. Luna insisted she
could sleep in the common room and made them take Harry's room. Obviously, she now saw it had
been a good idea.

"Harry, go see Lun." The boy simply nodded, worry obvious in his face. As he left the room, she
saw him turn his face towards his sister's room but he did as she asked.

She ran towards Hermione's quarters. Entering, she saw her best friend in the middle of her bed,
screaming at the top of her lungs. She was obviously having a nightmare. Her eyes were closed but
her body moved as if she was trying to free herself. She ran to her as soon as she saw blood on the
sheets.

"'Mione! 'Mione! Wake up!" She shook her friend until the girl opened her eyes. After she focused
her eyes on her, Hermione started crying. She managed to calm the brunette down a little. As she
saw she was calmer, she started to check her for injuries. She was sure she saw blood. When she
touched Hermione's left arm, the girl flinched. Carefully, she calmed her once again and moved to
take a look on her arm. She gasped as soon as she read what was written there. She was right to
think the brunette had an injury. The word 'MUDBLOOD' could be read on her arm. The letters her
bloody. No word was spoken as she cast a cleaning spell and summoned bandages. The blood
wouldn't stop running. Slowly. Fleur was so going to kill her. She said Hermione was being taken
care.

"Oh shit! It reopened?" She heard Harry from the door, holding a wimping Luna. She never saw
the blonde in such state, ever. Hermione nodded.

"I guess the blade was cursed so that every time I revived the moment the cuts would reopen."
Hermione managed to say, between her sobs.

"What the fuck happened there?" She asked, feeling left out.

"Bellatrix." She heard Luna answer in a weak voice. The older lioness simply nodded.

"I'll get Lun to our bed," Harry said softly.

"Can we not talk about that? You can read what I've written…" Ginny nodded and smoothed her
hair as she closed her eyes once again.

Deciding she should get Fleur because she was sure she would be even more mad at her if she
didn't, she kissed the brunette's head as she noticed her breathing get deeper and evener. Getting
out of her bed, she noticed a shirt tossed aside and guessed it was the one the veela used while she
was there. She retrieved it and placed it over Hermione's arms, she instantly smiled.

Ginny opened the door of Harry's room and saw him soothing the blonde. "I'm going to call Fleur."
The boy nodded.

She needed to go fast. She knew how this kind of nightmare worked and she didn't want to have
Hermione screaming once again. Not that the scream really bothered her, but seeing her best friend
in such pain did. She stepped in the fireplace quickly and soon she was inside Fleur's apartment.

"Right, she is sleeping." She moved towards where she remembered the veela's bedroom was. As
she raised her hand to knock on the door, it opened. The light she conjured with her wand flickered
and made the eyes she was looking into sparkle. She was quite sure Fleur's eyes were blue. She
was staring at orange ones.

"Que s'est-il passé?"

"Uh?" She was shocked, she was indeed talking to Fleur? Or some other veela?

"What 'appened?"

"Fleur?"

"Oui. I guess you've never seen my veela so closely… What 'appened, Ginny?" The blonde seemed
slightly annoyed but also understanding.

"Right. Come, she had a really bad nightmare and woke up screaming, thrashing around and
crying. I guessed it was better to call you because Lun is currently in the same state…"

They flooed back to Hogwarts. As soon as they stepped into the common room, they heard the
brunette start screaming once again. Ginny saw Fleur run towards the screaming.

"Merde! What zee fuck?" She heard the French woman exclaim as she reached the top of the stair.
 "Apparently, Bellatrix carved her arm with a cursed knife." She explained, trying not to flinch at
the memory of what was written.

"I got 'er, Ginny. Zank you. Go look after 'arry and Luna…"

Their names startled her and she got to her room. She found Harry in the exact same position he
was before she left. Without saying a word, she cleaned the ashes from her pajamas with a quick
spell and got to bed. Harry had engorged the bed so the three of them would fit, but she decided she
would hold them both. She made the boy move to his side a little and laid in between them Harry
didn't complain and simply understood her gesture. She made Luna move closer to her in order to
make sure she could hold her and keep her nightmare away and Harry moved closer to her, kissing
her cheek. They fell asleep that way. The three of them smiling.

Chapter End Notes

Some angst here... Brace yourselves cuz the next one we will see some more. I really
hope you liked this one (well at least my writing. I don't really like seeing Mione
distraught)

Please review!

Thanks for reading!

;3 Luv yah

see you soon... Sorry about the cliffhanging...

For those who live in the USA, I hope you are alright after these hurricanes and all
that! (to anyone anywhere affected by them actually...)

PS: Oh, right, my other story is up. So go read it (I managed to keep it shortish) hope
you like, please review it!

PPS: So, I'm reviewing the chapters because of gramatical errors, one of the readers is
literally an angel and decided to help me...

PPPS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach
me by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 29
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Fleur had woken up startled. She felt like her mate was in distress. She didn't know it was even
possible as they didn't take the step that would forge that specific bound. She forced herself to
breathe deeply, trying to calm herself down. She noticed her night vision was better. Obviously, the
veela had woken her up feeling Hermione's pain somehow. She got up as soon as she heard the
fireplace. She was still agitated, but another deep breath told her that who entered her house was
Ginny. Hearing the footsteps stop in front of her door, she opened it and faced a stunned ginger.

"Que s'est-il passé?" She asked without thinking.

"Uh?" The confusion on the redhead's face made her realize she had just spoken in French.

"What 'appened?" She translated.

"Fleur?" Oh, The veela eyes… Merde! She took a deep breath.

"Oui. I guess you've never seen my veela so closely… What 'appened, Ginny?" The blonde felt a
little annoyed she had to ask a third time but understood the shock on the other girl's face.

"Right. Come, she had a really bad nightmare and woke up screaming, thrashing around and
crying. I guessed it was better to call you because Lun is currently in the same state…"

They flooed back to Hogwarts. As soon as they stepped into the common room, they heard the
brunette start screaming once again. Fleur ran towards the screaming.

"Merde! What zee fuck?" She exclaimed as soon as she saw the blood on the sheets and on her
girlfriend's arm. She moved fast and sat by the screaming girl on the bed. She exhaled some
soothing thrall she hoped would work on the brunette.

"Apparently, Bellatrix carved her arm with a cursed knife," Ginny explained from the door, she
looked like she was trying not to flinch.

"I got 'er, Ginny. Zank you. Go look after 'arry and Luna…" She had to wake the lioness up to take
a look on her arm. So she began to carefully make the girl open her eyes.

"Fleur?" She had a confused look as sleep hadn't left her eyes yet.

"Oui, mon ange. Ginny went to get me as soon as you fell asleep again." She answered softly,
kissing her head. "Now, let me clean your arm." Hermione did as she told her but was clearly afraid
of her reaction. She was sure to be careful so the girl wouldn't feel any pain. Before she could make
sense of what was written, Hermione flinched and retrieved her arm, sniffing a little. "Hey, let me
clean it…" She asked softly once again. The arm was once again in front of her. With a spell, all
the dried blood was gone and she could read the awful word. "Merde!" She gasped. With another
spell, she cleaned the wound and softly kissed her. She noticed the blood wouldn't stop running.
"Shit"

"The blood will only stop in a few days." Hermione offered in a small voice.

"'ow does eet feel?"

"Hurts like hell," Hermione answered at earnest. Fleur flinched at the thought of her girlfriend
being in such pain.

She tried a spell she had learned after she got into a fight with another veela and had her arms
scratched by her talons. Veela talon's wounds would only close with time. No magic would work.
That's what her mother had said, at least. "Better?" The girl nodded. She placed new bandages over
it and kissed it once again. Fleur got up so she could close the door but stopped in her tracks as the
girl winced.

"Where are you going?"

Hearing Hermione's voice so broken and small made her heart shatter. "Close the door, mon ange.
Just a second." Once the door was closed, she practically raced back towards the bed. Once she
was comfortable, holding the lioness, she kissed her head and once again wished her good night.

She woke up with the alarm the lioness somehow managed to make work inside the school.
Turning it off, she thanked Merlin the lioness hadn't wake up. She conjured her Patronus and send
it with an explanation to the headmistress about her presence and why she thought it would be
better for her not to go to class that Friday. She received an answer quickly and sent another
message to Bill, explaining her absence and asking him to explain it to the minister and the head of
their department. After Bill's Patronus came with an answer, she snuggled back into Hermione and
fell asleep again.

A couple of hours later Fleur was awake again, she was obviously concerned with her lioness. She
didn't know what had transpired that damned night but it was clearly awful. She felt bad for
making the girl go through this again to write the reports and a little sad she didn't say something to
her, but she could obviously understand. Fleur and her inner veela wished they could bring the mad
witch back to life only to be able to torture her and kill her again. But she decided that the next best
thing would be to bring the owner of the mansion to justice, maybe a little scattered. She was deep
in thoughts but the whole time she held Hermione close and soothed her hair. And then, after
deciding what she would do revenge the sleeping girl, she lost herself admiring her girlfriend. She
was counting the freckles over her nose, almost too lost in her beauty.

"It's rude to stare…" She started hearing Hermione's hoarse voice. It was clear to her its hoarseness
was due to both sleep and screaming. Fleur grimaced as soon as she remembered the girl's scream.
She opened her eyes (she didn't notice she had closed them) looked at her girlfriend's face and
automatically smiled.

"Uhm, I was only admiring your beauty…" She leaned and kissed the Gryffindor softly. "'ow are
you feeling?"

"Like I've been run over by a truck." The woman smiled at her despite her answer. "What are you
doing here? Not that I'm complaining…"

"Your ginger friend brought me in zee middle of zee night to take care of you." She smiled softly,
knowing that the first time she had answered it the lioness was quite sleepy and under heavy thrall.

"I guess I'm not as strong as I thought I was…" The lioness said, looking away from her.

"Don't you dare to say zis." She moved Hermione's head so she was looking into her eyes. "Look at
me." She asked softly. "You are one of zee strongest people I've ever met. Don't ever zink less of
you because of you 'ad a nightmare. Especially given zee circumstances." She said as the woman
complied.
"Sorry…" Hermione spoke in a small voice.

Fleur kissed the lioness on the top of her head. "No need to apologize," She fought to refrain
herself from saying the three words that were on her mind as the brunette buried her face in her
neck.

"I figure you want to know what happened." She spoke into her neck. Fleur was almost certain that
she only managed to hear her because of her enhanced hearing (veela treat).

"I do, but only when you are ready. And I know you have written everything." She felt the need to
hold the lioness closer and did so. "I can simply read it." She felt the girl shake her head.

"I should tell you. It might help me with…" She trailed out, remembering the nightmare.

"Recovering." At that point, they heard a faint knock on the door. "Oui?"

"It's Ginny."

"Come in, Gin," Hermione said, trying to move so she could face the newcomer. Fleur made sure
to hold her near, her veela wasn't really ready to let her move away. The lioness snickered. "I'll not
go away." She whispered, so only Fleur could hear her. Before the ginger knocked, she had most of
her body over the blonde. She relaxed a bit and the brunette moved so she was on her side, still on
the veela's arms and her body was still in contact with her. After she felt Hermione's head settle on
her chest, she looked at the door. Ginny was smiling faintly.

"Thanks for making sure we would be dismissed…" The redhead said looking at her. She simply
nodded. "Uhm, Dobby actually left quite a feast downstairs. Are you hungry?" As if to answer the
ginger's question Hermione's stomach grumbled loudly.

"We will be there in a minute." The brunette answered and their friend was off. "You can hold me
downstairs too, babe." Hermione eyed her, knowingly. Fleur felt as if she was reading her as an
open book. Also, that made her inner veela calm down, she wouldn't have to let her go for too long.
She felt her eyes swift quickly and then come back to normal almost to show Hermione that the
veela had understood. "I love both colors of your eyes." The lioness stated. A second later she
blushed, after realizing what she had said. Fleur simply beamed and blushed a little.

"I love yours too…" She managed to whisper before kissing her lovingly.

They entered the living room together, Fleur thanked the magic school silently for having large
stairways otherwise she wouldn't have been able to hold the lioness next to her on the way down.

"Morning," Luna said as soon as she saw them. She was sat between Harry and Ginny, that was
quite odd but the events from the night before made her dismiss the questions coming into her
mind.

"Morning…" Hermione answered as Fleur said Bonjour.

They were all a little somber and saying that about Luna was quite a feat as far as she could
remember. After they silently had what Fleur decided to call a brunch (after all it was almost noon)
they sat down and enjoyed each others company. After a long silence (none of them really willing
to begin a conversation), Fleur quietly asked one of the things that were on her mind.

"Luna, 'ow are you feeling?" The silence was now carried with worry, from herself and from the
others in the room.
"I'm quite sore. It was really vivid." The younger blonde answered quietly and leaned on Ginny.
She felt her girlfriend nod. They were sharing a couch as usual and the brunette was leaning on her,
her head on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry you 'ad to go zrough zis." She said in earnest.

"These were awful times," Ginny said solemnly, clearly remembering her own experiences. Fleur
shifted, remembering hers.

"I… I was taken by them before school began…" Luna began talking, all their eyes were on her.
They were all surprised she had begun to talk. "Shortly after Harry's birthday, my dad left for one
of his trips. He never really engaged the war. I was alone home when they came. I managed to stun
two of them before they reached me. There were five of them. I had the impression I was going to
die that day." Fleur felt the silence stretch and saw Ginny hold the Ravenclaw and Harry scoop
nearer her, both obviously trying to reassure her and give her some comfort. "They threw me in that
dungeon as soon as we got to the mansion. Every day they would fetch me and torture me a little.
At first, I think they believed I knew where you were. But then it was simply for fun, so they could
laugh a bit." The young blonde was crying the whole time she spoke. Fleur saw the redhead start
stroking her head and Harry hold her hand. All of them stayed in silence, waiting for her to finish.
To get that stories out of her. None of them could really have even a slight idea of what she had
gone through. "They would take turns, none of them really cared if I died. Especially after their
blackmail didn't work the way they wanted." Hermione motioned to say something but was cut
short by the blonde. "It was not your fault. I actually still can't believe he did it to you. He was too
selfish."

"'e ees you father, it's understandable. Even expected" Fleur said, thinking about what she would do
in his position.

"If Tom Riddle had won the war I would have died anyway. He chose not to fight for what he
believed in." Fleur saw a glint of anger pass in the girl's eyes. "Anyway, I lost count of how many
days I was kept there. Then you showed up. I had almost lost hope when I saw you and Ron I knew
we would get out." Luna seemed to be relieved. It was obvious she was, honestly. She kept silently
crying into Ginny's shoulder. "When I heard Hermione, though, I was in agony. I knew what she
was going through. It's something I don't want not even for my biggest enemy." She snuggled
closer to Ginny, seeking comfort and signing she had finished speaking.

Instinctively, Fleur held Hermione closer. She didn't expect anyone to speak anytime soon. It
surprised her when the brunette she held begun to move so she could speak.

"Not long after Mr. Lovegood, we crossed ways with a group of snatchers. I did the best I could to
disguise Harry but I didn't think I would have to disguise myself or Ron. But with the time we had,
and Harry being the only one able to really finish the war…" Hermione struggled, thinking about
what had happened. She felt Fleur's thumb draw soothing patterns on her side. "If not for me being
spotted on the Daily Prophet, we would have been free."

"You had no way to know, 'Mione," Ginny said, trying to calm her. She felt Fleur agree.

"They decided to bring us to the Malfoy Mansion, the headquarters apparently." She continued
after a deep breath. "There was obviously a big commotion when we got there, but they had no
way to know if Harry was indeed himself. Draco could have, he knew it was us but he said
nothing. Thanks to him we are still here. Bellatrix saw the sword of Gryffindor and went nuts.
More than she already was. When Greyback said they found it in my purse she snapped. Harry and
Ron were thrown in the cell and she kept me there." She took another deep breath, trying to calm
herself down. The simple memory made her body ache. "She crucioed me, asking me how I got the
sword. When she failed to get an answer, she did it again. I could see the stoic faces of every Death
Eater there, especially Malfoy's. Draco and Narcissa were the only ones I could see trying to
contain their disgust. I think she realized I wouldn't say anything around the tenth crucio. By then I
was certain I would die, lying on that floor. Or lose my mind at the very least. I could hear Ron
screaming. It was then that she decided to step up her game. She started to make small cuts on
none vital parts of my body." Hermione felt Fleur shake. She knew the woman was basically in
agony simply hearing what had happened. "I'm sorry, Fleur…" She said in a whisper only she was
meant to hear. The veela kissed her on the head and shook her head, a sign she understood (don't
worry, I'm ok). "She alternated between the cuts and cruciatus for some time. I was actually almost
losing myself. Then she decided to brand me." She heard her girlfriend whine lowly. She kept the
moment away from her mind so the wound wouldn't get worse. "I was certain I would die. She was
hovering above me with that knife, I knew it was cursed. I could feel the dark magic on my skin. A
little while after she branded me, Harry and Ronald showed up and she held the blade announcing
she would kill me. Dobby made the chandelier fall over us, when she tried to flee it she pushed me
forward and I went out of range. Dobby took us out of there." She only realized she had been
crying when she felt Fleur wiped away her tears and embrace her. They sat there, in silence.
Hermione managed to calm down thanks to Fleur (the soothing patterns were really working) a few
minutes after. Her body still hurt as hell. She should probably go to the hospital wing as soon as
possible. Knowing Harry, he didn't want to say anything because he felt like he had no right to feel
bad, given he hadn't endured the torture curse. After a few more minutes of silence, she was
resolved to make him talk. It had been good to say everything out loud and it sure would help him.
Only when she opened her mouth to say something, Luna talked.

"Harry, you should…"

"I know. I just don't feel like I have the right to feel half as bad as you…"

"Harry…"

"Ok, ok. After we got caught by the snatchers I had no idea of what Hermione had done with me.
My face, actually. I kept quiet when we were at the Manor, I struggled to. But I did. I knew that if I
handed over my identity it would be all lost. So I tried to control myself and Ron. Hearing
Hermione screams was agony. Not close to what she was enduring but agony. I knew what was
happening, I knew how it felt. I flinched every time I saw a red light illuminate the cell. I can't say
it was torture, but it was very close to it. When the flashing stopped I was relieved, only to hear
Hermione scream again. It was then that I remembered about the twin mirror. The snatchers hadn't
found it, it was inside my sock. I had to give it a try. I called for help and a few minutes later
Dobby appeared. He took Luna and Griphook out of there. Pettigrew showed up to see what was
happening and we managed to get his wand from him and right after his makeshift silver hand
choked him. We heard another scream and broke out. Only to see Hermione being held by
Lestrange." She could see his face, he had been fighting his tears since he began speaking but
when he stopped talking, he broke down. She saw Luna shift a little so she was holding him, both
girls were trying to soothe him.

"Dobby?" She called, feeling her friend's eyes on her as soon as she spoke up. The elf appeared in
front of her.

"What Dobby can do for you?" He looked at her but then looked around. "Is Harry Potter okay?"
He squealed as he saw Harry's state. "Are you?" he added as he saw that everyone in the room was
rather shaken.

"We will be, Dobby. Thanks for asking." She managed to smile at him, reassuringly (she hoped).
 "Could you please bring us some calming tea? I think it's in order." The house elf nodded. A
couple of minutes later, he was back with the tea and some biscuits.

"Dobby will let the Headmistress know you are awake. She asked us to do so." He said before he
left with a pop.

"Thank you for the idea, 'Mione," Ginny said. To Hermione, she and her own girlfriend were on
the verge of breaking down. Fleur had grown silence and her hold on her was quite strong and
Ginny was obviously struggling to soothe her friend and boyfriend and ignoring how bad she felt
herself.

Chapter End Notes

Heeeey! I think it's actually quite cannon what I wrote (I tried my best at least...). In
my research says the carving that Bella did on her arm is actually film-cannon, it was
written to be more dramatic... I hope you enjoyed the chapter, as much as possible, at
least. I certainly felt awful writing what they went through.
So, my pre-written chapters are almost gone... I'll probably begin to post once a week
now... (sorry)

Please review!

Thanks for reading!

;3 Luv yah

see you soon...

For those who live in the areas affected by all those disasters, I hope you are alright
and safe...

PS: Oh, right, my other story is up. So go read it (I managed to keep it shortish) hope
you like, please review it!

PPS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 30
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

In less than half an hour, the portrait that gave access to the hall opened and a very worried
headmistress barged in, followed closely by Madam Pomfrey. Minerva McGonagall only slowed
down when she saw the group sitting down, still calming themselves.

"I'm glad you are okay." She said, relive was clear on her stern face. "Fleur told me about the
nightmares and screams and said it was related to what occurred on the Malfoy Manor…" She
trailed off, looking worriedly at Hermione and Luna. "I understand its personal but I was hoping I
could help…"

Hermione nodded, she was about to begin explaining when Fleur talked. "Minerva, eef eet's not
too much to ask, I'd like to not 'ear zee story again." The lioness looked at her girlfriend as she said
it and held her hand.

"I'm afraid I have to agree with Fleur," Ginny added. They both had pain stamped on their faces.
The professor nodded, her shoulders fell a little.

"You can read our reports," Hermione said, after looking at the other two in order to get their
permission.

"That should work," Minerva answered.

She felt Fleur shuffle and summon the three pieces of parchment. Hermione organized them so the
first was Luna's followed by hers and Harry's. The man had written quite a long report. After
handling them to her favorite teacher, she snuggled back into Fleur's embrace. She noticed the
others looking to the professor kind of waiting for a reaction. The headmistress looked up from the
parchment a moment later, exasperated, a looked to the young blonde. She saw the girl shrugging.
It wasn't long the woman in front of them had given up on trying to keep her stern expression. She
seemed to be struggling to keep her tears at bay. After finishing the first parchment, she passed it to
Madam Pomfrey after making sure they were okay with it. She managed to seat when she was
midway through the Ravenclaw's report. The nurse had followed her suit. When she read the name
on the top of the next paper, she looked up again. This time she looked at Hermione, at her arm
and back at Hermione. The lioness only managed to hold the eye contact. She gasped when she
reached the near end of the parchment, the brunette knew she had reached the moment that the
mad witch sculpted her arm. Remembering, her arm throbbed and she winced lowly. She looked
around to make sure none of the others had heard her as she felt the veela's embrace tighten. The
soothing patterns began once more. When she looked at the blonde holding her she saw nothing
but care. Well, there were other things but she wasn't really ready to name it. Fleur kissed her and
then glanced at her silently asking her if she was okay. She glanced at her arm but nodded
nonetheless, hoping the blonde would catch the silent hint. Not that there was something she could
do. In a moment, she felt the hurt on her arm relinquish a bit just as the veela softly held her arm.
She looked at her girlfriend questioningly. Fleur shook her head.

"Later." She said in a whisper only Hermione could hear.

When the brunette refocused on the teacher, she was halfway through Harry's report and her's was
with the nurse. She remembered the madwoman above her once again when the mediwitch
mirrored the headmistress' reaction. Once more her forearm ached but before anything else, Fleur
reached it and the pain got better. The Headmistress finished reading and immediately went
towards Hermione.

"How haven't I seen it, Miss Granger?" She sounded almost offended.

"Concealment Charm, professor." She answered in a small voice.

"Miss Delacour…"

"She didn't know, headmistress. No one did. Except for Luna, Harry, and Ron." She broke the
teacher off.

"It was her scar," Harry said.

"And we actually thought it was simply a scar," Luna added.

Madam Pomfrey approached, worried. The bandages were soaked in blood, the red tint was
showing already in the more external layer. "We should change those." The animagus gave space
so the nurse could work and stood nearby. As soon as the bandages vanished, Hermione could
read the word carved on her in a deep red. She heard the room stop breathing and felt a small
change in Fleur's demeanor as soon as Pomfrey cleaned the scar and revealed more clearly the
word on her forearm. She looked to her girlfriend, she caught sight of her orange orbs fixed on the
scar and automatically started caressing her thigh in order to calm her down. The veela looked at
her in the eyes and she saw the anger fade with the orange orbs.

"Any idea of why it reopened?" The headmistress was obviously worried.

"My best guess is that one of the courses Bellatrix placed on the blade was something to make it
open every time I thought about the moment she carved me." She felt the blonde flinch and kept
caressing her.

"That would be my guess too. Now I'm terribly sorry for making you think about this terrible
moment but, I'm curious. How did you manage to be here and fight after so many…" She trailed
off, "and no medical care?"

"After the battle on the ministry, I figured that there should exist a something to aid the nerves
recovery after the cruciatus course. I researched for part of the next year."

"That's a highly advanced potion." The nurse interjected.

"Yes. After I found the specific potion, I started to try to brew it. Professor Slughorn helped me a
little. Right after Dumbledore's death, when I realized we would have to flee, I decided to prepare
myself so I brewed quite a few potions and stocked them. I was under the impression we would
need it. After Dobby got us out of the manor, I blacked out. I was actually lucky Luna was there.
The boys were frantic, she managed to make me wake up even suffering from the nerve wrack.
When I woke up I immediately asked for the potion so I could really move. Only a couple of weeks
of treatment after the recovery was concluded and my stock was almost gone." Hermione fell in
silence."As for the wound, I found a spell to keep the traumatic events away from my memory until
brought back by the counter-spell. I performed on the four of us…" The headmistress looked at
her, impressed, mirroring the nurse. "I had a bunch of books with me… Especially about healing"
They nodded.

"When we say we wouldn't be alive if not for her there are still people that don't believe us," Harry
said, solemnly. All of them chuckled.
"I'll have a mediwizard from St. Mungo's coming here to look at your forearm. Poppy, could you
check them? They must be sore and…"

"The nerves must have remembered the trauma." The nurse completed Minerva and began
working. Hermione saw her cast a diagnostic spell first on her and then on Luna. "I believe that
there is still some damage from… Well, the torture you endured." She glanced at all of them,
apologetically. "Ideally, I'd have you two in the Hospital Wing, but I'm aware Miss Delacour
would insist on staying there the whole time as would Miss Weasley and Mr. Potter. So I'm going
to entrust Miss Delacour and Miss Weasley with instructions to take care of you two." The two
witches nodded. "I'll come back by the end of the weekend to see how you are doing. Mr. Potter,
you too have some potions to take given the events." He nodded.

"Thank you, Madam Pomfrey." They all said. Then the mediwitch went off to organize the potions
and instructions.

"Now, about the sleeping arrangements…" The headmistress started only to interrupted by a
worried Ginny.

"With all due respect professor, I think Fleur should…"

"Miss Weasley, first hear what I have to say. You will be impressed to find out what I'll say." The
Headmistress said sternly.

"Sorry…"

"I'm sure you will want to stay here until Hermione gets better, Fleur." Hermione felt the blonde
agree. She figured McGonagall wasn't talking about the weekend. "You have my permission to do
so." The older lioness gave Hermione a small smile. "Given the circumstances, I would like to give
you the next week off and allow you to stay at home." They all stayed quiet, being free from
classes would be good but they weren't in the mood for celebrations. And they all felt like the
headmistress had something else to say. "But I believe Poppy would probably kill me if I allow
you to go out of her reach. And as much as I'd like to say I'm unbiased, I'm too much of a
Gryffindor and I'd like very much to see the Quidditch team win the House Cup this year." She
added with a small smile. "So you four are dismissed from classes but will have to stay at
Hogwarts. Your homework will be brought to you. Fleur, I'll make sure to let the staff know why
you are here and grant you a free pass through the castle. Now, if you excuse me, I'll reach the
hospital about the mediwizard." She smiled at them and left.

When they were alone, they all sighed.

"I think Minerva really likes us." Luna was the first to talk. She did so with a small giggle.

"Right? I think I never heard of something like that being done here. Nor of McGonagall
dismissing students from class if they aren't like, dying." Ginny smiled.

They were all laughing at Ginny's observation when Dobby appeared with a low pop.

"Madam Pomfrey asked Dobby to bring this to you." He held out two large boxes and one slightly
smaller in a pile. Hermione couldn't the elf's face. In an instant, the boxes were placed on the
coffee table after Harry hurried to help him. "Madam Pomfrey said the boxes are labeled and that if
you have any doubts to call her through one of the house elves or by patronus." He bowed after
they thanked them and vanished with another pop.

Fleur kissed Hermione's forehead and opened the box labeled with her girlfriend's name. To do so
she had to let go of the brunette, something her inner veela wasn't really fond of. Picking the
parchment carefully placed above the vials, she quickly got back to her previous position. She saw
the brunette yawn as soon as she sat back.

"Sleepy?" She asked, already knowing the answer.

"Kind of. Going through these memories is more draining than I thought it would…" The lioness
answered at earnest.

"Just let me go zrough zee instructions zen we go upstairs." She said softly. The brunette nodded.

She noticed they were quite simple. The nurse made sure to be specific and direct. There were
three different potions that Hermione would have to take, one to treat the remaining nerve damage,
one to ease pain and another to help her with the psychological trauma. Before she could stand,
Dobby appeared once again.

"The headmistress sent Dobby to inform you that the mediwitch she requested to examine
Hermione's wound will come tomorrow afternoon. She will come through the headmistress
fireplace and she will accompany her here." He said, glancing worriedly at Hermione.

"Thank you." The lioness smiled at him. "I'll be alright, Dobby."

"If you need anything, just call Dobby. He will come right away." The elf said, to all of them
before disappearing.

"Let's go up," Hermione said, stifling a yawn. Fleur nodded.

"I think I could use a nap too…" Luna said, to Harry and Ginny who nodded. The blonde
Ravenclaw stood, being followed by the two Gryffindors. "You don't need to come…" She said in
a small voice.

"Uhm, I don't believe you will get rid of us so easily," Harry said, smiling.

Ginny hummed in accordance. "And I have to make sure you take the right potions on the right
time, so you are stuck with us."

They all went to their rooms.

After they reached the bedroom, Hermione sat on the bed tiredly.

"So, I thought I was immune to your thrall..." she said, looking Fleur in the eye.

The blonde stood quietly and tried to read the brunette's eyes. She obviously saw tiredness but as
she searched deeper she also saw raw curiosity and eagerness (which she immediately connected to
the fact that the girl loved to learn) and she chose not to the hint of fear she saw just under all this.
She was under the impression the girl was afraid to sleep. Sadness flooded inside her. No one
should ever see the horrors that girl had, let alone at that early age. She wanted do protect
Hermione at any price. Noticing a brow beginning to arch, she smiled. The lioness really had little
patience.

"Sorry, got lost in your eyes..." The sappiness made the brunette blush slightly but she kept her
brow arched. Fleur sighed, knowing she had no scape, and placed the box of vials on the table
nearby. "Before I explain zis, I need you to remember what you read about mated veelas."

"Your father wrote in the book that mated veelas shared a strong bond and that they are connected
not only through their bodies but their full beings, their souls." Fleur nodded. The next part of the
explanation was almost a secret kept only to the veelas and sometimes to their human mates. "He
didn't say much about that. I guessed it was some sort of a secret."

"Eet ees. At least for common knowledge." She smiled. "But I risk saying zat you are not exactly
common..." Fleur moved from where she stood and sat beside Hermione, facing her. "Fully
bounded mates, as papa says, are connected." She knew she was repeating what the brunette said
and before the girl could complain about it, she continued. "What 'e does not say ees 'ow deep zis
connection ees. Zose mates are so deeply connected zat even eet zey are miles away from one
another zey can share emotions and sometimes even zoughts." She paused, letting this information
sink into Hermione.

"But..."

"What eet 'as to do with what you asked?" the brunette nodded. "After I finish explaining you will
understand." or not, she added mentally. She didn't fully understand herself. But maybe Hermione's
brilliant mind could help her come with an explanation. "Mostly, zat connection ees deeper when
zee mates are both veela. But, in some cases, eet 'appens with veela/wizard mates. Usually, zee
connection between veelas ees conscious, zey are able to reach each other as zey will. When zee
mate ees 'uman, eet ees usually onesided and commonly caused by distress. Zee veela feels what
zee mate does eef zee sentiment ees deep or eef zeir life ees in danger." She waited for a little
again, knowing that this much information could take a while to be assimilated. "Eef zee veela in
case ees a 'alfbreed or simply isn't fully veela, eet ees even 'arder to 'ave eet. Yesterday, I woke up
in zee middle of zee night. I felt my veela stirring, agitated. I instantly knew zat you weren't well."
She paused yet again, but this time hoping that the brunette wouldn't freak out.

"But we still haven't... We are not fully bounded." The confusion was clear in her face but Fleur
didn't know much more about it.

"Oui. We aren't. Zat's something I might need to ask grandmére about. Well, not long after I woke
up Ginny went to fetch me. As I got 'ere, you were... Screaming, again. So I tried to soothe you.
You see after zee veela find zeir mate, zey develop a few different treats so zey are able to connect
with zee mate in a better way. One of zem ees a soothing thrall. But zat one specifically only works
after zee bounding. After waking up zee way I did, I 'oped it would work or at least 'elp. "
Hermione slowly nodded. "I'll talk to maman and see eef I can find something out." She added in a
small voice and began to stand.

"Fleur?"

"Yes?"

"Where are you going?" She was standing next to the bed, moving from it.

"Write to maman."

"Uhm. It can wait. Appoline can wait." She was looking in her eyes, hazelnut into dark blue. "I
need to sleep and I want you by my side." Fleur saw fear clearly flash in her eyes and nodded even
before she finished speaking.

"I'll get zee potions, zen." She watched Hermione get under the blankets out of the corner of her
eyes while she sorted the vials. She checked the correct order that she should take them and got
back to the lioness. Fleur smiled at her girlfriend as she saw the girl yawn. "You need to take zose
before you sleep." She said for what they were as the lioness took them, sensing she would like to
know.
 "Thanks, babe," Hermione said sleepily.

She left the empty vials on the bedside table and lay on her back beside Hermione. The lioness
tiredly snuggled closer to her and closed her eyes after kissing her and settled on her shoulder.
Fleur stayed awake holding the brunette into her drawing senseless patterns on her back.

The blonde was deeply shocked. She knew the trio and Luna had been in the Malfoy mansion and
knew part of the story. All the order members knew as Snape reported it to them. She was sure
they had some kind of trauma after that time she arrived at the living room and they were all
slightly in shock. But she never imagined that the brunette had been carved. She winced at the
mere thought of the word and upon imagining the mad witch straddling her in order to carve her
arm. She would gladly revive that crazy bitch in order to kill her again, if possible. Fleur had her
eyes fixed on the ceiling, trying to calm herself. Her right arm carefully near Hermione's wounded
arm (which lay on her stomach, the brunette holding her closer lightly) and caressing it. She
focused on the lioness' calm breathing and finally managed to calm herself. Moving carefully, she
faced her so she could hold her even closer. She drifted asleep a few minutes later, Hermione's
heartbeat soothing her as a lullaby.

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hey! What did you think? Soft Fleur, an almost broken Hermione... Seriously, I
love this couple!

So, my pre-written chapters are gone... I'll post once a week now... (sorry)

Please comment and leave kudos

Thanks for reading!

;3 Luv yah

see you soon...

For those who live in the areas affected by all those disasters, I hope you are alright
and safe...

PS: Oh, right, my other story is up. So go read it (I managed to keep it shortish) hope
you like, please comment and leave kudos in it!

PPS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 31
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Fleur didn't really sleep a lot, an hour later she was awake, watching the brave witch in her sleep
and thanking Merlin she hadn't been disturbed by another nightmare. Hermione looked peaceful in
her arms and she wasn't able to refrain herself from kissing the younger woman's forehead. She
held the lioness closer to her and swore once again that she would find every single person
involved and throw them in Azkaban to rotten. She was still lost in thoughts when Hermione began
to stir.

"Hey…" Hermione murmured to her without opening her eyes, startling her a bit.

She looked down, into the brunette's eyes (now lazily open) and smiled. "'ey, sleepy 'ead…"

"Are you awake for long?" the lioness asked after kissing her softly, she simply shook her head.
"What were you thinking about? You were quite tense…"

"Sorry, I just realized 'ow close I came to never finding you…" Her voice cracked a little, finding
her had been the biggest blessing she could have wished. Not every veela was able to find their
mate, she had always been aware of it.

"I'm here, babe. Don't think about it." Hermione embraced her, trying to reassure the blonde.

"Sorry, I couldn't 'elp myself from zinking about eet."

"Shh…" They were both crying now. Hermione for seeing how distressed Fleur was and Fleur in
relief, for having the brunette in her arms.

"I swear I'll find zem all." She stated in a small voice.

"I know, Fleur." Hermione really knew she would. They remained still, holding each other to
reassure themselves until Hermione's stomach growled. They chuckled.

"Someone ees 'ungry…" Fleur stomach in response.

"Yep, both of us." Looking at the clock, Hermione noticed it was just about dinner time. "Let's get
down, see if we can get something to eat."

As they opened the door, they heard the other one open.

"…come on. You know Ginny can't stay hungry for long. She will end up eating us." Luna said
with a light voice to the couple inside while stepping out of the room. "I don't think you will enjoy
it in the way I meant, Harry!" Her voice still carried a bit of sorrow but was certainly closer to her
normal tone. "Oh, hi! How did you sleep?" She asked when she saw Hermione and Fleur laughing
at what she had said.

"Alright…" the brunette answered and hugged the Ravenclaw. "You?"

"Same."

Hermione looked into the other room to see Ginny rolling on the bed, laughing, and Harry walking
to the door, slightly embarrassed. He smiled at her and Fleur and began to descend the stairs to
avoid any other sex-related joke that would make him even more embarrassed.

"Awn, love! Don't run away from me!" Ginny shouted from the bed as soon as he stepped out of
the room.

"Your stomach is being so loud that I'm afraid Lun is right and you will end up eating us all if you
don't have dinner soon!" Harry answered from downstairs.

Hermione and Fleur followed Luna down, as soon as they reached the first floor Dobby appeared.

"Dobby heard you and came to see how you are doing and if you want dinner already."

"We are quite better than earlier, Dobby. Thank you for asking…" Luna answered, sitting near
Harry in one of the couches.

"And we would love to have dinner…" Harry added, smiling at the Ravenclaw and then to the elf.
Dobby disappeared with a soft pop and came back a few second later with the dinner for the five of
them. Ginny reached the first floor as the table filled itself with food.

"Always on time…" Hermione teased. Ginny simply poked out her tongue at her. "Such a grown
up." Hermione laughed.

The light atmosphere remained in the room thanks to the teasing. Hermione noticed they were all
trying to keep each other happy, joking about their demeanor. They were all completely aware of
what was happening.

After some time, the room fell into a somber silence. Hermione was lost in her own thoughts while
trying to reassure the veela beside her, who was obviously still in deep distraught. Ginny, Luna,
and Harry were cuddled up in their usual couch, apparently reassuring each other. They all startled
when the portrait spoke into the room, breaking the silence.

"Miss Moire is asking for permission to enter." They exchanged relieved glances as to confirm it
was ok for her to come in and Hermione voiced their clearance. In no time, the youngest
Gryffindor entered the room looking quite concerned. Her expression turned into a small smile
when she saw everyone smiling at her.

"'ello, Moire! To what do we owe zee 'onor?" Fleur asked with a small smile.

"I didn't see any of you the whole day and when I asked the other seventh years they had no idea of
where you were… So I was a little worried… I figured I could come here…"

"Sure, Moire. I'm sorry we worried you. We had a tough night and had some problems and
Professor McGonagall dismissed us from classes." Hermione explained, taking care not to give any
more detail then what she thought would calm the younger girl.

"So you are ok? You seem quite sad…" Her eyes flicked between the five of them but lingered on
Hermione and Fleur.

"We are still tired. But if you want you can cuddle with us until you have to go to bed." Hermione
offered, after confirming with the others if it was okay.

"If it's not a problem…" Hermione shook her head and made space so the girl could cuddle into her
while she leaned her head on Fleur's lap.
They asked about Moire's day wanting to fill the silence that would inevitably fall as soon as the
girl stopped talking. Shortly after the girl fell asleep cuddling with Hermione. The low snores of
the girl easing the tension of the silence. They were all smiling, admiring her peacefulness. That
was when McGonagall's patronus came into view, letting them know that she was about to pay
them a visit. Without the need of an answer, the portrait that guarded the external access opened,
revealing the headmistress.

"I hope I'm not interrupting you." The Headmistress began, clearly not noticing the first year
sleeping by Hermione. As the older woman stepped near them she took notice of the girl who, by
the sound of the stern professor's voice, had shot awake. "What are you doing here, Miss Woods?"
She added with a slightly alarmed voice.

"She came to check on us as we seemingly have gone missing," Hermione explained with an
amused voice before the youngster could bring herself to answer.

"I see."

"I'm going, I'm sorry I slept…" The girl said in a small voice.

"It's not a problem, Moire. Goodnight," Hermione answered, being followed by the rest of the
occupants of the room. When the portrait closed after the girl, she turned to her favorite professor.

"I forgot to issue one thing and I hope we can discuss it quickly." McGonagall began, "If I recall
correctly, you scheduled the next DA gathering to tomorrow. And I hope you realize that going
through with that plan goes against Poppy's instructions." They all nodded. "I was hoping we are
able to come up with a plan to prevent the wizarding world from storming into the school in
concern because two-thirds of the Golden Trio is under war trauma." Hermione nodded, knowing
they would have to come up with an excuse good enough to keep the whole school from gossip.
"Now, what do you suggest?" She asked as she sat down, worriedly glancing the five of them.

"I guess we could say Fleur had a problem and won't be able to come…" Hermione began to
brainstorm out loud.

"Oui, as zee school regulation for clubs doesn't allow a club meeting without zee older teacher, it
could be a good option."

"It won't really justify Fleur's presence in school during the week," Luna argued. "We need
something that can possibly cover it."

Everyone nodded, and the room fell silent. None of them really able to come up with a sound plan.

"I'll call Poppy, maybe we can discuss with her your resting terms." The headmistress conjured a
patronus and sent him to the healer. In no more then half an hour, the head healer entered the room.

"How can I help, Minerva?" She asked as she sat in the only empty armchair left.

"Poppy, we can't seem to find a sound excuse for all of them to cancel the meeting of the DA…"

"I see, what is your plan for the meeting?" Hermione began to explain what they had been planning
on doing, while the others simply kept their silence. Fleur held her lightly, Hermione could feel
some sort of pride emanating from her. Hermione leaned further into her without a second thought
after she finished speaking. "As long as you keep this plan, I don't see a reason to keep you from
the meeting. But I must say the three of you are not to demonstrate any spell nor do anything other
than taking notes and observe." She eyed the group.
"I'll make sure zey follow your instructions."

"As will I," Ginny added, quickly.

"If that's everything," The healer eyed the headmistress (who nodded). "I must go." And she was
gone.

"Now," The former head of Gryffindor spoke after a beat. "As to Miss Delacour's excuse to being
in school…" The woman smiled. "After a long discussion with Professor Ward and a rather short
talk with 'Dora, we come to the agreement that it would be of the school's best interest to have an
Auror this week to take part in fifth and seventh year's DADA classes in order to explain and
demonstrate the Law Enforcement work." She said with a small smile. "It will obviously require
that you present your self officially to the school. I'd say, tomorrow morning." Fleur nodded.
Hermione felt her gaze falling on her and felt her worry.

"Babe, it's one class each day. I'll use the time to study. And you will know if there is something
wrong." Hermione reassured her in a small voice so only she would hear. Fleur nodded and kissed
her head.

"About your discharge for the week,"

"I doubt anyone would ask something about it…" Hermione said thoughtfully.

"Yes, but if someone does, simply say you were requested to report about the war and I dismissed
you to do so. The fewer lies the better." The four students nodded. Thankfully they were all known
to be important during the war, no one would give it a second thought. "Goodnight, then. I'll make
the announcement tomorrow at lunch. Fleur, you can have your meals with Hermione at the
Gryffindor's table, as your relationship is far from a secret in the school." McGonagall added before
going through the portrait hole. Hermione felt her face warm and could swear she saw a smirk on
the headmistress' face.

"Am I dreaming or I really saw McGonagall smirking?" Harry asked, half laughing.

"She was totally smirking." Ginny laughed, "She made them both blush. A veela blush! WOW!"

Hermione hid her face on Fleur stomach which made the latter hold her breath a little. This
exchange simply made the other three laugh harder.

"I'm going to sleep." Hermione stood, feigning annoyance and pulling Fleur with her.

"Right, sleep!" Ginny howled from the common room as both of them went up the stairs.

"Shut it, Ginny!" Hermione shouted back, laughing a little.

They went through their nightly routine and into bed, Fleur held Hermione closely.

"I'll write to Grandmére tomorrow morning to ask 'er about zee connection," Fleur said in a
whisper.

Hermione nodded and sank her head into the blonde's neck, her body half over the veela. "All I can
think at the moment is: I'll have my girlfriend with me for a whole week."

"Uhm…"

"I might get spoiled…"

"Ditto." They both smiled.

The following morning got all of them gathered in the common room fairly early. The breakfast
had been brought by Dobby. Hermione had the impression that the house elf might have asked the
headmistress to take care of them personally given he was always quick to answer to any of their
calls. She wasn't fond of this idea but at least she knew he was being paid. Every time she asked
him to deliver her letters to Fleur she made sure to offer him a payment for it. It was currently mid-
morning and Dobby had just delivered their favorite hot beverages, all of them thanked him aloud
in the hope he would hear.

"Mon Ange," Fleur whispered in her ear, bringing her back to reality. "I zink I'll write Grandmére
now. Zee sooner I send it, zee sooner we 'ave our answer."

Hermione simply nodded and got up. She had no wish to part from the veela and was quite sure the
woman actually had the same thing in mind. "We have some things to figure out with Fleur's
family, I guess we meet you down here in about two hours so we can go have lunch…"

"Sure…" Ginny answered with a smirk plastered on her face, making Hermione roll her eyes.

Hermione ignored her best friend's snickering and basically dragged Fleur to their room, the latter
trying to hold back an amused smile at the brunette's annoyance.

As the door swung closed, Fleur wrapped her arms around her girlfriend's waist.

"Why are you letting Ginny get under your skin?" She asked. Hermione let out a sigh.

"I don't know." She heard the brunette take a deep breath. "I guess I'm just afraid you will get tired
of waiting soon and all her jokes are making it worse… It's not that I don't want, I do. It's just…"

"Eet's something with a 'uge importance for me and you don't want to risk being wrong and
'urting me. And eet's a rather large step for both of us." Fleur completed what the younger woman
was saying as she went silent. Hermione nodded, looking into her eyes. "I know, 'ermione. I
understand. I want you to understand I won't ever get tired of waiting, simply because I know eet
ees worth eet." She smiled upon seeing brown eyes lighten up at her words.

"I'm sorry"

"Don't apologize for what you feel, mon Ange."

They stood there, holding each other silently.

"I must say I 'ave been afraid you will grow tired of me…" She added with a small voice as if she
was afraid to say it too loud and it turned out to be true. Hermione's head shot upwards upon
hearing the confession.

"That," She paused to make sure Fleur was looking at her. "Is absolutely impossible." She smiled.
Fleur couldn't help but hold her close and let their proximity soothe them both away from their
fears.

The blonde held back the three words that were floating around her mind, she was sure it was not
the moment. She felt a pang of annoyance from her veela and sighed.

"What is it, babe?" Hermione looked concerned. "Are you annoyed with something?"
"You…" Fleur was absolutely awestruck. "You sensed what I felt?"

Hermione nodded and cocked her head clearly trying to make sense of herself. "Yes. I think since
yesterday… I kind of knew when you were upset or worried…"

"Zat's something we need to add on zee letter," Fleur said silently.

"It's not common, right? Even with mated couples."

"No, eet's not. At least from what I remember reading."

They sat, close to each other, as Fleur wrote to her grandmother. It ended up being a long letter as
they both wanted to explain everything that happened. By the time she finished writing and placed
it in an envelope, they were due to go down meet the others. Hermione called Dobby, knowing
Fleur was eager to get the answer and that they would have no time to send it before the end of the
day. The house-elf gladly accepted the request, even with Fleur saying it would be for the better to
send it trough Yuna, as she knew where to go. He left quickly, smiling. The two woman met their
friends and went to the Great Hall after changing into their "teaching" clothes. The room was yet to
be filled by everyone but all the teachers and staff were already here. A notice had been put in the
common rooms to let the student body know that they were all to be at the Great Hall early for
lunch because the Headmistress had an announcement. Fleur saw all the staff nod at her and give
her small smiles and felt an urge of uneasiness coming from Hermione. She caught the worried
glance McGonagall sent towards the brunette. Fleur tightened her grip on her Gryffindor's hand to
reassure her. She figured the former head of house wouldn't say more than what the rest of the staff
needed to know, therefore she was sure the witch hadn't talked about the awful amount of torture
Luna and Hermione went through. The simple thought of their moment in the mansion made her
release a shaky breath. It was Hermione's turn to tighten her grip. The group sat at the Gryffindor
table, not on their usual spot but close to the staff table as Fleur would probably have to present
herself at the front. Soon, the whole student body flooded through the doors.

"Good afternoon!" McGonagall began, effortlessly making the hall go silent. "I trust you all
noticed we have a guest today." An agreement noise was heard. "Well, I managed to get Fleur
Delacour out of her current job in the Ministry for a week. This week marks a new policy in school.
Until the end of April, we will be receiving professionals in different years to help you decide your
intended professions. Miss Delacour is here to represent the Law Enforcement department,
therefore she will be attending the DADA lessons for fifth and seventh years. I expect you to
warmly welcome her to our school once more." She sat and the food appeared in front of them.

Fleur felt a lot of eyes on her. She was used to it, used to the attention that involved being a veela.
She sighed. Being around people that had already found their loved ones was a blessing, even those
who didn't, had developed some kind of resistance to her thrall so she was rarely bothered by so
many blurred eyes. She couldn't really use her thrall to avoid unwanted attention at the moment so
she fought herself to maintain it as subtle as possible. She heard a low huff from her side and felt
her girlfriend get slightly closer to her. Looking at her, she saw the younger woman hold her fork
with her left hand and hold her waist with her right arm.

"You know zey are already aware I'm taken, right?" She whispered in her ear with an amused
voice. Her heart swelled in her chest.

"Yes, but some might need a reminder." The lioness answered, her voice laced with annoyance.

"Je suis à toi pour toujours. Don't worry about zem." (I'm yours forever) She saw Hermione smile
at the use of French. She had been studying the language ever since they began dating and had
obviously understood what she had said. Fleur kissed her cheek softly and smiled at her.
"Moi aussi bébé" (Me too, baby) The lioness said in a perfect accent, taking Fleur by surprise. She
looked at Hermione with wide eyes, the brunette smirking. Not being capable of holding herself,
she kissed her sweetly. Gasps and wolf whistles erupted all around the room. There were even
some people cheering. Laughing, they pulled back.

"I knew it would work," Hermione added, whispering in her ear. She snickered.

"Eet's not always zat I'm able to 'ear my girlfriend speaking in my mozer language, ma belle." She
answered, amused. Casting an apologetic smile at the headmistress, who quickly glared at them.
She was sure she saw a small smile on lips as she moved her attention back to her plate.

"What was that about?" Ginny asked, laughing.

"Unwanted attention," Luna answered, smiling. "Many of the students here are susceptible to
Fleur's thrall… 'Mione got… Territorial." Hermione blushed deeply. Fleur smiled and kissed her
head. "And she spoke French." Ginny was now fully laughing, Harry was smiling at his friends and
Hermione hid her face on Fleur's side.

"At least now we can be certain no one will try their way with Fleur!" Ginny exclaimed, Harry and
Luna nodding. "Or Hermione, for that matter." Fleur raised a brow at it, her own jealousy rising.
She felt Hermione tug at her hand and turned to face her. The lioness placed a quick kiss on her lips
as to make it clear that she shouldn't worry.

"Some of the students have a thing for 'Mione, as I heard…" Harry added. "There has been a rumor
that you two were together, thanks to the DA meeting. But with that sweet demonstration of yours,
it's more than confirmed." He smiled at Fleur. "The stories about your duel were the first to travel
around here."

"You two are the hot topic of all gossip." Ginny beamed. "I wouldn't worry. You are either
respected or feared here. No one will try anything."

"And I couldn't be less interested," Hermione added with a whisper, so only she could hear. The
lioness then made her look her in the eyes, to make sure she had understood. She felt the quick
change in her eyes. Her veela leaving it clear that she got the message. The creature had been
basically relentless in jealousy ever since Ginny hinted that Hermione would possibly get hit by
someone. Thinking about it, Fleur felt like an idiot. Of course, the lioness would have admirers.
She was simply gorgeous, brilliant and kind… Hermione's words were soothing anyway.

After lunch, they went directly to the vanishing room and waited for everyone to arrive. The
meeting went on smoothly, with Hermione, Luna, and Harry following the instructions of Madam
Pomfrey and Ginny and Fleur the only active ones. At the end, a few students went to talk to them,
mostly to thank them for the experience. They were back in the common room right after dinner. In
no time they were all in their rooms, getting ready to sleep. Luna had insisted that she would be
able to sleep on her own that night but Ginny had been insistent saying that there was no logic in
what Luna was saying. So Ginny basically dragged Luna to their room, slightly annoyed, being
followed closely by Harry who didn't seem any different from Ginny. Fleur decided to observe the
trio more closely.

Any thoughts she could possibly have in her mind as she entered the room with Hermione were
long forgotten, the lioness had attached their lips as soon as their door closed.

"Missed you." She said, smiling.

"You spent zee day with me, ma belle."

 "But you were far away for most of the afternoon." Hermione countered, pouting slightly. "And as
I have already stated, you look great in my shirt, looking all official…" Fleur had borrowed a shirt
from Hermione, not wanting to go home to get her own. Hermione offered her the exact same from
the previous Saturday.

"Uhm…" Fleur held the lioness closer and kissed her neck softly.

"And…" Hermione had to hold back a loud moan and closed her eyes. "I wanted to make sure you
understood that you are mine." She said in a low voice, her mouth near Fleur's ear and the latter
was yet to detach her lips from the lioness neck. When she opened her eyes, she was met with
orange ones.

"Oh, I do know I'm yours, mon Ange. I do know…" Fleur's voice was laced with lust, her eyes
were in deep orange.

"Good." Hermione smiled and closed the gap between their lips once more. They pulled back
panting, both knowing that if they kept going, they would go further then they both wanted to.
They exchanged their thoughts wordlessly, their eyes understanding each other.

Chapter End Notes

Hey! Sorry! It took too long to post this one. I planned on having one chapter already
written when I posted this one and it took me forever to write it. Because of life. I
really hope you liked it! I'll probably write a chapter on Luna's POV, tell me what you
guys think of it!

They are too sweet!

Please comment and leave kudos!

Thanks for reading!

;3 Luv yah

see you soon...

For those who live in the areas affected by all those disasters, I hope you are alright
and safe...

PS: Oh, right, my other story is up. So go read it (I managed to keep it shortish) hope
you like, please review it!

PPS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 32
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

They woke up startled, at loud thumps on their door. Groaning, Fleur got up and answered the
door. Hermione had simply hidden her face in the pillow.

"Oh! I did wake you up… Sorry…" Harry smiled apologetically. "It's just that we are going to the
Great Hall, have breakfast… I thought you were already awake. Sorry…"

"I TOLD YOU, HARRY!" Fleur heard Ginny from downstairs.

"Not a problem. Go ahead, we'll be zere soon. Good morning…" She answered. When she closed
the door, she heard Hermione groan and extend her hand to her, in a motion to make her get back to
bed. She went to the brunette's side of the bed, "Mon Ange, I'm sure you are 'ungry and I'm
positively starving."

The lioness moved her head so she could look to Fleur, "Not hungry." at the same time her stomach
growled.

"Sure… Come on, sleep head or I'll go without you." She laughed.

Hermione quickly tackled her on the floor, Fleur was actually surprised with her quick reaction.
"You are not leaving without me," Hermione growled a little, making Fleur laugh and hold the
younger girl by the hips.

"Of course not, Jealous Girl." The brunette simply eyed her and kissed her.

"Morning, babe!" She kissed the veela passionately and chucked as she saw amber eyes looking
back to her after pulling back.

"Bonjour, ma Belle…" Fleur answered in a low voice.

After changing for the day, she gave Hermione her potions and they headed to the Great Hall. The
day was quite a bit chili so Hermione wore a light jacket (that luckily covered the bandages on her
left arm). The mail came and left an envelope in front of Ginny, who frowned and quickly opened
it.

"We are lucky she didn't send us a howler." She grimaced after reading, looking pretty pale.
"Mom." She added as she saw the confusion on the others face. Harry's eyebrows shot up and he
reached for the letter in Ginny's hands. "Apparently she read Ron's report. After he went home with
Bill, in obvious distress, yesterday."

Harry handled the letter to Hermione, looking down. Luna had read it with him.

How DARE you not tell me?!

You are ALL absolutely lucky I remembered you would receive this letter in the middle
of the school! I almost sent you a howler!

Now, I hope you are all taken care of. If something else happens, make sure to reach
 me. I'll visit you later tomorrow (Sunday), to see how you are.

Ginevra Weasley, you better take care of Harry.

Fleur, darling, take care of Hermione, she is family!

You all better look after Luna, she too is family.

See you soon,

Mom.

Fleur took notice that the content of the letter wasn't the problem, reading it was. She could picture
a very angry Molly yelling at them while reading the first lines. After the first shock was down, she
resumed eating and the other four did too.

"What are today's plans?" She asked as they finished eating.

"I don't know." Hermione was the first to answer. "My plan was sleeping until late but my beautiful
girlfriend woke me up." Fleur rolled her eyes.

"Not my fault. 'arry woke me up and I got 'ungry." Fleur added. "And you were 'ungry too." she
pouted slightly.

"Sorry about that." Harry said, "again…"

"We could spend the day out. It will start snowing in a few weeks and it's not too cold yet…" Luna
suggested. They all smiled at her and agreed.

As they got up, Hermione leaned to kiss Fleur's cheek and smiled. "How do you handle it?" she
asked in a whisper.

"I've been dealing with eet for most of my life, I imagine I just got used to eet." She answered,
knowing the woman had been annoyed with the attention directed to her by the rest of the students.
"And I only care to 'ave your attention, 'ermione." She smiled, knowing she would calm the jealous
in the other's head. "Eet will stop, you know? After we mate." She added with a whisper so only
her girlfriend would hear.

"Oh…"

She smiled and kissed her on the lips. "And don't zink I didn't see zee stares you got too." She
added, smiling and knowing the other woman had no idea of how many stares she too received.

"I didn't…"

"Yes, you did!" Ginny chimed in. "From both girls and boys. And just as many as Harry always
receives." She laughed. "I think they all envy us, Fleur."

"Zey should. Zey are awesome!" Fleur laughed, both (Hermione and Harry) were completely
dumbfounded. "You two really don't see eet, right? You both are basically two of zee most desired
people 'ere"

"Ugh…" Hermione managed to say, after receiving a peck on the cheek.

They walked to the lake in a comfortable silence. Fleur noticed Luna smiling as if knowing
something none of them knew but said nothing.
Spending the morning outside was truly a good idea, they were all in a great mood when lunch
time came. After eating, they went to the common room to wait for the visit from the healer and
from Molly.

Hermione and Fleur sat on their usual couch in the living room. Her nerves were starting to act, not
knowing who would be the healer nor what she would say. She felt a wave of soothing thrall
invade her and smiled at Fleur, thanking her silently.

"Zey must be 'ere anytime."

As on cue, a patronus tabby cat appeared and McGonagall's voice resonated in the room. "The
healer arrived, we will be there soon."

Still no clue on who's the healer. Not much later, they heard a quick knock and the painting-door
swung open giving way to their stern headmistress and a well-known platinum witch, who held
everyone in the room (except for McGonagall) in shock. Hermione felt Fleur straighten herself
beside her, along with a clear wave of awareness coming from her. The veela's grip on her
tightened.

"Good afternoon." The headmistress said and they all answered in small voices, still surprised by
the presence of the Slytherin. One look towards the older blonde and Hermione recognized the
apprehension stamped on her face, she was looking towards her general direction but not exactly at
her. The woman was looking directly at Fleur, who was still in defensive stance. The room fell
quiet as the blondes starred at each other.

"Narcissa," Ginny said, breaking the tense silence and making everyone look at her.

Being cut out of her almost scared haze, the older blonde looked at the others in the room, "Ginny,
Harry, Luna," she looked almost surprised at the sight of the two pureblood witches. "Hermione…
A pleasure to meet you, despite the awful setting. I feel I must apologize once again for my part on
the events that led to the reason I understand I'm here today." She returned her attention to Fleur as
she finished speaking, "Miss Delacour, delighted to meet you. I'm afraid I only met your partner
while I've been called to testify."

Before the veela could respond, Hermione doubled her efforts to try and calm her girlfriend down.
She knew she was still shaken due to what happened at the mansion. She heard the Fleur take a
deep breath.

"Hello, Miss Black. I understand you managed to get rid of…"

"Yes, I divorced as soon as possible. Given his involvement with the Dark Lord and Harry's
testimony I got rid of him once and for all." Narcissa interrupted her, clearly not wanting to talk
about the monster that her ex-husband was. "I hope you find him… He deserves to be severely
punished."

Hermione almost smiled at it, the woman in front of her always knew what to say. She felt Fleur
relax a little and loosen her grip on her sightly.

"I didn't know you were a med-witch…" Harry said, still quite surprised.

"Lucius made sure I studied healing, he… wanted me to fix his play-toys." Her voice somber,
heavy with sorrow. She looked at Ginny. "I reached St. Mungu's as soon as I was cleared by the
Ministry to see if I could be of any help. After a long month of tests, I was admitted as a resident.
When my supervisor said he received mail from the headmistress regarding Hermione and a severe
wound from the war, I immediately offered to come." She eyed Hermione, worriedly. The brunette
read in her eyes the unspoken question and nodded. "I'm sorry." She added. Hermione sat straighter
and began to remove the blood-stained bandages when she felt the Slytherin's hand stop her. "Let
me. I know it must hurt, my sister was crazy enough to rejoice over other's people suffering and
would be sure to make it at least sore." She placed the purse she was carrying over the coffee table
and kneeled in front of Hermione. Narcissa started to undress the wound carefully and winced as
she saw the word carved on her arm and how swollen it was. She sighed and informed both,
Hermione and Fleur (who was hovering, them to see what was happening) that she would perform
some diagnostic charms to see if she could identify what curses the mad witch used. After three
casted spells she shook her head and looked at Hermione. "The knife Bella used was covered with
plenty of spells and potions, apparently. Most of them were created by her. I'll search the mansion
to find the blade. With it, I'll be able to develop the right counter-spells and potions. I'm sorry I
can't do much now… What I'm sure right now is that what keeps the wound open for longer than it
normally would is a family potion. As I've known my sister since, well, forever, I guessed she had
used it and brought the antidote."

She looked up, making Hermione follow her gaze. Fleur was currently nervously anger, the
brunette caught her eye and understood the other woman didn't trust the Slytherin. She squeezed
the veela's hand. Hermione had decided to trust the older blonde after the first gathering of the
Blacks, one Harry presented himself as the head of the family and explained what had happened
when the family members stared at each other in shock. Hermione was actually aware of Narcissa's
divorce and the fact that Andromeda was accepted back into the family but the older woman had
simply no idea about her. Narcissa had been as much welcoming as her sister and it left Hermione
in a small shock. She had been warming up to Draco since then too despite the awful story between
them.

Hermione felt Fleur calm down, she was sure the blonde understood she trusted the woman in front
of her and accepted. "If you say it will work…" She said to Narcissa.

The blond woman nodded and moved to get the flask in her purse. "I'll need something to collect
the potion that will fall out of your arm…" Dobby appeared quickly after with a basin. The med-
witch smiled at him and thanked. She poured the silver liquid over Hermione's arm, slowly. The
brunette watched closely as each carved letter absorbed some of the potion and the raw wound
quickly become a scar. "I'll leave some of it with you, just in case. I hope you won't need it. I'll ask
Draco to start searching the house today, the sooner we find the blade, the better."

"I'll ask Bill to send some Aurors to 'elp" Fleur said, quietly.

"Thank you." Narcissa looked at Hermione once again, "I believe both potions are written on one
of the books you and Harry have at your flat. The family had the habit of writing every spell or
potion created by them so there's a collection of books holding all the information. Here is a copy
of all the information I have about the potions and the antidote. My mother's books held much less
information than the ones held by the Head."

Fleur extended a hand to help the older blonde stand. "Zank you for zee 'elp."

"Not a problem." Narcissa looked at the others and smiled a little. "Luna…"

"I know you had no part in what happened to me, Cissy…" The younger blonde smiled, the usage
of the nickname clearly left the Slytherin dumbstruck. "You have nothing to be forgiven."

"I'd like to apologize anyway. I could have helped you. At least relief you from the aftershocks.
You really are strong, Luna. I've seen older wizards go insane with much less. I admire you. You
mind if I check on you too? It's long due. I should have offered my help earlier…"
"Go ahead…"

Once again, the witch performed a series diagnostic spells. Nodding as she registered the results,
she looked at Luna, then Hermione, then Fleur. "What Madam Pomfrey gave to them?" She asked
directly to Fleur. The veela explained what Hermione was taking and then Ginny did the same,
about Luna. Nodding, she turned to the headmistress (McGonagall had taken a seat as she saw
Hermione scarred arm), "I have a few suggestions about their treatment and I'd like to discuss it
with her…"

"Sure." The stern professor glanced at Hermione worriedly. "Good afternoon to all of you."

Ginny startled as the stern Gryffindor opened the door to accompany the Slytherin to the hospital
wing. "Professor, Mom…"

"I'm aware, Miss Weasley. I asked Dobby to arrange anything you need to receive her. I'd have
asked him to arrange dinner, but I'm certain Molly is bringing it with her." McGonagall smiled at
them then closed the door.

About an hour later, the fireplace lighted up in green flames and the redhead matriarch stepped into
the room. She took her surroundings after cleaning the soot from her clothes with a quick spell.
They were comfortably sat in their usual seats, Ginny, Luna, and Harry were quietly chatting, Luna
laying on her back, her head over Ginny's lap and her feet over Harry's legs. The other two women
were reading, Hermione had her head resting on Fleur's thighs and the blonde was stroking her
head. The noise of the fire made them look towards the fireplace, knowing who had come in.

Hermione realized only then that she had never really talked to the older witch in front of them
about her relationship. She froze on spot. What if her reaction was close to Ron's? She saw the
Weasley's matriarch as a mother, the redhead family was her magical family. She was certain she
wouldn't feel that great if the elder woman were to reject her, or her relationship with Fleur. She felt
Fleur's hand on her shoulder and the now known soothing thrall. It all happened quickly, basically
in less than ten seconds. Mrs. Weasley looked around and smiled at them.

"Mom!" Ginny stood, Luna had sat when she heard the matriarch arrive.

The redhead elder smiled at her daughter, hugged her and moved so she could hug the others.
When she held Hermione, they shared a stare. The lioness looked down but felt herself being
engulfed in one of the tightest embraces she ever received from the older woman.

"I…" She began quietly.

"Oh, dear, I knew the minute I saw you two together on that party after she returned from France.
Even before." Molly interrupted her, equally quietly. She stepped out of the embrace and held
Hermione's face lightly. "I want you to be happy. I can assume from your reaction to seeing me that
my younger was in no way as understanding as I hoped he would be." Hermione nodded, holding
back the sorrow she felt when she thought about Ron's reaction. "He will come around. Ronald is
thick minded but would be a straight idiot if he ended his friendship with you, dear. That is if you
still want to be friends with him. I wouldn't blame you."

Fleur was close enough to hear the whispered conversation, she knew Hermione had no problem
with her hearing. What she wasn't expecting was to hear about Ron's reaction, nor the crushing
sensation of sorrow invading her. She yearned to comfort the young witch but held herself in place,
watching Molly talk to her, she knew the older witch was something like a second mother to her
girlfriend. She felt it herself. Molly had such a big heart that she basically adopted her children's
closest friends. The woman took care of her even after she and Bill had broken up. Even after she
promised it was not his fault, but hers. She was the last one to receive the warm embrace from the
elder. After giving her a tight hug, she motioned for Hermione to get closer. Placing a hand on their
cheeks, she smiled warmly.

"Take care of each other," then she looked at Hermione, "ignore the prat I have for a son. Only a
blind person can't see how perfect you are for each other." She, then, hugged them both. "And the
rest of the family sends their regards."

Fleur felt herself smiling, she too was afraid of Molly's reaction. She had come to deeply respect
the redhead.

"Zanks, Molly…"

"Sure!" She moved away, picking up the bag she had brought with her. "Now, I believe a dinner is
in order!" She began to take out some carefully wrapped dishes from the bag and place them on the
table. Dobby was called and asked to bring plates and cutlery. They were soon sat, eating the
comfort food the redhead mother had carefully cooked. The silence that took place after all the
dishes were basically licked clean was thick. Dobby quickly appeared and took everything to wash,
promising Molly her platters would be at the borrow when she arrived there (The redhead tried to
keep him from doing it, but he quickly vanished before she could really say anything).

"Mom…" Ginny was the first to talk, knowing it would be better (or hoping so).

"Ginevra Molly Weasley!" The older woman snapped. Hearing her full name made the younger
Gryffindor visibly tremble. "How come I only got to know about all that now? You wrote that
reports on Tuesday for Merlin's sake!"

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Weasley…" Hermione began, in a small voice

"No, Hermione, dear. It's not your fault. Your mind was in another place. But certainly, my
daughter could have at least sent me a note, saying you were being taken care." Molly calmed
down as soon as she saw how broken Hermione seemed to be.

"Molly," Fleur began, knowing Ginny wouldn't counter her mother. "Ginny 'ave been taking care
of both, 'arry and Luna. Zee night zey 'ad nightmares she went to my apart so I could know
something was happening and come to 'ermione. She 'as been doing a lot, eet's understandable that
she forgot to inform you. We are all sorry for not telling you."

The older redhead sighed and nodded as she finished talking. "You're right, Fleur. Obviously. I'm
not sorry for my reaction, though. You are all family, I worry about you."

"That's understandable…" Luna said.

"Now, how are you? Has anyone seen you?" Molly seemed to have calmed down and now divided
her worried attention to the three affected.

"Madam Pomfrey has seen us Friday and gave us a few potions to take. And earlier a Mungu's
med-witch came to examine my… wound." The brunette motioned to her arm. As it was now
closed, it was free of bandages. Molly shuddered at the sight of the carved word. Fleur trained her
eyes on Hermione's face, away from the word. "I'm getting better." She stated. Luna and Harry
made agreeing noises.

"Good to know… Do I know the med-witch?" As Hermione moved to nod, there was a loud knock
and three witches came in.
"Good evening, Molly." The headmistress said as soon as she saw the redhead.

"Hello, Minerva! Poppy, I'm sure you thought these two wouldn't need your services this year…"
Molly smiled.

"Certainly they have been away from the hospital wing for longer than usual!"

"Narcissa! What are you doing here? I assumed Draco hadn't come back to school…" Molly
looked a little shocked.

"She is the St. Mungu's med-witch," Hermione informed. Fleur observed the stunned elder
Weasley.

"But…"

"Unfortunately, yes. And me being her sister makes me the best person to deal with what she has
done." The blonde held her head high as if waiting for a bad response from Molly. It didn't come.

"You are not her. I couldn't agree more. Thank you for helping them." To everyone's surprise, she
walked to the blonde witch and hugged her. "I assume you came to talk to them. I'm going."

"Molly, you can stay. It will take but a minute."

"No, I was on my way anyway. Ronald is home, dealing with the same…" She quickly said
goodbye, after making them promise to write and inform her how they were dealing with
everything. The med-witches made a small modification on the treatment and left with Narcissa
promising to find out how to deal with the scar as soon as possible.

Soon they were all retrieving to their rooms to sleep, all of them very tired. After going through
their night routines, Fleur and Hermione cuddled on the bed. Happy to simply have each other
close. Then the blonde remembered to ask Hermione about what she had heard about Ronald.

Hermione felt Fleur practically purr as they hugged each other in silence. Then there was a slight
change of demeanor. She looked at her girlfriend, waiting for her to speak what was on her mind.

"Uhm, 'ermione, what was it zat made you so sad earlier? Something about Ron…"

"You heard that…" Of course, she did, Hermione knew that, not only because of the worrying
wave that had come across her but also because, yeah, she didn't mind the woman hearing… She
was looking down and missed the short nod from the blonde. "Uhm…" She felt her own face
become hot, telling this story meant explaining the obvious change in her friend's behavior since
the end of the war. More exactly since that party at the Burrow. Looking at her girlfriend, she was
met with curious eyes. They were just tad worried. "Right, that's actually a long story. It will not
only explain why I was sad for a moment earlier but also explain why Ronald was being such an
idiot to you ever since you came back from France. I hope he is doing better, by the way…" She
watched Fleur nod, clearly hearing intently. "Don't be mad at him. He is simply an idiot. He has
been pinning over me ever since, I don't know, fifth year? His way of showing it to me was… close
to a five-year-old's. He was never too awful but obviously not pleasant. When we were Horcrux
hunting, we kind of had a thing. I was really hurt when he left us that time, but also realized I didn't
like him that way. When he came back, I told him that. He accepted but kept trying to woo me. I
was even more certain that I didn't want anything with him at the last battle." Hermione took a deep
breath. She knew Fleur was aware of how she felt towards her, but she had never put into words
everything until now. It was kind of nerve wrecking. "We never talked about this… Anyway,
sometime after we arrived here I felt a kind of a pull. Which now I realize was a type of thrall… It
was absurdly strong and it only eased after we went down and joined the battle." Fleur nodded.
Hermione still felt her face hot, talking about it in that way was… weird. "After we locked eyes
when Harry went to Voldemort, I felt a constant pull towards you." Hermione sighed, she was
absolutely embarrassed. "Well, skipping forward, after I came back with Mom and Dad, and you
went to France, Harry saw my reaction to your present - the book and the letter and made me
promise to try to understand what I felt about you. He's quite sensible…" She smiled, remembering
how he made sure she would understand by herself. "Well, after those two weeks, I understood I
was actually falling for you." Hermione laughed and received a quick peck on the lips. "When I
arrived at the Burrow, I made sure to talk to Ginny - I knew she was kind of thick headed but not as
much as Ronald - and asked Harry to talk to him. That shout we heard from upstairs was Ron's
reaction. I don't know exactly what Harry told him, but he obviously didn't take it well. I didn't
meet him a lot after that - or thought about him - because he began the training and all. When
Harry got your owl about him, we asked him to meet us. He was acting that way because he was
jealous."

"Of you. I can understand zat…"

"Of both of us. Her pinned over you ever since fourth year, Fleur. I don't think it was simply the
thrall." Hermione laughed as her girlfriend looked at her, surprised. "Well, we tried to make him
see it, I got frustrated and left the room. He… He argued with Harry, saying you did something to
me, that they shouldn't simply believe that I had fallen for you on my own. Ginny pointed I've
always been immune to you usual thrall." Hermione held her breath, knowing how Fleur would
react to what she had to say next. "Then he called me dyke." She saw her face transform. The anger
obvious in her orange eyes, the brunette was used to see them full of lust - they looked different.
Anger irradiated from the veela. "Fleur, breathe. It's of no use being angry, he is an idiot. His own
mother agrees. Ginny, Luna, and Harry fumed at him, Molly probably did too. He always expects
she will agree with him, he must have told her himself what happened here. The apology letter he
wrote me must have been her doing. He did apologize…"

"By letter."

"Yes."

"And you accepted?"

"Kind of. I haven't seen him that much. Since then I've seen him once."

"Zee first DA meeting." Hermione nodded. "'ow do you zink you will deal with 'im over 'olidays?"

"Uhm, I wasn't really thinking about it, but since we basically have to go to my parents and
yours…"

"You know we 'ave to go to zee Burrow for at least two days, mon Ange…"

"Yes… I don't know how I'll react… Babe, I know you. You are thinking of a way to turn his life
into hell…"

"I might…" Fleur was hugging Hermione now.

"Please, don't."

"Don't you dare defend 'im! Zat idiot 'urt you! 'e was basically one of your best friends! 'e should
know better!"

"Ok, I won't defend him. But don't do anything to him, Fleur."

 "I can't promise you zat. I'll do my best to simply ignore 'im. I guess I'll talk to Bill about zat when
I come back."

"And I'm hoping you are not eager to go back…" Hermione changed her tone and kissed the
veela's neck.

"Uh?" Fleur blinked, being quickly pulled out of her planning.

Hermione laughed and kissed the blonde, ending the conversation. She would have to take the
redhead boy out of her mind and she had until the next Sunday.

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hola! Yep, I'm rubbish at keeping an update schedule. Sorry about that...
Anyway, Uhm... Next update you will have mostly Luna...

Did you like this chapter?

Please Comment and leave KUDOS!

Thanks for reading!

;3
Luv yah

see you soon...

PS:Oh, right, my other story is up. So go read it (I managed to keep it shortish) hope
you like, please review it!

PPS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 33
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

"Babe?" Fleur was spooning Hermione, holding her close as if trying to protect her from the world.
They had been silent since they stopped kissing, and the lioness was beginning to doze off, when
she remembered something she wanted to ask her girlfriend.

"Oui?" Her voice was thick with sleep.

"When do you think your grandma will answer the letter?" Hermione rolled to her other side to
look at the blonde's face.

"I zink Yuna will be back by tomorrow but I don't know eef she will be able to give us all zee
answers we want…"

"But…"

"What we 'ave ees something I never 'eard of. What I 'ave 'eard and read says zat eet ees very rare
among veela to bond emotionally with zeir veela mate before zee mating process finished.
Grandmére will probably 'ave to research." Fleur explained softly, "I believe eet ees even rarer for
eet to 'appen between veela/human mates. I know you are curious, your thirst for knowledge ees
something I will always admire… Eff she doesn't 'ave answers now, she will make sure to 'ave zem
by zee 'olidays." Fleur smiled sleepily and kissed Hermione softly. The lioness turned around so
they could resume their previous position. "Goodnight, mon Ange…" Fleur said against her
shoulder and kissed the nape of her neck.

"Goodnight, babe…"

Being held helped Hermione to fall asleep quickly, the potions the healers had given her would
help her through the day. The soothing thrall Fleur exhaled made her relax completely in her arms,
she noticed. She managed to sleep comfortably and deeply, just as the other nights the blonde had
been with her.

Luna was the first to wake up that Monday, as always. But this time the weight of two sets of arms
holding her coaxed her to drift back to sleep. She never thought she would be held like that, always
aware of her schoolmates' opinion of her. Ginny had been her first friend and she had brought the
Trio closer to her. Luna never thought the redhead cared so much about her. Ever since the end of
the war, she had been living with the Weasleys. She didn't want to deal with her father so she asked
Molly if she could stay there. The older witch was happy to have her there after she talked to her
father.

The blonde started to stir awake about half an hour after she slept again. Taking care not to disrupt
the others' sleep, she began to get out of the bed.

"Morning, Lun," Harry whispered softly, "Slept well?" He smiled when she looked at him.

"Quite..." She smiled at him, locking eyes (his sleepy, hers half dreamingly - still recovering from
the awful dreams from a few days ago). The redhead beside Harry stirred and sighed, kissing his
shoulder.
"Morning, you two..." She smiled at Luna. Her voice full of sleep. Ginny got out of the bed and
walked towards the blonde. "good night of sleep?" the redhead seemed to somehow like being
higher than Luna and hugged the blonde, tucking her head under her chin. The Ravenclaw was
rendered silent and simply nodded. She felt her heart leap and her stomach turn. She then realized
something that, on others, only took her one look to recognize. Luna felt her face get warm but
hugged the ginger anyway. It lingered a bit more than usual. She was startled by a loud snore.
Ginny laughed as they turned to the source of the noise, a very knocked out Harry.

"We should head out to breakfast..." Luna said after the redhead's laughter subdued.

"Sure…" Luna saw a small glint in her eyes.

She followed the redhead movements until she jumped right above Harry, effectively waking him
up. She felt her heart swell at the sight of them, love was quite obvious to her (between both of
them). The blonde tried to convince herself that what she was feeling was simply gratitude for the
way they were taking care of her. She couldn't. She decided to go through her morning routine and
shove whatever she was thinking (feeling) to the back of her mind. The resolve didn't last, though.
She caught herself thinking about it a few minutes later, she knew how her mind worked. She
wanted to understand whatever was happening and knew her mind wouldn't let go of it until a
conclusion was drawn. At least it would keep her mind away from the mansion… She hoped so.

Luna wasn't one to dwell too much, that mansion stuff was dragging a bit too much for her taste.
She simply hoped it would go away soon enough.

"Lun?" Looking up, she saw Harry looking at her worriedly. She almost had to force a smile but it
came along with the thought that he was one of the persons helping her to go through the nights
and days. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, you seemed to have zoned out for a moment…" Ginny stood not too far away, looking at
her. She simply nodded, not trusting her voice after noticing how both of them seemed to care.
"Okay, if you need anything just say it. Have you taken the potions?" The ginger asked
unnecessarily, Luna knew the woman kept an eye on the flasks of the potions she had to take and
that she had counted them before they got to sleep so she would know if she or Harry forgot to take
them. She nodded anyway. They were all ready to go, it was kind of early actually, precisely time
to go to the great hall. She heard a loud knock.

"Hey, you guys decent?" Hermione's voice sounded from the other side of the door.

"As if you've never seen any of us not decent!" Ginny quipped back and the door flung open,
revealing a grinning Hermione and a very jealous Fleur by her side.

"Relax, Fleur. We definitely hold no competition against you." She said, looking at her veela
friend. Smiling softly at the small change in the demeanor of the other blonde. "Good morning!"

"You ready for breakfast? I'm starving!" Hermione smiled, slipping her hand into Fleur's.

"And I thought you would be capable of satisfying her, dear Fleur…" Ginny was grinning, Harry
was looking as if he preferred to behead himself instead of hearing that conversation (he really
did).

"Don't worry, Ginny. When we come to zat you will be able to know." A smirk took over the
veela's face while she embraced her girlfriend and made her visibly quiver with a kiss on her neck.

"If it happens, I will make sure to let you know about us too…"
"My innocence is already tainted, Gin. You forget I live with Harry. At the very same apartment
you leave the bedroom without at least a muffliato charm." Hermione smiled a bit then looked at
her best friend, who was looking very flushed and obviously not knowing what to do with himself.
All of them directed their attention to the only boy in the room and laughed at how terrified he
looked.

"Shall we?" Fleur said, taking pity on the boy. She caught herself staring at him as he moved out of
the bedroom. Hermione and Ginny were laughing, holding each other up. When she looked away,
she caught Fleur observing her. The older blonde simply smiled at her, knowingly. Shit, she
needed to talk to her and try to put her mind back in order. They stalked after the man. This would
be an interesting Monday. The first meal went by smoothly. Her gaze lingering at the couple in
front of her as she (for some reason) made sure to sit by Hermione's side.

"So, what're the plans for today?" Ginny asked, smiling broadly.

"Lounging by zee lake?" Fleur suggested.

"I could do that!" Hermione smiled at her girlfriend.

"Deal," Harry said after he exchanged a glance with the ginger. They all turned to her.

"Sure…" As they began their way, Luna held Hermione and Fleur slightly back so she could talk to
them. She had been arguing with herself if it would make any difference to talk only to Fleur. She
wanted the brunette's opinion too… "Can I talk to you for a minute?" She asked them quietly,
making sure the couple ahead of them wouldn't hear.

"Sure…" Hermione answered.

"'arry, Gin, go ahead. I just remembered I need to talk to McGonagall before we head outside to
know the time of the classes I need to attend."

"Okay!" Ginny answered. "Lun?" She added as she noticed her standing still by Fleur's side.

"Uh… I need to ask her about a few things myself… Meet you soon?"

"Sure…" Harry answered and practically dragged Ginny outside.

"So…" She began. "Uhm…"

"We should get to an empty classroom." Hermione broke her off.

As they entered the first vacant room, Luna became aware that she was about to expose herself and
froze on the spot, examining the floor.

"You know we won't judge you for whatever you say, right?" Hermione said softly, holding Fleur's
hand while reaching out to hers with her free one. "I know we had a rough start, I know I judged
you a lot - and I know you know that too… But honestly, you have come to be one of my closest
friends…"

Luna looked up and saw simple understanding and worry in both women's eyes. And realized they
already knew what she had to say.

"How do you already know?" She asked.

"You are not zee only one zat observes your friends, Luna." Fleur winked, she moved to hold
Hermione from behind.

"And you were quite blatant today… You've just realized, haven't you?" Hermione asked with a
smile.

Luna nodded, her body relaxed a bit now that she noticed they really weren't judging her. "I don't
actually know what to do…"

"I zink you should talk to zem. You might be surprised…" Fleur looked at her from Hermione's
shoulder, where her head rested. The brunette beckoned her to get closer, she did.

She released a shaky breath as she felt herself being embraced by the older women, knowing they
had her back. "Thank you… We should go to McGonagall…"

"No need, I already know zee schedule. She gave it to me earlier."

"Shall we go enjoy our first school-free day, then?" Hermione smiled at both blondes. Luna was
absolutely happy that she could consider them her friends.

As they walked, she came to think about the friendship she had so recently acquired. She noticed
they were all quite close, they all considered each other siblings even Ginny with her absurd
amount of brothers. They were her chosen family, she knew she could count on them with
absolutely anything. Now she didn't have to hide behind that masquerade she invented for herself -
the crazy loony girl. Obviously, she believed in all those magical creatures she talked about and
she was quite capable of seeing them but now she didn't feel the need to pretend she wasn't aware
of her surroundings.

"Lun?" She snapped out of her thoughts and noticed she had been so absolutely lost in her mind
that she hadn't even noticed they were already outside. All of them were looking at her waiting for
her to sit with them.

"Sorry… Got lost in my mind…"

"Wrackspurts, right?" Hermione smiled sweetly at her, laughing.

"Yeah…"

Ginny moved and quickly kissed her cheek. "To get rid of them." She laughed along Hermione,
Luna felt her heart flutter and gulped a little, feeling her face get slightly red. They were laughing,
but not at her. They all knew that these specific creatures existed, even Hermione. They were
simply having a good time. Luna noticed Hermione wink at her, smiling. The older lioness had
thought of an acceptable excuse for her rather quickly… She silently thanked her.

The rest of the morning went by calmly with them sat together appreciating the beautiful view the
lake offered. Well, if asked about the beauty of the view, Luna would simply agree, but what she
was admiring wasn't the exact same thing - Oh, shit she was completely smitten. She had caught
herself admiring the black and red haired couple a few times before admitting to herself that she
couldn't keep her eyes from them. The time passed with them in a calm silence. They all had their
share of noisy places being it the Burrow, the school or the battlefield. The silence was welcomed
and comforting, Luna felt it and it was obvious on their faces. They went to lunch when the clock
indicated they should. The Ravenclaw almost excused herself to go sit at her house's table, Fleur
noticed her intentions and dragged her with them to the Gryffindor's.

"I'm not supposed to sit here…" She murmured to the veela, who smiled back.
"I never took you as a coward, Luna. And I doubt anyone in zis school would tell you to go to zee
other table." She whispered. Luna saw Hermione nodding, the lioness always seemed to be able to
listen to what her girlfriend said. She ignored Fleur's first phrase and simply began to serve herself.

"So, Fleur, when will that one-on-one happen?" Ginny asked at some moment during the meal,
grinning. Merlin, she adored that smile… Ok, smitten.

Hermione looked at Fleur, hoping her girlfriend would dismiss the challenge. She knew it wouldn't
happen but she couldn't help but hope. She saw Fleur smile and caress her thigh as to calm her.

"I guess at zee end of zee week?"

"Uhm, you nervous?" Ginny had her glint of mischief in her eyes.

"Gin, you know how Hermione feels about Quidditch and flying. The week off is supposed to be
relaxing, if you do it now it will have the exact opposite effect." Harry eyed Hermione and then his
girlfriend. The brunette saw Fleur nod by her side.

"Oh, right…"

When they finished eating, Fleur excused herself to go to the class she was supposed to attend.
Hermione held her hand and stood, making it clear that she would accompany her.

"See you by the lake, 'Mione?" Ginny asked, without looking their way.

"Yeah…"

Once they were out of hearing range, the brunette looked at her girlfriend.

"Babe," Fleur looked at her and smiled. The smile warmed Hermione, she could feel the devotion
in her eyes. She kissed Fleur's cheek. Just because she couldn't help it. "Uhm, not long ago you said
Harry and Ginny were mates, but you told Luna to talk with them…"

"Yes. Zere are some zings zat can 'appen to 'umans zat are impossible to 'appen to veelas, even if
zeir mate are 'uman. Zee bond to veela denies zee 'uman of zose zings." Hermione nodded, the
walk to the class was already automatic to her and Fleur had no trouble on following her without
thinking so they were both focused on the talk. "Some souls go zrough so much in one life zat
sometimes zey are destined to meet not one, but two mates. I don't really understand 'ow eet works,
no one does. But a few cases are known by zee veela, 'uman mating ees something zat awakens our
curiosity."

"Harry definitely has gone through a lot…"

"Ginny and Luna too. Even with 'umans, zee soul only recognizes zeir mate when zey are both
ready,"

"Like what happened to us." Fleur nodded.

"I can't say eet with absolute certainty, but I'd risk saying zats zee case with zem. Zeir bond ees
clear…"

"Now that I think about it… It makes sense. They kind of compliment each other." They were
close to their destination, an absurd amount of students were in the hall, some drooling over Fleur
which annoyed Hermione quite a bit. Apparently, she exhaled her annoyance, the blonde snickered
a bit and made a point by holding her by the waist. They came to a stop a few steps from the door,
the lioness sighed, knowing there would be a lot of staring towards her girlfriend during the entire
afternoon and dreading one of those wouldn't be from herself. Her breath caught when she felt
Fleur press her against the nearest wall. The lioness had to bit the moan that almost erupted from
her lips. She felt the veela' smirk against her skin.

"Your smell is absolutely inebriating. And don't worry, I'm all yours." Fleur murmured by her ear,
making her shiver.

"Uhm…"

"Now, I should go inside before zee teacher comes to find us 'ere. Zey are all inside already." Fleur
kissed her softly on the lips. "See you later?" Hermione nodded, flustered, and watched her
walking through the door - she was certain Fleur was making a point by swaying a bit more than
usual.

Luna decided to try and understand what she was feeling. Not that there was something to really
analyze… Anyway, she didn't want to ruin their friendship for something that could go away
easily, no, she would take this week to see things through.

"Lun, are you ok?" Ginny dragged her out of her head, she had to focus a bit to keep her face from
getting warmer. She nodded, then looked at her friends - and apparently, crushes -, they gave her a
worried look. "You sure? You seem out of it today…"

"Yeah, I'm just a bit tired…" She was indeed, thinking that much about her feelings was draining.
She let them think it was because of the mansion incident. In a small part, it was. But she was
trying to keep those moments from her mind. Writing about it helped her with having some
closure, she knew the aurors were working on bringing everyone in and fortunately the potions
were helping to fix the rest of the nerve damage.

"Come here." Harry was quick to say and motioned for her to lay down with her head on his lap.
"You know you can talk to us, right? We want to help." He smiled and Ginny nodded.

"I do. I'm just… Recovering, you are helping already. Thanks for everything." She smiled, feeling
the soothing movement of Harry's fingers in her hair.

"Anything you need…" Ginny said softly, kissing her cheek. Luna woke up to the redhead's
laughter a short time later. "You really need to work on your jealousy, 'Mione!"

"Uh?!" Luna exclaimed, not really awake to understand what was being said.

"Oh! I woke you up… Sorry, Lun…" Ginny said, sheepishly.

"Not a problem…" She offered a smile to the younger Gryffindor. "What happened?" She asked
after registering what she had said and that a frustrated looking brunette had been added to the
group.

"Fleur pinned 'Mione against the wall before class. In front of everyone, because Hermione was
feeling jealous." Ginny was still laughing at the brunette's face and Harry was trying to hold his
laughter back. Luna smiled.

"Lun, Ginny said you weren't feeling well…" Hermione looked at her, clearly trying to change the
subject.
 "I'm good, I was just tired. I guess I haven't slept enough to compensate the hours awake because
of the nightmares…" She shrugged. Hermione raised a brow at it. "I'm good, really."

"Okay…"

They spent the next two hours sunbathing and having small talk. Hermione and Harry tried to
explain to Ginny and her a few muggle sports.

"So no real danger? No flying?" Ginny was, to be honest, absolutely unimpressed.

"No. How would someone fly without magic?"

"I don't know, muggles seem to always have a way to make things work like magic! This electricity
thing is definitely an example!"

"Now you sound just like your father, babe!" Harry laughed at his girlfriend confused face.

"Right. Those muggle sports are no fun. They make no sense at all!" Ginny pouted a bit in
response to the comparison Harry made.

"Don't be like that!" The boy kissed her cheek.

"Football is quite interesting, actually," Luna said, smiling at them. They all looked shocked that
she knew what the sport was. "Dad and I stayed at a few muggle cities during some of our travels, I
saw a couple of games…" An owl, Yuna, came to view and landed in front of Hermione, carrying
what seemed to be nothing. "Oh, Fleur's grandmother answered?" Ginny and Harry gave her an odd
look and Hermione moved to free an invisible package from the owl.

"Oh, right… The veela thing…" Ginny realized.

"Sorry, I can't really expand the magic…" Hermione said, carefully putting the mail in her purse.

"Nah, It's fun to watch you perform mimicry," Harry said. They cracked up laughing.

They resumed discussing muggle stuff until the clock chimed at the end of the class and they made
their way back to the castle. They met Fleur as they walked through the doors.

Chapter End Notes

Hey! Sorry, it took me too long to post it. No excuses. So, I hope you enjoyed the
snippet of Luna's mind... I personally don't believe she would hold into sadness for
more than 2/3 days, so the distraction of her feelings was kind of good.

I hope you can forgive me and that you enjoyed the story!

Please review, I'm always pleased to learn what you think!

;3

See Yah!

PS: Oh, right, my other story is up. So go read it (I managed to keep it shortish) hope
you like, please review it!
PPS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 34
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

"Hey!" Hermione smiled sweetly at Fleur as they walked into the Great Hall hand in hand.

"'i, mon Ange" Gods she loved that pet name!

"How was the class slash lecture?" Hermione asked, after giving her a peck on the cheek.

"Uh, nothing out of normal… Most of zem got excited and zen terrified zat we are 'unting zee
rogue Death Eaters." She chuckled a little, clearly thinking about their faces.

"Uhm…" Hermione caught herself releasing Fleur's hand and holding her closer, by her waist.
When the hell had she became so possessive? She got out of her own head when she felt the blonde
chuckle a little and her hand on her shoulder. "Oh! Your grandmére answered. Yuna arrived
earlier." Fleur nodded.

"Want to go zrough eet after dinner?"

"Sure!"

The meal went on as usual. Actually, Hermione noticed Luna was a little more loony than usual.
Knowing the reason, she didn't bother asking. It was quite cute watching the girl realize her own
feelings. She could obviously relate to Luna, as apparently everyone noticed her feeling towards
Fleur before herself (and Fleur). They went up, to the tower, together.

"You will come back down after seeing the mail?" Harry asked.

"Uh… No idea." Hermione looked at her girlfriend, who shrugged. "Maybe… You plan on
sleeping already?"

"I don't. To be honest I'm completely awake…" He answered.

"Me too… I might start the homework." Luna intervened, pointing at the four neatly piled stacks
that clearly were for them. Ginny simply nodded.

"Right… Uhm, we will let you guys know eef we will come back or not when we are finished."
Fleur offered, to which they agreed.

The couple went to the room, Hermione was absolutely curious to know what the verdict was and
she was able to tell Fleur was too. The blonde followed her into the room and sat by her side on the
bed after closing the door. Hermione was leaning on the bedrest and was fumbling with her book-
bag, honestly, she was actually surprised with how many things were inside of it.

"If science doubted that black holes exist, I have the proof right here!" She deadpanned slightly
annoyed, making Fleur chuckle. "Really how do I ever find anything here?"

"Summoning spell?" The blonde smiled.

"Right. Accio package!" The mail landed on her lap, Fleur looked at her amused. "Excuse me,
raised muggle! I have the right to forget about magic sometimes!"
"Bien sûr, ma belle!" The blonde laughed, kissing her softly. "Luckily you haven't during the
war…"

"I almost did." Fleur raised an eyebrow at it. "After we broke into the ministry, disguised by
polyjuice, I side-along apparated with Harry and Ron but we were followed so I had to apparate
again, Ron splinched and I tried to find dittany by hand…" She chuckled at the memory even it
being a bit tense.

"Eet serves 'im right. " Fleur said bitterly.

"Fleur!"

"What, 'ermione? You can't expect me to forget about eet."

"But I can expect you not to wish bad for him!"

"He 'urt you, ma belle."

"Unintentionally."

"But did."

"Ok. It won't do us any good to discuss this. Remember your promise to me. And please let ME
deal with that arse."

"Fine. But I'm not 'appy with eet."

Hermione nodded and resumed to analyze the package. Fleur moved on the bed so she was beside
the brunette, her head resting on her shoulder.

"I wonder what she found out..."

"Only one way to find out, mon ange."

"Right." Hermione tore the wrapping paper in one swift move. Fleur chuckled at her eagerness and
kissed her cheek to make the frown on her face go away (it appeared when she noticed the blonde
was actually laughing at her). Their focus again on the mail, they noticed a rather stuffed envelope
tied to a notebook (which seemed to be a new one) and another envelope (this was a lot thinner) at
loose. They were all laying on Hermione's lap.

"Zis one first, I guess," Fleur said picking up the solo envelope and opening it. Hermione forced
herself to release the breath she didn't realize (until then) she was holding. "'ow ees eet for you?"
the blonde asked, showing her the letter.

"Uhm, perfect English. Why?" she asked, with a raised eyebrow.

"Eet's in French for me."

"How is that possible?" Hermione sensed her own curiosity picking up and Fleur's smugness was
obvious.

"Grandmère came out with zis spell during zee first Wizarding War zat 'elped us, veelas, surviving.
Zere are some veela clans 'ere in zee UK, as you already know. Veelas fought Voldemort in more
fronts zan ees known. All zee intell was made possible to be passed zrough because of zis spell."
Hermione couldn't help but smile at the French's broad proud-full grin. "Zee spell works in a way
zat zee correct message ees only displayed to a veela or-"
"To a veela's mated mate."

"Oui. To any other person, eet appears to be gibberish. And, depending on eets contents, zee caster
could restrict zee receiver of zee message. Usually to one specific veela and zeir mate. And
whatever was written in eet appears in the reader's first language."

"That's genius, Fleur!"

"I guess she wanted to test eet, given what we wrote to 'er..." With that, they fell silent, reading the
meticulously ornamented (absolutely beautiful) handwriting.

Dear Girls,

I'll begin this first letter with small talk since I really wish to know how you both are
and Appoline is bugging me to ask you when you will come to France. Anyhow, we are
all fine here. Appoline and Armand are anxious to get to know Hermione once you
come. Gabrielle is being her insufferable self in school, as usual. Madam Maxine has
complained a little about her. But Gabrielle continues to be first in class, obviously.
I'm absolutely delighted to have Hermione in the family. Apolline says you are invited
to come during Christmas holidays (meaning all of you, friends and family) as she
wants to know everyone. We will go to the winter house. Owl us as soon as you decide
when you are coming.

Now, I'm aware you must be curious about my answer to all of your questions. I had to
make some research as what you have is quite rare. After reading what you wrote to
me, I was curious to know how my spell would work on Hermione so obviously I
casted it here as a test. I trust Fleur will explain to you it's history, Hermione. Once
you are here we can discuss its mechanics if you wish to do so. The envelope attached
to the notebook I sent you carries every note I made during my research. The
notebook is actually a gift from Armand, he says he would like very much to discuss
your bond with you and kindly ask you to write everything you notice as something
bounding-like. I might have to agree with the writing thing. We have no history (as far
as I know) of it in our family and the families that have, simply have little to nothing
registered. I understand it is very personal but if it is possible, write as much as you
can. Every record I found describing a bond similar to yours has at least 300 years,
one more recent would certainly be welcomed. It is perfectly acceptable if you wish to
keep it to yourselves.

My dears, what you have is very unique and very strong cherish it.

I hope my notes are able to help you someway but as far as I have read it is indeed
unique for each couple. If you need to discuss anything else feel free to reach out.

Love,

your grandma,

Isabelle.

Hermione shuffled a little. As far as she had understood from the veela's letter, they had almost no
research material. And it was quite obvious, being the other envelope their only source and
apparently, it held every source found by the Delacour Matriarch. She hated having so little to
know. And even worse, their bond could go to a completely different direction from the ones
registered.

"Merlin's beard!" Hermione started freaking out as soon as her brain registered all the information.

"'ermione, breathe. I know you don't like eet but we at least 'ave each ozer." Fleur said, nuzzling
her and holding her close. The brunette couldn't help but smile at her girlfriend and nod.

"Sorry…"

"Don't apologize, mon Ange. Don't ever apologize for being yourself." The blonde held her in
between her legs so she was yet closer than before and kissed her neck lightly. The younger witch
felt herself melt in her arms, knowing only she could be able to calm her down so quickly and
effortlessly. Even without the soothing thrall. "Do you wish to go over grandmère's research or
start writing?"

"I think we should read Isabelle's research, so we will know what to write, no?"

"Excellent idea, as always,"

Hermione felt her cheeks get warmer with the praise and smiled after kissing the blonde's cheek.
"And you might start calling 'er grandmère…" Fleur chuckled as Hermione's eyes got wide open.

"But…"

"No, but, chére. You are my mate, 'ermione. You are part of zee family and grandmère won't
accept any other way." Fleur smiled at the brunette dumbfounded expression. "Eet's better eef you
get used to eet. Maman will probably tell you zee same and make you call her mom. I zink she
always dreamed to be able to do so ever since she found out she was pregnant…"

"Uhm…" Hermione could only nod. She had been absolutely nervous about getting to know the
infamous Delacours, that new information got to her nerves and made it worse. What if they hated
her? Or thought she wasn't fit to being Fleur's wife? Wait. When the hell did she begin to think
about marriage? The blonde nudged her lightly to gain her attention.

"Zey will love you. Zere ees no way zey wouldn't." She felt the veela's embrace tighten and a
feather-like kiss on her neck. "Now, do you wish to read zis research or do you rather 'ave me
distracting you from your nonsensical worries?" She nipped Hermione's neck lightly to deliver her
intentions with the second proposal.

"Uhm… What worries?" The brunette deadpanned while ensuring greater access to her neck. They
both chuckled a little. "If you keep being like that I'm not sure I'll be able to let you go home by the
end of the week, babe."

"You are my home," Fleur whispered in the lioness' ear.

"And people think veelas are simply feral beings. Who would think they can be so cheesy, sweet
and smooth?" Hermione laughed.

"I'll 'ave you know zat we veelas are indeed feral. But only when we feel zreatened. And about zee
rest, although you make eet sound like a bad zing, I'm well aware you liked eet."

"Oh, of course, I did. Having my gorgeous girlfriend calling me home is quite flattering. I'll have
her know that I, too, consider her home. A beautiful, stunning, awesome home." Hermione smiled
sweetly after kissing Fleur. "Now, shall we begin reading the letter? I'd like to enjoy the company
of said girlfriend without the curiosity that is eating me from inside."

"Oui," The blonde accioed the letter, wandlessly. To what Hermione silently thanked. She wasn't
willing to move from her place between the veela's legs. Yes, she noticed how awkward it
sounded, even only in her mind. "Care to read eet aloud?"

"Why?" The brunette nodded nonetheless.

"For me to read I'd 'ave to move at zee risk of dislodging you. And zat seems absolutely wrong."
Hermione smiled and broke the wax seal holding the envelope closed.

"We should read it all and then discuss it?" Hermione asked slipping into her serious, studious self.
She felt the blonde nod, also quite serious and focused.

Every piece of information I gathered about similar bonds is listed here. After reading
it all, Apolline, Armand and I discussed our findings. Our conclusions are listed at the
end (the entries are chronologically organized, from the oldest I've found).

..

Year: 973

Ruud Clan, Norway.

Aimée (full female veela) and Gaelle (full female veela)

The register found simply describe a bond between the two of them, both fearless
warriors. The clan was at war by the time they found each other, they were both
leaders and therefore unable to fulfill the bond. Their warriors were able to see how
much they complemented each other. As they later described to the author (usually
one person was elected as the scribe), they were in complete harmony since the
moment they crossed eyes. Some would say they were able to finish each other
phrases right after they met. In battle, they fought as one, where one failed, the other
excelled. In death (years later), they were as inseparable as they had been in life. They
left the living realm as one, both their final breaths drawn at the exact same time.

..

Year: 1040

Falk Clan, Sweden.

Naya (full female veela) and Tascha (full female veela)

The history of this clan had great register of both of the mates, in this case. They were
both known for their large prowess and magical ability. One known around most
nearby villages for her impressive ability in healing, the other known for her
enchantress capability. There's not much more information about them, the whole
record has about two paragraphs, one talking about them and the other saying their
bonding was unique as far as the veela community there had known. Apparently even
 before they were fully mated, they were able to feel each other's emotions and reach
for the other mentally. They were, later, the leaders of the clan for a few years. Once
again, it is said they both died at the exact same time.

..

Year: 1155

Leclair Clan, France.

Ysabeau (full female veela) and Mahi (half female veela)

The heir of a clan found her mate between their enemies. Both clans were at war,
trying to conquer each other territory. This is the origin of the Leclair Clan. The bond
shared between both of them managed to end the war. Their birth clans merged under
their orientation. It says they understood each other instantly and that after the final
bound they were often described as almost one being.

..

Year: 1394

Acerbi Clan, Italy.

Piero (full male veela) and Luigi (full male veela)

Not much about them. They were both absolutely in love with each other, according to
their families. Apparently, they did not fully bound as the clan was at war at the time
and was killed. Died a few days later.

..

Year: 1528

Losnedahl Clan, Norway.

Aleksander (full male veela) and Freydís (half female veela)

They were warriors from a distant village and happened to meet while coming back
from a battle. She was the leader of her small clan and he was the commander among
his warriors. Both having an important role for their people, they were not able to
bond fully immediately. He left his town in order to be with her but even before they
could truly bond, it was clear how merged their lives were. Again they died together.

..

Year: 1674

Royer Clan, France.

Katherine (half female veela) and Diane (half female veela)

Both women were known among their Clan for their intelligence and wit. Absolutely
respected ever since they began school, they helped the clan grow and so were known
as the councilors of their leader. Their bond made them able to understand each other
even before they took the final step of the bound. They had known each other for quite
 a long time but only noticed they were mates long after finishing school. Those are the
mates that we have the most information about. But even then we don't have much
about them. The writer seems to have talked to them of known them personally. She
describes them as a couple that could make any other couple in their town jealous as
the seemed to never fight and always understand each other without having to utter a
word. It was known that they both had an impressive magical capability and that they
had taken part in at least one battle (and apparently almost died). Again, their bonding
had a slow pace, therefore, they didn't really mate right away. Their harmony had
been there ever since they realized they were mates, some would say even before.

..

Those were the only cases similar to yours I've found, dears. I have reached the clans
in England but they have no written history about that. It seems the bond you share is
incredibly rare and unique. As for the conclusions your parents and I came to, I'd say
they are obviously scarce given the lack of information but we do have some, to begin
with. After reading everything we found and compare them with all the information we
have from regular bonding, we were able to understand that as far as we see this kind
of bond is shared between mates that came across very dangerous and traumatic
circumstances or mates that have very powerful (and well developed) magical core,
which is obviously the case for you. Both are possibilities, if I'm being honest.
Another possibility we have come to understand is that both of you will probably
develop most if not every possible consequence of the veela bond as you two are
indeed quite powerful in your magic. Part of the premature bond you share comes
from Hermione's part as she apparently fully accepts and respects your true self (not
only the human but the veela too). Given she is a human, the depth of the bond you
have is almost unheard of because most humans are unable to fully understand and
accept our animal side. Hermione is well respected among most magical creatures
cultures given her need to understand and lack of judgment for our culture. As both of
you must have noticed, in all the cases we have found the mates are at least part veela
and that obviously makes your case even more unique. I won't discuss with you what
conclusions we have come across about the mates passing as I understand it's quite
blatant. I'm sorry I'm not able to give you better answers. See you during the holidays,
I hope (Fleur, your mother is being insufferable saying at least you and Hermione
must come to see us and that you better make time to come. Sorry about that I really
thought I had raised her better.)

Love,

Grandmère

P.S.: I'm sure Fleur already told you that I demand you call me grandmère, Hermione.
It's true.

As she finished reading, Hermione had a small smile plastered on her face.

"I told you, chéri. She won't let you call 'er by 'er given name." Fleur said, kissing the brunette's
mane. The latter moved a little so she could directly look at the blonde.

"I have no idea of how my mum will treat you…"

"We 'ave already met, chér."

"Well, that's not what they said…"

"Excuse moi?"

"They say you have to be introduced as my girlfriend this time." Hermione smiled. "That's what she
told me when I told her about you…"

"When did you talk to 'er? I assume you wouldn't simply say you were interested in a woman over a
letter."

"Uh… Remember I went home Sunday for my birthday?"

"So you were certain zat I would say yes?"

"I was hoping you would…" Hermione smiled and kissed the veela softly. Fleur hummed against
her lips. "Now, about that offer to distract me…"

"Eet's always standing."

"Good." Hermione made one swift movement with her hand and the letters plus notebooks found
their way to the desk nearby.

"Perfect, as always," Fleur stated, admiring how everything got into a neat pile right in the middle
of the table.

"Where were we?" The lioness smiled at her girlfriend, accepting the praise. "Oh, right!" She
leaned in and closed the (absurdly long, in her opinion) distance between them. A small moan
escaped from Fleur's mouth as their lips touched.

About thirty minutes later, the duo descended the stairs and found their three friends bundled up in
their favorite couch with a steamy mug on their hands.

Harry pointed at the table. "Dobby just brought them, he wanted to bring us something to wrap the
day. Or so he says."

"I think he just wanted to make sure we were all fine." Ginny offered and both, Harry and Luna
nodded.

Hermione took her mug and offered the other to Fleur, with a little smile. They already had their
respective mugs, Dobby liked to bring them their favorites every now and then. The mugs were
always on display on the shelf in the small kitchen they had. Six mugs, one for each and one for
Moire as the girl came by sometimes. Looking at their mugs anyone could figure out to whom they
belonged to. Hermione's was blue (in her opinion, the colour of Fleur's eyes), Fleur's was aged gold
(the color of the lioness' eyes) - yes, they were cheesy like that -, Harry's was gold and crimson
with a moving snitch, Ginny's had the Holyhead Harpies crest in it and bore the team's colors, and
Luna's was plain blue and bronze. Hermione had charmed Moire's mug so it held Gryffindor's crest
in a crimson background.

"He is spoiling us," Hermione said as she sat on the opposite couch with Fleur.

"'ow does 'e even know what our favorite drinks are?"

"I'd say he had help. From a little friend of ours from Diagon Ally…"

"Right…"

"Did you do any of this?" Hermione asked, pointing at the four piles of parchment.
"Nope, but Lun went through it." Gin answered, "Apparently, as you are usually the one that lends
notes to whoever gets sick and I would say that no one has the ability to write as fast nor as much
as you, we received the teachers' notes with everything that went to the blackboard and a transcript
of the lessons…"

"McGonagall went all out making sure we had the best source to study… These transcription quills
are quite expensive…" Luna added, airily.

Hermione got up after taking a sip from her cup and giving it to Fleur. She noticed they didn't
question her movement, her friends knew her well. Taking the stash of parchment with her name
over it, she sat back next to Fleur.

"Seems to be a lot of 'omework…" Fleur said after one look at the papers on the lioness hands.

"It's the normal amount to seventh years… With the N.E.W.T.s by the end of the school year…"
Hermione said while going through it all, "And it's actually this week's worth. They are all due to
next week… We have essays, with at least 35 inches each, to write about human transfiguration,
veritaserum, and Merpeople. And quizzes about the first two… And I have 35 inches of runes to
translate." She informed calmly.

"At least zee subjects are interesting…" Fleur smiled at them. "I might 'ave a few books you can
use as research for zee merpeople essay… I know 'ow few zee library 'as and 'ow poor of
information zey are…"

"Don't ever say that to Madam Pince, babe."

"Yes, she will take it as a personal offense…" Luna added, smiling.

"The last time someone had the nerve to say the place was poor of resources, she made sure to ban
the poor girl from the premises for about a month." Ginny laughed. "I believe she was a
Ravenclaw. The girl went around begging to people so they would borrow the books she needed. It
was quite fun to watch. McGonagall took pity on her and persuaded Madam Pince to let her get
back but I'm quite sure she had some fun watching the girl get desperate."

"I believe I saw her holding her laughter once… But before I could do a double take she had
schooled her face…" Harry added.

"I don't think it's ok to mess with someone's education." Hermione scowled.

"Come on, 'Mione I saw you trying to control your laughter at least twice…" Harry smiled at her.

"Ees eet even possible? Banning a student from zee library, I mean."

"Not according to the school rules," Hermione answered, ignoring Harry.

"But no one likes to go against Madam Pince. Not even McGonagall." Ginny offered.

"Or Dumbledore. But I do believe he had a lot of fun when it happened." Harry added.

"By the end of the day, no one wants to be in her aim of wrath. And everyone basically accepts it's
her library." Hermione concludes.

"Does she accept donations?" Fleur asked after absorbing the information about the librarian.

"Usually, yes. But I think the books need to go through the faculty's analysis." Hermione answered.
 "We should go to sleep…" She added, looking at the clock.

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hey guys! Sorry, it took me so long to update, life has been crazy... So,
thoughts? I was thinking about adding some entries of their journals here and there,
but I don't really know how it would work...

Please comment, I'm always pleased to learn what you think! Kudos are life!

;3

See Yah!

PS: Oh, right, my other story is up. So go read it (I managed to keep it shortish) hope
you like, please review it!

PPS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 35
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Fleur excused herself the next morning to quickly go to her place and pick up the books she had
offered to the other four. The group had decided to stay at the library and begin their work on all
their essays. As she entered the library, carrying said books, she greeted the librarian and moved to
the spot she knew they would be. Hermione's favorite table.

"'Ere." She placed the books in front of her girlfriend, smiling. "Zere ees one on
'uman transfiguration and one on potent potions too." She received a peck on the cheek and a bright
smile from Hermione as a prize (at least she considered it a prize). "Ask Madam Pince eef she ees
interested in 'aving zem 'ere as I know she doesn't already 'ave, please, 'ermione." The brunette
nodded. "I 'ave to get to zat class now, eef you will excuse me." She smiled at the other three sat
alongside the lioness and off she went.

Talking about her work was easy. She loved the action it provided, the possibility of making
something right for the community. It was quite dangerous, yes, but it was obviously part of the
job. Just like curse-breaking. She talked about both jobs during those two hours, answered their
questions and basically scared them to death with some of her field stories from her working time
at Gringotts. The class finished, Fleur went directly to the Great Hall where she had agreed to meet
her girlfriend and friends. She smiled while thinking about the lioness, as always. She was lost in
thought walking towards their meeting point when two arms snaked around her waist. As a first
instinct, she freed her wand from its holster with a small flick of her wrist almost in combat mode.
Then the smell of who was holding her reached her nostrils. With the scare, the veela was
enhancing her senses so she truly smelled her. Relaxing, she took her time to really enjoy the scent.
The essence of Hermione (Black) Granger. She was dragged back to reality when she felt the girl
chuckle and heard her best friend slash brother's voice.

"I believe she almost hexed you, 'Mione…" The smile was obvious in his voice.

"Nah, she knew it was me."

"'Mione, she drew her wand," Ginny added, pointing at her hand.

"She just came out of war and is an Auror. It's only natural."

"To end zis nonsensical banter: yes, I drew my wand, and yes, I would 'ave attacked eef I
'adn't smelled 'er. So yes, I knew eet was 'er in a second." Fleur moved so she was facing Hermione
and her friends, and put her wand back into its holster.

"Good thing you know my smell then. What do I smell off?"

"Your favorite zings." Fleur knew she would have to elaborate, Hermione knew her smell was
better than most. The lioness smiled and raised an eyebrow. "Books, old and new, ink, new
parchment and pepper chocolate." She added, after pecking her on the lips.

Hermione beamed.

"What does parchment smell like? What the hell is the difference between old and new books?"
Ginny murmured to Harry, he shrugged.
"They are some of my favorite smells." Luna smiled, not bothering to answer the redhead.

Fleur tuned out the trio conversation as she felt Hermione's breath near her ear.

"What were you thinking about that made you forget your surroundings?" Her voice was lower
than usual, Fleur felt the start of a shifting and instinctively held the brunette closer to her.

"You." She answered simply. The blonde nipped the other woman earlobe and smiled at the quiet
gasp she elicited from her.

"For Merlin's sake, there are first years around!" Ginny said, faking distress. Hermione and Fleur
smiled at her and turned to resume their walk to lunch.

"Hey, you have practice after lunch, right?" Hermione asked, looking at Ginny, who simply
nodded.

"I need to go see Madam Pomfrey after lunch to see if I can play too…" Harry mumbled.

Ginny nudged him. "I'm sorry, you are still taking those potions and I can't risk having you hurt
before the game."

"And you are pretty reckless on a broom," Luna added.

Fleur smiled internally and exchanged a look with Hermione.

After lunch, all of them went to the hospital wing with the boy, except for the redhead who had to
check the pitch and make sure the rest of the team was there. He knocked on the door and opened
it. As the group entered, they saw the resident healer near a younger student who seemed to be in
pain.

"Just a moment." She said, after seeing they were all in good shape. Returning her attention to the
younger girl, she gave her a potion and told her to get some rest on the bed. After pulling the
curtain around the bed, she turned towards them. "Ah, good. I was going to pay you a visit later. As
you are all here… Sit, all of you." Fleur understood she meant her three companions and stood by
Hermione's side holding her hand. The healer performed a series of diagnostic spells on each of
them and seemed to be satisfied by their results. "I need to say, Miss Granger, the treatment you
managed to ensure Miss Lovegood and yourself went through may have saved your lives. I'm still
impressed. Although I shouldn't be. You are the brightest witch of your age after all." She said with
a smile. "You are all getting better." She glanced at Hermione's left arm. "I hope it doesn't hurt
much." She added apologetically, there was nothing she could do about the carving without
knowing in what curses and potions the blade had been embedded. "Keep taking the potions as
Cissy instructed and I'll go to you again in two days."

"Uhm, I've been meaning to ask you something…" Harry said as the healer seemed to be going to
tend to another patient. She turned back to him and motioned him to continue. "As you know, the
first match of the cup is approaching…"

"Yes, Mr. Potter you may go to practice. Just don't exaggerate, please. I don't need you collapsing
in the middle of the pitch."

"I don't zink Ginny would let 'im, anyway." Fleur offered before Harry could say anything.

"Thank you, Madam Pomfrey. And Fleur is kind of right…" Harry smiled at the healer that had
treated him for his entire school career. "Ginny would kill me if I overwork myself." She smiled at
him. "Thank you, I'll head to practice then." She nodded.
The three hopped off of the beds and they started their way towards the pitch.

"Perfect weather!" Hermione exclaimed, leaning on Fleur as they walked across the school's
grounds on their way to the court. "Not too hot nor too cold, no rain yet it's not dry…" Fleur had to
agree. Honestly, that was the main motive for her to like it so much in Britain.

"I personally like the snow better." Said Luna, smiling. "We can simply stay inside warming near
the fireplace, reading a book and drinking something hot… And there's Christmas."

"Oh, speaking of Christmas…" Fleur said. "Maman and Grandmère are inviting everyone to our
winter 'ouse at some time over zee 'olidays…" She and Hermione were yet to discuss this but she
was sure that her girlfriend would like to have Harry, Ginny, and Luna there.

"Won't it be the first time Hermione meets them?" Luna asked, looking at Hermione, who simply
nodded. Fleur felt how nervous the brunette was getting and squeezed her hand lightly in hopes to
reassure her.

"Oui… We are yet to pin zee day we are going but I figured 'ermione would appreciate your
company zere."

"We might go a few days before everyone but I really think we could use a change of sight…"
Hermione added. They approached the field and saw Ginny dragging the balls' trunk into the field.
Harry ran to her so he could help her.

"They are cute together…" Luna noted, looking at the couple in front of them.

"Yeah, but it would be even more so with the three of you, Lun," Hermione added, smiling at their
friend who instantly blushed.

"Yeah, yeah…" Luna murmured.

Fleur remained silent, simply smiling. Luna knew she agreed with the brunette. As they entered the
pitch, Ginny and Harry smiled at them. Fleur was uncertain if they were smiling at the three of
them or only Luna and she and Hermione just happened to be near the Ravenclaw. The veela chose
to believe it was the second option, having long admitted to herself she was a big romantic.
Something Hermione had proof of every day, she was proud to say.

"Wanna play, Fleur?" Ginny asked, with a playful grin.

"Non." She held her girlfriend closer to her and smiled back at the team captain. "I just spent the
whole morning away from 'ermione and 'ave no intent on spending any more time."

"Whipped."

"Proudly so." Fleur laughed.

"We will warm up as soon as the rest of the team gets here…" Ginny offered.

"We will watch from one of the stands…" Luna smiled.

They headed to one of the empty stands, some Gryffindor students were there to watch the practice
as well and were beginning to fill most of them. Moire found them a bit later after the team had
started taking leaps to warm up.

"Hey!" The girl smiled at the three of them. No other students had entered the stand they were in
and the little girl seemed to be having a small battle inside herself. Fleur read her face with ease.

"'ello, Moire! Want to sit with us?" A grin spread to the younger lioness and she nodded.

"Where are your friends?" Hermione asked, smiling sweetly at her.

"They are waiting for me… I said I was only gonna say hi to you…"

"Don't they want to watch the practice with us? There's plenty space…" Hermione extended the
invite.

"I'll ask them!" The girl jumped in place and practically skipped to the stairs.

"Quick, they will begin any time now!" Luna shouted as soon as the girl began to descend the
stairs. Not longer than five minutes later, a group of five Gryffindors entered the stand, led by
Hermione's miniature copy (not that they really looked alike).

"Moire, are you sure…?" She heard one of them whisper.

"Yep."

"But…"

"Good! You are here!" Hermione exclaimed, seconds before Fleur could welcome them. "They are
beginning!"

"See?" Moire sounded a bit annoyed. Fleur couldn't keep herself from snickering, the girl was too
adorable! Except for her, the younger Gryffindors kept their distance during most of the practice.
The girl was clearly annoyed with the hesitation coming from her friends, Fleur found it sickening
cute but absolutely understood them. The three of them had quite the reputation as war heroes and
probably most of them had heard their parents talking about the brunette and telling them not to be
in her way or annoy her… Fleur kissed her lioness on the temple, standing from where they were
watching the game. The brunette quirked an eyebrow questioningly, she gave her a wide smile and
motioned she would be back in no time. Moire had been leaning on Hermione as they watched the
team basically ignoring her friends with annoyance. The blonde felt both gazes following her while
she walked towards the first year's group.

"'ello! Why are you all zee way down 'ere?" She asked, making sure to smile reassuringly at the
small group. They seemed to squirm a little and look at her with frightened doe eyes.

"Uhm…" One of the girls managed to say.

"Zee view from up zere ees quite a lot better and I'm sure Moire ees missing you…" She smiled
once again, trying to make one of them talk to her. "What are your names? I'm sorry I didn't ask
before…"

The girl that tried talking before took a breath, "I'm Kassidy…" (she was redheaded, almost as
much as the Weasleys) and motioned to each of the other kids: "Blake," the blonde boy smiled,
"Teagan," the brunette girl next to him waved "and Dallas" the raven-haired boy nodded.

"Pleasure to meet you!" She made sure to beam. "I'm Fleur! Zat pretty brunette over zere ees
'ermione and zee blondie ees Luna." Fleur was aware they know who they were but decided to
introduce them anyway.

"We know…" The blonde murmured, receiving a badly disguised shove from his ginger friend and
a glare from Teagan.

"Good. Now, don't you want to watch what's left of zee practice from up zere? I can assure you zat
zee view ees really better from zere…" She chuckled. The first years exchanged a glance and got
up, following Fleur as she climbed back to her seat. She introduced them to the two girls, who
smiled and waved. Moire seemed to brighten as soon as she saw her friends following Fleur.

"Thank you for doing this…" Hermione whispered to her, kissing her cheek. She smiled at her
girlfriend lovingly.

"So, you lot like Quidditch?" Luna asked the younger students happily. They all nodded.

"I don't really get it but I guess it's fun to watch…" Moire said.

Hermione smiled, "I don't either… And I hate flying."

"Oh come on, eet's quite easy to understand…" Fleur laughed.

"I get the rules, babe. What I don't get is the need to fly."

"That is the fun part!" Kassidy chimed in, smiling.

"Not really. It's bizarre to simply mount a broom and get off the ground!" Moire half muttered.

"Oh, come on! Once you get the grip you learn to love it!" Blake nudged Hermione's miniature.

"Hey! Ginny is trying that maneuver from the Harpies again!" Luna exclaimed. They all focused
on the captain.

The redhead had caught the quaffle from the keeper and took off flying across the pitch almost
making a beeline in the direction of the opposite goal posts. By the middle of the field, she and one
of the other two chasers on her team came across each other then the other one did the same, they
were all flying incredibly fast so it was almost impossible to know who had the ball. A bit before
they got to the scoring area, one of them purposefully slowed down, holding the ball, but picked up
the pace quickly. The three of them reached the line together on three different locations, only one
entered the area and scored. Fleur noticed how united the team was, she was absolutely certain that
maneuver wouldn't be possible if the team wasn't so tight. Ginny was indeed a great player and a
crazy fan of the Harpies. She probably analyzed each and every maneuver they ever did. This one
specifically forced the keeper to focus in only one chaser as their velocity could make anyone feel
a little dizzy, it wasn't a fail-proof one as the keeper could choose the right chaser but if the chasers
kept an eye on them they would easily enough predict who should try to score.

"WOW," Teagan exclaimed. "We are definitely going to win the cup." The other first yeas simply
nodded. Fleur saw Luna beaming proudly from the corner of her eye and chuckled a little.

"Ginny is really good!" Kassidy stated.

"She wants to play professionally, she's going all in," Hermione informed smiling. The pride she
felt for her best friend was obvious in her voice. "And she managed to get a dream team,
apparently."

The practice ended shortly after. The Gryffindors began to go back to the castle, while their group
stayed behind, near the exit of the locker room.

"We are waiting for Ginny and Harry…" Hermione informed the first years.
"Can we stay too?" Blake asked beaming.

"Sure."

It didn't take long for them to see the couple heading out of the pitch. Fleur smiled as Ginny got out
of her way to thank Luna for watching, hugging her. Harry followed the redhead lead. The veela
was standing right next to Hermione, her hand on the smaller of her back drawing senseless
patterns over her clothes. The lioness leaned on her and kissed her cheek as a disguise to her
whispered note: "They are cute together." Fleur simply nodded slightly.

"Eet seems you 'ave new fans, Gin!"

"I knew you would come to sense and notice my superiority in the sport!"

Fleur couldn't help but laugh. "HA! Never. I beat you anytime! I meant les petits." She corrected,
motioning to the younger part of the group.

Teagan smiled widely and agreed with the veela. "You are fantastic!"

"Well, thank you!" Ginny held her right hand over her heart and bowed slightly.

"I'll cheer for any pro's you get in!" Moire exclaimed

"And you will get free tickets anytime you want to watch!" Ginny laughed.

"We still have about an hour until dinner, what do you want to do?" Luna asked.

"Oh, I desperately need a shower. You go ahead and I'll meet you at the Great Hall." Harry said,
smiling.

"Me too. See you there?" Ginny held Harry's hand.

"Sure." Luna smiled at them

"'ey! Separate bathrooms!" Fleur exclaimed quickly before they took off.

Harry dipped his head and Ginny laughed. "Always, Fleur! Always…"

"Not according to 'ermione…"

"What are we doing until then?" Hermione asked as the couple left, the redhead laughing hard and
the raven-haired clearly wanting to disappear. "Do you have any homework to do?" She asked the
first years. Fleur laughed and kissed the side of her head.

"So studious…" She said shaking her head.

"Hey, it's important!"

"Sure is, Mon Ange. But you don't even know eef zey want to spend zis time with us."

"Can we?" Blake asked eagerly. All five young faces looked expectantly at them.

"Why could you not?" Luna asked, smiling.

"I don't know…" Dallas answered ruffling his own hair.

"We do have homework…" Moire said in a small voice, next to Hermione. "I was planning on
doing it this afternoon but they dragged me to watch the practice…"

After a small conversation, they decided to head to the library where Hermione and Luna could
show them the books they used as research during their first year. An hour later, they were leaving
the library, the first years carrying at least two books each, Hermione and Luna smiling and happy
for being able to help. They entered the Great Hall and saw Ginny and Harry sat in their usual spot.

"Oh! That's where you were…" Ginny smiled at them, seeing the books. "'Mione and Lun dragged
you there?" She laughed.

"We needed research material for our homework…" Dallas answered, smiling and struggling to
hold four different books (just as Moire was).

"I was dragged," Kassidy mumbled. Teagan nudged her.

Ginny laughed wholeheartedly. "Well, let's eat! I'm starving and we were only waiting for you."
They all took a seat. Luna sat by Ginny's side, with Teagan on her other side, Dallas, and Kassidy
by Harry. Fleur and Hermione sat in front of the couple with Blake and Moire (respectively) by
their sides.

"Sorry for making you wait, Harry." Hermione smiled at her brother.

"No problem. She's far better than Ron…"

Blake nudged Fleur lightly and whispered: "Why is she apologizing to Harry and not Ginny?"

Harry heard the question and smiled. "Ginny is a Weasley, you see? There is nothing worse than a
hungry Weasley."

"Why?" Dallas asked (but earned a nudge from Kassidy).

Ginny laughed. "We tend to get nervous and a bit aggressive…" She explained. "But these two
grew up with the worse of us. I'm, by far, better than my brothers." Harry nodded.

"Ronald is the worse. Ginny actually listened to their mother's lessons of civility and etiquette. I
guess she's the only one that learned something…"

"Oh, it can't be so bad…" Teagan said.

"Believe us, it is," Luna said.

"Bill ees just like Ronald. I usually carry something to eat with me every time we go to zee field. 'e
gets reckless when 'e ees 'ungry…"

"Always keep a Weasley fed." Harry said.

They served themselves, following Ginny's lead as she eagerly served herself as soon as the
conversation died. After dinner, they walked to the Gryffindor common room together, the first
years excused themselves to sleep and the five older moved to the private living room.

"You managed to finish your 'omework?"

"I still have a few touches left, but the girls did…" Harry smiled tiredly.

"Actually, I still have half of the ancient runes' sheet to translate…" Hermione said taking the seat
by Fleur's side on the couch they usually occupied.
 "No 'omework from today?"

"We have the same classes Mondays and Tuesdays. So we don't."

"Harry and I have something from Muggle Studies but it's usually not much…" Ginny said.

Fleur nodded. They talked a bit but soon they were all yawning and decide to retire to their rooms
early.

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hey guys! Yeah, you can kill me if needed... Sorry, really. Holidays and all...

Next chapter is kind of full-on fluff! I think you're gonna love!

...

IN CASE YOU ARE WONDERING (it's not really important), I forgot to add all the
names of the veelas of the research (it has been updated but if you don't want to go
there, 'ere eet ees: (year/clan, location/name and blood status)

Year: 973 / Ruud Clan, Norway. / Aimée (full female veela) and Gaelle (full female
veela)

Year: 1040 / Falk Clan, Sweden. / Naya (full female veela) and Tascha (full female
veela)

Year: 1155 / Leclair Clan, France. / Ysabeau (full female veela) and Mahi (half female
veela)

Year: 1394 / Acerbi Clan, Italy. / Piero (full male veela) and Luigi (full male veela)

Year: 1528 / Losnedahl Clan, Norway. / Aleksander (full male veela) and Freydís (half
female veela)

Year: 1674 / Royer Clan, France. / Katherine (half female veela) and Diane (half
female veela)

....

Please review, I'm always pleased to learn what you think!

;3

See Yah!

Shout out to Aussie (from fanfiction.net) who proofread this one...

PS: Oh, right, my other story is up. So go read it (I managed to keep it shortish) hope
you like, please review it!

PPS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 36
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Hermione is already dreading the end of the week. The week is too short in her opinion but at the
same time, it was long enough to make her absolutely used to Fleur's presence. Too soon, it's
Thursday night and she is restless thinking the blonde will have to leave in three days. She is deep
in thought as she lays on her bed waiting for her girlfriend to get ready to sleep. Hermione is quite
sure she is absolutely overthinking, she knows the blonde actually has permission to spend the
night whenever she'd like to (thank Merlin Minerva actually likes them and apparently is willing to
bend some rules for her - not that she understands why she does so). She feels the bed dip near her
and soon enough a strong arm envelops her waist while a warm, feather-like kiss is placed over her
shoulder blade. She shivered and leaned back into the body she is so going to miss after Sunday.
The room was warm enough for her to go with a sleeveless shirt and some shorts. Fleur apparently
had made the same choice.

"A kiss for a zought?" She feels the French woman smile against her, she smiles herself.

"Just… I'm gonna miss you." She answers, her voice not louder than a whisper and soon enough
she is being turned around.

Fleur nudged her nose with her own, a sweet habit of hers now. "Me too. I guess we both got
spoiled…" She said smiling and making Hermione smile too. Three words wander through her
head and she is quite sure it is shown in her eyes because she sees cerulean/orange eyes soften. She
can read the love in these eyes. The adoration was also clear before her. Hermione was absolutely
sure that her eyes conveyed the exact same things.

"I'm certain I am." She beamed and leaned to kiss the blonde. A soft kiss, conveying her feeling for
the woman in front of her. They were yet to exchange the words but she was sure Fleur knew how
she felt.

"Uhm," She felt Fleur's grip around her tighten as the blonde held her closer, leaning into the kiss.
It remained soft, but thinking about the end of the week made both of them need to feel each other
closer. Ending the kiss only because breath was needed, Hermione snuggled into Fleur's neck,
nuzzling it. The heartfelt kiss turned into an ever tight blonde kissed her temple and hummed
again, delightfully. "Night…" She heard the woman murmur.

Kissing her neck softly (and making the blonde shiver, she was proud to say), she murmured back,
"Umm night."

The next day came with a new worry. She had momentarily forgotten that Fleur and Ginny would
have a one-on-one Quidditch match by the end of the day. Fleur was borrowing Harry's broom, that
was set by the breakfast table. Hermione was absolutely quiet, nervousness seeping into her. That
was ridiculous, Fleur had probably the most dangerous job in Britain and yet there she was fearing
for her wellbeing over a Quidditch match. She breather deeply and moved her attention from the
conversation to the soothing circles Fleur was drawing on her thigh. After she had calmed enough,
she tuned in the conversation again, in time to hear both girls agreeing on setting a smaller field for
them. Ginny, using her captain perks, had already booked the pitch for them to play in the evening.
She tuned out again as she leaned on Fleur's shoulder, taking advantage of her proximity to really
calm down a bit. She was actually a bit sleepy now, she closed her eyes and snuggled a bit further
into the blonde, who moved slightly so she could hold her by the waist. A peck over the top of her
head. An ever quiet promise, "I'll take care, Mon Ange." making she acknowledge it with a small
nod. She knows. But she can't stop herself from worrying. Fleur was free to spend the day with her,
the task of talking about her job had ended the day before. It took her the whole day, much to their
chagrin. Thinking back, it was probably what made Hermione think about Sunday. Thankfully,
seeing she would have to spend most of the day away from Fleur, she set her mind on finishing
absolutely every homework she had left, coming to the length of asking the Headmistress if it
would be possible to have the next day's homework too. So she was absolutely free after breakfast.
The others still had some to finish so they headed to the library, knowing full well that she went
berserk the day before with the school work so she could spend some extra time with Fleur.

They walked silently, holding hands. The lightness of the moment making them smile widely.
They made their way to their usual spot (under a tree, by the lake) mindlessly. It didn't surprise
them at all when they found themselves there. Fleur sat down, leaning on the tree and tugged
Hermione's hand guiding her so she would sit in between her legs, facing the lake. The blonde
adjusted their position so they were both comfortable and wrapped her arms around Hermione's
stomach. Her chin rested against the brunette's shoulder after a soft kiss on her neck. They sat in
silence, enjoying each other and the view.

"I've always looked forward to 'aving zis." The blonde admitted in a small voice. Hermione stayed
quiet, only squeezing her arm slightly to let her know she was listening. "I grew up with tales about
mates and 'ow beautiful eet was but 'ow incredibly difficult eet was to find zem. Most veela
acknowledge eet ees almost impossible and temporarily mate with other unmated veela as to not
live zeir life alone. I guess my family ees really lucky. Grandmére, Maman, and, now, me. Eet's
actually unusual to 'ave so many in one family with true mates. But I 'ope Gaby finds hers…" The
silence that followed was calm, almost as if the blonde was letting all she said sink into Hermione.
She nuzzled the brunette unconsciously and held her tighter. "I 'oped I would find my mate but I
guess I've never really believed zat…" Hermione felt like melting. The way Fleur was saying this
made her sure that the other woman had never really admitted it to anyone. "Thank you." The
blonde added silently, kissing the nape of her neck and hiding her face there, letting her hair cover
her face. Hermione leaned on the touch but couldn't quite wrap her mind around what she was
being thanked for. She turned carefully (unfortunately dislodging Fleur) so she could look at her.

"What for?" She asks softly.

"For being you. And wanting to be with me, even zough I know zis whole mates zing ees
overwhelming… And accepting me as I am…" She was still hiding her face.

"Hey…" Hermione reached for he chin and made her look into her eyes. "If you need to thank me,
then I need too." She placed a soft kiss on Fleur's lips. "Thank you."

"But…"

"No. You are amazingly patient, you always make sure I'm comfortable and taken care, you came
here and stayed simply because you noticed I wouldn't have any nightmares if you were there.
YOU accept me as I am, you don't care about my status…" She smiled. They were facing each
other now, she caressed Fleur's cheek and looked deep into cerulean eyes. So deep that she didn't
need the flick of color that happened a second after to be sure her veela had listened and
understood. She pressed her forehead against Fleur's, never looking away from her eyes. "Je
t'aime." The look of surprise on the blonde's face almost made her laugh. She beamed at her as she
saw her words sink in. A second later she was being tackled into the ground, a deep kiss being
delivered.

"Je t'aime aussi…" was whispered as they broke the kiss and simply hugged.
Her heart fluttered as Hermione started thanking her. She leaned on her hand and her touch on her
cheek. She felt her veela purring, she herself felt like purring (they were one after all). She almost
didn't register what the brunette said after a while locking eyes.

"Je t'aime." What?! She felt her eyes go wide in surprise. Well, not really surprising. She actually
knew it, those words were simply… She launched to the smiling woman in front of her, tackling
her, kissing her deeply. She said it in French. Oh, fucking Merlin!

"Je t'aime aussi…" she whispered, into her neck while hugging her happily.

Thinking back, she should have expected being tackled. It was quite obvious how her speaking
French (even if it was only a little bit) affected the blonde. They resumed their previous position,
looking at the view, this time it was Hermione who was holding Fleur and leaning on the tree. The
comfortable silence allowed her to think. Not that her thoughts went far from where they were, she
was thinking about Fleur. Why wouldn't she? Hermione leaned and pressed a kiss on her cheek,
feeling the smile the other woman had on. Looking away, she strengthened her grip around her
waist.

"I could stay here all day…" She murmured.

"Ummm, me too." She felt the blonde press herself against her. "You are still worried about zee
game, aren't you?"

Hermione stayed silent, nuzzling her neck a bit savoring her scent. After a few seconds, she simply
hummed in accordance. "I know it's stupid. Just can't help it…"

"Not stupid. You can't ever be stupid."

"But it is. You have probably the most dangerous job in the magical world and here I am,
distressed over you playing a stupid game." She was actually annoyed with herself. She knew Fleur
would be careful, she always was. Her job was indeed far more dangerous than the game.

"Umm, you being worried about me ees understandable, Mon Reine," Fleur stated, caressing her
right thigh near her knee. Seriously, every French pet name the blonde called her, she felt like
turning into gay goo in an instant. "I understand you are afraid of heights?"

"It's more about the circumstance than the height itself." She shook her head a bit. "It's still a bit
odd the idea of an actual flying broom. In most muggle tales the witch flies in a broom." She
laughed at this. "At least they got this right…" She felt Fleur giggle a bit too. "I guess I don't really
wrap my mind around me flying… I don't have a problem when I have my feet fixed on the floor."

"But you still travel around in zose airplanes, non?"

"Yes, but… There is something floor-like under my feet. And I usually don't look through the
windows." She felt a bit silly about all that. "But a broom isn't the worst thing I fled on." Fleur
turned to her, an eyebrow raised. "Thestrals. And I didn't even see them at the time." She chuckled
a bit at the memory. "Fucking terrifying."

"Zat's 'ow you got to Zee Ministry on your fifth year, non?" She nodded. "Quite brave." The French
woman smiled at her. "I believe I'd never 'op up on something I couldn't see." They laughed.

"Don't even get me started with Buckbeak…" She added after catching her breath.

"At least you could see 'im." Fleur teased.

"True…" She suddenly got aware that the blonde was trying her best (and succeeding) to distract
her from the game. "Thank you…" she said after their laughter died. And she knew she didn't need
to say anything else. She kissed her neck shortly.

"Any time…" She heard her murmur.

By then it was almost lunch time and most students were filling out, or so she guessed by the
distant noise coming from the castle. Not long after she came to that conclusion, the clock
shimmed. Fleur got up and held out a hand to help her (she gladly took it). They started their way
back hand in hand, both fairly happy. Fleur stopped on her tracks midway and pulled her until she
had both her arms wrapped around her and simply kissed her deeply. Hermione looked at her a bit
surprised as they pulled back.

"What was that for?" She asked, smiling.

"I just felt like eet," Fleur said, her eyes flashed orange for a few seconds and then went back to
blue. "Do I 'ave to 'ave a motive to kiss you?" She asked, pouting a bit.

Hermione couldn't help but laugh at this display and lean in to kiss that small (absurdly cute) pout.
"No. You. Can. Kiss. Me. Whenever. You. Want." She punctuated each word with a kiss, after
nibbling her lower lip. She pulled back and was met by her beaming girlfriend. Fleur kissed her
again. "But we should go…" She added lightly as they parted lips.

"Bien…" Fleur muttered but didn't let go of Hermione. The lioness chuckled at it but turned in
place so the French woman was able to keep holding her (who was she kidding? It was fucking
comfortable…) and started walking again. She smiled as she felt Fleur's chin rest on her shoulder
blade.

Lunch went uneventfully. Until one courageous boy (she had to give him that) stepped into the
group's view after they finished eating. None of them knew him (that was quite an
accomplishment), but he was wearing Hufflepuff's uniform and seemed to be around the same age
as Ginny. They all looked at him quizzically. He stuttered.

"Erm… Hi…" He looked at the five of them and then settled on Fleur.

"Bonne après-midi," Fleur sounded annoyed, Hermione didn't even need to look at her to know that
the smile that had been there less than a minute before was gone. And replaced by a frown. She
instead looked at her friends, she saw Ginny gulp (looking between the couple in front of her and
the Hufflepuff), Harry stared at the boy the whole time (obviously not believing in what was
happening) and Luna was looking at her, smiling. She looked at her girlfriend, feeling the woman
hold her by the waist. She was simply looking at him with a raised eyebrow, waiting for him to
continue. Except for Fleur, none of the others had greeted him and no one planned on doing so.

"Mhm…" Hermione was seriously hoping he would just turn around and leave them. No such luck.
"I-I was wo-onderi-ing i-if yo-you…" Fleur raised her hand before the boy could finish whatever
he was going to say. Her other hand was drawing senseless patterns on the lioness' waist as to calm
them both.

"For fuck's sake…" Hermione muttered. She heard Ginny hold her breath and saw Harry try and
stand up (he was held back by Ginny and Luna). Fleur looked at her, any trace of annoyance left
her face as soon as the locked eyes. Without a word exchanged between the two of them, Hermione
kissed her lips. She, then, looked up to see the boy still standing there looking nervous. "Clueless"
she muttered again. Ginny called her in a whisper, knowing what the redhead wanted she didn't
even bother looking at her. Taking a deep breath, she noticed that the usually loud hall was silent
and noticed that the attention from everyone was in the exchange. Fleur muttered something in
French. She really needed to learn that language more deeply.

"Uhm," It was Ginny who spoke up first. The boy looked at her seemingly lost. "You are kind of
disturbing us. Fleur is obviously not interested as everyone, minus you, apparently, can see and
honestly you are starting to annoy us, especially Hermione by the looks she is giving you. I
honestly don't think you want to see any of us annoyed or angry particularly not her. So I'd just
walk away if I were you." The boy seemed to startle and notice the looks that they were all giving
him, he left, holding his breath.

"That. Was. Something." Hermione heard Moire's voice on her side. She had forgotten that the
first-years were by their side.

"Thank you, Gin…" She said, sighing.

"It was nothing. I honestly wanted to see you hex him to oblivion but then I remembered I'm Head
Girl…" The redhead laughed.

"You were about to…" She heard the French woman start, but she stopped after looking at her and
noticing how she was clutching her wand.

"I trust everything is solved…" McGonagall approached with a frown.

"Yes, 'eadmistress. We are sorry zat we disturbed zee lunchtime."

"It wasn't you, Miss Delacour. Good thinking, Miss Weasley. I believe you saved us from quite a
show." She smirked at Hermione, who looked at her sheepishly. "You should probably holster
your wand now, Miss Granger, the students are starting to get uneasy. I hope you have a good
afternoon." She left after acknowledging the rest of the Gryffindors near them.

"I think you made her go soft, 'Mione…" Ginny snickered after making sure the Headmistress was
out of hearing range. Hermione simply shook her head and leaned into Fleur (who simply held her
tighter). Their friends laughing.

With everything, Hermione had actually forgotten all about the game between Fleur and Ginny.
Her worries were back with full force as soon as they started their way towards the pitch. She felt
the veela hold her by the waist in an attempt to calm her down.

"I must confess I really zink you look quite 'ot when you are jealous, ma Reine," Fleur whispered.
Hermione smiled a bit, feeling her cheeks warm. "You were really about to 'ex 'im?"

"Umm, honestly it was out of reflex. I didn't really think about it. But I guess I should try and
control my jealousy…"

"You know you 'ave no reason to be, 'ermione."

"Yes, but-"

"You can't control your feelings. I know zat, mon chérie." Fleur cut her off, smiling. "I can't 'elp
feeling jealous of you either. Although my veela part ees a bit more… aggressive than I would
like."

"Oh?" Hermione looked at Fleur with a raised eyebrow.

Fleur blushed lightly as her eyes flicked. "…"

 "Aggressive?"

"Oui…" That was said with Hermione looking into orange orbs. She shot the blonde woman a
look. "Ok, I might imagine ripping some eyes out of your admirers' face…" She added in a
murmur.

That was new. Seeing Fleur get embarrassed was definitely unusual. Hermione smirked and shook
her head.

"Fleur, you ready?" Their attention was brought back to me present but Ginny, who was standing
in the middle of the field holding a quaffle, already on her training gear. Fleur quickly put on the
gear she had borrowed from Harry and nodded. She quickly pecked Hermione's lips and smiled at
her (Hermione was sure her worry was showing on her face).

"Be careful…" She whispered to the blonde who simply nodded and moved to meet Ginny. Harry
was exiting the locker-room, carrying three brooms. She assumed he was going to be used as a
referee.

"We should head up…" She heard Luna's dreamy voice coming from beside her. Nodding, she
turned and started to climb the stair to the stand with the Ravenclaw and the group of younger
Gryffindors. She caught herself watching the 'game' closely, with her wand clutched in her hand,
nervous as hell. She actually ignored any attempt of conversation coming from the rest of the
group watching, although she did hear Luna telling the younger students to give up trying to talk to
her as she was too tense to let herself be distracted. Nothing happened (she was deeply relieved
when Harry ended the game). Except for a tie, they had a restricted time.

A tie.

She already knew Ginny was great (more than that, actually) but finding out that Fleur was,
probably, just as much talented was something. Not really a surprise, her blonde seemed to exceed
on basically anything she put her head on. Wait. Her?

Well, yeah. She was allowed to call her that. They were girlfriends after all… Not that Hermione
was really expecting to be so clingy and possessive.

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hey guys! Yeah, you can kill me if needed... Sorry, really...

As promised: Lots o fluff and a bit comedy bc come on, jelly 'Mione...

Please comment, I'm always pleased to learn what you think! Leave me kudos if you
liked!

;3

See Yah!

PS: Oh, right, my other story is up. So go read it (I managed to keep it shortish) hope
you like, please review it!

PPS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 37
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Fleur was hopping out of the broom when she heard their spectators reach the end of the stand's
stairs.

"I hope you had fun playing today, Gin…" She heard Luna teasing voice (it wasn't really common
for her, but it came from time to time), "because, from what I gathered from 'Mione's expressions, I
don't think she will ever let Fleur mount a broom again."

The veela raised an eyebrow at her girlfriend, deciding to tease her a bit. "So you don't trust my
'abilities on a broom, Belle?" Hermione (who until then had a sheepish smile plastered on her face)
narrowed her eyes at her a bit, then smirked.

"Oh, I do. Believe me, I do. I know how stubborn you can be when doing something you decided
to do. I'm sorry if my terrible best friends ruined the game to me…"

"Oi!" Harry reacted as Ginny said: "Hey!"

"Well, you two have to admit that you have both been injured quite a few times over the years you
play…" Luna noted, giggling.

"But she hates flying! That's why she doesn't like the game!" Harry mumbled.

Fleur took notice of the group of younger Gryffindors chuckling from behind Hermione and Luna.
And smiled at how amused they seemed to be by this friendly banter.

"She was literally clutching her wand, Harry. As if fearing Fleur would suddenly fall from her
broom." Luna said with a smile playing on her mouth.

"Which does sound like something Harry would do…" Ginny laughed.

"No fair!" Harry mumbled.

"You did fall from your broom quite a few times, Harry…" Hermione smiled at him. "But you did
too, Gin. As did Ron."

Fleur stood between Harry and Ginny simply observing the four friends tease each other. It was
good to see how they were indeed better, the past week made them relax quite a bit. Even she had
relaxed.

"But most of mine were due to someone trying to kill me…" Harry argued. (Fleur heard the
younger pride gasp lowly, that was probably the first time they heard any mention of Harry's deeds
from his own mouth) "Quirrel first, then dementors…" He raised two fingers, trying to count the
falls. "Dragon-"

"Show-off. You didn't fall during the first task." Ginny smirked, crossing her arms. "You are
saying this because they are here." She motioned to the younger group that was (obviously)
listening closely.

"It did try to kill me…" He mumbled again.

"Eet was protecting eet's eggs. Zee dragon would 'ave tried to kill anyone who approached, 'arry."
Fleur intervened. "Mine tried to kill me too, remember?"

"You put it to sleep, Fleur." The blonde grinned at Hermione's phrase.

"That was quite impressive, I might say." Ginny smiled at the veela

"I almost caught on fire, 'ermione."

"It snored." The lioness smiled at her with her eyebrow raised, looking unimpressed. The younger
Gryffindors laughed at this.

"Whatever," She muttered but moved to give the brunette a peck on the lips. "You are ruining my
reputation." She whispered playfully.

"What reputation?" Hermione countered, giving her a peck on the cheek before taking off in the
direction of the castle. Harry chose that moment to collect the brooms and go lock them up in the
locker-room. Fleur sped after her as soon as she gave him his broom back. She could hear the
brunette's laugh. She chased after her girlfriend laughing at her antics.

The group reached the Great Hall laughing, Hermione slightly breathless.

"A little rusty, 'Mione?" Harry joked as they calmly walked to their usual spot at the Gryffindor
table.

"Guess so…" The lioness laughed, as she leaned on Fleur.

Ginny, Luna, and Harry rounded the table so they could sit across from them. The younger
Gryffindors had bid them farewell as soon as they entered the castle. After dinner, they were
expected at the Hospital wing to see how they were going with the treatment. Fleur kissed the side
of Hermione's head as they walked there. The brunette smiled at her and lightly squeezed her arm
that was around her waist. Harry knocked on the door before opening it. They entered the room,
the smell of a few healing potions was obvious to Fleur but she knew it wasn't at all clear to the
others. She had always been able to smell a bit more then most so she was used to this smell at any
healing place.

"I'll be there in a minute!" They heard Madam Pomfrey say from her office. The healer obviously
had a calm afternoon as no student was on the premises. Luna moved to the nearest bed and sat
there, knowing that would be the first thing the healer would ask them to do. Hermione followed
her suit and hopped on the bed next to the blonde. Fleur located herself in between Hermione's legs
and let herself be embraced by her. Luna was in front of them being flanked by Harry and Ginny
(each had a hand on her leg, clearly trying to calm her a little). They talked a bit while waiting.

"Why is the potion smell so strong here if there's no one being treated now?" Hermione asked the
group.

"Uh, 'Mione, there's no strong smell here…" Ginny answered after sniffing the air a bit. Harry and
Luna simply nodded.

Fleur calmly turned on the brunette's arms.

"Can you describe what you are smelling?" She asked with a small smile. She saw the realization
come to Hermione as soon as they crossed eyes.

The lioness nodded before taking a deep breath. "I'd say the room smells like three different
potions… Healing potions." She said after a bit. "Uhh, it's bitter and sweet at the same time. Salty
too." Fleur smiled widely at her and pecked her lips. "Sleeping Draught, Antiseptic potion and
Burn-healing paste?" The lioness added after thinking a little. Fleur nodded after taking her time to
identify the potions.

"I zink so…" After pecking her cheek, she turned to face their dumbfounded friends.

"That is the usual smell around here when we have patients." Madam Pomfrey had reached them
while she was focused on the brunette.

Fleur smiled at the older witch and focused on the others. "We'll explain later…" She felt
Hermione nod behind her. The healer began the checkup on both girls as soon as they laid on the
beds.

"Narcissa asked me to keep her posted, she couldn't come tonight. She says Draco is currently
trying to locate Miss Lestrange's notebooks and the blade."

"Thank you, Madam Pomfrey." Hermione smiled.

"Well, I obviously would prefer to keep you two under rest for some more time but I know you are
well taken care of and you probably decided you have rested enough." The healer continues after
nodding. "You still have to take the potions as they help to stabilize the after-effects of the curse,
and I still want to see you twice before the end of next week. You are good to go back to your
normal activities." She added. "I'm really happy to see you two are doing better. Miss Granger, any
discomfort with your arm? Narcissa said you should let her know immediately if something
changes regarding your arm."

"No. It's pretty much the same. It doesn't bleed anymore thanks to the potion but still hurts a bit."
Hermione shrugged and looked at her arm (the bandages and scar were under a Concealment
Charm).

They left the Hospital wing in a lighter mood, Hermione, Ginny and Luna happy to be able to get
back to school work (Harry not so much).

"Uh, what was that about the smell?" Ginny asked quietly leaving unspoken that if they weren't
comfortable explaining they could simply change the subject. Fleur was really happy that
Hermione's friends were far from prying people and were absolutely respectful of her heritage.

The brunette looked at her as if asking for permission to talk. She smiled and hugged the woman,
trying to remember what they had told them. She was certain Ginny was aware they were mates,
but apart from it, she wasn't sure they said something else. But they were still walking on the
corridors and as far as she was aware, those walls could listen (quite literally, given the high
number of paintings).

"Uh…" Hermione began bringing her back to the moments. "We should get to our the common
room first…"

"Oh! Sure…" Ginny smiled softly.

As they entered the room, Hermione called Dobby and asked him if he could bring them
something to drink, he left excitedly and came back a few minutes later with their hot beverages of
choice.

"Thank you, Dobby!" Hermione smiled at him.

"Dobby, we will need some privacy for now…" Fleur began. "I trust you understand I can't 'ave
anyone other zen zem 'earing."

"Dobby will let the other elves that they are not to come here today." He smiled at the couple.
"And if the Misses need Dobby, just step outside and call Dobby." With that, he vanished.

"Uhm…" Harry looked at them quizzically.

"'e knows zat some zings are better kept away from prying eyes… As a magical creature, 'e knows
some of us are more restrict about who can know about certain zings. Like us veelas… When I
asked for privacy, 'e caught on with zee subject." Fleur tried to explain. The other three seemed to
have accepted as they sat quietly, obviously recognizing how serious the next subject was.
Hermione moved quickly, Fleur saw her conjuring a patronus and send it to McGonagall (she
guessed). They waited a second and a cat patronus came back with a short word of agreement.
Fleur blocked the floo access to the fireplace with a quick spell. With a quick glance at each other,
veela and lioness started to protect the room to make sure no one could hear them in any way or
have access to anything said there. Their friends watched them working together as if they had
known each other since birth. Harry and Ginny watching awestruck and Luna smiling widely.
Fleur watched them from the corner of her eyes measuring their reactions. She knew she could
trust them and knew the Ravenclaw had a better grasp on her culture and might be able to help the
other two understanding everything she said. She knew that even having read about it more deeply
then Luna, Hermione would have some difficulty explaining because she was experiencing
everything (it could get deeper than the other couple could grasp at first). The couple sat in front of
their friends somewhat nervous.

"Why don't you explain the mating thing?" Luna suggested, noticing they had no idea of how to
begin. The redhead and raven-haired nodded.

Hermione took a deep breath, taking the lead. Fleur felt the confidence emanating from her and
smiled, knowing the younger woman felt like knowing enough to be able to explain it to her
friends. The brunette unconsciously relaxed and leaned a little on her.

"Right. Ok. I know you already know a bit about it but I'll go over it again so we are actually able
to explain everything." The older lioness began, their friends nodding, "The veela culture is very
particular about a series of things, they have a specific way to see the world and every exchange
happening around them. Their understanding of relationships is probably the most simple and yet
most complicated aspect of their culture that relates to Humans, magic or not. Although it's unusual
for veelas to relate with Muggles. As far as I understand, that knowledge comes from their
ancestors." Fleur nodded with pride, that being the first time she saw Hermione speak about
something she knew she was capable of making others understand. "Veelas are able to see the
threads that connect us to each other. Especially when it's related to love, romantic love
specifically. So they have a special understanding of it. When they say mates, they talk about those
threads. My guess is that as they have a deeper perception of it, they also are more deeply affected.
Usually, the concept of mating is used when there's a veela involved, but it is actually present to
everyone. In a less deep grasp, obviously. Everyone is capable of having a mate, as conceptually it
could be resumed as soul juncture. A person's soul recognizes another's as 'the one' when they are
ready, what explains what happened between Fleur and me. Sometimes the human soul recognizes
two other souls, so a few humans have two mates at the same time…" Fleur saw Luna's eyes widen
with what she read as hope. She noticed Hermione was smirking and was sure the other woman
had said that intentionally. "To humans, it could be described as a deep love, sometimes it goes as
far as dying for each other but the threads between humans aren't as strong as the ones involving a
veela. Veelas are deeply connected to their souls, their magical core being based on their feelings.
It is only logical that the way they connect souls is deeper. Most of the studies about veela are
right when they say that mated veela are incapable of living long after their mate is dead. When
they mate, they merge souls, profoundly, to the point of being referred as one. When a mate dies, it
is described as deep soul fracture, the other mate is left basically with only part of a soul."
Hermione now was passionately talking, gesticulating with one of her hands (the other placed
securely on Fleur's). Ginny, Luna, and Harry were absolutely enraptured by her, all of them
grimaced at the last part and glanced at Fleur.

She squeezed the lioness' hand to indicate she wanted to talk, after feeling a light squeeze back, she
smiled and began talking. "Anyone zat 'as veela blood ees related to zeir mates zat way." She felt
the need to confirm what she was sure they already knew. "When we find our mates outside zee
veela culture, zee connection can affect zem in various levels. Eet ees still more profound zan zee
common connection between 'umans, necessarily, but ees usually less zan between two veela. But
eet depends on 'ow zey accept zee mating and zee veela. As you know, zee mating ees sealed when
zey 'ave sex. Poetically, eet ees zee moment zat both get rid of all zat ees not zem, any disguise zey
'ave to zee rest of zee world. Zee climax ees zat moment. Eet connects both souls and merges zem."
She was smiling at the thought. Hermione took the hand she was holding and softly kissed it.
"After zee mating, eef zey are both veela, zey usually can reach each other and communicate, one
always knows 'ow zee other ees feeling. Eef one of zem ees 'uman, zee veela mate ees always
capable of doing so but usually zee 'uman part doesn't. But eet depends on 'ow devoted zee 'uman
ees to zeir connection. After mating, zee veela develops some specific kinds of thrall, zat affects
only zeir mate even eef zey are also veela. Eet's usually to stabilize zee other, to calm zee other for
example. Zanks to zat connection, zee veela ees able to feel when zeir mate ees distressed or in
danger." Fleur saw Ginny's eyes widen.

"You can know if the other is distressed or anxious?" The redhead repeated. Fleur could practically
see the engines turning in her head, coming to the conclusion she was expecting from the ginger.
"But I thought you and 'Mione hadn't…" She eyed her best friend suspiciously.

"We didn't!" Hermione was quick to answer, straightening herself immediately. She nudged Fleur
lightly. "You really had to explain it in that order?" Fleur simply laughed and kissed the lioness'
head.

"Uh… What am I loosing here?" Harry asked, looking at the three girls. Luna eyed them too.

"Last Friday, when I went to Fleur's, she was already awake and before I could say anything, she
asked what happened. I was a little freaked out because her eyes were different, completely orange
and kind of glowing. I kind of didn't realize it was her, at first. But she seemed to be aware that
something happened." Ginny explained, making the scarred men look at them in shock and Luna to
snicker.

"We are not mated. Not yet, anyway…" Hermione said firmly.

"Everything I said usually 'appens after the mating process, as I already said. But just as sometimes
zee 'uman mate ees capable of connecting with zee veela zee same way a veela would, sometimes
eet can 'appen before."

"The thing is: it's absolutely rare," Hermione added, leaning on Fleur once again. "Actually, there
are exactly six reported occurrences of it in the last thousand years in continental Europe."

"And each ees absolutely unique, but still, all zat occurrences 'appened between full or part veelas.
Never a 'uman was involved." Fleur added. "We only know zis because we reached my family as
soon as we noticed zose uncommon 'appenings. What Grandmére sent us was zeir research about
eet. But since eet apparently never 'appened before and zee cases we know of are unique, we 'ave
absolutely no idea of what might 'appen before and after zee mating."
 "That's AWESOME!" Luna reacted as she noticed they had stopped talking. Hermione snickered at
Luna's reaction. Harry and Ginny seemed to be absolutely shocked.

"Until now, we identified that awareness from Friday which goes both ways, by the way, the thrall
thing, that Fleur used on me while we were talking to McGonagall," Hermione added. "And now,
that smell thing…"

"A few highly connected 'uman mates are able to evolve zeir senses to match the veela's," Fleur
explained. "But it's also extremely rare."

"Wow!" was the only thing Ginny seemingly was able to say. After a couple of minutes, Harry's
expression went from 'in shock' to 'absolutely fucking happy'. He leaned on the couch and beamed
at them, Fleur could see how happy he was for them. A few seconds later, Ginny shot up and
hugged them both. "I…" She began to say to Fleur as she hugged her. "I'm sorry."

"What for?" She asked, confused.

"I should have…" The redhead was crying now.

"Gin?" Hermione got closer as soon as she saw her friend on the verge of sobbing.

"I'm sorry. You shouldn't have had to be worried about my reaction to you liking Fleur. I…"

"Hey…" Harry approached them with Luna, worried. "There was no way for you to know…"

"But I should have known how 'Mione felt about her!"

"Gin, breathe." Hermione made the redhead look at her. "Even I didn't know. Harry lived with me
for almost a year, we were away. He noticed because he was closer at the time. Then I isolated
myself with Mom and Dad, you had almost no contact with me. When I realized, you were the first
I told. Harry made me realize it, to be honest…"

"But Luna…"

"To be honest, I only knew about Fleur's end. I noticed how she was always near and how she
fought with us during the last battle and how she basically never left 'Mione's side and when she
did, Hermione never left her sight." Luna said, caressing Ginny's back. Fleur felt her cheeks burn
when she felt Hermione's eyes bore in her face, with a smirk. Ginny managed to calm down, she
was still hugging her, Hermione was at their side, hugging both; Harry and Luna on their other side
both caressing Ginny's back, the man kissing the side of her head.

"Calm down, woman!" Hermione laughed. "No harm was done! We are all here… And you gave
her a chance as soon as I told you."

"I zink eet was actually my food zat changed 'er mind!" Fleur said, making them all laugh.

"Absolutely possible!" "Weasleys!" "Hey! It was a fucking amazing dinner!" Harry, Luna, and
Ginny said. Hermione swatted her arm lightly.

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hey guys! Yeah, you can kill me if needed... Sorry, really...
Please comment, I'm always pleased to learn what you think!
And give me Kudos!

;3

See Yah!

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 38
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

The next day, Fleur woke up a bit sad. Well, that's an understatement. She only had one more night
sleeping by Hermione's side, she was sure she would have some difficulty to really rest without her.
She stayed there, holding her and made no movement to disentangle their legs, she watched the
lioness sleep, her calm breaths and felt her chest raising calmly. With a sigh, she felt the brunette
snuggle more into her and smiled. A couple of minutes later, she felt her stir.

"Good morning, ma Reine" she whispered, kissing her shoulder softly. She knew the younger
woman was already awake. Hermione had the habit of waking up rather quickly, probably
something she acquired during the war. She wished she could erase that year from her life, protect
her from so much hurt. But she knew only after all that she had found her. Their souls were wise,
she was sure they would probably break if they had found each other before.

"'Morning, babe…" Hermione mumbled, turning to see her face. They smiled at each other, the
sleeping faces only making them even more beautiful in their opinion. Fleur leaned in and kissed
her softly, holding her close.

"'ungry?" She asked, knowing the answer. Hermione had hidden her face on her shoulder, she was
absolutely sure the lioness was sniffing her neck and smiled. She nudged the brunette's ear with her
nose. "uhm?"

"Yeah. But I really want to stay here. You're comfy."

"You'll get grumpy in 'alf an 'our and will ask me why I 'avent fed you or got you your morning
dosage of caffeine yet."

"No, I won't."

"Oui. You will. Let's go 'ave breakfast and zen we can 'ead back 'ere and 'old each other zee rest of
zee day." She spoke softly. "Or we can stay out and 'old each other by zee lake." She felt her smile
against her neck.

"Okay." They slowly disentangled themselves and changed to head down.

As they reached the living room, what seemed to be an official paper from the ministry flew in
from the fireplace. It landed on the coffee table and unfolded itself. They both went to see what it
was. Fleur's name was obvious on the first line and Hermione decided not to read and wait the
other woman decide if she should read it.

"WHAT?!" Fleur exclaimed as soon as she finished reading. She was fuming.

The fireplace glowed green and the eldest Weasley stepped in, very disheveled. "Shit! It got here
before me…"

"What zee fuck, William?" Hermione reached Fleur as soon as she noticed how distraught she was
and started drawing small patterns on her waist. She could see Fleur's nails lengthening, clearly not
a good sign. She took the official paper from her hands, deciding she should know what was it that
made the French woman so angry.
"Shit."

"What's happening?" Ginny asked the other three residents reached the end of the stairs, obviously
having just wakened up. "Bill?"

The older man ignored his sister as to make sure the veela wouldn't charge for him. "Fleur, we
received a hunch, I instructed the team to only keep watch on him, from a reasonable distance. I
knew you wanted to be the one to catch him. The leader of the team apparently decided that he
could use the glory. The man escaped after their poor job trying to get near him."

"Zat ees exactly what I could read 'ere, William!" Fleur spat at him. "Why didn't you go?" She
sighed after breathing deeply a few moments. Hermione hoped she was helping by simply holding
her, she didn't know what else to do. The silence stretched a bit more, Hermione used that moment
to look at Harry and Ginny to mouth 'Malfoy' after making sure they would be able to understand.
The surprised/scared looks on their faces told her they had understood.

"I'm sorry Fleur. We will find him again."

"Bill." She glared. From the way the man flinched, he was met with orange orbs.

"I thought he could follow orders. It was simple, keep watch on him." Bill sighed, looking pained.
"We had an arrest to make simultaneously. Tonks personally asked me to do it. She couldn't go."

"Who?"

"Fleur…"

"Who, William?"

"Ronald." He sighed.

"WHAT?" "Ron?" "Branleur!" "Oh fuck…" Ginny, Harry, Fleur, and Hermione exclaimed at the
same time.

"Since when is he able to follow any instruction?" Luna said calmly. They all looked at her at the
same time.

Hermione snickered, it was true. But she made sure to keep the veela from moving as soon as the
shock of hearing his name wore off. She embraced Fleur, slipping a hand under the hem of her
shirt, certain that the skin contact would make her calm down faster. Feeling her sigh and relax a
little, Hermione looked into her eyes. The anger was still there but was getting controlled.

"Was anyone hurt?" She asked, breaking eye contact. She could see Fleur was worried but too
angry to ask without shouting.

"No. Malfoy simply disapparated as soon as he noticed their presence."

She heard Ginny release the breath she was holding. "What an idiot!" The redhead exclaimed.

"I spent the rest of the night making sure they would be punished."

Fleur sighed once more, holding the bridge of her nose. "Bill, please make sure to keep your
brother from my face. I'm not sure I'll be able not to rip 'im into pieces eef I see 'im."

"I suspended him. He'll not be back until a month from now."
"I suggest you still keep them apart even them," Ginny commented quietly. Bill looked at her
curiously. "'Mione told Fleur what Ron said about Hermione…"

"Oh…" The older Weasley grimaced but nodded.

"'e shouldn't even be still in zee force, Bill. You know eet. 'e disobeyed a direct order." Fleur
observed, locking eyes with him. "I know we don't 'ave many people. 'onestly eet ees zee only
reason I'm not questioning your decision about 'im"

"Sure. I should go now. I still have to visit mom and explain to her what happened as he will spend
two days arrested." Bill smiled, hugging his friend and Hermione. "I'm really sorry for not thinking
it through." Fleur nodded. He moved to hug the other three, who were still standing by the
staircase. As he neared the fireplace, he looked again at the veela. "I'm sorry for ruining your
morning, Fleur."

"Eet's not your fault, Bill. I'm sorry for screaming at you."

"Completely understandable, dear"

As he vanished from the room, Fleur hugged Hermione back and she felt the veela truly relax. "I'm
sorry I woke you up…" She said to the other three, a weak smile on her face.

"No problem. We were supposed to wake up soon anyway…" She looked at the clock on the wall.
"Were you heading to breakfast?" they nodded. "I presume we are too, now…" She added with a
small smile. "You wait a couple of minutes? We'll just change…" She said after looking at Harry
and Luna.

"Sure," Hermione answered, already dragging Fleur to the couch to wait. The three climbing the
stairs back to their room. She held Fleur, making sure the blonde was calm. Looking at her eyes
she saw cerulean orbs. "You know you can't kill Ronald. Just keep him out of any important
mission or make him be constantly stuck with paperwork. I don't want you getting into trouble
because of that bastard."

"I know, mon Reine. Eet's just zat…"

"That you could have caught him if it wasn't for his stubbornness. I know. But you will get him."
She assured the blonde. "And honestly I would love to help." She added a beat later.

"Help with what?" Harry entered the room in time to hear her last phrase.

"Catching Malfoy." She answered bluntly.

She saw Fleur smile as she said she wanted to help, but the veela's smile only grew as she heard
Harry reaction. "Count me in." He said, solemnly.

"I don't know what, but me too," Ginny said as she reached the floor, Luna in tool nodding.
"Assuming it has something to do with the recent events."

"You are not trained…" Fleur began to say.

"Oh, please, Fleur. You know better than anyone how the four of us are absolutely more capable of
helping you than your little trainees. If anything, you can train us." Ginny said, smiling.

"When exactly?" Fleur asked with a raised brow.

"We could train on weekends. You know we will be ready pretty fast."

"You need to talk to Minerva," Fleur said, smirking. "And your bosses."

"Good, I'm actually tired of all the paperwork," Harry said, making them laugh.

"I was thinking about transferring after graduating anyway…"

They went to the Great Hall with a lighter mood. Hermione sighed the moment her tea reached her
tongue, earning a chuckle from Fleur. But the French obviously had to hold back a moan after
taking a sip from her cup (it had appeared in front of her as soon as she sat down).

"French coffee?" Hermione asked, snickering.

"Oui." Fleur smiled at her. "You never tried eet after all…" She added, offering the cup.

Hermione took a sip and closed her eyes. "Okay. You win. It's indeed better." She said, taking
another sip.

"'ey! Zat ees mine!" The French complained, although laughing.

"Sharing is caring, Fleur!"

"You 'ave your tea! Give me back my coffee!" The blonde whined mock glaring her girlfriend.

Hermione gave the cup back to Fleur, laughing, and kissed her cheek after seeing the French smile
sweetly at her beverage. As she returned her attention to her plate, a cup appeared next to the one
full of tea. "Thank you, Dobby." She said after sipping it. "I got one too, now!" She celebrated then
noticed her friends in front of her laughing.

"Golden! This was definitely the best bicker ever!" Ginny laughed.

"I never heard Fleur whining…" Harry said, after a small fit.

"Shut up. You will work for me." Fleur glared at them.

"It was cute, babe," Hermione said kissing her cheek.

"So, what are you planning to do today? You were obviously planning to have an early breakfast
today which blew up, also obviously…" Ginny asked

"Cuddling" Hermione answered honestly and smiling.

"PG?" Harry asked with a raised brow, smirking.

"We were planning on going back to the living room or going to the lake." Hermione offered,
ignoring Harry. "You are actually invited."

"We could play something?" Luna suggested.

"It could be a muggle board game…" Harry offered.

"Then we could go out later?" Ginny said, smiling and making Hermione know she wanted to
suggest it all along.

"Sure. Where to?" Fleur answered.

"Could it be some bar at muggle London? I don't feel like enduring all the fuss we get when we go
anywhere magical…" Hermione asked, already predicting going to a wizarding bar and having the
night ending earlier thanks to people not minding their own business.

"Yeah. I guess you are right…" Harry agreed.

"We spend the day playing board games and then go out later? I'm down to it." Ginny grinned as
the other four nodded in agreement.

"We should talk to Professor McGonagall then…" Hermione said, looking at the professors' table
and seeing the teacher there. "I'll talk to her, just a moment." When she got back, she smiled "She
said we can go and asked us to meet her tomorrow afternoon as I asked for some time to discuss our
training plans…" They all nodded and headed to their living quarters.

Following Harry's idea of introducing the three girls a muggle game, Hermione flooed into their
apartment and came back carrying a box she thought all of them would enjoy playing. She found
them waiting for her after cleaning the center table, sitting on the floor around it.

"What you got, 'Mione?" Harry asked. She knew he didn't have a board gaming childhood and saw
how hyped he was.

"Jenga." She beamed at the look of confusion on the other's face. "It was actually one of my
favorite games growing up and is pretty simple… I hope you like it." She sat between Fleur and
Ginny, the only place left and busied herself organizing the tower of wood blocks. "Every woman
for herself…" She explained the bases of the game and Harry, saying he had seen Dudley play it
one with his friends, helped playing once against her to make sure they had understood. "No magic
allowed." Ginny and Fleur groaned.

"Agreed! It would be far too easy otherwise!" Luna said, beaming.

They began playing, Ginny making the tower fall 3 turns after.

"Stupid game…" She mumbled.

"Sour looser!" Fleur laughed, earning a glare from the redhead.

The veela lost the next game.

"Awn, babe! You are still learning!" Hermione said with a baby voice, seeing the small pout she
was displaying. She laughed at the glare she received.

"Come on, Fleur! At least it lasted more than 3 turns…" Harry mocked, laughing after being
shoved by his girlfriend.

"This game is really good, Hermione! Thanks for teaching us…" Luna said, smiling at the
brunette.

"Sure! One more?" She asked after looking at the clock. "Then we go down to lunch?"

"Yup!"

"I'm gonna win this thing!" Ginny exclaimed.

"Gin, everyone that doesn't make the tower go down win…" Hermione rolled her eyes at her best
friend need to win every game.
"Whatever!" The redhead mumbled.

An hour and a half later, it was Harry's turn. The longest match until then.

"GO, BABE!" Ginny shouted, out of nowhere. He jumped slightly but it was enough to take the
whole tower down. She jumped, laughing and ran out of the room, being followed by an annoyed
Harry (Hermione knew he was more amused than anything) shouting she was a cheater and that he
would have done it if she hadn't scared him.

The other three followed their laughter/shouting into the Great Hall, absolutely amused by their
antics and laughing at the other students confused and creeped out expressions. They sat at their
usual spot, Luna made a point sitting in between the two of them. Harry glaring an amused (and
still laughing) Ginny.

"No fair," Harry mumbled.

"Aawn! Sorry, babe… I was cheering for you…" Laughed the redhead, hiding behind their
Ravenclaw friend.

"Hey!" Moire greeted them eyeing the bickering couple. "What happened?"

"Hi, Moire!" Hermione smiled at the girl and at her friends standing behind her. "Oh, nothing. We
were playing a game and Gin scared Harry so he would lose…"

"Oh… What game?" The girl smiled curiously, still watching the couple.

"Jenga," Fleur answered, smiling at her and motioning her to sit with them.

"OOOOOH! It's one of my favorites!" Her eyes shined. She looked at her friends and motioned
them to get closer.

"Could they be more alike?" Luna whispered to Fleur, smiling at them. The other blonde shook her
head.

"Wanna play with us after lunch?" The veela asked her girlfriend's duplicate, making the girl beam
and nod.

"Can…"

"Sure! The more the merrier!" Hermione answered guessing her next question. "Do you know the
game?" She asked the rest of the younger group and proceeded to explain.

"Why don't we engorge it?" Ginny asked after the other lioness finished explaining. They were
eating dessert and Hermione was leaning on Fleur slightly, the redhead and Harry having forgotten
their bickering.

"You can't even win it on normal size without cheating…" Harry snickered, making the group
laugh. He used Luna to deflect Ginny as she reached to smack him.

"Stop using Lun as a shield, Harry!" Ginny complained. "Jumpy looser!" She added rolling her
eyes.

"Stop bickering, you two!" Luna complained. They fell silent. The rest of the group laughed and
Hermione exchanged a knowing look with Fleur.

They went back to the small living room, talking animatedly. Fleur and Ginny moved the furniture
 to make sure they would have enough space to play it while Hermione and Luna engorged the
wood blocks and made them lighter then they would be.

A couple of hours later they were in their second match. They had decided to split into two teams,
that way the game would flow better. Teagan suggested the groups to be young/older which earned
a "Who are you calling old, little girl?" from Ginny and a fit of laughter from the "older group" at
her scared face. "Sorry… Too easy. Let's do it!"

About three hours later, Blake could be found buried under a pile of fallen wood pieces.

"I'm ok!" He shouted, making everyone laugh. Hermione moved to help him get up.

"We should get ready…" Ginny said to Fleur, looking at the clock after controlling her laughter.

Hearing Ginny, Moire looked at the clock. "I need to finish my potions essay…"

"Yeah, I have homework to do too…" Blake said, sadly.

"Let's go then…" Teagan said. "Thanks for inviting us! It was really fun…"

"Sure, Te. You are always welcome." Hermione smiled at her. They said goodbye and left the
living room, going to the Gryffindor common room.

"Te? Hermione Granger nicknamed me?" She heard the younger brunette whisper to Moire in awe
as they went through the passage.

"I don't know about you, but I'd prefer getting ready at the loft…" Ginny said after the painting
closed.

"Oui. More options back 'ome…" Fleur agreed. "Luna, want to get ready with me? Hermione
probably wants to make 'er outfit a surprise to me…" She smiled cheekily at her girlfriend.

"Yeah… Just let me get something to wear…"

"Or I can lend you something… I'm sure you will find something you like in my closet…" Fleur
suggested, smiling. Luna nodded. "We meet in two 'ours at mine and 'ave dinner zen 'ead out?"

"Deal!" "Sure!" "Delacour's food!" Harry, Hermione, and Ginny said simultaneously, making Fleur
laugh. They left after saying a short goodbye each group to their respective destiny.

"No funny business!" Hermione shouted as she entered her bedroom.

"NO FUN!" "OK…" Ginny and Harry answered. Followed by an "OW!" from Harry.

"Just be ready in two." She said, loudly. "SILENCING SPELL, PLEASE!" She added quickly and
heard a groan and snickering from the other room.

"Of course, Miss Granger!" Ginny answered laughing then the adjacent room went absolutely
silent. Hermione sighed, they would be late.

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hey guys! I can't help but make Ron look bad. Obviously, I don't really like him.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter...

I'm posting a short Clexa story I wrote as a birthday gift for my best friend so if you
are into Clexa, please go read it and comment! (apparently is pretty good...) And it's
not so short as it was me writing...

Please comment, I'm always pleased to learn what you think! Please leave kudos!

;3

See Yah!

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 39
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Hermione got ready in one hour and headed out of her bedroom with a sigh and decided to knock
on Harry's door to make sure they wouldn't be late. At least that was the bigger motive she had, the
other was a bit deeper. When the door opened she saw the disheveled bed, a clear evidence of their
previous activities and a blushing Harry.

"Uhm, we are getting ready…" Harry apparently had tossed a pajama bottom on right before he
opened the door…

"Uhum, just wanted to talk to you before we go."

"Sure. Gin is taking a shower-"

"Umm, look, it's a delicate subject and knowing you, you will want to be able to think about it."

"Shoot it."

"Since I know you are not much better than me figuring out your own feelings… Harry, what do
you feel towards Lun?" Hermione couldn't resist raising an eyebrow at him as she vocalized the
question. She had been meaning to ask them about it even before Luna had talked to her and Fleur.
Her girlfriend's suggestion for Luna to join her while getting ready came in handy. Harry's reaction
to her words was a full-on blush, the redness rivaled the one the Weasleys displayed when mad.

"I… Uh… What are you talking about?"

"Come on, Harry. I know you as much as you know me. I am able to tell how you are feeling
towards someone. I just need to know if you are aware of said feelings." Unlike her, he sometimes
had to have the truth thrown at his face.

"I… But I'm with Gin." He was clearly frustrated and sat on the bed, hiding his face in his hands.
"And there's all that patronus thing…"

Yes, and you heard nothing I explained about mates then, Hermione thought.

"Harry, how about you talk to Ginny? You know how open she usually is about all this stuff. And
try to remember what I said about human mates…" She advised as she heard the water in the
bathroom shutting off. "You two should talk."

"Oh, hi 'Mione!" Ginny re-entered the room basically stark naked with her towel rolled on her hair.

"Gin!"

"What, Harry? It's not like she has never seen me naked. And hurry up, you are late." Ginny
answered rolling her eyes at her boyfriend. He grumbled and went inside to take a shower. "So, not
that I don't appreciate your company while getting ready but why are you here? And why Harry
was so flustered?"

"Oh, I need to talk to you about something before we head out and figured this was the best
opportunity without being terribly late. And Harry was being Harry because it's pretty obvious you
two had sex." Ginny nodded, snickering, and motioned her to continue as she looked through her
clothes for something to wear. "Ginny, I know you feel particularly responsible for Luna's well
being." The redhead nodded again. "I've been wondering for quite some time, and that's even
before all that Manor ordeal, what's going on between you." She knows both of her friends enough
to know how to approach the subject without scaring them. That's why she choose to have this
conversation without Fleur around. As much as they both liked her now, they didn't have the same
closeness with her and Hermione was aware they wouldn't open up.

"Honestly, Hermione? I don't know. Look, I know it's obvious we care about her and we are kind
of used to sleeping with her on our bed. I haven't talked to Har about it yet because, well, you know
him. He probably hasn't even noticed anything yet. And surprisingly he noticed you and Fleur…"

"So you like her?" A simple direct question only to confirm what the ginger had implied.

"I guess. I was completely worried about what it meant until you talked about that mates thing and
it kind of calmed me. I know Harry and I are mates, even our patronus says that. I have no idea of
what it means really to like her. I understood what you said but…"

"It means you like her. You have to talk to Harry and figure out what you want to happen and talk
to Luna and see how she is feeling too."

"I know. I don't want to freak her out. Except you, she is my best friend."

"And that's why she will understand you. You know Luna is special, Gin. She is basically the only
one that is fully capable of understanding all that emotional thing. She figured Fleur out even
without talking to her…"

"You are right. As always." Ginny smiled after finally choosing an outfit.

"And I never thought I would be the one giving relationship advice between the both of us."
Hermione laughed as Ginny got dressed.

"Fleur noticed too, right?" Hermione simply nodded. The redhead chose a pair of heels and moved
to hug her friend. "Thanks for the conversation…" The water had stopped and Hermione guessed
Harry was changing inside. "Babe, we are heading downstairs, ok?" Ginny yelled to the door.

"OK!"

"And I know you came here also to make sure we are on time," Ginny smirked as Hermione shot
her a grin. "Any idea of where we are heading?"

"Are you sure you are not asking me what we are having for dinner?" The brunette shot over her
shoulder as she opened their fridge and got two beers for them.

"Ha! Knowing it's your girlfriend's cooking is enough, honestly."

"I don't know where we could go. We will figure it out over dinner…" Ginny nodded.

"So, we are walking, apparating or flooing to Fleur's?" Harry asked as he reached them at the
kitchen counter.

"Apparating," Ginny answered quickly. "I'm really not up to walk now and flooing could get dirt
on our clothes." Harry nodded and stole a sip of his girlfriend's beer.

"Let's go then? We will be just in time…" He added, looking at the clock and just as he finished
his phrase, he heard the telltale of a disapparition.

"Always eager to see the veela…" Ginny joked as Harry took her hand so they could side-apparate.

Hermione apparated into Fleur's room and smiled as she caught the woman finishing getting ready.
Only two people were able to do so inside the apartment but the blonde seemed to be slightly
startled.

"'ermione…" She smiled, calming down immediately. They took a second to take in each other's
outfits. Both were wearing jeans and heels, but Hermione had opted to wear a plain grey t-shirt
with a black leather jacket over it while Fleur chose a white classy bottom-up (clearly knowing it's
possible effect on her girlfriend given the smirk she displayed as Hermione's eyes lingered over her
breasts region) and a light grey blazer. "You look fantastic."

"You are fantastic."

The knock on the door made them get back to the present and they headed out of the room as Luna
shouted she would get the door. Fleur provided beer for all of them (even if that's not her usual
choice) and they decided over dinner to go to a bar nearby. An hour later they were entering the
pub, all of them sporting a smile on their faces, all pleased to find out the bar provided live music.

"Shots to begin the night!" Ginny exclaimed after they got a table and made Harry go get them
with her even before the rest of the agreed.

Hermione smiled and agreed with her just like the rest of the group. She shook her head slightly,
thinking about the possible hungover she would be getting the next morning. Fleur smiled at her
and pecked her cheek. "I've got potions for after 'ere. Just enjoy." Hermione smiled and agreed.

Not an hour into the group's get together a young brunette approached them. Hermione and Fleur
were facing the girl nearing them and noticed she had her eyes fixed on Luna. It was quite clear the
other four were couples given Ginny was leaning on Harry and Fleur and Hermione frequently
exchanged heart-eyes. Hermione's eyes wondered to see her friends' reaction as the unknown
brunette reached their table and greeted them (especially Luna) sweetly. Harry was obviously
trying to cover how he was actually feeling and Ginny was almost openly glaring the girl. Luna
excused herself as the girl asked her if she would like to dance (the pub had a small space reserved
to dancing and it was almost packed with dancing people) and Ginny finally began to openly stare
at them. It took everything in Hermione not to laugh at her friend and by the way her girlfriend
stiffened by her side, she was having a similar problem. After a music starring at them, Ginny
jerked Harry out of his seat and said something about getting them drinks.

"I guess we will have quite a spectacle of jealousy today…" She laughed, watching Ginny and
Harry stop at a section of the bar from where they could keep an eye on Luna. The Ravenclaw was
obviously having fun but it was also obvious how she kept stealing glances at their table. A few
minutes after the couple left the table, Hermione crossed eyes with Luna who shot her questioning
glance, the brunette gestured to where they were at the bar. Fleur wrapped her arm around
Hermione's waist and pulled her closer beginning to place soft kissed on Hermione's neck,
effectively dragging the lioness' focus from the trio drama into her beautiful girlfriend.

"I zink zey need to talk very soon. But I would enjoy much more my girlfriend's attention as I don't
get eet all zee time…"

Hermione smiled sheepishly, "Sorry, you are right." She apologized while leaning in for a kiss.

"As much as I enjoy the thought of my best friend finally getting some, I'd very much like you to
find yourselves a room," Ginny said while placing a new drink in front of them. (they were both
too lost in the kiss to notice their friends back at the table so they jumped apart at the sound of the
ginger's voice).

"Crass." Hermione rolled her eyes at her friend and noticed Harry's look of utter embarrassment.
"Oh, come on, Harry! You are definitely not a prude!"

"Oh, he never got such a graphic demonstration of you two snogging." Ginny laughed while Harry
winced.

Hermione and Fleur laughed. "We could consider it a payback!" The brunette shrugged.

"You both had your hand on each other's breasts." Ginny pointed out.

"Gin, I wouldn't go there if I were you." Hermione looked at her pointedly. At this point, Harry
was burying his face in his drink, completely red. Ginny simply laughed. "Anyway, I think I'd like
to dance. Fleur?"

"With pleasure." They left the table still laughing at Harry's expression.

Luna was enjoying the dancing, she really was. But she couldn't help glancing at the couple she
had spent all her time with that last week. When she tried to do so and didn't see them, she almost
freaked out thinking they had left so early and without talking to her. Hermione's indication of
where they were eased her pounding heart but as she looked at them, they both looked away
quickly. When the girl she was dancing with tried to kiss her, she took it as a sign and excused
herself.

"Hey…" She smiled and sat across Harry and Ginny, she knew the other two women were
dancing.

"Hi," was the only response she got, the redhead was clearly very content staring her glass angrily.
Harry seemed quite uncomfortable since his voice was really quiet.

"What happened?" She asked worriedly.

"Having fun?" Ginny asked obviously ignoring the blonde's question. "Nothing happened. You can
go back to snogging that… that bitch!" She spat.

"What?" Luna got completely confused, had she done anything to her? "I didn't-"

"I don't care! Just go do whomever you want!"

"Gin - " Harry tried to calm her down but earned a killing glare and stopped talking.

Luna took a deep breath to try to ignore the sting those words caused but only felt the swell of tears
in her eyes. She stood quickly and decide to leave.

"What?!" Hermione said as she saw Luna ran towards the door. "Babe, go see what happened to
Lun?" She asked meeting Fleur's worried gaze. "I'll see what I can gather from those two." The
blonde nodded. "She'll be staying in my room today." She added, after kissing her.

The lioness watched the veela walk away (definitely swaying more than normal purposefully), but
quickly shook her head and went to the table. She was greeted by Ginny knocking her head on the
table murmuring 'fucks and I'm an idiots' and a very worried Harry trying to persuade her into
stopping hurting herself. Hermione looked at him and he quickly gave his seat to her, moving to sit
in front of them. She, then, forced her friend to stop banging her head and held her close to her.

"What happened?" While she listened Harry explain, she soothed the redhead who had gone from
slamming her head to crying. "Oh, Gin… You are as good as your brother when it comes to
jealousy, you know that?" She felt the ginger nod after a particularly loud sob. She smiled weakly.
"Lun excused herself immediately after that girl tried to kiss her and came here. You should
apologize and talk to her." She glanced at both of them silently chastising them. "You made quite a
show today. I guess it's safe you are both deeply into her… Just talk to her. And be honest."

"I guess I ruined the night… Sorry…" Ginny whispered from her shoulder.

"Nonsense." She answered. "Let's go. You are in for quite a speech, Fleur isn't as protective of her
as she is of me but still…" They paid the bill and left the pub with a few eyes following them.

"You know, your silent chastising is almost as bad as McGonagall's…" Harry chuckled as they
walked back to the flat. Ginny was still half sobbing but laughed at this.

"Oh, shut up!"

"Yes, ma'am…" Harry smirked at Hermione's glare.

"You think she'll be willing to talk to us?" Ginny asked silently, looking at the building
approaching as they walked.

"I have no idea, Gin. She looked quite hurt…"

"I know. I'm an ass…"

"That you are," Hermione smirked.

"What a great friend you are!" Ginny whined shaking her head.

They entered the flat silently, not wanting to disturb the blondes. They walked upstairs, Harry and
Ginny entering their bedroom after agreeing that the brunette witch should go see if the younger
blonde wanted to talk to them.

"Hey," Hermione greeted as she entered the room seeing her girlfriend holding Luna, calming her.
Fleur looked up and smiled weakly, her eyes filled with worry for the blonde and love for the both
of them. "How's she?"

"Hurting," Luna answered for herself.

"Oh, Lun…" Hermione hurried to their side and joined Fleur trying to calm her down. "I'm
sorry…"

"Not your responsibility, 'Mione."

"Yes, I know. But really I should try to make those Weasleys learn how to handle their feelings."
Hermione said in a whisper. "Gin isn't as bad as Ronald but she has her difficulties. They want to
talk to you Lun." She felt the younger woman hold her breath and slight glare from her mate. "You
don't have to do it today, Lun. But hear them out, Gin is feeling really bad and Harry is kind of lost.
You know how they are."
Fleur sighed. "You need to 'ear what zey 'ave to say, petit Lune. Not necessarily today but still…"

"I know." She went silent for a few minutes, Fleur holding her while Hermione caressed her back.
"Can you stay here?"

"Anything you want." Hermione smiled. "I'll call them." Luna nodded. The door to the couple's
room was open but Hermione knocked on it anyway. "Hey, she'll hear you but she's kind of glued
to Fleur at the moment and asked us to stay with her…" Ginny stood quickly, nodding and almost
dragging Harry. Hermione simply turned and went back to her room, sitting on the other side of a
calmed Luna (apparently the French woman had transfigured the armchair into a comfortable
couch). Fleur eyed her, she simply nodded. With a small knock on the door, the other couple
entered the room, both looking absolutely sorry.

"Hey…" Luna was the first to talk. Her voice sounded small and Hermione had to resist glaring at
her other friends, she could feel Fleur glaring at them from the other side of Luna.

"Lun, -" Harry began.

"I'm sorry." Ginny cut him, with a whisper and her eyes locked on the floor at her feet. "I'm really
sorry. I hurt you without a reason. I talk shit about my brother but I basically did the same,
assuming things I didn't know." Her gaze met Luna's and she looked deflated. "I- I obviously don't
know how to deal with my feelings… I'm sorry!" She sobbed.

"Gin, why did you say that?" Luna asked softly.

The red hair looked at Hermione and then at Fleur, both nodding apparently understanding her and
trying to help her gather up the courage. Harry kissed her cheek.

"I - I was jealous."

"Why?"

"I saw you with that girl…"

"I was dancing, Gin."

"I know."

"So?"

"You are really going to make me say it, aren't you?" Ginny sighed. Hermione saw only softness in
her eyes. "Ok… I like you, Lun."

"Me too," Harry said. For what Hermione could read him, he understood the ginger needed to talk
first and she could see the fear on both their gazes. Felling Luna shift a little, she looked at the
blonde and saw her looking at them, dumbfounded.

In a moment, a sobbing redhead launched to Luna repeating sorry. The younger blonde was
basically tackled as Ginny reached her. Hermione giggled at her friend's antics.

"Gin, I can't breathe."

"Oh, s-sorry…" The ginger moved but was held near Luna.

"Are you serious?" Luna asked in a small voice.

 "What?" Ginny looked at her incredulously.

"What you said… Were you serious?"

"About liking you?" Harry approached crouched near Ginny who was still halfway on Luna's lap.
Luna nodded, mindlessly stroking Ginny's head.

"Obviously. I'm sorry, Luna. Really. I got absolutely jealous and acted wrong… I should have
listened to you… You tried to tell us something I didn't even let you speak. I'm sorry!" She began
to sob again. "I'm an idiot!"

"You are not! You are just kind of emotionally blind." She giggled.

"That she is." Hermione laughed, earning a glare.

"And who's talking…" Fleur smirked at her own words. Hermione stuck out her tongue to her.

Luna ignored the banter going on between the couple and caressed Ginny's cheek, feeling happy
now and slightly nervous.

"I like you too, both of you." Luna smiled, feeling lighter.

Ginny looked up, eyes shining with tears. Luna didn't think twice and leaned down softly kissing
the red-head and then Harry. She started laughing as she saw both of them blushing wildly.

"I think we should go, babe…" Hermione said in a whisper to Fleur after moving to her side. The
older blonde nodded. "Lun, you can sleep here if you want, we are heading to Fleur's…" Luna
nodded as the couple headed out of the room. She heard the sound of the disapparating a few
moments later. The blonde wondered if Hermione kept any clothes at the veela's flat.

"Uh…" Harry draw her attention back to the couple in front of her. She grinned at him, the man
was still sporting some of the redness after the kiss.

"So…" the blonde began, "Do you need another kiss to get rid of the wrackspurts?" She beamed as
she felt Ginny chuckle on her lap.

"Lun, would you…" The red-head spoke up, tears were long forgotten. "Would you like to go out
with us?"

"On a date." Harry smiled, finishing Ginny's line of thought and holding the ginger's hand.

"I wouldn't take it any other way." Luna beamed and then yawned. The couple took that as a sign
and got up.

"We will leave the door open if you need us," Harry said clearly assuming (correctly) that the
blonde wanted some time alone after their talk, he knew Ginny and himself needed it too. Luna
simply nodded and wished them a good night with another soft kiss on their lips.

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hullo guys! Mystery solved? I really like to write people getting jealous, it's fun!
I hope you like it...

I just organized my thoughts about the fanfic as a whole so things must get going more
easily...

Please comment, I'm always pleased to learn what you think! kudos are enjoyed...

;3

See Yah!

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 40
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Ginny woke up only a couple of hours after getting into the bed. A dreading scream had made the
trick.

"Shit." She didn't need to look at her side to know her boyfriend was also awake. They had
completely forgotten about the bad dreams. With a second scream, her body went into action as she
got up and started to the door.

"You think we should stay there or bring her here?" Harry asked in a worried voice.

"She's already in distress… Maybe we should stay there." The man simply nodded and they
quickened their pace to the other room.

Ginny quickly entered the room and moved to the bed, trying to wake the blonde and sooth her. In
less than ten minutes, she and Harry were wrapping themselves over Luna, who had gone back to
sleep after she calmed down from the nightmare. The red-head kissed the Ravenclaw's shoulder
and smiled as she felt the raven-haired's hand hold her (locking Luna in between them).

She woke again a few hours after and spent some time watching the other two but the warmth of
their bodies and the bedding made her drift back to sleep with a sigh.

They had changed to bed as soon as they apparated to her bedroom. Hermione had snuggled into
her as she brought the sheets over them and they slept wrapped into each other. She woke up to the
feeling of someone watching her. As she came back into consciousness, she realized it was
Hermione who was staring at her.

"You usually say eet ees creepy to watch people sleeping." She smirked.

"Oh, it is. But you are too beautiful to not be watched over any circumstance." Hermione kissed her
cheek and smiled.

"I'll 'old on to zat line, ma belle. You realize you are jealous of anyone looking at me?"

"Yep," She hid her face in her hair, obviously sniffing her. "The only one allowed to stare at you is
your mate, you smarty veela," Hermione answered, making her chuckle. "You hungry?" Fleur
nodded. "I smell croissants. I believe our house-elf friend paid us a visit or informed someone of us
being here."

Fleur rolled over herself and held Hermione close. "I really don't want to get up." She whined.

"Don't then. I'll get the food and coffee and we can spend the morning in bed." Hermione nudged
Fleur's head and managed to give her a kiss before getting up to get the food. "I'll be right back."

The blonde closed her eyes again as the lioness left the bed. After hearing a small noise, she
reopened one of them, only to find an amused Hermione holding a tray with fresh croissants and a
bowl of freshly cut fruit along with butter and jelly, two smoking cups sitting on her bedside table.
She moved so she was leaning on the headboard and beamed at her beautiful mate. Fleur drew her
wand and magically took the tray from the brunette's hands so she could sit then carefully made it
land in front of them. The couple spent their morning in bed, chatting and stealing kisses, but
mostly reveling in each other's presence. They were leaning against each other with Fleur reading a
French translation of another of Hermione's favorite books (they had long finished 'A Midsummer
Night's Dream' and had taken upon reading the brunette's favorites - at the bright witch's insistence
as she loved the Blonde speaking her native tongue) when the well-known silver stag entered the
room with an invite for late lunch with the other three. Fleur answered it quickly after a slight nod
from Hermione but neither moved, they still had time.

"I'll miss you," Was the only thing Fleur was capable of saying (silently) as they hugged each other
again, none eager to let the other go. The Gryffindor sighed, kissed the nearest skin she could find
(Fleur's neck) and nodded.

"I love you" came a few minutes later, muffled as Hermione's face was still buried on the blonde's
neck.

"Je t'aime, ma belle…" Fleur hugged her tightly.

Begrudgingly, they got ready for lunch about half an hour later. Soon, they were apparating to the
other flat. The couple were greeted by an amazing smell first and as they moved to the kitchen they
saw their male friend at the stove, clearly focused on whatever it was that he was cooking, and
Luna sitting on Ginny's lap, laughing as the redhead conjured blue and purple butterflies and made
them land all over the younger blonde's face and shoulders (they had moved two armchairs closed
to the kitchen). They went unnoticed until Hermione flicked her wand and added a few bluebirds to
the butterflies' party.

"Hey!" Luna greeted happily, clearly the night before had been forgotten.

Hermione and Fleur greeted their friends (not really releasing their hold of each other's hands) then
sat near the two younger women, the veela sitting on the other chair and unceremoniously
dragging the brunette to sit on her lap.

"So, what are we having?" Hermione asked curiously, she liked Harry's cooking.

"Lasagne," Harry answered, smiling at the woman.

"Hey, is it ready yet? I'm starving." Ginny smiled at her boyfriend.

"Of course you are," Hermione teased. "When you're not?"

"When you are the one cooking,"

"Which ees never. Wrong answer, Ginny…" Fleur smiled broadly, receiving a light smack from
her girlfriend. "What? I 'appen to like my kitchen as eet ees and 'arry does too! You don't cook at
'ogwarts as zee 'ouse elves would freak to 'ave zee kitchen on fire and your parents don't usually
cook…" Hermione stuck out her tongue.

"Real mature…" Ginny giggled. Their banter was interrupted by the sound of the timer that Harry
had set up.

"And lunch is ready!" He said happily as he moved to get the food and set the table.

They ate and chatted a little then the group decided to spend the rest of the day at the wizarding
school so in less than an hour, the group was found longing at their common room, Fleur, Harry,
Ginny, and Luna playing Exploding Snaps and Hermione reading with her feet propped up on the
veela's lap.
"So, the Quidditch game…" Ginny began as Luna took all cards to start a new game.

"I'll come to watch eef zats what you were planning to ask. Can't promise I won't cheer for
Slytherin, zough." Fleur teased, earning a light slap on her arm from Hermione. "Ok, ok. I'll be
rooting for Gryffindor as I'm apparently obligated to." All of them laughed.

As the end of the night came, Fleur gave her girlfriend one goodnight kiss and went back home.
They were both hoping Hermione was already able to sleep alone, that way the blonde's week
routine wouldn't be affected. Nor would Hermione's. They both knew Fleur would be awakened if
the brunette got distressed so the younger woman propositioned that she would soundproof her
room as to keep the others from waking up in case she had a nightmare and Fleur would go back to
the castle if she sensed any distress.

The nightmare apparently came since Fleur was hurriedly flooing to the castle not long after falling
asleep. Her veela yelling at her to hurry up, to make their mate safe again. McGonagall was the one
that suggested this arrangement as she was worried that the lioness would be alone at night after
they informed her that the couple would go back to their previous routine, so there was no need to
inform the Headmistress of her arrival. The blonde moved quickly as she stepped out of the
fireplace, placing a silencing spell at her feet to make sure she wouldn't wake the others up and
running upstairs to the brunette's room. She practically stormed through the door and closed it right
behind her. Now inside she was able to hear the screams, she could see the blood, and she could
see how her girlfriend was writhing. She didn't need to think too much, a calming thrall flowing
from her made the screams be reduced to whimpers and her writhing to stop; she woke Hermione
up and held her a bit.

"'ey," She said softly as the lioness snuggled into her and sighed. "Mon Ange, I just need to clean
your arm zen we can go back to sleep, oui?"

Hermione nodded. "I'm sorry…"

"You are apologizing for what? Mon amour, you are not at fault, eet's zat 'orrible woman's fault
and I 'ave no problem at all to 'aving to 'old you." She kissed her forehead as she sat down again
with the potion from Narcissa, a basin, and some material to clean the wound. After the potion was
poured and the lioness' arm was again wrapped, Fleur reset Hermione's alarm clock so they both
would be awake in time and got under the sheets (now clean as she vanished the blood from them).
"Good night, mon Guerrier"

"G'night, babe…" the lioness said in a weak voice. Seeing Hermione like that really cracked her
heart. She held the brunette closer and drifted into sleep.

Fleur woke up still holding her girlfriend, apparently a few minutes before the alarm went off. She
enjoyed those last minutes looking at her.

"You are starring," Hermione mumbled in a hoarse voice.

"Good morning to you too, Belle au bois dormant"

"Good morning…" The brunette kissed her neck as it was closer to her lips, Fleur couldn't hold
back the moan escaped her lips. "Do we really need to get up?"

"Oui, I 'ave a redhead to kill and you 'ave classes to attend." Hermione groaned.

"Wanna go first?"

"I guess I could."

"Great, wake me again when you are finished…" The brunette rolled and resumed her sleep.
Rolling her eyes, the blonde kissed her temple and moved to the bathroom, making sure to leave a
soothing thrall around the war hero.

After a quick shower and cleaning her teeth, she folded her pyjamas and shrunk them. She left the
bathroom and saw Hermione slightly drooling on the pillow, holding another one close (she now
recognized it as the one she had slept with). Smiling she woke the younger woman up.

"Can I borrow one of your bottom-ups?"

"Sure. You don't really have to ask." Hermione kissed her on her way to the bathroom.

That was the only thing she didn't have there, the lioness had emptied a drawer for her clothes but
had been adamant with her request that no shirts would go in there. She carefully chose one and
proceeded to get ready. A few minutes later, Hermione left the other room and grabbed her clothes
while wrapped in her towel. They left the room, both slightly more awake. A brown paper bag and
a to-go cup appeared on the table when they reached the bottom floor, making Fleur smile.

"Merci, Dobby." Hermione pouted a little as she followed the blonde to the fireplace. "'ave a good
day, ma Belle. I'll come back by zee end of zee day, oui?"

"Ok, have a good day, babe." The brunette answered. "And don't kill Ronald. Nor Bill. I really don't
feel compelled to visit Azkaban anytime soon."

"You registered zat, uh?" Fleur smiled and Hermione nodded. "Can't promise you anything, zey
can be pretty annoying…" She smirked and gave the brunette one last kiss before heading to the
fireplace. She would have to go home then floo to the ministry from there. She spent less than 5
minutes at home, enough to grab her work purse, grab a working robe, and drop and engorge
her pyjamas. Fleur hurried to her and Bill's office holding the food and coffee.

"Bonjour, William!" She said as she saw her friend.

"Good morning, French lady!" He smiled. "How's your lioness doing today?"

Fleur raised an eyebrow at this. "How did you…?"

"The shirt gave it away, Fleur." Bill beamed. "I spent seven years at that school, I know how the
uniform looks like. They can look ordinary but if you know where to look there are small
giveaways. Like this small details in red and gold for example."

"Oh…" Fleur sat at her desk and began to eat the croissants that were in the bag, sipping on her
coffee.

"Good morning, red and blondie!" The head of the department entered the room as Fleur had
finished her breakfast.

"Bonjour, Tonks!" Fleur smiled.

"How's Hermione? I hope she's getting better…" Tonks asked worriedly. "She's tough that girl. I
don't know the whole story about that mansion but from what I heard it was really hard times…"

"She's better…"

"Tell her we still would gladly have her as part of our forces…" The woman's hair changed from
pink to electric green. "Merlin knows she would be a great acquisition!" She winked at Fleur.
"'ermione ees actually zinking about eet." Fleur smiled. "Don't go bragging, but she's been missing
some action. She and 'arry, 'onestly."

"Well, can't say I'm surprised," Bill added.

"If Harry really asks for the field, I might move little Weasley to the office. I'm really trying not to
kick him out but the brat is really bad at following orders." Fleur practically snarled at the mention
of the younger Weasley man. "Anyway, how did Hogwarts treat you? Ol' school is good right? I
might have to give you a heads up, the word that you and the golden girl are dating has spread.
Basically every department's current gossip." Tonks smirked. "And I guess your current clothing
won't help the rumors… She had a hard night?"

"Oui. She keeps dreaming about zee manor, I wish I knew 'ow to 'elp…"

"I hope she get's better soon, though."

"'ow did everybody know?"

"Some of the ministry employees have kids there and some of them might have said something
about. And people like to gossip." The colorful headed woman said nonchalantly. "Anyway, I
better go and you better go train some brats. Don't worry blondie, the redhead brat is suspended for
a month. Or two." She smirked. "You weren't the only one mad at him for losing Lucius, Fleur.
Half of the division is kind of ready to kill him. He's out for safety reasons. I guess even Molly is
trying not to kill him currently."

"Mom is definitely not happy about all that." Bill offered, shaking his head, as their boss left the
room and the duo got ready to work.

Hermione sighed as she saw the veela vanish into the green flames and sat on an armchair to wait
for her friends.

"You are early." Luna was the first one to get down, not longer than two minutes after she sat.

"I had a nightmare and Fleur came in last night," Hermione explained, hearing the two remaining
members of their group get to the room.

"Rough night?" Ginny asked having heard only the last part. She hugged her friend as she nodded.
"I'm really sorry."

"Fleur just left."

"Aw, we missed her…" The group laughed and left to the Great Hall.

They adjusted quite quickly back into school routine (not that they really had a choice) and by the
end of the morning the group had already gone to the library and were carrying the books they
would need for the assignments. They had just finished eating and were chatting when
McGonagall went to them with a slightly worried frown, she was coming from outside the hall.

"Good afternoon, I'm afraid I'll have to pull you from your classes for the rest of the day, I need to
meet you four at my office. Your teachers have been already informed so if you would follow
me…"

"Professor," Hermione began as they exited the Great Hall, "I'm sorry, but what happened?"
"I wouldn't be able to inform you that, Miss Granger. I just received a request to a meeting with the
four of you from Miss Delacour."

Hermione's head was running leaps trying to figure out why exactly her girlfriend would have
made such request, to no avail. Ginny had to guide the concentrated lioness towards the
headmistress office. They met Fleur inside the office, in deep conversation with two other women.
They were talking in quick French and Hermione failed to understand the subject but she could
swear she heard her name. McGonagall cleared her throat to gather the visitor's attention.

Fleur was about to get a small break when an Owl landed on her shoulder and extended it's leg to
her. She frowned after taking the letter, it was sealed with the Delacour's crest. Awkward, her
mother never sent her mail through owl neither did her grandmère…

Fleur,

I've been preoccupied with Hermione's health since you sent me word of what she is
currently going through. While I understand that the scar left on her arm is not
something I can help dealing with, maman, your father and I have been giving a
thought about how we could possibly help your mate. We again went through our
archives, trying to find anything that could lay a light on the subject. We are sorry it
took so long, but we actually had to research other clan's archives personally as we
understand that it's a personal matter. We have finally come up with an idea, it's
something that has been used by a few healers of our kind to help trauma patients to
get over and heal. We found two of those healers and they say they can most certainly
help given it's about a veela mate. Your g randm è re managed to persuade them to
help your other friend who got through it (Luna isn't it?). They are willing to meet you
anytime you and the girls can. You just have to send me word. I'm not home, hence the
owl, so just floo to the Lebeau palace.

Best wishes,

Maman and Grandmère

Fleur's eyes bugged out of her face as she finished reading the letter, she ran to her office without
thinking and almost ran into Bill.

"Whoa! What's the matter?" the redhead asked her after making her stop.

"Maman wrote me, apparently zey found a way to 'elp 'ermione and Luna with the nightmares."
Bill's eyes widened. "I need to talk to Minerva and see when eet could 'appen."

"Go, I'll talk to-"

"Hey, why you two look so frantic?" Tonks stopped by them, her hair changing to a dulled orange.

"Maman found a way to 'elp with 'ermione's and Luna's nightmares, I need to talk to Minerva-"

"What are still doing here? Go!" Tonks' command put Fleur into action again.

"Zanks!"

"Just let us know whatever happens!" Bill yelled as she moved to the elevator.

She got home and partially flooed to the school, hoping she would be able to reach Dobby. He
 appeared with a pop right after she called for him. She explained she had to get in touch with the
headmistress immediately and possibly the four students. He simply nodded and said he would pop
into her house after passing the message to the older woman. Not ten minutes after, the elf was
popping into existence in her house, saying she should be able to floo to the Headmistress' office.

"Good morning, Minerva. I'm sorry I took you from your appointments."

"No problem, Miss Delacour. I understand, from what Dobby just told me, that this meeting had
something to do with Miss Granger and Miss Lovegood." Fleur nodded. "I see, as I trust you
wouldn't be requesting this without a good motive, I'll fetch them as they must be having lunch
right now. If you need anything, feel free to call Dobby."

"Minerva, I need to get in touch with maman. Ees eet okay if I use the fireplace? I might bring two
other people here."

"If you judge it wise, yes. I trust you, Fleur."

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hello my dear readers! It's me, your friendly neighbor Celtic! (ha, you thought
I'd say my name!) (Sorry I think I'm watching a little too much KindaTV - Carmilla is
an addiction, honestly)

So this one is almost a filler, right? The main info about the healing method comes
with the next chapter (I hope I'm able to make it understandable...)

Please comment, I'm always pleased to learn what you think! Your kudos boost my
writing...

;3

See Yah!

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 41
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Hermione watched her girlfriend startle at the sudden noise. "Ah, you are 'ere!" Fleur exclaimed
and moved to greet the newcomers. "'ow was your morning? 'ow are you?" She was beaming.

"It was good, babe… What's happening?" Hermione was certain she looked confused and she was.

"Ok, I'll explain eet to all of you. Zese are Thérese Laurent and Nina Descoteaux." She motioned to
the other women who had approached them as Fleur Greeted the others. "'ermione, do you
remember zat I wrote maman last week and along with zee request for a research about zee
bonding I told 'er briefly about what 'appened to you and Luna?" Hermione nodded. The explaining
was directed to her but she knew the others were paying close attention. "Well, apparently maman
got worried and started a quest, with papá and grandmère, to find a way to 'elp you two." Hermione
gasped as her four other ones. "According to zem, our kind 'ave been dealing with survivors of
magical torture for quite some time, as we know creature 'ate 'as been a zing for ages. Our clan
didn't 'ave any register about zose but we 'ave already found zat zee Delacour clan lacks on et
apparently. Well, maman found two 'ealers who know zee process and performed eet a few times.
Zey were about to explain to me when you arrived."

They were all sat, conjured chairs as there were more people than usual there. McGonagall had
sent for Flitwick so he could perform a translating spell at the room (it wasn't her specialty after all)
and he had left quickly after. The Headmistress, Luna, Ginny, and Harry had sworn not to talk
about what would be discussed with any other person. Hermione was Fleur's mate and their
situation had already been explained by the Delacour's matriarch. The room had been protected and
all the paintings were now empty.

"We first have to discuss a few things previous to this specific healing process. First, and I assume
the headmistress already know that but it will be needed to explain the rest so I apologise, all
beings are composed by three portions, at least: the body - what links us to this world; the mind -
what makes us function as we do; and the core - being it magical or not, it is our life essence. To
magical beings, more specifically, humans, the core is a little bit different; witches and wizards
have what we call a magical core, so they basically have two cores interlaced. Magical creatures on
the other hand not only have dual cores as magical humans, but they have also dual minds and in
case of shapeshifters, dual bodies - and it could also be applied to animagi. The veela kind, and in
here I can go as far as saying no other creature has it, have something we call the third core. I can't
explain it to you deeply, but I'd resume it as something that connects us to the energy of love and
ecstasy." Thérese began, she was more tan than Fleur but also held the almost perfect beauty. So
did Nina. The three of them had almost the same hair, cut in different ways but they looked very
similar.

"As for the type of injuries a cruciatus curse can inflict to a person who has suffered from multiple
castings, the veela have deeper research than most. The damage is initially done to the body, then
the mind and then the core - first vital than magical. Most reach the breaking point when the
damage occurs to their mind, but a few are able to hold onto their minds. It happens mostly when
their mind is protected by their magical core. And that situation might leave the person alive but
suffering some kind of PTSD." Nina chimed in.

"The healing we are proposing would heal both mind and magical core. The process includes
overflowing you with the energy of our magical and third core, that flood induces your core into a
healing process, then the mind is healed as your own core energy helps you overcome the trauma.
This whole process is accelerated by the stream of energy so what naturally would take at least a
few years to happen, happens in a few hours." Thérese finished the explanation, smiling to the five
dumbfounded witches and wizard. "The process has been done only on magical beings and some of
them didn't have any magical creature blood, it is safe for you two. We need to access the range of
damage before going ahead but that's about it."

Hermione was awestruck. "I'm sorry, but why don't share it with the wizarding world?"

"Unfortunately, the veela are secretive people because of past experience. The wizarding world is
too prejudiced and mostly after great power. The veela are hunted because of their fear of the
unknown, the knowledge of this healing power could and have led to the imprisonment of our
people. We help those we judge worthy and our kind." Nina explained.

"It's really wonderful." McGonagall smiled. She had tears in her eyes and looked absolutely
relieved (as did a very silent Fleur). "I'm really happy you are able to help both these girls. They
are so very much special that I'm not really able to explain." That made tears come to Hermione's
eyes. Her favorite teacher. "Thank you, I've been trying to find a solution for them since I heard
what they had gone through."

"Thank you," Luna said softly. Hermione could only nod as she didn't trust her voice at the
moment. The other three were still shocked.

McGonagall decided that the best place to do such procedure would obviously be the hospital wing
but as it was not possible given the need for secrecy, it would be done at her quarters (it had direct
connection to the office they were currently in so no one would see or suspect anything and she
could have complete control over who and what could enter the room). After they had all moved to
the other room, two chairs were transfigured into comfortable beds and Luna and Hermione laid on
their backs. The veela healers took their place near the head of each girl and made a diagnosis,
quickly moving to the healing process. Hermione was induced into a peaceful sleep as Nina
worked on her, the woman was sitting near her head, her hands were placed on each side of her
head. The other healer was in the same position by Luna.

As it had been said, the process was taking a few hours and Fleur was absolutely impatient, just
like every other person in the room. She did trust it would help her lioness but couldn't help being
protective of her. After some time, Nina opened her eyes and stared at her until she looked at her.
The healer motioned with her head for Fleur to get closer to Hermione.

"Your thrall will help her heal faster," the woman said in a low voice. "Focus on getting her
comfortable. The scar on her arm left damages too, I'll heal what I can."

Fleur nodded. "We are currently trying to find the blade that made this so we can work on the
healing." The other veela nodded.

"Don't worry, Miss Delacour. She'll be fine, she's strong. I might add that even not being fully
mated to you, she started developing a third core. I can feel it as I help her heal. We couldn't expect
anything different from the mate of the heir." She smiled at Fleur and refocused on the healing.

The room was silent after that, no one dared to speak at that point fearing it could break the
witches' concentration. Fleur was sat by Hermione's bed holding her hand and doing what the
healer told her to. If she had to be honest, she would have to say she had almost forgotten there
were other people in the room. She was aware that Harry and Ginny had moved to sit near Luna's
bed, mirroring her but her focus laid only on Hermione. Dobby popped into the room a few times
to see if they needed anything and provide them something to drink. Minerva had to leave as she
had classes to teach but went back as soon as she could. It had just passed dinner time when Nina
relaxed, opened her eyes and moved her hands. To Fleur, it felt like it took much longer than it
actually did. Hermione opened her eyes and her eyes zeroed on Fleur's.

"Hermione, your body is exhausted because of zee excess of energy zat flowed zrough it. A good
night of sleep and you'll be fine. Eat then go to sleep." Nina said, making Hermione focus on her.

Fleur helped Hermione to get out of the makeshift bed and go to the table where Dobby had left
some food and drinks. She saw Harry and Ginny smiled at them, Luna was still under treatment.
An hour later, Luna was awake and eating. Hermione had refused to go before Luna could too.
Minerva allowed them to floo directly to their living room at the castle and as soon as all of them
got there, they said good night and went to sleep.

"You'll stay here, right?" Hermione asked as they entered her room. She changed and immediately
went to bed.

"Oui, ma Reine. I'll stay tonight."

"Good," the lioness smiled sleepily as she laid by her side and held her. "I sleep better with you."

"Moi aussi…" Fleur said into her hair. "I love you."

"I love you too."

The next day began the same as the previous but this time the couple decided that they should give
it a try and sleep separately. Hermione would do the same as Sunday night.

"Have a good day, babe," Hermione said as they entered the living room, hugging her girlfriend.

"You too, chéri. Love you." Fleur kissed her goodbye and moved to the fireplace. "I'll floo you
when I get back 'ome."

"Okay, I'll probably be here doing homework…"

"So domestic…" Ginny teased as she stepped into the room after Fleur vanished.

"Good morning to you too, Gin."

"Morning…"

The group headed together to breakfast, where they found a worried Moire as she hadn't seen them
at dinner. After eating and calming the first year down, their day began. Double potions, double
transfiguration, Lunch and then Luna dragged her to watch Ginny and Harry practice.

"So…" Hermione began, she hadn't talked to them about what happened after she and Fleur left the
previous Saturday.

"They asked me out," Luna answered the unspoken question as they were climbing one of the
stands to watch the practice. Hermione hugged her, smiling.

"That's good. But I'm sorry it took you leaving the bar crying to make those two take action."

"Passed waters." Luna smiled as they sat and Hermione fished a book from her book-bag. "Where
are our first-year friends?" She asked looking around.
"They might be on their way here. Moire said she would probably be dragged to watch. Just like I
have been" She mock-glared Luna, who laughed.

"You would be reading somewhere else, now you are reading here and supporting your best
friends. Stop complaining…" It didn't take more than half an hour for the group of younger
Gryffindors to find them. Ginny and Harry had decided to go to the pitch earlier and talk about
strategies as their first game was getting closer. After that, Hermione and Luna went back to the
common room and began their homework while Ginny and Harry had Muggle Studies (Hermione
didn't understand why Harry insisted on doing this class as he had been raised by two muggles.
Awful muggles, but still muggles).

"So beautiful concentrating…" Hermione heard her girlfriend's voice just as she was finishing her
Transfiguration essay. She smiled.

"Just a second, babe."

"Sure…"

They spent some time talking, just like they used to before that dreadful report writing. And both
made sure they wouldn't go too much into the night as both had things to do the next day. If she
had to be honest, Hermione would say she was dreading going to sleep. She knew she eventually
would have to go back to sleeping alone but she was also kind of afraid and for what Hermione
could see, Fleur was worried too.

The lioness woke up with her blaring alarm clock. Groaning, she snoozed it. She had a hard time
sleeping thanks to her fear and to the empty bed. Yeah, it was going to be hard getting used to
sleeping alone again. Sighing she turned the alarm off and began to get ready for the day.

"It worked," Ginny said as she reached the living room.

"Yeah, now I gotta get used to sleeping alone." Hermione grimaced as her friends gave her
apologetic smiles. "At least I don't have to see that mad woman's face every night…"

They went to breakfast in silence. The day passed relatively quickly, with Hermione going to study
at the library after lunch with Ginny and Harry as Luna was in Arithmancy class. The older lioness
left the couple before the Ravenclaw met them as she still had one last class. Hermione smiled
when she flooed her veela after dinner.

Having to sleep without Fleur was hell, the brunette decided, as she woke up the next Friday. The
third night she was giving it a try… Hermione smiled as soon as she remembered it was Friday and
that she would be seeing her girlfriend in flesh later that day. She rolled her eyes at Ginny as the
redhead teased her for putting more effort into looking good. The day passed in a torturing slow
pace, by the time the last class ended (History of magic), Hermione was entirely impatient and
briskly walked to their quarters. The moment she walked past the painting was the moment Fleur
stepped out of the fireplace.

"Oh my, it's like we're at a romantic movie!" Ginny snickered as both girlfriends quickly moved
towards each other. "So sappy!" Hermione simply flipped her off as she continued kissing her
girlfriend.

Fleur was greeted by the rest of the group after Fleur smiled into the kiss and pulled back still
smiling. They left not much longer after, leaving the couple to their own affairs. They ate and
decided to get rid of what they had to do. They finished organizing everything (after reading the
reports that had been sent to them and adding theirs) as their trio of friends came back from
whatever they were doing.

"Hey! You finished?" Ginny asked after entering the room, the witches nodded. "Right, Moire was
asking for you, 'Mione…"

"Is she ok?"

"Yes, she is. She just wanted to spend some time with you… I think she's in the common room…"
Luna answered. Hermione smiled and moved to check for the first year.

"Is it ok if I invite her in?" She smiled as the group nodded. Hermione found the little lioness
longing near a fireplace with her friends and was greeted enthusiastically. She extended the
invitation to the rest of their small group, they were a little shocked at that (Hermione asked herself
if it would eventually get old and they would be used to them).

"So… Jenga?" Harry asked after everyone was comfortable.

"I don't know about you, but I'm entirely too tired to be any good at zis game." Fleur sighed,
leaning on Hermione. Hermione held her by her waist and nodded.

"What do you suggest? We have to entertain our guests…" Ginny smiled, agreeing with the French
witch silently.

"You up to hearing about our misadventures?" Hermione smiled at the younger group. She had a
feeling that it would do. She was met with eager nods.

"Try not to give zem any ideas, chéri. Minerva would kill us."

"It's not like they would willingly go after a three-headed dog…" Hermione laughed.

"Or after a giant snake that was hiding on the school's pipes…" Harry added.

"Don't you remind me of that year…" Ginny grumbled shivering.

"Or after an animagus with a werewolf teacher…" The older lioness continued after offering an
apologetic smile to her ginger friend.

"Or enter a crazy ass competition, unwillingly."

At that, Hermione chided: "Language, Harry!"

"Sorry…"

"Oh, or found a secret organization to practice DADA." Luna offered. "Because a toad teacher
wasn't willing to teach it correctly."

"That was super against the rules. I really never expected Hermione to have that idea." Harry
laughed.

Hermione simply shrugged. "The toad was really getting on my nerves…"

After a round of laughter, they decided to tell the younger group about their first year. Only
Hermione and Harry spoke, as Ginny and Fleur had only heard about their supposed adventure.

"You won't believe how much Ron gloated because of that stupid match!" The older redhead
sighed as Harry retold the moment Ron had won the chess match that McGonagall had
 transfigured. The night ended with the young Gryffindors making them promise they would tell
them other stories and Fleur proudly holding Hermione (after hearing her part on the "adventure").
They went to bed almost immediately, holding steaming cups filled with tea. Hermione sighed as
she got under the covers.

"I missed you." She stated as soon as the veela was within arms range.

"Me too, ma belle."

Hermione got comfortable on the blonde's side as Fleur reached for the French book they had been
reading and their cups. After handling one to Hermione, Fleur opened the book and began reading
aloud. Not long after, they heard a knock on the door and it opened to reveal an anxious Ginny.

"Hey…" the redhead said quietly.

"Gin? Are you okay?" Hermione got worried, it was unlikely for the ginger to get that anxious.

"Uh? Yeah, I'm fine. I just need to ask you something…"

"Go ahead zen…" Fleur offered curiously. "Come in, Ginny…"

"Ok…" She stepped inside and closed the door behind her. "Well, I'm not sure Lun told you, but,
uh, we - Harry and I - asked her out. On a date…"

"Oui?" "Yes, she did say something about it…" Was Fleur's and Hermione's answer.

"Well, I was wondering - actually, me and Harry - if it would be possible" The couple had amused
looks at the nervousness of the redhead who was looking at the ground. "For you guys to - uh -
help her get ready… At Fleur's." Ginny let the breath she was holding out.

Hermione raised an eyebrow at this, looking at Fleur. "I don't know, Gin." The ginger's eyes
snapped up. The older lioness was fighting the smile creeping on her lips. "We kind of had plans."
Ginny's eyes widened.

"Oh -"

"Oui, we 'ave plans," Fleur said, catching on.

"Ok -"

"We planned on kidnapping Luna and forcing her to accept our help on getting ready." Hermione
interrupted Ginny at what seemed to be the beginning of an apology. She and Fleur grinned
mischievously.

"Uh?"

"Yes, Gin. Of course, Lun can get ready at Fleur's. Of course, we will help her. We would love to."
Hermione added, rolling her eyes. "Why the hell were you so nervous to ask?"

"You are mean, 'Mione…" Ginny said, blushing. "And I have no idea…"

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hello my dear readers! It's me, your friendly neighbor Celtic! (ha, you thought
I'd say my name!) (Sorry, I think I'm watching a little too much KindaTV - Carmilla is
an addiction, honestly) (And I'll just keep starting like this, just bc)

Healing method! (I hope I was able to make it understandable...) And a Hermione

being a teaser! Yup, love writing her like this. The sass should have rubbed off on her
at some time, right?

Oh, shout out to Thewallflowerwithasword since I kind of was hugely inspired by their
healing methods on Athena Chronicles... (Read, It's great. Seriously!)

Please comment, I'm always pleased to learn what you think! (and will respond hehe)

Kudos are life!

;3

See Yah!

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 42
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Yep, her best friend was the devil but Ginny guessed she kind of earned that, given she teased the
brunette with how smitten she was with her veela girl. She sighed, leaving the others' room, who
were still snickering at her. Upon entering her room she was greeted by the endearing scene on her
(she hoped so) soon to be girlfriend curled up on her boyfriend, both sleeping. She smiled and
moved to get herself ready to bed, she lodged herself on the other side of Luna as it was the only
space left on the bed (it as actually a bit small, not that any of them really cared). She spooned
Luna, making sure the blonde wouldn't wake up and reached out with her arm so she was touching
Harry's hip. The other two simply sighed, with Luna leaning a little on her and Harry shifting closer
to them and wrapping his free arm (as one was under his head and pillow) over her and mirroring
her own arm, leaving Luna effectively sandwiched between them. Ginny carefully placed a soft
kiss on the blonde's shoulder, feeling her relax completely, and let sleep take her.

"They are so adorable sleeping that I feel guilty to wake them up." Ginny heard as the slumber
began to fade from her consciousness. She grumbled, recognizing the voice as her best friend's.

"What do you want?" She mumbled, after opening one eye to glare at Hermione only to be met by
not only her but Fleur too. She should have guessed. She rolled her eyes because the couple seemed
resolved to recoup their lack of presence around each other during the week by staying glued what
seemed to be the whole weekend.

"We're here to abduct Luna. Why else?" Hermione laughed at her friend's sleepy face.

"You are supposed to do so only later," Harry grumbled as he arose, frowning at his sister.

"Well, we decided we would do eet now." Fleur smiled sweetly.

Sighing and knowing there was no way she could convince the couple to let them sleep some
more, she called for Luna softly while rubbing her hip. The blonde simply snuggled further into
her, earning snickers from the others in the room. "Come on, Lun… The evil couple wants you up
now…" This was met with a simple head shake and an unintelligible mumble.

Harry sighed and moved out of the bed. He had a soft smile on as he gathered his clothes for the
day and entered the bathroom. Ginny fully laughed when Luna rolled out of her reach (tried to), as
she was still trying to wake her up, and resumed her sleep with a quiet snore. Ginny shrugged,
looking at the older couple and got out of bed. She was sorting through her things, figuring what to
wear when she heard a yell from the bed and laugher. Turning, she saw Hermione on top of Luna
tickling the younger witch. She snickered as the Ravenclaw struggled to be free of the brunette's
onslaught.

"I'MAWAKEI'MAWAKE!" The younger blonde shouted after gathering enough air. Hermione got
out from Luna and helped the Claw get up. "You are mean."

"You love me somehow," Hermione smirked. Luna was really glad the rather eccentric young
woman had friends other than herself, she knew she and Hermione had a shaky start.

"Very true."

"Now, we are abducting you in case you didn't hear the first time I said it."
"Oh?"

"You are spending zee day with 'ermione and myself until eet's time for your date." Fleur offered,
smiling as the younger witch sorted her clothes quicker than Ginny and ran into the bathroom as
Harry exited.

"I won't ask the plans for the date but I do expect to hear all about it tomorrow over lunch?"
Hermione smiled inviting the trio to Fleur's for lunch (or Ginny expected that was where the meal
would be happening). Harry smiled and agreed for both of them sakes.

"Dressing code?" The French asked.

"Casual," Ginny answered knowing she was referring to the date.

"Lun, we'll be downstairs!" Hermione shouted out to the witch inside the bathroom. A muffled 'ok'
was heard and the older couple left the room.

"So, they agreed with letting Lun get ready with them…" Harry chuckled.

"More like they were already planning on doing this before I even asked. And 'Mione mocked me
for being nervous to ask them…"

"And I really don't know why you were."

"Why didn't you go then?"

"And risk seeing them snogging more than I have already? No thanks. I was very safe here." He
laughed.

"As if you had any innocence to be taken away…" Ginny rolled her eyes.

Luna got out of the bathroom and smiled at them. "So, I'll see you later…"

"Certainly, we'll pick you up at Fleur's at six… Ok?" Ginny answered. Luna pecked her lips, then
Harry's and left the room.

"We're leaving! See you at 6!" The Quidditch captain heard Hermione yell.

"Okay!" "See ya!" Were Harry's and her's responses.

Ginny got ready for the day as her boyfriend waited for her reading the book she had lent him
about the Holyhead Harpies.

"So, breakfast in London?" She asked while reentering the room.

"I'm up for it." Harry placed the book aside and walked to her, holding her. "G'morning, since I had
no chance of saying before thanks to our crazy family."

"Morning. And you crazy family, I have nothing to do with them. Yet." Ginny laughed.

"Right, because you don't consider 'Mione your sister too. Even your mom considers her a second
daughter…" He chuckled. "Though I think it's because she had far too many boys…" Harry added
with a whisper. She cracked.

"I'll let McG know we are leaving."

"McG?"

"Shush," Ginny rolled her eyes. She conjured her patronus and sent him his way as they reached
the first floor. "I doubt she expects us to spend our weekends here anyway…"

"True…"

They didn't spend much time in the flat as they were both hungry. It didn't take much for them to
find a place that had a breakfast menu so they entered without much thought and sat, both ordering
a rather large amount of food. Ginny regarded Harry for a bit.

"So, you up to cooking or we'll get Lun to a restaurant later?"

He smiled and they began plotting how they would sweep Luna off her feet.

"Uh, where are we going?" Luna asked as she was almost dragged out of Fleur's apartment.

Hermione smiled at her, same as Fleur.

"We are distracting you." Fleur offered. "I zought you might get anxious so I spoke to my beau 'ere
and we decided to spend zee day with you."

"I'd really like to eat first, though," Hermione said as they heard her stomach growl.

"Wanna check on Jilpy?" Fleur suggested, both women agreeing.

They arrived at the café without being mobbed, miraculously (it was a Saturday after all). A
random attendant greeted them at the entrance, they led them to a table and gave them the menu.
Not more than 5 minutes later, three cups filled with their hot beverage of choice appeared in front
of them. When the attendant got back to them, they seemed startled.

"Are you usual customers?"

"You could say that…" Hermione said smiling.

"We are friends with an employee." Luna offered, smiling. She thought it was strange the attendant
didn't recognize them right away.

"Oh…"

Luna noticed a brunette that seemed to know Fleur approach them. She seemed pleased.

"Miss Delacour! It's a pleasure to have you here again!"

"And zee owner..." Fleur said as the person at their service paled seeing the woman talk to them.
"'ello, Aubrey!" She added smiling.

"Is Beca servicing you well? She's the newest addition to our staff," the woman questioned smiling.
"And is American in case you were wondering why she didn't really recognize you." She added
with a whisper.

The trio nodded understanding. "I was about to get their orders when I saw they already had
drinks..." The attendant explained in a low voice to the owner.

"Jilpy saw you getting in uh?" the woman smirked, "No worries, dear. Just take the rest of their
order. This group here has high priority. And relax, you are after all attending the most humble
group of war heroes of UK.." Beca blanched as the three women sitting rolled their eyes.

"So much for not drawing attention…" Hermione mumbled, taking a sip of her drink. "Oh, coffee!"
She seemed surprised.

"I guess she 'eard from Dobby zat you enjoyed eet at zee morning…"

"I heard you have been at Hogwarts launching the new policy professor McGonagall instated…"
Aubrey smiled. Luna enjoyed the fact that the woman didn't fuss around them and could see
Hermione too was grateful. Fleur nodded. "Jilpy made sure to send your preferred coffee to the
school as soon as she heard you would be staying there the whole week."

Fleur simply grinned. "She's wonderful…"

"Indeed." Aubrey excused herself then as an elf appeared to inform her she was needed, promising
to go back to them before they were off.

Hermione and Fleur ordered croissants and sliced fruits, Luna simply went along with them. Beca
scurried away as soon as she got the order. The food appeared at the table quickly again, a basket
filled with fresh croissants, small containers with honey, jelly, and butter, and three bowls filled
with cut fruit. As they were finishing the food, Aubrey appeared again, smiling.

"I'm sorry, I just realized I didn't present myself to you. I'm Aubrey, though you knew that
already." She beamed. "It's a pleasure to meet you two." She added to Luna and Hermione.

"Uhm, can I ask you something?" Hermione began, waiting for a nod from the owner. "Is it
possible for you to keep sending the coffee to Hogwarts?"

"I'm happy to inform you, Miss Granger, that we are already doing such thing. As far as I am
aware, that school's elf that is friends with Jilpy took upon himself to keep at least some of it there."
The woman smiled. "They seem quite fond of you and your friends." Aubrey wished them a good
day and went back to her office.

Luna waited for them to leave the café to ask them about the plans. Fleur proposed shopping and
Hermione promptly suggested they began at the bookshop. Only halfway through the shop, Luna
remembered she hadn't packed any clothes for the date and almost panicked. Fleur snickered and
said she was actually planning on going shopping for some clothes after the bookshops (they had
decided to go to both wizarding and muggle bookshops). The three witches spent most part of the
day inside shops in the muggle London as none of them had much care for wizarding robes. An
hour before the scheduled time for the Potter-Weasley couple to show up to fetch Luna, the three
women were deciding Luna's outfit. The younger blonde had showered and clad herself in the new
lingerie she had bought but they didn't seem to be really able to agree on one outfit; Luna seemed
to be absolutely incapable of choosing something for herself, Hermione (the ever more practical)
chose tight jeans and a feminine button-up while Fleur suggested a cute blue dress that hugged her
at all the right places. All picked from the clothes the Claw had bought earlier. After a few minutes
of absolute indecisiveness from Luna, Fleur made the woman try them both. After that, Hermione
had agreed with her girlfriend that the dress would be the best choice. That sorted out, Fleur set on
putting some make-up on Luna (upon her request) while the brunette watched them smiling. Right
on time, they heard a knock on the door. Hermione went to get it while Fleur finished braiding
Luna's hair. That done, the younger blonde went to the living room, to meet the couple that was
taking her out. They smiled at her and she felt their adoring gaze on her, making her flush. Harry
was wearing dark jeans, a white bottom-up (a rather classy one), and black social shoes, he was
holding out a red tulip and smiling. Ginny stood beside him wearing tight black jeans, a backless
grey blouse, a black jacket and in high heeled ankle booties, her hair was down and tossed over her
right shoulder. She was holding out a tiger lily (Luna found it funny that she was the one holding
the lily, not harry). Luna smiled at them.

"You look great…" The ginger said reverently smiling back. Harry nodded. They gave Luna the
solitaire flowers.

"Thanks, you two look awesome."

Hermione came to her as took the flowers. "I'll put these in water. I'll get them to the flat." She said
the second phrase more like a question, she had no idea of what their plans were.

"Thanks, 'Mione," Ginny said smiling. "Let's go? We have reservations…" Luna nodded and they
left the apartment.

The trio arrived at the restaurant just in time, having been led to their table immediately. Luna had
no knowledge of the place and didn't exactly know where they were in London (she assumed they
were in London). Harry made sure to pull out the chair for Luna and Ginny, grinning. The table
was round so the three of them could face each other easily.

"We remembered you saying the food you liked the most, in your travels with Xeno, was Thai…
This is one of the best restaurants in London, specialized in Thai food." Ginny said softly as Luna
looked around.

"Oh," The blonde beamed, she really loved the food. "It had been quite sometime I don't eat
Thai…" Luna inclined slightly out of her seat to peck on the other two cheeks. "Thank you!"

They ate and chatted quietly, the blonde noticed it was really easy to be with them. They were both
pleasant and willing to discuss whatever she said, she knew she seemed a little crazy when she was
talking about those unknown beasts but she also knew they were very real. The other two were
curious about anything she said and listened closely, she saw genuine interest on what she had to
say (refreshing after years of people only listening to her to be able to mock her). She was softly
smiling, looking at both her companions and glad she was there with them.

"Hey," Ginny said softly. "Where did you go?" a smile grazer her lips.

"Oh! Sorry, I guess I got lost in my head…"

"That must have been interesting." Harry smiled.

"Not really…" She laughed. "I'm glad I'm here with you two…" She added.

"We're glad you accepted coming with us." Ginny grinned.

They had finished sharing a small dessert and decided to head out, Harry gave both girls a
meaningful look as if daring them to try paying as he asked for the check. He and Ginny offered a
hand to Luna as they got up, she took both and graciously followed them. They apparated with her
once again, and she found herself at an amusement park. She grinned and dragged them to the
entrance, they laughed and followed her. Ginny made her and Harry wait out of the line to buy the
tickets and came back a few minutes later, holding three.

"You better not try to pay for anything, Lun. We are taking you out."

"As you please…"

 They left three hours later, after riding the roller coaster, the Ferris wheel, and after Ginny had won
three stuffed animal to Luna (Harry had tried but tossing balls weren't really his speciality - he
might have pouted). The blonde was grinning and had re-distributed the prizes so it was one each.
the ginger and Harry only relented and accepted one after the Claw had resorted to puppy eyes,
though. Ginny apparated them directly into the flat, the flowers they had given Luna sat beautifully
in a vase on the dinner table. Luna's smile widened even more.

"Thank you, really. You didn't have to…"

"We wanted to," Harry said softly.

"Yeah, you deserve the best," Ginny stated.

"Want hot cocoa?" the boy asked.

"Definitely." Both girls said simultaneously and grinned at each other as Harry entered the kitchen.

Ginny was still smiling when she pulled Luna closer into a hug, she was leaning on the counter
simply holding the blonde. Luna felt good in her arms, safe. The Claw was shorter than the
Gryffindor and her head was tugged under the lioness' chin, moving slowly, the blonde kissed the
underside of the ginger's jaw. Ginny looked down, they were both serious but their eyes betrayed
their joy. It took only two seconds (time enough to make a decision and make sure it wouldn't
bother the other), Luna leaned up and pressed a kiss on Ginny's lips. She felt alive, even more,
when the ginger pulled her closer and moved a hand to her cheek. On their own accord, the
blonde's arms wrapped themselves around the other's shoulders. It was a slow sweet kiss but
certainly, the longest they had ever shared, they were both grinning when they parted after Harry
cleared his throat from the other side of the counter. Ginny turned around with an eyebrow raised.

"The chocolate will get cool…" Harry said quietly, his cheeks red.

"Right…" the redhead said in an amused tone. Luna moved from Ginny's arms, boosted herself
onto the counter and wrapped her legs around the ginger. No words were needed. The blonde
pecked the lioness' lips then leaned through her current seat, reaching for Harry. Ginny caressed
Luna's thighs over the dress as the Claw kissed the seeker. Luna moaned into Harry's mouth
making Ginny's grip tighten, the man simply leaned in the blonde's direction and held her neck.
When they broke the kiss, Harry and Ginny exchanged glances.

"Luna, can I ask you something?" the redhead asked softly (though her voice sounded a few
octaves lower).

"Sure, you know you can."

"Uh," Ginny sounded flustered. Harry skirted the counter, standing behind Ginny and offering her
one of the cups of cocoa. Luna reached for her's since it was next to her. The ginger took a deep
breath after a small sip. "Would you like to be our girlfriend?"

Luna grinned and nodded. She kissed the tip of Ginny's nose (to which the redhead made a
complaining noise) and pecked her lips before pecking Harry's. "Of course I would, silly witch."

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hello my dear readers! It's me, your friendly neighbour Celtic!

Wooooohoo! A chapter on Luna's and Ginny's POV! (I've been meaning to do that for
a while). What did you think about the date? A good one? I secretly (not really) love
writing Luna...

In case you are wondering, the meaning of the flowers (in reference to Imagine Me
and You): The Tiger Lily means 'I dare you to love me' and the Red Tulip is a
declaration of love.

Please comment, I'm always pleased to learn what you think! And leave kudos!
(please)

;3

See Yah!

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 43
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Hermione smiled as she saw her trio of friends leave the apartment.

"They are cute together, aren't they?" She said now looking at her girlfriend.

"Oui. But we are more." The French answered while hugging her.

"I might have to agree to that…" The lioness kissed her but pulled away quickly, "before I forget, I
should get these to the flat." Fleur nodded, despite the pout on her lips. "You know it will take just
a moment." Hermione smiled, kissing the pout and disapparating. She moved quickly when she
appeared inside her and Harry's flat, accioing a vase, casting Aguamenti to fill it up and a cooling
spell on the water, as flowers supposedly had a longer lifespan if kept on cool water. She placed
the flower vase on the table and left.

"Zat was quick indeed…" Fleur said when she was again in her arms.

"I had a great motivation to be quick." Hermione smiled as pecked the other's cheek.

"Uhmm…" the blonde grinned, moving herself and the lioness to the couch. She laid down, with
the younger woman over her giggling. "What do you want to do, ma Reine?"

"Definitely stay here." Hermione nuzzled her girlfriend's neck, making the French woman moan
quietly. She felt the blonde tighten her hold on her when she began placing open-mouthed kisses
along her neck and onto her jaw until she reached her mouth. They both moaned as they deepened
the kiss. They stayed like that until one of their stomachs growled (maybe it was both of them) and
Fleur carried the brunette to her captive bench by the counter and began cooking. "Not that I mind,
but you know I can walk right?" Hermione teased.

"Oui," The blonde winked at her, smiling. "Wine?"

"Oui," Hermione answered easily. She could see the cerulean eyes' pupils dilate before they
changed into orange ones. The blonde summoned a bottle of wine and two glasses before she
walked to the brunette and kissed her deeply and senseless. She felt the loss of the veela's lips too
quickly and whined before she could regain control of herself. Fleur smirked.

The blonde made them both a light dinner, something Hermione appreciated very much and
happily showed it to Fleur by kissing her silly when they sat back on the couch to cuddle and read.
A few hours later, a first yawn made them both smile and without a word, move to get ready to
bed. They slept facing each other, smiling into the other's warmth.

"Bonjour, ma belle…" Hermione heard as she stirred, making her smile.

"G'morning, babe…" She mumbled back, moving more into the other woman's warmth.

"Eet's almost noon, mon Ange"

"So?"

"I believe you were zee one suggesting zat our friends came 'er for lunch…" Fleur whispered,
kissing her temple.

"Right…" Hermione rolled so she was facing the ceiling. "You know, I'm not usually this lazy.
That's your fault, but I'm really not complaining." She laughed, getting up and being followed by
the veela, who pinned her against the nearest wall.

"I bet I can keep you awake too," The blonde said in a whisper, blowing softly in her ear and
effectively making her shiver. Fleur kissed her deeply, tearing a loud moan from her. The blonde
smirked and let go, leaving a leg-weaken Hermione in her wake. Breathing deeply and rolling her
eyes at her girlfriend's antics, the brunette got ready for the day.

She followed Fleur to the kitchen as the blonde readied herself quicker, being awake for longer
than her. Hermione sat, watching her veela cut some fresh fruits for them and sipping the coffee
the blonde had poured her as soon as she reached the room.

"This coffee is different," she commented after tasting it a few times.

"Oui, zis one maman sent me after I complained about British coffee… Eets from a family
producteur near 'ome."

"It's surprisingly better than the other…"

"I can send some to Dobby…"

"No, I rather only drink this with you," Hermione smiled, winking.

They ate the sliced fruit, stealing kisses from one another occasionally, then Fleur went back to the
kitchen to begin lunch.

"'ermione?" Fleur called from the kitchen while the brunette was reading a french spellbook
(translated, thank you very much) while laying on the couch.

"Yes, Love?" Hermione got up and walked to the other room.

"Could you please open a wine bottle to let eet breathe?"

"Sure," she took one bottle (obviously not the ones intended only for the two of them) from the
wine cellar and showed to Fleur. "This one?"

"Oui"

She opened it, leaving the bottle by the wall on the counter and fixed the table for the five of them.
She abandoned the book she was reading in order to watch the blonde work, she admired the older
woman for not doing the work with magic and she could see the blonde enjoyed cooking. That was
something that stunned her since she got to know her better, a pure magical person such as Fleur
(she might not be pureblood but she didn't have muggles in the closest family) doing most of her
daily tasks the muggle way. It actually made her feel even more at home if she was, to be honest
with herself. She smiled watching how expertly the veela divided her attention between every step
of the meal. An hour later, Fleur turned the stove off and not ten minutes later the doorbell rang.
Hermione smiled at the blonde as she got up to get the door.

"Hey!" She greeted her friends, seeing Harry hugging Luna from behind and Ginny holding her
hand happily.

"Hullo…" Ginny said after they were inside and the other two greeted Hermione. "I hope we're not
too late…"

"Non, you are just in time!" Fleur smiled at them while levitating wine glasses towards them.
"Wine?" They all accepted.

The small talk was cut short when Fleur ushered them to the table, not wanting to serve the food
cold. She placed the dish on the table and smiled.

"So, what is it?" Ginny asked as they served themselves. "Looks like shepherd's pie…"

"You could say eet's zee French version… Eets Hachis Parmentier."

They ate in silence except for enthusiastic praises to Fleur's cooking abilities.

"I wish we had your expertise while we were camping…" Harry said as he finished his second
serving.

"Oh, that would have been amazing!" Hermione agreed, they all knew he was referencing to the
period they spent Horcrux hunting. "Much less canned meals…"

"That's when you didn't decide to cook…" Harry teased, grimacing.

"Oh shush! I tried once or twice."

"Yeah, one of them you almost burned the place."

"Always talking about that…" Hermione rolled her eyes and saw Fleur laugh at their banter.

"I'm not sure I would be capable of making any of zee dishes you ate until now on a camping
stove…"

"Well, I am glad you are dating 'Mione and we get to eat your food." Ginny grinned at the blonde
who simply agreed with her.

"So, how was your date?" Hermione smiled, her gaze going from Ginny to Harry to Luna and them
going back to the redhead, all of them blushing.

"Zat good uh?" Fleur laughed.

Luna gushed about the date, telling them how completely sweet Ginny and Harry had been. The
two of them blushed even more while the younger blonde talked. Hermione was happy for them.
The group decided to go to the movies together and set out. By the end of the night, the group
parted. The trio going to the flat and then to Hogwarts, while Fleur and Hermione stayed in the
blonde's apartment. The silence that hovered between them was anything but uncomfortable as
they knew how saddened they were for having to part ways even if it wasn't for too long.
Hermione loved the school but having to be away from Fleur wasn't at all the best thing that
happened to her. They lost track of time in each other's arms, standing in the middle of the living
room.

"I hate this." She mumbled against Fleur's shoulder.

"I know, chéri. But soon zee winter 'olidays will be 'ere and we won't part from each other at all."
Fleur smiled into her temple, kissing it.

"Oh, the holidays!" Fleur chuckled at the brunette's excitement. "We need to plan it, babe!"
"Oui… We need to stay some time with your parents, at zee burrow as I'm sure Molly will invite us
and zere's France…" The blonde smiled as the lioness nodded. "And I was 'oping you would be
willing to get some time away, only zee two of us."

"I'd love to, Love."

"We can zroughly plan everything later?" The brunette nodded. "You should get going, ma Reine.
You need a good night of sleep to begin zee week well…"

"You are right. But I'm sure I'll not have such a good night as you won't be with me…" Hermione
smiled sweetly. "I know you need a good night too…"

"Wouldn't be bad. Bill and I will be joining zee searches at zee Manor tomorrow. Eet's taking too
long for zem to find zat knife and I want to get your arm 'ealed."

"I know, you'll find it sooner or later… I really should go. I love you, Fleur…" Hermione pulled
the blonde into a deep kiss and then left.

It was Wednesday when Hermione was greeted by her grinning girlfriend when arriving back at
her living quarters after dinner.

"To what do we owe the honour?" Ginny teased as she, Luna and Harry followed Hermione into
the room. Hermione was happily hugging her girlfriend.

"I 'ave great news…" Fleur smiled at the others and then looked at Hermione. "We found zee
knife."

"I told you you'd find it!" Hermione smiled, kissing Fleur's cheek.

"Narcissa ees analyzing eet…" Fleur smiled, still holding Hermione.

They stayed together until Fleur yawned and the lioness insisted that she should go home and get
some sleep.

The veela had already decided she would help with the search and went to the Ministry to talk to
Tonks, then head there. Apparently, the head of the department decided the same thing, as she was
waiting for her at the office.

"I'd say you were thinking about me…" Tonks smirked.

"Oui…"

"Oh, Hermione won't be pleased." The metamorphmagus laughed.

"You wish" Fleur smirked.

"So, I was waiting for you and Bill." Her boss returned to her work mode. "Little cousin sent me a
request for you. It seems the team reached a few rooms Draco knows are cursed and he thinks it
would be better if you two went there to help. What did you want to talk about?"

"The same zing but I didn't know about Draco."

"Impatient much?" Tonks smiled. "I get it. Look, you and Bill go. I'll train the babies until you
guys find it. Oh, the manor only allows non Malfoys inside while there's one there. Draco has
direct instructions for only staying there during the day, no overworking."
Fleur entered the Manor with confidence, being greeted by the whole team, it was the beginning of
the third day of her working with Draco and the search team. She was determined to find the blade
today. The blondes and Bill had met, out of the mansion, after-hours to analyze the rooms they still
had to go through and try to guess where it could be. The team was gathered in the living room, she
walked in followed by Bill and they greeted them. Draco popped into existence by her side as she
and Bill faced the aurors. He had been there since before dawn, ordering the House-elves to make
food for everyone as his mother couldn't enter the house. The team was divided into two groups,
each headed by Bill and her. Draco was expected to go between both, to help to identify the objects
they would find, all of them were wearing protective clothing as always to make sure none would
be affected by any magic in there. About midday, the team was gathered and the elves served
lunch. They resumed the work, the room Fleur headed then was strongly protected by an endless
amount of spells and curses. The witch performed a complicated spell, something she had learned
from her grandmère, that helped in identifying the speller of the curses through her veela. She had
been doing that since the beginning of the day (she had just remembered the spell, to be honest).
Having fought with Bellatrix made her familiar with her magic and her veela identified it as soon as
she cast the spell. She smirked. It was there. Fleur sent a patronus to Bill requesting him to get
there with his team. It all happened in less than five minutes and she noticed her group looked
confused as to what was happening. When the redhead appeared there, the elves apparated them
there, she smiled at him and Draco, who had been helping him.

"I believe zee knife ees in zere." She affirmed, making both men look confused and the aurors even
more. "Zee room reeks of 'er magic." They nodded but seemed still confused. Fleur smirked and
added in a whisper to both men: "Veela trick. I just remembered eet existed."

Fleur and Bill worked together with the awards, it took more than half an hour for them to open the
door. The blonde was growing impatient but knew they had to do it the right way. The following
three hours were spent with them scavenging the room but finally one of the aurors found it, in its
holster. Another one found what seemed to be a journal.

"She probably wrote everything there, mom said she had the costume of registering her inventions.
And that matches the description mom gave me… She said that's all she needs." Draco said,
looking horrified at both items.

Fleur dismissed the aurors and sighed relieved. "Let's get zem to 'er." She placed the knife and
journal inside a protected box and smiled at the two men by her side. "Draco, 'ave you tried to go to
a mind 'ealer? Zey might be able to 'elp with your memories. I'm sure 'aving to live with zem and
be forced to carry zee mark didn't do good to you."

"Surprisingly, I haven't. I guess I keep thinking I deserve this."

"You don't, kid," Bill said looking worried.

"Thanks" the blonde man whispered pained. "Thanks for caring…"

"Of course," Fleur said as she and Bill held his shoulders.

Nodding, Draco disapparated from the manor with them. They appeared at St Mungo's Hospital's
apparition point and hurried to find Narcissa.

"Mom!" Draco said loudly, catching the woman's attention. She ran to him and begun checking
him for injuries. "I'm just fine, mom. No scratches, no burns or anything."

Fleur chuckled at the sight, making the woman look at her and notice he wasn't alone. By looking
at Fleur she understood. "You found it." They simply nodded, proudly.
"The blade and the journey as per request." The young Slytherin beamed at his mother. "Now, if
you excuse me, I'll follow Delacour's suggestion and find me a mind healer." He left, leaving
Narcissa slightly confused.

"I noticed 'ow 'e looked at zee blades and some of zee other objects at zee manor and asked 'im
about zee treatment…"

"I didn't think about it."

"Exactly what 'e told me." Fleur noticed how guilty the older witch looked, "Eet's not your fault,
Narcissa eet was out of your 'ands. 'e will be fine."

"I guess I need to get one too…" The woman sighed. "Uhm, I'll begin analyzing these right away. I
expect to be done by Saturday, the diary will help. She had the habit of taking note of all her
experiences. What will take longer will be figuring out the counter-spells and potions, the list of
what she used might be ready tomorrow morning. After hearing it's about Miss Granger the
director of the hospital made sure to select the best healers for the task." She smiled.

"Thank you, Narcissa." Fleur smiled back before the healer scurried away and she and Bill walked
back to the apparition point.

The blonde appeared home and looked at the clock, calculating how much time she had before her
girlfriend headed back to her quarters (only enough to change). She hurried and flooed to the castle.
The woman had time only to sit when she heard the portrait open. Fleur saw Hermione's expression
transform from almost completely drained to absolutely happy.

"To what do we owe the honour?" Ginny teased as she, Luna and Harry followed Hermione into
the room. Fleur had hurriedly rushed to hold Hermione

"I 'ave great news…" Fleur smiled at the others and then looked at her girlfriend. "We found zee
knife."

"I told you you'd find it!" Hermione smiled, kissing Fleur's cheek.

"Narcissa ees analyzing eet…" Fleur felt her heart flutter with the kiss (she was used to it now, it
happened whenever they were together and the lioness showed affection) "She says zat until
Saturday she will 'ave everything figured out." They stayed together (the blonde eventually getting
something to eat from Dobby) until Fleur yawned and the lioness insisted that she should go home
and get some sleep. "See you Friday?"

"Obviously." Hermione rolled her eye, laughing. "Even if we didn't have to work…"

"Uhm" Fleur kissed the lioness deeply and laughed at how she sought her lips after she pulled
away (she earned a mock glare at this). "Goodnight, mon Coeur…"

"Night, Love." They kissed again then Fleur stepped into the fireplace and went back home.

The French woman spent the rest of the week at the manor, still helping with the curses as the
division wanted to get the place all checked as soon as possible. Draco filed a request to close the
building magically as he had no intentions to move back there (too many memories, Fleur guessed)
and it would be done as soon as the house was cleaned up. They finished the job that Friday, the
manor was locked already and Fleur was tired. That's an understatement, she was fucking drained.
They used magic to speed up the process of cleaning and Fleur had been working since dawn. She
went home, changed and flooed to the castle. The blonde smiled at the sight of her girlfriend sitting
on the couch, talking to her friends while waiting for her. She waved a greeting and dropped herself
 by Hermione's side not very graciously. She felt herself melt into the lioness body as she hugged
her.

"Hey" the brunette whispered, "you ok?"

"I'm just tired." The blonde offered, knowing her girlfriend was worried. "I've been working since
dawn today to finish cleaning zat Putain de manoir so eet could be locked. I guess eet drained
me…"

"So you finished with the mansion." Hermione kissed the top of her head and Fleur swooned at
how caring it felt. She nodded, feeling herself melting even more as the lioness began drawing
patterns on her side.

"Hey, we are heading to the Great Hall, okay?" Ginny said, softly.

"I'm sorry I didn't greet you properly…"

"Don't worry, we get the drained thing…" Harry smiled. Luna caressed her shoulder wordlessly
and Fleur smiled at her.

"I guess we could skip work today. We are almost finished anyway…" Hermione made Fleur lay
her head on her lap. "You hungry?" The blonde nodded. She heard the lioness calling Dobby and
asking him for their food. After eating, Fleur moved so she was facing Hermione and rested her
forehead on the brunette's shoulder. "You are really tired aren't you?" She nodded, looking at her
girlfriend. "I guess we could go to bed earlier…" She guided her upstairs. Fleur felt so drained that
she almost simply dropped face down on the bed but Hermione made her go through her nightly
routine, even helping her with her pyjamas (the lioness blushed the whole time, making Fleur
chuckle a little). Once they were both ready, Hermione guided the blonde to the bed.

"Uh, I must be really lucky, getting in bed with you…" Fleur chuckled.

"Shush, silly french woman." Hermione rolled her eyes. "And yes, you are." She beamed. Fleur got
under the covers and waited for the lioness to join her before turning around and letting herself be
held by the brunette.

Chapter End Notes

Hello my dear readers! It's me, your friendly neighbour Celtic!

So, Fleur found the knife! Exhausted Fleur is one of my favourites! Quite a bit of
Fluff...

Please review, I'm always pleased to learn what you think!

;3

See Yah!

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 44
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Dobby woke them up the next day with an apologetic smile.

"Headmistress sent Dobby to say you are expected at her office in an hour. Dobby is sorry he woke
you up…" His ears deflated. "Professor McGonagall is waiting with Miss Black." He popped out
of existence before any of them could process what he had said.

"Did Dobby just say Professor McGonagall is waiting for us?" Hermione asked after closing her
eyes again and holding Fleur closer.

"Umm…" The blonde nodded. "Bonjour, 'ermione…" She said, kissing her neck.

"Good morning, Love" the lioness kissed her softly. "He said something about a Miss Black too,
right?"

Fleur nodded then her head shot up from where it was resting (Hermione's chest - what? It was
comfy!), painfully connecting with the lioness chin. They both grunted in pain. "Sorry…" The
blonde managed to say. "Eet's Narcissa." She added after the peak of pain faded, massaging her
head. Hermione's eyes widened.

"You think she figured it all out?"

"She promised so, mon chér"

"Right… Should we get ready?" Hermione smiled, watching the blonde get up. Fleur hummed,
"you seem more eager than myself…"

"I doubt zat…" The blonde looked back as retrieved their clothes for the day. "I just want to
support you…"

"Aww, I know that, babe…" Hermione smiled softly at the stunning blonde.

"Eet seems painful and I don't like zee idea of you 'urting."

"Thanks for caring. I'm ok, though." Hermione walked to the bathroom after the blonde gave her
the clothes. They got ready quickly, descending the stairs silently so they wouldn't wake the trio on
the other room. Hermione wrote a note on a piece of parchment letting them know they would be
in the Headmistress' office. It was so early that there was no one in the hallways leading to the
office. They were greeted by Minerva a moment after they knocked on the door.

"Good morning, ladies" She smiled at them and moved so they could come in.

"Fleur! You received my owl!" Narcissa exclaimed.

"No, Cissy. She was already here." Minerva laughed and both younger women blushed. The healer
looked confused. "Hermione, Ginny, Luna, and Harry are here in a special circumstance. There are
a few rules being bent for them. Well, more specifically Hermione and Harry but Miss Weasley
and Miss Lovegood are always with them and the four are practically the only ones that fought that
came back for their last year."
"That and, according to my son, Miss Granger is your favourite student..." Narcissa added bluntly,
smirking.

"Well, I can't say it's a lie." Minerva gave Hermione a small smile. The lioness blushed even more.
"I'm sorry I called you so early."

"Yes, I'm sorry it's so early but my crazy sister did put an awful amount of spells and potions in that
blade and it will take a long time to revert all of them." They nodded. "There is a team prepared to
treat you at St. Mungo's, all under confidentiality contracts as per Minerva's request. My guess is
that it will take a little over 24 hours." Another nod.

"I'll let the trio know where you are and that you are allowed visits."

"Right, let us get this done," Hermione said her jaw set. Fleur felt the lioness' anxiety spike up and
placed a hand on the small of her back, drawing calming patterns. She felt her relax a little and
received a thankful glance.

"Do you need to get anything before we go?" Narcissa asked.

"I don't think so."

"Eef you remember anything I can get eet to you zen…" Hermione nodded and smiled.

"I'll go later with the trio to visit you." Minerva smiled at her.

"We are going directly to the hospital, just say St. Mungo's Hospital." Narcissa offered, as the three
women grabbed some floo powder.

As soon as they arrived at the hospital, Narcissa ushered them into the room that had been
prepared for Hermione and asked them to wait while she called the team. Hermione sat on the
stretcher, while Fleur stood by her side, holding her hand. The fact that she had no clue about the
procedures that would be taking place made the lioness feel uneasy, she really hated not knowing.

The healer came back with six more following her, "Miss Delacour, I'd advise you to sit. It's going
to be a while after all… Miss Granger, would you lay down please?"

"Please, call me Hermione. We are family after all…" She said with a smile. When they were both
accommodated, the older witch began explaining the treatment while the rest of the team scurried
around gathering what would be needed.

"Well, the treatment consists of three steps. Firstly, before I explain this to you, I'm sorry but I have
to ask, when was the last time you used the potion I gave you, Hermione?"

"Two weeks. We used it the dawn of the Monday that Fleur went back to work and I to class…"

"I'm glad it hasn't reopened since then. If it had been used more recently we would have to wash
the potion off of your arm. Luckily we won't have to…" Narcissa smiled and nodded. "As I was
saying, three steps. The first one is using counter-spell and antidote potions to get rid of all the
magic still on the wound. That one is the second longer procedure, as there are many curses and
potions. It will also open the cut once more, the first counter-spell or potion we use on you will
open it again, I'm sorry. The second stage is about the flesh that got in contact with that much dark-
magic, to heal properly, we need to get rid of all that. So we will have all the sick tissue removed.
The Third step is the proper healing. I'm not able to say it won't leave a scar, I'm really sorry."
Hermione noticed The older witch's eyes were sorrowful and sad.
"Narcissa, it's not your fault and you know it. I happen to have been on that mad woman's hands,
you have no blame in it. You weren't the one torturing me, you weren't the one that caught me and
the boys. Stop. No one blames you. You were a great asset to our side at the end of the war as was
Draco, before that you were both scared and primed for each other's lives. You are doing a
magnificent job as a healer, you are helping on the searches for Lucius. Stop feeling guilty, what's
in the past is in the past and is better left there. You are a good person and if someone is unable to
see that, they probably never had their family threatened and thorn away from them." Hermione
said calmly, something long overdue. The woman in front of her had to take a few deep breaths
before she could speak again, the other healers were out of the room at the moment probably to
finish gathering the material they would need.

"Thank you, Hermione." Narcissa's voice broke a little, "You are really a great witch." The other
healers came back one by one. By the end of their travels, there was an alarming amount of flasks
on the bedside table, a couple of scrolls with them. Hermione had a feeling it had no way that this
treatment would be painless, she grimaced at the thought.

"Miss Granger, as the procedure will probably be painful we will put you under a painkiller
potion." One of the healers informed her and began setting up a type of magic IV. "We need you
awake most of the time so the IV will keep us from giving you too much and therefore make you
sleep, or having to make you take small doses every now and then. It reads your level of pain and
doses the potion just so you don't feel it."

"Thank you." She said after the healer punctured her arm (opposite to the one that needed healing.

"You might still feel a little sleepy."

Hermione nodded at that. Narcissa cast a finite spell so the wound was now visible. The whole
room gasped with the exception of the older witch, Hermione, and Fleur. The lioness heard a few
expletives as they read what had been written on her arm.

"I'm the one responsible for casting the counter-spells, Hermione. We will remove most of the
spells first than move to the potions. Once they are over, I'll cast a couple more and then we will
move to the next stage. Ok?" Narcissa informed, sitting by Hermione. "I'll need to get your
outstretched arm immobile like that just so we have access to it." She moved her arm to the desired
position, resting against a cushioned armrest and cast a bonding spell (Hermione could still move
her hand but the arm itself never left the position it was left in). "This will hurt a little before the
painkiller acts." She added apologetically and faced the wounded arm.

Narcissa began, as promised her arm began to hurt as soon as the spell reached it but soon the pain
was gone. She could feel the spells reaching her arm but no pain. Fleur began drawing soothing
circles on her other arm as soon as the first spell hit her. Hermione wondered if she would be
feeling any pain if she wasn't under the potion and had only the veela to keep it from her. She was
almost certain she wouldn't. It took about two hours, then the potions began to be purred over her
arm, some of them washed through the word and some were absorbed. As Narcissa was casting the
last counter-spell, her friends and professor came into the door carrying food. The healer smiled
and greeted them. The other healers had already left the room. The Black elder then took the last
vial on the table and poured on her arm then removed the IV with a flick of the wand. She began
bandaging the open and angry wound after releasing her arm from the imprisonment spell.

"It's only to keep it protected until we begin the cleaning. I'll be back in a couple of hours to resume
the treatment." Narcissa explained. It was almost lunchtime (what explained the food that the
visiting group brought).

"Won't you eat with us?" Hermione asked, rather groggy, as the healer began to leave. She
understood her body had been under a lot of magic and probably was tired of processing it.

"Uh-" Narcissa stopped on her tracks.

"We brought enough food for a small army." Harry offered. "I guess Dobby heard you were
supposed to stay overnight and decided he would provide you with food. For a lifetime." He
laughed.

"Sure Ginny won't be able to eat it all?" Hermione quipped with a smirk.

Harry shook his head. "Too much even for her." He kissed the redhead's cheek as she rolled her
eyes and flashed her tongue at her best friend. Fleur and Luna simply laughed at the exchange
while the older witches seemed amused by their antics.

"Anyway, you are invited to join us, Cissy." McGonagall offered and the other witch relented.

"So, how's it going?" Harry asked worriedly after they began to eat near Hermione's bed as she was
feeling a bit dizzy from the painkillers.

"I'm dark-magic-free right now…" She spoke with a smile as if it was really funny in her mind.
Merlin, she was really dizzy. "I'm pretty sure the most painful moment is yet to happen…" Her
face darkened.

"Unfortunately you are right, dear," Narcissa said with an apologetic smile.

"Figured…"

They ate in silence then, each in their own thoughts. Fleur finished eating sat by Hermione, both
enjoying the proximity… After a while, Narcissa excused herself and said she would be back in an
hour with the cleaning solution and McGonagall also went on her way as she had the school to take
care.

"Did you bring anything? Like pyjamas, books…?" Ginny asked after they were alone.

"Non, I should go get zem…"

"I was going to offer to get them, actually…" The redhead smiled. "I know you keep her calm and
Narcissa just said the worst part is yet to come so I can go…"

Fleur nodded. "Would you mind getting me my pyjamas too? And zee book on zee bedside table?"

"Sure. But, uh, how do I get to your apartment?"

"Zrough zee front door?" Fleur eyed the ginger quizzically.

"But…"

"Fleur included you three on her wards. You guys can easily use the floo there, right?" The three
nodded as Hermione began to explain, "You can't now because she's not home, but you are able to
open the door-"

"Since when?" Harry asked curiously.

"'ermione since I came back from France," Fleur snickered. "You and zee girls since after zee
infamous Girl's night…" Fleur beamed.
"So we have been knocking for you to open unnecessarily?" Ginny asked awestruck.

"No, you have been polite." Hermione deadpans, making everyone laugh.

"Right, I'll be back in a few," Ginny said after the laughter died down and left, gesturing for Harry
and Luna to stay.

"So I heard you were quite impatient on Wednesday…" Harry began with a smirk, directing his
attention to Fleur, who began to blush. At her questioning look and raised eyebrow, he continued:
"I met one of the aurors that worked on the searches yesterday when I went to the ministry to
deliver some paperwork to Tonks…"

"Oh…"

"He says you even used some veela magic to find the right room…"

"I-" Fleur began to answer, her cheeks getting redder.

"So I heard we have a newly dark-magic-free member of the Golden Trio here!" Tonks barged into
the door with her usual bubblegum pink hair, beaming.

"Hey, Tonks!" Hermione greeted her and heard the blonde by her side exhale the breath she was
holding and relax a little.

"How are my favourite post-war heroes today?" The auror said after winking at the lioness.

Hermione groaned at the so-called title, "Merlin, I hate being called a hero."

"You can call 'er war royalty, she likes zat better." Fleur offered with a smirk, Hermione looked at
her scandalized and then at Tonks.

"Please don't!" The lioness pleaded.

"Ok, so how are you?"

"As good as someone that has been on the receiving end of thirty counterspells, as far as I could
count, and subject to twenty different potions can feel…" Hermione felt tired even if it was
basically only mid-afternoon.

"As expected…" Tonks smiled apologetically.

Fleur had moved to lay on the stretcher beside Hermione after enlarging it a bit and was caressing
the lioness' head while holding her; Luna and Harry were occupying the couch in front of the bed,
Luna had her head on Harry's lap and Tonks sat at one of the armchairs left. They talked softly
after Hermione fell asleep on Fleur's arms.

"So I had to go to Hogwarts because I remembered you were reading a book and guessed she left it
there…" Ginny barged into the room talking loudly, only to be shushed by Harry. "Sorry…" She
said as soon as she saw Hermione waking up.

"It's ok, Gin." She slurred.

"Hey, Tonks…" The redhead noticed the metamorphmagus in the room. She handled the bag she
was carrying to Fleur and went to sit on the armrest of the couch, beside Harry.

Narcissa re-entered the room then, carrying what seemed to be an aquarium. "Hello again…" She
noticed the curious gazes. "Cleaning potion," She directed her attention to Hermione. "This won't
be pleasurable. The tissue affected goes a little deep so I'll need to cast a couple vortex spells, you'll
have your arm inside this for about five hours. Honestly, it will be painful and ugly… Then we will
get you some healing potions and keep you here to make sure you'll heal fine." Hermione nodded
and Narcissa set to work. She linked the IV to her arm once again, cast the vortex spells and made
sure Hermione was comfortable and with her arm completely immersed in the crystalline potion.

Three hours later, Tonks had left the hospital after being called back to the ministry and the trio
and Fleur were trying to distract Hermione from the gruesome state of the liquid moving around
her arm. It was bloodstained and kind of muddy. The lioness was aware of their efforts and very
grateful too even if it didn't fully work. If she was to tell the truth, what really was making her
relax was the thrall that her veela was sending her. She was very curious about that, the rest of the
room occupants didn't seem to be affected by it nor any of the nurses. If she thought hard enough
she was able to remember that the only thrall that affected everyone was some kind of calling,
something Fleur didn't have complete control over. A few healers were affected but were also
quickly dismissed by Narcissa, who seemed to be the chief of her treatment.

"Ma Reine, what 'as you zinking so 'ard?" Fleur chuckled, rousing Hermione from her musings.

"Nothing really, I'm just curious about your thrall. That's all…"

"In what aspect?"

"Well, how it works and how it develops itself."

Fleur was nodding when the trio went to them to say goodbye since they had plans for the evening.
They resumed their conversation as soon as the group left.

"I zink we can research eet while we are in France, what do you zink?"

"Good I think… You think we will be able to have direct access to the archives?"

"I'm sure. Grandmère heard Papa saying you read his book in less than a month and said zee
flock's library is at your disposal…"

"Really?"

"Oui. Well, I guess I never told you zat but she's zee clan's leader -"

"I guessed so… She's the oldest Delacour alive right?"

"Oui. But zee zing ees, our Clan leads zee French flock."

"Flock? Oh, I read about it in your father's book and notebooks but it never talked about it more
extensively…"

"Zat's because only women are allowed in zee flock. Most secrets of zee race are kept between zee
female Veelas…"

"You are quite feminists…" Hermione chuckled. Fleur smiled and nodded. "So, your Clan leads
the Veela Flock in France." The blonde nodded. "I assume even if the males aren't really allowed in
it, they are kind of ruled by it." Another nod. "And you are full of surprises. You are some kind of
princess then?"

"You could say zat, I don't really like to zink about eet. Maman ees zee 'eir since eet works
similarly to zee 'ead of 'ouses 'ere."

"Right…" Hermione was listening to everything intently. "But -"

"As my mate and female, you are - or will be - allowed in zee Flock, 'ermione." Hermione nodded
at this. "And I'm sorry I didn't tell you zis right away…"

"Why didn't you tell me before?"

"Living 'ere keeps me away from zee politics, Grandmère sent me an update yesterday along with
zee invite for you to zee library. 'onestly, I don't care much about eet… I'm trained to rule, Maman
made sure of eet. I zink I 'aven't zought about eet ever since I joined zee order…"

"Imminent death…" Fleur simply nodded. They stayed silent for a bit. "I'm glad we survived…"

"Ditto"

"Apart from the whole 'you don't think much about it'…" Fleur hummed, not looking at
Hermione's face. "You were totally worried I was going to freak after hearing this."

"Non."

"Fleur…"

"Okay, I was. Eet's just zat I 'ad so many fucked up friendships because of eet… And I know eet
was stupid of me-"

"You are not stupid. And I get it. To be honest, I had already come to the conclusion your family
was some kind of big deal…"

"Zee brightest indeed" The blonde chuckled, earning a playful slap in the arm.

"Don't be afraid of telling me stuff, Fleur."

"Sorry, really…"

"Okay, just don't let it happen again…" Fleur nodded and leaned to kiss Hermione on the lips.

They stayed quiet for a while until the blonde moved to the purse containing their clothes and
books. She rummaged a bit then sat back beside the lioness with a victorious smirk. Hermione
smiled when she noticed what she had grabbed. Fleur began reading, the brunette focused on her
voice. An hour later, Narcissa entered the room seeming tired but smiling.

"I think we're finished with the cleaning potion. I'll just examine to be sure." She took Hermione's
arm from the liquid after terminating the spells on it and ran a diagnosis spell. "Right, all cleaned.
Hermione, I think I won't be able to remove completely the scar… The damage was really deep-"

"It's ok, Narcissa. I had already guessed this much. The fact that it won't be sliced open again is
enough for me, as it is being free of dark magic…" Hermione smiled, she did guess such a thing.
Powerful magic left scars and that dagger was full of them apparently.

"Ok then, I'll dress your arm for the night then. It will be healed tomorrow morning and I'll be here
to discharge you."

"Thank you, Narcissa."

 "I need you to take these potions before you sleep. They are simple but strong healing potions and
a painkiller as your arm will probably begin throbbing as soon as the IV potion wears out."
Hermione nodded and Fleur smiled gratefully.

As soon as the older witch left, the blonde helped the lioness to change and they went to sleep.
Fleur holding Hermione carefully not to jolt her arm.

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hello my dear readers! It's me, your friendly neighbour Celtic!

What did you think about this second healing process? I confess some inspiration
might have come from The Athena chronicles once again (huge inspiration, honestly).
I hope I managed to explain everything in an intelligible manner...

Please comment, I'm always pleased to learn what you think! Luv your kudos too!

;3

See Yah!

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 45
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Fleur woke up still holding Hermione, her face buried in the lioness mane and her scent clouding
her not fully awaken mind. She heard some steps in the room and it made her get completely aware
of her surroundings. Narcissa. Her Veela recognized her. She noticed Hermione's breathing pattern
change and noticed her stirring. She moved from the bed carefully after placing a soft kiss on
Hermione's forehead.

"I'm sorry I woke you up. It wasn't my intention…" Narcissa said softly and smiled at her. She
shook her head smiling back.

"Good morning, Narcissa."

"Good morning… I'll let them know you are awake so you can have breakfast." Narcissa started to
the door. "Then I'll run some tests to make sure Hermione can be discharged."

"I definitely could do with some coffee. And a discharge would be great too." The lioness' voice
was still thick with sleep. Fleur kissed her cheek, laughing. A low pop resounded in the room
before the elder Black could make her leave.

"Jilpy?" Fleur looked at the house-elf baffled.

"Hello, miss Fleur, miss Hermione…" She looked a little frightened when she saw Narcissa at the
door, but greeted her anyway. "Dobby said you were here and I asked the elves here to let me
know when you were awake…" She explained a little embarrassed. The couple nodded and the
healer seemed shocked by the presence of the elf.

"Uh…"

"Narcissa, I rescued Jilpy from one of zee properties confiscated from arrested Death Eaters."

"Right, I should have figured." The witch nodded and smiled at the elf.

The elf popped away, then back carrying a medium-sized paper bag and two take-out cups. "Jilpy
made sure to have your usual ready for you when you woke up…"

"Thank you, Jilpy. You shouldn't-"

"It's ok."

"Well, since your breakfast has been already solved, I'll leave you to eat. If you need anything,
don't hesitate to call." Narcissa left, nodding to the trio.

"She and her son were the only that treated Jilpy better…" The elf smiled. "Dobby sends you his
best wishes. Jilpy has to go to work now. Good day misses." Then she popped away.

Hermione sat with Fleur's help, her back leaning on a pile of pillows, and watched the blonde
check the cups. "I zink Dobby sent word of your recently acquired liking for coffee." She smiled
and handed her one of the cups and then opened the paper bag giving Hermione one of the
croissants it held.
In less than half an hour later, Narcissa was back. Fleur began to get ready to leave while the older
witch ran the tests she needed to release the lioness. "I just want to check your arm and then you
are free to go, Hermione." She informed, smiling, and vanished the wrappings around the previous
wound with a flick of her wand. "Uh, I've been hoping that it wouldn't scar, to be completely
honest. But I guess we will have to grateful that we were able to get rid of all the dark magic."

"I don't mind the scar," Hermione said softly. Fleur startled and so did Narcissa.

"What do you mean, min couer? Why don't you-"

"It reminds me that I'm strong and that I'm able to overcome hard times. Even with the awful word,
it lends me strength." The lioness explained.

"If you say so..." Narcissa nodded, her finger sliding her finger across the scar. "You are free to go.
I do recommend that you don't exert yourself today but nothing else."

"Thank you, Cissy." Hermione smiled at her.

"Zanks, Narcissa."

"Oh, and Draco asked me to say that if he hears anything about Lucius he will send word to you
immediately." The healer added right before opening the door, Fleur nodded.

The lioness climbed out of the bed and hugged Fleur from her behind, while the blonde looked into
the purse Ginny had brought to them. They were still in their pyjamas so the veela was looking for
a fresh change of clothes for both of them. Fleur smiled into the embrace caressing her previously
injured arm. She took the fresh clothes out still holding her forearm. Her finger tracing the scar.

"What I said is true. It does give me strength..." Hermione offered.

"I know, Cheri. I'm just sad you 'ad to go zrough eet."

"It's in the past, Fleur. If I hadn't gone through it, I wouldn't be who I am now." Hermione said
softly into the back of her shoulder. "Now, I'd like to get out of here and spend some time with
you." She kissed the nape of Fleur's neck. The blonde sighed smiling and gave the lioness her
clothes, waiting for her to come back from the bathroom to change.

They were at Fleur's in less than a couple of hours. Hermione was clearly a bit tired, so Fleur made
her take a nap while she cooked lunch for them. The blonde smiled all the while she was in the
kitchen. Sometimes she found it hard to believe that she had found her mate and how they were
able to connect so deeply as they did. She didn't have to wake her up because she walked into the
kitchen as she gave the last touches to the food.

"It smells heavenly, babe." The lioness said sleepily after giving her a peck on the cheek. "I'm glad
I'm able to leave Hogwarts for the weekend or I would have to make Dobby come to fetch some of
your food for me..."

"I would gladly cook eet for you, ma Reine" she answered brushing her lips lightly against
Hermione's. "And you are just in time. Eet's ready." They ate in silence, enjoying each other's
presence.

"I think I need a shower..." The brunette said after they finished eating.

"I could fill zee tub for you, a bath might be more relaxing..."
"I think I'd like that, but-"

"I'll get eet ready, you can come to zee bathroom in fifteen." Fleur smiled brightly and Hermione
nodded.

The blonde moved to the bathroom and immediately began to fill the tub and then sort through the
bath salts she had trying to figure out which of the lioness would like better. She decided on a
honey and vanilla bath bomb. With a flick of her wand, she got a clean robe from the cabinet and
accioed the shampoo and conditioner flasks.

"Thank you, love." Hermione entered the room smiling.

"I chose zis bath bomb, but eef you want another you can-"

"I'm sure it's perfect." Hermione made Fleur return the ball to its place near the tub and pulled her
into a kiss. When they broke the kiss they were both panting.

"I'll wait in zee bedroom..."

"Or you could just get in with me." Fleur heard the tease in Hermione's voice wrapped with
obvious lust. They both usually avoided being completely naked in front of the other as they both
were aware of how they affected each other. The blonde beamed and shook her head, kissing the
brunette softly. It was a promise, they both knew. Both wanted the other but judged that it wasn't
the right time. Hermione laughed as Fleur left the bathroom flushing slightly after picturing what
she could do with her girlfriend in the tub. "Thank you, Fleur," she said again, still laughing.

"Eef you need anything..."

"Sure. Go. The water will get cold."

"Nope. Eet will stay zee same, mon Coeur. We are witches after all" she teased as she went through
the door and closed it.

Hermione got into the tub and sighed, the hot water easing all the tense muscles she had on her
body. They were probably because of the hospital bed, she wasn't as tense as she would usually be
during the school term. She let the scent involve her but resumed getting clean only leaning back to
enjoy the bath again when her hair was up in a bun with conditioner.

She startled with a knock on the door. And it opened slightly.

"'ermione?"

"Yes, love? How long have I been here? I lost track of time..."

"About an 'our and a 'alf..."

"I'll get out in a minute! I'm sorry..."

"It's ok, mon Ange. I just wanted to see eef you needed anything."

"Oh no, dear. It was everything perfect. Thank you, babe!"

Hermione rinsed her hair and carefully left the tub. Wrapping herself in the bathrobe Fleur left for
her, she walked out of the bathroom. The lioness heard Fleur's breath hitch and looked at her,
smiling.
"I'm sorry, I fell asleep..." She said, reaching out to hug the Veela.

The blonde smiled and shook her head, "I'm glad you enjoyed zee bath, mon Coeur. Now, eef you
don't mind, I need to take a shower..."

Hermione nodded, kissed her softly, and let her go. As the blonde walked past her, she slapped her
butt lightly. The lioness didn't really mind to get real clothes so she grabbed one of her knickers
and some comfort clothes (Fleur's, obviously) and laid on the bed to read. It didn't take long for the
blonde to get back to the room, fully clothed. She walked directly to the brunette and stole a kiss.

"I love 'ow you look in my clothes" she stated in a low voice as she kissed Hermione's neck,
effectively distracting her.

"Uhm, and how do I look?"

"Mine." The blonde answered bluntly.

Hermione looked away from the book and locked eyes with the blonde. The raspiness of her voice
made her shiver and gave enough away to make her aware that she would look into orange eyes
before she looked up. She closed the book, cautiously placing it on the bedside table, and sneaked
a hand to hold Fleur's neck in order to pull her into a kiss. The veela moved so she could get
comfortable and ended up straddling the brunette. Hermione gasped as she felt the blonde's weight
settle on top of her, allowing Fleur to deepen the kiss. The unspoken agreement of waiting for the
right (and perfect) moment to truly forge their bonding made them both keep the kisses rather
modest. Mostly they were loving and caring, when they got too hot, they parted and breathed a
little. After some time simply enjoying their kisses, they held each other tenderly and basked in
each other presence.

"You know, I never thought I'd have this..." Hermione said quietly after being quiet for some time.

"Zis?"

"Yes, I never thought I'd be able to feel so safe and so complete in someone's arms."

"You deserve zis, you know? After everything you went zrough." While speaking, Fleur caressed
her left arm just over the scar. Hermione knew that if it was anyone else, she would flinch. But it's
Fleur. She smiled instead and snuggled closer to her girlfriend. No other word was needed. "I've
always dreamed of 'aving eet. I never zought eet would become reality, only 'oped. Eets uncommon
for a veela to find zeir mates." The blonde said after a moment. They spoke as if they were on holy
ground. Quietly, as if afraid of disrupting the tranquillity of the moment by speaking any louder.
Hermione lifted her head just enough to make eye contact with the veela and reached her cheek
with her free hand, softly stroking it.

"You deserve it too, love." She, then, kissed Fleur purring everything she felt for her in it.

"Do you really want to change your job?" Fleur asked after they had settled into holding each other
again.

"Yeah, I guess..."

"Why?" the blonde looked at her curiously.

"Well, firstly I feel like I can help more with all those Death Eaters at loose." Hermione began
listing the reasons she had been thinking since the idea of changing departments came into her
mind. "Then there's the fact that I really want to help put that disgusting git in jail. And I really
miss the action, honestly..." Fleur nodded at her motives, as she seemed to be preparing to talk,
Hermione spoke again: "And well, there's that super awesome auror that currently trains the
newbies and I'd like to spend some time with her..." She grinned.

The blonde laughed. "Ees zat so?"

"Oui. Oh, I forgot to mention that she's French, her accent is quite cute." Hermione added giggling.

"Umm..."

"I guess I might have to confess that I get worried sick when she has to go to the field... I can't help
it." She said solemnly and seriously.

"Oh, 'ermione, I am very careful when I'm out. But I understand, I zank every possible God and
Goddess zat we found each other after zee war."

"Me too."

"We might make a great team."

"We already do, love."

"Indeed. So I'll make an appointment with Tonks to discuss zee early training, zen I believe you
should talk to your current boss..."

"I'll make an appointment with her on Tuesday. And try to make one tomorrow with Professor
McGonagall..."

They heard a knock on the front door and startled. Hermione quickly looked at the time and
sighed.

"We are coming in!" Harry's voice came from the front door.

"We'll be out in a sec!" Hermione answered before Fleur had the chance to say anything. "I guess
it's dinner time..." She pulled the blonde for a light kiss and got out of bed.

"Oui. I 'ad forgotten about it, 'onestly."

"Me too."

They got to the living room to find their three friends sat on the couch, Luna in the middle,
patiently waiting for them.

"You forgot, haven't you?" Luna asked smiling.

"Completely," Hermione admitted despite knowing that she wouldn't hear the end of it.

"Well, I was almost sure it would happen and made us a reservation for us at the Japanese nearby."
Harry grinned while making some effort to keep Ginny quiet (by placing a hand over her mouth).
"Sorry, dear." He added to Luna as he had to lean on her to get to Ginny. The Claw simply smiled
and kissed his cheek.

"I could cook something... I zink eet wouldn't take long."

"No, Fleur. I insist. Besides, we have been dying to try this restaurant. Do you like Japanese?
Sorry, I should have asked first." Harry shook his head still keeping Ginny from talking. The
redhead was already rolling her head.

"I might 'ave a small passion for Japanese food..." Fleur relented smiling.

"I got it right then." Harry grinned then flashed a disgusted face. "Ginny, love, it was quite not
hygienic from your part as we have spent the afternoon out and I didn't wash my hands yet." the
disgusted face that the redhead flashed made everyone (aside from herself) laugh loudly.

"Ew, Harry why did you do it anyway?" Ginny said as she swatted his hand from her face. Harry
shrugged and looked at the clock.

"We should get going."

"Is there time for us to change?" Hermione asked, suddenly aware of her clothes.

"Sure... We can wait here or at the restaurant..."

"No way in hell we are leaving without them!" Ginny intervened, "They will take forever if we
leave now."

It was Hermione's time to roll her eyes. "It will take just a minute."

"You know were everything ees, feel welcome to get something to drink. Zere ees a bottle of wine
open in zee wine cooler, eef you want."

"It's the one with the white label. The one we usually have."

"The other is designed specifically for the two of you," Luna added, smiling.

"How did you-, never mind. Yes..." Hermione was slightly shocked but then she realized it was
Luna who she was talking to.

"We won't be long," Fleur said, walking back to the bedroom.

"No funny business!" Ginny shouted before the couple closed the door.

As promised, the couple was back in the living room in less than half an hour. Fleur wearing a
flowing black dress (that only did good to her figure, Hermione decided after almost jumping on
her) and the lioness had decided to wear skinny jeans and a black button-up (she looked quite
dapper and Fleur made sure to tell her that). As Hermione took time to notice her friends' clothes
she noticed she and Ginny had some similar clothes on, except for the pullover the ginger was
wearing. Harry was similarly formal and Luna had decided to go with a red dress, not too flowy nor
too tight. They were all having some wine. The group left the building talking animatedly, it didn't
take long for them to reach the restaurant nor to be taken to their table.

"It's really good to be on muggle London. No stares, no one hunting us down for autographs..."
Harry sighed as they got comfortable and asked for drinks.

"The stares are really annoying..." Hermione agreed. "All that autograph thing is getting
completely out of hand! And we have been at Hogwarts most of the time..."

"Zere are people disturbing you at school?"

"Mostly not, but there are some students that try to follow us…" Harry answered. "Most of them
are discouraged by the prefects but a few are rather bold."
"Uhm…"

Their drinks arrived then and they changed the subject to a more pleasant one. After eating, they
went back to Fleur's.

"We should go soon…" Hermione said.

"Oui…" Fleur looked a bit sad. "Oh, I've been meaning to ask… You really want to begin training
to be aurors?" Aside from Hermione, they all nodded.

"It's not my main wish for a career but it would be nice to be prepared…" Ginny said, grinning.

"I'm sure you are going to be scouted, Gin." Hermione offered.

"Yeah, let's hope so…" Ginny smiled.

"I'm sure you will." Fleur agreed. "I'll talk to Tonks tomorrow zen. I'm sure she will allow zee
training eef Minerva does too."

Fleur was aware of how early it was. If she was to be honest to herself, she was also aware as to
why she was awake at such an ungodly hour, nervousness. Unfounded one but still there. As she
walked through the corridors of the Ministry (that was almost desert), she was able to picture
working with Hermione and Harry. She got to her and Bill's office, flicked her wand to make some
coffee for her while looking through the stack of paper she had on her desk. She sent her boss a
memo as soon as she finished going through the papers. Now she simply had to wait, either for Bill
to show up or Tonks to answer her.

"You wanted to talk to me, Delacour?" The law enforcement head knocked on the open door while
walking in. Fleur had been checking and signing the paperwork she had left.

"Oui… But I zought you'd call me to your office…"

"Yeah, I've been there since yesterday. Thought a bit of a change of environment would be good
for my sanity…"

"You spent zee night 'ere?" Fleur couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at it.

"Yes," the metamorphmagus sighed. "I just realized I had an awful lot of paperwork to go
through… Rem understands and has been taking care of Teddy." She grinned at the thought of her
husband and son. "What did you want to talk about, Fleur?"

"Oh, zee girls and Harry asked eef eet ees possible for zem to get an early training…"

"Brilliant! I'm sure we can make something work. I just need to talk to Kingsley and Minerva… I
doubt it will take much convincing…" Tonks talked excitedly, "Though I thought Ginny was
focusing on Quidditch…"

"She 'as been thinking of a second career choice…"

"I see…"

"'ermione still 'as to talk to 'er boss…"

"Yes, I'll wait for that memo before I begin my moves to make it work."

Fleur nodded. "I'll let 'er know. I believe she was zinking of coming tomorrow to talk to Lufkins."
 "Ok. Oh, and Delacour?"

"Oui?"

"I hope working with your girl won't affect your efficiency."

"Tonks, if anything it will affect it for the better." Bill joked as he entered the room, having heard
part of the conversation. "We are talking about Hermione after all. And Fleur."

"I can only hope." The head left the office laughing. "Don't disappoint me, Delacour!"

"Je ne vais pas!" Fleur shouted back, smiling. Not everyone was able to have a friend as their boss.

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hello my dear readers! It's me, your friendly neighbour Celtic!

So... that one was kind of a filler right? But what do you think? I really like writing
them in a (mostly) normal routine... Well you probably didn't notice (I only did when I
was getting everything in order) but that night in the hospital was actually the
Halloween eve... Yep, they never really get a normal one right? (that was accidental I
swear!)...

Please comment, I'm always pleased to learn what you think! Kudos give me life!

;3

See Yah!

Oh, right, Fleur says "I'm not going to" in that last line...

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 46
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Hermione reached the Ministry after lunch, she was a bit nervous. She kind of felt like she was
letting her boss down but also that she had to do this, she actually wanted this. Her feet
unconsciously got her to Fleur's office, she smiled at the sight of her girlfriend so focused.

"So beautiful." She said, knowing the blonde was aware of her presence. Fleur looked up after
writing something on the paper she was working on.

"'ello, ma Belle!" She smiled widely. The blonde got up and walked to Hermione, kissing her
softly.

"Uhm, I wanted to say hi… I'm should go talk to Evangeline. I'll come back after?"

"Fais-le s'il te plaît!" (Please do!) Fleur kissed her again. Hermione felt her nervousness decrease.
"She'll understand, mon coeur. Eet's in your nature want to 'elp as much as you can. Anyone who
knows you ees aware of eet."

"Thanks, love"

Fleur kissed her. "Now go. I'll be 'ere when you come back. Paperwork." She grimaced. Hermione
laughed as she made her way to the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures floor, she was
being waited.

The lioness took a deep breath and knocked at the head's door.

"Come in! Oh! Hermione, good afternoon! What can I do for you?"

"Well-" The lioness took another deep breath. "I've been thinking, and - well… I feel the need to-"

"I'll make it easier for you, dear. You want to change departments." Hermione looked startled at
her boss. "I swear I think this place witnesses more gossip than Witch Weekly Mag." The woman
smiled. "Apparently an auror heard Fleur talking to Tonks, and began bragging. Don't worry,
Hermione. You have contributed a lot already. I can only hope that, when and if you decide to
retire from the field, you'll consider coming back to our department. I'm sure you'll be an asset to
any department here."

Hermione released a sigh she wasn't aware she had been holding. "Thank you, Evangeline."

"Sure. And if you think of a proposition don't hesitate to come to me. I'll be happy to hear and
discuss it."

"I'll make sure to do so."

"I need you to sign this." The head of the department handed her an official parchment. "It's the
transferring requisition I'm sure Tonks is expecting it." Hermione signed and watched Evangeline
sign just beneath her signature. "Are you going there now?" The lioness nodded. "If I send it as a
memo it will arrive at the same time as you. So I guess you could take it there." Hermione nodded
again, watching the older witch slide the document into an envelope and offer it to her. "Don't be a
stranger, Hermione."
"I won't." The brunette grinned, hugging her former boss. She liked her, they had similar lines of
thought.

She walked back to the Law Enforcement floor trying to ignore the gazes she received. Before
going to Fleur's office, she went where she knew was Tonks' office. The door was ajar and she
shyly knocked on the door.

"Hey, 'Mione!" The metamorphmagus greeted her, smiling.

"Hello, Tonks!" Before anything else, she lifted her hand that was holding the official envelope.
"Evangeline asked me to bring it to you." She smiled as Tonks beamed. "I hope you'll take me?"

"Oh, please! I'm proud to take all the golden trio under my wings!" The older witch joked. "Even it
one of them is kind of a slob…" She added in a whisper, making Hermione giggle. "Speaking of
him, I'll probably move him to Harry's function after he comes back from his suspension. Mostly
because no one currently wants to work with him, thanks to the Malfoy fiasco, but also to keep him
away from Delacour..."

"Honestly, Tonks? I doubt even Harry and Ginny are currently willing to stay too long with him in
the same space. I know I really have no will to do so."

"Because of the-"

"No, he has been awful ever since the beginning of school. Since before, actually..."

"I see..."

"They are a tad protective of me and Ron said some nasty things to and about me... Even Luna is
annoyed with him." Hermione shrugged. If she was being completely honest, the youngest male
Weasley had always been a bit awful with her. He wasn't that good friend...

"That is something... 'Mione, I'm sorry for whatever he said... He's awfully prejudiced most of the
time, I can't really know how he is that way. Maybe too much time with Percy..." She chuckled,
"Anyway, I need to file this awesome request and go after Kingsley. Probably tomorrow we will
meet up with Minerva and you four to discuss everything. Now go save your girlfriend from her
desk and tell her that is dismissed for the day. If everything with you goes as smoothly as I think it
will, she will be working more than ever in no time." The older witch's hair changed from purple to
electric green as she directed Hermione to Fleur's office. She walked silently, as the department
head had retreated to her own office only after two steps out. Hermione smiled thinking she would
be able to spend part of the day with her veela. It was only mid-afternoon and she only had to go
back to Hogwarts before dinner (that was something she decided for herself, she already felt bad
for having so many privileges). She entered the room quietly.

"It seems that you are my new boss now." Her voice startled Bill, who all but jumped in his chair.

"Merlin, Hermione! A little bit of sound would be good to let us know you are there!" The older
Weasley whined clutching his chest.

"Fleur didn't startle."

"She always knows when you are near." The men rolled his eyes. "And you are perfectly aware of
it!" His annoyed facade was broken by a wide smile. "Good to see you! Welcome to the muscle
division."

"Bill, I was supposed to welcome 'er." Fleur pouted, glaring at him as she walked to greet
Hermione properly.

"Well, if she had the consideration of announcing herself, I might have allowed you to do so. She
didn't though."

"Tu es une nuisance. (you're an annoyance)"

"Seulement pour toi. (only for you)" He grinned at the couple.

Hermione changed Fleur's focus by kissing her jaw. "You can greet me while we spend some time
together. The Boss says you are dismissed for the day."

"Woah, dating someone in the golden trio does give a person regales!" Bill joked.

"Stop complaining, Weasley. Delacour will work far too much after the agreements with Minerva."
Tonks interceded as she walked by. "I'm on my way to Kingsley."

"Send 'im our regards."

"Will do. Now get out of here, Delacour!"

"Yes, Ma'am!" Fleur saluted Bill after grabbing her purse and left the room with Hermione right
after her (she shouted a 'see you later' before following the blonde). "What do you want to do,
chéri?"

"I don't really know. I'm down for some quiet time at your's…" Hermione smiled at how Fleur's
face lit. "But if you want to do something else…"

"Non, home ees good for me." Hermione's heart fluttered with the way she said home as if the flat
was her's too. They walked to the entry hall of the building holding hands, it was hardly a secret
that they were together after all, and flooed home.

As soon as they stepped out of the fireplace Hermione jumped on Fleur. She manoeuvred the
blonde until her knees met the sofa and, with one swift motion, the veela was sat with Hermione
straddling her. Their lips never parting. The lioness felt strong hands on the small of her back,
pulling her closer and then those same hands moved down and grabbed her ass, making her moan
into the kiss. She pulled Fleur's hair a bit (only enough to make her gasp and move her head
slightly to the side) and drew the line of the blonde's jaw with her lips, they were both panting. The
veela moaned loudly when Hermione reached her pulse point, pulling her even closer. Fleur moved
to capture her lips again kissing her deeply. The veela's hands slid under her shirt and up her back,
making the lioness moan raspy. The need for air came in the right moment and they ended the
heated kiss with soft, loving, pecks. Their noses brushing against each other and their foreheads
joined. As their opened their eyes they looked deeply into the other's eyes, some would say they
were watching the other's soul intently but to them, they were simply admiring something that they
came to know as part of their own selves. Hermione grinned as she saw the adoration in Fleur's
eyes and she knew hers held the same emotion. After a few moments simply gazing at each other
and smiling, Fleur pecked her lips once again.

"What did I do to deserve such a welcome 'ome?" She grinned, nudging her jaw with her nose.

"Can't I kiss my girlfriend whenever I feel like?" The brunette raised a brow at it.

"Of course you can. I just zought zis specifically 'ot kiss would 'ave a motive behind."

"Uhm, you looked amazing all focused on work..." Hermione pecked the veela's lips, "and you said
home as 'our home'... I simply wanted to show you how much I love you."

"I love you too, mon Coeur." Fleur kissed her jaw lightly. "Eet ees our 'ome. You are part of my
'ome. You are part of my world, you are my universe, actually."

"So very smooth, Miss Delacour. You are mine." Hermione hugged Fleur and they stayed that way
for a bit until the blonde suggested a cup of chocolate to her.

"You are coming back to 'ogwarts to dinner, oui?" She asked as she slid the steamy cup to
Hermione over the counter while sipping hers.

"Yes... I'd stay-"

"But you already feel bad for zee rule bending Minerva ees doing for you. I understand, ma Belle."

"You are a fantastic woman, love." Hermione grinned.

"I try."

Fleur quietly walked to her boss' office, she knew why she had been summoned. It was nearly the
end of the day and, if she had to be honest, there was nothing she'd like to do more than go home
and rest (that itself was a lie, there was something she would be gladder and that was seeing
Hermione).

"Minister, sir. Tonks. Good afternoon." Despite the formality of her words, a smile gazed her face
in affection for the two in front of her.

"Auror Delacour." Kingsley greeted her seriously, but a smile was present in his eyes. Tonks
simply smiled and nodded at her.

"We have to go in five. I doubt it will be hard convincing Minerva we will soon be free to go
home." The minister said as they sat together and waited for a bit.

"So, tell me, why did she decide to change departments?" Tonks was obviously curious and the
question made amusement sparkle in Kingsley's eyes.

"Zee youngest Weasley." The blonde answered with a smirk.

"What?" The metamorphmagus looked shocked and Fleur chuckled.

"She said she wanted to do eet after zat dumb boy managed to lose Malfoy..." Fleur knew what
Tonks expected to be the answer. Fleur laughed at the other witch's shock. "I zink eet's time." She
added, looking at the clock over the fireplace. Kingsley was the first to go, then Tonks and then
Fleur.

"Good evening, Miss Delacour," Minerva said as she stepped out of the fireplace and into the
Headmistress' office.

"Bonjour, 'eadmistress." Fleur smiled.

The professor motioned for them to sit, "So?" she asked with a raised brow. It was obvious to Fleur
that the older witch already had an idea of what they were doing there.

"Minerva, we'd like to discuss with you a possibility." Kingsley began, "It came to my knowledge
that four of your seventh years are interested in joining the auror program."
"Yes..." Fleur noticed that the teacher's eyebrow was yet to come down and that she was actually
giving the minister an amused look. "There are a few more, actually."

"The ones I'm talking about are under special circumstances..."

"Oh, for the love of Merlin, Kingsley! It's Harry, Hermione, Ginny and Luna. Since half of them
are already working while in here and the four of them are under special rules-" Tonks rolled her
eyes at the way the minister was approaching the subject, Fleur had to hold back a laugh at the
exasperation in the head of department's manners.

"And zat all of zem asked for zis," Fleur added. The metamorphmagus nodded.

"We wanted to negotiate a way for them to be trained while they are here." Kingsley leaned
forward as he concluded the line of thought.

"Have you rehearsed all this?" The stoic Headmistress smirked. "I was aware that Hermione was
asking for a transferring and have been wondering how much longer Harry would be away from
any kind of action..."

"They are students, just kids. They-"

"Headmaster Dippet, these - as you call them - kids were almost single-handedly responsible for
our victory in this last war. Half of them lost their last year in school because of a quest
Dumbledore gave them so we could win the war. The other half were in this very school leading a
resistance so that all students could still have some kind of sense of security. These kids are war
heroes, former Headmaster. They have come back to this school in order to formally finish their
education while they could have simply have gone immediately to living their lives. Honestly, I
risk saying that if it wasn't for the four of them we would be living in a much darker era." Minerva
huffed, clearly insulted by the portrait.

"I really hate to say this, but I have to agree with Minerva, Professor Dippet," Snape added calmly.
"That insufferable trio saved us all and the two girls saved a lot of half-bloods and Muggle-borns
from torture."

"Thank you, Severus. Now, I imagine you three have something brewing in your heads as to how to
make it work. Should I call them so we can discuss it with them? Thankfully Miss Weasley is
already off age, convincing Molly would be a nightmare."

"It might be a good idea to have them here too..." Kingsley agreed.

Minerva called Dobby (who greeted them, especially Fleur, joyfully) and asked him to find them
and say they were expected at her office. Looking at her guests, the older witch offered them some
tea while they waited for the four students. Half an hour later, a soft knock announced the arrival
of the younger group. With a flicker of her wand, the door opened to reveal the four of them. They
seemed momentarily shocked. That is, except for Hermione. She simply greeted everyone
respectfully before fully entering the room. Fleur immediately stood up and offered her the chair
she had been sat.

"Hey, love. Thank you." Hermione kissed her softly and sat. Fleur stood alongside the brunette,
who seeing it accioed a chair for her and smiled at the blonde. She then looked at the other three
with a raised eyebrow. "Are you going to stand there?"

Luna was the first to recover and entered the room, dragging the other two.

"Did you know why we were summoned?" Ginny asked Hermione as soon as she recovered her
voice. The brunette shook her head, "Then how didn't you get surprised?"

"Uhm, well..." The older lioness began to answer but before she could formulate anything, she
looked at her girlfriend to know if she could say what she wanted in front of the others. Fleur
nodded. "I smelled her scent near the gargoyle... And I guess I kind of sensed her emotions too...
Stronger, I mean." Fleur drew some calming circles on the back of Hermione's hand as soon as she
sensed her nerves escalating. The brunette's face in deep crimson.

"Oh..." Ginny nodded, apparently impressed.

"You are fully mated, then," Minerva concluded with a raised eyebrow.

"Non." Fleur began to exhale a calming thrall as soon as the Headmistress basically began to
discuss their sex life. She felt her girlfriend relax almost immediately and felt a tug on her hand as
Hermione tightened her hold on her hand thankfully.

"As far as we understand, our connection is stronger than usual. This is something that rarely
happens when both mates are fully or part veela and it's unheard of when one of them is human."
Hermione informed seriously. The blonde could still feel the tension in her body but her
demeanour was absolutely calm.

"Each connection ees unique and we are still tracking 'ow ees ours," Fleur added as Minerva
nodded.

"I personally think that it has to do with how we feel about each other, our trust level, how
comfortable we are with each other. The constant development of our connection is making us be
more like one."

Minerva smiled. "I should have known you'd to be more than expected…" The animagus seemed
proud in Fleur's opinion, and curious. But the witch seemed to come to the conclusion that it wasn't
the right time for such a conversation. "Well, we should discuss what your four were brought here
to. Minister?"

"Right. I believe it was your idea to join our forces?" The four nodded. "And you are aware you
will need to go through a series of tests and a lot of training in order to do so?"

"With all due respect, sir, but we are acquainted with more than half of the department and
basically family to at least four of them-" Harry seemed a little exasperated.

"Although one of them we are not proud of even being friends," Ginny mumbled, making them all
chuckle. "Or sister." She rolled her eyes.

"Yes, sir. We are aware of all the requirements." Hermione interrupted her friends' rants. She spoke
politely but it was obvious to Fleur that the brunette was a bit annoyed by the minister's lack of
objectivity.

"Well Kingsley, I told you they knew." Tonks smiled. "We're here to decide how everything is
going to work." She beamed. "I do have to add that it's an honour to have you all in the force." The
four younger wizards smiled at them.

Fleur stayed silent the whole time they discussed the terms of the training. The first thing Tonks
suggested was a test, something for them to know where they were good enough and where they
would have to work more. Minerva suggested that they had at least one weekend free for them to
rest, something they all promptly agreed. Kingsley made a few observations but he too preferred to
stay quiet. At the end of the meeting, it had been decided that the group would go through a few
 tests in the next Sunday (as Gryffindor had a Quidditch game on Saturday) and that Fleur would be
responsible for their training but she would have help when needed. Minerva made sure to tell
them to keep their school work up to date or she would call the deal off as the main priority was
their school year. All was set and Tonks and Kingsley bid everyone farewell.

"Fleur, you can stay if you want." Minerva smiled at her as she started moving to say goodbye. The
blonde nodded and ceased her movement. The Headmistress seemed to want to ask something.

"You can ask, 'eadmistress." Fleur smiled as she remembered how curious she seemed while they
were talking about the mating connection.

"I know the Veela are secretive and I don't want to impose myself due to a simple curiosity."
Minerva moved so they were all sat on the couches she had in the office and offered some tea and
biscuits.

"My Grandmère allowed me to decide with whom I'm allowed to share zese information. I know
you will keep zem to yourself, Minerva." Fleur explained what they knew about the usual mating
process and what they had figured out about hers with Hermione. "According to zee 'ealers zat
came last week, 'ermione ees already developing a third core." She added by the end of her
explanation.

"So that might explain your current connection…"

"Yes… But not why it's developing now or ever. As much as I understand, it's not common for the
human counterpart to develop a veela core…"

"But eet's not unheard of, in my opinion, eets due to 'ow you accept me and my veela and 'ow you
connect with me as a whole."

"It does make sense…"

"It's getting late, I suppose you should get going." The headmistress said as she looked at the clock
and then shooed them from the office.

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hello my dear readers! It's me, your friendly neighbour Celtic!

Changing departments, setting a schedule up...

Please comment, I'm always pleased to learn what you think!

And kudos keep me moving!

;3

See Yah!

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 47
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Hermione melted into the embrace the second she woke up. Being held by Fleur was something
similar to heaven to her. She felt the blonde tighten the grip on her and realized that the blonde was
awake.

"I definitely sleep better when you are with me." She rolled in Fleur's arms, so she was facing the
Veela. "And I really don't want to get out of bed." Her girlfriend was chuckling at her laziness and
she hid her face into the blonde's neck. Hermione heard a gasp and a contained moan as soon as she
nibbled her neck and smirked as the veela's breathing became paintings (it didn't take long).

"Eef you keep zis up, you definitely won't leave zee bed, mon Coeur," Fleur said after a
particularly hard bite, as the brunette soothed it with light kisses. She smiled and began moving her
kissing up to her jaw and then to her lips.

"Good morning, love." She beamed. Sometimes she still had a hard time believing the gorgeous
blonde was hers.

"Bonjour, 'ermione." she pulled the brunette in for a short kiss.

"Bonjour..." the brunette sighed. They began to get ready for the day and as soon as they were both
ready, they left the room. Hermione said goodbye to Fleur by the fireplace and the blonde
promised to floo her when she got back home in the evening, as always. The lioness sighed
heavily, at least she would be able to see her again the next day. Being McGonagall's protégé was
really something to be grateful for.

The next two days went by smoothly, even with a not so good night of sleep in the middle. Well,
for her there was no stress. She couldn't say the same about her brother and best friend. For them,
the two days were nerve-wracking. This first game was always the most important one to
Gryffindors as it was against Slytherin, and she knew for a fact that Ginny was giving her blood to
show everyone she was good enough to make it to the professional teams (which she definitely
was) while Harry was all about supporting his girlfriend. Luna was trying to keep the air as light as
possible while she and Hermione tried to reassure them both. That Friday, Hermione, as always,
rushed from class to their quarters.

"Merlin, you saw her yesterday morning..." Ginny said as she went through the portrait hole about
five minutes after Hermione had.

"Oh, shush! You do the same with Har if you spend more than 24h away from him." Hermione
rolled her eyes. "And you basically live with both your dates! You have no say in this." The older
lioness laid on the couch and accioed the book she had been reading. That was the only thing that
gave away how serious she was about the auror training, it was about tracking and anti-tracking
spells. It didn't take much longer for the fireplace to lit up with green flames and the blonde beauty
step out of it. Fleur made a beeline to her, picking the book from her hands and reading the name of
it.

"My studious girlfriend... 'ello, ma Reine..." the veela leaned down and softly kissed her. "Enjoying
zee reading?"
"It's very informative but some of those seem to be rather ineffective..." She moved so Fleur could
sit after greeting the others.

"Zey are. I 'ave some better material for you to read eef you want."

"That would be brilliant! Thank you, babe..."

"Anything for you..." Fleur kissed the top of her head and held her closer.

"We are leaving for dinner, lovebirds..." Ginny announced, "don't do anything I wouldn't!"

"We can do anything zen!" Fleur laughed. "And we will be working 'ere. 'onestly, woman, you
only zink about sex?!"

"Who said anything about sex, Delacour?"

"I'm pretty sure I'm speaking in Hermione's behalf too when I say I really don't want to hear you
talking about anyone's sex life!" Harry hurried to the portrait hole dragging Ginny, Luna calmly
following them.

"I don't really care, Har. It's better to hear about it than to hear the action. And I've already heard it
more than I'd like to." Hermione smirked seeing how red her brother's face had become.

"I swear I'll cast a permanent muffliato in that bedroom." She heard him mumble as they went
through the portrait accompanied by the redhead's laughter.

"So, food now and work later?" The blonde suggested and Hermione agreed, immediately calling
Dobby.

Three hours later, Harry and the girls found Hermione and Fleur handling two huge stacks of
paper, while even more parchments were in small piles all over the room. Each pile had a month
and a year magically written hovering over it. Paper and parchments were flying around and
landing on specific piles.

"Sorry for the mess..." Hermione said as soon as she noticed them (it didn't take long, actually).

"Ok... The work's done?" The redhead asked while looking around.

"Not yet but we figured we could organize eet already as we actually 'ad more fronts zan we
initially zought."

"It's almost finished, though."

"Zen we'll go zrough eet again before we send eet to Shacklebolt..."

"You really got yourself a soulmate, 'Mione!" Ginny beamed.

"Yeah, yeah. Go have your beauty sleep already, ginger." Hermione rolled her eyes.

"I'm only going because it's a game night." She climbed the stairs with Harry and Luna following.

The two left in the room alone once again resumed their work until everything was neatly
organized and stored in labelled folders. It didn't take much for them to sleep when they got to bed.
They were both awakened by Ginny, apparently trying to make sure that they would all be on time
for the game. Hermione groaned and swore loudly while Fleur laughed at her demeanour. The
older lioness pushed her girlfriend from the bed.
"Too happy too early." She mumbled after Fleur yelped in surprise.

"Sorry, chérie."

"Whipped!" Ginny exclaimed as she left the room.

"Still proud of eet!" Fleur shouted back.

"We are going down in thirty!" Harry shouted from his room as both doors were open. "Don't be
late, you two!"

"That's my line, smart-ass!"

"Oh, Hermione is grumpy today..." Luna said in a soft tone. And that was the last thing they heard
as Hermione slammed the door shut with a flick of her wand.

"'ey, come 'ere," Fleur said to the brunette as she was once again laying in the bed and the lioness
was standing near it. She tugged the witch's hand until she moved as asked. "Bonjour, ma Belle..."
she said after a long kiss.

"Good morning, love." And Hermione kissed her again, Fleur felt the brunette relax into the kiss.
"I'd love to keep kissing you right now, but if we aren't downstairs in about twenty minutes, the
two of them will come barreling into here." The blonde groaned but allowed Hermione to get up
and out of bed. Fleur had been officially invited, as she was the instructor of the DA (that was a
good excuse for Fleur to be there), to watch the game and spend the day. The breakfast was joyful,
some of the team members joined them on the table and they all had a great time. After eating,
they made their way to the pit with the group of first years they had basically adopted. Ginny and
Harry went to the locker room while the rest of them made their way up to the stands. Luna began
climbing the stairs two steps a time and the rest of them followed her, the younger blonde pulled
from her bag the roaring lion head she always used during every Gryffindor game and placed it
over her head. The younger part of the group began to laugh when the hat roared at them.

"Where did you find it? That's fantastic!" Dallas beamed.

"Oh, it was simply a lion hat when I bought it. It began roaring after I put some spells on it…"
Luna smiled at him, she spoke in a dreamy voice making it sound as if it was a very simple thing to
do.

"Can you make one of those for me?"

Luna simply nodded and cast a Gemini spell, generating a copy of the one on her head. "It will
vanish in about a day, I think. But at least now you have one to cheer." She beamed at the raven-
haired young Gryffindor.

They had been the first ones there as they had accompanied two of the players (actually, even them
were early). Half an hour later, the stands began to fill up. The one they were on held mostly
Gryffindors as Luna's hat managed to catch everyone's attention even on the ground. As Hooch
walked to the middle of the pitch, Fleur produced two omnioculars and gave one to Hermione, who
noticed Luna producing one too. As if they had the same mind, she and Fleur cast a few Gemini
spells until all the group was holding the device.

"Thanks!" All of them said at once. And then everybody's eyes were on the ground to watch the
team walk in and get on their brooms.

They cheered loudly as Ginny managed to get the Quaffle before the snakes could as the flying
teacher threw it in the air. As she sped up towards the hoops, a Bludger went flying towards her
being quickly deflected by one of the beaters. Hermione was certain she heard Luna sigh. Before
Ginny could go through half of the opposite field, she got hardly body-checked and had to drop the
ball to make sure she could stay on the broom. It was quickly caught by a Slytherin chaser who
began to race his way to the Gryffindor hoops being closely followed by an annoyed Ginny. He
passed the ball to one of his teammates who struggled to hold the ball and stay on their broom as
the pass had been done wrongly, apparently. Hermione knew enough about the sport to be able to
name most of the classic moves and fouls. She had been truthful when she said she knew the rules,
the only thing she disliked was the whole need to be flying. Hermione was cut out of her musings
when everyone on the stand she was in cheered as one. She was caught off guard and got
absolutely frightened until she felt an arm envelope her.

"'ey, you alright?" Fleur asked with her mouth near her ear in order to be heard. The brunette's
breath caught as she felt her girlfriend's mouth so close to her. She nodded despite herself and
looked at the blonde.

"Yeah, I was just lost in thoughts, the cheering gave me quite the scare." She felt her cheeks
heating.

"You didn't see zee goal?" She shook her head, Fleur smiled at her and refocused on her
omnioculars. The lioness couldn't help but feel disappointed for not having her girlfriend's attention
anymore. A light kiss on her temple got her back to reality and she saw Fleur offering her the
device she had been fidgeting with. "Zought you'd like to see zee first point of zee season." Fleur
offered as the brunette accepted the viewing device.

She watched the re-run of the move. She saw the three Gryffindor chasers speeding through the
pitch, Ginny holding the Quaffle being flanked by the other two, the green-clad chasers trying to
reach them. As they reached the middle of the Slytherin field, a Bludger was sent in Ginny's
general direction; the three chasers briefly parted so they would be able to deflect the rageful ball,
the redhead gracefully made a manoeuvre (she was actually showing-off) and the iron ball passed
without any damage done then the other two chasers were back flanking her. In a quick movement,
the Quaffle was passed and with a feint the crimson-clad player scored, making the ball pass
through the lower hoop. Fleur had resumed watching the game with the brunette's omnioculars so
Hermione kept the blonde's with her. She watched the game absentmindedly, leaning on her
girlfriend most of the time and stealing a few kisses from time to time. She didn't want to disrupt
the French's concentration, but she couldn't help it. She watched the Slytherin team be massacred
as the Lions scored point after point. She saw the moment the snakes get frustrated and angry and
begin a more violent game as one of their chasers had the Quaffle stolen and a point be scored in
the following move. Honestly, that game could be barbaric. She rolled her eyes as she saw once
more the referee signal a foul in favour of Gryffindor. Ginny got the ball and tossed it to the other
chaser who quickly tossed it back and off she went towards the scoring area, the redhead
manoeuvred around opposing team members and the two Bludgers thrown her way and threw the
Quaffle up, soon striking it with her broom's tail. The force it obtained kept the keeper from being
able to block the shot, that went through the highest hoop. A classic move for the redhead, she had
been doing this one for such a long time that her aim was almost infallible. She celebrated the score
by sending a kiss to Luna and making a small loop. It took some time for another goal to be made,
but it was scored in favour of the Slytherin team. The stand they were in began chanting 'Go Go
Gryffindor' soon after, the roars of the two lion hats became louder as the other students became
louder, cheering. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw something dive. She had been following the
Quaffle being tossed between the crimson chasers but moved her attention to what she was pretty
sure was Harry spurting into action, she was right as a moment later whoever was narrating the
game yelled: "Potter must have seen the snitch, people! He just dove towards the ground out of
nowhere!" The cheering got even louder and everyone now watched Harry fly around the field
(who wasn't using omnioculars wasn't capable of seeing the small ball) being chased by the
Slytherin Seeker. Bludgers were tossed towards him, only to be deflected by a Gryffindor bat.
Harry was near enough to try and catch the tiny ball. The stands went silent as everyone watched
him stretch an arm and not reach it. Hermione saw the complete focus and resolution on his face as
he moved his body on the broom, leaning forward. She knew then he was going to catch the snitch,
no matter what. She rolled her eyes as the realisation came to her, they were both showing off. To
Luna. They were so obvious she couldn't help but chuckle. She focused on Harry again, seeing him
readying himself to leap from his broom. As he jumped she heard a few gasps around her and
smiled. Harry was about to be the first years to-go subject for a while. She knew someone of the
team would cast something to keep him from hurting himself, so she told herself not to worry only
to see him be grabbed by one of the beaters. Her summoned his broom and got on it before
showing the snitch to everyone. Madam Hooch signalled the end of the match. Gryffindor, 290
points, and Slytherin, 70. Everyone began to descend the stairs and they sat back to wait for the
crowd to lessen.

"So, what did you think?" Hermione asked their younger companions as she leaned on Fleur.

"It's a good sport. I get the appeal. But I still don't get the flying thing." Moire was the first to
answer. The others objected to her last phrase but they all agreed that the game was wonderful.
Hermione laughed when Blake pointed out Harry's leap and glanced at Luna who had a dreamy
smile. Teagan, on the other hand, was yelling that Ginny was the best player on the team, no
wonder the team had won. They began their way towards the ground with the younger Gryffindors
discussing each moment of the game, it reminded her of her first year.

"A Knut for your zoughts." Broke her from her memories.

"I was just remembering my first year. Harry managed to almost swallow the snitch and it seemed
like he was about to puke when he landed, or rather, crashed down. He was everyone's
conversation topic for almost a month." She laughed. "And obviously he almost had died that
day…"

They waited for Ginny and Harry outside the lockers, but the younger group had followed the
bigger mass of cheerful Gryffindors going towards the castle. Fleur had her arms around Hermione,
both facing Luna when they saw the younger blonde's eyes lit up.

"Pretty amazing catch, 'arry…" Fleur said, smiling even before the two players came to view.

"Such a show-off…" Hermione teased as Ginny greeted Luna and waved to her and her girlfriend.
Harry following closely (and blushing).

"That leap was quite unnecessary, babe…" Ginny mock-glared at him obviously trying hard to
contain the smile on her eyes from taking place on her face.

"Sorry…" He reached for the back of his own neck.

"You were incredible!" Luna beamed. "I was worried for a minute there, though." She kissed his
cheek after a small glare. "You too!" She turned to Ginny who was watching the two of them
affectionately, "You are a fantastic player!" She kissed the redhead's cheek as she did Harry's.

"That you are." Hermione beamed at her best friend.

"Eh, eet was good enough…" Fleur said, the tease clear by the way she smirked and the glint in her
eyes, but Hermione swatted her arm lightly anyway. "What? I was just saying what I zink!" The
blonde faked being hurt, making the other three laugh.
"Why am I even close to you bunch?" Hermione rolled her eyes at their antics.

"Parce que tu m'aimes. (Because you love me.) As for zem I 'ave no idea." Fleur said, kissing
Hermione's cheek.

"Because I saved you from a fucking Troll," Harry said in all seriousness, making the rest of them
laugh.

"Well, I made summers better?" The redhead offered.

"Hardly. You were always playing with them." Hermione laughed at Ginny's stuck out tongue.

Luna didn't offer any answer, simply smiling at Hermione.

"Anyway, we have a party to go to!" Ginny shouted dragging her boyfriend and girlfriend towards
the castle, Hermione and Fleur following them calmly.

The party was in full swing when they entered the Gryffindor Common Room. Hermione saw a
few Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes's treats going around the room and butterbeer bottles in the hand
of virtually everyone in there. Most of the goers were from the crimson house although there were
a few Puffs and Claws, the Slys were clearly too close to house pride to be present at a party
celebrating someone winning over them. As they entered, Bottles were immediately pushed into
their hands by some smiling six-year. As soon as the rest of the Quidditch team noticed them inside
the room, they moved as one to hoist Ginny and Harry. Everyone hollering, applauding and
laughing as some butterbeer spilt from the bottles. Hermione guessed that the responsibility for the
music was with a Muggle-born as the music playing (from what she listened) was basically muggle
music.

"What ees eet zat ees playing?" Fleur asked her, her mouth close to her ear.

"Spice Girls."

"Oh, zat muggle girl group, right?" Hermione nodded.

"Spice up your life." The brunette offered after hearing the lyrics. "The one that's playing…"

"Zey're good…" Fleur smiled. They moved to sit on a couch by the fireplace, Luna following them
and the other two soon joining them. Some stronger beverage was soon in their hands, although all
of the completely conscious of the tests they would have to go through the next day. But it was
early afternoon, there was food at a table on one of the room's corner and there was always the
possibility of a pepper-up potion, not that any of them planned on having to go there.

An hour later found the five of them sat at the same place sharing memories and laughs. Hermione
was especially enjoying the music as they remembered her of her other world, she was swaying a
bit along the music playing. She was completely at ease, being at Hogwarts helped, but the
familiar moment, a party in the common room with her best friends made the night perfect. The
firewhiskey made her a bit looser. Moire appeared out of nowhere, smiling but a bit shy.

"Hermione…"

"Yes, Moire?"

"Uh, the guys were saying there is no way you would dance with us…" The first year had her face
completely red and Hermione couldn't help but feel sympathy for her.
 "What did you say?"

"I just wanted to ask you all to come…"

Ginny was the first to stand, nodding. Luna smiled and followed her, dragging Harry (who had a
terrified expression) along. Hermione looked at Fleur, who simply shrugged and smiled. Hermione
smiled back then stood, beaming at Moire. As they reached the rest of the first-year group, another
Spice Girls' music began to play. Moire began teaching some of the moves she knew from the
music-video and soon the whole group was trying to dance to the hit. As the last chorus began,
Hermione, Fleur, Ginny, Luna, Moire, Kassidy and Teagan were all singing along with the music
and dancing to the choreography of Stop of the girl group of the moment.

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hello my dear readers! It's me, your friendly neighbour Celtic!

What did you think of Quidditch? Also some fluff and working... And a scene that I
don't seem to be able to get out of my mind: Hermione dancing SPICE GALS! LOL
You have no idea of how much I laughed when I wrote this!

Please comment, I'm always pleased to learn what you think!

Kudos are life!

;3

See Yah!

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 48
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Hermione's eyes shot open as soon as the alarm went off. The awareness of the day's appointments
washing over her as soon as she was out of sleep's tendrils. She immediately started worrying about
the tests. As if reading her mind (but probably feeling her distress), Fleur wrapped her arms around
her and pulled her close nuzzling into her mane to kiss her neck.

"Eet's going to be fine, chérie. You are brilliant and I'm pretty sure you've been studying ever since
we established zat you were to do the tests." The blonde all but mumbled into her neck. Hermione
felt her body relaxing, the anxiety, previously present, fleeing and her mind agreeing with her
girlfriend. She knew she was actually ready.

"Thank you, love." Nothing else was needed to be said as she was sure the veela understood.

The couple got ready for the day with practised rhythm. They were ready to go in no time.
Hermione grinned at her blonde as they left the room, being immediately greeted by the smell of
fresh coffee and pastry. They descended the stairs to comfortably wait for the other three to have
breakfast. The table there was filled with food and Hermione's stomach rumbled as she looked at it,
making them both laugh.

"Sweet Merlin, that's a lot of food!" Ginny said as soon as she laid eyes on the table twenty
minutes later. Hermione was too engrossed in looking at her girlfriend and kissing her to notice the
others coming downstairs. "Oi! Lovebirds! Food?"

The older lioness rolled her eyes at the redhead's antics and Fleur smiled at her. "Yes, Red. We
were graciously waiting for you." The blonde answered.

"You were graciously eating each other's faces, that's what." Ginny teased.

"Gin, sit and eat. No talking from you until we have finished breakfast." Hermione rolled her eyes
at the Weasley female. "Good morning, Harry, Luna..."

They ate a reasonable amount of food but kept in mind that they would possibly have to make a lot
of physical workouts.

"Tonks and Bill are setting up zee tests at zee Ministry so we should be 'eading out to meet zem
zere." The group left to Hermione and Harry's flat to go to the government building from there. As
they reached the area where they were going to be tested, Hermione felt herself begin to tense up
and her nervousness get worse. "You are going to be great, chéri. We are only assessing what you
know. You'll be fine." Fleur had apparently noticed how nervous the lioness was and reassured her
with soft words spoken in a whisper near her ear (the brunette felt a cold go down her spine when
she felt Fleur's hot breath on her neck) and kissed her shoulder lightly, making Hermione's mind go
far away from the task she was supposed to be focused for.

"You are really good distracting me." She was far from annoyed but did put up an upset front. The
blonde chuckled.

"As eef you didn't like eet." She murmured. Hermione turned to Fleur with a raised brow. They
were entering the modified training area and the brunette was really trying to keep focused. "You
know I'm able to know what you are feeling, right?" The lioness nodded, beaming.
They approached the two people that were waiting for them. "Hey…" Hermione greeted them, still
smiling.

"G'Morning! You ready?" Tonks beamed at them all as Bill waved. "I figured we could test your
abilities separately firstly and then get you to a training routine to see how you deal with the
situations presented…" They all nodded. The three younger witches and wizard waited while Fleur
joined her boss and coworker. Hermione took a steadying breath, locking eyes with Fleur she felt
the confidence the blonde had on her and forced her body to relax. The blonde smiled and winked
at her. "The first task for you is a physical test." As Tonks finished talking, she motioned to their
left where an obstacle course presented itself to them. They timed them as they went through it
(they did it three times each). After the first round, Hermione transfigured her clothes into
something a bit more comfortable to run (She could swear she was able to feel Fleur's hungry gaze
on her as she waited to go again - she had transfigured her pants into running shorts and her t-shirt
into a tank top; Ginny followed her example as soon as she finished her own circuit). The blonde
was smiling when the lioness finished her last round and handled her some water. After the others
went on their last ones, Tonks nodded as she took notes. They spent the rest of the morning
completing tasks that evaluated their efficiency on the most needed abilities for an auror, such as
identifying poisons and antidotes (something Hermione and Luna excelled), identifying magical
traces and whether they were or no dark magic (Harry nailed if, Hermione was a close second),
their knowledge on offence and defense spells (the older lioness and Harry seemed to be on a tie on
that but the other two girls weren't too far behind) and their ability on stealth and tracking
(Hermione might have chuckled before complying with this one as she remembered that the
department head had failed this specific course; Ginny was especially good at it apparently - living
with six had its perks according to her). "We are going to take a break to lunch after the next test
and when we come back you're going through the training routine," Tonks informed. It was a
series of situations where they had to be able to remain unnoticed. Hermione smiled a bit, after the
fiasco of trying to disguise Harry, she had taken to studying the subject. A glance was exchanged
between her and the raven-haired man, she knew he had been studying this too. All of them went
well on this one as the four of them had been in situations they needed such abilities.

"Morgan's tits, I'm starving!" Ginny exclaimed as soon as they left the training area. Tonks and Bill
insisted they should eat something sustainable and Fleur agreed, knowing what they were to face
next.

"Ah, the Weasley appetite…" Tonks chuckled as Bill glared at her.

"You might want to go slow, Gin. We still have that last test." Luna offered

"Yup, I know." Ginny smiled devilishly. "I wouldn't want to ruin my chances to be beat 'Mione."

Hermione rolled her eyes but said nothing. She was too entailed on the feeling of Fleur hugging her
while they walked to a nearby restaurant.

"The next one is a team effort, actually." Bill offered, smiling at his sister.

"Eet's a simulation. You'll go in as an auror team and will have to -"

"You know they weren't supposed to know any of this right?" Tonks interrupted smiling at the
blonde auror, who was pouting.

"I figured we would go through something like that, honestly…" Hermione said, after kissing her
girlfriend's cheek.

"Of course you did." Tonks laughed. "I wouldn't expect anything else from you, Hermione. It's just
that we shouldn't be giving you any intel over the tests." As they turned a corner, the
metamorphmagus almost ran into a man with a baby carriage. "I'm so sorry!" She said as soon as
she realized what almost happened.

"For the head of the department, you are certainly too clumsy, dear."

Hermione smiled before she saw the owner of the voice. She knew who it was.

"Remus! What are you doing here?" Hermione could see the happiness shine on Tonks' eyes as she
realized it was actually her husband and son she almost had run into. "Hey, baby boy!" She took
the baby from the carriage to hug him. The rest of them greeted the werewolf cheerfully.

"I figured you would need to go to lunch at some time, so I came to make sure you wouldn't hold
them hostage and hungry…" The marauder smirked.

"I wouldn't, not with Weasleys in the room."

Harry stole the baby from Tonks and began playing with his godson.

"Besides, Teddy missed his mom."

"I see… We are heading to lunch now. Care to join us?" Tonks kissed her husband's cheek and
they continued their walk after she took Teddy from Harry.

"Great. Luna we are the only single around here…" Bill groaned.

Hermione snickered as she saw her three friends turn red. She had forgotten they didn't say
anything to anyone but her and Fleur yet. Tonks might have seen something when they were
talking with McGonagall and presumed they were together as she too was chuckling.

"Actually…" Harry began, reaching for the back of his neck. Her turned a deeper shade of red as
Bill looked at him.

Hermione was amused. Harry was blushing profusely, Ginny tugged at Luna's hand and made her
walk in front of her as she hugged her (basically mimicking how Hermione and Fleur's position)
and hid her face on the younger blonde's hair.

"What? You broke up?" Bill asked, taking in the three of them.

"No!" Harry exclaimed.

"Zee zree of zem are together, Bill."

"It's pretty obvious to me." Tonks offered. "You just need to see how they carry themselves."
Remus nodded.

"Oh…" Bill looked at the trio once more, "Damn, I'm the only single here then…" he shook his
head, making the group laugh. Suddenly he looked at Harry and Luna, "You better be good for her.
I-"

"Bill! Please!" Ginny groaned, trying to make her brother shut up.

"Hey! I have the right! I'm your older brother!"

"Does it mean I get to give a shovel talk too?" Hermione beamed, knowing her brother would beg
for her not to.
"'Mione…" Harry groaned.

"It's only fair." Bill smiled devilishly at her.

Fleur shook her head their antics. "Right? Harry, you have no say in this. If I remember correctly
you talked to Fleur even before we were together." Fleur laughed, remembering the conversation.

"So, we do it now or do we wait until after lunch?" Bill asked seriously. Hermione could see the
mischief glint in his eyes.

"Bill!"

"We're here!" Tonks exclaimed as they reached the restaurant.

Harry and Ginny sighed in relief. Bill sat near Fleur and Hermione at the table and Hermione
smiled at him. She could see that despite all the teasing, he was worried about his sister's
wellbeing.

"Bill, look at the three of them." She began in a whisper. "Can you see how they orbit around each
other?" She saw his eyes widen as he looked at his sister and her companions. "Right, they are
soulmates. Har and Lun will do anything to make Gin happy. Don't worry. Just don't say anything
to anyone else, it's something they have to do." Bill nodded.

They were back at the training centre, Hermione was stretching a bit while listening to Tonks as
she explained what was going to happen. The other three followed her example.

"So the thing is, you four are to capture a group of wizards that are attacking muggles and non-
purebloods. They were last seen in the village that the simulation begins. Your job is to identify
their leader and make some arrests. If you engage, make sure to arrest the leader. Got it? Try not to
let too many civilians get in harm's way." The quartet nodded.

Fleur kissed Hermione good luck and transfigured her clothes into the division's uniform, Tonks
and Bill spelling Luna's and Ginny's clothes as well. Fleur stepped aside and transfigured Harry's
clothes too. The three older wizards climbed the stairs to a mezzanine that functioned as a
grandstand and the ambient around the group changed. They were in the middle of a wizarding
village.

Hermione looked around and noticed the other three did the same. She took the lead, knowing they
didn't have a lot of time. "Right-" She was interrupted by three explosions, in different directions.
A series of screams followed. "Fuck. They are everywhere." She breathed deeply, forcing herself to
remain calm and objective. As she took the third breath, she heard something coming from the
opposite direction of the explosions. She opened her eyes, seeing the other three were looking at
her expectantly. "Can you hear that?"

"Uh?" "What?" "No." Were her responses. She focused a bit more and swore as she heard curses
being thrown. She smirked, remembering how her girlfriend's hearing was hypersensitive when she
was under stress or focused enough. That's it. It was really a great moment for it to flourish.

"Thanks." She said, the sound actually almost didn't leave her mouth. The word was meant to
Fleur.

"What?" Harry asked his focus on her still.

"Nothing. Let's go." She turned on her heels, confusing the other three. Harry was the first one to
follow her, knowing from experience that it was the best idea. The other two girls followed, still
confused. "Veela bonus." She offered as the got closer to the commotion. Harry was right before
her followed by Luna and then Ginny. He smiled and passed on the information. They were close
enough now for the others to hear what was happening.

"Diversion," Harry whispered.

Hermione nodded, "They wanted everyone to run this way so they could ambush them. I assume
this village is largely composed of non-purebloods." Ginny left the tail of the group.

"We should try to what's happening." She offered. Hermione nodded.

"The roofs? It's an advantage point." Harry suggested.

"We can't be seen," Hermione said.

"Disillusionment Charm." Luna offered. The other three nodded.

The four of them reached the roofs under the spell already, Hermione cast a spell to identify
magical traces where they were to make sure there wasn't anyone else there. All of them spelt their
boots so they wouldn't make any sound as they walked. They saw the group they were looking for
quite easily as they were scattered on a square, cursing anyone unlucky enough to cross said place.
The number of cursed people was increasing at an alarming rate. Hermione quickly cast a
protective spell (the one she used so much while she and the boys were Horcrux hunting) to keep
the civilians at bay, but as soon as the shield took place, one of the group commanded them to flee.
The four of them thinking quickly, stupefied the men as soon as the men gave the command. The
force of the spells was enough to send the men flying to the wall behind him rendering him
unconscious. As one, the four apparated to the square, firing spells towards the rest of the group. It
wasn't really a battle, as the rest of the group was pretty lost as to how their leader was on the floor.
In no time the whole group was either unconscious or tied. The village faded, as did the bandits.
Hermione heard the clapping before the simulation entirely faded.

The first thing she saw was a smirking Fleur.

"That was rather fast." Tonks offered. "I just have one question. How did you know where to go,
Hermione?"

"Oh…" The lioness glanced at Fleur, who gave her a small nod. "Being Fleur's mate has its perks."
She offered, smirking. Tonks nodded. "This was a new development, actually. I wasn't expecting to
be able to have enhanced hearing…" She added quickly before anyone could think she had been
cheating.

"It's ok, Hermione. I was just curious. I figured it was something like that when I saw Fleur
beaming just before you took off in the right direction." The metamorphmagus smiled at them.
"You are free to go. Blondie, Bill and I will plan your training this week and reach you and
McGonagall to get everything set… But I'd say you have the two next weeks free. There's some
reading for you to do but despite that, you are free."

The whole group left the Ministry building talking cheerfully, Bill bided his farewells and
disapparated. Tonks left them to walk to her house. Hermione and Fleur parted ways from the other
three as they reached their buildings.

The door wasn't closed yet when Fleur pushed her into it, slamming it shut. The blonde pressed
herself against Hermione, kissing her deeply. Hermione responded to the kiss almost immediately,
resting her hands on the veela's hips pulling her close. Her right hand travelled under Fleur's shirt
as she felt the need to have contact with her skin, she moaned at the contact and pressed the lioness
deeper into the door. Hermione, spurred by the blonde's reaction, let her hand roam at will. She
was lost in the kiss, not able to know where she ended and where Fleur began, she knew that if
they continued, she would have the blonde on the floor in no time. She also didn't care. Her hand
travelled up again, reaching the veela's bra, and followed it until her thumb was just under her
boob. Fleur moaned but broke the kiss. They locked eyes, Hermione got lost in the amber pools
that were Fleur's eyes. Both smiled and the blonde joined their foreheads. The lioness almost
turned into a puddle as she took in the way the French woman was looking at her, the love of and
adoration clear for her to see.

"You are perfect," Fleur said, making Hermione blush slightly

"I'm not. I've got plenty of flaws." The lioness answered in a whisper. The blonde shook her head,
looking softly at her.

"Zose flaws you speak of are zee zings zat make you, you." the French pecked the brunette's lips
and smiled. "And I 'ave to say, you were brilliant zere."

"Thanks!" Hermione beamed. "I really wasn't expecting that hearing thing..."

"Neither did I. I'm trying to guess 'ow our bonding will fully develop..."

"Yeah... I caught myself trying to guess too..." The lioness smiled sweetly at her girlfriend,
absolutely happy to have an obvious proof of how deeply connected to the blonde she already felt.
She embraced Fleur, still not used to how incredibly well their bodies fit together, even with all the
'destined to be' thing. She used to think it wasn't possible for two people to complete each other so
wholly or to fit into each other's arms and bodies so perfectly as she now felt like she and Fleur did.
She sighed in the woman's embrace. At that moment, she felt like nothing else mattered. The rest of
the world didn't exist and she was where she belonged. She felt like she had her world in her arms.
The couple stood there, hugging, for a long time. Fleur kissed the side of her head before
disentangling herself and guiding her to her usual spot at the kitchen counter.

"I'm beginning to starve and I feel like 'aving dinner with you. Eef you'd join me..."

"Always, love." Hermione spent some time watching Fleur fluidly move around the kitchen, she
loved to watch her girlfriend create some delicious dish from scratch (any food she had tasted that
the French had made was absolute, undoubtedly, delicious). She smiled, remembering how she was
banished from most of the kitchens she had ever set foot unless it was for washing the dishes. Even
her mother usually dismissed her offers to help. Thinking about her mom made her remember their
last letter asking for a visit and inviting her blonde to go along, subtlely (not really) remembering
her that they wanted to meet her girlfriend. "Oh! Fleur..."

The blonde paused what she was doing to look at her. "Oui?"

"Uh... Mum and Dad were asking me when I could visit them and when they are going to meet
you..."

"Zey are still acting like zey don't know me?"

"Yes. I guess they want to be properly introduced too, you didn't really talk that time..."

"Sure. I look forward to getting to know zee people who raised my wonderful mate." Fleur beamed
at her and pecked her lips before going back to the meal.

"Since we are going to have our weekends really busy with the training... I thought I could pay
 them a visit next weekend... You know, since we won't be training..." Hermione was a bit nervous,
she had never introduced anyone important to her (romantically speaking) to her parents and she
had no idea of how Fleur would react to the prospect. She watched the blonde stop her cooking,
wash her hands, and wave her wand, making the utensils come to life and magically prepare their
meal. She contoured the counter and seriously made Hermione face her.

"'ermione, stop feeling so nervous. I just told you I want to meet zem. Just tell me zee day and I'll
be by your side." She said while drawing calming patterns on her hips. "Eet's me who should be
nervous, I'm zee one meeting my girlfriend's parents for zee first time." She added with a laugh.

"Oh, please! They are going to love you."

"Zen you shouldn't be worried at all. I'm sure I'll love zem just as much. Zey must be wonderful
people as zey raised you." Fleur hugged her and kissed her neck in an obvious attempt to make her
calm down (it did work). "So, next weekend?"

"If you are willing..."

"More zan."

"Then I'll talk to them and arrange a dinner?"

"Whatever ees better for zem. I plan on spending my whole weekend with you, eef you want me
to."

"Always. I'll arrange everything and let you know then."

Fleur smiled and kissed her.

"Can't wait. Now, you 'ungry?" She asked as she noticed the food was ready.

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hello my dear readers! It's me, your friendly neighbour Celtic!

Auror tests! Sorry I didn't go through them... It's not exactly super important... Did you
like the latest development of the bound?

Please comment, I'm always pleased to learn what you think!

Also, kudos are life!

;3

See Yah!

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)

PPS: I'll post another oneshot in a bit... So if you like a little Drarry, go read... Oh,
there's a hint of Pansmione...
 Chapter 49 - Meeting the Parents
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

As the week passed, Hermione's nervousness diminished while Fleur's began to rise. The blonde
began to feel the symptoms of said jitters when the brunette had beamed at her while they floo
called and informed her that the dinner was set to happen on the next Saturday. The lioness was
clearly over her initial anxiety after all parties had agreed on the meeting, as she had informed
Fleur after the dinner news.

Fleur was honestly almost a nervous wreck when she got out of work on the next Friday. She
constantly argued with herself that there was no logical need for such a state, they already knew
her. But part of her agreed with the Grangers, they hadn't met after she started dating Hermione.
She desperately wanted to impress them, they were her family for Merlin' sake. She smiled while
she packed two possible outfits for her to wear at the dinner along with comfortable clothes to
spend the weekend at the school if they were to spend it there. It took no time as she had already
picked the outfits. She grabbed her working bag and stepped into the fireplace.

She was greeted by her beaming girlfriend, alone. She was a bit later than usual as she had to stay
at the ministry for longer. The trio had already gone to dinner. They ate together as always and set
out to work.

"This will probably be the best-reported war ever..." Hermione said, reviewing and filing one of
the stacks of reports they had around them.

"Oui... We actually 'ave reports on almost every front..." She nodded, going through another stack.
"grand-mère says zee Veela clans who got involved are reporting too. She 'as met every
'ead around Europe and zey decided to keep a European history library for zee future Veela..."

"That's awesome!"

"She reached today to tell me zee news. I knew you would like to know. grand-mère ees organizing
everything so zee library will be under our Clan care, mostly." She informed with a smile, already
knowing what the lioness was dying to ask. "You will 'ave free access to eet, as my mate."

"Every mate will?" Hermione asked after beaming at the new information.

"Non. Zee other clans didn't agree with free access to all zee non-veela mates. Only zose mated to
zee 'eads of zee clans and zeir immediate family 'ave permission. Maman managed to reason with
zem to allow zee mates with similar experience as ours to 'ave access too." Fleur explained. The
lioness nodded and seems to be in deep thought. "Most of zee Clans still remember 'ow we were
treated by wizards and still are. We are guarded for a reason, ma Reine."

"I know, love."

"I'm sorry we can't make eet accessible for everyone."

"Fleur, I understand and respect it. I know from the little I've read about your kind history that you
have more than one motive to be that way." Hermione smiled at her and caressed her cheek. "I'm
actually honoured to be able to see it. I was thinking of how I'll be able to read everything I want
to." She laughed and made Fleur swoon.
"Oh, no!" Ginny exclaimed as soon as the trio went past the painting, "Let's go somewhere else,
they are heart-eyeing each other!" She dramatically turned around only to be held by Harry and
Luna, who were laughing.

"You speak as if I don't have to endure you doing the same exact thing with Har and Lun! As far as
I can say, it's even worse. Since it's every day..." Hermione answered rolling her eyes. Fleur
watched the banter amused.

"I'd say eet's worse because eet's with two people..." Fleur added smiling.

"Fleur, please don't encourage them..." Harry pleaded. "So, you finished for the day?"

"I guess..." Hermione answered looking at Fleur, who nodded.

The French returned the reports to the bag they were storing it and the couple moved to occupy
their usual couch while the trio sat on the other side by side. An hour into their usual catch up with
the blonde, the couple had laid down and the two girls from the trio had their heads on Harry's lap.
Fleur was on her back, holding Hermione (who was snuggled to her side, talking to her brother).
The blonde was actually lost in thought as she loved having her girlfriend in her arms. The two
other girls seemed to have dozed off.

"We should call it a night, these two are far gone..." Harry said when he and Hermione reached the
end of their discussion about one of the books Tonks had sent them to study.

"Yeah, I guess I could use some sleep too..." Fleur felt her caress her hip and looked at her smiling.
"Let's go? The bed is quite more comfortable than here..."

The couple said goodnight to Harry and the girls, who were leaning on each other to be able to
make it to the bedroom. The man was smiling at the scene clearly amused at how sleepy his
girlfriends were. Hermione and Fleur prepared to bed and snuggled into each other.

"I never asked, how are you?" Hermione spoke into Fleur's neck curve. The blonde knew her
girlfriend was aware of how anxious she was and understood the brunette simply wanted to make
sure she knew she could talk to her.

"I 'ave to admit zat I'm quite nervous about meeting your parents..."

"Oh, seems like the tables turned!" The brunette laughed, leaning away from her to look into her
eyes. Fleur rolled her eyes at the tease. "You don't need to, love. They already love you. You make
me happy..."

"I do?" Fleur decided that the best way to forget her anxiety state was to enjoy being with her mate.

"Yep. Very much so." Hermione must have caught up on her tactic and leaned her head up to kiss
Fleur. The blonde kissed her back, smiling into it.

"You make me 'apply too."

"I love you, Fleur."

"I love you, 'ermione..."She resumed the kissing as she couldn't focus on anything but her lips.
Hermione hummed and deepened the kiss, wanting to taste the blonde.

They woke up and Fleur was immediately anxious. She tried to hide it but the way her brunette
kept close to her made it clear that their connection didn't help when it came to holding back
feelings (obviously). Hermione didn't call her out at any moment but kept hugging her and drawing
calming patterns on any flesh she came in contact.

They had lunch at Harry's. The man said he missed cooking as they usually ate at hers when they
were out of school.

"Want to go home?" Hermione asked a bit after they finished eating. Fleur nodded. The trio smiled
at her sympathetically, knowing she was nervous and said goodbye. The lioness held her hand,
brushing her thumb on the upside of her hand. "We have four hours until we have to go. What do
you want to do?"

"You." She deadpanned. Hermione eyed her with an amused look and a raised eyebrow.

"What about a soothing bath?"

"With you?" Fleur was feeling flirty (or she just wanted to get her mind out of the fact she would
be meeting her future in-laws in less than twelve hours).

"You really think that seeing me naked for the first time an hour before going to my parents is a
good idea?" Hermione smirked and raised a brow. Fleur's eyes widened. That definitely wasn't a
good idea. They reached her apart door and the lioness laughed at her reaction. "Come on, I'll get a
bath ready for you. I'll even let you have some wine." She offered, kissing her cheek and pulling
her through the door.

"You know, you shouldn't be making fun of my nervousness. I'm pretty sure you'll be just bad by
zee end of zee year..." Hermione stopped on her tracks and turned to face her.

"I'm not making fun of you. I just think it's cute you are like that but you're also the one who said
there was nothing to worry about because you had already met."

Fleur sighed. "Oui. And I still zink zat."

"Really? You certainly don't look like it." the lioness smiled sweetly.

"I'm anxious. Eet's not logical."

"I know, love. I'm just teasing you." The brunette pulled Fleur to her by the loops of the blonde's
jeans and kissed her lovingly. "They already love you, Angel. It will be fine." She reassured. The
blonde melted by the nickname, yes it was cheesy but whatever. And she did just about the same...

"I 'ope so." She mumbled as they hugged.

"I know so."

Four hours later they were leaving the house, as they agreed on apparating on the nearest spot and
walk to the brunette's childhood house. Hermione opted for a more casual look, wearing her usual
jeans and jumper, while Fleur decided she should go a bit more formal and wore black slacks and
blue blouse (the blue was quite similar to her old uniforms, she liked the colour). They made their
way to the house in a comfortable silence, the blonde feeling soothed by the patterns drawn on he
waist while her girlfriend held her close

"Here we are." Hermione let the French take a steadying breath before reaching out to knock on the
door. Fleur noticed the other woman's smile widen as the door opened, seeing a man she
recognized as her father. They really looked alike, now that she was looking closely. He and
Hermione hugged as soon as the door was open. As the stepped out of the hug, the men
sidestepped so they could properly enter the house. Fleur suddenly felt even more nervous.

"Dad, this is Fleur. My girlfriend." The French could sense the brunette rolling her eyes at her
father as he pretended not to know her.

"Fleur. Nice to finally meet you." He smiled and extended a hand for her to shake, only when she
reached for it he pulled her into a hug. "Welcome, Fleur."

"Zank you, Sir." She answered, her accent thicker thanks to her nerves.

"I hope my husband isn't making you uncomfortable, dear." An older copy of Hermione appeared
from upstairs and walked to them, kissing Hermione's forehead in greeting on the way. "He tends
to be quite the tease sometimes. But his jokes with our patients are by far the worse."

"Bon sour, Mrs -" she was a little embarrassed that her brain was such a wreck and had resorted to
French.

"Fleur, dear, it's Charissa."

"Oui, I'm sorry."

"Or you can call me mum. Since you are family now." She smiled.

"Mum, dad..." Hermione groaned.

"Right... Uh, why don't you seat? Dinner should be ready in a few." Her father smiled and
motioned to the soda and armrests.

"Can I offer you any beverages?" The older Granger woman resumed to the host part.

"I'm gonna grab some water. Want some, love?" Fleur nodded, feeling her anxiety spike as she
noticed that the lioness would be leaving her side.

"So, Fleur. What do you do for a living?" The men began as soon as his daughter was out of the
room.

She gulped. "I currently work as an Auror for zee Ministry of Magic, Sir."

"Currently?" His wife asked.

"Oui. I used to be a course breaker at Gringotts before zee war broke."

"She was invited by the Minister himself to join the division almost immediately after the last
battle," Hermione informed as she walked in, smiling apologetically at her. "Here, babe." she
offered one of the glasses she was holding.

"The Minister himself? That's something!"

"She is training the new Aurors and sweeping some of the Death Eaters' houses" Hermione added.
Fleur could feel the wave of pride coming from the brunette and smiled at her. She had no idea that
her girlfriend took such pride in her job.

"Death Eaters?" Hermione's mum asked.

"The guys who followed the bigotted man that led the bad guys..."
"Right, Volde-something." The men nodded, apparently remembering the story his daughter had
told them.

"Oui."

"How about family?" Her in-laws resumed the interrogation, not that she minded now that
Hermione was there, next to her. She let her body relax a little bit as the brunette caressed her hand.

"Oh, zey all live in France. I see zem from time to time."

"Oh, why did you leave? If it's not asking too much..." Charissa asked curiously.

"Not at all. I guess I wanted to grow a bit out of my family's wings. I can't exactly say I fell in love
with your country at first sight..." She chuckled at the memory of her last school year at the British
school. "And I wanted to fight zee purists, too."

"Fleur's family is important in France."

"How so?"

"Our Clan lead all zee Veela clans of zee country." She explained. Both of Hermione's parents
nodded, awestruck.

"Has Hermione met them already?" Emmet asked.

"Non. She only knows Gabrielle, my sister. Because she was with me when I came to compete at
zee Triwizard Tournament. But zey didn't 'ave many interactions... Maman and grand-mère are
dying to meet 'er and Papa ees 'appy to 'ave someone to talk to about 'is researches." She smiled,
remembering how they all had reacted to the fact she had found her mate. "Gaby almost convinced
Maman to allow 'er to transfer schools only to be able to get to know 'ermione." Her girlfriend eyed
her curiously, she didn't know about her baby sister's little stunt. "She went all zee way to saying
she would be able to see eef 'ermione was really a good ma-girlfriend to me."

"She sounds like a fierce girl. How old is she?" Charissa asked.

"She just turned zirteen. She's a force to be reckoned indeed."

Hermione smiled at her, she felt the softness of her sight on her and smiled back. Unknown to
them, the Grangers smiled at the couple being able to see how much they cared for each other.

Emmet clapped his hands and got up. "The food must be ready, let's move to the table?"

"Oh, I nearly forgot." Fleur produced a bottle of wine from her purse. "A courtesy from my family.
Eet's 'as a self-filling spell so eet should keep itself full until zee spell fades."

"Thank you, darling. You didn't have to."

"Maman sent eet with 'er regards, I'm only zee messenger." Fleur smiled, keeping to herself the fact
that she had requested the bottle at the beginning of the week.

"It is a wonderful wine, mum..."

"I shall open it now then. Everyone is served?" They all nodded. They sat at the table after a small
toast, the men getting the food on it a bit later.

"Zee food is wonderful."

"Thank you, Fleur." Emmet smiled at her.

"It's really great, dad!"

"Don't sound so surprised, smarty." He smirked and Hermione rolled her eyes at the nickname.
Fleur couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips. An hour later, Fleur and Hermione were
saying goodbye and stepping into the fireplace.

The lioness was smiling at her as soon as she stepped into the living room. Fleur had gone through
the flames before the brunette, leaving her to talk a bit more with her parents.

"See? Nothing to worry about!" Hermione said, grinning.

"You are never going to let me live eet down..." Fleur pouted.

"I'm not. But I'm sure I'll be just as nervous to meet your parents if not more." Hermione smiled
and kissed her pout softly, trying to convince her to stop. "And I'm even more sure you'll tease me
just as much."

"I won't -"

"Don't make promises you won't keep, babe." She said softly as her finger brushed Fleur's lips to
stop her from talking. The blonde crossed her arms and her pout grew. With a sigh, the lioness
began tickling her sides, making her double in laughter and try to escape her touch.

"'ermione! Je cède! Je cède!" Fleur yelled while trying to contain her laughter. The blonde had tried
to run from the lioness but tripped and was now on the floor (on her back) with Hermione
straddling her. The tickling stopped and both of them were suddenly aware of their position. Either
was able to say who leaned in first as the thirst for the other was the only thing they cared about.
Fleur whined as she felt Hermione bite her lower lip softly and move to her neck, kissing and
sucking on all the right spots. The blonde pulled the brunette closer and moaned as the other
women bit a particular spot near her pulse point that never failed to make her a hot mess. The
woman above her chuckled, obviously earning the response she had been looking for, and
redirected her mouth to Fleur's. At that moment the blonde rolled them, she smirked down at her
girlfriend, who gulped, and held both her arms up. After a small glare to warn her not to move her
arms, Fleur proceeded to kiss her. The blonde bit all the soft spots on the lioness' neck making her
whine in no time. She used the first whine as a sign to softly move her hands under Hermione's
upper clothes, making her gasp. Fleur was able to see the brunette's irises blow and almost fade
completely. It was her time to chuckle. Her grip on Hermione's waist tightened, practically forcing
a moan through the brunette's lips.

"Je t'aime." The French said in a low voice particularly raspy.

"Je t'aime aussi... Merlin, Fleur! You are going to kill me one of these days..." The lioness closed
her eyes and inhaled deeply. "Do you have any idea of what your voice and how you are holding
me is doing to me?" She asked, her voice was already an octave lower than usual and she was a
little shaky.

"I do 'ave my guess."

"You should be a good girlfriend and help to keep ourselves out of being naked in bed before
Christmas break... We agreed to that after all."

"And miss zee fun? Besides, you just straddled me. You aren't 'elping either."
"You're too damn beautiful to not be touched."

"..." Fleur hid her face in Hermione's neck. She felt the brunette chuckle, knowing she would know
and understand what she was feeling. The praises weren't unwanted, she still wasn't completely
used to hearing them while the owner of the voice had been with such clear eyes.

"You are fucking amazing, love." Hermione moved her arms to bring Fleur down and hug her,
drawing senseless patterns on her back.

"You are too..." She whispered.

"So, we have a little more than a month until break..." Hermione began, still laying on the floor.
Fleur moved to the lioness' side and snuggled to her side, her head on the brunette's shoulder.

"Oui,"

"Want to start planning?"

"Sure... You 'ave zee Grangers and we 'ave zee Burrow and France."

"Actually, we have the Grangers. Mom and dad say you are more than invited to go with me..."

"Eef you are sure..."

"They loved you, Fleur. They know you are family even us not being fully mated yet."

Fleur tightened her hold on Hermione's waist and kissed her shoulder lightly. "I love you."

"Je t'aime, love." Hermione kissed the top of the blonde's head. "I thought we could go to mom's
first. Molly invited them too so we could spend like two days at home with them and then head to
the Burrow..."

"Sounds good. I was wondering eef you'd like to spend some time alone with me? We could go to
France and 'ave some alone time after we go meet my family…"

"So you want some alone time with me?" Hermione playfully asked, raising a brow.

"I really zought I 'ad already expressed my interest in eet..." Fleur let her hand wander under the
lioness shirt and up her side earning a moan from her. The blonde smirked. "Eef I could I would
simply spend your whole winter 'olidays with you in 'ere."

"On the floor?" Hermione laughed and Fleur rolled her eyes. "I know what you mean. What were
you thinking? About our alone time, I mean."

"I 'ave a cottage in Parc Naturel Régional du Haut Languedoc…"

"You have a cottage?"

"Oui… Grandmère gave eet to me after I came to age to the Veela."

"That's when the thrall comes to you." Fleur nodded.

"I used eet once or twice. When I needed to be alone… But I 'aven't been zere since I came to
England." Fleur explained. "Eet always felt too big for a person to leave alone… But I can
understand why she gave eet to me now. I've been wanting to go zere with you ever since we got
together…"
"Awn…"

"So I thought we could go zere before everyone joins us in France."

"I'd love to, Fleur…" Hermione beamed. "So, our schedule…"

"'ow long are your 'olidays?"

"It begins December 19th and ends January 3rd, so about two weeks."

"'ow about we spend 2 days at your parents, then 2 at the Burrow and go to France?"

"So we spend Christmas with your parents?"

"Oui." Fleur smiled at her girlfriend. "I guess you should get to know Christmas with the Clan."

"And what I should expect?"

"Grandmère usually gathers only our close family. But I 'ave zree aunts so close family ees a
relative term."

"So I'll get to know everyone at once?" Hermione's eyes widened.

"Not at once. Maman, Papa, Gabi and Grandmère first," the blonde chuckled. "Zee rest usually
arrive just before zee feast."

"Right." The lioness' voice shook. Fleur could feel her sudden nervousness and held her close.

"Zey will love you."

"I think I just said that. About my parents."

"Well, eet was zee truth. And ees still true when I say zat." She smiled and kissed just under the
brunette's jaw.

"Ok. I'll try not to think about that now." Hermione chuckled. "So, we spend the Christmas with
them. Then…?"

"Zen we go to zee cottage."

"Oh, so you can make me forget about your family?"

"No, so I can 'ave you all to myself. Maman, Grandmère and Gabi will monopolize you. I'm
completely aware of eet." Fleur teased.

"I see."

"We can go back to zee Delacours Villa by December 30th, along with everybody."

"New years eve at the Villa with friends and family…" Fleur nodded. "I like this plan of yours."

"Eet's set zen?"

"Yeah… I'll let everyone know then…"

"Don't you want to move from 'ere?"

 "I'd love to but you are looking comfy. I wouldn't dare to ruin it."

"I'm sure you can compensate me."

"Bed?"

"Oui."

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hello my dear readers! It's me, your friendly neighbour Celtic! Oh, and happy
Yule! I might post again on Christmas... I'm feeling like gifting you guys!

Cute meeting with the in-laws? And them teasing each other? I loved writing these!

Please comment, I'm always pleased to learn what you think!

Kudos keep me moving!

;3

See Yah!

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)

PPPS: I'll post another oneshot in a bit... So if you like a little Drarry, go read... Oh,
there's a hint of Pansmione
 Chapter 50
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Fleur had had a gruelling week. Between meetings with Tonks to figure out how the training would
go and actually working on whatever she was sent to (usually some Death Eater's house), the
blonde barely had time to sleep. At least she would spend the weekend with Hermione. She smiled
dreamingly at the thought of her girlfriend. They had spent the previous Sunday lounging at her
place, knowing that their quiet weekends were about to end.

"Hey! What are still doing here?" Fleur startled when her boss (and probably one of her closest
female friends) entered the training centre as she watched a group of trainees do a drill.

"Supervising zem." She answered, frowning at Tonks disapproving her sneaking on her.

"That's what you call thinking about the girlfriend these days?" The metamorphmagus (now with
bright pink hair) smirked. Fleur felt the blush creeping into her cheeks. "You have a free afternoon
every Friday until your vacation. And you are free on Mondays too. You need to rest and as far as I
know 'Mione she won't let you while training her." Tonks informed seriously. She saw a bright
smile creep into Fleur's face when she mentioned the lioness. "Damn, you are in this deep."

"I zought we 'ad already gone over zat." The blonde nodded at the pink-headed comment. "When
we discussed zee mates zing."

"Right. Go home, Fleur. You need your rest. And good luck with the training. If you need
anything, reach out. I might drop by tomorrow to see how they are doing..."

"Remus ees missing zee school eesn't 'e?"

"Yep. He is discussing the possibility of going back to teaching if the werewolves law pass. The
Golden Trio voice is helping, and most of his previous students say he was one of the best teachers
on DADA they had."

"Zat's great. I'd like to be a teacher eef eet wasn't for zee thrall."

"Isn't going to stop affecting random people after you mate?"

"Oui."

"That's what you plan on doing when you leave the force, isn't it?"

"Oui."

"Should I start searching for a replacement anytime soon?"

"Non. When we reach zat moment I'll let you know. But I'm zinking about training Mr Potter to do
so."

"I heard he's a good teacher."

"And a good fighter. 'e 'as potential."

"Hermione?"
Fleur shook her head. "You know zat she eesn't really into being an Auror. Eet's just zat she feels
like she needs to 'elp with all zese Death Eaters at loose."

"And she will be on the field for as long as you are." The blonde nodded, knowing why her
girlfriend had decided to join the team. "So you won't be on the field for long."

"Non. I've been zinking about simply training zee newbies. But only after we catch all zee running
Death Eaters."

"So she can go back to Jenkins." Fleur nodded. "I'd honestly enjoy having someone's help in the
office." Fleur made a face.

"I 'ate paperwork. You might need zee replacement sooner zan we zought."

"What would you teach, anyway?" Tonks looked at her curiously and started guiding the blonde
outside when another Auror senior entered the room to watch the trainees. "DADA?"

"Non. Potions. Eet 'as always been my passion... Transfiguration too, but something tells me zat
Minerva would only give 'er classroom to a very brilliant protégé of 'ers." Fleur said nonchalantly,
making Tonks laugh.

"You are probably right." They reached Fleur's office. "Go. Remember that we need progress
reports to keep Kings up to date with their training and development."

Fleur decided to use the rest of the time she had after arriving at home to take a nap. But she
actually decided to take a nap at Hermione's bed.

Hermione felt a bit restless twenty minutes into their History of Magic class. Sure, she usually was
like that on Fridays but it seemed a bit worse this time. The lioness tried with all her willpower to
pay attention to the ghost professor but clearly, her mind was just as stubborn as she was and forced
her focus to be on her very blonde and very gorgeous girlfriend. She sighed, earning a questioning
glance from her best friend. Hermione dismissed her simply shaking her head. She was a grown up
she should be able to focus on what she had to and not let her mind become one of a teenager and
focus on her French (gorgeous) girl. Her girl.

"Hermione, are you ok?" Harry asked in a whisper. She nodded. She was ok. She just… Wanted to
be close to her blonde.

"She's just anxious to see Fleur," Luna said in her dreamy happy voice. How that girl was really
able to read her that well was beyond her.

"Oh… That makes sense." Ginny smiled. "Your connection is stronger, right? With the hearing
thing?"

"That could be considered a sign, yes."

The group was basically ignoring the professor in front of them (honestly, just like everyone else)
and, if Hermione was to be honest, she had the feeling that the ghost usually ignored the students
as he went on and on about goblins wars. Why the curriculum hadn't been changed was an absolute
mystery to her.

"So, you know anything about the training?" Ginny asked, hopefully.

"You know I don't. Tonks made her swear not to tell me."
"Awn… I'm absolutely curious…"

"We'll find out tomorrow, Ginevra. Chill."

"WHOA! Who are you and what did you do with our 'Mione?" Ginny asked in a faux scandal.

"I asked her that exact question when she came up with the DA idea…" Harry chuckled but soon
grimaced apparently remembering her reasons.

"Excuse me, I know how to respect a secret, thank you very much!" exclaimed Hermione in a faux
offence.

"That I know. What you can't do is chill." Ginny laughed. Hermione tried to swat her arm but the
chaser saw it coming and ducked.

"Now now, Gin. That was before Fleur." Harry beamed at his sister. "'Mione has been quite chill
after she began to date the French lady."

"That's true." Luna nodded.

"Hey!" The brunette in question hissed.

"She is in need of her Veela. Urgently. Before she bites our heads out." Ginny teased. Hermione
decided to start ignoring her friends and try once more to focus on the teacher (not an easy task at
all as her restlessness was still in full swing). Forcing herself to tune out her friends and current
unease feeling, she tuned in the ghost teacher. Around the middle of their second class (seriously, it
was boring), Hermione started doing something rather uncharacteristic of her. She started doodling
on her notebook (one that she tried to keep up to date, classes and study).

"Are you drawing?" Ginny asked, leaning near her friend trying to see what the brunette was doing
in her notebook. Hermione quickly closed the book. "You totally were!"

"Leave her, Gin." Luna intervened and the brunette shot her a grateful smile as the ginger relented.

The class was dismissed and, as always (specifically after this class - on Friday) Hermione bolted
out of the room. Her friends following close as they were used to her antics on that day of the
week. The brunette was almost out of breath when she entered the living room she was kind of
used to see her blonde waiting for her, only to find it empty. She smiled dropped a bit and she
frowned.

"I could swear she was here…"

"Uh?" Harry asked.

"Fleur. I swore she was here already…"

"She'll be here soon, 'Mione," Ginny said, trying to calm her best friend. "Why don't you go
change? When you come back she must be here already."

Hermione nodded, still thinking it was weird that she could feel the blonde's scent so strongly but
still, the woman wasn't there. She climbed the stairs so focused on how weird it was that she ended
up not noticing that the scent only got stronger. That fact made her stop dead on her tracks at the
entrance of her room, staring at her bed. Staring at the blonde beauty peacefully sleeping on her
bed, hugging her pillow with a smile on her mouth. She beamed as she entered the room careful not
to wake her beloved. Changing into comfortable clothing, she sneaked into the bed and started
peppering her with kisses all over her face, gracefully and softly awakening Fleur.

"Mmmmm…" Fleur smiled, not opening her eyes. "'ello, ma Reine."

"Hello, my sleeping beauty…" She beamed and kissed the blonde softly. "How was your day?"

"Quite dull. Only got better when I could smell you 'ere. Now eet's perfect." The veela said,
holding the brunette close. "How was yours?"

"Uneventful. Thank Merlin! This year needs to be quiet, I deserve it."

"Indeed you do."

"But, love, when did you get here?"

"Not much after you got into class I zink. Tonks says zat as I'll be working all weekend with you
four, I'll 'ave Fridays afternoons and Mondays off. I wanted to rest but I also knew I'd be more
relaxed near you so I came 'ere. I'm sorry I didn't let you know."

"Nonsense. You can come here whenever you want, love. You are more than welcome. But it does
make sense."

"What makes sense?"

"I became quite restless about twenty minutes after History started. Now it makes sense as you
were here, closer…"

"You were restless? During class?" Hermione nodded. "I'm sorry, ma Belle. I should 'ave let you
know."

"At least now I know how I feel when you are close. Now, do we have anything left to do about
the reports?"

"We 'ave about four files and zen we will be done," Fleur answered quietly while kissing the top of
her head.

"And then I'll have you all to myself."

"You already do, Belle. But, oui."

"Great. Want to have dinner and wrap up this work?" She asked, beaming. Fleur simply nodded
before kissing her soundly.

They descended the stairs and found their friends lounging in the living room.

"So you found the veela in your bedroom?" Ginny teased. "You didn't need to worry."

"So you worried?" Fleur smiled at her.

"Well, I felt you near and your scent was strong but you weren't here and -" The blonde silenced
her with a peck on her lips. "Cute." She smiled affectionately.

"Uhm..." Harry cleared his throat to get their attention. "We thought we could have dinner with you
two and finish our homework here..."

Hermione nodded. "We just need to let Dobby know..."

After less than half an hour, they were all eating. Ginny made sure to tell Fleur about how
Hermione was during their class. Hermione was blushing when the redhead reached the moment
she had noticed Hermione was doodling on her notebook, not taking notes.

"Ginny!"

"What, 'Mione? Fleur asked how was class. History is the dullest of all with Binns and you were
completely out of character today."

"You were indeed out of sorts, 'Mione." Harry intervened.

"I guess eet was my fault..." Fleur smiled and explained what happened. They nodded
understanding what happened.

"Fleur! What is that training we are beginning?" Ginny suddenly changed subjects.

"Non, sorry, but I am not 'ere today as your coach. And I can't say anything about zee training. Just
zat eet will begin quite early." the new information earned a groan from the redhead.

"I told you she wouldn't give any information about it," Hermione said, smirking. Ginny simply
stuck out her tongue at her. "Real mature, Gin." But answered in the same manner, making the
table laugh along with themselves.

Dinner went through calmly, small talk was made but the moments of silence weren't unwelcome
nor uncomfortable. The mates went to work right after the table was magically clean, wanting to
enjoy each other soon enough and the other three were focused on their homework. Well, Harry
and Ginny were doing homework, Luna had finished hers along with Hermione, thus she was
reading quietly (a book about advanced defence spells). With the work done, the couple moved
themselves to the couch they usually shared and accioed the books they were reading, falling into a
comfortable position with Hermione sat with Fleur using her thighs as a pillow. The brunette
immediately started playing with the veela's hair.

"You finished for today?" Harry asked after seeing the two women settle into the couch.

"No. The work is done. Fleur will get everything to Kingsley on Tuesday." Hermione beamed at
her brother.

"Brilliant! Now you two will have some time to yourselves as we kind of robbed it with all the
training thing." He smiled and Hermione nodded.

"Oui! Now I'm able to get my witch out on a Friday night." Fleur said from behind her book. The
brunette woman could feel the happiness seeping from the blonde in full force and (in an
impressive manoeuvre) kissed her forehead. An hour later, Ginny and Harry had finished their
homework and were trying to fish something from Fleur about the next day. Said witch simply
smiled and refused to answer any questions.

"That's enough." Hermione interrupted her brother. "Fleur won't give you any information about
tomorrow. And it is tomorrow. It will soon be here." She looked at her girlfriend. "I'm quite tired.
I'm heading to bed."

"Right -"

"Goodnight, Ginevra. And don't you dare to make the joke you were about to say." She glared at
her friend, who threw her hands up as if asking for forgiveness. They said goodnight and went to
their room. As they went through their night routines, they exchanged glances and soft touches.
The mates relished in the way they fit together as they laid on the bed.

Fleur had been the one setting the alarm so Hermione had no idea of the ungodly hour she was
about to be awakened. She heard the noise from the contraption and groaned, peaking around the
room with only one eye open and noticing that it was still dark. She felt small kisses on her neck
and face.

"Why?" She groaned again.

"Because you decided you want to be an Auror and wants to start training before you finish school.
Now, up." Fleur smiled at her. "Good morning, my beautiful mate."

"Good morning, gorgeous…" Hermione sighed getting out of the bed. "What should I wear?"

"Comfortable sporty clothes." Fleur kissed her head and quickly changed into some workout
clothes before moving to awake the trio by the next door. The lioness chuckled as she heard
Ginny's loud cursing a bit after her blonde knocked on their door. She shook her head and moved
on with her morning routine. "Mon Coeur?"

"Yes, love?"

"I'm 'eading downstairs, ok?"

"Yeah." She had to transfigure some clothes as she didn't have any sporty clothes with her at
Hogwarts. She needed to get some back home, she realised as the first thing they were probably
supposed to do was aerobic. She left the room wearing black yoga pants (she didn't exactly like
how it clung to her legs but she was sure it was still quite chilly outside. She might also have
wondered what would be her girlfriend's reaction), a red tank top and a light Gryffindor-themed
jacket (she had never expected herself to have such house pride but there she was). Hermione
greeted her brother as he left his bedroom (rather grumpily) and they descended the stairs together.
The duo was silent as they grabbed their cups of coffee and fruits (the only available food there)
and took their captive place on the couches. Only Fleur was there and she wasn't fully awake either
(although she did ogle Hermione's legs, obviously enjoying the pants her girlfriend decided to
wear). The other two witches joined them a few minutes later, obviously still half asleep (mostly
Ginny, Luna had an amused expression as she watched her girlfriend). After eating, the group
followed their coach to the grounds. The castle was still asleep as they headed outside. While
following Fleur, the older lioness took her time to admire her girlfriend. The blonde was wrapped
in a similar outfit with only the theme changed into Beauxbatons' one. Straining her memory a bit,
Fleur's clothes remembered her of the beauty's outfit during the Tournament a few years back. So
much seemed to have passed that it felt like it was ages ago.

"I can feel your gaze, ma Reine." Fleur murmured in a way only she could listen. The brunette felt
her cheeks turn red.

"Uh..." Hermione had gone so far away that it took her a moment to gather her words. "It's quite
hard not to. You know you are making even the paintings look?" She smiled reaching to wrap her
arms around the blonde's waist.

"What I know ees zat you are certainly doing so too. I'm only not drooling over you because we are
on a schedule."

They spoke silently while the other three followed them talking (or not) amongst themselves. After
crossing the castle's doors, Fleur walked a bit more outside and made them form a circle.
"Bonjour, mon amies."

"It's still night, crazy French lady," Ginny grumbled, making the rest of the chuckle.

"You were zee one wanting to enter zee auror training earlier, Firecracker. Shall I remind you zat
zee default training course 'as zee duration of two years? I believe you'll be able to graduate as
Aurors by zee same time you'll graduate from 'ere." The blonde smiled at them. "Zat ees, eef you
can follow my instructions."

"Whatever, Phlegm," Ginny smirked. "What do we have to do? You already got us out in sport's
wear nonetheless, and I realize now it was only to see your girlfriend in yoga pants." Hermione felt
her face get hot. "And it's not even 5 yet."

"Ignore her, Fleur. She's just being her usual self in early mornings." The older lioness said and
Ginny glared at her then at Harry and Luna for snickering.

"I'm sorry for dragging you out of bed so early. But eef we don't, you'll never be able to graduate in
a few months." Fleur smiled at Ginny.

"Whatever. Go on."

"Well, let's go for a run. Zen we can go back inside for zee rest of today's training."

The rest of the group nodded and the blonde took off to lead the way. It was a simple track along
the lake although they made a few stops for them to catch their breaths as none of them (with the
exception of Fleur) were used to those long joggings.

"I definitely need to get back to working out." Hermione managed to say as she let her body drop
on the grass as Fleur said they were finished. The blonde smiled at her. She felt her clothes
clinging at her due to sweat and felt a bit gross but smiled back despite herself. "That's what you
planned, right? Making us notice that we need to go running." The blonde smiled sheepishly. "I've
been thinking about doing so since the beginning of the term, honestly. It's hardly your fault. But
you could have let me know and I'd have started two weeks ago." She punctuated her view on the
matter with a raised brow.

"I'd say it wasn't her prime concern after our tests…" Ginny noted from her spot on the grass. "And
I bet she enjoys seeing you all wet-"

"Thanks for letting us catch our breaths, by the way." Harry broke her off, sitting up. Fleur was the
only one standing and nearly dry. He shot an annoyed glare to the redhead, "I'd really like to keep
my mind off of what they do in private." Ginny simply smirked but kept silent.

"We should go… In an 'our we can 'ave a more proper breakfast." Fleur smiled at how Hermione
had blushed slightly at her friends comment and how Harry was absolutely embarrassed Harry
seemed.

"Where are we going to train?" Luna asked. Apparently, she was the last one to properly recover
from the activity.

"First zee pitch, zen zee Room of Requirement after we eat."

The group walked calmly to the first location. When they reached the Quidditch pitch, Hermione
finally decided to remove her jacket. As she began to do so, she noticed Fleur was staring at her.
She paused and raised an eyebrow, the blonde simply shrugged and moved closer as she resumed
her movement, dropping said jacked on the floor.
"You really look great in zese." The veela said into her ear as she wrapped her arm around her
waist. The lioness smiled and kissed her.

"Thanks… You too. But I'm currently gross."

"I might 'ave to say zat Ginny was actually absolutely correct in 'er assumption about you wet…"
Fleur whispered, tightening her hold. At that, Hermione had to hold back a moan. But, if the smirk
she could feel on her neck told her anything, she was certain the blonde knew exactly how her
words affected her. "I certainly would prefer you were like zat for a whole other reason but I 'ave to
be satisfied with zis right now."

Hermione's mind almost went blank. But, "And yet I find myself wet for a whole other reason. Or
way." She chuckled as she felt how aroused Fleur suddenly became and how the blonde's nails
lightly sunk into her skin (she might have had to hold in another moan). They kissed deeply,
knowing it couldn't last much longer.

"Oi, stop eating 'Mione's face out and train us! Harry's almost fleeing!" Ginny grinned at them as
they broke the kiss. "You can do that when we wrap everything up, Phlegm."

"Alright, as you apparently are the most eager, you'll go first, Firecracker." Hermione guessed
from Fleur's smirk that it wasn't exactly good. She saw the blonde take a deep breath and return to
her leading persona. "Your goal is to reach zee other side of zee field as quick as you can."

"Seems easy enough," Ginny said confidently.

Looking around, Hermione noticed Harry looking at Fleur as if suspecting something. Luna
seemed to be thinking the same thing she was herself. What was the trick? It was an easy job given
there was no other rule. The redhead got in position to begin running and Fleur reached for a
stopwatch in her pocket along with a whistle, blowing it for Ginny to begin. She took off. Or
rather, tried to. On her second stride, a colourful jinx hit her and drew her back. Searching for the
source of it, Hermione saw her favourite teacher (currently Headmistress) standing on the other
side of the field.

"What the hell?" Ginny cursed, getting back up.

"Sorry, I failed to inform…" Fleur was smirking once again. "You 'ave to do eet while you are
jinxed to come back."

"Great…" The redhead grumbled.

"You are not allowed to use your wand. Simply 'ave to dodge zee jinxes. Zey will simply push you
back." Fleur informed. "I'll let you restart."

"Thanks…" Ginny mumbled, clearly annoyed. As Fleur whistled again, they watched Ginny
advance and be forced back by a few spells she wasn't able to evade.

"McG?" Harry asked, making Hermione and Fleur look at him questioningly. He smiled then
rolled his eyes. "Ginny thought it was easier than saying her full last name. I quite agree." The
couple smiled at it and resumed watching the redhead, who was almost reaching their goal, run.

"I just wonder how none of us thought about it before," Hermione commented with a smile as
Ginny reached McGonagall.

"The twins are going to freak that they didn't think of it first."
 "Who's next?" Fleur asked after taking note of the redhead's time. "Minerva offered to 'elp as she
went zrough zee training too…"

They nodded and Hermione offered to go.

Fleur watched Hermione assume the starting position and whistled. She watched the witch begin
running. The brunette ran in zigzag and Fleur smiled, remembering it was one of the tactics listed
in a few of the books Tonks and herself had told them to read. She knew her girlfriend had simply
drunk from it. Fleur noticed that the jinxes weren't as spaced as they had been with Ginny. Minerva
might have noticed the younger witch's tactics.

"'Mione's is more difficult."

"Oui. Eet's Minerva."

"She always expects more from her." Luna added matter-factly."

"True."

Hermione reached the other side after being pushed back quite a few times but her timing was
good for the first time.

"I wonder how she's going to be at it after you two truly mate…" Luna mused.

"Really don't want to think about it." Harry groaned.

"I was sinking zee same, Lun." Fleur flashed a smile at the last two. "Next?"

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hello my dear readers! It's I, your friendly neighbour Celtic! I'm so so so so so
sorry it took me so long to update this... I was caught up with... Life. A lot happened
since I last updated this... So much it doesn't feel like two months...

Uuuh, plans! And McG helping with training! What did you think?

Oh, I recently wrote the M rated chapter... So it's coming! So much fun writing...

Please comment, I'm always pleased to learn what you think! Oh, and kudos!

;3

See Yah!

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)

PPS: So, I posted the Drarry oneshot, I'm feeling like writing the Pansmione side of
the story, what do you think? Go read the shortstory, leave me a review saying if you
want the girls side...
 Chapter 52
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

After eating breakfast at the Great Hall along with the other students, they went to the Room of
Requirement.

"So, endurance and reflexes. What now?" Ginny asked as they reached the room's floor.

"First venoms and potions zen stealth. Minerva will 'elp you with zat, 'er scores still are zee 'ighest
of zee department."

"Cat reflexes..."

"Ah," Hermione laughed wholeheartedly, "Harry and Ron found out how well they work at the
beginning of our first transfiguration class..."

"I'd rather not remember that," Harry whined but Hermione told the other three women how the
class went as they gave them curious gazes.

They hadn't finished studying potions when the Headmistress entered the room surprisingly not
dressed in her usual robes but in what Hermione guessed was the uniform she used while in the
Ministry forces. The brunette smiled at her favourite teacher who greeted them seriously. She
explained the training circuit they would have to go through and demonstrated it. The exercise
consisted of making the whole circuit without being noticed by the sensors. It had a difficulty
setting and Hermione could only name the one the professor had demonstrated as being the
ultimate epic. It was obvious that some traces of McGonagall's other form leaked into her human
form. The moment she completed the circuit for the first time, she exhaled. She had lost count of
how many times she had to retry because she got caught at some point. It was obviously magical
so it changed every fucking time she went in. The others didn't fare much better. Except for Luna.
She had to go only three times to make it. But the Headmistress changed the settings and sent her
in again.

"That was good for your first day." Her favourite professor said. "You should be proud, Miss
Granger. Most trainees take a whole more of time and effort to get to where you are."

"Eet's true, 'ermione." Fleur smiled, seeming proud. "Zee last batch of trainees took more zan a
month to be remotely close…"

"Bet my brother was the worst one…" Ginny laughed.

"Oui." The older blonde glanced at the redhead grinning. "'e was one of the last ones to get eet. I'm
not sure 'e does yet."

"I'll pretend you didn't say a thing about one of your trainees, Miss Delacour. Mostly because I'm
definitely not satisfied with Mr Weasley's recent adventures…" The professor offered with the
ghost of a smile on her mouth. "Now, I'm required at my office. And you five should head to the
Great Hall for lunch." She then excused herself and went her way.

"I think it goes without saying that we need to train that a lot more." Hermione murmured mostly
to herself after the headmistress left.
"That applies to everything we did so far." Harry smiled wryly.

"That means schedules updates." Ginny groaned but looked at Hermione expectantly.

"Yeah, yeah…" The older lioness rolled her eyes. "I'll deal with the schedules but I refuse to wake
you up. Far too much trouble."

"I'm obviously not a morning person."

Tonks showed up after lunch, smiling. "How's Golden Squad going?"

Hermione couldn't help but groan. "Seriously?"

"Bill might 'ave started it…" Fleur smiled, "Unfortunately every one liked zee nickname."

"So you don't like it either?" Hermione asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Non, I know 'ow you 'ate zee nicknames. I actually tried to make 'im stop…"

"Fortunately, it had already got to me." Tonks beamed. "Your girlfriend can be pretty scary…"

"Or whipped." Ginny offered, making the metamorphmagus laugh.

"Indeed, red. Indeed."

The day of intense training left them deeply drained. After Fleur declared that it was a wrap, the
group dragged themselves to their living quarters and dropped themselves at the couches, trying to
regain some energy to get clean and head down again to dinner. A burst of green light startled all
of them.

"Why are all of you still here?" Mrs Weasley questioned, looking at them. Hermione looked at her
quizzically. "Go clean yourselves already! I don't care how tired you are. You are all completely
sweaty."

"Uhm, Mrs Weasley?" Hermione began.

"Yes, dear? And I told you to call me Molly…"

"Uh, sorry… Molly. Why are you here?" The brunette was completely confused, her brain
apparently was refusing itself to work properly.

"Bill told me today would be your first day of training, dear. I just wanted to check on you all…"
The elder redhead smiled at her and then to the other. Hermione noticed how her eyes fixated on
how her three friends were close and obviously drawing comfort from each other. "Go freshen up.
All of you. I'll sort your food…"

The brunette noticed that Fleur was in better shape than them but also pretty much drained as they
climbed the stairs.

"You go first. I'll be right here." Hermione said, sitting in the armchair she had in her room.
"Trying to make my brain and body collaborate…"

"Okay…" Fleur smiled and kissed her before sorting something to wear and entering the bathroom.
The sound of the water hitting the floor soothed Hermione and she found herself drifting into sleep.
She woke up with Fleur's soft voice calling her. The blonde was wearing pyjamas. Her's more
specifically. Well, it's pants as she was wearing a white tank top.
"You definitely look better in those than I do." Hermione blurted out. She felt her face get hot as
she realized she had spoken out loud. Fleur was smiling sweetly.

"Go take a shower, silly. Eet will make you feel better."

When they got to the common area again, they were greeted by the smell of Molly's cooking and a
table full of food. Hermione felt her mouth water and smiled at the older redhead.

"Thank you, Molly!"

"It's nothing, dear."

Half an hour later, the other three got downstairs. All of them looking a bit preoccupied Hermione
noticed but shrugged as her stomach made her focus on the food she was about to eat.

"Uh, mum…" Ginny began, after half of her plate was empty. As soon as she started talking, Luna
and Harry stopped eating. Hermione noticed that their hands reached the ginger.

"Yes, Ginny?"

"Uh… Luna… Luna, Harry and-and I…" Hermione watched her gulp. She felt for her friend, she
could completely understand her current fear. "We…"

"Dear, you don't have to tell me anything you are not ready to." The older redhead smiled at her
only daughter, who was looking at her with wide eyes.

"We are dating." She blurted.

"Yes." Molly smiled warmly. "Good to know you are all family…"

"Mom?"

"Ginny, you seriously thought I would admonish you for being in love? I've seen you about two
times since you came in this year and I ask myself how I didn't see that before. You three work
well together." Ginny was in tears as Molly finished talking, Luna was holding her and Harry had
moved closed and was trying to comfort her. "You want me to talk to Arthur?"

"N-no. I will."

"He'll see exactly what I'm seeing, I'm sure." Molly offered. Harry smiled sheepishly at her as did
Luna. "Now, you should eat."

The Weasley matriarch said goodnight after dinner, saying she had to take care of something at the
burrow. The group stayed in the common room for a bit then got to their rooms. Hermione had
dragged herself upstairs and automatically moved to the bathroom to finish her night routine. She
felt like a zombie, her eyes were closing. She heard her girlfriend snicker behind her as she made
her way to the bed and narrowed her eyes at her.

"You look really cute when you are zat tired..." Fleur smiled and followed her to the bed. "Sorry,
you were so cute I couldn't take eet."

Hermione groaned and dropped herself into the mattress. She immediately supported herself on her
arms and readjusted her alarm clock so she would have time to run and do some of the training
before class.

"Do you want company? I guess Ginny won't be awake nor will Luna or Harry..."
"I wouldn't say no to your company even if they were to be awake, love. Although I think it's
possible that Luna will be awake..." Hermione smiled and kissed Fleur. She rolled to her side as
Fleur slid under the sheets, so she could curl up to the blonde's side. "G'night..." She mumbled and
smiled as she felt her girlfriend kiss her forehead, hold her closer and whisper sweet dreams to her.

The lioness woke up the next day to her blaring alarm, obviously. It would take at least one week
for her to get used to the new schedule. She groaned and turned the noise off.

"Bonjour, ma Belle..."

"Bonjour, gorgeous. Are you sure you want to go with me? You can sleep in..."

"Oui, more time with you. And I can always sleep more afterwards..."

"Right... You have Mondays off now... We should move. I need to come back here to change and
all..."

Hermione still felt like dying while they ran. She knew it would get better in no time if she got the
pace right. By the time she had set as her limit to be able to get ready for the day came, Hermione
and Fleur had gone through the running and reflexes training; just as she had planned, obviously.
They went back to her quarters hand in hand, the lioness taking in her presence.

"You zink-" "Will you-" They said at the same time, Fleur motioned her to continue.

"Will you stay in the castle? I doubt Dobby would have a problem with arranging something for
you to eat…"

"Ah, I'm not sure. You weren't really able to focus last Friday and I don't want you to-"

"I doubt it will be a problem, love…"

"But I'll only see you by zee end of zee day, oui?"

"Yeah…"

"So what do you say I steal your pillow for now and go 'ome and zan I'll come back for dinner?"
Fleur suggested.

"Sure…" Hermione beamed and hurried to get ready for class. The blonde smiled and waited for
her to finish her shower. By the time Hermione had everything she needed for the day and was
completely dressed, Fleur emerged from the bathroom wearing pyjamas and looking quite sleepy.
The French witch hugged her and kissed her deeply.

"'ave a great day, mon Ange."

The rest of the day Hermione focused on her classes, forcing herself to only think about dinner with
the blonde in transit time (while she walked to one class to the other) or lunch.

"You are too sweet for your own good." Ginny rolled her eyes when she, Harry, and Luna entered
the living room and were greeted by Fleur and Hermione lying on the couch snuggling. The older
lioness flipped her off. "Hey! That was a compliment!"

"Didn't sound as such." Hermione rolled her eyes. Fleur went home not much later, after
convincing Hermione that she should sleep earlier although the lioness had said she had quite a bit
of homework to do.
She didn't train alone for the rest of the week. Luna had made a point of going with her. Which she
only allowed after the blonde guaranteed she didn't wake up earlier on Monday because she had
assumed Fleur would run with her. By Friday, she had fallen into a routine and easily woke up and
did everything she had to without feeling her body completely tired. The first whole weekend of
training was heavy and she got absolutely drained by its end, although she wouldn't really admit it
to anyone. She was sure Fleur was aware of it when the blonde looked at her apologetically.

By the middle of the next week, she received a letter from Fleur, delivered in the middle of the day
from Dobby. It said she would have to attend a few important meetings of the flock and would be
forced to be away from England for a week or two. Hermione was not happy, much to her friend's
dismay her humour had gone from cheerful to completely sour in the time she read the letter. At
least Fleur had asked the Minister and Minerva to allow a floo connection between their fireplace
and the one on her bedroom in France and they would be able to communicate. Unfortunately, it
wouldn't be possible for them to go completely through the connection. Hermione wasn't pleased,
obviously, but was determined not to let the blonde's absence make her lose focus. If anything, she
was even more driven and focused than ever. She was also acutely aware that her three friends
were almost trying to evade her which made her aware that they were getting annoyed.
McGonagall, Tonks and Bill were filling in for the blonde when it came to the training. The
Headmistress approached her after lunch when it completed a whole week of Fleur at France.

"Hermione, could you please come to meet me at my office by the end of the day?"

"Of course, professor."

"I'll see you before dinner then."

The animagus left then, leaving a curious Hermione behind. A few hours later, the brunette was
making her way to the headmistress office, her mind racing on what could be the motive for her
request. As she reached the top of the gargoyle's stair, she noticed the door was open. She knocked
anyway.

"Come in, Hermione."

"Good evening, Headmistress."

"Call me Minerva, Hermione. You earned it a long time ago." She smiled at the younger witch as
the brunette felt her cheeks heat a little bit. "And good evening." She motioned to Hermione to take
a sit in front of her then moved to the tea chart. "Tea?"

"Sure." In no time a cup was levitating towards the brunette student. Minerva sat beside Hermione
and a tray of sandwiches appeared on her table in front of them.

"You're probably wondering why I requested you to come." Hermione nodded. "Hermione, I won't
say it wasn't expected but I'm starting to get a bit concerned." The brunette simply waited for the
professor to continue, "I'm obviously aware that miss Delacour is in France. I imagine your absurd
amount of focus on school and the training comes from you not wanting to focus on the fact she's
not here." Minerva said it so matter factly that Hermione felt herself blush and stared at her shoes.
"Now, I'm far from admonishing you for your way of coping, but it cannot be healthy. Why don't
you take tomorrow off and go visit your parents?"

"But-"

"It wasn't exactly a suggestion, Hermione. You need to relax a bit. I'll make sure you receive
everything you'll miss, obviously. And on Friday you can go back to your overly focused self.
Have in mind that Fleur won't be very happy to find you overworked. More than you already
usually are, I mean." Minerva gave her a tight-lipped smile. She nodded, knowing the professor
was right. "Now, we might as well eat some dinner."

Hermione sighed as she walked to the shared quarters, her face yet to lose the blush it acquired
when the headmistress called her out for overworking herself. She was greeted by the blonde
Claw, the two other were outside complying the training routine she had already done in the
morning.

"How did it go?" Luna smiled as she walked in and asked in her usual dreamy tone.

"McGonagall dismissed me from class tomorrow and sent me home for the day." She sighed once
more. "She seems to think I'm overworking myself…"

"You are, Hermione. You know that. Anyway, Fleur flooed about ten minutes ago to say she's
already back… I said I'd let you know. When Gin and Har come back can you let them know I'll be
upstairs, please?" The brunette smiled and nodded.

She fire-called Fleur, not really waiting for Luna to leave.

"Bon Soir, ma Reine!" Fleur beamed at her. "What did Minerva need to talk to you, Coeur?"

"Hi, gorgeous…" Hermione felt herself blush and explained the culprit of the meeting with the
Headmistress.

The blonde chuckled. "Oh, 'ermione… Eef eet makes you feel any better, maman and Grandmère
are trying to make me calm down…" She shrugged, "I guess I'm being a bit too much. I miss you.
Quite too much for my own good. Zey are trying to move zings quickly but zee ozer veelas are a
bit relentless."

"I never asked, what happened?"

"Zis month yes zee flock's annual meeting. I usually don't come to eet but apparently, our unusual
bonding raised curiosity and zee whole flock wanted to see me or speak to me. Eet came
unexpectedly because grandmère 'as been trying to placate zem so I wouldn't 'ave to come… I
didn't even remember about eet…"

"Oh, I see…"

"Zey are all zrilled to get to know you too. I guess zey are proud I'm your mate."

Hermione nodded understandingly. "I just wished you didn't have to stay away so long…"

"As do I, mon Reine. As do I." Fleur looked away from the fireplace for a bit and smiled. "Maman
said you should be sleeping already…"

Hermione smiled. "Tell her I would if it wasn't for her beautiful daughter."

"Well sat would be a lie, mon Coeur. We boz know you'd be reading or doing some 'omework. I
guess she's just missing Gaby already."

"Send her and grandmère my love, please… I look forward to meeting them."

"You are nervous as fuck zat ees." Fleur laughed and she made a face, showing her tongue. They
resumed their talk and half an hour later Ginny and Harry entered the room. Their noise alerted her
 and she signalled for the blonde to wait a minute, she removed herself from the floo and greeted
her friends.

"'ello you two!"

"Hey, Blondie!" Ginny answered as Fleur made herself present by flooing her face. Harry smiled at
her.

"Where's your zird part?"

"Upstairs, I guess…" Harry answered and Hermione nodded. "We're just back from running and
are heading up too. Good night you two…" The couple made their way to the stairs.

Hermione and Fleur continued talking for a bit until they were both yawning more than talking.

"You should have some sleep, love. You have some serious meetings after all…" Hermione smiled
warmly.

"You just want me gone so you can sleep too."

"I actually want you here so I can have some real sleep." The brunette answered without a beat.
She smiled wryly.

"I can't wait to 'ave you in my arms again. I can't sleep well eizer, mon Ange." Fleur smiled. "Good
night, 'ermione. Je t'aime."

"G'night, babe. Je t'aime aussi."

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hello my dear readers! It's I, your friendly neighbour Celtic! Ok, I'll stop
apologising. I obviously am unable to keep a regular updating schedule so I should
stop promising things I can't. One of my girlfriends reads this through here and I think
she might be wanting to kill me. LOL

What did you think?

Please review, I'm always pleased to learn what you think!

And kudos are life!

;3

See Yah!

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)

PPS: So, I posted the Drarry oneshot, I'm feeling like writing the Pansmione side of
the story, what do you think? Go read the shortstory, leave me a review saying if you
want the girls side...
 Chapter 52
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

The next day went well. Better than Hermione had thought it would at least. She had been afraid
her parents would be stuck in the clinic the whole day but they ended up being free almost all the
time. The couple smiled when she reached them by the fireplace and asked if she could go through
and spend the day with them. They were ecstatic though a bit concerned as to why she had a free
day in the middle of the week. Hermione explained, not really bothering to hide the real motive of
it. Her mother would notice that something was off and would end up figuring it out.

"So, you're in that bad, uh?" Her father had teased as he hugged her. She simply shrugged.

She was back in Hogwarts right after dinner and just in time to talk to Fleur for a bit (almost an
hour) and then dive back into her studies. Hermione was grateful for the Headmistress'
interference, it was a great day. The days that followed were more or less the same, she woke up
missing Fleur and spent the day focusing on her classes and homework and training. She obviously
missed the blonde every waking hour and the only way she was able to sleep was of tiredness. It
was Tuesday night and she was whining to herself laying on the couch not really reading her book.
Her friends were taking a break from their homework (she had already finished hers) and trying her
best not to disturb her, she had been especially on edge the whole day.

"And 'ere I zought I'd receive at least a welcoming kiss..."

Hermione's head shot up, the voice startling her and the accent washing over her. In a fraction of a
second, she was in the blonde's arms.

The brunette had moved so fast that Fleur would have thought she had apparated in her arms if she
hadn't seen her run to her.

The blonde had reached the school through Minerva's fireplace as it had direct communication with
the minister's office. She had walked to the heroes' quarters briskly, not wanting to take more time
than necessary. She has missed Hermione deeply and couldn't wait to see her in flesh. The French
witch stopped in front of the painting that would give her access to the living room and asked it to
be as silent as possible after giving it the password she knew by heart already.

Walking into the room she gestured for the other occupants to remain silent (they smiled and
relented to the request) and smiled as she watched the brunette grumble into the book she could see
she wasn't really reading. After a few minutes, she gave in to the longing and spoke, startling her
girlfriend.

"You are early!" Hermione nearly shouted in excitement.

"'ello, Mon Chérie..." She smiled into the crook of the brunette's neck, inhaling her scent. Gods, she
missed her. "Zanks to Grandmère. She said I was to come back today and zat zere was no reason
for me to stay zere and keep me away from you. She and Maman weren't 'appy when zee flock
demanded my presence."

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"

"I wanted to surprise you…" Fleur kissed the top of the brunette's head and moved so she could
look into Hermione's eyes. She always got lost in them. Her eyes roamed around the other witch's
face then landed on her soft lips. She leaned down and brushed her own on them. It felt like taking
in a gasp of air after holding your breath for a bit too long. She felt her heart race and her body
relax while her stomach could barely contain the butterflies in it. She sighed and smiled into the
soft kiss and felt Hermione do the same. She pulled the brunette closer and deepened the kiss.
Fleur faintly heard their other three friends leave the room and go to their room. She snickered. "I
guess we kind of zrew zem out…" She mumbled into Hermione's lips.

"They are big enough to deal. Your accent is thicker." Hermione smiled, the blonde noticed the
smile reach her eyes.

"I guess I spent too long speaking strictly French, je suis désolé."

"Oh, I'm not. I like how you sound. One of the many perks of dating a French lady, I guess." The
brunette beamed and pecked her lips then nipped her lower lip lightly. Fleur held back a groan at
the action. "You'll stay?"

"Oui. I'll 'ave to go to work tomorrow but I can't wait anozer zree days to 'old you in my sleep, ma
Belle. Eef you don't mind, of course." Before she could finish her last phrase, Hermione took her
hand and practically ran upstairs. As she closed the door behind her, Fleur felt the brunette's arms
around her middle and leaned into her.

"Merlin, I missed you."

"Moi aussi."

"Trying to lure me into your bed, Delacour?" Hermione breathed into the blonde's neck chuckling.

"Moi? Jamais! (Me? Never!)" Fleur lulled her head to the side to give the brunette free reign. "It's
more like you luring me into yours…" She sighed as she felt light kisses down her neck, into her
shoulder. The other witch's low laughter made her breath catch.

"As much as I want to keep holding you like that forever, we should get ready to bed." Fleur
couldn't stop the small whine that escaped her lips as the brunette stepped back. They basically ran
through their night routines. The couple met in bed both beaming at the prospect of spending the
night in each other's arms.

Fleur reached for Hermione as soon as they were both laying down and pulled her into a deep kiss.
She tried to convey everything she was feeling at the moment and kissed her lovingly. Hermione
responded in equal care. The kiss got more heated and they pulled back panting and smiling
broadly. Hermione moved so she was on top of Fleur and the blonde sighed as she felt her weight
on her along with her body pressing on hers. The lioness smiled softly and traced her eyebrow with
her right hand, then her jaw and then her lips. She could feel the obvious love in the brunette's
gaze. Hermione held her softly and leaned down to meet her lips once again. It got heated in no
time, the bookworm straddling her hips. Fleur's hands had a mind of their own (not that she would
complain) and located themselves on the brunette's thighs soon moving up and landing on the swell
of her butt. Hermione ground onto her as she squeezed her ass and moved her lips into the blonde's
neck. They were both panting. As lips connected again, Fleur slowly moved her hands to the
brunette's sides and tugged on the sleep shirt she was wearing (she faintly took notice it was one of
her old t-shirts). They pulled back, a silent question in Fleur's eyes. Hermione simply nodded with
a smile and leaned in again. A gasp left both mouths as the blonde's hand made contact with the
brunette's stomach skin. Fleur felt her muscles move slightly as she brushed her fingers on smooth
skin, she heard a soft sigh and allowed her had to hike a bit, brushing just under Hermione's
breasts. A small moan and the kiss got a bit more fierce. Her hands squeezed the brunette's sides as
soon as the kiss got more heated, swallowing a slightly louder moan. Fleur smiled. Hermione
pulled off looking into Fleur's eyes. The blonde understood the request and helped her out of her
shirt. She was rendered speechless.

"Merde (Fuck)" Was the only word she was able to breath out as she admired her girlfriend's half-
naked body.

She let her right hand roam, first on her stomach then her sides and then her right breast, earning a
loan moan. Fleur used her free hand to prop herself up and kiss the brunette. She swallowed
another moan as her fingers caressed the brunette's right nipple. She felt Hermione's blunt nails dig
into her lower back as a tug on her shirt and broke the kiss to allow the lioness to remove her shirt
then laid on her back again. It was the brunette's moment to be left in a loss for words. Hands ever
so softly ran up her abs, they held each other's gazes. Hermione's thumb running across her nipple
deliberately, ripping a moan from her mouth. The brunette ground into Fleur. The blonde moaned a
bit louder and raised her upper body in order to kiss Hermione. Her hands roamed on her back and
landed on the lioness' bum. In a flash, she was on top of Hermione eliciting a deep moan from her.
Then their upper bodies fully met. And they both moaned into the kiss their hands wandering on
each other's bodies. Their skin together felt heavenly. Eventually, they simply stared into each
other's eyes. Fleur kissed her softly and leaned down to place a soft kiss over her collarbone.

"I love you." She spoke softly into Hermione's skin. She could feel the other witch's happiness
overcome her lust and Hermione's lips at the top of her head.

"I love you too, Fleur." The words were spoken as soft as ever. If anyone else was in the room they
wouldn't be able to hear the exchange or understand how such a heated moment turned into a soft
one in a matter of seconds. Fleur smiled, still buried in the brunette's neck and moved a bit to kiss
her softly. They fell asleep like that, finding rest for their longing and basking on each other
presence. Fleur eventually moved in her sleep lodging herself against Hermione's side, her head
over her shoulder.

Fleur woke up to fingers running up and down her naked back. She smiled and sighed. Her arm
was draped over Hermione's stomach and she closed her eyes, her thumb caressing the skin under it
which happened to be just below her breast and elicited a gasp from the brunette.

"Mmm… Bonjour, ma Reine."

"Bonjour, love…" The comfortable silence that fell upon made them sigh and bask on the moment.
It was interrupted by Hermione's alarm going off.

"Run?"

"Yep. Join me?"

"Toujours (always)," They went on their morning routine smiling and stealing glances of each
other as they changed into sports gear. "Are you excited for zee break?" The blonde asked as they
walked out of the castle and stretched, the question popping into her head as she saw how chill the
grounds were.

"Yes. And nervous. I haven't talked to Ron again after everything, I don't know how he's going to
react seeing me there. Ginny says she'll smack his brains out of him if he even thinks about being
an ass to me, or you. I just… I don't know. And I'm obviously nervous, anxious, and fracking out
about meeting your family." Hermione said the last phrase almost in a whisper.

"Eef 'e tries anyzing I'll be here wiz you. And as for my family, they are really excited to finally
meet you properly. Everything will be just fine. And then you'll have me all to yourself." As she
added the last phrase, she took off. Leaving a slightly flustered Hermione behind.

"You know, the whole idea was to run together," Hermione said after almost catching up with the
blonde. Fleur felt her gaze on her. "Not that I'm complaining given the view." Fleur chuckled as
they adjusted their pace for the run and fell into their usual rhythm.

"Good to know." The blonde smirked.

The rest of the week and then the next went on smoothly, Fleur trained them in the weekend and
they talked every day by floo or even letters. Fleur entered the living room of their Hogwarts
quarters and found two closed trunks near the fireplace she had just come through and two open
and overflowing trunks on the table. It didn't take her a minute to guess to whom they belonged. A
moment later she was engulfed by her girlfriend's arms and pulled away from her musings. She
smiled dopely as she thought of spending two whole weeks with Hermione away from Hogwarts
came to her mind. They kissed and sat. She took in the room for a second time, seeing it neatly
organized except for the school trunks. Then she heard a small commotion and down came the
owners of the open trunks carrying more stuff. Harry seemed to be carrying the heaviest load, both
of their Quidditch gear and a few clothes while Ginny carried a couple of books and some neatly
folded clothes.

"Why are you packing now?" She asked, very amused. "Actually, why are you doing eet 'ere, not
in your room?"

"Hi to you too, Blondie." Ginny flashed a smile at her and focused back on packing.

"Hey, Fleur!" Harry greeted, handing the redhead what he was carrying one by one. "More space
and our things are kind of scattered here and in Gin's room…"

"That and they don't seem to be able to organize everything so it really fits. I'm waiting for them to
finish so I can either sit on it for it to close or cast an organizing spell…" Luna said while reading
the Quibbler.

"And we thought we had until tomorrow to finish packing," Harry added.

"Don't you?" Fleur asked Hermione as the man had already focused again on his baggage.

"Minerva said we can go after the feast. They have been crazy packing since lunch as History of
Magic ended last week."

"Since when you call McG, Minerva?" Ginny plopped down by Luna as if giving up on packing.

"Since she told me to do so." Hermione focused back on Fleur. "You are invited to the feast by the
way…" Fleur nodded. The brunette leaned in and kissed her. "Hi. I missed you." That made them
laugh.

"'ello, ma belle. Moi aussi." Fleur grinned. "When yes zat feast? I'm starving."

"Bill failed to give you food again?" Hermione laughed as the blonde nodded, pouting."Poor
girl…" She kissed her cheek and checked the clock. "We could get going already. If these two are
finished."

"Oh, we are." Ginny sighed. "We just need help closing them." They all laughed.

"So, where will you 'ead now? I mean, we are supposed to get to your parents only tomorrow…"
Fleur asked after they re-entered the living quarters, post-feast and 'happy holidays' wishes to the
first years' group that sat with them.

"Uhm… I need to go home and fix the rest of my things as we won't go back until the end of the
break." Hermione answered after shrinking her trunk and putting it in her pocket. Fleur nodded
fighting back the pout that wanted to be on her lips. "Then we could sleep at yours?" She added
smiling.

Fleur couldn't help but beam.

"Why does blondie look like a kid who just won a shit load of candy?" Ginny had just got in from
the common room after one last look in her official room to see if they were forgetting something.

"'Mione just said she wanted to sleep at hers," Luna answered from the couch.

"Oh…"

"She was almost pouting before." The Claw added.

"…"

"I said I needed to go home." Hermione chuckled. Fleur did pout this time only so Hermione would
kiss it away. "You ready?"

"Eager, are we?" Ginny smirked.

"I really don't want to think as to why is that." Harry groaned.

"Oh, come on, babe!" The redhead laughed. "All set." Luna had helped Harry closing the trunks
and they were all under feather-light spells already, waiting to be shrunk. Hermione sent her
patronus to Minerva and they left.

"Will you help me finish packing?" Hermione asked Fleur as soon as they were both in her and
Harry's flat. The blonde nodded. They spent about an hour sorting through clothes, shoes and
books (obviously), then headed down and joined their friends for a glass of wine.

"So, we'll see you on Monday…" Hermione said as they said goodbye. The trio nodded. "We'll
spend like two days then-"

"Head to France, we know…" Ginny interrupted rolling her eyes. "Then us and the Fam will meet
you there for the New Year. We have gone through this quite a few times. we have your schedule
to give it to mum. Go, enjoy the night." She added wiggling her eyebrows making Harry groan.
"Enjoy your parents. We'll see you in about two days." Hermione nodded and took Fleur's hands.

Fleur woke up before Hermione and watched her peaceful slumber.

"Creep," Hermione said, her voice thick with sleep, but smiled into her skin.

"Bonjour, ma Belle…" Fleur chuckled. "I can't 'elp watching you."

"Mmm… Good morning." Hermione kissed her shoulder and moved her head so she could look at
her. Fleur only saw love in her eyes and couldn't help but kiss her forehead. "I'll accept that but I
need coffee…" Fleur smiled and nodded.

"I shall provide eet zen."

"Mm…" Hermione caressed the blonde's cheek.

"Meet me in five at zee kitchen?" The brunette nodded, smiling. Fleur started the water and
prepared everything to make some coffee for them. Then she started slicing some fruit for them.
The second the coffee was ready, Hermione reached the kitchen. "You're just in time."

"Smells good…"

"You smell good."

"Charmer."

"Well, I'm French after all…"

"That you are." Hermione beamed and kissed her. Fleur then offered her a cup of coffee. The
brunette accepted it and sighed as she took a sip of it. "Gods, this coffee is good."

"Oui…" Fleur smiled over her cup of coffee. "Now, you want to go for a run?"

"That would be good…"

"I looked around and zere's a gym nearby zat we can go eef you want."

"Sure... I guess it's best not to completely stop running..."

"'ow 'ave you kept running? Eet's quite cold at 'ogwarts... Zee ozer Tuesday we almost froze."

"Oh, I figured I could use the Room of Requirement... Harry is still thanking me for thinking of it.
He and Gin have been practically freezing for quite some time I think... I love him, but sometimes
he can be quite slow. He has known the room since our first year and keeps forgetting it exists and
how it works." Hermione rolled her eyes and Fleur chuckled.

"Uhm..." They had finished the food and were simply enjoying the warmth of the rest of their
coffee. "Zen shall we? As you told me we 'ave to be at your parents before lunch..."

"Sure. Let's change." Hermione smiled and pecked her lips. "And they want you to call her mom
and dad..." She added with a smirk. Fleur hummed in acknowledgement.

They were back in the apartment in about two hours still sweaty but with happy smiles and full
bellies (they might have decided to go to their favourite coffee), and finished packing in a few
minutes. Fleur made a bit of a show packing some of her coffee grains making Hermione beam.

"You are the most thoughtful girlfriend anyone could hope for."

"You're lucky you 'ave me zen," She smirked

"And oh so humble!" The brunette laughed. They took their baggage (two backpacks magically
expanded and featherlightened) and left the flat as they had decided to get to Hermione's childhood
house the muggle way. Fleur beamed as they walked towards the bus stop. "Have you used the
muggle public transportation here?"

"Oui, once. Eet was... Interesting." She laughed. "At least zey took my awkwardness for being
foreign..." Fleur told her how she didn't even know how the bus worked much less how to get it to
stop for her. So she travelled quite a bit until she noticed how the muggle did it. Hermione laughed
and shook her head. "Zis time I'm with an amazing muggle-born witch whom, for my luck, like me
and won't let me get lost again. 'opefully..." Hermione kissed her cheek and let her hold her while
 they waited for the right bus.

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hello my dear readers! It's I, your friendly neighbour Celtic! Won't apologise.
But really it didn't take me as long as the last one to update. What did you think?
Vacay finally!

Please review, I'm always pleased to learn what you think!

;3

See Yah!

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)

PPS: So, I posted the Drarry oneshot, I'm feeling like writing the Pansmione side of
the story, what do you think? Go read the shortstory, leave me a review saying if you
want the girls side...
 Chapter 53 - The Grangers
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Hermione had to make good use of all her self-control in the way to her childhood home as her
blonde was oozing nervousness. She smirked at the thought of her being nervous, the French witch
had left such a great impression on her parents that her last visit to them left her thinking they liked
her even more than herself. Smiling, she wrapped her arm on Fleur's after they got out of the bus.

"Why are you nervous?" She inquired.

"I'm n-"

"You do remember that we have this bonding, right?" Hermione raised her eyebrow to make sure
she delivered her message: don't you dare lie.

"Je ne sais pas. (I don't know.)" She heard the blonde they walked along the street she had grown
up.

"They love you already. You swept them out of their feet last time. They could only talk about you.
Last time I visited." Hermione kissed her girlfriend's cheek and smiled at her. Looking around she
noticed where they were and she beamed as her memories came to her. They were walking by a
small square with a children's park in it. "I used to play here," she informed Fleur while pointing at
the park. "Once, I was so mad at a little boy who kept making fun of me that I basically made him
fall on his ass while he played on that spinner. All of the other kids laughed while he tried to
understand what happened."

"Was zat your first spontaneous magic?"

"No. Mom says I was two when she noticed a few odd things happening."

"Such as...?"

"Such as a two-year-old toddler appearing on the top of the fridge happily chomping on cookies
freshly made by me." Hermione heard her mother answer as they reached the house's threshold.
They smiled at each other. "Or a three-year-old girl sat on the floor reading a book I was sure I left
completely out of her reach."

She heard Fleur chuckle and looked at her. "Of course one at least one would be related to books."
The blonde shook her head as kiss her cheek before properly greeting her in-laws. "Eet's a pleasure
to see you again."

"Equally, Fleur."

"Maman and Papá sent zeir regards and are anxiously waiting for you to visit zem. Zey 'ope you'll
accept zeir invitation for zee New Year's Eve." Hermione heard Fleur politely say to her parents
who beamed. She caressed the blonde's shoulder and greeted her parents.

"Yes, we will meet you the day before as we still have a few things to take care here after
Christmas." Her mother answered.

Her dad clapped his hands and informed them that the food was ready. After eating, they remained
sat, chatting.

"So, what do you girls want to do tonight?" her father asked as they discussed their plans for the
rest of the holiday.

"I don't know, anything I guess," Hermione answered after looking at Fleur and getting a shrug as
an answer.

"Well..." He began.

"Emmet, don't even think to suggest it! The poor girl will be bored out of her mind!" Her mother
immediately interrupted.

"What?" Her curiosity spiked.

"Today Arsenal's playing -"

She beamed. "I haven't gone to a game in ages!"

"I know. That's why I managed to get a hold of the tickets..." Hermione noticed Fleur looking at
her, she smiled and immediately tuned out her father's voice. She almost got completely lost in her
eyes and had to shake her head in order to remember what was currently happening. She looked at
her girlfriend again and caught a bit of confusion in her face.

"Arsenal is my childhood football team." She saw curiosity flare in those cerulean eyes. "We can
go if you want to experience the whole muggle sports thing. Don't feel obligated, dad and I can go
another day."

She beamed as she saw excitement gleam on the blonde's eyes. "Zat would be great. I've been
wanting to understand eet better." Fleur I led at her sweetly.

"Then it's settled! We are going!" Her father got up quickly and excitedly, making her and Fleur
chuckle. She saw her mother roll her eyes and shake her head.

"You don't know what you just got yourself into." Her mother said, smiling at the blonde.

She heard her father walk back into the room. "So, I took the liberty of buying you two a shirt too...
I knew Hermione's was likely to be small and that you didn't have one. I hope I got the sizes right."
She heard her mother cough, "sorry, I hope your mother got it right."

In less than an hour, they were taking a cab to the stadium. All in official long-sleeved shirts and
themed hoodie and scarfs (the older couple lent them their extra hoodies) and excited to spend
some time together. Hermione's dad took to himself the responsibility of explaining the sport and
the rules to Fleur in their way, the brunette adding a few curiosities about it while he went on and
on about how their team was the best. The driver wished them a good game and asked them to
cheer for him too as he had to work. They smiled and guaranteed they would.

"I'll grab four beers and hot dogs for us." Her father exclaimed as they passed the security. "You
go find our seats."

"I'll help you, hun."

Hermione smiled at them and took the tickets. "Come on, love." She said as she took off to their
seat section dragging Fleur by the hand.
Fleur let herself be dragged around the arena smiling at her girlfriend's eagerness. The number of
people around them raised as they reached double doors that, Fleur assumed, would give them
access to the field and Hermione tightened her hold on her hand as if to make sure they wouldn't
get separated. The lioness halted as they reached outside and got out of the way of most people,
turned around to face her and beamed.

"So what do you think?" She said expectantly.

"Eet's pretty much like zee professional games I've been to. But... Closer to zee ground." They
chuckled. Hermione turned again and continued to walk, searching for the seat marks. Fleur had
noticed all the benches had markings as had seen a bunch of people walking around just like her
girlfriend. The other woman walked to a specific group of seats with her in hand and smiled.

"That's us," she said. Fleur smiled back and hugged her after kissing her cheek. They sat side by
side, waiting for Hermione's parents and for the game to begin. "Have you ever had muggle beer?"

"Non..." Fleur felt her cheeks redden as her mate beamed at her.

"It's not bad, but it takes some getting used to it... And beer is actually part of the football
experience." They spent the next moments in silence. A comfortable one, obviously. Her in-laws
arrived not much later, bringing beer and food as promised. Fleur observed everyone around them
as they ate and waited for the game to begin, Hermione explained that most people arrived earlier
to have time to get to their sits calmly and grab something to drink as it wasn't allowed to bring
alcoholic drinks from out of the arena. Every single person around them wore shirts like theirs or
coloured similarly, all of them looked ecstatic and nervous at the same time. By the time the teams
entered the field, everyone had risen from their sits and began screaming and cheering. The energy
was contagious and she saw herself begin to slip into the current vibe. She looked at her girlfriend
and was captured by her cheerful eyes. Hermione smiled sweetly as kissed her cheek before turning
back to the field. The national anthem was sung and (according to the lioness) the coin was tossed
then the game began. She had understood the outline the Grangers had given her enough to know
the dynamics of the game and it was definitely easier for her to follow it as they had only one ball
to pay attention, not three.

"Do you play that game Harry and Ginny find so fascinating?" Emmet asked out of the blue.

"Oui. Or used to, I played as a beater at school…"

"She's really good." She saw Hermione beam proudly at her father. "Though I only saw her playing
as a chaser after she decided to challenge Ginny."

"Oh?" He looked at her as if looking for confirmation, she nodded. "How did it go?" As he asked
it, the whole stadium got silent. In a flash, their eyes were back on the field. Apparently, one of the
Arsenal players had suffered a foul and was about to kick the ball, it was a penalty according to
Emmet. In a second their whole section, along with more than half of the arena exploded in
celebration. Once it died down and a few minutes passed, she heard Hermione call for her dad's
attention.

"It was a tie." He looked slightly confused. "The game between Fleur and Ginny."

"Oh! Why?"

"Because we had limited time and they are both quite good." He nodded and focused on the game
once more. She saw him reaching for his pocket and hold a device that, after he fumbled a bit with,
started to apparently narrate the game in front of them. "You are awfully quiet," Hermione
whispered in her ear.

"Uhm… Eet's just zat you did all zee talking, I 'ad nothing to add and-"

"And?"

"Well," She actually had no idea of why she had been so quiet. A question arose in her mind
suddenly. "You really zink I'm zat good?" She saw Hermione beam and felt her cheeks heat up.

"Of course, love. You realise that not even her brothers manage to keep up with her for as long as
you did right? And you made her sweat too. You were impressive even with me worrying and
replaying in my head all spells I could perform to keep you from hurting too much in case you fell."
She mumbled that last part but Fleur felt her heart warm up at how much her witch worried.

When the middle of the game came, her in-law had already gone fetch them drinks about three
times. She offered to go with him when he began saying he would go there again. Fleur kissed
Hermione and followed him.

"Hermione told us you'll be heading to France in three days."

"Oui, my family ees really looking forward to getting to know 'er and asked us to spend Christmas
zere…" She smiled thinking she would get to see her sister and parents in less than a week.

"You miss them?"

"Oui. Very much… Mostly my little sister but we are all really close."

"Big family?"

"Eef you count zee whole clan, yes. But my close family consists mainly of Gaby, my parents,
Grandmére, my zree aunts and… Uh, yes, I guess eet ees big…" She chuckled. He looked amused.

"They will all be there for Christmas?"

"Oui. Grandmére always wants to 'ave all of us together…"

"I see…"

"You'll get to know all of zem. Maman ees planning a big party for new year's eve according to
papa…"

"That's great. I guess I'll practice my French for a bit before we get there…" He smirked.

"You speak French?"

"Not really fluently, but oui." He smiled.

As they got back, Fleur kissed Hermione's cheek and smiled. The lioness looked at her
questioningly.

"How did it go?"

"Good. I got to know Fleur better." Fleur saw her in-law smirk, the very same one that his daughter
had. She handled Hermione's beer to her as she received a worried gaze from both other women.

"Oui, I was telling 'im 'ow you managed to enchant every single person of my family without even
meeting zem." She saw the tension leave the lioness' body a bit and decided to hug her to make it
clear it was ok. "'e just asked about my family. Eet wasn't a shovel talk, mon Reine. And even eef
eet was, I wouldn't be bothered at all." Fleur felt her brunette sigh and relax completely in her arms
and smiled. The rest of the game was interesting but Fleur fund herself being drawn to the brunette
beside her. Fuck, she never thought she would find her girlfriend sexier than when she was
concentrating on something she was deeply interested but this side of the lioness had made her hot
in every sense of the word. Every time she would swear or yell at a specific player or even call one
of them a wanker, Fleur would smile and want to cover the younger witch with kisses. This sports
invested version of the girlfriend was... Amusing, to say the least. She thought she saw a smirk in
Hermione's face once or twice but dismissed the thought.

"What did you think?" Hermione asked as soon as they left the arena and waited to be able to get
into a cab.

"Eet's was very interesting." She answered truthfully.

"Uhm... And you are referring to the game or me?" The lioness asked in a low voice so only she
could hear and smirked.

"You are magnificent at any moment of your life." She kissed her cheek, not really bothering to
hide the fact that she was almost unable to focus on any other thing than her. "And you were
'onestly a better view." She hugged her. "But I was referring to zee game. I did watch at least 'alf of
eet." She smiled as she felt her girl lightly slap her hip. "But I'm curious. Do you play eet? You
seemed awfully drawn to eet and knows the rules very well..."

"Uhm... Well..."

"She might be rusty now and unwilling to show-off but she's quite good." Hermione's mother cut
her off and the brunette groaned.

"This is us." Her other in-law said, motioning for them to get into the cab.

"I 'ave a football player girlfriend and I didn't even know?" She cooed after the doors were closed
and the cab was moving. Hermione groaned again.

"Mom's exaggerating. I only played with my cousins over summer and I haven't for more than two
years now."

"And I suppose you aren't downplaying yourself?"

Hermione shrugged and sighed.

"Girls, do you want to call it a night or go to a bar?" Emmet cut their banter off.

"Are you tired, love?" Fleur shook her head.

"I'm up for anything you are."

"I guess we could go to the bar, dad."

They ended up going back home a bit tipsy. All of them. Fleur enjoyed the time with them quite a
bit.

Thanks to the hangover potion Hermione had ready in her trunk, they woke up feeling well. But as
they weren't sure it was a potion safe for a muggle to take, they were greeted by both Grangers
starting to nurse their hangovers the next morning.

"Oh, that's so unfair you two escaped the hangover," Emmet grumbled.

"Sorry, dad. Some potions can be bad for you, neither of us was sure it was safe for you-"

"Hush, darling. We know. Your father is simply grumpy. That's all."

"Charissa, how could you?" He held his chest feigning hurt. "But she's right. And it was a pleasure
to drink for the first time with you both."

They smiled.

"Would you fancy a cup of coffee?" Hermione offered her parents. They both nodded and groaned
at the head motion. As she began to move towards the kitchen, Fleur held her back.

"I can do eet. You can just show me around."

"But Fleur-"

"I'm under zee impression zat your mother quite likes 'er kitchen and I'm not about to let you get
'urt willingly." She smiled as she was the other woman rolling her eyes and relent.

"I do like this kitchen. And the house." Charissa added.

"Ma chérie, where ees zee-"

"you can heat the water in this." Hermione offered her a small pan, "I'll go get the coffee. It's in my
purse."

"And what do you want to eat?"

"I don't know... French toast?"

"As you wish." She smirked did her girlfriend just ask her to cook something merely because it was
supposedly French? She shrugged. Hermione's mother guided her to find the ingredients she would
need to make their food.

"I thought you didn't like coffee, dear." Was Emmet's first note as they were all sat with a plate full
of French toasts in the middle of them and a cup of coffee each.

"Oh, Fleur made me taste a French one-"

"It seems you are quite smitten by anything that's French..." the lioness mother teased, making
Hermione blush deeply and Fleur laugh.

As the day passed by, Fleur could sense Hermione get stressed and tense. She knew why it was
happening, she herself was a bit off. Seeing Ron for the first time in a little more than three months
was leaving Hermione on edge and consequently Fleur too. She wasn't willing to see her mate get
hurt again by someone she actually considered her best friend and almost her brother. She felt like
the only thing she could do was hold her and silently reassure her that everything was going to be
fine. But will it? She had no way of knowing it even though she was well aware that every other
Weasley was on her side (if she took Bill's words as truth). The dinner her in-laws had planned
managed to keep the mood light and both their heads out of the ginger problem they would
probably have to confront the next day. They were at the best Italian in all of London according to
the three Grangers. Fleur smiled as she saw her happy girlfriend talk about what she had been
 doing and gush about the auror training and gloat about having one of the minister's most trusted
auror and curse breaker as her girlfriend and, most importantly, her teacher and coach.

After they were back home, Fleur held Hermione close to her. She knew the brunette's mind was
drawing every possible scenery with the redhead annoyance. She brushed her nose on the crook of
her neck and kissed it lightly. Hermione moaned lowly. With a flick of Hermione's hand, she heard
the door's lock slide into place. The lioness flicked her hand once more and she assumed it was her
placing a silencing spell on the room. She smiled into Hermione's skin.

"Don't be so smug." The lioness complained. She could almost see her rolling her eyes.

Fleur resumed her administrations, making the brunette moan louder at each kiss and nib on her
shoulder and neck. The loudest ones were given her as soon as she reached the skin over her pulse
point.

"I love you, 'ermione." She said into her ear with a soft husky voice. She felt Hermione turn around
to face her and their lips attached to each other as soon as Hermione locked gazes with her.

"I love you too, Mon bouquet." The lioness said as they broke the kiss in order to breathe a bit.
Fleur felt her heart swell.

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hello my dear readers! It's I, your friendly neighbour Celtic! YAY! quicker than
last time! Some fluff with the fam!

Please comment, I'm always pleased to learn what you think!

Also, I love getting kudos.

;3

See Yah!

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)

PPS: So, I posted the Drarry oneshot, I'm feeling like writing the Pansmione side of
the story, what do you think? Go read the shortstory, leave me a review saying if you
want the girls side...
 Chapter 54 - The Burrow
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

It's not that Hermione thought she would be kicked out of the house by a bunch of redheads,
actually, she knew it wouldn't happen. As far she was able to gather and from what Ginny had told
her, it was more likely that Ron could be thrown out of the window if he very much looked at her
the wrong way. Apparently, most of the family was supportive of her. But Hermione couldn't help
being nervous, every single time she and Ron had a roll it didn't go well for her and mostly Molly
would end up taking his side. Ok, there shouldn't be any sides, honestly. She was currently trying
to calm herself down, taking really deep and slow breaths as they climbed the hill that would take
them to the burrow.

"Ma belle, you know I'm 'ere for you, right?" Fleur said as she felt the soothing thrall wrap her and
calm her mind. She nodded, getting closer to her blonde girlfriend to draw strength and comfort.

Before they could reach the door of the Weasley's household, Luna appeared from the backyard
smiling.

"Hey! Everyone is playing Quidditch. Well, except me and Mrs Weasley. We are watching."

"Hi, Lun!" Hermione smiled at her and moved to hug her. In a blink, they were following the
dreamy blonde to the makeshift pit the redheads had near the house.

"Oh, hi darlings! Come to sit with us! How are your parents, Hermione?" Mrs Weasley greeted
them happily and offered a glass of cooled pumpkin juice.

"It was great! Unfortunately, they couldn't come, but they will join all of us in France."

"And I trust you already knew them, Fleur? Of course, you did, we all met them after the last
battle…"

"Oui, zey are lovely… 'ow 'ave you been, Molly?"

"Oh, fine. Just fine. I really love a full house. Charlie couldn't come to spend some time but he'll be
home for Christmas." The redhead smiled.

Hermione focused on the game going on just in time to see her best friend send the quaffle through
the middle hoop. Fleur, Luna and she cheered, making the focus shift to them. Ginny and Harry
landed first and greeted them, being followed by the rest of the Weasley clan. She felt uneasy
when Ron moved to hug her and it was completely understandable if she had to be honest. The
younger redhead wizard was acting as if nothing happened at all, something that annoyed her to no
end but was expected. It was a quick hug but long enough for Fleur to tense a bit something
Hermione noticed easily through their connection. Ron waved to Fleur but remained quiet despite
his obvious need to say something.

Ginny saved them from whatever it was by inviting Fleur to join them on the game and Harry
shouted the two would be on different teams, immediately grumbling that they were the two best
players there. Hermione smiled and sent her blonde to the game despite her worry.

"Better make some points for me." She teased.

"Always. We could try playing football later, non?"

"Ok..." Hermione grimaced. That wouldn't be easy.

They ended up not playing. The Quidditch match took all evening, only coming to an end when
Mrs Weasley said all of them should get clean and ready for dinner. Dinner was quite a good time.
Mr Weasley asked as many questions about everyone's day as he could and basically questioned
Fleur and her about the mates' matter.

"So, you two are already bonded?"

"Uh, no." Hermione answered wishing he wouldn't ask further.

"How were you sure she's your mate, Fleur?" He asked, ever curious.

"Zee moment I saw 'er in zee middle of zee battle I felt zee need to be close to 'er and to fight by 'er
side and protect 'er, not zat she needs protection..."

"That's beautiful..." Molly smiled at them. They were all sat in the Burrow's living room, with
Fleur and her sharing a loveseat, Ginny, Luna and Harry snuggled into each other in a couch, Mr
and Mrs Weasley sat on armchairs near each other and the rest of the family scattered on the floor.
Fleur had produced a bottle of wine earlier and they all were having a glass, except for Ron who
had decided on something entirely different and stronger, Firewhiskey.

"Right, beautiful." It wasn't the first mumble she heard from Ron but she was growing annoyed
with his attitude. She felt Fleur lean into her and kiss her cheek and couldn't help but smile at the
action.

It didn't take long for the older couple excuse themselves and leave them alone (obviously, after
they all promised Mrs Weasley they would be on their best behaviour). As soon as they heard the
door close, the twins looked at each other and immediately congratulated her for getting Fleur.
They both received a push on the back of their heads from their respective girlfriends.

"I'm zee lucky one, 'onestly." Fleur answered as they moved to the ground and rearranged
themselves so Fleur's back was leaning into Hermione's front. The lioness felt herself blush and
placed a kiss on the blonde's neck to hide the crimson of her cheeks from the others. They were all
close to each other. The night passed and they talked about everything but Hermione noticed that
Ron had been quiet for a long time. She glanced at Harry to see if he noticed too and the man
shrugged.

"HOW CAN YOU ACT AS IF THIS IS NORMAL?" He exploded after a few minutes.

"Ron? What are you talking about?" Fred looked confused. Hermione then realised that given the
twins weren't leaving at the Burrow anymore, they probably weren't exposed to their younger
brother bigot. She sighed and tightened her hold on Fleur (who she could feel was ready to attack
him).

"Your brother is displaying his prejudice towards me and Fleur..."

"Us too," Ginny added, surprising Hermione. "He has been nothing but horrible to Lun ever since
we got here." She felt her body tense at the revelation. The lioness steeled her eyes and controlled
her anger.

"Ronald, you should really think about how much of a pain you are being to all of us. You have no
right of opinion over my relationship or Ginny's. And, honestly, if it disturbs you so fucking much
that we are both happy, we should reconsider your place in our lives." She said coldly.

"YOU ARE BOTH DYKES NOW AND I'M SUPPOSED TO BE OK WITH IT?"

"Just shut up, mate." George tried.

"I SHOULD HAVE HAD AN IDEA WITH GINNY WITH ALL HER INTEREST IN
QUIDDITCH!" Hermione noticed he was on a roll as it seemed he wasn't capable to stop the
screaming show.

"You really should shut up, Ron," Bill said, getting up.

"ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME? YOUR FUCKING EX STOLE HERM-"

"YOU BETTER SHUT THE FUCK UP RIGHT NOW, RONALD!" Hermione shouted,
interrupting his rant. "I was never yours so Fleur didn't steal me-"

"RONALD BILLIUS WEASLEY!" Mrs Wesley's voice resonated in the building, making all her
children shiver. "YOU GO TO YOUR ROOM RIGHT NOW! I DON'T WANT TO HEAR YOU
SAY ANOTHER WORD!" He walked to the stairs obviously still fuming. Mrs Weasley appeared
from her room. "Hermione and Fleur, dears, I'm sorry. I've been hoping he was a bit better... Luna,
I'm sorry you've been putting up with him these last days..." The three of them nodded and the
matriarch smiled. "Now, I'll really get some sleep. I trust you'll be responsible. Goodnight." A
chorus of good nights was heard and the older witch vanished from the stairs.

"So, we never heard..." Fred began.

"...how you three got together." George completed as the two of them gave the trio something akin
to the Cheshire cat's grin. She laughed as she saw their faces become red.

"I thought Molly would have managed to get the story out of them by now." Hermione teased.

"Oh, she did. Our devil-like twins arrived just yesterday evening and missed the whole
storytelling." Bill offered. As the trio began telling their stories, Bill moved closer to them gating
their attention. "I'm really sorry about that. You shouldn't have to put up with it..."

"Eet's not your fault, Bill. I just don't understand why 'e's like zat."

"We don't either." He answered.

"Honestly, I think he's always been a bit bigoted," Hermione said, not really to anyone other than
herself. "He just had it fixed on house prejudice."

"I'll never understand zis system of yours. Eet obviously divides zee whole school..."

"It's just because of the-"

"Zee founders. I know. I read 'Hogwarts: a 'istory', mon Reine," the blonde turned around just
enough to kiss her cheek. "I just don't agree with eet completely."

Hermione ignored her urge to discuss the book in order to smile widely at Fleur and hug her. "I
don't either. But Minerva is working on it. The house prejudice isn't as strong as it was before..."

"Why do I feel like it has something to do with you?" Bill asked smiling.

"Because eet 'as. My beautiful mate and zose zree are setting an example for zee rest of zee
school."

"We have noth-"

"Mon Ange, you do eet without even noticing. Ze DA ees an example of eet. Even zough you
aren't ahead of eet anymore, zee DA accepts any student who wants to learn from any 'ouse zey
might be." Hermione felt herself blush. "And I'm aware zat eet was your idea." Fleur beamed at her
and pecked her lips.

"Ginny is right, you are too sweet." Bill laughed and the two of them rolled their eyes.

The next day had most Weasleys with a slight hangover, Hermione concluded as she and Fleur
walked into the kitchen. Mrs and Mr Weasley were sat on their usual sits on the table while their
sons and respective girlfriends groaned and hugged the mugs in front of them. The older couple
waved them good morning and motioned them to help themselves.

"I guess you thought ahead as always, 'Mione..." Harry smiled at her as he entered the room,
followed by his girlfriends.

"Oui, we took zee potion just before we went to bed."

"Lun saved us from the misery I see my brothers didn't scape."

The whole exchange was done through whispers as to not disrupt the hangover the others had.

"Shouldn't we-" Luna began.

"Yeah, probably. But it's so fun to see their misery..." Ginny teased.

Hermione had decided to offer them the hungover counter potion but Fleur beat her at it and was
standing in a flash. She saw the blonde go back upstairs, take the kettle after coming back and
spike the rest of the tea with the potion. She silently filled the redheads' cups. Well, almost every
one of them. Ron's cup remained untouched. She saw Molly nod at her girlfriend in understanding.
Fleur took her seat next to her and kissed her cheek. Bill was the first to thank her, even before he
took a sip, smiling knowingly. The twins moaned as the drank their tea obviously feeling the
hangover receding, their girlfriends were much more subtle but seemed just as relieved.

"Sorry, Ronald. We don't 'ave any potion left." Her girlfriend spoke smugly as the youngest
redhead looked around trying to find the source of relief his brothers found.

"And you will have to nurse your hangover the muggle way," Molly added sternly. After breakfast
was finished, the family's matriarch suggested that they could go out for a walk and enjoy the
beautiful day they had ahead. "I'll call you for lunch. No worries, dears." They accepted the offer
and went on their way to change before they could go. "Ronald, you stay and help me with the
dishes and the food for lunch." She said, making said redhead groan and begin to complain. "I
don't want to hear it. Maybe it will make you think about what you are doing wrong."

Lunch came in the form of a large picnic basket carried out by Mrs and Mr Weasley themselves.

"Ronald isn't feeling well so he stayed inside."

After eating the sandwiches Mrs Weasley had made them, they simply stayed scattered around the
field for a bit.

"Fleur, I remember you saying something about football?" Luna asked, smiling broadly.
"Foot-what?" Mr Weasley asked.

"It's a muggle sport. A quite popular one I might add." Harry offered.

"It seems interesting."

"Eet ees. I went to a game with 'ermione and 'er parents."

Hermione felt Harry's eyes on her. She shrugged, "It was an Arsenal game. Dad moved worlds
apparently to get true tickets." she smiled.

"And I found out zat 'ermione ees quite good at eet," Fleur said, as she moved away from
Hermione's grip. Hermione kept herself from running after her.

"I need to see that." Ginny smiled.

"We could play it for a bit..." She said, grabbing her wand and transfiguring her shoes into football
boots and did the same with everyone else's. Harry accioed one of the old quaffles the redhead
family had and handed it to her, she transfigured it almost immediately. The older wizards insisted
they would only watch. They began with Hermione explaining the rules, then she and Harry
showed the rest a bit of the game. They didn't get to actually playing a match since none of the
others knew how to play or truly understood the basics of the game but it was a fun time. To
Hermione and Harry mostly. The other wizards were so confused by the concept of using their
limbs to play on the ground that they commonly tripped over themselves or missed the ball
completely. Once they started getting the ball every try, she and Harry decided to up their game
and made them kick the ball moving towards them. Fleur was the first one to try. Hermione tried to
hold her laughter but as soon as Fleur freaked out not knowing what to do as the ball rolled fastly
towards her. The blonde finally tried to kick it but missed by a mile. The lack of impact on her feet
threw her out of balance and she fell to the ground bum first. There was a deafening silence for
about three seconds then every one exploded in laughter. Hermione managed to control herself and
stop laughing a moment later and moved to help the pouting blonde up to her feet. She smiled at
her girlfriend and kissed her, trying to make the pout go away.

"Sorry for laughing, love..." She whispered, "it's just that you freaked out then missed the ball by a
mile and-"

"I am aware of eet." Fleur crossed her arms.

"You made the cutest face when you hit the ground... I couldn't stop myself from laughing... Sorry,
really." She smiled apologetically at her blonde. "What can I do to make it up to you?" Hermione
asked while tugging a lock of the blonde tresses behind Fleur's ear.

The blonde seemed to be thinking, but she knew she wasn't really upset. Fleur caressed her own
chin as she feigned being in deep thought then locked eyes with her.

"Maybe a kiss?" Hermione said, kissing her softly on the lips. The blonde shook her head.
"Uuhm... More kisses?" She followed her phrase by relentlessly kissing every reachable surface of
her girlfriend's face, successfully making her chuckle and smile. She smiled back sweetly and got
lost in her eyes. "God, you are beautiful," she whispered. It was so low that she almost doubted the
blonde had heard.

"Merlin's balls! You are gross!" Fred broke their moment.

"Ginny was right, you are gross!" George added. They both received a slap on the back of their
heads from their respective girlfriends.
 "We are sorry, they aren't completely trained." Fred's girl said smirking.

"Not a problem, we are actually used to them. But good luck training them." Hermione laughed.

The day ended with a disgruntled Ginny since she didn't get the gist of the game, a tired and happy
Fleur and all of them completely dirty. Fleur nagged her to know when she would be able to watch
her playing. Hermione had the feeling she would only embarrass herself but promised that she
would arrange for it to happen sometime along summer.

Once again the group was enjoying each other's company (except for Ron, who had returned to his
bedroom early) with a glass of wine. Hermione was beginning to notice how everyone started
enjoying the scarlet drink a bit more since they started to hang out with Fleur and smiled.

"I think Fleur did something to all of us. I've never seen any of us drinking wine before." She
commented jokingly.

"Oh, zee wine did eetself, mon Coeur. You just took notice of 'ow eet ees good to spend time with
friends and a bit of wine." the blonde laughed.

"Right, the fact that its veela wine means nothing." Harry teased.

"Well... Eet ees indeed to enjoy only with family."

"Aaawn, you consider us family." Ginny teased.

"Oui, of course. And even eef I didn't myself, 'ermione does. Eef she says you are family, zat's
what you are."

Looking around, Hermione noticed Molly dry her eyes discreetly and the rest of the Weasleys try to
hide their wet eyes. Luna crossed sights with her and smiled widely. "You do know that you are
family to me, right? You've given me more than I could ever hope to have from a friend's family."
Now they were all getting emotional. "I never thanked you for welcoming me... But I am.
Thankful..."

"And with that, we should change subjects! Unless we want to drown ourselves." Ginny said after
using her shirt to dry her cheeks. They all laughed lightly, all of them with tears in their eyes.
Hermione was sure she was blessed. Less than ten years ago she had discovered a new world, one
that she could fit in. Then she found a family that practically adopted her. Now she had the love of
her life (she was certain of it) and her family was getting even bigger with the Delacours addition.
Thinking of them made her nervous.

Hermione noticed she had gotten lost in her own mind when she almost jumped at the touch of
Fleur's fingers. She smiled at her. The blonde looked at her quizzically.

"I'm just a bit nervous about tomorrow." She whispered, knowing the French witch had felt the jolt
of uneasiness she had felt.

Fleur smiled and pulled her close, wrapping an arm around her waist and kissed the top of her head.

"Zey love you already." She whispered back. Hermione could help but smile, remembering she had
told a nervous Fleur the exact same thing a few weeks ago.

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hello my dear readers! It's I, your friendly neighbour Celtic! A bit of Ron being
an ass...

Please comment, I'm always pleased to learn what you think!

I live for kudos!

;3

See Yah!

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)

PPS: So, I posted the Drarry oneshot, I'm feeling like writing the Pansmione side of
the story, what do you think? Go read the shortstory, leave me a review saying if you
want the girls side...
 Chapter 55 - The Delacours
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

"Ma Belle, we should get up. Come on..." Fleur smiled seeing her girlfriend trying to hide under
the covers for a moment. It was unusual for her to be able to see that, Hermione was usually the
first awake and functioning.

"Ugh" Hermione rolled and hugged Fleur dearly. "Why?"

She knew it wasn't a real question and smiled. "Because I want to see my family and I want you to
meet zem only so zat all zis nervousness come to an end." She laughed as she saw the pout her
girlfriend had on her lips.

"As if you could have a say in this. At least I don't really know them..." Hermione glared her then
rolled her eyes, smiled and pecked her lips lightly. "Good morning, gorgeous."

Fleur chased the brunette's lips but forced herself to answer her, even if it was more a mumbled
'morning' against her lips than anything. She felt the lioness chuckle against her as she rolled them
so she was on top of Hermione. But the tremble of her was cut off by a low moan. Five minutes
later, they were still wrapped around each other. But simply enjoying their warmth and almost
falling asleep once again. They both startled when someone knocked on the door.

"Hermione, Fleur! Darlings, are you two awake? You are going to be late!" Molly spoke from
behind the door.

"Stop snogging and come to eat. At least spend some time with us. You are leaving in one hour!
You can have your alone time when-"Ginny began screaming.

"We are going! We are awake and almost ready!" Hermione interrupted the redhead.

"You better be!" Ginny shouted. Hermione groaned and Fleur chuckled at their interaction.

When the arrived at the kitchen for breakfast, Fleur smiled at the redhead family plus additions as
they were all waiting for them to spend the meal together. Well, everyone but Ron. She knew it
hurt Hermione but knew better than to speak up.

"Good morning, dream couple." Fred sing sang.

They spent the breakfast talking about amenities and were all smiling and laughing the whole time.

"We'll see you in a week, right?" The brunette asked as they hugged everyone goodbye.

"And you think I'd miss the chance of going to France? You won't get rid of us so easily." Ginny
smirked.

"I forgot to mention," Fleur began, "but Maman ees zrowing a ball at new year's eve. You are our
guests of 'onor, actually." She beamed and almost rolled laughing at the sight of deep despair in
Ginny's and Harry's face. Fleur felt Hermione chuckle.

"Fleur arranged an appointment at Madam Malkin for all of you right after Christmas." The
brunette added. "It's our present for you. Now, we should get going. Mom and dad will meet you at
the apartment before you go to the Ministry." Molly nodded.

They arrived at the Ministry right on time. Thankfully they didn't need to go to their places before
going there. The Burrow had a direct connection with the government building as Mr Weasley had
accepted the offer of being head of his department. They had exactly five minutes to be at the
transportation department so they simply walked briskly to the lifts. They would be taking a
portkey to France as it was the safest way to do so. The long-distance apparition had an enormous
risk of splinching and international flu wasn't allowed between at civil houses, besides, Hermione
had no will of entering the Delacours' household for the first time by the fireplace. Fleur had
laughed when the brunette had voiced her thoughts about travelling by flu network. The
department had a strict procedure to ensure everyone's safety and requested that they used their
premises to travel, Hermione and Fleur walked into the room they were supposed to use as the
departing point and the whole room instantly got silent. Fleur had to force herself not to roll her
eyes, they worked here, for fuck sakes. She saw Hermione sigh and tightened her hold on her hand.
Well, they did have to deal with it, her heritage and Hermione's fame made them highly and easily
spottable.

"Oh, Miss Delacour, Miss Granger! You are just on time! France, correct? Please check the
destination and sign at the bottom, I'll go get it." The woman at the table smiled sweetly at them
after summoning the needed paperwork and Fleur made sure to slip her arm around the lioness'
waist. The woman seemed to have around her age and the blonde almost jumped over the table
when she noticed her eyes roaming over her girlfriend's body. Hermione must have noticed as she
kissed her cheek. Fleur relaxed instantly and refocused on the papers. She passed the document to
the woman after signing it, who handed them a chipped cup. She turned and began to move further
into the room as she heard Hermione thank the woman and follow her.

"My jealous girlfriend." She smirked and touched the cup the blonde was holding. The pull came
right away and soon they were landing in front of her family's provincial beach house. "A chateau.
Your family owns a chateau. Of course." The blonde chuckled at her girlfriend's words.

Hermione had no idea why she was shocked. But she was. She had felt her mouth fall open as soon
as she gathered their surroundings. The path that led to the entrance was flanked by a line of
bushes that stood just shy of the paved aisle. The chateau's facade (and its whole exterior,
Hermione guessed) was painted in light beige while the windows were pure white, both colours
contrasting with the greyish blue of the roof. The building seemed huge in her perspective and she
was almost sure it was bigger than its exterior let it show. She could see two small balconies just
above the entrance door, almost forming a line upwards. It seemed to have three floors but she was
questioning herself as she analysed the exterior knowing the interior could and probably would be
completely different. The house seemed much like a muggle doll's house, one she never really
wanted but had when younger. Anyhow, she was completely shocked by the magnificent view of
the house. Despite looking old, it was obviously well-taken care. She was still admiring the view
when she felt Fleur reach for her hand and start guiding her towards the entrance doors.

"Come on, ma Reine. Zee beach 'ouse yes beautiful, right? Wait until you see zee view from our
bedroom!" The blonde flashed her a grin as she practically dragged her. Hermione felt warm when
she heard her say 'our bedroom', not that she wasn't expecting to share the room with her girlfriend
but hearing her say that made a few butterflies rise in her stomach. It momentarily made her forget
the fact that she was moments away from getting to know her girlfriend's family. Her future mate's
family. Fuck. She felt her anxiety spike as soon as she thought about them (coincidentally as the
Blonde reached to open the door). Fleur looked at her with a soft smile and a knowing face. "Eet
will be just fine, mon Coeur. Believe me." She kissed her softly. Hermione felt herself nod after
taking a steadying breath and the blonde opened the door calmly while tightening her grip on her
hand as if to let her know she was there.
Once again, she felt her breath be taken away. While the exterior of the house was well kept, the
interior was pristine. The first thing she noticed was how the floor seemed to be completely open,
she could see the other side of the house from where she was standing. It seemed as if it was some
kind of ballroom, though it was well decorated with classically styled furniture. It was obviously
huge. The wall on the other side had a series of doors ajar, allowing her to see the pool and garden
and then the beach further ahead. The next thing she registered was how at home she felt. It wasn't
a Fleur's feeling, she noted, it was all hers. She smiled and walked in looking around. Beautiful and
well-planned she concluded as she took the room in again.

"It's beautiful, Fleur!" The blonde beamed and nodded.

"FLEUR!" She heard the name be pronounced by a girl's voice and guessed it was Gabrielle. She
saw a thirteen-year-old Fleur run towards them.

"Ne cours pas, Gabrielle! (No running, Gabrielle!)" A voice Hermione guessed was their mother's
came from the same direction as the girl, who slowed down immediately.

"Je suis désolée, maman! (I'm sorry, maman)" As soon as the girl was into reaching distance, she
threw herself at her sister. "Fleur! Finalement tu es là! Tu m'as tellement manquée. Les filles à
l'école sont tellement chiantes! (You are finally here! I missed you so much! That girls at school
are so annoying!)" The younger blonde started speaking a hundred miles an hour and as much as
Hermione tried to understand, she couldn't.

"Arrêtes d'être aussi dramatique Gaby. (Stop being dramatic, Gaby.)" Fleur answered, chuckling.

"On dirait que le drame est héréditaire. (The drama is hereditary then.)" Hermione whispered,
receiving a glare from her girlfriend.

"I'd like to zink eet's a treat exclusive of zee girls," Apolline said as she approached, smiling.
Hermione felt herself blanch, she didn't really think the older veela would hear.

"Oh, 'Line eet's not." The men right beside her chuckled. "I 'ave a zeory eet's a veela treat,
actually." She immediately felt her cheeks warm up.

"Maman, Papa!" Fleur beamed at them although Apolline was glaring at her mate. She released her
sister and moved to greet them.

"Tu parles Français. Ma stupide soeur disait que tu ne le parlais pas. (You speak French. My
dumb sister said you didn't.)" Gabrielle spoke to her smiling broadly.

"J'ai un peu appris pour la surprendre. (I've learned a little bit to surprise her.)" She answered,
shrugging it off.

"And as she doesn't do anything 'alfway, she obviously managed to 'ave a perfect accent." Fleur
beamed at her proudly. Hermione noticed a freckle of gold in her cerulean eyes and noticed the
blonde had taken a liking of her speaking her native language. "Ma Reine, as you must 'ave already
guessed, zis ees my annoying sister, Gabrielle. And zese are maman and papa!" She beamed again,
Hermione was able to feel the love emanating from her blonde. She mirrored the smile and moved
her attention to her in-laws who had moved to greet her.

"J'ai l'impression d'être mise de côté. (I feel like I'm being left out.)" A voice came from behind
Fleur as Hermione was being hugged by Fleur's father.

He chuckled and whispered: "See? Eet's a veela treat."

"I 'eard zat, Antoine." Apolline said.

As soon as she pulled back from the hug, she was being pulled into another one by the matriarch of
the family.

"Eet's a pleasure to finally meet you, 'ermione."

"I'm sorry I couldn't come earlier, Isabelle." She received a pointed look at the name. "I mean,
grand-mére…"

"Nonsense. You were at school. Fleur 'as been gushing at 'ow incredibly brilliant you are ever
since she came 'ere after zee war."

"Grand-mére!" Fleur groaned and blushed.

"Eet's true!" Gaby intervened. "Eet was always 'ermione zis, 'ermione zat!" Hermione smiled at her
girlfriend and saw the traces of annoyance fade from her face as she smiled back.

A house-elf popped near them and talked with Apolline than vanished.

"Zeeny says lunch ees ready and asked you two to leave your bags 'ere and she'll get zem to zee
bedroom." She said, motioning for everyone to move further in the house and to the table,
Hermione guessed. She couldn't help but glance worriedly at Fleur when the blonde approached
and set her bag into the ground.

"All zee elves zat work for zee family are paid and well treated, mon Coeur." She whispered while
embracing her. She nodded then placed her bag beside the blondes. "We are also magical creatures
too, 'ermione. We tend to treat our peers as zey deserve…" She sounded a bit hurt.

"I'm sorry, love. I know that." She hugged Fleur and pecked her lips. "I'm really sorry."

"I know. Eet's in your nature to try and defend everyone you can." Fleur nodded and smiled. She
turned Hermione on her arms so she was hugging her from behind and started guiding her through
the house. "I might add, you sound really 'ot speaking French." She kissed the nape of her neck a
few times, forcing Hermione to hold back a small moan as they walked.

"Now you know how I feel when you go all French on me." They chuckled.

Fleur released her as they approached the table and reached for her hand. They sat side by side, in
front of Apolline and Antoine. Gaby was on Hermione's other side while Isabelle held the head of
the table. A pleasant conversation ensued as they ate, the main subject remained on her and
London.

"We'll leave you to get settled," Grand-mére said as the conversation died. She smiled and all of
them got up. "Eef you need anyzing call Zeeny, she likes pampering Fleur. My guess ees zere are
at least a few treats waiting for you at zee bedroom." The older veela smiled.

"C-" Gaby began.

"No, Gabrielle. Let Fleur and 'ermione get settled. You'll 'ave a lot of time with zem." Apolline
interrupted her younger daughter, making the girl roll her eyes. All of them hugged once more
while welcoming them again, then Fleur guided Hermione upstairs. They climbed to the third floor
and Fleur moved to one of the doors, it was white as all the others but it held a single flower
magically kept alive. She smiled.
"Maman put zis 'ere when I chose zee room… I was zree I zink." Fleur said.

Hermione smiled at how completely Fleur's the room was. A few bookcases were against one of
the walls sided by a desk, in front of it there were two armchairs, the bed lined with the windows at
the opposite wall and there were a few photos of a small Fleur with equally small kids as well as
some of her and her family. Before she could think of anything else, she approached the frames and
started gushing at how cute her girlfriend had been as a toddler. Her attention was torn from the
photos by a squealing Fleur. She looked in her direction only to see her beaming at her holding
something for her to take. She let the blonde put it in her mouth, the sweet melted in her mouth and
she couldn't help but moan.

"Eet's great, right? Zeeny knows I love zem…"

"Bonbons?" She guessed, Fleur simply nodded after popping one in her mouth. She looked around
once more and only then noticed the view that the blonde had referred to. She approached the door
she only now noticed and entered the balcony. From there she could see the sea and the beach and
the woods that surrounded most of the property (she had just noticed it). "It's really pretty here,
Fleur." She whispered as she felt the blonde hug her from behind and lean her head over her
shoulder.

"Oui." The blonde answered quietly and kissed her cheek. "Zank you."

"What for?"

"Being 'ere. Existing."

Hermione turned to look into her eyes.

"Shush, silly woman. It's me who had to be thanking you. You are amazing." They kissed soundly.

The kiss was calm and they let their feelings reach each other through their bound. They stayed
like that for a while, kissing and hugging. Fleur chuckled and Hermione looked at her
questioningly.

"Maman will only be able to 'old Gaby from barging in for a little while, we should sort our zings."
She explained laughing, making Hermione smile and nod. They did quick work, making use of
magic to do so then they were back to making out. Gabrielle barged in while they were kissing
languidly and screamed, hiding her eyes.

"Je t'avais dit de toquer. (I told you to knock.)" A smirking Apolline entered the room after her
younger.

The rest of the day was spent together, all of them talking or playing a game, while Gaby
complained about how her innocence had been robbed by her sister.

The next day Hermione was beginning to feel anxious again. The perspective of meeting Fleur's
aunts and cousins getting to her as soon as she woke up. As if reading her mind, the blonde
tightened her hold on her. They were still in bed and her mind had caught up with her.

"Don't zink too much about eet, ma Reine." She mumbled, seemingly knowing what she was
psyched about. "Zey'll be just as smitten for you as I am." She kissed her collarbone. "On second
zought, not as much as I. But zey will be." Hermione noticed she was still half asleep and smiled,
letting her words and warmth calm her down.

Despite her basically praying that all Fleur's three aunts and an unknown number of cousins arrived
at the exact same time, each family arrived separately. She was actually having a hard time
remembering their names, there were ten cousins. Too many names. She had suffered from her
nerves the whole day, Fleur helped quite a lot releasing her thrall whenever her nerves spiked and
simply being there for her. Gaby decided she could tease her despite her sister's deathly glares. The
first aunt to arrive had been the one the blondes said was the closest to them, Edelie. Three little
blondes were running to their cousins as soon as the family went through the fireplace. They were
all younger than Gaby, apparently, and the oldest had just begun at Beauxbatons. Fleur introduced
her to them all, the youngest decided she should take residence in her lap (not that Hermione
minded, she loved little kids). Then came Adalene, their oldest aunt, one of her daughters seemed
to have about the same age as Fleur and she had the feeling she had seen her with her blonde on her
fourth year.

"Belle, zis ees Lea. She was at 'ogwarts for zee tournament…" Fleur confirmed her suspects.

"Ah, zee Golden Girl! Always so lucky, Fleur!" Lea said beaming. Hermione noticed the whole
family looked alike, coming to the conclusion that the veela blood was really dominant.

"She 'ates zee nickname," Gaby informed with a smile.

"Je suis sincèrement désolé! (I'm terribly sorry!)" Hermione laughed it off, accepting the apology.
Fleur proceeded to introduce Lea's three siblings. When it was almost time for dinner, Dianne
appeared. As the family was complete, they sat to eat. Once again, the attention was completely
focused on her, Fleur was doing every possible thing to make her more comfortable. At some
point, the conversation moved to little Fleur's anecdotes much to her delight and the blonde's
horror. Hermione smiled lovingly at her girlfriend after a few stories and once again saw her
annoyed posture crumble as she smiled back and pulled her closer. As predicted by the blonde, the
veela family practically demanded a hundred per cent of her attention. As they entered their room
after a few hours of pleasant talk.

"Finally I can 'ave some of your attention..." Fleur pouted while hugging her.

"You have my full attention, love." She smiled and kissed the pout. "And after tomorrow will have
it for a whole week. Undivided. My gorgeous girlfriend."

"Uhmm, can't wait." Fleur bought their lips together and smiled as Hermione moaned softly.

It didn't take long to the couple to be making out on the bed, half-naked. They smiled at each other
and lost themselves in the other's eyes.

"We should probably sleep..." Hermione whispered.

"Oui." Fleur moved to get up.

"Fleur?"

"Oui?"

"Where are you going?" Hermione was confused, they had recently taken to sleeping almost naked
as they felt more comfortable with the touch of the other.

"Well, tomorrow ees Christmas, mon Ange. And unless you are willing to flash Gaby and my
cousins your delicious body, I'd say eets wise zat we sleep in our pyjamas today..." Fleur smiled
back at her while she retrieved the sleeping clothes, which consisted of pyjamas pants and loose t-
shirts. She began to change after offering Hermione one of the sets.
"Why would we flash them?" Her brain basically short-circuited every time she saw her girlfriend
in only her panties. Fleur smirked at her knowingly.

"Zey usually break into 'ere early in zee morning so they are able to open zeir gifts. Maman always
said everybody 'ad to be up for zee present exchange. And after Jaqu and Louis 'ad to wait for two
'ours until I and Lea woke up, eet 'as become a tradition. I'm usually Zee last one to be woken up
'ence all cousins."

Hermione chuckled at the new information, she wasn't used to big family Christmas mornings as
she herself was an only child and said mornings were spent only with her parents. She nodded and
began to dress for bed. They slept as soon as they laid in bed, completely entangled.

Hermione awoke with a jolt and a not so small body of a thirteen-year-old crashing into her.

"Bonjour, soeurs!" Was the first thing she heard. And probably the last, she thought as she
recovered from the shout in her ear. She groaned.

"Bonjour, Gaby." She heard Fleur answer with a groan.

"I'm sorry, I tried to keep her from doing that but you know Gaby," Lea spoke softly.

"Eet's okay. Gaby, off." Fleur pushed her sister out of bed and smiled at Hermione. "Bonjour, mon
Ange."

"Bonjour, love. We really need to?" She asked in a mumble hiding her face in Fleur's shoulder.

"Oui, zey won't leave until we are up." the blonde whispered and she whined.

"Fine…"

"Viens, on doit toujours réveiller les adultes! (Come on, we still have to wake the adults!)" One of
the younger kids said excitedly. He was yet to learn English and Hermione couldn't help but smile
at the toddler's French.

"Because we surely are not adults…" Lea mumbled as the group filled out of the room. Hermione
smiled at her. As they followed the large group of kids, three mugs appeared on the small table by
the door and her senses were invaded by the scent of coffee.

"Thank you, Zee." Fleur spoke softly as she passed the mugs to her and Lea.

They silently walked after the horde of small veelas sipping their coffees. Soon the whole family
was gathered near the Christmas tree, kids with hot chocolate in hand and adults with their coffee.
The parents, Hermione and the two older cousins looking rather tired as they were the last to go to
sleep.

"Every year I wonder why we don't sleep at zee same time as zem." Adalene mumbled, after a sip
of her coffee.

"Every year I wonder why we don't spike zeir night drinks with some sleeping potion." Edelie
countered making them laugh.

"Let zem 'ave zeir fun." Apolline said still smiling.

"Zat insane rule ees yours, 'Line" Dianne complained.

"Non, eet's Maman's. You know eet."

"Ne me mêlez pas à la conversation! (Keep me out of this discussion!)" Grand-mére exclaimed.

They began exchanging gifts and Hermione was a bit anxious wondering if they would like her's.
Actually, she was worried about Apolline, Antoine, Gaby and Isabelle's reactions to her gifts. The
other's Fleur had helped her, especially her aunts. The kids Hermione had ended up gifting a
bundle of British candy, both muggle and wizarding. She had gotten to Adalene, Edelie and Dianne
beautiful scarfs that Fleur had helped her pick up. Hermione had almost gone crazy trying to figure
out what to buy for he in-laws but she refused to get tips from Fleur. She ended up settling on some
science and literature muggle books to Antoine since Fleur had said he loved books as much as her,
a beautiful necklace to Apolline along with two muggle romances she loved so much, a pair of
earrings and two plays by Shakespeare to Isabelle and a bundle of products from Weasleys' Wizard
Wheezes catalogue sided with some muggle candy.

"Are zese…" Fleur began as soon as she saw the box in Gaby's hands. Hermione nodded. "Maman
ees going to kill you." She laughed. "Gaby, just don't get expelled using zese." She teased, pointing
at the box.

"Why would she be expelled?" Apolline asked curiously.

"Zose are products from zee twins shop," Fleur answered. Her mother seemed in slight shock.

"I promise I didn't let the twins even close to the box while I was choosing. There's nothing
dangerous in there, just silly jokes." Hermione reassured and Apolline smiled, relieved.

She silently moved to retrieve the last two presents she had bought and handed them to Fleur, who
smiled widely her eyes shining. Her guts turned into knots while Fleur opened them. The first gift
earned a gasp and a beaming kiss on the cheek. It was a pendant, one she had the jeweller draw
from scratch for her, it was the image of an eagle and an otter cuddling. Fleur moved so she could
put it around her neck. There was more to it, but she decided to tell her about it when they were
alone. The second gift had demanded her work and was something she had been working on for the
biggest part of the semester, as she had decided to gather all her favourite books of the muggle
world and gift it to the blonde. It obviously wasn't the whole collection but she decided to make a
small joke and had stolen the book she had first gifted her and put it in the present box along with a
small note saying 'There are more from where this came from.' Under it, there was a book she had
owned when younger, a diary actually. Her reading diary. At first, Fleur looked confused as she
saw the first book, then she read the note and smiled. Reaching for the book she noticed the worn-
out diary and as she opened it, Hermione saw her eyes shine. She laughed and gave her presents,
not saying a word about the present. She silently indicated she should open the box first. As she
opened it, she blinked. A book, in French. Under it, a similar diary a bit less well-taken care. Then
she understood. They had had the exact same idea. They exchanged a kiss and laughed. The other
present was an intricate fountain pen and a set of new journals, they were blood red with her name
on the cover in golden ink.

"Zee pen ees self-filling and I know you are always short of journals," Fleur whispered.

"Thank you, love! They are beautiful!" Hermione kissed her cheek and beamed at her.

After all the exchanged gifts between them, she had gotten three books about French history and
two about transfiguration from Apolline and Antoine, three journals filled with spell theory and
studies from Isabelle, who said she was sure she would make good use of, and from Gaby she was
gifted lingerie (it earned Gaby a nasty look from Fleur and as deep blush from Hermione, the
youngest rolled of laugher along with Lea - who Hermione guessed had helped her choosing). And
a few books and sweets from the rest of the family. She smiled knowingly at the other presents
near her feet. She recognised the wrapping of one of them as being the one Mrs Weasley always
 wrapped her knitted sweaters and picked it first, being followed by Fleur who chose the same
wrapping to open. Her's was very similar to the others she had received the previous years but it
held one big difference, it had 'H' embroidered and usually, it lacked any. Fleur's was blue, the
colour very similar to the Beauxbatons' blue and held 'F' in the front. They laughed and smiled at
the care and acceptance from the Weasley matriarch. Hermione knew it meant a lot, Molly only did
that to her children. She also received: the usual amount of books from her friends; two books from
her parents (with a note saying they had found a few apparently good books with a lesbian
heroine); a box from Ginny she decided to open later as she was certain it contained a gift similar to
that of her sister-in-law; another journal and a book on ancient charms from Harry; a couple of
books on magical creatures from Luna; a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans from Ron (not
surprisingly, he always gifted her that even though she hated that specific candy); and, much to her
surprise (but none from Fleur), two transfiguration books from Minerva that looked old but well
taken care (along with a leaf of Mandrake). She smiled at the letter the headmistress had sent with
the gift, where she offered to guide her through the process of becoming an animagus if it
interested her.

The wrapping papers on the floor were cleaned by themselves as Apolline informed them that most
house-elves were on holiday. Hermione beamed at that.

"Zee will go after we leave…" Fleur whispered to her. "Maman was telling zee truth when she said
she likes me…"

Hermione laughed, "I noticed with the bonbons when we arrived."

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hello my dear readers! It's I, your friendly neighbour Celtic! It has been a while,
right? Please don't kill me! Well, The Delacours for you, a bit of fluff for you!

Please comment, I'm always pleased to learn what you think!

AND KUDOS ARE LIFE!!

;3

See Yah!

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)

PPS: So, I posted the Drarry oneshot, I'm feeling like writing the Pansmione side of
the story, what do you think? Go read the shortstory, leave me a review saying if you
want the girls side...
 Chapter 56 - The Bonding (NSFW)
Chapter Notes

A/N: Hello my dear readers! It's I, your friendly neighbour Celtic! I'm writing to you
up here to let you know we'll have some scenes that justify the rating, honestly. Yes,
you heard it right! The bonding (smut) is here! Anyways, it's basically the whole
chapter so if you by any chance don't want to read it, stop reading as soon as Hermione
says she wants it. It has some important developments but I'll go over them later... I
hope you enjoy! (see you in a bit)

NSFW!!!

;3

See the end of the chapter for more notes

The breakfast and lunch were made by Fleur, Apolline and Edelie. Hermione was only allowed to
be what the blondes called a sous chef even though the only thing she did was serve them coffee
(and look pretty according to Fleur) in the morning and wine while lunch was made. Edelie had
even asked if she wanted to help when they began lunch, Hermione simply smiled and shook her
head.

"My beautiful mate can't cook for her life..." Fleur smiled and kissed her forehead. Gaby laughed
as she heard her say that.

"I heard she nearly transformed a tent into a fire pit last year." The younger veela cracked. Apolline
slapped her across the head.

"Arrête d'embarrasser ta soeur, Gabrielle! (stop embarrassing your sister, Gabrielle!)" Apolline
admonished and Hermione felt her heart swell a bit.

"Lea can't eizer. She ruined our kitchen once trying to make dinner for us." Edelie smiled.

"I've been banned from all kitchens since Harry decided to tell Ginny what happened last year. That
redhead quite the gossipmonger." She rolled her eyes though she knew her eyes showed nothing
but fondness.

"I've been banned from every single kitchen I know since I was fifteen," Lea said nonchalantly as
she had neared the group in time to hear Hermione and offered the brunette her fist for a bump.
"Our gain. We don't 'ave to work to eat good food."

Hermione laughed wholeheartedly at that and simply nodded. Fleur smirked and pecked her on the
lips. "but you do work. Quite a lot." She whispered and placed a small kiss on her pulse point
(Hermione had to use all of her willpower to keep herself from moaning out loud).

"You two are annoyingly cute." Lea smiled.

"Well, zank you. But I'd say 'ermine is just cute. Zee annoying part I'll zrow right back at you,
Lea."
The banter continued as lunch was being made, wine being shared. After lunch, Antoine asked
them when they would be leaving to Fleur's cabin. All women gave them a knowing look that
made Hermione blush profusely, but she informed the family about their plans. Which ended up
with everyone sending them upstairs to get ready to leave.

Fleur watched Hermione's face brighten as the brunette took in the cabin's facade and couldn't keep
herself from smiling. She had apparated them to the front of the house instead of the living room
because she wanted to see her expression, she wasn't disappointed in the last.

"Seems cosy..."

"Eet ees, we should get in. Eet will get really cold in a bit..."

She took the brunette's hand into hers and nudged her so they could get inside. She opened the
front door and let the lioness enter the room first.

"Oh, my goodness! It's just wonderful! It's so... You!"

"Well, you 'ave full reign to make eet us." She hugged her girlfriend from her back and kissed the
edge of her jaw. Fleur felt the brunette lean into her chest.

"I'm sure we can figure that out rather quickly. Would you show me the house?"

Fleur simply nodded and guided her through the hut. It was rather simple: one suite, a living room
with a fireplace, a well-equipped kitchen (filled to the brim with all kind of food, thanks to Zeeny
obviously) and a small terrace facing the nearby lake (frozen at the moment).

"It's very much like a muggle hut."

"Eet ees, mon Chéri. Eet's only greatly warded and magically protected."

"It's perfect!" Hermione turned to face her and kissed her lightly.

"You should get comfortable and I'll make us some hot chocolate..."

"I'll light the fireplace, it's getting a bit chilly... I'm quite comfortable right now... Could you-"

"Add just a bit of pepper? Oui, mon Reine."

"You. Are. Just. All. Kinds. Of. Perfect." Hermione said, punctuating each word with a peck on her
lips. By the end of the phrase, Fleur was left smiling softly and wondering how happy (and lucky)
she was for finding her mate. She finished preparing their hot drinks and went to the other room,
finding her girlfriend already comfortably sat on the couch reading a book she guessed she had
borrowed from her grand-mére. She smiled at the scene, she definitely could get used to it. Fleur
stopped on her way to put some music, nothing that would break the other woman's concentration
and saw Hermione smile as the soft music began to play. Walking towards the brunette, she
delivered her hot chocolate and sat down. She wasn't the least surprised to feel Hermione snuggle
into her, quietly sipping her drink (after moaning at her first taste and swearing it was the best she
had ever had) and resuming her reading.

"I'm sorry, I didn't want to break the train though so I just finished the chapter..." the brunette
whispered while putting the book away and snuggling even closer to her.

"I imagined eet was zee case. But you can keep reading, mon Ange. I love watching you read."
Hermione placed both cups on the coffee table at that and turned to face her (almost sat on her lap).
"Oh, really?" She nodded with a smile. "I thought you'd want my full undivided attention now that
we are here." The brunette smirked and placed an open mouth kiss over her pulse point, making
Fleur moan at the sensation. "But, if you say I should resume my reading..." Hermione trailed off
and moved to grab the book again.

The blonde was quick enough to keep her from doing it, as she simply grabbed her and guided her
fully to her lap (surprisingly careful but still strongly) and kissed her deeply and soundly. Both
moaned into the kiss. They stayed there until the brunette tugged the blonde's shirt, prompting her
to stand up carrying her and walk to the bedroom. Fleur sat on the bed and resumed kissing her
girlfriend, the brunette straddling her. The kiss was interrupted by only a couple of seconds so they
could take the other's shirts. The seriousness of the moment grounded Fleur a bit as the locked
eyes.

"Are you-" She was interrupted by a kiss.

"Yes, love. I love you, I know what is happening and I'm sure you are the love of my life."

"You are mine."

"Good. Now kiss me." Hermione ordered with a small smirk.

Fleur was a panting mess only a couple of minutes later as Hermione decided to lavish on her neck
and shoulders, hands wandering around her body. The blonde allowed her hands to slowly wander
over the brunette's body and if the ragged breaths she was feeling against her neck were of any
indication, she was achieving her goal of making her a hot mess just as much as she was. She
turned her face and captured her mate's lips into hers again, one hand tightening her hold of the
brunette's hips and the other travelling back and down to grab her perfect bum. Hermione gasped in
her mouth and she smiled into the kiss. The next piece of clothing to be removed were their pants.
Fleur felt her own breath catch as she looked at her girlfriend in only lacy lingerie after she
removed her jeans. She smiled and reached for her, who seemed to be a bit self-conscious despite
the fact she could tell how much Fleur's arousal spiked by simply looking at her. Hermione smiled
softly and stepped closer to her. Fleur couldn't help but look at her as if she had hung up the stars
only for her and simply beamed as she thought that that wonderful gorgeous, genius woman was
about to be hers forever. They resumed kissing and she wriggled herself further into the bed,
Hermione hovering over her on all fours. As she settled herself on the pillows, she felt Hermione's
body settle over her and moaned at the feeling. Hermione smiled and leaned down to kiss her. The
blonde reached around her and remover her bra during the kiss. Her tomb began hovering over
Hermione's nipples, effectively making her gasp. Fleur moved her lips to her neck and once she
was satisfied she started to move down, taking her time and enjoying the brunette's reactions until
she reached her left breast. Teasing, she placed a few open-mouthed kisses on it before she licked
her nipple and finally closed her mouth on it, sucking and nibbling its peak. Hermione moaned
loudly at it, her right hand shooting up to hold her head in place. As if she had any intention of
moving anytime soon. Loud moans and gasps were now flowing from the brunette as Fleur treated
her breasts reverently and equally well. At some moment, Hermione grabbed a hand full on the
blonde's hair and pulled to guide their lips back together. Fleur half groaned and half moaned. She
felt as Hermione moved her hands to free themselves from her own bra and raised her upper body a
bit to help. As the lace left her skin, she felt Hermione's get into direct contact and let out a sigh,
then moaned as the brunette let her weight settle over her. They locked gazes again, getting lost in
each other's eyes as they beamed. Fleur leaned up to kiss her once again. Hermione moved so she
was now straddling only one of Fleur's thighs. The blonde, feeling the wet fabric of her girlfriend's
lacy underwear, bent her leg to give her better contact just as the brunette pressed her thigh against
her centre. They both moaned into the kiss and groped each other more strongly. Soon they were
heavily panting, Fleur had one hand on Hermione's behind softly guiding her more forcefully
against her thigh while the brunette was stroking the veela's left breast. Their movements were only
slightly frantic and completely full of passion, love and devotion. The Gryffindor moved her lips to
Fleur's neck, quickly proceeding to make a trail of open-mouthed kisses to her breasts. As she
closed her mouth over one of her nipples, Fleur moaned louder than ever and grabbed the sheets
forcefully.

"Ah! Merde!" She panted in pleasure. She could feel Hermione's smirk against her skin and
purposefully guided the brunette harder against her thigh effectively making her moan against her
breasts and close her eyes, still showering her nipple with attention. The brunette grunted and
moved a bit down, kissing every inch of Fleur's body until she reached the last piece of fabric
covering her. She looked up in a silent question, and the blonde nodded. The sensation of having
Hermione slowly remove her briefs made the heat she had been feeling ever since they began
kissing rise tenfold. The look of pure desire coming from the brunette only made her get more
aroused. Merlin, she was burning with desire. As Hermione began to take her own lingerie out,
Fleur reached out and stopped her.

"Allow me, ma Reine." She said at the brunette's questioning look. She received a nod and a smile.

Fleur turned them so she was on top and began to make the same path the lioness had made with
her. She kissed reverently the extent of Hermione's legs as she dragged the offending garment
along them and threw the lacy underwear over her shoulder as she smiled and thought how lucky
she was for being able to call Hermione not only her lover but her mate. The brunette reached for
her and guided her back on top of her. Both moaned as their completely naked bodies touched.
Every possible inch of them touching the other. They kissed, revelling in the feeling, soon their
hands began to wander. And soon, they were grinding against each other. Fleur inched her hand
towards Hermione's centre and felt her open her legs slightly more just as she felt Hermione's
fingers graze over her mound. They kissed deeply but both gasped as soon as their fingers reached
the other's wetness. Fleur let her head drop and took advantage of Hermione's current position with
her head thrown back to kiss her neck and throat. They settled into a slow rhythm and resumed their
kisses. They began speeding their administrations and as Fleur felt her orgasm built up, she lowered
her hand to tease Hermione's entrance.

"Fuck!" The lioness panted. "Please," she added. Fleur didn't need to be asked twice. As she felt her
finger be embraced by Hermione's hotness, she felt the brunette do the same to her. They both
cursed in pleasure, riding the build up together. Fleur felt herself the edge and opened her eyes,
lucky locking eyes with her mate once more. Their sweaty bodies moving harmonically and
showering each other with love and care. They fell over the edge together just as they both wished.
They smiled at each other as they came down and only then took notice of the soft golden light
surrounding them. The bond. They beamed at each other again and kissed. It took only a couple of
minutes for it to escalate again.

The following morning found both women sleeping peacefully and stark naked. Hermione groaned
and melted further into her girlfriend.

' Je devrais probablement aller faire du café pour mon beau compagnon... (I probably should go
make some coffee for my beautiful mate...)'

"Hmm..." Hermione mumbled as she held the blonde tightly against her. "Coffee would be good.
But I really don't want you out of bed just yet."

"Bonjour, ma Belle." Fleur smiled as she looked at the blonde and kissed her softly. "'ermione, I
didn't say a word. I was only zinking about eet." she seemed to only have registered what the
younger witch said after a few seconds.

"I'm pretty sure I heard you…" Her eyes widened. "You think-"

"Only one way to find out, ma Belle." The blonde said, smiling softly. 'you are the most beautiful
being I've ever seen'

Hermione felt her cheeks heat and leaned to kiss the other woman. 'your thoughts lack your typical
accent.' She felt the veela chuckle in response.

"Je suis sincèrement désolée!" She exclaimed, clearly amused.

Hermione couldn't help but kiss her deeply. She immediately moaned at the rather graphic
thoughts flowing to her from her mate's head. She smiled into the kiss and rolled so she was on top
of the blonde, both moaning as her weight settled and their hips met. Hermione lightly touched
Fleur, starting in between her breasts and going down. The blonde simply writhed under her,
gasping and letting herself be completely at her mercy. The brunette smirked and changed the path
of her hands, as she leaned in to kiss the other woman as she groped the curves of her hips. In a bit,
she was fondling with her breasts and pinching her nipples. Fleur was gasping and moaning while
she feasted on the heated skin of her neck and jaw, the blonde's hands travelled from her hips
(where she has been grasping almost forcefully) to her back making her feel her nails against her
skin. They moaned in sync. When the blonde started pulling her down and towards her, she
smirked and tsked.

"So eager…" She, then, grabbed both her wrists and held them down. "You will be allowed to
touch me when I say so." Hermione saw her pupils dilate and she nodded. "Good." She resumed
her teasing, kissing Fleur's chest, scratching her nails over her abs and nibbling every sensitive spot
she could find. In no time, the blonde was trembling and moaning and accidentally reached for her
as a form to ask for a kiss. Apparently, she wasn't capable of forming a coherent thought nor
formulate a phrase, be that in English or French. Hermione took hold of her hand before she could
even touch her and smiled wickedly at her girlfriend tsking. "What did I say?" Fleur couldn't say
anything but whine. "I guess I'll just have to-" she kissed the blonde's wrists, 'bond you?' The
sudden surge of arousal coming from her girlfriend was enough to make her follow her initial idea.
Before she could reach for her wand to conjure the ropes, they appeared and wrapped themselves
around Fleur's wrists. "Well, that's new." She said, smiling. And resumed her actions. She was
being unusually brazen and it didn't take much for Fleur to go back to the panting, moaning and
writhing mess she had been before Hermione paused her administrations to bond her. The lioness
decided she had teased her enough and began her way down, towards her centre. "Look at me,
love." She could see it took every ounce of willpower from the veela to focus her eyes on hers.
"You are fucking gorgeous." She said before reaching Fleur's centre with her mouth. She had been
dying to taste the blonde again after she had for the first time, the night before. She took pity of her
girlfriend's desperation to touch her and motioned to the ropes, guessing they would vanish with a
wandless (and wordless) spell just as they had appeared. She felt the tug in her hair and moaned at
it, the vibration seemingly throwing the blonde over the edge as she screamed her name and panted
as she rode the orgasm. After a bit, she felt a small tug on her hair and looked up.

'up.' She heard from Fleur and chuckled as she looked at her boneless mate smiling lazily at her.

"No energy to talk, love?" She teased, after kissing her once more. Fleur simply shook her head and
chuckled.

After a few minutes of bliss, Fleur turned to her smiling.

"Eef I'm about to wake up to zis every day for zee rest of my life, I'm zee 'appiest and luckiest
 woman in zee world."

"It can be arranged," Hermione smirked and swoon at the words. "Though we will have to use very
powerful silencing spells."

"Oui, you are indeed very loud, Mon Cheri." Fleur rolled and was straddling her in no time, the
skin contact making the brunette moan and the blonde smirk.

"You are quite more, love."

"Let's see."

It took them another hour to leave the bed and start making breakfast. Hermione didn't miss the
coffee that much, having Fleur as soon as she woke up was honestly much better than any coffee
she had ever tasted. The three days they spent there passed in a blink, the basically had sex, ate and
slept. Hermione teased Fleur about it as she was making dinner for them on their last full day there
(it had been three days plus the end of Christmas day) and she was answered with a smirk and a
simple: "We are compensating." They both crawled at this but both couldn't deny they felt like it
was true. Compensation to all the time they refrained themselves.

The next day began just as the previous three had, with morning sex. But they spent the free time
they had until they had to leave enjoying each other's company with cuddles and books. Hermione
was aware that if it came to Ginny's knowledge the redhead would tease her to no end, but cuddle
and read was something they both loved doing. Fleur made them lunch with her watching, or
rather, she was completely hypnotized by Fleur's bum sway to the music they were listening.

"See something you like, Belle?" Fleur asked knowingly.

"Uh?" Was everything she had been able to say. The blonde abandoned what she had been doing
and lazily walked towards her.

"I asked eef you saw something you liked." She repeated with a smirk and kissed her, eliciting a
low moan from her. In no time, the blonde was lifting her up and placing her on the countertop,
kissing her with passion. The dressing gown she had been wearing, gone. Yes, they definitely were
compensating the lost time. But she wasn't complaining. To Hermione, it felt like their alone-time
had come to an end too quickly. After their small and pleasurable detour, the couple ate and got
ready to leave. They apparated back to the Delacour Chateau mid-afternoon as the Weasleys and
her family would be arriving later that day.

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hey again! I hope you liked the smut and the fluff! I absolutely love writing
them.

Please comment, I'm always pleased to learn what you think!

Kudos are life!

;3

See Yah!

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)

PPS: So, I posted the Drarry oneshot, I'm feeling like writing the Pansmione side of
the story, what do you think? Go read the shortstory, leave me a review saying if you
want the girls side...
 Chapter 57
Chapter Notes

A/N: Hullo! Just FYI, the las bit is NSFW!

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Fleur apparated them directly to the chateau's garden that oversaw the sea. The weather was chilly
but not enough for them to worry about getting warmer clothes as they shared body heat and the
warming spell Hermione had cast on them when they got outside their cabin was still working
well. She smiled as soon as she thought that, 'their cabin' it sounded right. It was right. The woman
in front of her facing the sea was just right for her.

"Je t'aime." She murmured and kissed behind the brunette's left ear. The blonde smiled as she
heard her moan quietly.

"I love you," She answered her voice just as quiet as Fleur's.

"Zink we could make a small detour for a bit zen 'ead back downstairs to greet your parents and
zee Weasleys?" Fleur proposed already working on convincing the British women by carefully
administering open-mouthed kisses along her neck. She heard a not so quiet moan near her ear and
smirked. It was exactly then that one of her mother's house-elves appeared in front of them.

"Madame a envoyée Celly pour prévenir les Mesdemoiselles qu'elle sait que vous êtes arrivées et
demande Mademoiselle Fleur et Mademoiselle Granger-Black à l'intérieur. (Madam sent Celly to
inform the misses that she knows of your arrival and expects miss Fleur and miss Granger-Black
inside.) " The house-elf looked torn as he clearly didn't want to interrupt the two of them.

"Merci Celly. Préviens maman que l'on arrive très rapidement. (Thank you, Celly. Let maman
know that we will be heading inside shortly.)" Hermione answered naturally making Fleur swoon.
Shortly after Celly left, the brunette turned on her arms with a cheeky smile. "It's a shame, I was
hoping we could accomplish that detour..." Hermione kissed her deeply making her moan into it.

As they broke the kiss, Fleur laughed. "As eef you would let zee rest of zee family waiting." She
smirked at her lioness and pecked her lips. "We should go inside. Eef maman sent Celly eets
because zey must be about to arrive, ma Belle." Hermione hummed and they started walking to the
house. "I'm sure you don't want to miss zee marvelled expression on Ginny's face as she walks in."
She joked.

"You are definitely right." The lioness softly smiled at her.

"Glad to be blessed with your presence, my dears." Apolline joked, a grin brightening her features
more than usual.

"Of course, maman." Hermione answered not missing a beat. The moniker made the half veela's
grin grow to a point Fleur almost worried it would break her face in two.

The Delacour family greeted them and congratulated them, including the aunts and

older cousins. By the time they were both flushed red with the knowing smirks and congratulatory
hugs, the British group was announced by Celly and the front doors sprung open to let the large
group in. The usually blonde-dominated dinner table now had almost equally as many gingers as
Charlie had managed to arrange his work to come too and he, just as Percy, had settled down with
an equally redhead company.

"Fleur, 'ermione, why don't you two show zee younger Weasleys their quarters? I'll make a small
tour with Molly, Charissa, Arthur and Emmet." Apolline suggested after dinner and after all her
younger cousins had excused themselves to sleep.

Hermione and Fleur nodded. As they got up, more than half of the table followed. They began
climbing the stairs and Fleur heard a few oohs and aahs.

"So, where will we meet after we freshen up?" Fred asked with his trademark mischievous smile.
Fleur glanced at her girlfriend, who smiled, then at Lea, who shrugged.

"Gaby is going to kill us." The later marvelled and it sent her and Hermione into giggles.

"'ow about we meet 'ere in an 'our? Do wear something warm. We are going to zee gardens." Her
proposition was met with only affirmative responses. They went around the first floor, Fleur
assigning a room to each of the couples and Bill, who was in absolute dismay that he was the only
single person out of his present family. As they reached the end of the corridor, it was only
Hermione, her, Lea, Harry, Luna and Ginny. The last three looked as them questioningly. "Your
room ees upstairs." Fleur provided.

Hermione smirked as they reached the third floor. "And this is your room. We are at the White
door-"

"With the flower," Ginny smiled.

"Oui," Fleur smiled. "Zee bed 'as been adapted so zee three of you can fit comfortably and you can
change anything you want as eet ees your room officially 'ere at zee Château." Fleur beamed as she
saw three head snap back to face her so quickly she was sure she had heard at least one of them
crack.

"What?" "Sorry?" "Pardon?" Was uttered loudly by Ginny, Harry and Luna.

"It's actually Harry's room." Hermione offered, not that it changed anything.

"As my brother-in-law-" Fleur began.

"You automatically earn a room of yours being Hermione's immediate family." Lea bluntly
explained.

"But-"

"Zat's just 'ow we work." Her cousin said.

"Anyways, it's heavily charmed so you can do whatever you want in there and no one outside this
walls will hear. Or that's what Apolline said."

"Eet's true. Maman 'eard us talking once, while I was 'ere for zee clan's meeting, and 'eard you
complain about zeir noises." Fleur laughed at the blush blossoming at the trio.

Hermione chuckled. "See you in an hour." She said to them and Lea, dragging Fleur to their room.
"What 'ad you so eager to get me alone, ma Reine?" Fleur smirked, waving her wand to make sure
the room was soundproofed.

"You." Was Hermione's only response before she met Fleur's lips with hers.

Exactly one hour later, the couple was leaving their room hand in hand and smiling broadly. After
enjoying each other, a tempos charm informed them that they wouldn't have the time to take a
shower so, a couple of cleaning spells later, they were putting on their clothes. Fleur knew for a
fact that they would be taking a warm bath before going to sleep as they both hated using cleansing
spells instead of washing themselves with good old water. When they reached the first floor, only
Lea and Bill were there already. They were sat on the couch of the corridor's waiting area and idly
talking.

"Well, eef zee freshly mated couple is 'ere, everyone else should too." Lea teased as soon as she
saw them.

"Sounds just about right." Bill joined.

"I don't really know what Har and the girls are up to." Hermione smirked then shrugged.

"Grand-mère's silencing spells work wonders, right?" Lea offered.

"You 'ave no idea, Le. Zey are loud." Fleur said, making her best friend groan. She chuckled in his
expense.

It took another half hour for the group to be complete. First, the trio came down, making Bill blush
and Ginny laugh loudly after they explained why his face was just shy from being the same colour
as his hair. Then the twins joined them, both leaving their bedrooms at the exact same time with
their girlfriends following, and Charlie shortly after. Percy was the last one, taking another ten
minutes to exit his room.

"Oi, we need to drink in honour of Audrey today." George exclaimed as his brother left his
quarters, following the woman in question.

"You are right, brother. It figures it would take a ginger to make his tight ass relax a bit." Fred
joked making Percy try to defend himself and the rest of the group laugh.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Bill asked after a beat. "Lead the way, blondie!"

Fleur smiled at him and began her way to to the garden. A bit away from the building itself she
stopped just shy of the space she had thought when she suggested that they went to the garden. It
was designed to comfortably fit a large group such as theirs and keep them reasonably warm thanks
to the space in the middle of it that was designed to hold a small fire pit. Around it, there was an
assembly of comfortable garden furniture, such as sofas, ottomans and chairs, a serving chart
nearby. She called Celly and asked if he could provide them with drinks and snacks. He appeared a
few moments later with wine, firewhiskey, water and a great variety of munchables. He informed
her that her mother was in the reading room with her aunts and the other two older couples and had
wished them a great night.

Soon, everybody was sporting their chosen drink and talking animatedly. Fleur smiled as Hermione
snuggled into her while they laid in one of the ottomans.

"Cold?" She asked in a whisper and got answered with a small nod. "We could ignite zee fire…"
She looked around and noticed most of the other couples were holding each other close. Suddenly
a pile of blankets appeared near her feet.
"The house-elves here are quite efficient…" Percy noted as he snatched one of the blankets for him
and Audrey.

"Zat was probably maman after noticing zee night is chiller zan usual. But oui, zey are."

"They are well treated here." Hermione half mumbled with a smile.

"Figures." Ginny smiled. "Uh, apart from the useful blankets, why don't we use the fire pit?" She
suggested.

"'Mione, why don't you cast that blue flame charm of yours?" Harry smiled at his sister.

"Right…" Hermione moved to a sitting position, gathered the wand on her wrist holster and
performed the necessary spell with apparent ease. Fleur noticed something quite too familiar about
the wand in her mate's hand only after the blue flame was dancing in the middle of the group and
warming them up.

"Ma Belle, ees eet my wand?" She asked quietly.

"What?" Only then the brunette looked to the stick she was holding, "Yes, apparently."

Fleur thought it was odd, she was sure she had grabbed her wand just before the left the room.
Both wands were basically forgotten as soon as they were out of their holsters and on one of the
bedside tables. The wand on her holster was warm against her skin just like only her wand was
supposed to be. She brandished it and was met with Hermione's wand.

"Zat's-"

"Odd." Hermione filled in. Everybody else was watching them. "It feels warm against my hand…
Harry, give me yours." She asked, clearly onto something. The man handled his wand quickly and
without questions. "No, cold."

Her brows furrowed. "Unless… Love, is there any mention about wands on the research Grand-
mère sent us that I'm not remembering?"

"You hardly don't remember something, 'Mione!" Ginny teased, clearly trying to ease the tension
that was building.

"Non, chéri. You know zone pages by 'eart." Fleur kissed her cheek. "But probably zat's eet.
Another outcome of our bond." She said, carefully giving back Hermione's wand and taking back
hers.

"Seriously? Your wands respond to both of you?" Angelina asked from beside Fred. Fleur nodded.

"Wicked!" The twins exclaimed together.

"Zat ees an unlikely development even with two fully veela mates…" Lea smiled. "You two are
indeed unique. Impressionnant (impressive)."

No one asked any other question about their bond or veela bonding, despite their obvious curiosity,
and the conversation went to other subjects. Fleur noticed Lea and Bill getting closer together
through the night, she had thought it was simply because they were cold but once the blankets
appeared and the flame was summoned they hadn't pulled away from each other. She smiled. They
would make a beautiful couple… She subtly murmured just that to Hermione, who smiled and
nodded to the thought.
"He apparently has a thing for blondes." The brunette whispered back jokingly. She chuckled and
nodded.

When she noticed Hermione wasn't engaging in anyone's conversation, she nudged her so the
lioness would turn to face her. She beamed at the sight that it was her girlfriend in the blue light
provided by the flames, she was sure her eyes were showing how much the other woman was her
world. Hermione smiled back, her eyes shining and conveying all that. 'It does.' She heard the
lioness say in her head, "and you mean just as much to me." She said out loud and with that, Fleur
didn't even bother to contain the urge to kiss her.

"I love you." Hermione said quietly as they pulled back, still caressing her cheek.

"I love you too." She answered, beaming.

"Merlin's balls! You've only gotten worse!" Fred and George exclaimed, throwing a marshmallow
on them.

By the smacks she heard followed by a "shut up!", their girlfriends had avenged them.

"Forge are right, though, you've gotten worse with you cuteness." Ginny said, laughing at her
brothers.

They called it a night when they noticed they were almost dozing off.

Once again in their room, Fleur embraced her beautiful mate from behind, just like she was used to
and they watched the skyline for a bit. Without uttering a single word they separated and started
undressing so they could take the bath that had been in their minds since they had left the gardens.
A soft smile playing on their lips as they noticed they were thinking the exact same thing.

"Music?" Hermione asked as they walked into the bathroom together and Fleur started the water.

"Oui. Vanilla baz bomb?" The soft hum from her Gryffindor declared her appreciation to the
thought.

When the temperature was judged correct, Fleur entered the tub a made space for her mate to join
her. Hermione leaned on her and they sighed at the skin-to-skin contact.

The following day was spent in its majority at the beach as the sun provided a warm day. Fleur was
sure most of her British family were sweating even in the early morning. When the sunset came,
the whole family went to their respective rooms to change so they could have dinner.

"Isabelle, what are the plans for tomorrow?" Charissa questioned the matriarch quietly while they
waited for dessert.

"Ah, oui! Zee plans!" She answered excitedly, with one movement everyone was looking at her.
"As you all know, tomorrow we'll be 'olding our annual ball. And, more importantly, zis will be
zee first ball Fleur will be attending as our héritière (heiress)." Fleur felt her face burn and a
moment later her mate's fingers were drawing patterns on her thigh in an attempt to calm her. "To
our guests, once Fleur and 'ermione bounded, zey automatically are considered next in line."

"But Appoline…" Molly murmured, seeming confused, which earned a small smile from the
Delacour's matriarch.

"While I am considered an 'eiress, Molly, zee nature of our girls' bound takes zem both to first in
succession line." She heard a few ooh's as she caught her mother's eyesight and nodded. "We still
don't know fully just 'ow zeir magic will merge-"

"Oh, that's why their wands work perfectly to them both!" Fred exclaimed before her mother could
conclude earning himself a couple of annoyed looks as well as a few surprised looks.

They were yet to talk to her grandmère about this development. The raised eyebrow she received
from both her elders delivered the message that they would have a meeting right after discussing
tomorrow's plans.

"Oui, zats why." Her mother continued pretending to know what the redhead was talking about.
"Zeir bound as eet ees, ees already stronger zen most."

"Continuing," Isabelle brought the room's attention back to her. "Zee whole Clan will be 'ere to
congratulate zem. All of you 'ave elves instructed to grant you anything you need tomorrow, zey
will present zemselves to you as soon as you wake up and will make all arrangements for you to be
ready for zee ball just in time." The elder smiled at Hermione, "We usually don't 'ave as many
elves working during 'olidays, but all of zem wanted to make sure zis ball would be perfect. Zee all
volunteered to work tomorrow."

'They will have a separate party after the formal part of the ball ends, mon amour.' Fleur added in
Hermione's mind. 'They chose not to party with us, actually. And all of them will receive triple
they usually do as they will be working a lot tomorrow.' She smiled, feeling how proud her mate
was of her recently acquired family.

"I believe zats all. Zee elves will inform you at what time you are supposed to gather at the
ballroom." Isabelle smiled and moved to stand up. Most of the table followed her lead, the recently
mated couple didn't move. "Oh, 'ermione's direct family ees expected to greet zee Clan along with
us." She added, looking at the brunette's parents and Harry. Ginny clearly was trying to hold her
laughter as soon as her boyfriend heard the news.

"Ginny, Luna. As 'arry's girlfriends you are expected to accompany 'im." Fleur added with a smirk,
knowing it would throw the redhead out of her game. Ginny looked like a deer caught in the
headlights.

"Les filles, dans la salle de lecture. J'ai besoin de vous parler. (Girls, zee reading room. I need a
word.)" Isabelle demanded.

Fleur and Hermione simply nodded.

It wasn't that Hermione felt like they were in trouble, but she was at least a bit afraid. They walked
hand in hand to the room they were expected, she could feel Fleur's nervousness and tried to soothe
her despite herself. They were actually walking just behind Appoline and Isabelle and she was
almost certain she had seed them smiling knowingly at each other. As they reached the reading
room, the matriarchs sat at their usual chairs and looked at them expectantly.

"Uhm…" Hermione tested her voice. She wasn't really willing to explain how they found out about
the other two other outcomes of the bounding…

'Let me, ma Lionne. Try not to think about it now, though.' Hermione couldn't help but raise an
eyebrow at it. 'They are still my maman and grandmère.' The blonde rolled her eyes.

As Hermione focused on the other women in front of them she noticed they looked curious.

"Nous avons découvert trois autres sorties dont celle indiquée par Fred. (We discovered three other
outcomes, including the one Fred was talking about.)" Fleur began. "Deux pendant que nous étions
parties et une après que nous soyons revenues. (Two while we were away and one after we got
back.)"

Finally working through her nervousness, Hermione followed: "We can communicate mentally,
though I'm wondering how it works if we're not within reaching distance…" Hermione began to
think about different forms of testing it.

"Bien que je sois intéressée sur le fonctionnement, continue. (While I'm interested in how it would
work, keep going.)" Isabelle interrupted her impromptu planing session, making her blush after
noticing she had spaced out.

"We can also capable of wandless magic." She concluded, knowing the third one was already of
their knowledge.

"Et de la magie muette. (And wordless.)" 'If I remember correctly.' Fleur added, smirking.
Hermione felt her face warming up.

"Cela fait quatre en fait. En supposant que tu comptes l'échange de baguettes dont Fred parlait.
(That makes four, actually. Assuming you are counting the wands exchange that Fred talked
about.)" Appoline smiled at them proudly.

"Ensuite nous aurons Hermione qui se transforme (Next we will have Hermione transforming.)"
Isabelle ventured, laughing. Hermione felt her own eyes bulging out of their sockets. "Non,
Hermione. Je ne penses pas que ce soit possible. Mais avec vous deux... (No, Hermione. I don't
think it's possible. But with you two…)"

The Gryffindor felt her mate's caressing the nape of her head and relaxed instantly. It wasn't a real
problem. She just never thought it would be possible. To have such a complete shift on her core
and self. 'I doubt, I can't control my transformation fully and as long as I know I can't even fully
transform.' Hermione nodded.

"Et bien, on dirait qu'elles vont être dans leur propre monde plus que jamais, à être capable de
pouvoir lire leur esprit. (Well, it seems they are going to be on their own world more than ever,
being able to read each other's minds.)" Appoline said offhandedly to her mother, making her
laugh.

"En fait, je ne peux pas leur reprocher. (Can't blame them, though." Isabelle noted. "Je ne vais pas
demander de détails à propos de ta découverte, je ne peux que deviner. Mais les baguettes... (I
won't ask specifics about you discovering as I can only guess. But the wands…)"

"Well, we hadn't noticed we had switched wands when we got back outside yesterday and I ended
up casting a spell using Fleur's wand."

"So it didn't feel different to any of you?" Appoline asked curiously, at what they both shook their
heads. "It's almost like their wand recognised them as parts of one being…"

"Probablement quelque chose comme ça. (Probably something like that.)" Isabelle agreed.

They were dismissed soon and went back to their room. They only got halfway their destiny as they
were ganged up by Gabrielle, Lea, Harry and the girls as soon as they reached their floor.

"Donc…(So…)" Gabrielle began.

"Gaby, tu devrais déjà être endormie! (Gaby, you should be asleep already!)" Hermione could hear
the smile on Fleur's voice, despite the fake scold.
"Ohh, allez Fleur! Tu sais que je dors bien plus tard que ça! (Aw, come on, Fleur! You know I
sleep way later than this!)"

"Okay, could you maybe keep the French to a minimum since some of us mere mortals don't speak
that sexy language?" Ginny grinned as she saw Fleur frown at her by basically associating sexy to
her sister.

"Oui, sorry. Since my new soeur ees fluent…"

"What?" Harry cut her off, surprised. "You speak french, Hermione?"

"Obviously. Think about it, she is entering a French family after all." Ginny answered."

"Vous devriez apprendre vous aussi. (You should learn too.)" Luna spoke, learning two shocked
faces from her mates. Hermione laughed as soon as she saw Ginny's face morph from shock to
arousal.

"You…?" The ginger was able to choke out.

"Part of my family is French, you know, I got tired of not understanding them fully…" Luna smiled
at her girlfriend. "And I guess it never came to my mind it would really interest you…"

"Hey! Let's focus 'ere! Why were you summoned by grandmère?" Gabrielle cut them off.

"We were discussing our new discoveries about our bonding." Hermione answered though she was
beginning to get tired of standing in the middle of the corridor. The curious gazes that she received
gave her the impression she wouldn't be allowed to get to her room any soon.

Fleur took notice of it and suggested they talked at their room, to what Gabrielle complained
saying she didn't want to get inside a newly mated room. They went to her's instead, laughing at
her.

Fleur and Hermione only got to their room after about an hour and a half later, having discussed a
few theories with Lea, Ginny, Luna and Harry. Gabrielle had felt asleep as soon as she finished
listening to the updates about the bounding and they moved to Lea's room as it was just beside it.

"I finally 'ave you all to myself." Fleur whispered in her ear as she hugged her from behind.

"I've been all yours since the battle if I'm going to be honest."

'Such a sweet talker.' Fleur didn't make the effort of saying it out loud, occupying her mouth by
kissing and lightly sucking Hermione's skin. The brunette chuckled lightly and sighed as she felt
her mate embrace her fully. She could feel the thrall, it felt like home and it was something was
certain she would miss whenever they were distant.

"I'll miss you too, ma Reine." Fleur offered quietly. Hermione knew they shouldn't think about it at
the time and suddenly turned around so was facing her mate.

"I know. But thinking about it won't make any good." She offered. 'I might have an idea or two of
what could, though.' She smirked as she saw Fleur raising an eyebrow.

'Do tell.' No words were needed, the images that Hermione mentally showed Fleur made the
blonde hold onto her and kiss her deeply. They only disconnected their lips when they needed to
breathe. They were both panting. Knowing exactly what effect she had on the blonde worked
wonders to her self-esteem, Hermione couldn't help the leap her heart did every time she could see
 in Fleur's eyes just how turned on she was. Not only by the obvious changes but the worshipping
look she always got awed. They locked eyes and nearly got lost in each other. Hermione smiled at
her and gently caressed her cheek, relishing in the feeling that touching her skin caused her. Fleur
smiled back and leaned to the touch, closing her eyes. What initially had everything to turn into a
burning hot mess, became slow-paced and loving. The soft caresses exchanged in silence as if they
were trying to memorize each other's features - they probably were -, ever softer kisses and small
smiles as they lost their breath over a touch or a gaze. Hermione could never get used to the way
Fleur looked at her but she was also aware that the way she looked at her veela was very much the
same. It was slow that day, very slow, but the way her skin burned with desire and adoration for the
other woman made her writhe. They had slowly made their way to the bed and she was sure to give
her attention to each and every part of Fleur's body, she didn't even know anymore where Fleur
began nor where she ended. The pleasure running through her veins was hers and Fleurs, their
connection made sure of it. She inhaled sharply as she felt a mouth capture her nipple, with a
stuttering breath she held the blonde's head where it was, momentarily. The low moan she felt
against her skin as she tugged at blonde hair making her moan lowly. The attention Fleur was
giving to her nipple moved to the other as she made a line of soft open-mouthed kisses between her
breasts, Hermione arched her back at the wet feeling - moaning a bit louder. It took a while until
Fleur began to move again, all her way was marked with soft kisses or nibbles if she knew it was a
specially sensitive spot. By the time the blonde took pity of her, Hermione was a writhing, begging
mess. Fleur entered her just as she flicked her tongue over her clit, their eyes locked. She moaned
as she did, Hermione all but screamed at the sensation, almost feeling her nerves overrun with
information. Not long after she was recovering from an intense orgasm, still spasming lightly. She
made sure to reciprocate the care, as she turned her mate over and kissed her deeply and lovingly.
Her hands searching sensitive skin, her ears attent to gasps and sights, her mouth closed against
sensitive pink skin at the peak of the blonde's breast.

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hey again! I hope you liked this one! I loved writing it.

Please comment, I'm always pleased to learn what you think! I need to thank pappa
(from FF) for saving my life every time I need help with their French.

Please leave kudos!

;3

See Yah!

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)

PPS: So, I posted the Drarry oneshot, I'm feeling like writing the Pansmione side of
the story, what do you think? Go read the shortstory, leave me a review saying if you
want the girls side...
 Chapter 58
Chapter Notes

A/N: Hullo! Just FYI, the las bit is NSFW!

See the end of the chapter for more notes

The day began with breakfast in their room. Unfortunately not for good reasons, they had a very
long day ahead of them as they were expected to welcome every single member of the clan as well
as getting ready to the event by the end of the day. Hermione noticed she never thought she would
be in the position she currently was. The two of them were being briefed by Zee - who Fleur had
happily greeted but asked why she wasn't still on vacation (she received a rather stern stare at that
and a simple "you need help, only I know what you need", Hermione laughed at that). She was
doing her best to remain calm, the soothing thrall Fleur had been releasing as soon as her anxiety
spiked was helping, actually, she was sure she would be out of her mind if it wasn't for it.

"So, to make sure I'm not missing anything," She began after Zee asked if they got everything. "We
are to welcome the three other families of the clan in the morning after we get ready, then have
lunch with everyone. In the afternoon the clan will have a meeting just so Fleur can be introduced
as heir and I as her mate. And after that, we have to come back here to get ready for the ball. Then
the ball." Zee nodded as she finished talking.

'Impressive resume...' Fleur smiled at her as she projected the words.

'I'm not sure I'll be impressive by the end of the day.' She snorted, afraid of the day she had ahead.

"We will be fine, ma Reine. You will be fine. 'ave a little faith in yourself." Fleur smiled softly.
'And I'm sure you will be absolutely impressive by then.'

Hermione knew she had to dress formally for most of the day so she settled with dark grey slacks
and a fitted white button-up. At first, she was surprised to have so many options for her to choose
in the closet but she dismissed it knowing Appoline might have arranged it all - with some of
Fleur's help. As she rolled the sleeves up to her elbows, she felt two arms involving her. What
surprised her was the fact that she didn't feel frightened at all, she realised she actually knew it was
Fleur the whole time even with her zoning out.

"You are making eet really difficult for me to let you out of zis room." Fleur said to her ear. She
felt her cheeks burn and suppressed the low moan that threatened to escape her throat. She turned
just to be met with the sight that she couldn't even begin to describe. Her mate - even saying it in
her head made her feel giddy - was wearing a red dress that ended just above her knees, it was
short-sleeved and round-necked. Hermione let her eyes travel, admiring the blonde's clothing
choice until she wet her lips to speak.

"The one to talk." She smiled sweetly. "You look fantastic, love." Hermione added, leaning in to
kiss Fleur softly.

"So do you, ma Belle. Zere's one zing missing, zough." The blonde smiled as she moved further
into the closet, clearly ignoring the lioness' questioning look. She returned after rummaging a bit
holding something Hermione couldn't figure out what it was. With a gesture, she indicated she
wanted the brunette to turn around and face the mirror. Hermione realized that Fleur was holding a
necklace as she fixed it around her neck. She admired it for a bit, her hand going up to touch it as
she smiled at her mate. A neckless with a single pendant, a gold-plated drop-shaped red stone -
which she guessed was ruby. It fitted her style so well, she was almost certain it was bought only
for her. "Let 'as been mine for ages, I never really zought eet fitted my style. Suits you perfectly. I
guess eet was waiting for you." Fleur smiled and kissed her neck softly.

"It's beautiful, Fleur."

There was a knock on the door signalling that they should be heading downstairs. They descended
the stairs holding hands, both wearing heels and smiling broadly.

"Whoa! You two definitely know 'ow to get fancy." Lea grinned at the sight of the blushing
slightly.

Hermione smiled at her, in a silent thanks. And moved to greet Apolline, "Merci pour les affaires
Maman. Je les adores. (Thanks for the clothes, Maman. I loved them all.)"

"Eet's nothing. I'm glad eet fits you. I 'ad Fleur to give me your measurements. And style."

"I figured." Hermione answered looking fondly at the blonde in question. She moved to greet the
rest of the family, noticing the Weasleys, Luna and Harry weren't there but came to the conclusion
they had been told to enjoy themselves as this part of the day was strictly clan-related. They were
all sat at the sitting room, where there was a fireplace, waiting for everyone to arrive. She and
Fleur were sat near Isabeau as Fleur was the heiress. The only thing keeping Hermione from
freaking out was Fleur soothing presence and her calming thrall. Just as Fleur was kissing her
cheek, the fireplace flashed green and in came the first guest. In about five minutes, the first family
had arrived, greeted all of them and had been directed to another room. Fleur assured her that there
was no need for her to remember all the names, at least eighty people were coming after all, but
Hermione decided she would at least try and remember all the matriarchs of the families. Fleur said
she didn't know everyone's names even having known them for most of her life. Forty minutes
later, Grandmère dismissed them until lunch so they went to find the rest of their family as she was
curious about what they were doing.

They didn't need to go far as the heard Ginny's and Luna's voices coming from outside. As they got
out, Lea, Gabby and the rest of the youngsters of the clan followed them. The sea of red-heads plus
a few brunettes and a blonde turned as they were reaching the space they were (the same they had
spent the night on their first day there. There were cat-calls and whistles as soon as they saw them.
Hermione noticed Bill's expression of seeing Lea and elbowed Fleur lightly, smiling. The french
snickered.

"So, we are to expect you to be this well dressed tonight?" Ginny grinned.

"Well, I hope to see you well dressed too, red. As you will be receiving everyone too." Hermione
smirked as her ginger friend blushed.

The conversation flowed as always until Zee appeared to inform them that lunch would be served
soon. As they walked to the ballroom, the only place that could fit so many people at the same
time, Hermione noticed they were all dressed more formally than usual. She smiled at her brother,
who grinned back and got closer to her. "Washed up well." She kissed his cheek as he blushed.

"Uhm, thanks. Luna chose everything. Apparently, they agreed that Ginny would choose the
ball's…"
"I think I saw them agreeing to that yesterday…" She nodded.

"Oh, remember me to thank Apolline for the wardrobe. I don't think I'll be able to use all of them in
a lifetime."

Hermione laughed at that. "Right, I remember you using the same shirt until it had holes and stains
ever since our third year." Harry shrugged.

"I never really minded it. I'm not used to spending a lot of money on clothes. On anything, to be
honest."

"Yes, don't remember me. I still have half a mind about not killing your aunt and uncle."

'Was it that serious?' Fleur asked in her mind.

Hermione flashed a worried expression, 'Yes.' She proceeded to flash a few memories she had that
confirmed that they had awfully mistreated him. She was able to see the ire raise in Fleur's eyes.
'He's ok now. We are his family now.'

"Morgan's tits, even while in a conversation you two get into your own world." Ginny grinned at
them. The murmurs Hermione heard worked as confirmation that the rest had the same opinion.
She blushed a bit.

Lunch came and went a little too fast in her opinion. A pause was made just so everyone who either
wasn't a clan member or not of age could leave. Most of the younger child present left after one
stern stare from Isabelle. She knew how to be scary, no wonder she and Minerva were so fast to fall
into an easy companionship. Hermione looked around, trying to remember the names of those who
stayed in the room and started mentally repeating them. She felt Fleur mentally reach to her.

'Yolande and Avril are one of my favourite couples.' The blonde smiled and mentioned to the
Blanc matriarch and her mate. They smiled back, catching their eyes. 'Adelaïde is the younger
matriarch it was a relief when she found Elie. Piaf and Cretien used to come a lot as Cretien was
grand-mére's brother in law.' Hermione could feel the sadness coming from her mate.

'I'd like to hear about her sometime, love.' Hermione smiled sadly at Fleur, making sure to send as
much comfort as she seemed possible through their bond. The blonde kissed her cheek.

"Whenever you want, ma Reine" She whispered just as Isabelle asked for everyone's attention.

Hermione noticed that actually the attention of the room was fixed at her and Fleur's interaction.
Lea and Fleur's aunts had a knowing smirk on. Isabelle called for attention once more. That
meeting was strictly pro forma, as they all knew Fleur was the rightful heiress. The brunette was
surprised when she saw Isabelle get up and Celly pope into existence holding two seemingly old
boxes. The clan matriarch motioned for them to get up after opening both boxes, she stood in front
of Fleur.

"Fleur Isabelle Delacour, à partir d'aujourd'hui vous êtes reconnue comme l'héritière Delacour,
future cheffe du clan Delacour. Reconnaissez-vous vos fonctions en tant que telles? (Fleur Isabelle
Delacour, from today onwards you are to be recognized as the Delacour Heiress, leader-to-be of
The Delacour Clan. You recognize your duties being as such?) "

"Oui." Fleur smiled at her Grand-mére and bowed to the other members of the clan. "Ma vie sera
consacrée à la sécurité et au bien être du clan. Je serais présente à chaque occasions importante de
notre clan, sinon mon bras droit le sera, portant mes excuses. Toutes décisions importantes sera
discuté avec chaque matriarche du clan car l'expérience est d'une extrême pertinence. (My life is to
be dedicated to the clan's safety and well being. I am to be present at every important occasion to
our clan, if not, my second-in-command will be, carrying my apologies. Any important decision is
to be discussed with every matriarch of the clan as experience is of extreme relevance.)"

Fleur's word echoed in Hermione's head as Isabelle moved behind her mate to fasten the delicate
necklace on her. She gasped when she saw the material merge with the blonde's skin and become
an almost iridescent tattoo. Fleur simply smiled at her.

"Hermione Jean Granger-Black," She startled a bit. "En tant qu'âme-soeur de Fleur, vous êtes
également reconnue comme notre héritière et future cheffe. Vous et Fleur partagez les
responsabilités d'un tel statut. Vous devez être vue comme une. Notre culture veut habituellement
que le compagnon de l'héritière soit considéré comme une Veela. Je penses que nous pouvons tous
convenir que vous êtes la non Veela qui se rapproche le plus de nous que nous n'avons jamais
connus. C'est avec joie que les matriarches du clan et moi-même vous accueillons dans notre
famille. (As Fleur mate, you too are recognised as our Heiress and lead-to-be. You and Fleur share
the responsibilities of such status. You are to be seen as one. Our culture usually dictates that the
heiress' mate is to be considered a Veela. I think we can all agree you are the non Veela that comes
closer to be one any of us has ever known. It's with great glee that I and the clan's matriarchs
welcome you to our family.)" Hermione can feel the tears threatening to fall from her eyes. She
notices Fleur has a few in her eyes too. As she blinks and Isabelle gives the other box to Fleur, they
flood freely. The peace and happiness she was feeling were unparalleled. She felt her mate stand
behind her, kiss her shoulder lightly and fasten the necklace. As it touched her skin, it merged with
it making her skin glisten similarly to Fleur's. A toast was made, with some wine of course, and
Isabelle instructs all of them to go get ready to the ball.

Fleur was feeling as if she was flying. The joy she felt at Hermione being officially recognised as
her mate making her almost burst in tears as she saw the necklace merge with the brunette's skin.

"Did you know it was going to merge with our skin?" Hermione asked, curiosity clear in her eyes.

"Non." Fleur got closer to her mate and kissed her forehead. They had just bathed, but only after
Zee had assured Hermione that they indeed had time to do such a thing. Both stood in front of the
full-body mirror, naked. For once, Fleur's mind wasn't in her mate's body, but in the new tattoo
both of them presented. "Grand-mére never said anyzing. Maman gave up zee 'eiress title as soon
as she 'ad me so I guess eet faded from 'er…"

"Well, it's beautiful. I love this." Hermione said, touching her own tattoo.

"Oui, I 'ave no idea of 'ow, but eet made you even more beautiful." She felt her mate chuckle as she
leaned for a kiss.

"We need to get ready, love." The lioness exclaimed as soon as they parted for air. She smiled and
nodded. "So, I didn't want to assume, so I 'ad Maman make you a formal suit and a dress…"

"You mean aside from the whole closet?" Hermione smiled sweetly. "May I surprise you then?"

"I'm sure you will leave me a babbling mess no matter what you wear." Hermione laughed. "Zough
I'm a babbling mess around you anytime. No matter what you wear or not wear." Her mate choked
in her laugh. "Oui, I know eet was bad. Don't you dare tell Ginny. Or Gaby."

"It was awful indeed, love. Ok, it will stay locked in my mind." The lioness kissed her cheek.
"Awful but true none the less." She whispered.

"Zee one to talk!"

"Go get ready. I'm going to Ginny's to get ready. Probably kick Harry out if he hasn't been yet."
Hermione pecked her lips and left the room wearing a robe and carrying her both options.

"On se voit plus tard alors.(See you later, then.)" She smiled as she accompanied the brunette's exit.

"I know you're starring, Delacour."

"And 'ow could I not, Granger?" she answered in a beat earning the joyful laugh she loved so
much.

A couple of minutes later she heard a light knock at the door and it opened only a crack.

"Fleur?"

"Ah! Luna, come in. I figured 'ermione would only kick 'arry out of zee room..." She smiled at the
younger Ravenclaw.

"She didn't need to. Harry went to get ready with the rest of the Weasleys. I just figured you could
use some company..." At that, the door opened a crack once again.

"Zee dressing room for hot blondes' 'ere?" Lea's head appeared through the said crack.

"Je ne penses pas que tu puisses entrer si c'est le cas. (I don't think you can come in if that's the
case.)"

"Oh s'il te plait! Je suis une Delacour. On ne peut pas, ne pas être sexy. (Oh, please! I'm a
Delacour. We can't not be hot.)"

They cracked laughing, when Fleur looked at the British blonde she saw her smiling widely.

"Tu me rappelles un de mes cousins. C'est rassurant. (You remember me of my cousins. It's
comforting.)" Luna said, noticing Fleur's gaze. Both french blondes smiled at this.

"Et où est Gaby? (And where is Gaby?)"

"Elle est avec ton âme-sœur. Elle a dit qu'elle voulait mieux la connaître. On devrait se préparer.
Qu'est-ce que tata t'as ramené cette année? Ou as-tu pu choisir? (She's with your mate. Said she
wanted to get to know her better. We should be getting ready. What did auntie get to you this year?
Or did you get to choose?)" Lea answered already getting to Fleur's side.

"Comme si. En fait, je peux choisir. Costume ou robe. Je ne sais vraiment pas quoi choisir. (As if.
Actually, I do get to choose. Suit or dress. I don't really know what to choose.)"

"Qu'est-ce que tu penses qu'Hermione va porter? (What do you think Hermione will wear?)"

"Elle a les même choix. Je ne l'ai jamais vu dans une robe de soirée pour autant. A l'exception du
Bal de Noël... Qu'en penses-tu Luna? (She has the same choices. I never saw her in a party dress
though. Except for the Yule Ball... What do you think, Luna?)"

"Aucune idée. D'habitude, j'évites des faire des suppositions, comme ça je ne suis jamais déçue et
les Nargoles ne font pas autant leur nid autour de moi. Bien qu'ils semblent aimer être autour de
moi quand même. Vous êtes toutes les deux magnifiques, peut importe ce que vous portez. Qu'est-
ce que toi tu aimerais? (No idea. I usually keep myself from creating expectations, that way I never
get to be let down and the nargles don't nest so much around me. Though they seem to like to be
near me anyway. You two look wonderful no matter what you are wearing. What do you want?)"
Luna smiled at her expectantly and quickly decided what she wanted.

"Are you decent? I definitely don't want to scar my eyes!" Hermione heard Gaby scream from the
door after a loud knock.

"Of course, Gabrielle! Why wouldn't we be, for Morgan' sake?" Ginny answered loudly. "Now,
you already know what you are going to wear?" She turned back to Hermione.

"Oooooh! I think I remember maman separating the ball choices. What did you choose?" Gaby
joined Ginny to gush over both possibilities the brunette had. Her own dress practically forgotten
on the bed.

Hermione had known what she would choose ever since she laid eyes on Apolline's choices. She
knew Fleur rarely saw her in a dress, actually she probably only saw her in a ball dress years ago
and they didn't even know each other. She didn't have to think twice. Without saying a thing, she
picked the dress up just as her companies squealed.

An hour later, Hermione was leaving the room while chatting with both her companies when she
heard Ginny gasp and a door close. As she turned, she completely lost her breath. In front of her
stood her beautiful mate. She had thought Fleur would wear a dress, as she quite fancied using
them on contrary to Hermione but to her surprise the blonde had chosen to wear a tailored suit. It
had been clear that Apolinne had colour coordinated them no matter what they decided to wear.
She knew she was being observed but couldn't stop herself from staring. Fleur's jacket was closed
as she wore no shirt, the suit was of a darker shade of her former school uniform. She was beautiful
and Hermione found herself at a loss of words.

"You broke her, Fleur." Ginny brought her out of her head. She smiled.

'my eyes are a bit higher, live.' she chuckled when she noticed the direction her mate's eyes were
focused on. She saw the blonde's cheeks acquire a pink shade.

'Je pourrais dire la même chose. (I could say the same.)'

'Don't you dare to speak in French while in these.' It was Fleur's time to chuckle.

"And they are lost in their world again." Lea stated with a beam.

"We're going, lovebirds. Don't be late or maman will send a search party."

"'ello, beautiful." Fleur said when the other girls were out of sight.

"Hi, love. You look fantastic." Hermione moved to kiss her, only then she noticed she was actually
taller than her since the blonde wasn't wearing heels.

"Zee one to talk." The brunette smiled, she had decided on the dress as soon as she laid eyes on it.
It was Gryffindor red and was long and strapless, so the necklace/tattoo was showing.

When they got to the Ballroom doors, Isabeau and Apolline were already there with Gaby, Ginny,
Luna and Harry.

"Les filles, vous êtes absolument magnifiques. (You two are absolutely gorgeous, girls.)" Apolline
said, smiling proudly.

"Merci, Maman." Both answered. Hermione felt her face get warm and a second later Fleur held
 her by the waist to comfort her.

Within twenty minutes, the doors to the room were being open and Fleur guided her so they could
greet the guests, standing at Isabeu's right with Gabby, the girls and Harry at theirs. By the time
everyone entered, her feet were beginning to hurt. She noticed the ball didn't include only the clan,
but a lot of friends of the family too, including the French minister of magic, though it wasn't a real
surprise to her. She had been thanked over and over again and was sure she would continue to be,
just like Harry. Fleur had hugged her the first time one of the guests had thanked her for her
services at the war and mentally informed her that her prowess as one of the brightest witches of
their time had travelled the world. Gaby teased her sister saying that it was mostly because of her,
as Fleur wouldn't stop talking about her ever since the end of the war. Hermione and Fleur danced
their feet off, just like everyone. The food was wonderful, but it wasn't a surprise either. At some
point, Harry asked her for a dance. She was still thanking every possible Goddess or God that he
hadn't stepped on her feet, she actually thanked him.

"You should probably thank Lun. She taught me, saying it would be useful."

"Guess she was right."

They left the dance floor laughing.

"Would you accompany me, ma Belle?"

"Sure"

"Good night, love birds." Gaby smoothly said as they passed by her on their way out.

"Where are we going, love?"

"You'll see."

As they stopped at their bedroom door, she raised an eyebrow at Fleur.

"Zee view from 'ere ees better." The blonde smiled sweetly.

"I see."

As soon as they entered the room Hermione pressed Fleur against the closed door, making her
moan into her mouth.

"I can think of better things to be doing at midnight then watching the fireworks..." Hermione
husked in her mate's ear then started kissing down her neck.

"J'avais prévu de le faire justement, seulement au balcon. (I intended on doing just that, only at the
balcony.)"

"Allons-y alors? (shall we then?)" Hermione turned and began her path to the balcony after kissing
the blonde deeply. She smiled as Fleur followed her. In no time she was pressed against the railing.
The brunette waved her wand before she could get lost in Fleur's mouth and cast a notice me not
spell along with a silencing one.

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hey again! I hope you liked this one! I loved writing it.

Please comment, I'm always pleased to learn what you think! I need to thank pappa for
saving my life every time I need help with their French.
Kudos motivate me...

;3

See Yah!

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 59
Chapter Summary

PLEASE READ END A/N!

Chapter Notes

One heads up: NSFW (it's quite a small part, but still is)

PLEASE READ END A/N!

See the end of the chapter for more notes

They returned to London by the end of January 2nd. Apolline hosted a parting lunch, full of their
favourite dishes. They left along with their British family, Hermione's heart ached as she had
grown to love Fleur's family like her own. Dinner was held at the Granger's house, despite the
number of guests (the house had to be enlarged to fit everyone after they promised her parents they
would make it go back to normal before leaving).
She was thrilled her families were at a first name basis and considered each other family. She felt
her heart soar as she heard Molly and Arthur arrange a dinner date with her parents. Just like when
Apolline invited both couples to spend some time in France with the Delacours.
The next day she woke up to Fleur kissing her face.
"All your favourites for breakfast, ma Belle."
'Thanks, love'
They stayed in bed languidly as Hermione didn't have to take the train to get back to Hogwarts.
Around noon, an owl tapped on the window.
"'arry?"
"No, that's Minerva's." Hermione stated as she let the owl in. "It's weird to say her first name," she
snickered. As she opened the envelope. "She's asking if we fancy a cup of tea before the train gets
there. Says she wishes to discuss a few things with us."
"Sure... We leave after lunch?"
"Yeah, I'll let the girls and Har know we aren't going with them."
A couple of minutes later, two owls left the loft. Hermione's returning only ten minutes later with a
small note in Harry's scribble. She let out a laugh as she read the two words note.
"He wishes us luck."
Fleur chuckled from the kitchen. Hermione was partly relaxed, just like she usually was around
Fleur and partly beginning to freak out as the exams were getting closer. She lost herself in her
mind while she observed Fleur make them lunch and begun planning how she would study.
"Lunch's ready." The Blonde's voice brought her back to the present. After eating, Hermione
grabbed her trunk, and they left the flat by floo. She smiled at the smell of their common room, it
curiously smelt like home. The smile faltered as soon as she remembered that those next few
months would actually be the last ones she would spend there as a student. The castle felt like
home to her ever since she made friends with Harry and Ron.
"Eet will always feel like 'ome, mon amour. Beauxbatons still makes me feel warm and at home. I
guess eet's because we live 'ere for seven years."
"I guess..."
"Alas, I'm certain Minerva is holding a position for you here when you want it."
Hermione laughed, shaking her head. "I'm not sure I'm fit to being a professor."
"Well, many 'ere would say different."
They heard a low crack, and Dobby came into view. "Headmistress McGonagall has asked Dobby
to greet you and inform you she expects you after you settle."
"Thank you, Dobby! How were your holidays?"
"Great, thank you! Oh, congratulations." Hermione looked at him unknowingly.
"Zank you, Dobby!" Fleur smiled warmly. "We'll get everytzing to zee room and 'ead to zee
'eadmisstress office..."
"Yes. Thank you, Dobby!"
"Creatures usually can see bounds, especially zee ones zat 'ave zeir lives linked to zem."
"Right..."

They knocked at Minerva's office half an hour later, though the door was open and inviting them to
enter. It actually took them longer to get there than to settle.
"Good afternoon, professor."
"Hello, Hermione. Fleur." Minerva smiled at them. "You had a good break, I assume?" They
nodded quietly. "And I believe congratulations are in order too. I've been wanting to apologise for
not being able to be at the ball."
"Thank you, Minerva. It's quite alright. I assume you had a lot of responsibilities..."
Minerva only nodded and smiled tightly. "Well, I wanted to ask you two how will your living
arrangements work from now on. Madam Delacour informs me that you two are as good as
married to the Veela tradition, I personally have no qualms as to treat you just like that. It is
uncommon at school as it is, after all, a very young age, but it's not unheard of."
"We haven't discussed this yet, Headmistress..." Hermione felt a bit anxious.
"Hermione, I'm only about to expose your options." Minerva interrupted. "Actually, it is entirely up
to you two. Your dorm is already private and I doubt you have any problem with sharing the living
room with Mr Potter. I just wanted to say Fleur has permission to use the Flu whenever, just like
you. No need to keep me informed."
"I-" Hermione was shocked, she didn't think it would be so simple. "Thank you, p-headmistress."
"Miss Granger-Black, I have one more matter to discuss with you."
"Yes?"
"While I'm aware, you've already started a career at the ministry, I also know that being an auror
wasn't in your plans. It was Potter's dream career, but not yours." Minerva paused, waiting for her
confirmation, which she gives with a quiet nod. "I understand you may have a brilliant career at the
ministry no matter what you choose to work with. But I would like to offer you another option. I
can't offer you a teaching position just yet as you would need to pursue a master's degree to do so,
but I'd be happy to assist you in doing just that at any subject you'd prefer."
"Professor, I-"
"Now, miss Granger-Black, you don't have to answer right away. I like to think that I know you
enough to understand your reasons behind joining the auror forces. Just know you owe nothing to
anyone. You never did. You and the boy have already done too much. I believe it's time for us to
do something for you."
"Thanks, professor. I'll think about it."
"Now, we should head down. The express should be arriving soon." Minerva stood up and opened
the door to allow their passage, following right after. "Any luck with the searches, Fleur?"
"Well, I 'ave obviously been on holiday but since we 'aven't 'eard anyzing, I believe not."
"I don't think we're going to hear of him so soon. After Ron's screw up he's probably laying low."
"People like Lucius Malfoy don't lay low. They don't know how to. He'll come out." Minerva said
with finality.
On their way down, they met Harry, the girls and a few other students that had stayed for
Christmas making their way to the great hall. After dinner, they went up to the common room, the
Gryffindor's for once, and talked, Hermione catching them up on what McGonagall wanted to
discuss.
"What do you think?" Ginny asked what Hermione guessed was in everyone's mind.
"I don't really know yet. It's tempting, but I've no idea of what I'd want to study or teach. I don't
even know if I'm fit to teach."
"Oh, come on! That one is easy, if it wasn't for you, Ron and I would probably still be trying to
leave first year."
"I'm sorry, I couldn't help but overhear. You are an excellent teacher, Hermione." Moire smiled
timidly. "Happy new year, by the way. I hope you had a great time. My parents sent you a gift. But
it's in my trunk, I was planning to give it to you tomorrow..."
"Oh? They didn't have to..."
"They said it's because you are taking care of me here. Are you going to stay here? I can go get it
to you..."
"Sure. We'll probably be here for a while."
"Okay!"
"That's so fucking cute!" Ginny exclaimed as soon as the girl was out of earshot.
"Language."
"Sorry, professor!" the redhead rolled her eyes.
"Ginny!"
"What? It's not like you are going to become a teacher right now. I just can see it coming. And
people are going to be f-" she earned a harsh stare from Hermione. "freaking proud of being your
students. What? I didn't say it, ok? Which subject are you considering, anyway?"
"Well, transfiguration, Ancient Runes and muggle studies."
"I bet I know what McG is rooting for. Why MS?"
"Well, first because its curriculum needs an urgent review... But probably because I'd like to
understand the way the Wizarding World sees them. Prejudices apart."
"First, I'm sure the board would be willing to take your suggestions under consideration even if
you're not the teacher," Harry answered with a smile.
"A fact. You should indeed, it doesn't even touch tech basis." Luna added dreamily.
"Secondly, you can study all zat on zee side. Knowing you, ma Belle, you won't be even able to
keep yourself at one subject."
"The ultimate truth!" Ginny exclaimed just as Moire got back.
"Here. I didn't really know what to suggest to them, but I thought you'd like this." Moore extended
a neatly packed rectangular gift.
"Thank you, Moire. You are too sweet."
Hermione carefully unwrapped it and was pleased to discover a beautiful handmade binding
notebook along with a fountain pen and a couple of fancy ballpoints.
"They are beautiful, Moire! Thank you!" She gasped as she saw her name stamped on the inside of
the notebook and felt her eyes wet. "That's sweet."
"The store card is in there, in case you want to refill the notebook. They can bind the used pages
for you..."
Hermione smiled widely at Moire and hugged her.
"Oh, Moire is already working on getting to the future professor good side." Ginny laughed at the
indignant squeal that followed her comment coming from the two hugging.
"You are the one that needs it, Ginevra." Hermione scolded. "And you don't know if I'd finish the
whole program to teach her."
"Yes, you will." Harry managed to stop laughing to answer her. "The masters' length depends
solely on you. If it was for your efforts, you'd have graduated three years early. The only reason I
wasn't too preoccupied while we were camping was that I knew you probably knew more than a
graduate."
Hermione felt her face get hot.
"I should go. I still have to plan my schedule..." Moire was a bit flustered.
"And the snitch was caught! And that's how you earn a place in Hermione's heart! Unless you're
Fleur, of course."
"Shut up, Ginny. Ignore her, Moire. If you need any help, just ask, okay, Moire?" Hermione
pinched her nose, exasperated. After the girl left, she glared at Ginny and then Fleur, as she was
giggling. In fact, she glared at all of them as they were all poorly trying to conceal their laughter.
"I'm going to bed." She got up and left before any of them could say anything.
She was a little annoyed at them but mostly she stormed to her room because Moire's words made
her realize one thing: she hadn't even thought about her study schedule and she hadn't been as
occupied as she was now since her third year. And this time she didn't have a time-turner to aid her.
"Fuck!"
"As much as I love to 'ear you say zat, ma Reine, I prefer when I'm much closer to you." Fleur said,
smoothly as she entered the room. Hermione couldn't help but chuckle. "What's zee matter, mon
amour? I know you weren't as annoyed as you made zem believe."
"Well... I have N.E.W.T.s this year."
"Oui, zat's basically what you came 'ere to do." Fleur nodded, clearly not knowing where Hermione
was going.
"I've got to go through seven years of learning. I haven't even touched anything school-related this
Holliday apart from my homework. I usually have a plan at this time of the year!"
"I see. I love 'ow committed you are, ma Belle." Fleur smiled at her. "I can 'elp you if you want."
"Would you?"
"Of course. What you need me to do?"
"I don't know if I need it now... But I'll probably need you later, helping me to review?"
"Sure, ma Belle. If you need me, I'm here." The blonde began changing into the pajamas before
sitting on the bed than retrieved the book she had been reading.
"I might need something." Hermione smiled at her and earned a questioning look.
"Oui?"
"A kiss. You know, to calm me down..." She smiled sweetly as Fleur got up after carefully putting
her book on the bedside table and sauntered to Hermione, sitting on her lap.
"Ma Belle, I do believe you need to concentrate."
"Hard thing to do with you like that."
"But I 'aven't done anyzing." Fleur pouted.
"Even harder if you keep pouting. You are stunningly beautiful, love." She kissed under Fleur's
jaw softly, enticing a low moan from her. After a few (a lot, honestly) kisses, Fleur got up and back
to the bed. Hermione forced herself to concentrate and arrange her schedule. When she was
satisfied, she joined her mate in bed.
"Are you done?" the blonde had been engrossed by the book ever since she got back to bed.
"Yes. I was only organizing everything, so I knew what to study and when."
"Uhm..." Fleur closed her book and turned to her. "I love you. And I love how serious you take
your studies."
"I love you too, Fleur."
They slept that night, Hermione's almost-panicking stole quite a lot of energy from her. She fell
asleep almost as soon as Fleur wrapped her in her arms.

Less than a week later, Hermione found herself freaking out. She was slightly behind schedule
since Harry had asked her to help him with planning his study sessions.
"Ma Belle, come to bed. You need to rest." Fleur sounded and felt annoyed, Hermione knew that.
But she had to catch up and studying for a few more minutes would be essential.
"I'm going, love. Just let me finish this..."
"Hermione Jane Granger-Black! If you don't come to bed right now-"
"Okay, okay, no need to use the full name." She said as she got up.
"Good. Now, I'd like to bathe with you, ma Belle. You need to relax a bit."
"Yes, yes. I'd love to."
"Good." When they were in the bathtub, Fleur began massaging her shoulders, making Hermione
sigh. "Are you going to be like zat for zee rest of zee semester?"
"Probably."
"Uhm, eet's good zat I'm 'ere zen." Fleur began to kiss her nape. One particular nibble where her
neck met her shoulder made her moan.
"It doesn't feel like resting or sleeping."
"Eet could 'elp you relax. But eef you razer sleep, whatever ees best for you, ma Belle."
"Don't you dare stop." With that, Fleur resumed her kisses, and small love bites. "Merlin, I love
you, I love your touch."
Fleur began to caress her waist and Hermione felt goosebumps from wherever she touched her
skin.
"And I love feeling you under my fingers."
Hermione sighed as Fleur reached her left breast just as the blonde moved to press herself against
her back. Her mate knew exactly what each touch caused her. Feeling Fleur's body against her back
and her hand cupping her breast transformed the fire in her stomach into molten lava, she conceded
more access to Fleur moving her neck back, and a couple of moments later silently asked for a kiss
which was answered deeply. She felt Fleur's hand travel down and caress her inner thigh, then she
felt a soft stroke on her clit, making her quiver and moan.
"Fuck."
"Je t'aime." Fleur whispered into her ear as she picked the pace up.
Hermione felt her orgasm reach her and made sure Fleur was feeling what she was through their
bond. Hearing the blonde moan her name made it to her, and she climaxed, screaming her mate's
name.
Thanks to Fleur, Hermione went through the rest of the year without freaking out too much. Every
time she was on the verge of a breakdown, Fleur made sure to calm her down and help her with
whatever she needed. Hermione was sure she saw her mate chuckle when she voiced her concerns
about not being able to achieve the grades she wanted, but the blonde calmed her nerves and help
her study.
"It's uncommon to see Hermione this much at the end of the term." Ginny teased as they all
enjoyed the break Fleur had forced them to do.
"Well, I rarely allow myself to relax much this far along. I just forget myself in my studies."
"Good zing you 'ave me now, zen."
"Not the only perk, love. You are amazing. Thank you."
"You want to go back to your books, right?" The French woman beamed at her.
"… Yes." Hermione felt herself blush. They laughed at this, Hermione blushing even deeper.
"Go a 'ead, lionne." the blonde smiled.
"I only have two more days to study, then I'll start-"
"Zen you'll rest. So you can take your tests with a fresh mind. You already know more zen most."
Hermione rolled her eyes but acquiesced, knowing the veela would have it her way no matter what
she said. Three days later and anyone could find Hermione first in line to the first N.E.W.T. She
was more than obviously going through everything in her head. Two weeks later the brunette and
her favourite blonde could be found at The Three Broomsticks sharing a table with her brother and
his girlfriends and celebrating the end of the exams.
"Oh, well, thank Merlin It's over. I was beginning to lose my mind!" Ginny exclaimed after taking
a sip from her third glass of butterbeer. Its foam formed a mustache on her, which got all of them
chuckling.
"Here, here!" Harry exclaimed, raising his glass. "I'd like to propose a toast. To family, to
friendship, to studying our asses off."
"To having our dream jobs!" Ginny added.
"To living each moment in eet's uniqueness." Fleur smiled at them.
"To sharing each of these moments with those we love." Hermione felt her heart soar as she looked
 at them. They were it. They were her family, her people.
"To love." Luna completed. They clinked their cups and drank some more.
"Now what?" Ginny was for more serious than two seconds ago.
"Now we train. And catch zat salaud (bastard)." Hermione noticed Fleur had fire in her eyes, her
will to bring Lucius to justice wasn't only based upon the anger she felt towards the men that
allowed her to be tortured in his house, but also upon her high sense of justice, one that from what
she learned while she was in France came with being a Veela, being part of a flock.
"Oh, no! Hermione has those eyes again!" Ginny whisper-yelled to Harry, who only laughed and
nodded as Hermione came back from her reverie.

PLEASE READ THE END NOTE

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hey, my dear readers! It's I, your friendly neighbour Celtic! I hope you liked this
one! A few new ideas of a job for our beloved bookworm. And no, I haven't
abandoned you! So, I've been thinking: I'm starting to professionally write, though I
don't have muuuch time with my other (very) important job (owning a Design atelier),
and that's why I don't get to update much, honestly. I've been considering putting up a
Patreon page for me, so I feel a bit more propelled to write to you (not that I'm not, but
it would help me to be able to spend more time writing. So, would you contribute? If
so, what benefits would you like?

Please comment (and answer me...), I'm always pleased to learn what you think!

Kudos are life!

;3

See Yah!

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 60 - Graduating
Chapter Notes

One heads up: NSFW (it's quite a small part, but still is. at the end.)

PLEASE READ END A/N!

See the end of the chapter for more notes

They still had about two weeks to the end of term and graduation. A time they spent between
enjoying their last days at the castle and training. Three days before their departure, during
breakfast at the Great Hall and right after the normal mail time, a parliament of pristine-looking
owls came into view.

"That's it." Fleur heard Hermione say as she saw and heard the owls. The blonde smiled as she felt
the lioness grab her hand in anticipation, she squeezed it to reassure her and smiled at her just as
four owls landed in front of them facing each one of them. She watched Hermione take a deep
breath and take the parchment from its claw and trade it for a piece of bacon. "I have nothing to
worry about. Nothing! Everything is going to be fine. I did my absolute best."

'Ma Belle, take a deep breath.' Fleur caressed the small of her back, smiling slightly. She also
noticed the other three gulp and stare at the parchment, though Luna immediately opened the roll
and beamed.

"That's awesome!" The other blonde smiled. "7 'O's, 3 'E's. What did you get?"

Fleur saw Hermione break the official seal. The foreign relief that followed the shuffling noise
from the parchment being unfolded made her smile while giving her the announcement that her
mate was indeed pleased with her grades.

"All 'O's?" Harry smiled at them.

"Nine 'O's. One 'E', DADA. Definitely not my subject. Thank Morgan for the auror training."
Hermione smiled, clearly relaxed now. "What about you guys?"

"Spending so much time with you rubbed off, apparently. 4 'O's, 5 'E's." Harry beamed at them.

"Same as Lun."

The rest of the day was spent under a tree facing the lake. Fleur still despised the body of water
given her experience with it during the tournament. She decided to ignore the lake and enjoy her
mate's company as well as their friends.

Next day came with nervousness from the four graduates, 3 of them, actually. Luna was simply
excited. Fleur basically guided them to the Great Hall for breakfast, knowing the soon enough the
train would arrive with the attendees to the ceremony, friends and family of all the graduates. The
returning day for the other years had been three days before, leaving only the graduates there. Any
lower year student that wished to attend the graduation would have to come back on the graduation
day. Fleur thought it was weird, having to leave only to return but leave it to the British to
complicate simple things. As far as she understood it was a huge deal for them. There wasn't a
party by the end of the day, but most graduates had plans to celebrate. She knew Molly had been
planning an enormous party for them; they didn't. Fleur had stayed away from the planning since
she could unwillingly tell Hermione about it. But her mother had sided with Molly and Charissa, so
she was sure it would be great.

'Why are you smiling?'

Fleur looked at her mate, coming down from her reveries. "Ma Reine, you will know soon enough.
Stop trying to pry into my zoughts. We should eat, zey will arrive soon and I'm sure Maman and
Grandmère will ask for a tour before lunch."

Hermione pouted at not being able to unravel what she had been thinking. Forty minutes later, they
went to the station along with the other graduates to meet whoever was coming to graduation.
Minerva approached them, smiling.

"The four of you have the most guests this year, I believe." She said, with a slight smile. She had
practically whispered to Fleur, but the blonde knew that Hermione's enhanced hearing would catch
the words. A questioning glance from her mate confirmed that, but before she could ask what all
that was about, the train arrived, and everyone was put into motion.

Hermione was about to ask her mate what that was about, but the train arrived just then. She heard
Gaby's loud French and beamed at the thought of having her there too. They followed the teen
blonde's voice and came to a stop in front of the car just as she was exiting it.

"Ma merveilleuse famille Anglaise! Et ma vieille sœur ennuyeuse. (My beautiful British family!
And my annoying older sister.)" She beamed at them.

"Merlin! Quelqu'un devrait lui apprendre les bonnes manières, elle ne sait pas se tenir en société.
(Merlin! Someone really should train her, her manners are showing.)" Lea, much to Hermione's
surprise - and delight -, was the next one out of the car.

"Je te la laisse et essaye! (I'll let you have her and give it a try!)" Apolline exclaimed as she
followed Lea.

"Woman, I didn't know you spoke French!" She heard Fred's voice as he stepped out while
speaking to - she assumed - his girlfriend.

"Right?!" George exclaimed. "Anyway, you go, girl! To the untamable club!"

"What are you on about, Forge? You have been tamed ages ago!" Ginny exclaimed, clearly excited
to see her brother.

"Shh! Ginny! Let them keep the illusion. It's easier that way." Angelina shushed the younger
redhead.

"Tata! Je n'ai jamais dit que j'allais le faire! (I didn't say I'd do it, aunt!)"

Hermione suddenly noticed she could see a line formed to exit the car and asked herself who had
actually come.

"Hermione, dear!" Her mother's voice made her come back from her questioning trance. "We're so
happy you are graduating!" She beamed at her parents. The happiness she felt overcoming the sad
memory of thinking she would never see them again. She proceeded to hug them.
As she parted from the embrace, she noticed there was a sea of red and yellowish-white. Hermione
felt herself begin to tear up.

'your entire family is here.' Fleur said in her mind, her joy invading her and mixing with her own.

"Excuse me, may I pass?" She heard someone shout, a known voice, but couldn't place it. Soon she
noticed a small party between the Weasleys and Delacours. A wild black mane appeared, followed
by a bright red and gold one, two blondes (not as white as the Delacours) and a brown closing it
(with a baby with changing hair). "You do have a big family, dear!" Andromeda beamed at her.

"Andy! I didn't know you were coming! Not that I knew most of them were."

"Well, it's not every day the head of the family graduates. Or his sister, in this case." Cissa smiled
at her and Harry. She felt her cheeks redden.

"We should get going. I believe we are blocking everyone else from meeting their families."
Isabelle said, taking Hermione's available arm, as her mother was holding the other one. The sea of
people nodded and made their way to the carriages. The five matriarchs organised them and in no
time they were on their way back to the castle.

'You knew they were all coming, didn't you?' Hermione asked Fleur. The blonde simply smiled at
her.

'I had a hunch.'

'Thank you.'

'There's nothing to thank me for. You are a wonderful woman. Of course, they all would come.'

After re-entering the castle, Hermione took her time greeting everyone, just like Luna, Ginny and
Harry. The last person she hugged was Andromeda.

"Hermione." She seemed serious, so Hermione focused on her. "Being a Black has not always been
a dreadful thing. Some old ways have been kept alive along our lines. One thing I remember since
a young age is that all female Blacks receive a few presents on the day they are graduating." She
smiled and Narcissa nodded nearby. She then accioed two boxes from her bag. "I imagined you'd
want it to be a symbol of the change undergoing in the family, this first one. Well, Cissy and I went
to Gringotts and hired them to make one pendant for you, and one for Fleur. It's symbolic of
growth, a change from ignorance to knowledge. It was designed by them. We simply said the
meaning. Apparently, the centaurs got word of it and sent a request so that the Phoenix's
constellation would be engraved." She smiled as she opened the box, revelling a lilac pendant, it
actually appeared that the flower had been transfigured by how detailed it was. "Harry, I thought
you'd like to have your godfather's graduation ring, but Remus was actually faster than me in that.
He has it. The goblins asked it your ring was to bring the same meaning of Hermione's pendant, we
said yes. I don't really know the stone they used, but the design merges it with the family's stone."
she opened the third box and revealed the ring. Then Remus gave Harry Sirius' ring.

"He actually hated the fact that he received it. And basically never wore it. Walburga tried to
disown him, but he and Regulus were the only ones that would keep the line. The accord from the
sacred 28 didn't allow her to do that. He never liked the concept of them, but he couldn't do much."

Harry smiled and thanked them. Hermione was curious about what stone was on his ring and
quietly asked to see it. "I think I know what stone that is."

"I was hoping you would, Hermione." Narcissa smiled at her.

"I believe it's an African Turquoise. It's considered the stone of evolution and brings about great
change and transformation within life. Its encouraging energy opens minds to the possibility of
newness." Harry and Hermione smiled at each other.

"Apparently only Humankind can't truly understand love. The goblins sent those to your mates,
Harry." Andy smiled after accioing two other boxes.

"Thank you." Ginny and Luna answered as they received their pendants, they held gems similar to
Harry's.

"Can we go see zee castle? Eet 'as been years and I'd like to see everyzing before zee ceremony!"
Gabrielle rolled her eyes, exasperated, only to receive a light push from Bill.

"Gabrielle, be civil! That was part of House Black Traditions. Be respectful!" Lea chided.

"Ah, but we should indeed go. I understand most of you never came to Hogwarts?" Andy took
lead, looping an arm on Apolline's. The other blondes nodded, except for those who had come for
the Triwizard Tournament (which were few). As they walked the corridors, the kids ran among
them, sometimes almost knocking down armours, other times talking to the portraits. "The school
runs with a four Houses system. Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor. Each house has
a common room that is linked to the dormitories." the woman lunched on an explanation about
each house.

"Of course, Slytherin is the best house." Draco smirked.

"I have no idea about what makes you think that, little cousin! Puffs make the best house!" Tonks
interjected, changing her hair to match her House's.

"You certainly forget that our house alone has three war heroes." Fred exclaimed.

"One of them is the chosen one!" George completes.

"I really think it depends. Each house has its ups and downs. They are unique." Luna said calmly,
interrupting the start of a discussion that could take up hours.

"Zee most reasonable is Ravenclaw as you can see." Fleur beamed while being lightly pushed
away by Hermione, who sported a fake offended expression.

"As you can obviously see, there's a competition between them. There's a Cup at the end of the
year and the house that has the highest score wins. Points are awarded or taken along the year.
Good and bad behaviour, quidditch cup too."

"Unless you are Potter - or Granger - then Dumbledore would make sure you earn enough to win
the house cup forever..." Draco joked, half snarling. Narcissa gave him a pointed look.

"I have to admit he was never the best at being unbiased. Our first year was basically the worst
one. Slytherin was supposed to win that..." Hermione couldn't help but agree with the blond male.

Andy guided the whole group across the castle - or most of it - before Dobby appeared to let them
know it was lunchtime. They thanked him and walked towards the Great Hall, the group speaking
English and French in a mixed sense. All Delacours highly delighted with Ginny and Harry's will
to learn the love language, they had been having lessons with Fleur, Hermione and Luna - who was
especially keen on making them speak as much as they could at every possible moment.

The Great Hall wasn't much different from its usual appearance, given the four house tables were
still there as was the teachers', but - for Hermione - it evoked the feeling of walking inside for the
first time so many years before - it sure felt like ages ago. They all settled at the Gryffindor table,
Luna foregoing sitting with her own house.

"I never really felt at home there... I never felt as much at home as now, actually." Luna said when
Molly asked her, prompting a tear to slid from the older witch's eyes and a kiss on the cheek from
both her mates.

"Well, good. You are family, after all." George said, smiling at his sister-in-law. All their party
smiled at the younger blonde, who mirrored them with a wide smile of her own.

They ate and talked for a while, then Minerva got up from her chair and the entire room got silent.

"While I'm yet to get used to giving speeches at the begging and end of terms, I must say I'm used
to getting the whole room to be silent as I speak. I must say it has been an honour. As much as
some of you didn't ever truly heard me while on lessons," Hermione could see the faint smile at
her stern face - most were shocked by the sass at the begging of her speech. "Most fought bravely
for our school when needed. You are leaving this school and entering a new world, thanks to
yourselves. And I feel like I must begin this new world by offering my apologies." She turned to
the Slytherin table after glancing at Draco. "You were deprived of fighting for this school. One that
is home for so much of you. I apologise for my act of prejudice and unfairness. Slytherin shouldn't
be known only for the history of Oh-so-terrible tyrants, but for your loyalty, your ability to forge
family and defend them. Many of you had friends in other houses and I'm aware I stripped you
from your right to fight for them and freedom. I am terribly sorry." Hermione was the first to gather
her bearings again as a stunning silence overcame the Great Hall. No one saw that coming. Every
Slytherin was so used to the bias that most didn't even think about it. Hermione started clapping
and soon Harry joined, both standing while doing it, in a short while, the whole room as clapping
specifically for the green and silver table, filled with stunned families and soon to be ex-students.
While at the Gryffindor table, Draco shared the feeling with his house-mates.

"That's definitely something I won't ever be able to forget." Hermione heard Draco say to his
mother as the room calmed and sat again. "I'm sure pans will like to see it..." Narcissa nodded with
a smile.

"I hope I have been able to contribute to your lives - all and each of you have surely given me a few
white hairs." The Headmistress pointedly looked at Hermione, Ginny, Harry, and Draco. Causing
them to beam at her. "But I'm absolutely proud of the adults all of you have become. I'm sure you
will have splendid lives and families. We just have to remember to remain united and help each
other. As Dumbledore would say, happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only
remembers to turn on the light. Thank you. The ceremony will take place outside, near the
quidditch pitch, graduates, please stay just so I can give you a few directions." Fleur smiled at
Hermione and got up to follow the rest of the family. Hermione quickly kissed her and bid farewell
to the rest of them. "Thank you. As you already know, you are expected to use Hogwarts'
graduation outer robes. You will walk down the aisle in a line ordered by surname just as you came
in seven years ago - or eight. You are to sit at the empty chairs by the front. I will call your names
one by one. You will get to the stage, shake hands with your professors and proceed to sit, then the
minister will say a few words to you, as will Filius. After the ceremony, Hagrid will again
accompany you towards the docks to take the boats. You'll meet your families once again at the
train station." At the group's nod, professor Flitwick - Filius - began reciting their names so they
could get in line. All of them quickly putting on the outer robes.

Hermione was between two Claws, everyone seemed nervous, she was getting more nervous every
second that passed. By the time they began moving, she had had to take a few calming breaths and
mentally berate herself. She looked back and shared a smile with her brother - who looked just as
nervous as her - and focused back on the front. A few steps later she looked at Ginny, then Luna.
Both seemed relatively calm. Ginny gave her a thumbs up. She only felt her nervousness calm
down when they approached the stands to the ceremony and she locked eyes with Fleur.

'Nervous?'

'How could you tell?' She answered with a raised eyebrow.

'Don't, it will be just fine.'

'Thank you, love.'

She sat in her rightful place and waited to her name to be called. While shaking hands she received
numerous praises and "It has been an honour" she blushed every time. She noticed Harry had the
exact same problem as her, if the obvious blush on his cheeks was any indication. Before the
Minister got to the podium to give his speech, Minerva spoke once again.

"As most of you know, Hogwarts likes to praise those students who had an exemplary academic
life. Yes, this year we have a few additions and a few exceptions, But it's an honour to call upon
the stage the students that are due to receive it." She proceeded to call one student of each house,
the best of their year - Luna being the Claw. Minerva then called Hermione - who felt herself
blush. After a pause, she called upon one last name: "Draco Malfoy." Hermione stood by Luna and
was able to locate the Slytherin in the crowd as soon as his name left the Headmistress' lips. He
seemed utterly shocked, while his mother seemed pleased. He reluctantly got up and moved to the
stage, coming to a stop just by her. "While Mr Malfoy didn't graduate here, given higher
circumstances, the board wants to recognise his efforts during his years here and at his results at
the N.E.W.T.s." Filius coordinated them to stand in line to receive the praise. Hermione beamed as
she saw Luna move to hug Minerva and all Head of Houses. As Hermione approached, she saw the
older witch smile for a second, "I must say I feared I wouldn't be able to give this to you,
Hermione. Congratulations." With a wave of her wand, a bracelet of gold wolven around small red
gems appeared in Hermione's wrist. She felt her eyes water.

"Thank you. For everything." She hugged her favourite professor dearly, trying to convey just how
much she was thankful for her guidance in the wizarding world. She shook hands with the other
professors and moved to take her place once again. As she walked down the stairs, she looked at a
still shocked Draco and smiled at him.

The minister spoke about the world and how it was changing, thanked every graduate for their help
at the battle and congratulated them. Filius spoke as Deputy Headmaster about how different the
real world was and how he hoped all of them would succeed in life. As the whole ordeal came to
an end, everyone received congratulations from their respective families and Hagrid called upon
the recently graduated.

They walked to the docks, Ginny and Harry asking to see the bracelets she and Luna had gotten.

"Mum said there's an inscription on the underside. I'm curious." Ginny claimed as they reached the
docks. Obviously, it spiked her curiosity, but she refrained herself, knowing she wouldn't be able to
live with herself if it fell into the water. Instead, she focused on getting into one of the boats - rather
larger than the ones she remembered getting into on her first day - and prompting the other three to
get on board too. The experience of leaving the castle was indescribable. The nostalgia, pace and
happiness overwhelmed her and she felt her cheeks burning as they reached the other shore. Seeing
Hogwarts at this distance made her tear up. She felt Harry hug her and then Ginny and Luna. They
stood there, facing the castle that had been their home for so many years and had been witness to
so much in their lives.

"Yeh comin'?" Hagrid asked, making them come back to present.

"Ah, yes. Thanks, Hagrid!" Hermione exclaimed.

As got back to the rest of the family/group, Fleur enveloped her in a proud hug. Hermione couldn't
help but laugh as the blonde spun her around and congratulated her again.

Molly approached them, "I expect you lot for Dinner at the Burrow. See you then." They bid
farewell to them all - Hermione realising it would be one hell of a dinner with so many people
present - and apparated to Fleur's Flat.

"Congratulations, ma Reine."

"Fleur, I didn't do anything more than I should have."

"You may zink so, but being zee best student ees not an easy task."

"You shall know that, love. I didn't know you so well at the time, but congratulations."

"You are not going to run from my praises by trying to praise me, a Cherie."

Hermione rolled her eyes but smiled. "Thank you."

Beaming, Fleur took her hand and led her to the bedroom.

"Fleur, I don't think we should-"

"'ush, maman sent you whole closet 'ere and we should be getting ready to zee Burrow."

"There's a party, isn't there?" Fleur's smile answered her, and she gave the blonde a sweet peck on
the lips. "I need to shower first."

"We need indeed." Fleur followed her to the bathroom.

"We are on a tight schedule, love. No funny business."

"I'll ravish you later tonight, ma Lionne."

They both beamed at each other, and undressed. Hermione couldn't help herself and pressed Fleur
against the shower tiles, kissing her deeply.

"Weren't we only taking a sho-" Fleur's words were cut short as she moaned loudly. As she had
begun to speak, Hermione latched onto her neck, delivering small bites and kissed while her hands
assaulted the blonde's breasts. It took Hermione one firm squeeze to elate the loud moan and needy
whine that came after she moved away.

"Do you want me to stop?"

"Don't you dare." Fleur's eyes becoming yellow.

"You were complaining..."

"Non. I could never complain about 'aving you near me."

"Oh?! So what do you want me to not stop, love?" Hermione felt herself smirk and immediately
 moaned at the assault of images Fleur sent her.

She pinned her mate once again against the tiles. The kiss deepening as soon as it began. She felt
her grip tighten on her lover, almost desperately. Hermione's hand lowered, reaching the peak of
Fleur's legs and eliciting a needy moan from her. Unceremoniously, she thrust two fingers into her,
feeling how turned on the other woman was, teeth clasped into her shoulder as she kept a fast pace,
thrusting and caressing the nerve bundle. She was so focused on fucking the blonde; she didn't
notice her hand moving. She moaned as the French woman entered her with two fingers and almost
screamed when her thumb grazed her clit. They locked eyes and road each other until they both
came undone, almost at the same time.

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hey, my dear readers! It's I, your friendly neighbour Celtic! I hope you liked! I
always imagined the graduation there like that so there it is. I needed to make McG
more reasonable than Dumby, hence her apologising.

So, I've been thinking: I'm starting to professionally write, though I don't have muuuch
time with my other (very) important job (owning a Design atelier), and that's why I
don't get to update much, honestly. I've been considering putting up a page for me, so I
feel a bit more propelled to write to you (not that I'm not, but it would help me to be
able to spend more time writing. So, would you contribute? If so, what benefits would
you like?

Please comment (and answer me...), I'm always pleased to learn what you think!

Kudos kind of give me life!

;3

See Yah! It's my birthday but you are the ones getting presents!

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 61 - Party!
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

They were late. That had been clear to Hermione as soon as she finished dressing (she had taken
too long to choose what she would wear and had only decided after Fleur had helped her, asking
what style she wanted.). She was pacing at the moment, Fleur still not ready and humming a tune
Hermione didn't recognise. But her voice - even if with no true lyric - was beautiful, and the
brunette caught herself smiling like a love-struck full, her eyes closed. He huffed and resumed her
pacing.

"Mon coeur, I'm almost ready. Calm down."

"Fleur! We are late!"

"You don't even know when we're supposed to be zere." Fleur smiled at her knowingly.

"Molly said dinner, it's almost the usual time she serves and you are not ready yet." Hermione
rolled her eyes.

"I'm almost ready, ma Reine. Cinq minutes (five minutes)." Hermione groaned, annoyed. "I prefer
zis sound with you under me." Fleur cast her a smile through the mirror as she moved to apply
some make-up. She felt herself blush. "Zere! May we?"

"Finally!"

"Fashionably late, 'ermione." She said with a slight smile.

"Let's go."

They apparated by the beginning of the route to the Burrow. Hermione didn't want to risk getting in
the way of no one, so they walked to the house. The first thing she noticed was the enormous tent -
it was really hard to miss.

"How big is this dinner party, Fleur?"

"As far as I know, only friends and family." Fleur seemed to be curious too.

"You didn't help so there was no risk of me accidentally becoming aware." The blonde nodded.

"Maman said eet would be only friend and family."

"Love, only your family is almost the entire flock."

"Oui. Maman said Grandmère 'ad to forbid zee entire clan to come."

"But-"

"You are my mate after all."

"Merlin… Remember me to never let Maman and Molly organise a party together. Like, ever
again."
"Wow! Mom outdone herself." They heard Ginny's voice by their sides.

"Also late?" Hermione gave her brother a knowing smirk, making him blush.

"Fashionably late, Hermione." The red-head corrected.

"See, ma Reine?"

"Whatever. We should get going." By walking to the tent, Hermione noticed the loud music, one of
her favourite muggle tunes and looked at Fleur.

"Oui. Your Maman 'elped too."

"Oh, Hermione, Good luck trying to prevent mom and Apolline from planning your marriage. I bet
they are already. Oh! That will be fantastic! A Delacour marriage, the brides two war heroes!"

Hermione almost groaned, but before she could say anything, Fleur smiled at their ginger friend.
"Don't forget yours will be a Delacours marriage too, Ginny."

"Fuck." The brunette heard Harry exhale.

As they went into the tent, Hermione noticed that every present veela shot them a knowing smirk
and felt her face getting warm.

'Seriously, Fleur. Your family will kill me sometime!'

'Our family.'

'I'm really not used to it yet. Sorry, love.'

'No harm done.'

"And we lost them again." Hermione heard Gaby say somewhere near them.

"Oi! Hermione! Fleur!" At that, Hermione blinked, having being staring at cerulean eyes for
probably too long.

The party was practically packed, two classes, half a clan, two families and some more friends -
including bosses and ex bosses. Hermione noticed that even the teachers had been invited. She was
glad. She owned Minerva so much. Being her wizarding guardian musn't been easy. She spent too
much time with Harry and Ron, the two - or three, if you counted the troll and the DA idea - of
them attracting every possible trouble. Molly had seemed relieved that they had arrived (and only a
bit annoyed they were late) and soon after they greeted some attendees, dinner was served. Before
dessert was served, Arthur clinked her glass and got up to speak.

"I'd like to thank you all for coming, we are very pleased you were able to be present. Today I have
the honour to say my lest children are graduating. Yes, I didn't say child. While Ginny is my
daughter by blood, the other three we are celebrating today made their way to our family's hearts.
It is a great pleasure to call you mine. Congratulations. The world is yours and you hold a home
here forever." His words made everyone Hermione could see tear up. "Ginny, you are fantastically
strong well witted and big-hearted. You deserve all the love you have found, and it's only an
honour to be able to say they are part of our not-so-little family." Hermione saw the younger
redhead beam at her father. "Oh, and congratulations on growing up with seven brothers. I know it
wasn't easy." Indignation was heard by the time he finished speaking.
Fleur got up. Hermione almost yanked her back to her chair by her side. "I won't speak much. As
you can see zee lady doesn't like zee attention. I just need to say I 'as been an 'onour to know zee
four of you and train you. Thank you." The blonde sat back, 'See? It wasn't a lengthy speech.
Maman might want to speak too… She's looking at us.'

Looking up, Hermione saw Apolline looking at her questioningly, the brunette simply nodded,
everyone she had wanted to speak before it was out to the world - not that it wasn't obvious - was
already aware. Her mother-in-law speaking at her graduation wouldn't do any harm. Before the
older blonde could get up, Molly did. She was already crying. Since Arthur began talking.

"You are my youngest, Ginny. I know I didn't give you enough attention having to deal with the
twins' antics and those three almost getting killed every year since they entered Hogwarts."

"Make it every year, dear." Minerva added, making everyone laugh.

"Yes… Every year. I'm absolutely proud of you and of who you've become. Luna, you lighten our
lives with your way of thinking and have transformed our family in ways i'm not really able to
describe. Thank you for being part of the family and loving my daughter - and son - so much."
Hermione heard her best friend and brother sniff and smiled at him, knowing how he felt. The way
the Weasleys opened their house and hearts to them still left her in awe. "Harry, despite you only
coming to this family eight years ago, I consider you one of mine ever since Ronald sent me a
letter saying he had met you in the train. Hermione, it took me a bit longer to begin seeing you as
one of mine, but as soon as I did, I was able to see how wonderful and brilliant you are. I'm happy
to see you achieve finishing this chapter of your lifes. I hope Hermione doesn't have to save you
anymore, but knowing you... I think I might have to put you in the clock."

"Lets just hope they are not constantly at 'mortal danger'!" She heard Angelina exclaim, making
everyone chuckle.

"Can't promise you that!" Tonks answered with a smirk. Molly sat back down, looking forever
worried.

Just as the conversation began picking up, Apolline caught everyone's attention. "Well, I must
apologize, for my English isn't as good as eet should. I 'aven't know any of you for longer zan a
year, but as our kind take mates we are used to welcome family members at brief notice. I'm
absolutely proud of 'aving you in my family. Congratulations." Hermione smiled at her mother-in-
law, silently thanking her.

Her mother stood up as soon as Appoline sat. Hermione teared up for just being at the receiving
end of such a loving and proud look. "Hermione, my dear…" A pause was needed there, her voice
gave away how on edge of crying she had been. "The minute I saw your smile when I first held you
I knew you were destined for exceptional things. Obviously I never once thought it would be being
a witch or performing an essential role to winning a war. But somehow I knew you would do great
things. When a strange figure - sorry Minerva - appeared at our doorstep, saying you were a witch
and that you were expected to enrol at this equally strange boarding school, I knew I had been
right. Seeing you come back every year with this glint in your eyes for learning so much more than
I would have imagined and performing outstandingly well there. You are my pride. You have
always been my joy. Seeing you well received - and yes, I know it hasn't been always like this -
calms my heart. You have found your people and I couldn't be more happy for you. Harry, I can
only imagine what you two have gone through. And hearing you never left her side makes me
thrilled. I understand you are already like siblings in your world, but I'd like to offer our house for
you too. The little I've got to know you and for everything I heard my baby say about you, - and I
believe I can say this for my husband too - you already feel like ours. And obviously, if you two
deem anyone worth being in your life, they will be welcome too. Congratulations for finishing this
part of your journey, honeys. All four of you."

After she sat down again, the time felt like stilled. Hermione and everyone was waiting to see if
anyone else would give a speech. She was actually trying not to cry desperately…

"I might as well speak too…" Hermione felt her eyes bulge from her face as none other than
Minerva McGonagall started talking after silently getting up. "I can't lie, being your Head of House
was basically a nightmare. But I couldn't be more proud. I tried to protect you as well as I could the
moment I noticed that everything that happened in that school had you three involved somehow.
I'm sure we all ask ourselves why was it always you three. Anyway, Harry… You are much like
your father when it comes to being there for your chosen family. James wasn't always a great men,
as I'm sure you are aware, but each day that passes I'm more than certain you inherited his best
treats just like Lily's. Of course her studious manners only came to the world this last year, but you
have always been kind hearted despite how you were brought up. I'm deeply happy to see
everything you went through didn't change that in you. Ginny, I'm sure being the youngest and
only daughter wasn't easy on you neither was your first year. Your are and have always been
outstandingly strong and passionate about everything you set yourself to do. Luna, despite not
being your Head of House - maybe only except for this last term - you always enchanted me. The
light you cast on everyone's lives is inspiring just as your view of the world. Hermione… I has
been an honour. Not only being your teacher and head of house but your guardian in a world you
had no idea existed but blossomed so much. Yes, I think I can say it now. And I believe it was
never a real secret, but you came to be one of my highest prides. I ended up being guardian to many
muggleborns over the years I've been teaching. I don't believe I bounded this much with many.
Maybe only two. Two awesomely well witted witches. One being you. The other… Well, her son
is your brother." Minerva smiled at them for a second, Hermione noticed her eyes full of tears.
After a deep breath, she ruled her face once more. "Congratulations. I can only hope to continue
seeing the four of you grow up and achieve new dreams."

A round of applauses came through. Hermione had given up holding back her tears and was openly
crying, just like her brother. They had begun holding each other's hands at some moment, probably
when Arthur began speaking. Harry helped her ground herself and by the way he was holding her
hand, she helped him. She felt Fleur's soothing magic touch her while the blonde caressed her hair,
softly. She smiled and looked at her brother. He too had tear lines in his face. Behind him, Ginny
and Luna smiled at her.

Soon, the tables vanished and music began playing.

A week after the surprise party, all their French family went back and their training resumed. A
month later they had their last standard test and were assigned to field work under supervision.
They were being briefed for their third assignment by Bill when Tonks all but stumbled into the
room.

"Forget this mission! He has been spotted." The usually jovial boss was now serious and her eyes
held such urgency that her hair was their natural colour - Hermione assumed, given the Black's
genetic inheritance. She felt Fleur's temper flair.

'we will get his this time.' The brunette stated to her mate while sending off some calm to her.

'oui.'

"Any surveillance team?" Bill asked after locking eyes with all of them.

"I was honestly hoping you would be up to it. Since I think Fleur will end up murdering someone if
something like last time happened…"

"Oui. I probably would." Hermione noticed her eyes had changed.

"Fleur. Take a second and calm down." Bill said but immediately cowered back as the veela's sight
fell onto him.

"Love." Hermione knew she had to change the older woman's focus. Her voice seemed to do the
work.

"Where?" The blonde visibly steeled her resolve.

"North Scotland. The intel came from Draco. He said one of his sources told him Lucius has been
trying to recruit and seemed to settle there. He'll be here to brief you in an hour." With that, Tonks
left.

"Fuck." Bill breathed out. "That's it."

"Go sort your things. We meet back here in half an hour." Hermione could sense the steel in Fleur's
voice. With that, they set into motion. Harry, Ginny, Luna and Bill jogged from the room they
were while she turned to Fleur.

"All right, what's next?" Hermione being herself already had everything she needed in her bag and
she knew Fleur had it all too.

"Uniforms and gear. Not too many. Merde!" Fleur embraced Hermione, trying to calm down.

"You want to get to that? Focus on something other than what's next. I know you are still angry
and nervous."

"Oui, eet might be a good idea."

They spent the next half hour separating three sets of standard surveillance uniforms and two raid
sets for each of the team along with a few apparatus that would help them at the task and a set of
enhancing potions.

"Uhm, sorry." They were both startled when they heard a voice from the door, being too focused
on selecting the potions to each of them. Hermione knew the voice and took a steading breath
before turning. Fleur clasped her hand as soon as she identified the source. Ron carefully stepped
inside the room, eyeing her blonde. "I - uhm - I've just heard Lucius has been seen. I wanted to
wish you luck… And… And say I'm sorry for what I said. I had no right."

"Thank you, Ronald." Was all Hermione said. The silent that followed wasn't at all pleasant and
after a minute or so the redhead nervously nodded and left the room. "That was… awkward."

"Oui."

"Hermione? Fleur? You all right? You seem like you just saw a ghost." Harry's voice forced
Hermione out of her head and helped the weird feeling go away. She was left with an unpleasant
feeling of doubt as Ron had left.

"I'm ok." "Oui."

"I never really got to understand this muggle phrase. Ghosts exists, they're not always pleasant to be
around but most aren't scary in the slightest." Ginny laughed but seemed really confused.
 "Babe, muggles don't think such things exists. And I think they aren't actually able to see them. The
unpleasant feeling we get when the go through us is probably the origin if it…" Harry answered.

"It might… But no, we didn't see a ghost. Ronald came by just minutes before you." Hermione
allowed herself to relax and moved to embrace her veela.

"WHAT?" Ginny as the first to process what the brunette had said. Her outburst forced Harry to get
out of shock and quickly grab her arm as she mentioned getting out of the room and chase her
brother, constricting her demanded Luna to help.

Bill simply sighted. "What did he do this time?"

"Il n'a rien fait. (He didn't do anything)" Fleur answered.

"Then why did he come?" Luna asked, confused.

"He wished us luck." Hermione mumbled. "And said he's sorry for what he said."

"Oh." Ginny looked calmer. "What did you say?"

"She zanked 'im. He left before I could say anyzing."

"Ok! Let's sort everything out!" Bill clapped his hands, looking at the half-organised potions.

Draco walked in with Tonks just as they were securing everything inside their bags.

"Hello." The blonde said. He seemed nervous. "Uhm, I need to be direct with you. The first tip I
had about him whereabouts came from himself. And yes, I know he's not someone to be trusted.
That's why I asked a few of my contacts to check it. He reached me to ask me to join him. The man
is crazy enough not to notice I never really wanted in to his prized bigotry club… Anyway, my
sources confirmed he's there. And sent their memories of the place. Apparently there are a lot of
possible hiding spots. It is a muggle city though. I'm sorry I can't give you more details." Draco
passed three vials containing the shimmering memories. They all nodded and thanked him, then he
left. After watching the memories, they agreed they should get there by muggle transportation.
None wanted to appear out of nowhere and risk being caught or blowing their cover. They had
about nine hours in a Train so they left pursuing Hermione and Harry since they were the only two
that knew how to use muggle transportation. After they apparated at King's Cross, Hermione had
immediately set to buy their tickets. In less than an hour, they were comfortably seated, their
baggage in their pockets and wrapped in strong notice-me-not Charms, ones Hermione has
developed during their eight year. Anything under it would simply not appear in muggle inspecting
devices or when the caster didn't wish for magical inspections to detect it. Hermione was proud of
herself with it and was considering turning it to the auror division. Maybe with a few
modifications. She was no newbie to war, and knowing things gave a person some advantage. And
that was quite relevant to a life and death situation.

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hey, my dear readers! It's I, your friendly neighbour Celtic! I hope you liked!
Oh, the feels!

So, I've been thinking: I'm starting to professionally write, though I don't have muuuch
time with my other (very) important job (owning a Design atelier), and that's why I
don't get to update much, honestly. I've been considering putting up a page for me, so I
feel a bit more propelled to write to you (not that I'm not, but it would help me to be
able to spend more time writing. So, would you contribute? If so, what benefits would
you like?

Please comment (and answer me...), I'm always pleased to learn what you think!

And leave kudos, if you can!

;3

See Yah! I hope this give you some help to survive the craziness we are going through
right now.

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 62
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

The French blonde walked through the city like a hawk. They had just arrived there, and she
wished she could simply walk to Lucius hideout and curse the lights out of him.

"Love, you are scaring the citizens." Hermione said carefully.

"Serves zem right allowing 'im to hide 'ere."

"They don't even know who he is, Fleur." Bill fell into step with them.

Fleur sighed.

"I know."

"According to blondie's sources, we can get a view from here." Ginny said, motioning to an old
building.

"Boss arranged everything to grant us access." Bill added.

"We should really get moving. We are drawing too much attention." Hermione murmured a bit
later.

Fleur was on edge. They had been on surveillance duty for a week. She knew it was probably for
the best that they kept it for another week, just so they could be sure of when would be a good time
for striking and how many Lucius had been able to lure to his side. The man was clearly desperate,
she could see that. She was honestly desperate to get him and his goonies so she could get back
home with her mate and plan the rest of their life's.

She sighed. "I deeply 'ate surveillance." Her disgust for the death eater was actually the only thing
holding her there. That and the fact that arresting him was the only thing she could do to tamper the
hate she felt when she read Hermione's report.

Bill snorted. "No one likes it."

"I kind of do. There's a lot you can learn from someone by just watching them." Luna smiled at
them.

"Lun, this is boring as fuck, babe." Ginny grumbled.

"Yeah." Harry nodded, not taking his eyes from the book he had been reading every time he wasn't
the one monitoring Lucius.

"You two are too much of Griffindors." Luna smiled at them.

"Oi!" Hermione exclaimed from the watching spot. "I don't appreciate you saying that!"

"I still think you should have been a Claw." The younger blonde said thoughtfully.

"But you are right, we can learn a lot about them by simply watching." The older Lioness got up
from her spot. "The spot is all yours, Lun. I think I'll stretch my legs..."
"I'll -" That was as far as Fleur could get before Ginny stood up and all but rushed to drag her
friend out. "go with you" she completed sadly watching the space her mate had occupied seconds
before.

"Probably for the best. You two would probably get lost into each other." Bill said, off-handedly.
She narrowed her eyes at him.

Half an hour later, Hermione and Ginny were back, looking worried.

"What 'appened?" Fleur asked immediately after seeing the look at their face.

"Nothing really happened. We heard one of the goonies saying they were expecting more people in
one or two days. Apparently, they are trying to get the few Wizarding people living in the
surrounding area to join their ranks." Hermione said after a peck on her lips. "You reckon we
should ask Tonks for reinforcement?"

"Maybe. We could take the lot that is already here, we could use some more hands though."

"There are at least four known death eaters here, we would be too lucky to have all the fugitives in
one room?" Harry dropped on the couch with his head upside down.

"Yes." They all answered.

"And a death wish." Hermione added.

"Well, I suppose we will wait for more 'ands to come in zee next day."

They sent an owl, with Bill apparating out of the town with it in order not to raise suspicion.

Hermione sat beside Fleur and leaned on her. The blonde's heart rate slowed a bit, and she felt
quite more calm.

"You should rest, love." Hermione said silently. Fleur started answering, but was interrupted by her
mate's raised brow. She sighed.

"I'm just too worried."

"Yes, me too. But I need you to be fully rested so I don't worry so much…"

"Ma Reine, I'm used to zis kind of works-"

"Yes, yes… and before that you were a course breaker. That won't stop me from worrying. Just
like me having fought at the war won't stop you. Now, get comfortable and rest. I'll wake you up if
we need you."

"But-"

"The two of you should sleep." Bill chimed in, smirking. "You all should, actually. I'll wake you up
if needed."

Fleur and Hermione snuggled against each other, laying on one of the beat-up mattresses they had
brought with them. Fleur sighed, knowing she wouldn't be fully relaxed but also relaxing further
just by inhaling her mate's scent.

By the end of the next day, their reinforcements began showing up. All four of them disguised, but
each came into where they were to report. Only a day after, they were ready to strike. She and Bill
agreed they should do it soon. The amount of magical energy could get suspicious and Lucius
seemed to be planning something. By the evening, their last resources arrived.

"Lea? What are you doing here?" She heard Hermione explain as a known figure opened the door.

"Well, Grandmère zought eet would be wise to 'ave a few Veela 'ere. So 'ere I am. With a few other
aurors."

"You never said you are an auror." Harry smiled at her.

"None of you asked."

"Merci d'être venue Léa. (Thank you for coming, Lea.)" Fleur smiled at her cousin.

The veela approached Hermione and Fleur, smiling. "Toujours. Vous êtes ce pour quoi nous nous
battons. (Always. You are who we fight for.)" The Heiress smiled and extended her right hand, her
eyes changing. Lea took her forearm, look at her eyes - she too had yellow irises - then bowed her
head. "Votre combat est mon combat, Héritière. (Your fight is my fight, Heiress.)"

In one wand movement, after touching both their temples, Fleur linked their minds. She felt the
mind of other seven Veelas connecting. In a last-minute decision, she made the same movement,
but this time tried to connect Hermione's to the other Veela. Seeing the shock expression on both,
she guessed it worked.

'Votre combat est mon combat, Consort. (Your fight is my fight, consort)' Lea said, taking the
Lioness' forearm.

'Votre combat est mon combat. (Your fight is my fight.)' She heard the other Veela echo.

She smiled. 'Et votre combat est mien. (And Your fight is mine.)' She responded, Hermione
following suit.

"What can we do for you?" Lea asked, looking at her, then at Hermione, Bill, Harry, Ginny and
Luna.

Fleur grimaced, they didn't expect it to be a full operation. "Zan ees going to be 'ard to organise.
Too many people…"

"We should have a team with each of you." Hermione suggested.

"Why?" Harry asked curiously.

"They can communicate. We can't. Not instantly at least." Luna smiled at the Veelas and
Hermione, who simply nodded.

"Oh."

"We should do that then. How many of you?"

"Eight with me."

"Groups of three to five? We will hardly be noticed like that." Hermione started scheming. Bill and
Fleur nodded.

"I'll go with Lea, organise everyone. And we'll give you sign we're ready." Bill said seriously. The
pair left after Fleur nodded. Bill carrying his gear.
 "So… What happened? If you can explain…" Ginny asked as soon as they disappeared. Hermione
looked at Fleur too.

"Well, Veela are widely known for zeir attractive features, clearly. But only zose who work closely
with zem, and specifically in defense, know 'ow we are fighters. Our main nature ees violent. Most
of zee unmated Veela go for defense departments when working outside our clans. Zee most
specialized teams in France are solely formed by Veela."

"Never heard of that." Ginny looked shocked and in awe.

"As we have gone zough many wars, we developed a specific spell zat 'elps us to communicate
while apart." Fleur smiled tightly. "Eet can only be formed between people of zee same clan as eet
'as a few distinct movements and gestures. And can only be forged by the 'ighest in command line
present. Grandmère probably linked zem before zey left so eet would be easier to me. Making ze
same spell on 'ermine was a last-minute thing. I 'ad to try, our connection ees so unique zat I
guessed eet was worth zee try. Eet worked."

An hour later, the five of them were appropriately geared and ready. Waiting for Lea to let them
know they were ready. They decided where each team should be, Fleur sent instructions to all
Veela and they waited when it was dark, then the teams began moving.

'Soyez prudent. Ces hommes sont très dangereux et vont probablement lancer des sortilèges
impardonnables. (be careful. These men are highly dangerous and will probably be casting
unforgivables.)' Hermione made sure to warn all of them before repeating it to their team. Fleur
noticed a small glare towards Harry.

"No 'ero gestures." She said, remembering how he tended to act.

"I don't-" Harry started.

"Yes, you do!" Hermione, Ginny and Luna said before he could finish complaining. Fleur chuckled
at it.

"Ok, let's go." The older blonde gestured for them to exit the building they were.

The building was located just by the outskirts of the small town they were sent. It was partly inside
the forest they had been watching and its last floor gave them the view to a nearby clearing, the one
Lucius was currently occupying. He clearly never thought someone would discover him, the
haughty moron. No protective or disillusionment spells. He was on the open and either trusted
himself way too much or believed he could flee again. His escape last time did nothing to shrink
his ego.

Their group moved silently, all of them had put silencing spells on their feet and were minding
their steps - it was a bit easier for Fleur and Hermione since it was dark and their enhanced visions
helped so the blonde went ahead, leading them and Hermione stayed by the end, erasing their trail.
When they arrived at the point they were supposed to be, Fleur sent an okay signal. It was a go to
the operation.

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hey, my dear readers! It's I, your friendly neighbour Celtic! I hope you liked it!
We have some due action... Also, sorry about the cliffhanger, but I couldn't help
myself. I promise I'll try to post the next one soon...

I've been thinking, and I kind of feel compelled to write about everything that has been
happening with the transphobic "opinions" from JK. I understand this only exists
because of her but I've been reading a lot and thinking a lot and questioning myself if I
should keep writing stuff on the wizarding world or not. My decision so far: Yes, I
will. Although I'll probably start writing some things tending to non-binary characters,
beyond simply lesbian, bi and pan as I'm currently writing. Being non-binary made me
question if I should relate myself to it (the world) but I see it is mostly us fans now and
it brings me much joy to see so many ppl speaking up against her speech. Thank you.
Any way, this story is almost at it's end. I hope you are enjoying.

So, I've been thinking: I'm starting to professionally write, though I don't have muuuch
time with my other (very) important job (owning a Design atelier), and that's why I
don't get to update much, honestly. I've been considering putting up a page for me, so I
feel a bit more propelled to write to you (not that I'm not, but it would help me to be
able to spend more time writing. So, would you contribute? If so, what benefits would
you like?

Please comment (and answer me...), I'm always pleased to learn what you think!

Kudos make me happy!

;3

See Yah! I hope this give you some help to survive the craziness we are going through
right now.

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 63
Chapter Notes

READ THIS:

There are some NSFW scenes in here (as usual, I think). Also, there are mentions of
momentary G!p on them.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Hermione was sure that if it was a muggle operation, there was no way it could be more silent. She
was content with observing as the other eight groups attacked the house where Lucius was hiding.
Before they had started the offense, Fleur had instructed the other Veelas to put a few protections
around the clearing, including a highly elaborated and unique anti-apparition veela spell. All of
them knew how much of a coward the blonde wizard was. They presumed he would try to flee.
Hermione was certain he would.

They were on high alert, the five of them disillusioned and some courses cast on the ground so they
would be triggered if someone stepped on them. It all came down to patience, as always. Harry and
Ginny began whispering, being the most impatient of them.

"Shhh!" She interrupted them a few minutes after.

"Oui. I 'eard it."

"Someone is leaving the house by the backdoor." Hermione whispered, filling the rest of them. "I
think I see him. But there's someone else."

"Shit."

The blonde man ran into their direction, someone she couldn't quite identify right after him.
Hermione immediately felt her body prepare itself to action, she had felt it a few times before and
could separate the enhancements that the veela bonding got her from the natural reactions of her
own trained body. Even sharper sight and hearing from veela, readiness to act and react from
training though the blunt of the strength came from her connection with Fleur.

They kept still and silent as they watched the man ran towards them.

One more step.

Lucius' next step went directly over one of the spells, an adultered bombarda designed to disorient
the opponent and throw him backward.

"What the..." The other man stopped running just before he reached the makeshift minefield.

The blonde deatheater slowly got up, ignoring the help the men offered. "They surrounded the
clearing with courses."

"We should help the others, Lucius."

"I'm not fit for Azkaban, you idiot! I need to get out of here."

The look in his face made Hermione smile. He was trying to disapparate once more.

"You see, Lucius, zat ees going to be very 'ard for you to do." Fleur made herself seen behind him,
he looked frightened for a second.

"You! You think you alone will have me arrested?" He started crackling. Hermione sent a stinging
jinx towards him.

"She's not alone!" The Gryffindor lifted the disillusionment spell from herself and stepped into
sight. They suspended the effect of the minefield as the other three came into sight.

"Oh, four children as back-up! You are hilarious!"

"Hopeful, at least." The other men added but readied his wand.

"I wouldn't downplay zee brightest witch of 'er age."

"Nor any of us, honestly." Luna added

Hermione looked into Fleur's eyes. Bright yellow.

"You take these prats. I'll deal with the French lady and Muddy." Lucius turned to her with a
vicious smile. "Didn't my sister-in-law give you a lesson about meddling with pureblood business?
Let's see if I can refreshen your memories…"

It happened fast. A bolt of red light went towards her and she easily dodged. A screech was heard
and, before she could answer the attack, a blur got in the way.

"Wha-"

'Get up, mon Coeur!'

'Fleur?'

'Quick!'

"The Mud-blood made alliances with a creature! And here I thought you couldn't get lower! What?
You are its plaything?"

"Don't you dare talk about her!" She heard herself snarl.

Hermione looked around and saw Ginny in shock looking between Fleur and her, and Harry and
Luna focusing on fighting the other men. Fleur charged at him in a second. She passed him, his
face began bleeding. Three bright red lines over his nose, superior and inferior lips. Shallow cuts.
The brunette could see it was basically a warning.

"You bitch!"

"I wouldn't test her." She heard Ginny whisper before turning to help the others.

Hermione fired a stunning spell, easily deflected by him. He started trying to fight them both
simultaneously. He was obviously great at it, Hermione was starting to worry, honestly. They were
quite coordinated after months of training and using their mind link to aid them, but he was simply
an outstanding duellist. His shield was strong, and he was quick enough to cast it or roll out of a
hex way. Though she couldn't understand why his knowledge about curses were so narrow. He
mostly sent curses she studied on her fifth year and they weren't particularly strong to justify
focusing on them. But then again, he apparently shared the fascination Bellatrix seemed to have
with cruciatus if the number of red bolts being fired were anything to go by. She saw a flash of
green and heard more that saw her mate stepping out of its way. The urge to hurt him came, and
she instantly cast a bombarda near his footing. The ground exploded but he luckily landed on his
feet. His face contorted with ire and he became so focused on her that he practically forgot Fleur. A
sore mistake. His mate sent a sequence of stunning spells, which weakened his shield, then sent a
sectumsempra hurdling his way. He dodged it. Their fight continued until a green bolt came
towards her. She rolled and heard another screech, followed by a yell from Lucius. This time, when
she looked his way, she was reminded of the view she had at the World Cup. A daunting yet
dazzling face, two majestic wings framing a beautiful alluring body and talon clad hands
suspending the blonde wizard by the neck. A wand lying on the ground near them, not Fleur's
since the lioness could see the wand in its holster. Honestly, it looked similar to the drawings she
had seen while reading about Greek and Nordic mythology when she was a kid. The Gryffindor
noticed he seemed to be cursed but hadn't seen what had been cast.

"Fleur!" Hermione tried to get her attention. The blonde didn't let her sight waver from the men (he
was starting to tremble) and the Gryffindor could see her hands tighten around his neck. 'Love,
don't. He's not worth it.'

'He tried to kill you. He allowed the madwoman to torture you. How is it not worth it?'

'He would suffer a worst fate at Azkaban than dying here. We came here to arrest him.' She cast a
strong stunning spell on him as soon as she finished speaking.

The French woman took a deep breath and slowly put him down. Hermione saw Fleur's eyes
beginning to calm and contained him with a binding spell. Turning around, she was greeted with
the other men and the rest of their team.

"Ready?" Harry asked without missing a beat. She looked at her mate, who nodded. Clearly trying
to calm herself and transition back.

"So… Damn!" Ginny started as they levitated the prisoners and started walking towards the rest of
the raid group. "I didn't know you could transform..."

"We didn't either. Part Veelas don't manage full transformations like Fleur did." Hermione
answered, guessing that the part veela was in no condition of doing so, as she could still feel the
anger through their bond and maybe a slight spark of concern. "She couldn't before."

"You think it's another thing from your bonding?" Luna asked.

"I think I saw Hermione's eyes get yellowish while you were fighting Malfoy." Harry added.

"I did too, right after he tried to torture Hermione."

Lea came to them just as they stepped into view.

"Zat's some transformation!" She said as she eyed the still transformed Fleur. "What 'appened?"

"He tried to attack and kill me."

"I confess it was scary and awesome." Ginny muttered.

"'onestly never zought I'd be able to fully transform. Eet ees a fabulous sensation. Quite
empowering."

"Got your voice back, love?" Hermione smirked at the blonde.

"Oui. Calmed down a bit." Fleur held her close. "I just don't know 'ow to turn back."

They all laughed at it.

'Tu devrais te calmer, ça vient naturellement. Le contact physique avec ta lionne pourrait aider.
(You should calm yourself, it comes naturally. Physical contact with your lioness might help)' A
full veela mentally reached them, as they were securing all the prisoners together so they could
port-key back to the Ministry. 'Félicitations. (Congratulations.)'

Hermione looked at Fleur and smiled. She sent as much calming energy as she could through their
bond. The blonde rested her forehead on the back of her head and started breathing steadily.
Seemed to be a similar tact to turning back from an animagus form. She felt the blonde's body
shrink a bit and noticed the slight relief coming from her.

'Better, love? I'm here and well.'

'Thank Merlin. I don't know what I'd do if you were injured.' The blonde said while holding her
close.

'Probably kill him.'

'Oui.'

"We should get going. I'm beat and we need to drop them at the ministry so Tonks can deal with
them." Ginny said after a beat.

The portkey was activated with a wave of Fleur's wand. As soon as they landed, Tonks showed up
and ordered other teams to finish arresting them. Draco at her side, making sure his father would
see him.

"You! You betrayed your own blood!" Lucius screeched.

"Father, you have gone insane since Voldy came back. Not admitting defeat was one huge mistake,
but assuming I would follow you after everything that happened was an insane thought."

"For fuck's sake, take him." Tonks ordered the two unspeakables holding him. "Great work. You
can head home, take a few days off. This was one hell of operation."

"Thanks, boss." Ginny smirked.

When there were only them left - plus Draco, Lea, and Bill - Harry beamed. "Celebration at ours.
I'm cooking."

"Fuck, yes!" Bill beamed. "Don't you dare tell mum I said that."

They agreed on meeting after getting some rest.

As soon as there reached the Fleur's flat, Hermione let out a sigh and smiled at her mate.

"We did it!"

"Oui, ma belle. We did. Zank you for not letting me kill 'im."
"Of course. I couldn't have my beautiful mate go to jail. You aren't fit to be trapped behind bars."

"Oui. Well, zank you. I should write Maman and Grandmére."

"You can do it later." Hermione smiled at her Fleur, "I believe you deserve a prize for being able to
control yourself so well." the Veela's eyes turned instantly orange and in an instant she was on
Hermione, looking deeply into her eyes. "I love your eyes." she leaned in and kissed the blonde
deep and slow. "Now, bedroom. I'll be there in no time." She watched Fleur steady herself for a
second and scurry down the hall and into their bedroom, leaving the door ajar. She took her time
admiring the French's bum, the sway obviously designed to hypnotize her.

Hermione walked slowly to their bedroom - yes, she had begun calling it theirs because that's what
it was. She caught Fleur stripping and leaned in the threshold so she could admire the blonde's
body. Curiously enough, it got slower. That's how she realised she had been caught.

"You are staring." The blonde said without turning.

"Yes. You know I can't help it." She smirked and begun her way to the older woman.

"And you know you can do more zan stare."

"I plan on doing plenty more." She whispered in her blonde's ear and felt her shiver. A hand began
making its way to Fleur's breasts, while the other gripped her hip hard enough to mark her.
Hermione knew Fleur like the sting, and she liked how she could leave marks on the blonde's
body. The French woman leaned on her and she shivered as her clothed breasts came into contact
with her back. The brunette pressed their bodies together some more, wanting to feel how well they
fit together.

Hermione smiled while kissing the blonde's shoulder and began tracing them with open-mouthed
kisses until she reached her earlobe. After nibbling it, she moaned lowly while massaging the other
woman's right tit. Fleur trembled at it, whining softly with her body arching as she tried to get more
contact with Hermione and keep the hand groping her in place. Hermione smirked and with two
steps forward she was pressing the blonde's front into the wall and hearing a soft gasp from her
mate.

"I love you." She whispered in her ear, then caught the blonde's lips on hers. The hand on her hips
dipping to roughly to grab her ass, thus making the blonde moan and reach for her head. Hermione
alternated squeezing her butt and pinching a nipple between her fingers for a bit, making the moans
escalate in volume.

"Merde!" Fleur gasped. "Fuck me."

"But I love your needy moans..." She mumbled against her shoulder blades, then made a point by
simultaneously dipping the hand in her butt a little lower and squeezing a breast slightly tighter. A
loud and obscene moan ensued. "See?"

"S'il-te-plait- (Please-)"

Hermione conceded, turning her around and giving her a mind-numbing kiss while fondling with
her breasts.

They usually were a lot more vanilla, but this mild aggression was something they got off
sometimes. Just like now.

In a swift motion, Hermione is on her knees. A soft kiss over Fleur's mound gets a whine out of the
blonde and the lioness feels herself smirk. Taking her time, she kisses her mate's thighs and lower
abdomen, her hands helping her tease the other woman.

Looking up, she sees Fleur trying to obey the unspoken rule they had. In a situation like this, the
one being salvaged must not touch the other unless they are given permission. The blonde seemed
to me trying to hold the wall behind her. As if sensing her eyes, Fleur opened hers and they locked
sights. Seizing the momentum, Hermione flattened her tongue and liked her blonde where she
needed the most.

"Aaah! MERDE!" The Blonde's head collided with the wall in a thud.

A pause and a light bite on her inner thigh made the blonde look down again, gasping but clearly
understanding the silent command. She smiled at her and shifted slightly so she could get Fleur's
right leg over her shoulder. Her hand landed on her butt with a loud slap, eliciting a loud needy
moan from the woman above her. She groaned as she sensed her mate getting wetter and then her
resolve to tease the blonde broke. She dived into it, all lips and tongue and a bit of teeth. Fleur all
but rode her mouth, moaning and pushing herself into her greedy mouth. The blonde fought her
instincts to close her eyes and kept them trained in Hermione's; her hands had lost the fight, and she
had been touching her own breasts for a long time.

"Plus! (More!)" The French woman gasped.

Indulging her request, the lioness latched two fingers into her with no warning. Fleur wailed. And
Hermione dictated a rough pace, fucking her with two (then three) fingers, groaning as she tasted
more of Fleur's cum. Her mate now screaming and wailing. She sensed the blonde was close and
maintained the pace, locking her clit between her lips and making quick flicks with her tongue. She
moaned as she felt Fleur's walls fluttering around her fingers and the vibrations sent the blonde
over the edge. She came, screaming her mate's name and pulling her face into her. Hermione
helped her riding her orgasm with slow deep strokes with her fingers and soft licks.

"Merlin! 'ermione! Up."

Slowly and carefully, Hermione stood and smiled. She held Fleur tight, knowing she still wasn't
able to stand by herself. She kissed her blonde deeply, making her moan by tasting her own cum
on Hermione's mouth. Not being able to contain herself, the lioness pressed her mate against the
wall once again. Fleur wrapped her legs around her waist.

"Bed."

Hermione smiled and secured her hands on Fleur's butt to make sure she wouldn't fall. She
carefully placed her mate on their bed. The blonde pulled her down for another deep kiss, her
hands working on undressing her. The lioness slapped her hands and made quick work undressing.
She unsheathed her wand and smirked at her mate.

It took a lot of concentration and focus, but she soon felt the familiar (not so much, really) shift on
her groin. Opening her eyes, she caught Fleur with blown up yellow eyes - though the yellow was
basically a thin line, could barely be seen.

She smiled, gawking at the French's body. She saw her start to squirm. The newly transfigured
shaft pulsed impossibly hard. She swallowed, the different kind of arousal that this body gave her
too different from what she was used to. A few deep breaths later, Hermione climbed their bed after
Fleur.

She was looming above her, she could feel the warmth radiating from the blonde's core. She
gulped and carefully placed herself over her mate. The underside of her cock over Fleur's mound,
she could feel the sickness. They moaned, feeling their bodies merge. The French woman
scratching her back as she let her weight fully settle over her. Hermione started kissing and
nibbling Fleur's neck.

A sudden light invaded the room and Ginny's voice boomed, startling them.

"You two better not be late, or I'll personally break into the apartment and drag you back here. If I
can't get laid, you two can't either! I know what you two are doing and I'm actually surprised I
can't hear you two from here." Ginny's voice teased. The two stood still. "Seriously, you should
block your fireplace if you plan to fuck."

They crackled, laughing.

"That might be a cleaver thing to do..."

"I don't know eef we should ask why she said zat."

"Probably not." Hermione hid her face in Fleur's neck. "We should probably get ready. I don't put it
over her to break in here."

"Oui."

Hermione got up and entered their bathroom.

"Separate baths so we don't take too long, love. It'll be just a moment."

Half an hour later, they were crossing the street to get to Harry's. Hand in hand, they knocked on
the door.

"Took you long enough." Ginny exclaimed as soon as she opened the door. "Harry's cooking with
mum. Fam are over the balcony. Drinks on the fridge." The redhead then left them by the door.

"Welcome, Hermione! How was your afternoon?" Hermione grumbled.

"It's your house too, brains! And I do know how it was!" Ginny shouted on her way to the balcony.

Fleur laughed as Hermione felt her face warm. They walked in, going first to the kitchen to greet
Harry and Molly.

"Hey!" Hermione greeted both of them. Molly looked at them, beaming.

"Oh, Hermione, Fleur! How are you? Congratulations are in order!"

"We're good..."

"You need 'elp?" Fleur asked after smiling at the older witch and nodding.

Harry looked flustered. "Harry, you ok?"

"Sure..."

"You tried flooing us." Fleur stated. She clearly found it funny. Harry lowered her head and
nodded, his ears getting red. Hermione laughed despite herself.

"I'm sorry, Har." She said as her laugh died.

"Fleur, if you are really willing, we could use your hands."

Hermione tried to contain her laugh. Harry whined.

"Sure, Molly. Where do you need me?"

The lioness kissed Fleur and reached for two wine glasses as the blonde stationed herself where the
matriarch directed her.

Using her wand, she opened the wine they had there.

"Zank you, ma Belle."

"Of course. I'm going to the balcony, love. Call if you need me."

As Hermione got to the rest of the people, she smiled and greeted them.

"You look dapper, Hermione!" Luna greeted.

The lioness beamed and thanked her. Wearing Grey formal slacks and a white button-up shirt with
the long sleeves rolled up her arms. She sat by Lea's side and they began talking.

Half an hour later, her mate walked into the room. All legs and cleavage in her short dark green
dress. Greeting everyone, she moved to sit on her lap. The lioness had to bite her tongue to prevent
herself from gasping. Her hands landing on her lap and waist. The brunette immediately tightened
her grip on her waist as the blonde squirmed a little, smiling. Hermione could see her biting her
lower lip. She could feel all Fleur's bottom on her lap.

'Really?'

'What? I was getting comfortable. You looked like the most comfortable seat here.'

'Be my guest. Just stop squirming. I'm sure you are already aware of my current situation.'

'Oui. I'm feeling it.'

'Right. Be still, love.'

Another half an hour and Harry came to inform that the food was ready. After eating, they sat at
the living room, Ginny retelling their side of the battle.

Hermione saw Fleur walking to the bathroom and smiled, fighting herself to keep her hands off her
crouch. But she lost other battle. She stood and went after her blonde.

The lioness waited until they were safely away from the main space. She heard Fleur gasp as she
pressed herself once more against the blonde's back. Doing so, she remembered what had
transpired at their room and got incredibly aroused. Even more than she was. She managed to elicit
a small whine from her mate by kissing her neck.

"You drive me crazy."

"Good, you too." Turning, the French woman latched at her mouth, making them both moan.

"Merlin!" Hermione let her hands roam through the blonde's legs and breasts and felt her's doing
the same. She gasped as a small hand reached between her legs. Fleur's mouth swallowed her light
groan.
 "Seriously?!" They practically jumped apart as they heard Ginny's voice. "Could you two please
socialise for a bit longer? You will have all night for you once you get home. Mum wants to dish
the dessert."

"Sorry, Gin. We'll be back in a minute." Hermione said sheepishly.

"You better." the redhead said, turning. "And I know the movements blonde did, I might not see
your tent but I know it's there. That explains why you have been acting weird, Hermione."

The lioness felt her face heat. She released a breath she didn't even know she was holding after her
best friend has returned to the living room.

"I guess we should go." Fleur smiled at her, clearly trying to control herself and keep her laughter
to leave her mouth.

"Keep finding it funny, and you'll see what I'll do to you." Hermione said after kissing the smile out
of her mouth. She quickly pressed herself on Fleur and as suddenly as she came, she was gone,
making the blonde whine at the loss though she didn't say a thing, only followed the brunette back
to the living room.

They left in a hurry. Hermione was glad Ginny interrupted Harry and kept him from asking why
they were leaving so soon. They trekked to the other building in a fast pace, both too impatient to
care. As they got to the door, Hermione pressed her body into Fleur's backside. A moan later, they
were inside the flat, Hermione pressed against the closed door. The power play continued as the
brunette began moving and guided Fleur to the bedroom, pausing a second to block the floo. Their
equal strength made it easy for them to power play while assured neither would get hurt.

All thoughts escaped Hermione as they reached the room, their clothes haphazardly removed and
dropped to the floor as they moved there. The brunette wearing only boxers (they has bought a few
of them after playing a bit with the transfiguration sex trick, both enjoying the feeling of having an
extra appendage or knowing it was there) and bra, Fleur wearing a red lingerie set. The view
basically stole her breath.

"Merlin, you are beautiful." Sha said after ogling her.

The desperation of getting to bed diminished, Fleur smiled as she blushed a bit and kissed her
calmly and deeply. The Gryffindor felt her hips buckle as the blonde groped her ass. Without a
word, the other woman redirected her attention to unfastening her bra, then carefully held both her
breasts. A gasp and in a blink the blonde was on her knees, slowly caressing Hermione's thighs.
Her knees practically buckled as she felt her blonde caress a particularly sensitive spot on her inner
thigh. "Shit." She leaned against the door, closing it fully as she felt herself get harder - if that was
even possible. Fleur kissed her crouch softly before licking the wet spot on the boxers right. The
blonde hooked her fingers on her underwear and slowly slid them down, making the appendage
slap against her stomach after getting free and both of them groan.

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hey, my dear readers! It's I, your friendly neighbour Celtic! I hope you liked it!
So I didn't post so soon, I'm deeply sorry for that... Just my life getting some crazy
turns and all that. I had crazy fun writing this chapter, I hope you enjoyed it as much as
I did.
My first question about future one-shots... I know I didn't write the main part of the
NSFW scene, but 1: I didn't know what would be your response to a G!p Hermione;
and 2: I don't actually know if I can write this. LOL. Here's the question:

Do you want a one shot with a G!p? If so I give you two options: Their first try (might
get some fun there too) or the scene evolving from the end of this chapter.

Please comment (and answer me...), I'm always pleased to learn what you think!

And kudos helps me keep writing this, so...

;3

See Yah! I hope this gives you some help to survive the craziness we are going
through right now.

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 64
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

A few months later, the couple was having coffee at their preferred after filing the team's reports
on their latest mission.

"I've been thinking…" Hermione began, Fleur noticed she seemed apprehensive and smiled
inwardly. She knew what was coming. Despite being with the lioness for almost two years, she had
learned more about her than she expected. She let the brunette gather the courage her house was so
proud of. A slight nod to urge her on. "Do you remember what Minerva said towards the end of my
period in Hogwarts?"

"Oui. 'ave you chosen what you want to study?" The blonde smiled at her mate, noting the surprise
on her face. "You didn't expect me to be completely oblivious to your state of mind, right?" She
smirked and resumed speaking after the brunette failed to answer. "Zee job was never what you
wanted to do for zee rest of your life, mon Amour. I've been aware of eet ever since you suggested
joining zee force. I believe you would't be completely fulfilled even eef you 'ad continued working
with Evangeline."

"Right. I don't know why it's a surprise for me. Sometimes I think you know me better than
myself."

"Zee ozer way around yes also truth."

"You do remember I know you speak english flawlessly, right?"

"See? I do. But I know my beautiful mate is enamoured with my accent." She countered with a
smirk.

"Right."

"Don't zink I forgot what you were saying, ma Belle."

"I would never. Your brain is something akin to an eagle."

"I'd say to a crow. But you were saying...?"

"Ok... I confess it's not really a tough decision. My favourite subject has always been
Transfiguration. Though I'm inclined to study Ancient Runes too..."

"I'm glad you made up your mind, ma Cherie. 'ave you talked to Minerva yet?"

"No. I wanted to talk to you first."

"And you were afraid of doing so." She noticed her mate blush while nodding. "You know, I've
been thinking on changing my line of work too."

"Why did't you say so?"

"I just figured you would set your mind quickly…" Fleur smiled and took a sip of her coffee. "You
researched all possible masters and mistresses along with zee programs, didn't you?"
"Of course. I-"

"And you 'ave a rated list after analysing pros and cons." Hermione simply beamed, her blush
dusting the top of her ears. "Tell me, ma Belle, which school 'as zee best potions program?"

"Well…"

"'ogwarts and Beauxbatons, non?"

"You were teasing me, but you did the exact same thing!"

"Eet takes one to know one, eesn't eet what muggles say?" Fleur laughed, pecking on her
girlfriend's cheek.

"So… Potions?"

"Oui. And Transfiguration." The blonde smiled as Hermione looked surprised. 'Don't be so
surprised, ma belle.'

'I'm not.' The lioness frowned a bit.

Immediately after getting home, Hermione set to write a letter to Minerva. Fleur smiled at her
excitement. She could feel it just as much as she felt hers.

"Beauxbatons ees your first choice eesn't eet?" Fleur asked as she watched her mate write to her
favourite professor.

"Well-" The other woman answered in a distant voice, chewing the quill's tip. "I have been
wondering how your school looks like-"

"And your goal ees to teach 'ere."

"Yes…"

"I should probably send a letter to Madam Maxime zen. I'm sure she will be more zan zrilled to
know we intend on studying zere."

"Fleur-"

"Ma Belle, don't even begin. I don't intend on spending any night apart from you."

"Ok. I won't argue. But-"

"Non." The blonde got up and approached the lioness. "I'll go too. And yes, I'm absolutely sure
Juliette will take you. You are famous for your academic prowess. And Minerva will back your
application, as will I."

"Thank you, Love."

"'ave you talked to 'arry already?" The lioness blanched, and the veela chuckled. "'e will
understand."

"I know. It's just-"

"I doubt 'e'll stay zere for long. And you two will probably be at 'ogwarts together again sooner zan
you zink."
"Alright. Should we invite them for dinner?"

"Woman, you zink I'm your slave?" Fleur forced her face into an angry expression. No will could
counter the way her lover's face fell, and she started laughing. "Your face! Ma Belle! Priceless."

"Do remember me why do I endure you, you menace!" Hermione rolled her eyes at her and pushed
her away.

"Because you love me! And because I'm très belle." Fleur beamed. "Invite zem. I'll manage
something. Let me see." She walked to the kitchen. "What about a ramen? I don't zink I've done eet
for any of zem."

"You cook Japanese too? Woman, where did you come from?"

"France." She deadpanned. After a second, they broke down laughing.

"I'll call them. What do you want me to do?"

"Sit there. It's really simple as we 'ave some zings stored already. Eet should be quick." The veela
smiled at her mate. Just as Hermione was leaving, she reached for her hand and spun her around.
Holding her close, she took her scent in and kissed her deeply. A couple of minutes later, the
brunette left the kitchen a little dazed.

"You are starring!"

"Oui."

"Creep."

"But yours." She heard a sigh from the younger woman.

Two hours later had them sitting and talking with the trio next door. After eating like there was no
tomorrow.

"I really shouldn't have eaten so much." Ginny exclaimed, clearly feeling as full as Fleur. The
blonde nodded. "How come you never cooked that for us? It's wonderful!"

"Never got zee chance."

"I wanted to keep it for myself." Hermione joked.

"Zat too."

"Where did you learn that, Fleur?" Harry, ever the cook, asked.

"An exchange student from Mahoutokoro at my sixth year. They loved eet and kept going to zee
kitchens to make eet. Once I 'eard of eet, I asked zem to teach me. Eet's quite simple, I zink."

The conversation moved along until Hermione (and Fleur) had gathered her courage to speak up.

"So…" She began. "Ihavebeenthinkingaboutgettingmymastersintransfiguration."

"Mi, breathe." Ginny smiled. "And please repeat slowly. You can't be a teacher if you speak so
fast."

"Wha-"
"Really? We know you." Harry locked eyes with her. Fleur felt her mate relax instantly.
"Transfiguration, uh?"

"Please tell me you'll go through everything to become an animagus!" Ginny exclaimed. Fleur
glanced at her curiously then remembered Hermione telling her about how Minerva began her first
lesson to the first years.

Real surprise overtook her as she felt something land on her shoulder. She didn't need to look to
know it was her mate and knew her expression was as much of surprise as were the ones their
guests depicted.

'Surprise!' She heard her mate say through their connection.

'Indeed, ma belle. Let me see you.' She smiled.

"Only you, Hermione! Figures you would morph into an eagle or something." Ginny, as usual, was
the first to say something out loud.

The older lioness hopped into the table, luckily they had cleaned it. Though she was ever so
careful.

A massive dark brown bird of prey, with a golden head and neck.

"A Golden Eagle." Harry surprised everyone by identifying the species. "What? I had a lot of time
to spend when the Dursleys looked me out of the house. I enjoyed watching the birds. Eventually I
started studying them." He raised his shoulders.

"Majestic." Fleur, said, in awe.

With a ruffle of wings, Hermione was standing behind Fleur.

"So. Transfiguration?" Harry smiled at them.

"Yes. Probably in France." Hermione smiled at him, clearly much more comfortable than earlier.

'I told you he would take it well.'

"Oh!"

"Beauxbatons?" Luna asked. At Hermione's nod, she smiled. "They are known for basically the
same subjects as Hogwarts. What are your plans, Fleur?"

"I'm applying for a potions mastery." She answered while caressing Hermione's knee.

"So you'll be leaving soon?" Ginny asked.

"Gin, we didn't even apply yet." Hermione reminded her. "We don't even k-"

"I'm sure you'll get it. Who wouldn't want the golden girl as a student. I wonder how McG will
react at this." The redhead interrupted.

At that, Dobby appeared.

"Dobby is deeply sorry to interrupt. Mistress Minerva wanted you to have her answer as soon as
possible."
"Thank you, Dobby." The brunette immediately opened the letter. Fleur got behind her to read
along.

"She seems pleased." The blonde supplied, after reading it and sensing how curious everyone was.

"Of course she is!" Luna smiled.

"And she says she will get in touch with their Transfiguration mistress immediately."

"There! You'll get in." Ginny laughed.

"They would be insane if they didn't accept you, Hermione." Harry offered.

After they had talked about their plans to the trio, Maxime had answered Fleur's letter with an
enthusiasm aki to Minerva's. She had taken the liberty of enclosing the forms they needed for the
application, saying they could simply make a gemini and send them back completed and signed.
Which they did that same day, all documents needed attached too. They used official mailing as
requested.

The next thing Hermione had to do now was talk to her parents. Rationally, she knew they would
receive the news well. But she was nervous. Fleur kept trying to calm her down, but she herself
was nervous too. They got to her childhood home for dinner a week after talking to Harry.

"Fleur! Hermione!" Her mother answered the door. "Come in, darlings! Dinner is almost ready."
She hugged the both and guided them to the living room.

"Pumpkin!" She heard her dad from the kitchen. "Fleur! I'll be right there!"

"Hi dad!"

"'ello Mr Granger!"

"Fleur!"

"Désolé! (Sorry!) 'i Emmet!"

"Better."

Dinner went well, despite Hermione not being able to stop her leg from moving. As they sat back
in the sofa, her mother smiled at her.

"What you need to tell us, darling?"

"I-"

"Please tell me you are not in mortal danger again!"

"No, Dad. I'm not." She rolled her eyes. "It's just…"

"Dear, say it at once. You being nervous won't help you after all."

"Right." She took a deep breath and explained. They listened attentively.

"So, you will go to France to get you degree?" Her dad summarised.

"Yes."
"So will Fleur."

"Oui."

"I'm glad you can do it together. It will work similarly to you time in Hogwarts?" Her mother
questioned seriously.

"Non. Eet doesn't work like boarding school zough we do 'ave zee option to live zere. I'd say eet's
pretty similar to a muggle Université. And eet's length depends on zee student. Eet usually takes
about two to zree years."

"And you will live there?"

"We are not sure yet. Apolline offered the house the family has on a nearby wizarding village.
There's nothing settled yet."

"I see… So we will probably have a way to visit you while you are there."

"And we will be able to get breaks to come here."

"Hermione, dear. We all know it will not happen. You'll take forced breaks if much." Her dad
joked.

"It seems like a wonderful plan to me. And we get to travel a bit too, honey!" Her mother
exclaimed. The conversation turned them with them speaking of everything.

They still had a few things left to do. After receiving their acceptance letters, (something they had
gone out to celebrate with the trio and Bill - and Hermione's family on a second moment) they had
to resign from their current job. Hand in hand, they walked into the Ministry of Magic for the last
time as employees.

As they entered the minister's office, the trio and their bosses immediately greeted them. The
minister smiled at them warmly. Everyone knew why they were there. They had shared the news
with their friends after all, it was only a bonus that they were good friends with their bosses. Tonks
beamed at them.

"I honestly thought it would take longer for you to leave the building." Her hair took a bubblegum
pink shade. "I might say I'm sad you are going but I'm happy for you."

"Thank you, Tonks." Hermione beamed back.

"I need to say I'm inclined to leave too." Harry said, surprising everyone but his girlfriends who
nodded.

"I'm loosing not two extraordinary aurors, but the whole team?"

"I'm sorry, Tonks…"

"It's ok. I knew none of you actually wanted to be aurors for the rest of your lives." Tonks beamed
at them. "Though I might try to steal you from time to time for a few demonstrations."

"That should be fun!" Luna smiled at her while they all nodded.

"Hermione" Evangeline called. "If you have any ideas for improving our relations with magical
creatures, we will always be open to your propositions! Your document about changing the name
of the Department is long overdue. It's already on the way the wizengamot."

"Thank you, Evangeline. That's awesome news!"

"So, I'm about excuse the five of you from your service to the Ministry. Well, I hope you can find
your dream job. Weasley, I expect to see you on the Harpies' team next season." Kingsley smiled at
them. "And expect to be summoned to the trials. It won't take much, I believe."

"Yes, sir." Fleur said seriously, as the other four nodded seriously.

They shook hands and signed papers. Fifteen minutes later, they were walking through the
Ministry's atrium. Almost everyone that walked past them greeted them, though Fleur noticed most
took a bit longer while shaking Harry's hand.

"Honestly, Harry. You deal with this since you were almost eleven. Why didn't you get used to
this?" Ginny teased him.

"I still hate the attention. I did nothing both times."

"You are too 'umble for your own good, 'arry." Fleur smiled at her mate's brother. "You did almost
die twice."

"Technically, he did die the second time around." Hermione mumbled.

"Well, what about some coffee before we go our ways? Gin still have to go talk to the Harpies, and
I need to talk to McGonagall."

"I should talk to her too…" Luna smiled at her boyfriend.

"Ok. I must admit it was an appreciable change of topics. What about we go to the café?"
Hermione knocked shoulders with Harry, making him feign being hurt. Though Fleur wondered at
what length he was pretending, her Hermione was stronger than she used to be, after all.

"Oui. I miss Jilpy and we 'aven't talked to 'er yet."

"To the café, then."

Beca guided them to the reserved area as soon as they got there. Their beverages choices appearing
before them as soon as they sat, and the waitress - Beca - took the rest of their order. She asked if
Jilpy was too busy and about ten minutes later the Elf appeared with their order. She and Hermione
shared the news with Jilpy, who seemed torn between being happy for them and sad that they
wouldn't be so close. In the end, the Elf smiled at the five of them and vanished for a whole five
minutes, only to come back beaming.

"Jilpy is happy to inform you that you will have your coffee at your French school. And where
ever you are. Miss Aubrey says she will be delighted to provide it for all of you."

"Oh!" Hermione exclaimed. "That's wonderful!"

"Oui."

After the elf left them, there was a pause at the table.

"Well, at least I'll have this awesome coffee if I'm accepted in the Harpies Team."

"Gin! You will be! You know this, we all do, Love! They would be idiotic not to take you." Harry
 smiled at her.

"Harry's right, Gin." Hermione smiled at her ginger friend. "So, we all know what Ginny is doing
now. What about you two? You surprised us by resigning along with us."

"Well, honestly, I don't see myself in the force without you and I doubt we would work so well
with anyone else. Even Ron. It was the logical step." Harry smiled sheepishly.

"What now, zen?"

"I've been thinking about what I enjoyed doing and the DA sessions came into my mind. I realised
I enjoyed teaching. So I guess my next step would be Masters."

"DADA."

"Yes."

"I haven't made up my mind yet. But I've been thinking about studying magical creatures. Or
running the Quibbler. Though I'm more inclined to the first option."

"Oh! I know!" Hermione suddenly exclaimed. "I think I can help a bit. I researched the biggest
schools and found out most of them accept remote alumni. Beauxbatons doesn't though. But the
best DADA program is Mahoutokoro, in Japan as far as I've seen. And Castelobruxo's on Magical
Creatures is the best of all I've researched. Both of them take remote students."

"That's awesome!" Harry beamed at her. "Thank you, Hermione!"

"I have my notes at home if you want them. And you probably should talk to Minerva too…"

When they left the café, the group went their separate ways. Ginny making a detour to buy
something at Quality Quidditch Supplies Shop, Harry and Ginny heading home and Hermione and
her going to Flourish and Blotts.

Hermione bought some new books she had been wanting to buy, so did Fleur. The latter promising
her mate that they would go to the book's store in France. The one she had bought her first year's
books.

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hey, my dear readers! It's I, your friendly neighbour Celtic! I hope you liked it!
Some fluff and domestic... I spent a long time deciding what animagus Hermione
would be. And I figured Hermione could get a nickname as, honestly, I myself tend to
try to find one for people close to me.

Also, do you want any specific oneshot? I accept suggestions!

Please comment (and answer me...), I'm always pleased to learn what you think!
AAAnd leave Kudos for they give me energy to continue this!

;3

See Yah! I hope this gives you some help to survive the craziness we are going
through right now.

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 65
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

"Ma belle, you can't possibly want to carry all zose books!"

Fleur was sat on her armchair while she observed a pile of books get bigger by the second. They
were at the lion's den library with Hermione currently trying to sort out which books to carry.

"I don't know what-"

"Yes, I understand. 'Ermione, ma lionne. Come 'ere." She opened her arms. "You know just 'ow big
ees Delacour's library and Maman already answered you zee last two times you asked 'er eef you
could use eet. And eef you find something missing, we can get eet." She caught her hand and made
her sit on her lap.

"I know. I'm sorry. I just think I'm anxious." Hermione said in a small voice.

"Of course you are, chérie. To be honest, I am too."

"Really?"

"Oui. We are taking a big step towards something new and big. Of course we are anxious." Fleur
kissed her mate's hair, feeling her relax in her arms. They naturally melt together, revelling in each
other's warmth.

"Oi! Har says lunch is ready and you better come already." Ginny beamed at them. "Mi, you are
going to take all these?"

"Not really, Gin." Hermione smiled softly. "I like Mi, by the way."

"I thought so."

"Bill will eat everything if you don't come already!" Harry shouted. Fleur calculated he must have
cast a sonorous to be so perfectly heard.

"We better go. Weasleys have quite the appetite."

"Oui. Better not get between a Weasley and zeir food."

"Oi! I'm right here!"

"Precisely why we're going." Hermione smiler toothy.

As they got back to the living room, they greeted Bill who hadn't been there when they arrived.

"Hermione is planning on bringing the entire library along with her to France." Ginny stated as
they moved to the dining table, making all of them laugh.

"Figures. Just leave the DADA books for me, sister."

"Fleur convinced me I don't need them in France…" Hermione mumbled, raising another laugh
around the table.
"I've said it a few times, Beauxbatons 'as a bigger library."

"And I'm sure Hermione has already read every book from ours." The war reflexes had everyone
on the table drawing their wands and pointing to the new arrival as soon as the first sound left her
mouth. "Oh, put down your wands! As much as I appreciate you keeping your guard up still, the
war is over and your house heavily warded."

"Professor!"

"Miss Granger…"

"Sorry, Minerva. I didn't know you were coming." Hermione quickly corrected herself.

"I personally wasn't planning on getting here this late, but I had to deal with a few of rogue students
before being able to come." The older woman gave them a tightlipped smile.

"Professor." Bill greeted her.

"Oh, not even going through war together will make you stop calling me professor, Mr Weasley?"
He shrugged. The headmistress greeted everyone while Harry set up another place for her on the
table. "Thank you, Harry."

"Of course, Minerva." He gentlemanly said, beaming at her.

"I very much prefer you now then giving me headaches over whatever you were doing." The
Scottish woman quipped. "Though I expect you to behave whenever you go back there." Everyone
looked surprised. "Are you really surprised? As if I'd skip the chance of having two of the highest
grades in their year teaching at the school."

"Harry...?" Ginny asked incredulously. Earning a light shove from her boyfriend.

"Yes, as far as I know, until your eighth year, the only subject he put effort on. Aside from getting
into trouble, of course."

After eating, they mingled as talked a bit about everyone's plans with Minerva smiling proudly at
them every time they said something about how focused one of them was on chasing their dreams.
It was close to midnight when Minerva excused herself, wishing Hermione and Fleur a safe trip
and demanding all of them to keep in touch with her.

"I certainly need to know when I'll have the new teachers I've been hoping to have."

Her departure prompted Bill to go shortly after, despite Harry and Hermione offering her room
there for him.

"I might as well go." He said with a smile.

"Don't want to 'ear your little sister, Bill?" Fleur probed, making Harry blush brightly.

"Precisely, Frenchy." He said before stepping into the fireplace.

"We should go too." Hermione said, smiling sadly at her three friends.

"We actually have something for you." Harry beamed at them. "Just a sec." He made a quick run to
his room and came back with two small bundles. "Before you open it-"

"There are a few instructions in it, actually." Ginny interrupted her boyfriend.
"Merci!" Fleur said, and immediately started opening her own gift.

She was in awe as she opened the parcel. Four notebooks neatly piled under a beautiful set of pens,
pencils and quills. She then noticed a slight note under the writing set.

"That's genius, guys!" She heard Hermione exclaim before she finished reading the note.

"Oui. 'ow did you find these?"

"Well, it's not only from us. Everyone helped. Even Ron." Ginny grimaced a little as she said her
brother's name. "We all wanted to give you something before you went to your masters."

"The obvious response seemed notebooks and quills." Harry offered.

"But it was too far obvious to me. So I suggested a few enhancements after remembering the
amount of time you spent sorting through your notes, Hermione." Luna added.

"Mum and dad were around when we were trying to figure it out and suggested them being self
filling. After that, Gred and Ron passed by and heard us discussing it. Ron remembered something
about a two-way mirror Sirius gave Harry and Forge said they had seen something about a two-
way notebook. Well, I won't tell the entire story. But about two days ago, we were chatting with
mum saying how we thought it would be a wonderful present when McG came through the Floo."

"She suggested making the notebooks self arranging. As we already had two notebooks and one
two-way mirror for each of you, she went back to Hogwarts and came back holding two other
notebooks. She as smiling. Like a full smile." Harry retold, making everyone chuckle.

"She linked the notebooks, so you can choose which you'll use for what. You just need to write
their use on its first page, as the note says. The one you choose as the storage will multiply
according to the subject you enter." Luna smiled softly. "And it'll reorder your notes despite the
other notebooks order."

"That's a lot." Hermione seemed awestruck.

"Fleur, your mother sent the quills and pencils, saying they are your favourites." Luna continued.

"And your parents chose the muggle pens. Bill found a woman that enchanted them so they won't
run out of ink anytime soon." Ginny smiled. "Even with your furious writing."

"As for the two-way… They have a few more connections. Each of us has one, as Molly, Appoline,
Antoine, Gabby, Bill, Charissa and Emmet do. I think Bill gave one to Lea too, I'm not sure
though." Harry beamed. "As it says on the note, you need to write your names on the first page
before using, for it to settle the connection. Then you simply must write to whom you want to write
and tap it with your wand when you finish. Your parents' have a minor difference for them to be
able to write back to you and they have to sign by the end of the letter."

Hermione bounced out of the chair she was to hug her brother, brushing a few stray tears from her
face.

"Thank you, guys."

"Oui. Zank you, mes amis. Eet was very thoughtful."

They left the flat after Harry handled Hermione the name and address of the woman that had
charmed the pens as Hermione was sure they would need a few more before they finished their
masters. Walking hand in hand towards their flat, Fleur smiled dreamily.

"What's on your mind, love?"

"Uh?"

"You were smiling…"

"Ah, I was just zinking about 'ow I'll be able to show you all of Paris…" The blonde beamed at her
mate, moving to embrace her. She felt the brunette's happy sight.

"I can't wait."

After getting home, she occupied herself with making some tea for them, as they usually shared a
cup while reading something before going to bed. Hermione went inside to pack their presents and
take a shower since she enjoyed freshening up as soon as getting home. Tea ready, the pot under a
warming charm sided with small biscuits, Fleur made her way to the bathroom too. The brunette
was already leaving it, which made the veela pout.

"See you in a minute, don't ruffle your feathers." Her mate teased. "Do take a bath, stinky mate."

"I don't-" Fleur said, after indignantly sniffing herself. Hermione crackled, releasing a full belly
laugh.

"No, ma belle. You don't stink. You can't possibly." The brunette smiled and kissed her cheeks.

"Oui." The blonde pouted again before entering the bathroom. "Stinky… stinky." She grumbled.

"I love you even if you stink a bit!" The lioness shouted from their walk-in closet.

"You-" Fleur paused at the bathroom door. "I love you too, my gorgeous mate." A pause, as she
felt the other woman swoon through the bound. "Even your annoying antics."

'Stinky.'

'Overachiever.'

'As if you weren't too.'

'Precisely why I think we work so well.'

'Uhm.'

Fleur smiled at herself as she got under the shower. She loved that woman even more than she
thought it was possible. She found Hermione on the balcony, looking at the surrounding city.

"I honestly didn't think I'd survive everything. Being able to make plans, good plans that is, is
something I only dreamed."

"I feared zee same. Being 'ere, my family in another country and not being able to know eef zey
were alright…" Fleur solemnly caressed her mate's waist, after passing her a cup of steaming tea,
and stood by her side taking in the view. "I'm glad I stayed, rough. Eef I didn't stay I'd 'ardly find
you."

"Me too." Hermione leaned her head on her shoulder. "It was hard, but we are mending. The world
is mending. Thank you."
"For what?"

"For loving me. You help me find the strength I never thought I had."

"Eet is I who should thank you then. You inspire me to be better, ma belle."

They chuckled.

"I'll miss it."

"Oui. Even with eet being so cold. And bloomy." She laughed as Hermione pushed her lightly.
They spent some time hearing the city's sounds and lights.

"We should go to sleep. We have an early morning tomorrow."

The blonde nodded. With a few flicks of their wands, the rest of the tea vanished, then the pot and
cups washed and stocked themselves in their rightful places.

Fleur noticed the light surrounding her as she was nudged awake, but small light kisses on her
shoulders and back.

"Bonjour, ma Belle." She all but mumbled, still half asleep.

"Bonjour, love." She felt her smile against her skin. "I planned on waking you in a much more
pleasant way, but I believe we have guests."

"Forget zem." She said, casting a cleaning spell on her mouth as she turned.

"I fear we can't. The entire family seems to be here." Hermione smiled at her.

"Zeir choice to come barging in 'ere so early."

"We are leaving today. I think they wanted to surprise us."

"Merlin, zen are loud." She said as they heard something crumble to the floor in some loud cursing.

"That might be Tonks." Hermione chuckled. "Come on, we can share a bath."

"Yes!"

"No funny business, love."

"No fun." She grumbled.

They showered, somehow managing to keep their hands to themselves, and dressed each other,
sharing kisses along the way. Only after they were ready for the day - and travel - that they left the
room. As they reached the end of the short corridor, Fleur felt her eyes swim with tears. Everyone
she most cared about was there, at least the one living in England. Most of those from the order
and every member of the Weasley family, even Ronald - though he looked out of place and
extremely uncomfortable, and the Grangers.

"Dearies! I thought you would take a bit more to be up…" Molly emerged from the kitchen
carrying a large bowl of scrambled eggs. "Did we wake you up?"

"Well…" Hermione smiled faintly.

"The wards?" Harry asked knowingly, she nodded.

"Hermione woke me actually…"

"She would have slept through a bombing, I think." Hermione smirked at her. Fleur knew what she
was talking about, but most of the others in the room looked at her as if she had grown a second
head. As she was about to explain, Ginny bursted laughing with Harry and Luna following close.
She joined in a second, followed by the lioness' parents.

"It's a muggle thing." Ginny said, taking notice of the weird looks and trying to control her
laughter. "As far as I understood, it's like a bombarda maxima, though if strikes a larger area."

"Yes." Hermione beamed at the auburn-haired woman.

"Oof!" Tonks sighed and relaxed on the sofa. "I though I had wakened you up."

"We did 'ear zat." Fleur beamed at her now purple haired friend. "Knocked down zee books, didn't
you?"

She noticed Tonks blush lightly and nod.

"Sit! Breakfast will be ready soon." Molly shooed them from the kitchen entrance.

"Molly-" Fleur started.

"No. You are leaving. I've got it." She noticed a few tears filling the older witch's eyes.

They took the usual place they liked when receiving people, and got comfortable, talking to
everyone while comfortably wrapped into each other. A couple of minutes later, the fireplace
flashed green and in walked Minerva holding a few packages.

"I'm sorry, everything has been crazy with the preparations for the start of term." Minerva said with
a tight smile. Conversation resumed and soon they were all sat at the enlarged table to eat.

"Molly expanded the room with Dobby's help." She heard Harry whisper to Hermione, who
nodded. "Sorry. I should have imagined your wards would wake you with so many people here…"

"No problem, Harry. I instantly knew it was you. I just couldn't sleep again. You were loud." Her
mate answered with a smile.

"Fleur, how did you survive war sleeping like the dead?" Ginny teased, making the table laugh and
her blush.

"Hermione makes her relax." Luna stated so matter factly that she blushed even deeper but relaxed
after feeling the brunette's hand touch her knee.

"You could say zat. I zink my veela would ave know eef we were in danger."

"Fleur slept through the burrow's morning caos." Bill added with a laugh.

She felt a spark of jealousy arise. Knowing it couldn't possibly be hers, she moved to caress
Hermione's leg.

'Sorry.' The brunette said, through their bound.

'I understand. I'm still not completely comfortable with Ronald here. You don't have to apologise,
ma Reine.'

After eating, wands were flicked, and the house began to clean itself.

"I fear I need to get back to school." Minerva said after another half an hour talking. "I have a few
things for you though." She smiled at them.

"I still can't deal with smiley McG." Ginny whispered, earning a full smile from the Headmistress.
"See?" She said to Fred and George, who laughed and agreed with her.

"Don't get used to it, Miss Weasley." The older woman added, sternly. Ginny beamed at her.
Turning back at her and Hermione, the Scottish woman had fondness on her eyes. "Hermione, I
trust you'll take good care of those. I still refer to them from time to time." She said, handing her
the larger package. She saw Hermione's eyes widen as she opened the parcel.

"Are these…?"

"Yes. I figured you would find some use on them, Juliette and I had distinct lines of work but
knowing you, you'll probably find your own no matter who guides you." Hermione cautiously
placed the notebooks on the coffee table and silently asked the older witch for a hug. "There is no
secret here that I have a soft spot with you. I hope you enjoy them as much I did."

"Only them would take about enjoyment while talking about studying." Bill joked.

"Minerva was considered the Brightest Witch of Her Age too, after all." Molly smiled at the
professor.

"Badass teacher, I might add." Tonks beamed.

"Oh, shush!" Minerva said, a tight smile on her lips. "Bathsheda asked me to give you this." She
placed another parcel on Hermione's hands. "She heard about your interest, though I believe she
was hoping you would choose Ancient Runes instead of Transfiguration."

"As if…" Ron had been quiet for most of the affair, but this small mumbled addition had everyone
in the room laughing.

"And I'm very happy with that, Mr Weasley." Fleur noticed the youngest redhead tense and relax a
few seconds later. "Now, Miss Delacour. Fleur. Severus left these in my hands, saying I would
know when to pass them. And Horace sent a few too." She placed the second larger parcel on her
lap. Before opening, she beamed. "Severus was one of the best potion makers I've known. Paired
by Lily…" She smiled at Harry, who nodded.

"Speaking of…" Harry beamed at Hermione and Fleur. "I found these in the vault." Harry offered a
small parcel to Fleur. "It will definitely be of more use to you." Fleur had tears in her eyes as she
hugged her brother-in-law. "Hermione…" He smiled. "I think it's only fair you had these."

"Oh, yes, James was in the middle of his Master when war broke." Minerva smiled.

"Harry?" Hermione whispered.

"Shush. You are my sister. You have the right. Besides, I've never been good at it."

"He would have liked." Lupin said with a smile. "Prongs was a rebel with a bookworm heart. Just
like you, Hermione."
"That's pretty much true. You lot gave me as much headache as those three." Minerva chuckled. "I
should go now. I still have a meeting before lunch and Rolanda will kill me if I'm late once more."
The younger ones there were left in a shocked silence as she left through the fireplace.

"Did she just-?" Ginny was the first to say something.

"Yeah." Forge answered.

"Madam Hooch? Whoa!" Ron said under his breath.

"Well that makes sense." Hermione smiled.

"They make a good couple, I think." Luna smiled dreamily.

"Yes, yes, Minerva has a personal life." Molly said, rolling her eyes.

"Well, you two have to go too, right? You said you wanted to be in Paris before lunch." Charissa
smiled at Hermione and Fleur. "You've got everything ready?"

They nodded.

"We have something for you." Emmet smiled at them, holding what looked like a heavy case. "We
remembered you liked to study with these and managed to find some more for you. Fleur,
Appoline said you enjoy them just as much…" He said, handling them the case. She and Hermione
opened it together, just to find a record player and a collection of vinyls with it. "As far as I
understood, it will need to be charmed to function properly on school property. But It's working
just fine as it is."

"Thank you, Dad!" Hermione was crying as she struggled to hug both her parents at once. "Thanks,
Mum!"

"Thank you! I love music indeed." Fleur smiled and hugged them too.

Looking at her watch, Hermione gasped. "We really should go!"

With a soft pop, as if they had been called upon, Dobby and Jilpy appeared.

"Dobby and Jilpy are happy to help." They beamed at their elf friends.

"Thank you, but-" Hermione began.

"Hermione, please don't say no." Harry murmured. "You need to go through both Ministries."

The brunette sighed but nodded. They hugged and said goodbye to everyone, then made their way
to the ministry and the international travel department. As they were leaving the lift, Hermione
beamed at her. Beaming back, she remembered the first time they passed there. She couldn't help
but remember the jealousy she felt that day.

'Fleur?' Hermione reached for her.

'Sorry.'

'I must admit I find it funny that you are still jealous of her.'

'She was-'
'I'm aware, love. You know you don't have a thing to worry, right?'

'Oui.'

"Miss Granger and Miss Delacour. Good morning. Please sign these." The attendee this time had
smiled at them and moved to give them the papers for them to sign. Fleur noticed she looked in
awe at them and felt the jealousy crawl inside her. "I must say, thank you for your service." She
said as they handled back the document. Fleur felt her cheeks warm up and knew Hermione was
blushing too. They thanked her. "I hope you have a great time abroad." She added, giving them the
portkey. An old boot this time.

Fleur had to admit landing without baggage was quite easier. As they would live in France for
some time, Hermione had to register therefore they were sent to the ministry instead of going to her
family's home. Everything moved faster than she expected, though she was under the impression it
had something to do with Hermione being who she was and with her mother's meddling. As soon
as they left the department, Appoline met them.

"Maman!" Fleur beamed.

"Bonjour, mes chéries. Je suis si contente pour vous. (Hello, my dears. I'm so happy for you.)" The
older French woman smiled fondly at them. "Tout s'est bien passé? J'ai demandé à Louis de tout
déplacer à l'avance. (Everything went fine enough? I asked Louis to move everything along
beforehand.)"

"Oui, Maman" Hermione answered, making the older witch smile warmly. "Merci,ce fut très
rapide... (Thank you, it was rather quick...)"

"Bien! (Good!)" After hugging them both, she started guiding them out of the ministry. "Le
restaurant n'est pas très loin, nous pourrions y aller à pied? (The restaurant isn't much far, perhaps
we could walk there?)"

"Oui"

The trio walked together to the restaurant. She had planned the lunch with the family as soon as
they arrived so she could have her mate for herself for the rest of the day. Lunch was a delight.

'You missed them.' Hermione said after they parted ways with her parents. Fleur began guiding the
younger woman to their first stop.

'Oui. I don't think I realised it until now.' She answered even though it was more of a statement.

"We could have stayed some more with them…"

"You mean you'd prefer spending time with zem rather zen with me?" Fleur stopped in her tracks,
feigning hurt.

"No. I mean, I'd be happy to keep you company while you enjoy your family's company, love."
The brunette smirked at her. "I wouldn't let you too far from me." She added with a beam.

Fleur couldn't control her reaction as she pulled her mate by her waist for a passionate kiss. They
beamed at each other, the world fading to the background.

"Ah l'amour naissant! (Ah, young love!)" Fleur heard and turned to the voice. An elderly woman
smiled at them.
"Vous faites un merveilleux couple, mes petites chéries. (You make such a beautiful couple,
dears.)"

"Merci!" Both of them answered blushing a little. After the woman left, they starred at each other
for a bit longer, neither wanting to let go.

'So, where are you taking me?' Hermione asked as they began walking again.

'Since we only have half a day, I thought about going to a few magical spots then we could have
dinner…'

Hermione leaned on her while she guided her to their first stop.

'I know the view is magical, but it's a very well-known muggle spot, love…'

"Ah, but you don't know it all, Ma Reine." She guided the lioness until they were standing near the
tower's information desk. She smiled at her and raised her hand to touch the wall, letting her magic
flow through her fingers. Fleur kept her eyes trained on her mate and smiled at the look of wonder
that took over her face. An attendee window appeared much like the door of the come and go room
at Hogwarts. The blonde had planned little besides the Eiffel Tower. Nothing, if she had to be
honest. And she was actually glad she didn't. They spent most of their afternoon simply admiring
the view and each others company. Hermione bought a few things for her family, not minding
Fleur's light teasing about this only being their first day there.

'I know once we begin studying I'll not be able to do most of this, love.'

They went to the Flat before the restaurant so they could change as Fleur said it was a bit formal.

As they entered the restaurant (having almost lost the reservation due to the blonde's inability to
keep her hands to herself), Hermione noticed it had a more formal dressing code indeed even
though it was quite cosy and small. They wouldn't need to order, as the French maitre explained,
since the restaurant didn't have a specific menu and used only the most fresh ingredients they could
find. They had a four course meal and, to Fleur's obvious delight, Hermione loved every part of it.

"I have a surprise for you, Ma Belle." Fleur stated as they left the restaurant.

"Fleur you are going to spoil me rotten if you keep this up."

"Oui, you deserve the world, 'ermione."

"Uhm" Hermione answered as she kissed the blonde softly. "You deserve it too, love."

"All zat matters ees right 'ère." the blonde said, holding her close and making the English woman
giggle and blush. "Now, we should go. I'll apparate us zere." she said as she guided them to where
the lioness guessed was an apparition point. "Close your eyes, Ma belle. And only open when I tell
you so." Fleur smiled and kissed her lips softly. She felt the hook sensation as soon as Fleur draped
her arms around her. Feeling the air change a bit compared to where they were, Hermione inhaled
deeply but kept her eyes perfectly closed. She felt her mate's arms still around her, holding her from
behind.

"Tu es le plus beau des trésors que quiconque pourrait espérer trouver. (You are the most beautiful
treasure anyone can ever hope to find.)" was whispered in her ear, the passion behind the words
making her heart flutter. "Open your eyes, Ma Reine." She felt the blonde step back.

As she opened her eyes, she gasped. "Fleur..."

 "La Bibliothèque Nationale de France. (The National French Library)"

"It's beautiful." She said as she took in the view. They were at one of the raised walkway that that
connected the four open book-like towers, she could see three of them and could guess one was
behind her. Despite being a clear night, it's lightning made the enormous building even more
magnificent. As she turned, she found her mate on one knee, smiling at her.

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hey, my dear readers! It's I, your friendly neighbour Celtic! I hope you liked it!
Some fluff and domestic... You obviously know what will be asked. But how?

Also, do you want any specific oneshot? I accept suggestions!

Please comment (and answer me...), I'm always pleased to learn what you think!
Plus kudos are life!

;3

See Yah! I hope this gives you some help to survive the craziness we are going
through right now.

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 66
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

She had lost herself in those caramel eyes. The emotions displayed there were so profound she
could not find her voice.

"Fleur?" Hermione's tone was close to adoration.

"Ma belle." Her voice wavered. "Je suis désolée (I'm sorry)." Taking a deep breath, she tried again.
"Ma belle, I know we 'ave already mated and are fiancées in a way, but I wanted to make zis one
moment special for us. Seeing you every day by my side ees something zat makes my 'eart so
incredibly full zat I can't even begin to describe what I feel when I see zee tattoo lines on you.
Knowing zat you are willing to share your life with me fills me with love and 'appiness. And as
much as I know we are mates, zis moment makes me nervous." She had to pause for a couple of
seconds and dry her own eyes. "I 'ave dreamed of 'aving a mate for all my life. At some point I just
figured I'd probably never find eet. Zen came zee war and everything got impossibly worse. Zee
moment I saw you on zee last battle made everything feel lighter. I don't zink I've ever fought so
'ard or 'ad such a need to protect someone in my entire life. Zee next weeks were probably 'ell for
Gaby as I could only speak of you. Being close to you after zat felt like a blessing at each 'our I
could be close to you. My courage failed me but your Gryffindor 'eart won and you asked what I
'ad not been able to. From zen on I've 'ad zee blessing of being on zee receiving end of your love.
Zat brings us 'ere, only a little over a year from zee question you so bravely asked me. I know 'ow
much you value knowledge, but I also 'appen to know you love romance just as much as I do."
They laughed a bit, both had tears leaking from their eyes. "So I figured I'd bring both together.
Here, in zee presence of zee four towers zat 'old some of France's most important intellectual
treasures. I want to be able to shout to zee world 'ow lucky I am to 'ave you as my mate and equal.
So, Hermione Jean Granger-Black, will you marry me?"

Fleur looked at her mate earnestly and anxiously. Hermione smiled brightly at her, her eyes filled
to the brim with unshed tears.

"Oh, you silly veela, of course I will!"

They both laughed and shared a watery kiss.

Fleur moved to place the ring on Hermione's hand and heard the other woman gasp. "Fleur..."

"Don't. You deserve zis."

Fleur took a moment to admire it on her mate's finger. The Goblins had made it at British
Gringotts. She had been there to make sure she would get the right gem for the Black family, and
they had offered to forge it as a thank you symbol for both of them. She knew how famous
Goblin's jewellery were and had accepted (after a bit insistence from her old boss). A white goblin
gold gently curved band embedded with small black diamonds and rubies aligned and secured
three medium-sized diamonds

Taking her hand, the blonde carefully kissed the ring then looked up into Hermione's eyes.

"It's really beautiful, love."

"Delacour's Diamond, Black's Black Diamond and Rubys. Your Papa said zee family doesn't 'ave a
specific stone, so I decided to go for ruby."

"Gryffindor."

"Oui. White goblin gold." Hermione gasped. "Zey insisted on forging eet."

"Thank you, beautiful."

"Should we go back to zee Flat?"

"Oui. S'il vous plaît." She answered in a sultry tone.

In an instant and turn, they apparated right at the front door.

Hermione wrapped around her, kissing her neck and behind her ear.

"Mon amour..."

"You should really show me how much you love me..." She all but moaned.

Fleur growled and lifted the brunette into her arms. Closing the door with a light kick, she carried
her bride to be into their room.

There was little to no battle for dominance. Hermione was feeling pliant. She let herself be carried
to the bed after being pressed against the corridor walls twice. She had doubted for a second that
Fleur would be able to even reach the bedroom, given the way she had all but devoured her neck
while pressing her against the wall. The light tap on her bum let her know she should release her
hold on her mate. Fleur carefully laid her on the bed, she pulled the blonde with her and soon the
blonde was fully over her. She simply loved the weight of her love on her.

She gasped when she felt her hand against her skin. 'Off.' The simple command made her quiver,
the slightly stronger hold the blonde had on her waist made her moan.

A light hand on her face made her open her eyes and lock them with Fleur's.

"Je t'aime, 'ermione." The sheer amount of adoration clear in the blonde's voice made Hermione
tear up.

"I love you too, Fleur." her answer wasn't much louder than a whisper.

Fleur began taking her clothes off, slowly, bathing every bit of skin with kisses and light bites.
When she was finally naked, Hermione could only moan and quiver every time the blonde touched
her. She watched as she quickly got rid of her own clothes and redirected all her attention to
Hermione. The heat clear in her eyes only made the brunette wetter. Both of them gasped as their
skin made contact. Fleur smiled at her and ducked her head to kiss her deeply. Hermione slowly let
her hands travel against the expanse of her blonde's back, her short nails lightly biting her skin. She
ground her hips against Hermione's core, eliciting a deep moan from her. She let a moan loudly roll
out of her mouth, letting go of Fleur's. Wasting no time, the blonde started kissing down her neck.
The small love bites made her quiver and consider begging. The slow path to her breasts almost
made Hermione lose control, almost. But feeling her mouth closing around her nipple made her
curve her back, searching for friction. Looking down, she caught Fleur's gaze. With a smirk, the
blonde bit the peak almost harshly, then soothed the skin with her tongue. Hermione felt helpless
on her hands. Her cry of pleasure became a whimper as the blonde moved and captured the other
nipple, still playing the abused one with her fingers. Hermione's fingers found their way into the
blonde's tresses, half holding her in place, half pushing her down. She felt Fleur gasp and smile
against her skin. The slow path Fleur made with her lips down to Hermione's center left the
brunette gasping for air while her hands took hold of the sheets, her back arching more as she got
closer to it.

She felt her mate's breath hovering over her, and her hands holding her in place. The second her
tongue made contact with her clit at last, Hermione released a guttural moan as she tried to
maintain contact with it. Fleur hummed as she lapped on her. Hermione felt each stroke of her
tongue and nearly lost it when the Blonde began drawing circles over her clit, only to eventually
dip lower and gather a bit more wetness from her entrance.

"Please." She managed to gasp after the third time she felt the blonde's tongue barely enter her. As
she felt a hand leave her hips and Fleur readjust herself, she held her breath. Her hips bucked as she
felt slender fingers slip into her. "Fuck!" She took hold of Fleur's hair lightly just as she was
lowering herself again, knowing any other stimulation would make her reach the peak. Guiding the
blonde's head back up and her mouth into hers, she nodded, signalling she could resume moving.
Fleur's lips took hers as she started fucking her deep and slowly. She moaned as she tasted herself
in the blonde's lips. It didn't take her long. Feeling her whole body spasm, Hermione came with a
low guttural moan.

Still catching her breath, she felt Fleur place a kiss on her temple and whisper "I love you."

A few seconds later, Hermione was hovering over the blonde, fully aware that she definitely
wouldn't last long.

Their time in Paris hadn't lasted long enough. After sending owls to their families and letting them
know about the engagement, there had been a surprise (to Hermione) impromptu (not so much as
everyone knew Fleur would ask and that Hermione would say yes, because why wouldn't she?)
engagement party at the Delacour's state. And they had spent the rest of their time in the capital
sightseeing and visiting muggle and wixen tourist attractions.

And then they were on their way to Beauxbatons. Fleur had snickered when Hermione first asked
her how they would get there, seeing how she was hoping she wouldn't have to fly. She knew they
could simply apparate there, being of age, but she didn't want Hermione to miss out on the
opportunity to experience what she had for so many years. So there they were, in a semi-deserted
train as the school year had already begun and most masters students got there by other means.

Hermione gushed as she saw the trolley lady, remembering her first time seeing the wixen sweets.
Fleur beamed at her and bought every sweet she was sure her mate hadn't tasted yet. They shared
some of them and read and talked. The trip was basically as long as Hogwarts' but neither really
saw time pass. Soon Fleur was taking the lead and presenting Hermione to the landscape she had
grown up seeing. They could see the Chateau in the distance, in the middle of the Forest. Old
looking roofs too, if you had trained eyes. The art nouveau styled castle stood out representing how
proud French wixen were of their school.

"it's beautiful," Hermione said in awe.

"Oui. Zée inside is even more incroyable." Fleur said proudly.

"How do students get there?"

"Well, zee entire region ees protected from muggles. So students transportation ees made by
carriages led by Abraxans. First years chariots take zee land route and zee others fly zere."
"Well now I'm thanking all gods that I didn't go here."

"You don't actually feel like you are flying, ma belle..."

"Either way..."

They began walking towards the bridge, hand in hand.

"Gabby ees still in class, I zink. But she 'as been excused from dinner in school so she can come to
see us." Fleur informed her mate, having read the brief note the younger girl had sent her just
before they got off the train. "We are not expected to meet Juliette and Jacques until tomorrow..."

"Should we go get settled?"

"Oui. Zen I could cook us dinner..." Hermione smiled at her and pecked her left cheek. "We can
walk, eet will take us about 'alf an 'our to get to zee city, or we can apparate zere. Eef we take zee
first option, we go zrough 'ere."

"A trek through the Forest with my favourite person... Oui, I'd like that."

So they began following the trek. A comfortable silence embraced them and Fleur happily watched
the brunette take in the view, feeling the happiness coming from her. They both felt contempt and
calm. The noises coming from the wilderness making them feel complete.

"I don't think I ever felt this way, love. Thank you. It's beautiful here, Fleur."

"I believe eets our bond. Veela are connected to nature so we usually feel like zis when we are
nearby forests. Zats why Madam Maxime instructed 'agrid to locate zee chariot near zee Forbidden
Forest. Our delegation 'ad many Veela." Hermione simply hummed in response.

Fleur guided her mate through the village once they got there. Showing her the places she used to
go and spend time with her friends when they were allowed to go there. The castle could be spotted
from most streets and it was an imponent view. The buildings they were walking past were mostly
timber-framed, though the closer they got to the castle the more the architecture turned to a more
medieval kind.

"'ere." Fleur motioned to another turn on their way. "Most Veela families 'ave 'ouses 'ere. Eets
almost a village within a village." They left the street and entered a small path. The house was
actually a cottage, surrounded by forest and wilderness. She heard Hermione gasp and smiled.
"Eet's beautiful, right?"

Hermione nodded. "Reminds me of ours."

"Oui. Et bien, Bienvenue à la maison ma belle (well, welcome home, Ma Belle)." She said as she
opened the front door.

"Mademoiselle Delacour, Mademoisselle Granger-Black! (Miss Delacour, Miss Granger-Black!)"

"Zeeny!" They both exclaimed. "Qu'est-ce que tu fais ici?! (What are you doing here?!)"

"Madame m'a dit que vous alliez rester ici pour vos doctorats et j'ai demandé si je pouvais venir
prendre soit de vous. On sait tous comment vous êtes quand vous étudiez. Donc me voilà. (Madam
said you were staying here for your masters and I asked if I could come take care of you. We all
know how you are when studying. So here I am.)"
Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hey, my dear readers! It's I, your friendly neighbour Celtic! I hope the wait was
worth it and that you liked it! Some fluff and hot scenes... What did you think of the
proposal?

Also, do you want any specific one-shot? I accept suggestions!

Please comment (and answer me...), I'm always pleased to learn what you think!

And you should def log out and leave me kudos! LOL

;3

See Yah! I hope this gives you some help to survive the craziness we are going
through right now.

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 67
Chapter Notes

NSFW alert: first scene ends with sexy times. xD enjoy your reading!

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Hermione smiled as she admired her fiancée's slumber. They were adjusting well to their schedule,
both having a few classes along the week - honestly, both were present in either classes since they
were held at different times - and having a lot of study time for them to follow whatever study the
masters professors had recommended them. They had lengthy conversations about whatever they
had studied, both comfortably sat on the living room sofa, sometimes draped around each other.
Zeeny had insisted on helping them, repeating that they wouldn't keep track of their meals (the -
very- few days she had left them by themselves had proved it to her). Therefore, the Elf would be
around week days and feed them, but weekends were days for Fleur to cook - Hermione still firmly
banished from cooking.

The brunette hugged her mate from behind and sighed happily.

"Je peux sentir me regarder ma Belle(I can feel you staring, ma Belle.)"

"Bonjour mon coeur. (Good morning, love)"

"Merlin, qu'est-ce que j'adore t'entendre parler Français. (Merlin, I love hearing you speak
French.)" Fleur turned around and Hermione smiled at her yellow orbits.

"Oui, je sais. (Yes, I know.)"

"Ces choses que tu me fais... (The things you do to me...)"

"Pourquoi tu ne viendrais pas voir ce que toi tu me fais? (Why don't you find out what you do to
me?)" Hermione saw the blonde's eyes glint with lust as she leaned in to kiss her.

Fleur moved, so she was on top of her and she let a moan escape from her lips.

"Merde." Fleur let her hands roam over her body, by now knowing every curve and sensitive
points. Hermione felt like melting, their mouths still locked and her moans and groans being
caught by her mate's mouth. Her body buzzing in pleasure, Fleur's own pleasure reaching her from
their bound (something they had found made everything even better), she lost every possible
thought as her blonde's mouth left her mouth in favor to travel along the expanse of her neck and
pulse point. She could feel the other woman's satisfaction when she moaned loudly and tugged her
head up so she could kiss her.

'Tu me rends folle. Je t'aime. (you drive me crazy. I love you.)'

'Je t'aime aussi. (I love you too)'

Hermione felt her heart flutter and beamed up to Fleur . Only to have her breath taken away after
seeing how her gaze equally held lust and adoration. The next couple of kisses were carefully
placed on her hands. Fleur smiled at her hungrily and resumed kissing her, quickly capturing a
nipple in her mouth. Just as quickly, Hermione had both her hands on the back of her head, her lips
releasing a loud groan. A second later she felt the blonde enter her, making her arch her back
towards her, leaving her breathless. She was sure it was a new record, after recovering from their
shared peak.

"Fuck. Good morning, my love."

"Can't speak French anymore?"

"No. Brain restarting." Hermione answered, knowing how Fleur felt proud of herself when she said
she had been given a mind-blowing orgasm.

Fleur was sure she couldn't be more happy. She felt complete. Having her mate so happy made her
just as happy, and she could feel Hermione felt the exact same. She started humming as she cooked
for them and Gabby as it was the monthly Saturdays she was allowed to visit them. Soon she heard
the knock on the door and the usual exclamation coming from the front door.

"SOEUR!"

"Dans la cuisine Gabby! Comme Hermione te l'a déjà dit je suis sûre. (In the kitchen, Gabby! As
I'm sure Hermione already told you.)" She laughed.

"Qu'avons-nous au menu? (What's the menu?)" The younger blonde asked after greeting her.

"Tu devrais déjà le savoir non? (Wouldn't you like to know?)" She smirked.

"Mia?"

"Je n'en ai aucune idée. Elle est ici depuis des heures et j'ai été bannie aujourd'hui. (I've no idea.
She has been in here for ages and I've been completely banned today.)" Gabby pouted, then moved
and looked around. "les bières au beurre sont dans le cellier. (There's butterbeer in the storeroom.)"

"Wine?"

"Non. Maman a dit que tu étais puni et a menacé de bannir Hermione de la bibliothèque familiale
pendant 1 semaine si on te donnes du vin. (mom said you are grounded and threatened banishing
Hermione from the family library for a week if we give you wine.)" Gaby pouted once more.

"Qu'est-ce que tu as fais? (what did you do?)" Hermione asked as she took three butterbeers and
cast a cooling charm over them, taking a sip from hers after offering the other ones for them.

"Rien! (Nothing!)" Gaby made a scandalized expression.

"Gaby..."

"J'ai peut-être utilisé certains de mes cadeaux de Noël sur d'autres filles. (I might have used some
of my Christmas gifts on the other girls.)"

"Et pourquoi? (And why did you?)" Fleur felt like there was something the younger veela wasn't
saying.

"Elles sont énervantes. Et elles n'arrêtent pas de se moquer de moi. (They are annoying. And keep
sneering at me.)"

"Gaby. Est-ce que c'est lié à notre pouvoir? (Gaby. Is it related to the thrall?)"
"Oui. Je n'ai pas le contrôle dessus! Je n'arrive pas à le faire partir! (I have no control over it! I can't
make it go away!)"

Fleur turned off the oven and fully turned to her sister.

"Tu dois parler à Maman. (You need to talk to Maman.)" She said softly. "Et tu ne peux pas
continuer à faire ça. (And you can't do that.)"

"Au moins essaye de ne pas te faire prendre. (At the very least don't be caught.)" Hermione
murmured. Gaby beamed at her sister in law while Fleur forced herself not to chuckle. "Je sais ce
que ça peut faire de se faire harceler Gaby. Mais tu ne peux pas te balader en utilisant les produits
des jumeaux sur les gens. (I know how bad bullies can be, Gaby. But you really can't go around
using the twins products on people.)" She added, pretending she didn't say anything before.

"Essaye de rester proches des autres du clan. ça finira par aller mieux avec le temps. Et s'il-te-plait,
écoute ce que dit grand-mère durant tes leçons cet été. Elles aident, même si on ne peut pas le
contrôler totalement. Ok? (Try to stay close to the others from the Flock. It'll get easier with time.
And please pay attention to Grandméres lessons over summer. They help, even though we can't
fully control it. ok?)" Gaby nodded. "Le dîner est prêt. (Dinner is ready.)" She smiled. "Paella."

Gaby and Hermione quickly set the table and they dined listening to what Gaby had done to her
classmates.

"Wake up, Ma chérie." Hermione heard Fleur's voice as she rouse from her power nap.

"Hi." She said hoarsely, earning a peck at the top of her nose.

The other witch had a meeting with the potions master she had been studying under and Hermione
had stayed in the house to study some. The amount of work she still had to do was almost
overwhelming, though not enough for her to need a time-turner. She still asked herself if its use had
messed with her age, something she had never had the chance to question Minerva. She tucked that
question for a later moment.

"Did you manage to get some work done?"

"Yes. I'm halfway through 'Transfigurations for advanced studies' and finished going through my
notes from this week's classes."

"Good. Now, I zink you need some food to boost your studies." The French witch smiled. She felt
and heard her stomach grumble in agreement. "See? What do you want, ma Belle?"

"Anything you are willing to make, love. I know you need to study too. How was it with Jacques,
by the way?"

"Ah, fine. She wanted to go zrough what I've been planning. Can you believe eet 'as been six
months already?"

"Not really... I think the family is about to burst through that door any minute and make us take a
vacation." Hermione smiled, hugging her fiancée and kissing the nape of her neck.

"Sounds possible..." She felt Fleur relax against her before looking through their fridge. "What do
you zink about a sandwich now and some stew later? I can leave eet cooking..."

"I'm up for anything you cook, Fleur. Just don't worry too much, you need to study too..."
Hermione made herself comfortable at the table, watching her mate fluidly cook. First the stew,
then their sandwiches. Fleur motioned her to move to the sofa, where they could enjoy some time
together. She put some music to play and smiled at the blonde, grabbing her lunch. "You know,
I'm glad we decided to change careers. Even if this is difficult as hell... Knowing I'm not in danger
and won't be... Knowing you won't either is..."

"Soothing."

"Yes. Thank you, Fleur. Really. I don't think I'd be here without you."

"Of course you would, ma belle. You are, after all, the Brightest Witch of Your Age." Hermione
groaned but smiled soon after, seeing Fleur's found eyes. A known owl flew into the room, landing
on Fleur's knee. "Maman." Hermione moved a bit, waiting for her mate to read whatever the older
veela had sent them. "She says we are to board zee train with Gaby at zee end of term and zat she
doesn't care we 'ave work to do, we need family time. She invited everyone to zee Chateau..."

Another owl entered the house, landing on Hermione's shoulder. "I swear they seem to time the
mail just like at Hogwarts... It's Har. He says he knows we have been summoned, just like he has
been. Ginny will be able to fit only a week away from the team but will be there too. He and Lun
are joining us for the whole holiday, though they might go back and forth to see Gin. She invited us
to watch any game of the season too."

"I wouldn't be surprised eef Maman invited zee whole Harpies team for zee holiday..."

"Me neither. If she does, I can't wait to see gaby's face once she finds out."

"Right?"

"Gin added a note saying all of us are not allowed to study all the time there." Hermione laughed,
the red head really knew her.

"Well, we 'ave about two months?" Hermione nodded. "You 'ave as many essays and exams as I,
we can do eet..."Fleur smiled.

"Just need to plan."

"Oui. Good zing I 'ave my beautiful fiancée to 'elp..."

"Yes, you have." Hermione smiled after rolling her eyes. "May we?" Hermione was up in a second,
flicking her wand to send their plates to clean themselves.

"Lead zee way, Mademoiselle."

"Zeeny! Je suis de retour! (Zeeny! I'm back!)"

Fleur entered the house, beaming.

"Bienvenue à la maison, Fleur! (Welcome home, Fleur!)" The blonde smiled at her old nanny,
receiving a smile back. "Vas prendre un bain, je vais te faire un café. (Go take a bath, I'll get you
coffee.)"

An hour later, she watched Hermione enter, beaming.

"'ow was eet?"

"Great, I think. You?"

"Great." She moved so her Fiancée could kiss her.

"We have to celebrate then."

"Oui. Zee left dinner ready. She 'eaded 'ome early... I'll 'eat eet."

"I'll take a bath, then... Thank you, love."

"Go."

As soon as Hermione left, there was a knock on the door. Thinking it strange, Fleur magically
checked who might be and beamed.

"'arry! Luna!" She exclaimed, opening the door. "Were we expecting you?" She teased.

"Not really..." Harry reached the back of his head. "Sorry, we should have warned you... Gin is
coming too... She just got held back."

"No worries. I was about to 'eat dinner..."

"I can help."

"I'm not sure we 'ave enough now though..." Fleur laughed.

"Leave it for tomorrow then. I'll cook." Harry spoke hurriedly.

"Ok. I'll send a message to Gaby, she will kill me eef she 'ears you were 'ere and she didn't know.
And ask Madam to let 'er come, eef eet's ok?"

"Sure."

"Fleur? Who knocked?" Hermione shouted from their bedroom soon after the water stopped.

"Your dear brother!" Harry shouted back, beaming.

"Harry! Lun! What are you doing here?" Hermione appeared quickly, wearing shorts and her latest
Weasley Sweater (blue, matching Beauxbatons colors), a bean on her face.

"Well, we remembered you saying you two had your last exam today..."

Another knock.

"Open!" Fleur shouted. "In zee kitchen!" She added as she heard the door close.

"Merlin! I hate portkeys!"

"Ginny!"

"You didn't expect me to miss out on our celebrations, right?" Ginny beamed. "Boss gave me two
full days..." She added.

"C'est une bonne chose que j'ai été appelé avant le dîner! (good thing I got called before dinner!)"
Was heard from the living room right after the fireplace roared.

"Gaby! Kitchen!" Harry shouted.

"We say that as if we could be anywhere else..." Hermione teased.

"Of course. Some of us are French." Gaby said, hugging Hermione.

"And Veela." Fleur added.

"Others are Weasleys." Hermione deadpanned, making them all laugh while Ginny exclaimed in
faux annoyance.

"So now you two have to present your thesis?"

"How are you so sure-" Hermione began.

"Please, Hermione. You are you." Ginny interrupted.

"And Fleur." Luna added.

Hermione blushed and Fleur felt like she could watch her forever, memorizing all reactions to her
face.

"Oui. We only 'ave to submit our thesis."

"And be approved!"

"As if you two wouldn't."

"Given the short time conducting this analysis, there are still a few questions left to be answered.
Such as the likeness of the symbiosis between the wixen and beast continue to evolve the longer
the animagi live and if any physical alteration could be permanent along time. Despite having
some data about both of them, it is impossible for me at the moment to scientifically analyze such
things."

Fleur beamed as she saw her Two and a half year fiancée explain her thesis while owning the
room. The younger witch hadn't wanted to invite everyone to watch it, but Juliette had sent the
invites and even Minerva was in attendance. The headmistress was clearly very proud. The brunette
wrapped her presentations thanking Juliette, Minerva and Olímpia, along with the other two
masters attending to examine her.

"Well, Mr. Flores, would you like to begin?" Juliette asked.

"Thank you, Juliette. Miss Granger-Black, your analysis about animagi and their symbiosis with
their beasts puts a new light on a subject that the transfiguration community has been largely
discussing for quite some time. Your work was refreshing, the explanation about muggle
investigation was very thorough. I'd like to recommend publishing it." Hermione beamed at this
and thanked the South-American professor.

Time went by quickly, with the scholars having few questions and Juliette timing Hermione's
answers. The brunette's eyes lit every time someone asked an interesting question. An hour later,
the examiners proclaimed the brunette approved with flying colours and commended her work.

Fleur took a deep breath, after congratulating her love. They had booked both their presentations to
that day so she was to start hers in a few minutes, after a quick break so everyone could sit through
another couple of hours.

"Hey. You'll do great, love." Hermione whispered in her ear, hugging her. "I'm proud of you. Go.
They are waiting." She added after a bit. Fleur smiled and opened her eyes, seeing her examiners
getting to their seats. She nodded and won a light kiss from her mate.

"Bon après-midi, merci d'être venu. Aujourd'hui je vais vous présenter ma recherche et j'espère
vous éclairez sur les questions que vous pourrez avoir et au mieux vous apportez une solution aux
différents problèmes connus. Ma thèse est une étude nécessaire sur la potion tue-loup, et son
manque d'aide pour apporter une meilleur vie aux loup-garou. (Good afternoon, thank you for
coming. I'll be presenting my research today and I hope to enlighten some of the questions about it
as much as offering a solution to the problem at hand. My thesis is a much needed study about
Wolfsbane and it's lack of actual help towards making Werewolves' lifes better.)" She kicked off
her presentation, taking time to explain all the intricacies of why the potion didn't work while
softly questioning the prejudices of the wixen society. As she reached the end of her presentation,
concluding that the well known potion wasn't at all efficient, she added: "Et en conclusion,
j'aimerais vous annoncer que j'ai développée une potion qui non seulement calme le loup
suffisamment pour que le loup-garou puisse vivre une vie normale, mais permet de faciliter la
création d'une connexion similaire à celle que les Vélanes ont avec leur part humaine. (As an added
conclusion, I'd like to announce that I've been developing a potion that could not only calm the
wolf down enough for the werewolf to lead a normal life, but could facilitate them to create a
connection similar to the one Veela's have with their human counterpart.)" Gasps were heard from
all around the room, she smiled at her mate, who gave her a reassuring smile. One more hour and
she was being congratulated, having passed with as much praise as her mate.

Later that afternoon, they were being greeted back into their house by Zeeny and an alarming
amount of food. A party had been demanded right before their presentations had begun. Everyone
present, including the examiners, walked back home with them. After everyone ate, the speeches
began. Well, Olímpia cleaned her throat.

"Je voudrais tout d'abord vous donner mes félicitations à toutes les deux. Vous avoir ici en doctorat
a été un honneur. Bien que vos cœurs sont au Royaume-Unis, je le sais, je souhaitais vous dire que
les portes de l'école vous seront toujours ouverte. Je suis désolée Minerva, mais je voudrais bien te
les voler tout de suite. Quoi qu'il en soit, félicitation. (I would like to start saying congratulations to
both of you. Having you here for your masters has been an honour. Despite knowing your hearts
reside in the UK, I must say the schools doors will always be open for you. I'm sorry Minerva, but I
might steal them every now and then. That being said, congratulations.)" With a flick of her wand,
two framed parchments appeared at the wall they had put their photos.

ACADÉMIE DE MAGIE BEAUXBÂTONS

By virtue of the powers granted to it by the Charter and Statutes and the authority

of the senate the university has this day awarded the degree of

MASTER OF TRANSFIGURATION

to

HERMIONE JEAN GRANGER-BLACK

for her commended work in

 "Animagi and their beast counterparts:

a symbiotic relation"

ACADÉMIE DE MAGIE BEAUXBÂTONS

By virtue of the powers granted to it by the Charter and Statutes and the authority

of the senate the university has this day awarded the degree of

MASTER OF POTIONS

to

FLEUR ISABELLE DELACOUR

for her commended work in

"Lycanthropy vs Wolfsbane:

improving the overall life quality of the werewolves"

Fleur beamed and felt herself explode in pride of her mate and herself. They did it!

The night followed with Minerva talking, with Charissa, Apoline and Isabelle following soon after.
Once one of them announced their departure, most decided to leave too. Their families and
Minerva went to the Chateau where more parties would ensue the next day with the clan. And then
they were alone. Hermione smiled at her and hugged her, looking around.

"I'm gonna miss it."

"Oui, me too. I'm happy it's over, though."

Hermione hummed in agreement.

"Share a bath with me?"

"Always, ma Belle."

"Fleur, have you seen my sweater from last Christmas?"

"Eet's in zee red trunk, Belle. Why are you so nervous?" Fleur embraced her, effectively calming
her. "Minerva only wishes to discuss our living arrangements. We 'ave already given 'er our term
planning, everything ees set."

"I know. I just-"

"Don't want to disappoint her. Ma Belle, you won't. You are zee most wonderful person - and
teacher. Eet ees going to be fine. Believe me."

"Thanks, love." She moved to give her mate a peck on the lips and let herself relax in her arms.
"We should go."

Upon entering the Headmistress' office by floo, they were greeted with glee exclamations. All
current teachers were there, all clearly very happy that they would join the staff.

"I'm sorry for not warning you, girls. It was quite short notice."

"Yes, we all wanted to greet you. And congratulate you on your masters." Rolanda stated, letting
her arms wrap around Minerva's waist. Hermione felt her heart warm up seeing the usual stoic
professors so relaxed. They were a good couple. "Fleur, you managed to get this gryffindor to like
flying? If i remember it right she gave up after being approved in her first year."

Hermione laughed. "It's still not my favorite transportation, but I can manage. Besides, I'll leave the
quidditch to you and only admire Fleur's abilities."

"We shall test it in the next staff game." Rolanda beamed and winked at them.

They talked to everyone in the room, Hermione was awed at how easily they took them in. Fleur
kissed her forehead and smiled at her.

"I must say I've been hoping you'd come teach, Hermione." Bathsheda smiled at her. "I hoped it
would be under my wing, but i'm happy nonetheless."

"Ah, yes! My new pupil! I must say, Miss Delacour, your work deeply impressed me. We shall
discuss it more deeply sometime!" Horace smiled at her mate.

"Please, call me Fleur."

"Very well then, call me Horace then. Hermione Granger. It'll be an honour to work with you."

"Likewise, Horace."

They mingled some more until Minerva dismissed everyone saying she still had some
arrangements to make with them. A moment later, only them and Rolanda were there.

"Well, we should get going." Rolanda exclaimed, motioning them to follow her.

"The castle adapts to our necessity and when we add someone to it's staff, it creates a living area
for them. Very much like a small flat. Since you got hired we have your rooms ready. Actually
room. I believe it can feel your bond and created the quarters for you to share." Minerva smiled at
them. "The passage is through here, you'll need to set up your own password. The living room is
linked to both your offices through those portraits." She motioned to a french landscape and a
painting of a reading nook. "You have a small kitchen and the room will adjust to your will if you
need more space. The two bookcases are linked to the school's library... Did I miss something?
Well, I hope you like it."

"It's beautiful, thanks Minerva." Hermione smiled.

"Ah, you will find a shortcut to the Great hall behind the gargoyle in the corridor slightly ahead.
And the fireplace has a direct link to yours and Harry's Flats along with an international floo link."
Minerva smiled tightly.
"Zank you, really! We shall go arrange zee rest of our things zen."

"I'll accompany you to the office."

As they walked away, Rolanda began walking the other way. "Minnie, just don't forget the time!
Ros invited us for dinner."

"Yes, dear."

Hermione smiled at the exchange.

Harry, Ginny and Luna had managed to make it to King's Cross to see them out. A week and a half
before the beginning of term had them boarding the train to the castle. Hermione had insisted on
getting the train, Fleur had simply acquiesced. The brunette argued that it would allow her to live
the reality that would be living at the castle. The train (except on September first) usually made a
few rides along the year to connect the village and castle to London.

Fleur pecked Hermione's cheek, taking her back to the conversation they were all having.

"Don't frighten those kids too much." Ginny teased.

"Why would I?" Hermione gaped.

"You can be very... Strict. Ron used to be scared of you, me too if I'm being honest..." Harry
smiled. "It's not a bad thing..."

"And please use your McG face." Ginny added.

"I don't -"

"You do, actually. The one you use when you want people to do the responsible and sensible
thing." Luna said softly. "Oh, you should go! Train's leaving soon."

They said their goodbyes and walked to the train hand in hand.

"Send us letters! I want to know about your first classes!" Ginny shouted as they entered the train.

"Oui, I'll let you know of any legends 'ermine gets involved in." Fleur shot back, earning a light
shove.

"We'll be joining you in a year!" Harry exclaimed.

A few hours later had them boarding one of the few chariots to the castle. They walked into the
building that would be their home for most of the year, both with smiles on her lips. Dobby
appeared in front of them with a soft pop.

"Headmistress says she's sorry she couldn't greet you, but she had urgent matters to attend to." the
Elf beamed. "Welcome to Hogwarts!"

"Hi Dobby! How are you?"

"I's fine, miss. Thank you. Dobby hopes you made a good travel. You luggage is already at your
quarters."

"Thanks, Dobby! The journey was uneventful. Thank Merlin." Hermione smiled.
"Dobby, would you like 'ave some tea with us tomorrow? We need to unpack and eat today but
would love to 'ave some tea with you." Fleur asked.

"Dobby would love to, Missus!" the Elf squealed. "Dobby understands yous is tired, just call
Dobby when you want dinner, please. Welcome, madams." Then he popped out of existence.

Fleur smiled seeing her mate stress around their living room. Hermione was mumbling to herself
while pacing around the room, her wand securing her hair from her face (something she had started
doing while they were studying in France). Fleur was laying on one of their sofas, enjoying the end
of the book she had picked from their shared library - there's no way you could name it anything
else.

"Ma belle..." Fleur gave up speaking, noticing it was going to deaf ears, and stood.

"What if -" The blonde maneuvered Hermione into her arms and pumped as many relaxing thrall
she dared without inducing a nap. The brunette slumped against her then hugged her.

"Shh... Ma Reine, you will do fine. We will. We 'ave until evening. You 'ave everzing ready to zee
start of term. Allow yourself to relax. Come sit with me."

"Thank you." Was mumbled against her skin.

"Any day, mon amour." She got comfortable once more on the couch, then guided the brunette to
lay over her. After a bit of shuffling, they were both comfortably enjoying the proximity.

'Can you read out loud?'

Fleur chuckled. 'Bien sûr. Qu'est-ce que tu veux que je te lises? (of course. What do you want me
to read?)'

She felt a shrug against her and smiled. She loved this Hermione. Well, she loved all of them, but
this one was absolutely cute. She summoned one containing some of the veela tales she had heard
when little and started reading. Minerva's owl found them still in the position, Fleur slowly
caressing Hermione's hair while the younger witch returned it by softly caressing her side. The owl
landed on the back of the sofa and waited, as nothing changed, she took flight and landed on the
brunette's arm. Fleur cautiously took the note and thanked the owl.

Fleur and Hermione,

Would you like to share one last cup of tea before this madness begins?

Minerva.

P.S.: Yes, Miss Delacour, you may have coffee.

Fleur read it aloud and chuckled as she read the last part. Hermione smiled, nodding. She
summoned her patronus and sent it to Minerva accepting the invite.

In no time, they were taking their places on the head table, at Minerva's right. Fleur placed a hand
on her mate's thigh attempting to calm her down. Students began entering the Great Hall. A few
noticed the changes at the head table and started talking about it. She noticed a group of
 gryffindors enter the room, all of them stopping mid-step after looking the them. One of the girls
beamed at her and gave her a thumbs up. Only then Fleur realised it was Moire. She beamed back,
nudging her mate so she could see the now fifth-year girl who was nudged by one of her friends
and made aware they were standing in the way of everyone else.

After everyone was on their tables, she heard Minerva tap her wand twice. The whole room
quieted and Rolanda entered, leading the group of first-years.

'I remember my first day here...'

'Really?'

'Yes, I was so excited to finally get to know more about magic that I ended up word vomiting
every information I had on the castle to anyone near me. And then there was the sorting, I had no
idea what it would be... And I had read every word of 'Hogwarts: a History' at least three times.'

After the sorting ceremony, Minerva rose making all the happy chat pause.

"Welcome to yet another year. As usual, I need to ensure you understand that the Forbidden Forest
is just that, forbidden. And Mr. Filch has asked me to remember you will find a full list of all
banned items can be found at your common rooms and that all of those who brought anything
listed there will find out that they have been removed from your luggage by the barrier. On another
notice, I'd like to welcome our new teachers. Professor Delacour will share potions teaching duties
with Professor Slughorn as our students number has risen. And Professor Granger will assume
Transfigurations along with Professor Starling. And Professor Jones is joining us to teach DADA
for a year along with Professor Lupin. Please welcome all of them and show some Hogwarts
hospitality. That's all." She clapped twice and the tables were filled with food.

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hey, my dear readers! It's I, your friendly neighbour Celtic! I hope the wait was
worth it and that you liked it! Some fluff and hot scenes... Casual cute... xD

Be aware, next is the finale!

Also, do you want any specific one-shot? I accept suggestions!

Please comment(and answer me...), I'm always pleased to learn what you think!
Also, kudos keep me moving...

;3

See Yah! I hope this gives you some help to survive the craziness we are going
through right now.

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
 Chapter 68|69
Chapter Notes

AN: Oh well... Here we are... The last chapter of this beautiful awesome (at least I
think it was) adventure... Over two years posting and the story basically got out of
hand. But then again, I had fun! Hope you did too.

AS A WARNING: this chapter contains a few NSFW scenes.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Apparently the planning had started as soon as Fleur had asked her and if she was to be honest, she
was quite glad she wasn't completely involved. She was more than willing to help their plans come
to reality... But this was a bit too much.

"Why the heck would I need this?" she was getting annoyed and knew her mate didn't like the idea
in the least.

"Hermione, it's a Black's tradition..." Andy said, trying to appease her.

"That's an old costume for old families." Cissy added.

"It's absolutely useless and very repulsively old fashioned." Hermione mumbled.

"Can we let this out?" her mother tried to reason.

"Ah, yes. Please. It makes no sense moving loads of gold to each other's families once both stated it
would simply go to me and Fleur?"

"And we don't need eet."

Cissy sighed, and Andy seemed to agree completely with all that.

"We need Harry to decide this." The blonde sister said.

Ginny, being part of the entourage to fill the two of them about the wedding plans that had already
been made, moved to the door.

"HARRY! YOU ARE NEEDED HERE!"

It was Christmas and she and Fleur had been teaching for almost half a year now. The holiday was
being spent at the Delacours' Château, as usual, but the scene was absolutely unexpected. All
female members of all their families were convened in the meeting room, discussing a wedding. If
you were to be completely honest, the room did not resemble a meeting room as it seemed that a
wedding bomb had been unleashed there.

"Coming!" Harry hurried in, having been put on hold since the beginning of their special meeting.
"Should I be worried?"

"Now, Harry... As we have discussed a few times, according to the old ways, marriage requires the
bride's family to pay the other family for their will to take her into their family." Cissy started and
Harry nodded. Hermione noticed a small smile on his lips. "Your sister seems to think she is above
all this."

"'er bride agrees." Fleur added.

"Yes. Now you and Madam Delacour need to solve this."

"Uh... I'm not sure how this could be solved. I see Hermione and Fleur both have objections since
they are their own and shouldn't be dealt as things to be traded..."

"When did my brother become so wise? The girls are doing a great job..."

"Thank you!" both Luna and Ginny exclaimed.

"Oi! I'm right here."

"Yes, yes. Go on."

Apolline sighed. "If it is absolutely necessary, a vault can be opened in their names..."

"You think it would do, Minerva?" Cissy asked the elder of their own culture.

"Yes, I believe that is what used to be done before we suffered the intervention."

"Intervention?" Harry asked.

"When Magical Rome invaded the UK, a lot of the rites the families used to do was modified or
lost. That's commonly called 'The Intervention' by history and feminist scholars. Since Rome was
mainly patriarchal, women's rights and free will was almost erased. That's why female children are
betrothed at a very young age." Hermione lectured, Harry nodded.

"Okay. So why do you need me? It seems to me that it's a solved problem."

"Well..."

"You, as the Head of the House Black, need to agree to this."

"Ah, okay. Sure, I do agree." Harry smiled at Hermione. "I need to say, though... I'll do as
Hermione asks. It's her day, after all. You don't really need me here. If she agrees... I trust her
implicitly, with my life. Literally..." he snickered.

Cissy and Andy nodded.

"We need to go to Gringotts then." Molly said, jolting it on their to-do list. "Thank you, Harry."

The men beamed at Hermione and left the room at once.

"Now, on other matters..."

"Wait." Hermione narrowed her eyes. "All of you are going to Gringotts?"

"Yes."

"But... Why?"

"Isn't it obvious, Ma fille?" Apolline smiled. "They all need to move gold to your vault. All of us,
actually. It's a Veela costume to give the mating pair a certain amount of gold."

"But..."

"The Blacks are your family, legally, but you are bound to the Weasleys too, since Molly has
practically adopted you ever since first year. And I... I'm your magical sponsor, Hermione.
Rolanda and I feel responsible for you, in many ways." Minerva explained, Rolanda nodded at the
last bit. "We took this place only a few times, no matter if Magical or Muggleborn... Moire is one
of them as you are." Minerva smiled tightly.

"..."

"Hermione, you were one of the most promising students I've ever had. It was a choice I made with
great joy." Minerva added, making Hermione blush deeply.

"It does help you are a Gryffindor, tho. That woman had a serious problem with favoritism. If you
were into quidditch, you probably would have had a... third mother by the end of first year."
Rolanda smiled.

"Ah, I remember Lily was one if I'm not mistaken..." Molly added.

"Yes, she was." Minerva smiled. "Your sister was too, until..."

"Until she ran off to the Dark Lord. I remember her being proud of it..." Andy filled the silence,
Cissy simply nodded.

A low growl reverberated and Hermione felt Fleur's arms wrap around her.

'It's ok, love.'

'No, it's not.'

Hermione moved her head to look into Fleur's eyes.

'She's not here. I'm safe.' Fleur nodded, though she didn't release her.

"I'm sorry. We shouldn't..."

"It's really not a problem, Cissy. I understand she was your sister and I share the title with her
undoubtedly. She was an extremely talented witch and an amazing dueler." Hermione swallowed
and smiled tightly.

"On another note!" Molly came to rescue. "You girls are expected to go to your second fitting
today. As you already agreed on all decorations, you are free to go." the Weasley matriarch smiled
at them. "Oh, be ready at 3pm."

They were having a Spring wedding, a day before Ostara. Traditionally speaking, the day of Ostara
was to be spent with family and friends, but the holiday was also commonly chosen to have
weddings (traditional wixen families were no exception) as its symbolic meaning being new life,
fertility and new beginnings. The veela ceremony would take place the day after Ostara. And their
honeymoon... Well, it was scheduled to happen after the school year ended. Being professors made
their schedules quite complicated.

The end of the spring term both came too fast and not fast enough. Fleur spent the last day with a
smile on her face. She honestly couldn't stop smiling. She was getting married. She was getting
married to Hermione, her mate! She felt herself beam.

"Love, the train just left." Hermione smiled at her after entering their quarters. "What made you so
happy?" Hermione joined her on the sofa, resting her head on her lap.

"Oh, nothing. I zink eets just zee 'olidays." The blonde answered nonchalantly.

"Uhm... I see. Not because we're getting married?"

"Non. Well, eet could be a tiny reason."

"Tiny?"

"Oui."

"You remember I can feel you, right?"

"And?"

"And I know how you feel."

"Oh? And how do I feel now?" Fleur made sure to broadcast her desire for the other woman and
smirked as she saw Hermione's pupils blow up.

"Fuck. Come here."

Fleur moved quickly. In less than a second she was on her mate's lap, smiling widely. She was
suddenly smacked by Hermione's own desire, which made her moan without being touched. A
commanding hand reached across her neck and tugged her down, joining their mouths. Both of
them moaned as their tongues merged together and they lost themselves in each other.

Fleur felt Hermione's hands all over her. Her head dropped back as nails scrapped at her side and
back. The brunette's mouth quickly attached itself to her neck, with open-mouthed kisses and small
bites. She clung to her mate instantly.

'Bed.' she couldn't bother to speak out.

A groan left her lips as she felt Hermione got up, still holding her. Before she could register she
was being carefully placed on the bed, her robe being removed, and she moved deeper into the
bed. She sighed against her mate's mouth after feeling their skin touch. The lioness had vanished
her own clothes after disrobing her, then climbed into the bed and fit her body between her legs.
Fleur moaned deeply as she felt the other woman's belly against her center.

"You are so beautiful." Hermione said quietly against her ear. Fleur couldn't contain the louder
moan. "I love when you do that. I love your voice and the sounds you make. I love you so much..."
The care was clear in the lioness' voice, and it only made her get even more wet. She could
recognize that moment. Hermione always made sure to say and truly convey what she felt before
she allowed her dominance to take control and the blonde felt so completely secure in the other
woman's arms… She signaled her willingness by showing her neck, fully submitting. Fleur felt her
body relax instantly as it usually did when submitting to her lioness, letting go of her worries.
Knowing implicitly she could let everything go and that she would be taken care of was something
to be valued and cherished, and she knew it. She heard the other woman growl and felt a wave of
pride and power coming from her, which made her smile and relax further. Hermione's touch
instantly got a bit heavier, making Fleur moan. She moved her hands to hold the brunette's butt but
instantly got them restrained.
"You know the rules, baby." Hermione said in a commanding manner and she nodded. "I'll be kind
and give you one more chance, cub." Fleur whined and felt even more wetness between her legs.
The brunette raised an eyebrow and smirked. She knew what her tone did to her.

"Yes, 'ermione." She half moaned and half spoke.

The lioness held both of her hands above her head. The blonde closed her eyes as soon as she felt
her mate's lips on her neck, showering it with open-mouthed kisses and light nibbles, and then
moved her head just so the other woman could have better access. "Such a good girl..." She heard
and felt the hot breath against her skin. She always got surprised with how much of a mess she
would get when Hermione got like this. Hermione released her wrists and started exploring her
bosom, her nails lightly scratching Fleur's sides, making nonsensical drawings. The blonde
shivered as her hand reached just under her right breast and Hermione chucked. Feeling her mouth
leave her body made her whine.

"So impatient..." Hermione reached up and took her mouth in a deep kiss, making her moan. Fleur
couldn't help but try to make the kiss keep going and to press herself into her mate by moving her
upper body.

Hermione sighed and stopped kissing her. "What you think you are doing, love?"

Fleur let herself drop back onto the mattress. "Nozing."

"Well, if you were doing nothing, I'll do nothing either and we can get ready to go..." Hermione
said, moving from her lap into the mattress. Fleur felt herself freeze. Her body was still humming
from her mate's attention, and a small whine left her lips without her permission. Hermione looked
at her with fire in her eyes.

"What were you doing?"

The blonde quickly moved, grabbing Hermione and rolling her so she was under her. "I need you."

"Uhm, that's a shame. I was doing something to you until I was rudely interrupted. By you."

"..." Fleur let her body join Hermione's and whined, letting her nose go to the brunette's neck. "S'il
vous plaît. (Please.)"

"Ah, now you beg." She felt her hand travel, then leave her body and then clash against her butt in
a second. The sting made her moan deeply. The Gryffindor moved and turned them. "You know
what you did was wrong. Hands." Fleur's body was buzzing, but she didn't move. "If you are going
to be that way..." Hermione took her right hand and gave it a soft kiss and stretched her arm until it
was close to the headboard and manually tied her wrist to it with a magically conjured rope. Then
slowly made the same with her left arm, slowly. The care that came from the other woman doing
everything manually made her relax further into her subspace. 'Good?' Fleur nodded. "Your words,
cub."

"Yes." She said half moaning thanks to the ropes' bite on her wrists.

"Yes, what, cub?"

"Yes, Hermione."

"Uhm..." Hermione checked the bindings to make sure they weren't too tight then smiled at her,
making her squirm. "Good. Now, where was I?"
Fleur tried fighting the restraints as soon as her mate resumed her position over her, straddling her
waist, but stopped short as she saw the raised eyebrow and glare she fixed on her. Hermione gave a
light peck on her lips, then moved to sit. The blonde could feel the wetness present on the
Gryffindor center, she felt herself get impossibly wetter. She noticed her mate observing her, plain
desire written all over her face. As they locked eyes, the brunette smiled, and she felt a wave of
Hermione's desire come through their shared link.

"Merde! Fuck!" She felt her body burn with desire and squirmed a bit. On top of that, Hermione's
fingers and nails began to roam through her body, making her fight against her instincts to raise her
upper body, looking for more contact. The lioness was alternating between light and firmer
touches, though completely missing the places she wanted her more. Goosebumps travelled
through her body every time the brunette got closer to her most sensitive parts. Though she soon
felt like they rose at every touch she felt.

"So sensitive..." Hermione smiled.

Fleur was on the verge of begging once more, her breath was absolutely shallow and she could feel
the sweat on her skin. Hermione had done virtually nothing to her... She pleaded silently once they
locked eyes. Hermione smirked and descended, linking her mouth to Fleur's breast. She gasped at
the sensation and moaned as the other woman bit her nipple lightly. She was left a worse
squirming mess as the seconds passed and Hermione slowly moved down her body.

"Merde!" She half moaned as her mate placed a light kiss over her clit then moved to her left thigh,
smirking. Damn, she would pay dearly for her sass early… Fleur closed her eyes and swallowed,
feeling her mate's lips on her, ultimately surrendering to her touch and giving up any possibility of
holding any coherent thought. Then the lips paused and left her skin altogether.

"Fleur..." Her tone alone made the blonde squirm. Opening her eyes, she was met with her mate's
caramel yellowish eyes and one raised eyebrow. "Eyes on me, babygirl." Hermione moved to give
her a peck on the lips. The movement made the lioness' body press itself against Fleur's center,
forcing a loud moan out from her lips.

"Ok..." Fleur whispered, absolutely out of breath.

"Ok what, cub?" The other woman grabbed her ass toughfully.

"I'll keep my eyes on you, mon amour." She gasped.

"Good." Hermione slowly resumed her movements.

Fleur watched the brunette travel through the expense of her leg then move to the other, alternating
between soft kisses and small bites. She felt herself get lightheaded, her breath impossibly short.

Without warning, Hermione entered her with one finger and she suddenly felt her body taut as a
string. She screamed at the sensation; it being almost too much. As suddenly as it entered her it
left, leaving her feeling empty, she gasped.

"Fuck, you are so wet..." Hermione smiled at her, repeating her movements, slowly penetrating her
and then leaving her empty. By the fourth time she had done that, Fleur gasped, then groaned.

"S'il vous plaît... (Please...)"

"Please what, cub?" Hermione whispered as she laid her body over Fleur, her thigh lightly
pressuring her center.
Fleur gasped for air, distinctly feeling the pressure. "Please fuck me!" She managed.

"Good girl." The praise made her preen.

Hermione entered her, this time with two fingers. Not giving her time to breathe, she bent her
fingers instantly, making her scream and moan and roll her eyes in pleasure. She felt herself so
close that she tried grasping anything close to her hands, though she couldn't reach anything. Her
lioness continued fucking her hard while she fought against her own body to prevent herself from
coming too early. Hermione entered her with another finger and she screamed again. She gave up
fighting as she felt the brunette's thumb touch her clit.

"Come for me, babygirl."

Fleur felt the wave hit her instantly and hard, making her scream in a high-pitched voice. Her
mate's name fled freely from her lips. She felt more than heard the praise that always came after
she obeyed the lioness. "My good girl," was whispered after a kiss close to her hips.

Only then Fleur noticed Hermione hadn't stopped her ministrations. The woman was still slowly
fucking her, her mouth leaving open-mouthed kisses all over her belly. She gasped again, sharply
feeling her fingers inside her, fucking her. Trying to work her breath enough just so she could say
something, she missed the brunette's mouth traveling further down.

"MERDE!" She screamed as soon as she felt Hermione's mouth on her.

A second, even stronger, wave hit her quickly after. This time she felt her mate come with her,
Hermione opening their bond connection.

The two of them gasped for air together, Hermione had her head against her bottom belly and
smiled sweetly up to her. The ropes tying her up were gone with a non-verbal spell from Hermione
and Fleur felt her arms hit the mattress tho she had no energy to move them. The brunette climbed
her, leaving sweet kisses along the way then softly kissing her lips.

"You did great, love." Fleur only had energy to whimper. "Did I wear you down?" Fleur weekly
nodded. "Cuddles?" Another nod. "Okay, we cuddle, then I'll run a bath for us. How does it
sound?"

"Good." She managed.

"You are still speaking English? I guess I didn't do my job well enough…" She teased, lowering
her hand. Fleur squirmed and whined. "Ok. Cuddles. Beautiful cub…" Hermione smiled sweetly.
"I love you." She added, moving to spoon her.

Fleur felt herself slip into a light slumber. A moment later (or what she felt like a moment),
Hermione awoke her softly with small sweet kisses.

"The bathtub is waiting." She said softly. "Come, baby girl." Hermione motioned for her to hug her
neck and after making sure she was securely holding her, the brunette carried her to the bathroom
then carefully lowered her into the bathtub and joined her sitting behind her. The brunette started
humming while she washed Fleur's body. Fleur felt herself relax and sighed happily.

"Zank you. Je t'aime, ma lionne."

"I love you too, love." Hermione reached for her wand and with a flick she started the record
player. The soft, quiet tunes reached them and the blonde smiled.
After the bath, Hermione made them tea, and they relaxed on the couch before they had to leave.
Fleur fell back into her slumber, wrapped in her mate's arms and melting into her.

They spent the first three nights of the holiday at their flat. She had given up on the pretense of
calling it Fleur's since they had been living together for more than three years. The two of them
were separated very early the next day (it being the day before their wedding), with Gin and Gaby
grumbling about how early it was and how it shouldn't be allowed to happen. After a lot of
discussions, it had been agreed that they would spend the day separated. It was a family day. And
that's how she found herself surrounded by the Grangers, the Weasleys, the Black's and the Hooch-
McGonagalls. With Molly stating the Burrow was the one place spacious enough to fit together
(outside), Ginny had been sent to the flat to retrieve her since she lived closer and they all knew if
it was up to them, Fleur and Hermione wouldn't get separated.

Hermione couldn't help but feel strange. Feeling Fleur close to her was something she was used to.
But she allowed herself to enjoy the dotting from her families. They were all sharing stories of her,
laughing with her. At some point, by the end of the day, she had been allowed to retreat for a short
time. They all knew she sometimes needed to recharge her social batteries.

She had been sitting near the pond near the house, reading a book for quite a while. She half
expected someone to come make her get back to everyone. What she didn't expect was to feel the
warmth she now recognized as Fleur's presence near her. Looking up, she beamed at her bride-to-
be.

"I thought we were to spend the day apart, love."

"Oui. And zee day ees almost over, lionne." the blonde smiled softly. "Social recharge?" she
nodded. "Well, I've been sent to retrieve you. Molly and 'arry say dinner ees ready and apparently
zee plan ees to go clubbing after eet. I zink Ginny, Bill and zee twins organized zee night…"

"Oh, Merlin…" Hermione mumbled.

"I'll be zere with you."

"My savior." Hermione smiled and pecked her lips. Fleur pulled her into a deep kiss.

"Eef we don't go soon, we won't be able to eat."

"Says the woman holding me." She laughed. "I missed you." Hermione sighed, letting her head rest
against the blonde's chest.

"Me too, ma vie. Je t'aime."

"Je t'aime aussi."

A few minutes later, "OI! Mom says dinner won't be served without you. I'm hungry. And we are
on a schedule here!" Ginny shouted from afar.

"Coming!" they laughed.

"You better!"

Dinner had been a (not at all) quiet affair and now all off-age were assembled inside, listening to
Forge's directions (the twins always spoke together so…).
"Alright, we are going to muggle London."

"So disguise your wands."

"No robes."

"No 'muggles are strange' complaints."

"Let's have some fun."

"And make sure those two are always with their hands holding a drink."

"Just say Leaky Caldron, folks."

"We go from there."

Hermione held back her laughter as she looked around. Harry sighed from her side. The British
side of the assembly was wearing whatever they called 'muggle clothes' (except for Harry, Ginny,
Luna and her), they all looked like they had just come from a time machine.

"Ginny…" She started.

"I told them to use muggle clothes, Hermione. I have no idea where they got all this." Ginny
giggled.

"At least Fleur's side knows how to muggle dress." Harry murmured.

"We are French after all." Fleur answered, smiling.

"We don't have much time. Mio, can you…" Ginny grimaced.

"Sure. Help me, love?"

"Oui."

Hermione had gone half-way through them when she was face to face with Draco.

"You… Made a decent job." She nodded. "Just lose the jacket and roll up the sleeves." He
shrugged and did as she said, silently casting a disillusionment charm over his tattooed forearm.

"We are ready to go?" Ginny asked. Everyone nodded. "OK, let's go!"

Hermione and Fleur walked next to Ginny, who was directing everyone to the club. The lioness
gasped as soon as she stepped into the establishment.

"Ginny?"

"Yes, Mio. It is what you think it is. Relax and enjoy."

They were directed to a group of tables next to the stage and drinks began to be served. Both brides
decided on wine. Once the club got a bit more crowded, the host appeared on stage and thanked
everyone for their presence, stating they had special guests (he looked at them at this point) and a
very special show. Lea and Ginny had gone MIA once they got their first drink, and it worried
Hermione to no end.

She and Fleur were sitting together, holding hands and Hermione's right leg resting over Fleur's left
one. The minute the first attraction came onto stage was the minute Ginny and Lea came back
smirking. Hermione squeezed the blonde's hand as she noticed the dancer on stage walking in their
direction.

"Ginny!"

The dancer reached them and extended her hand to help Fleur get onto stage while a chair was put
on stage. Hermione smiled. Seeing Fleur flustered was a joy to her. Lea and Ginny had done a
good job choosing the dancer too. A sexy music began playing and soon Fleur started getting
flustered by the woman dancing on her lap. Halfway through the music, the mate's eyes locked,
and the brunette smirked. The smirk she got back let her know the blonde noticed how hot it was
for her. Fleur redirected her attention to the dancer soon after.

As the music ended, the blonde was directed back to her seat. After sitting, Fleur leaned closer to
her.

"Did you enjoy zee show, kitten?" Hermione held back a gasp and nodded. "Bien. Now be kind
and put up a show for me."

Hermione squirmed in her seat, Fleur's tone and usage of her pet name making her freeze slightly.
The blonde smiled and pecked her lips. A moment later another dancer got on stage and made
Hermione sit on the same chair Fleur had.

She was flustered even before the dancer could make her first move. The woman in front of her
was beautiful, but Hermione could not concentrate on anything to be honest. Her mind kept going
to Fleur and her voice saying that word to her… She looked off stage and saw her fiancée with an
eyebrow raised. Only then the words the blonde had said right after her title echoed in her mind.

Hermione felt her face warming up and saw Fleur smirk. Forcing herself to focus on the dancer,
the lioness squirmed a bit more. The woman giving her a lap dance was seductively mounted on
her lap. Her eyes followed her movements, but her mind was basically shut down. Before long she
was being helped out of stage with her friends and families screaming and applauding. She made a
beeline to her seat and, on a last-minute decision, sat on Fleur's lap, completely ignoring her own
chair. The group hollered and whistled and laughed. Fleur simply put a comforting hand on her
lower back and caressed.

"Overwhelmed?" The blonde questioned in a whisper , she only managed to nod. "Eet's ok, kitten."
She assured her in a tone that only she could hear. "You were magnifique up there, bébé. Want us
to go get some fresh air?" She shook her head slightly, sinking further into Fleur's arms. "Je t'aime,
ma petit chaton. You did great." Hermione smiled into the blonde's neck.

The brunette spent the rest of the night on her blonde's lap.

The day of the marriage had everyone that went with them to the club on a hangover, except for
Hermione and Fleur… They had gone back to the Burrow after leaving the club, everybody had
drunkenly slept in the living room and were woken up by Molly saying breakfast was ready. Cissy
gave each of them a pepper-up potion, saying she expected more of them since they hadn't
managed to get the two brides drunk enough.

"Zose kinky bastards were role playing all night." Lea rolled her eyes and smiled at them.

"Good work, by the way, Fleur." Forge said together.

Fleur felt her face getting red and looked around. She thanked Merlin that the Grangers had
decided to go home for the night. Hermione nervously laughed by her side, hiding her face in her
hands.

"Way to go, Fleur. I never thought I'd see Hermione in that space." Draco said smoothly after
downing his potion.

"'ermione can dominate me as much as I do 'er." Fleur answered defensively.

"Draco is only teasing us, love."

"Can we please stop talking about your sex life?" Harry grumbled, making everyone laugh.

"To zink 'e'd get used to eet…" Lea teased.

Molly hollered from the kitchen for them to get to the table already because they should be leaving
in less than an hour.

Fleur was incredibly nervous. No, not nervous. She was anxious. Yes. She had no idea of how
Hermione had chosen to dress. As far as she knew the stylist who had done their outfits, it could be
anything. More probably a dress or a suit, no magical robes though, this being a compromise to fit
both Hermione's worlds. Then she was anxious to see her mate. They had been separated once
again as soon as they got to the marriage site. Despite being able to keep their connection, they
both kept it on an emotional level, wanting to keep the surprise.

"Fleur! You are wonderful, dear!" Charissa entered the room she was in. "And clearly very
nervous!" She laughed. "Are you ready, darling?"

Fleur exhaled and nodded. Apolline had left the room five minutes prior to go to Hermione. The
Grangers matriarch beamed.

Fleur got up and smiled, looking at the mirror in front of her. She left the room, followed by
Gabby, Lea and Charissa.

She had never been to a wixen wedding before and though she had been informed of what would
be happening, she didn't have any idea of what to expect.

Upon entering the area she was rendered speechless. The circular area was beautifully decorated
with a selection of dusty blue, light red, white and golden flowers all perfectly arranged just so
they formed a unit representing Hermione and her. Her eyes took the room in and met those of her
family, all beaming at her. The guests sat in a semi-circle facing the centre where the ministry
officer was standing along with Gaby and Harry, Ginny and Luna and Lea and Bill - as the couples
had been chosen to give them the blessings. She saw the limits between the open space and the
guests area glowing lightly. A circle had been drawn there ages ago and had been used to celebrate
marriages ever since. As her eyes circled the room, her eyes met her beaming bride.

Hermione's eyes were glistening. She was absolutely stunning. The Gryffindor had chosen a three-
piece suit with red and gold small embroideries with heeled white boots. A Beauxbatons blue
handkerchief could be seen in the pocket. Their attires were similar, though Fleur opted for a two
piece also white with powder blue embroidery and white shirt. She beamed as Hermione noticed
the tie she was wearing. Her borrowed item, a red and gold Hogwarts tie. Hermione smiled at her,
eyes sparkling.

They walked towards the center by themselves, eyes locked and smiles threatening to split their
faces. Pausing close to the glowing border and looking at the officer.
"Fleur Isabelle Delacour and Hermione Jean Granger-Black, you enter this sacred space by your
own free will?"

"Yes." They spoke together, beaming, and started their way to them once more.

After blessing them, the ministry official asked them to think about what they would be
committing to with the ceremony after three whole minutes they were directed to stand facing each
other and hold each other's left forearms. He asked them to speak their vows.

"Hermione, we can't say we fell in love at first sight, that's for sure. But I might have to admit that I
have admired you ever since I caught wind of your deeds. My entire life I wondered if I'd ever get
to meet my mate and who they might be and the day I realised that it was you who my veela
yearned for stand among the happiest days of my life. You accepting me to share your life with
made my soul sing the happiest of all songs. I promise my love, trust, protection - not that you need
any - devotion and strength, so you can trust you'll always have someone to share the weights of
your life that will always fight by your side sharing strength and courage. I love you with all my
being and soul." She smiled after sharing her heart's contempt in the most confident voice she
could muster, having had to take a few calming breaths as she went.

Hermione smiled through her happy tears and, after a moment to gather herself, "Fleur, I never
thought I'd find someone that would compliment me as much as you do. Throughout the years, I
didn't really think I'd be able to get older. Imagine my surprise at finding myself still alive and
fancying you… I should have suspected that you were trying to tell me something after you gave
me that book, leave it to you to know how to help me understand everything better. Being with you
feels natural, right, and absolutely fulfilling. I trust you with my life and heart. I promise to you my
love, trust, protection, devotion and strength, so you can trust you'll always have someone to share
the weights of your life that will always fight by your side sharing strength and courage. I love you
with all my being and soul." The last part was repeated, since it was part of the ceremony, but they
spoke it with truth and love. Fleur noticed the circle's glow get slightly golden and smiled. The
only thing she could think of was how absolutely gorgeous her mate was in that light.

The official held her wand over their linked arms and started making intricate movements. Fleur
felt her magic begin to move and saw a thread of it dance its way to their arms, coming from her
heart, the same happening with Hermione's magic. As soon as both threads touched they became
one, assuming a white-gold-silver weaved appearance, and Fleur felt her veela sigh. As the official
kept his wand movements, their magic weaved more around themselves and their arms, securing
them together. The magic remained there, glowing, though the direct connection to their hearts was
interrupted and its end merged together forming an endless thread. Smiling, she got her attention
back to the official.

"A marriage is something to be celebrated and cherished. Especially when you love each other so
deeply and completely. But you share your lives, not only your happiness. So this ceremony must
remind you that you won't only find happiness in it." She smiled at them both. "Now you share
what life can bring to you. Salt, representing what makes everything more enjoyable in life. Lemon,
as a life shared, is not only about good experiences but sour ones too. Honey, its sweetness
symbolises all good moments in your lives. And bread, as lives sustenance is important and
impossible to forget." As she said each, she made them feed each other and taste it all. Hermione
laughed as Fleur almost dropped the lemon slice she was trying to get it to the lioness mouth.
"Magic is something we keep trying to understand fully, but is also something that goes beyond
any living being understanding. We can seek our own magic and so get in touch with only a small
part of the whole, we can seek it in other people and still we see only a fragment. But we can see
magic working its way when we take part in celebrations of life. And that's what marriage is about.
Celebrating a magical moment of unifying two different beings and watching it become one.
Today you two decided to become one and invited us to celebrate your lives." The ministry woman
signaled for the three couples to get closer and raise their wands over their heads, casting a charm
to bless the union. She saw them beaming and their eyes glistening - Gabby and Harry were almost
sobbing - as they solemnly recited the words and moved their wands. After they stepped back, the
official continued speaking. "Congratulations, as now you become one with one another. May your
magic enforce this choice. So mote it be." Fleur watched in awe as their magic moved so they were
only around their fingers and wrists and morphed into wedding bands and torcs as soon as the
ministry woman said her last words. She heard Hermione gasp and felt her happiness invade her.
Soon she noticed they could move their hands. "You may kiss now."

As soon as their lips touched, all the noise Fleur was sure their friends and families were making
got mute and she could only focus on her now wife. They embraced, their foreheads touching.

'Hi, wife.'

'Hello, beautiful wife. You look stunning.'

'You do too, love. That's a Gryffindor tie?'

'Oui. Your tie to be exact. Gin got it for me. The handkerchief is from Beauxbatons?'

'Yours. Maman got it.'

The ministry official touched their shoulders, making them get back to the present.
"Congratulations, dears."

Fleur noticed the glowing circle had now faded, allowing the guests inside. They were quickly
directed by their mothers to the party room. And waited for everyone to join them, receiving one
by one. They couldn't stop beaming.

The party was to start with a dinner, Fleur thanked all possible gods for it, as she was starving. Her
nerves hadn't allowed her to eat much during the day… Hermione snickered as soon as they sat on
their table, then kissed her cheek.

'Hungry, love?' Fleur only nodded, feeling her cheeks warm up. 'Gods, I couldn't eat a lot the
whole day… I'm starving.'

After eating, and after everything was cleaned up, her Maman and Charissa stood in sync - Fleur
filed the scene in her mind to ask them if they had rehearsed it. They were both beaming as they
raised their glasses.

"It is with great happiness that I thank you all for coming to this beautiful celebration. I'll be brief,
as I'm sure many speeches will take place here." Her Maman began, making everyone laugh. "And
I'll do it in English, as I'm pretty sure there's a majority of English speakers here. I cannot express
how delighted I am to see my older daughter get her dream loving marriage. You two complement
each other perfectly, and it's clear to everyone that you love each other dearly. Legends of a love
like yours have been sung for ages now, and to see it come true to my daughters was always a
dream of mine. Congratulations, my beautiful daughters. Charissa, merci for letting me speak first."

"You speak as if we hadn't taken hours of discussion until we reached a stalemate and Minerva
came up with a solution..." Hermione's mother laughed. "Following Appoline's suggestion, I too
will be brief - or at least try. I've always known you were destined to live great things in your life,
Hermione. I got the confirmation of such a thing when a strange woman wearing a pointy hat and
even stranger robes knocked on our door the day after your tenth birthday." A few snickered and
Minerva exclaimed 'oi' - with Rolanda holding back her laughter. "Then again, when you showed
up in Australia explaining about the war and putting yourself back into our memories. You were
always brave. You always did anything you could to protect those you thought were in
disadvantage. And you rarely stopped to think about yourself and your own safety, relying on your
knowledge to ensure everyone's safety. Now you found someone to just that to you. Someone to
care and protect you, even though you believe you don't need it. You never dreamed of a grand
love, but I always knew you'd get one epic love story because it's just what you deserve. And I end
up earning another daughter as a plus. I'm so deeply happy for you and for the love you found…
Now you have your entire lives ahead, and I'm absolutely sure you'll never stop surprising me.
Congratulations, darlings."

Fleur felt tears flow freely as she heard both speeches, her face hurt tanks to the smile that wouldn't
leave her lips. Hermione held her hand tightly, she too was crying and smiling. Both silently
thanked their mothers for the speech as they sat back down.

"Now we have the best part of any marriage." Gaby exclaimed as she got up, with Lea and Bill
following. Fleur groaned. "We 'ave a story to tell. You see, veela are raised with epic love stories."

"And honestly, we all end up hoping to find a love as beautiful as the ones in those stories." Lea
added.

"I might not be a veela, though it's hard to tell." Bill Laughed. "But I happen to be the veela bride's
best friend. And I was the first to know that she had indeed found her one love. In the middle of a
war. Actually, in the very middle of a battle. Fleur came to me and said she had found 'her' She
couldn't take her eyes from the golden trio, so I took the mental leap and concluded it was
Hermione she was talking about. Couldn't be Harry, as I'm quite sure he identifies as a man and
honestly my bullheaded brother… Well, it couldn't be him either." That elated an 'oi' from Ron
(who had been apologising ever since they had caught Lucius) and a nod from Harry. "After it was
all over, Hermione came to me asking for help to retrieve her parents. I saw Fleur's heart breaking
after hearing why she needed to do so. As we got to Australia, I accidentally introduced her to her
parents as Delacour. I almost laughed as I said that. Anyhow, everything went fine and we
managed to get back to Hogwarts with them. The next day, Fleur was gone. She left to see her own
family after spending two whole years apart from them."

Harry stood and Hermione gasped. "I might need to make an observation here. If you excuse me."
He said, beaming. Bill nodded. Luna put a hand on Harry's and got up too.

"I must say Fleur had a huge infestation of Wrackspurts while they were away and almost fainted
when I instructed her to think about Mio. The day after Fleur left for France, leaving me to give
Hermione a book on veela." Luna spoke before Harry.

"Hermione couldn't stop talking about her. When she left to spend some time with her parents, she
confessed her confusion about Fleur. I might be a bit slow, but I'm certainly not clueless. Not
completely, at least. It took Hermione a whole week to figure out what she was feeling. To anyone
who has spent a day with her, that's exceedingly slow for her usual rate." Hermione groaned and
hid her face.

"Though now is where our common suffering begins. It took Fleur more than two months to gather
courage to ask Hermione out." Gaby smirked.

"And we all had to hear one gushing about the other. I don't really know how they didn't notice it
before..." Bill added. The six best people, or maids of honour and best men if you may, shortly
telling their story - a short version, obviously. Until the day they announced their engagement.
"Fleur, as your sister, I need to say how happy I am that you found Hermione and the love we used
to dream together. Seeing you two reignites the hope in me that I too can find mine. I love you
both, and with the best life possible." Gabby finished.

"Hermione, I'm so very happy you found happiness and love and someone that can give you
everything they have as much as you give them. You are my sister, you saved my life many times,
I couldn't hope for a brighter future for you. Fleur, you better take care of her." Harry said, his eyes
glistening.

"I'm glad you found each other. You make each other happy and perfectly complement each other."
Bill stated.

"Please remember putting up a silencing spell tonight." Ginny beamed, earning a 'Ginevra Weasley'
from Molly, a 'taken care' from Grand-mére and laughs from around the room. Fleur felt her face
warming up a bit.

"Congratulations, dream couple." Lea smiled and winked at them.

"We love you." Luna wrapped their joined speech. "To the brides!"

After sharing the toast, the band got on stage and invited everyone to watch their first dance as a
married couple.

Fleur smiled at her wife. They were married now. And offered her hand, winking once. As soon as
they were in the middle of the dance floor the music began, a slow lovesong, one they used to
dance to while they were living in France.

"I can't imagine being married to a more brilliant person." Hermione whispered in her ear. Fleur
felt her eyes change colors. "I'm so lucky to have you. You brighten my days whenever I see you
smile, no matter how they have been. I… I'm so very lucky…" the lioness smiled at her, looking
into her eyes, her thumb caressing her cheek. "Thank you." Was whispered against her lips.

"Zank you, ma belle. I'm zee lucky one 'ere."

"So now you're back with the accent?"

"I'm aware of 'ow much you like it, ma reine."

Hermione raised one eyebrow. "Oh, I do. Cependant j'adore t'entendre parler ta langue natale
encore plus... (Though I like you speaking your mother tongue even more…)"

Fleur exhaled. "Ah, oui. Ce que tu me fais quand tu parles Français... (The things you speaking
French do to me…)" The blonde captured her mate's lips in a deep kiss.

"Oi! There are other people here!" Ginny exclaimed teasingly.

They were so lost in their own world that they had failed to notice that everyone had joined them
on the dance floor or that the music had already changed. After that, every single person from their
families that was present took them to dance - or at least it seemed like everyone... Only after
dancing with all of them that she was able to wrap her arms around Hermione once again.

"Well, 'ello beautiful." She wrapped her arms around the lioness' shoulders and let the younger
witch lead them through the next dance. "Long time no see."

"Ah, sorry, I'm married. Happily so. I doubt my wife would like me dancing with other people."
"Lucky she is. To 'ave such a beautiful partner."

"Silly." Hermione laughed. They wrapped themselves around each other and danced the rest of the
song. "I think I need to sit for a bit…"

"Yes. Please. You have an enormous family, ma reine."

"And that's 'Zé entire clan ees my family' miss talking." The brunette laughed as they got to their
seats.

"Ma reine, you literally 'ave three families. Four, actually. I even danced with Minerva and
Rolanda."

Hermione chuckled, earning a questioning look.

"Ronald had to dance with Minerva once after the Yule ball was announced during the tournament.
It was… entertaining, to say the least."

"Oh, I wish I could 'ave seen it."

"I'm pretty sure the twins have the memory somewhere. I'm pretty sure they store those
embarrassing memories for future blackmail…"

"We sure do." The twins sat on each side of them. "Which memory were you talking about?"

"I'm hoping it's Ronikins."

Fleur and Hermione chuckled at their eagerness.

"The one of him and Minerva dancing." Hermione smiled at them fondly.

"Oh, yes. One of the best."

"Now we should go."

"Mom is coming this way. Bye, lovebirds! Congratulations." They spoke as if every line they
could ever say were previously rehearsed, just so they could finish each other's thoughts. The duo
left in a hurry before the Weasley matriarch could reach the table.

"I wonder what they have done now." Hermione mused, watching Molly pursue them.

"Oui…" Fleur looked around, seeing the band playing entertained most of their guests and that no
one was paying attention to them. "Would you like to go for a walk, ma belle?"

"Of course, love." Hermione smiled sweetly at her, making her heart jump inside her chest - just
like it did every time she noticed the attention from her mate.

The two of them walked to the door and then into the garden, hand in hand and smiling contently.
Suddenly, Fleur felt herself being dragged by the tie to some more secluded part of the patio. She
gasped at being pressed against a tree and smiled at the feeling of her mate's lips against hers in a
fervent kiss. Letting herself be guided, as Hermione's hand was still on her tie, pulling her slightly
down just so the brunette could clash their mouths together. She moaned, feeling short nails drag
on her scalp. Then she chased Hermione's lips as the brunette pulled away. Fleur felt herself look at
her mate in confusion.

"You look cute when you are confused…" The lioness smiled. "I've been wanting to do this ever
since I saw you in my tie. Gods, I love you."

"Je t'aime aussi." Fleur answered in a whisper. Then her mate pressed herself into her and closed
the gap between their mouths, and she lost any possibility of processing a single thought. Sneaking
out to snog her wife on the night of their wedding day was the last thought she crossed her mind,
then said wife bit her pulse point, making her moan loudly.

"Shhh…" Hermione whispered against her skin. "Somebody could hear us…" Fleur nodded,
gulping at the tone the brunette had assumed. "You like this. Don't you, pup?" She nodded again,
before correcting her mistake - made obvious by the slow rise of Hermione's eyebrow.

"Yes. I like eet, 'ermione." Barely managing to get her voice out.

"Good girl." Hermione went back to snogging her. Her hands working fast as she pulled her shirt
out of her trousers, Fleur gasped as soon as she felt her mate's hands on her torso. Feeling her
arousal get to another level, she bit her lip in order to keep a loud moan from leaving her mouth.

"'ermione…" She could hear the longing in her voice.

"Patience, pup." Hermione whispered against her throat.

"I definitely didn't need a visual of this!" Draco exclaimed from the entrance of the nook they had
found for themselves.

Both their heads snapped to him. Fleur chuckled and Hermione eyed her.

"I told you she could dominate me, Draco." She calmly said, making her brunette snicker.

The blonde men had turned away from them, but Fleur could swear his face was almost as red as
an embarrassed Weasley.

"Uh, mom is looking for you two. Seems like it's time for you to leave?"

They had left the party rather early, Cissy said something about not wanting to flash the guests
with their horny doings. They were not sure how she had gotten the information…

Hermione had spent a few hours worshiping Fleur's body, after they got to the chateau in France.
Both blacked out in complete exhaustion. The lioness woke up, cuddling her blonde and holding
her close. With a sigh, she kissed her shoulder lightly, careful not to disrupt the veela's slumber,
and prepared to sleep some more when the gleam of their torcs and wedding bands caught her
attention. She focused on them for a bit, feeling her sight change so she could focus on its details.
The torcs were quite simple, three metal threads circling each other. One golden, one silver and
one white gold held together by a golden lion and a silver harpy's heads. No engravings, just the
plain metal. The wedding band, on the other hand, was quite full of engravings. The symbols that
she recognized as the Ogham Alphabet were beautiful and, as far as she understood, they were
blessings to their union. She could see their names too, which made her smile. She could barely
believe. She was married to Fleur now. Hearing the blonde sigh as she arose, Hermione smiled.

"Bonjour, Sleepyhead." She whispered after kissing her shoulder once more.

"Uhm… Bonjour, ma vie." Fleur turned in her arms, hugging her.

"How much longer will the door hold the family out?"
"Je m'en fou. (I don't really care.)" The blonde smiled against her chest. Hermione kissed the top of
her head, holding her closer. She gasped as she felt the blonde's lips closing around her left nipple
and closed her eyes, letting the pleasure wash through her body. The light touches from the
blonde's hands only ignited the fire in her lower belly, making her moan deeply. Feeling her lips
traveling made her tug at the blonde's hair and ask for a kiss. The kiss ended abruptly thanks to the
blonde's hand brushing against her center and her back curving thanks to it. She saw the blonde
smirking and settling herself between her legs. Her hands wrapped themselves into Fleur's hair, and
she let her head fall back as lips met her center. As they linked their minds and bodies, Hermione
felt the absolute love the blonde felt for her and it was almost enough for her to reach a peak.
Almost. Fleur noticing it slowed her administrations.

"Fleur!" She gasped, pulling the blonde against her center in a silent plea. The veela then slowly
penetrated her with two fingers, making her groan loudly and curve her body into her. With an
infinitesimal pause, the blonde doubled her efforts, sucking her clit into her mouth and fucking her
into oblivion. She came with a high-pitched scream as Fleur groaned against her. Feeling another
orgasm building as the blonde continued fucking her, Hermione gasped for air. Her hands released
the veela's hair and held the sheets tightly. She felt her release reach her in lightning speed, living
her seeing white while she gasped for air.

"You are so beautiful…" Fleur murmured, kissing her temple. Before she could say anything, they
heard a knock on the door and she magically spelled the comforter to cover them.

"You decent?" Ginny opened the door just slightly after Fleur suspended their locking charm.

"Kind of?" Hermione answered hoarsely.

"Damn… Your voice, Hermione…" Ginny smirked after fully entering the room. "Apolline wants
you for breakfast and Har, Lun and I want to see you before you leave for the lands."

"Right… We'll be down in 30." Hermione said, slowly getting out of bed after Ginny nodded and
left, closing the door behind her. Or trying to, as Fleur emitted a low growl and pulled her back.

"No." The blonde wined.

"Love?"

"I…"

"Come, we'll take a shower together." Fleur groaned at this, but relented.

When they joined the breakfast party, they noticed all their families were there. As the bonding
ceremony was a veela only event, the wixen and muggle part would have to stay behind and they
would celebrate Easter only the day after. The meal was filled with loud conversation and laughs.
As it ended, Harry smiled at Hermione and hugged her.

"I'm so happy for you." He said, his eyes glistening. "See you tomorrow, ok?"

Hermione beamed at her brother and nodded.

"Ah, my revenge is so coming once you get married…" She said, raising her eyebrow at him. She
knew he understood she was talking about their joined speech the night before, and he gulped.
With a laugh, she kissed his cheek and moved to say goodbye to everyone else.

Lea and Gabby approached them, smiling, and asked if they were ready to leave.
They were separated right after arriving at the Veela Lands. Lea took Hermione while Gaby and
Apolline took Fleur with them. About four hours of preparation - the ritual was very specific and
had loads of steps to follow - and after eating a light lunch, Hermione was declared ready for the
ceremony. Draped in only a robe - it was quite beautiful and followed the theme established by her
three-piece suit from the night before - Hermione left the room she had been in with Lea and began
being directed to the celebration site.

This time they would make the journey to the celebrant together. So, as she stopped by the
beginning of the chair line, she was joined by a beaming Fleur. Who took no time to hold her hand
and interlace their fingers.

They walked to the altar where a beaming Isabeau stood, under the voices of the entire clan singing
in veelan. Hermione couldn't stop smiling. In slow paces, they reached the veela leader. The altar
marked the highest spot of the lands and faced a cliff.

"The bonding of two mates is extremely rare and cherished among Veelas. Being one of the few
species that can actually recognise our true mates makes us long for this connection. It is with a
great amount of joy that I come to celebrate your bonding. Two extremely unique and special souls
who found each other in a moment of pain and sacrifice. Strong beings carry strong spirits. Only
you could forge such an unique connection and symbiosis. Hermione and Fleur, today you become
one once more, reinforcing a third time a union that started in love and trust." Isabeau smiled and
moved to draw a symbol on their foreheads. "You join your minds, spirits, and beings today. Your
trust and love are bigger than ever." She motioned for them to take their robes off. "Today you
fully join each other in this and future lifetimes." Lea took their robes. They turned to each other
and, as Appoline had said it would, lines began appearing in Fleur's body. Following the woman's
instruction, she reached for the blue paint in Isabeau's hand with her wand-hand and let her magic
flow to it - Fleur doing the same. After the older woman nodded, the mates reached for the two
brushes and started drawing the lines that were only visible to them. The tattoos from their
necklaces were visible now, the paint was slowly joining the pattern, Fleur let Hermione finish
drawing first. No one had any idea of what the bonding would do to them - especially to Hermione,
since she had developed quite a few veela traces throughout the years. As the blonde finished
painting her body, Hermione smiled. As her mate got back up, she had transformed once again. Her
wings were majestic, and Hermione reached for it on a whim. The purr that followed the touch
warmed her heart. Fleur looked at her grand-mère then back at Hermione, a glint in her eyes. In a
fraction of a second, Hermione saw Fleur beam at her, run and jump into the cliff. Before she could
think, she screamed in pain.

The silence that followed allowed Hermione to hear the reason she was feeling such pain. Cracking
resounded around her and she felt herself almost black out.

Fleur regretted the surprise leap as soon as she heard the pained scream and turned back, her wings
flapping strongly, desperate to aid her mate.

She did not expect what she found.

Her mate gasping, but beaming. Stunning white-golden wings on her slightly bloodied back.

'Veela?' She was stunned as she saw her mate nod. Beaming, she lowered herself in front of
Hermione. "Impressive." She said, kissing her forehead. 'How are you?'

'Great. Shocked, but great.'

'Try it a little, ma vie.'

 She stared as Hermione flapped her wings, figuring out its mechanics, gaining height, and then got
back down.

Hermione winked at her and ran to the cliff. It took her a second to follow her mate.

'Crazy woman!'

They gained height together, after diving for a bit into the cliff. As they circled each other
beaming, Fleur could hear the clan applaud them.

'You never cease to amaze me.'

THE END

Chapter End Notes

A/N: Hey, my dear readers! It's I, your friendly neighbour Celtic! SO... You liked the
finale? I'm excited to hear from you! Also, a shout out to LostParkMih for helping me
write some scenes and her opinions though the process of this past chapter, her blind
choices included...

I have a couple of one shots meets-related planned already but:

Do you want any specific one-shot? I accept suggestions!

Please comment (and answer me...), I'm always pleased to learn what you think!
Kudos warm my heart!

;3

Think this is goodbye on this fic... See ya...

PS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me
by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)

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