This is my first fleurmione o.o holy shit, I did it.
I certainly don't own Harry Potter or any of its characters, I'm just playing around.
The months preceding the war, were tough on everyone, but it seemed to take its toll on its trio of young heroes, more than the others. Maybe it was the months they spent in isolation, or perhaps, it was just survivor's guilt, but none the less, they struggled with day to day life.
After their kiss, Hermione and Ron's relationship, didn't go much further, they both admitted that it was something done in a rash moment, and perhaps it was just easier to stay friends. Though Mrs. Weasley seemed a bit disappointed, no one really opposed their continued friendship.
Harry and Ginny on the other hand, were closer than ever, Ginny almost never leaving Harry's side, mostly because Harry could barely stand to be alone, echos of dying comrades bouncing around his head, like a hive of angry bees, demanding attention.
Hermione, after failing to find her parents, found herself drawn to Shell Cottage, seeking out the only female, she thought could comfort her. Bill greeted her at the door, with slight surprise, but smiled at her none the less and led her to the kitchen, where Fleur was cooking something that smelled wonderful.
The blonde turned around and smiled wide, though her eyes were filled with concern as she took in Hermione's appearance. Her hair was limp, hanging around her pale face, that only made the dark circles under her eyes seem darker, and her chocolate eyes seemed blank. "Why, 'ello 'Ermione, to what do we owe dis pleasure?" She asked, her voice low and smooth, making Hermione smile just slightly, her accent wasn't near as thick as it had been in the past.
"I, uh, well I couldn't find my parents, to lift the charm I put on them and..I don't know I needed to be with people.." The brunette shrugged her shoulders, biting her lip gently, looking up into the veela's crystal blue eyes.
Fleur nodded and patted the Gryffindor's head gently, looking up to Bill with a soft smile "I think she should stay 'ere, no?" She asked her husband, who simply shrugged his shoulders before moving to the living room to wait for dinner. "Men.." The blonde mumbled before moving Hermione to a chair gently.
"Sorry..for intruding..you really don't have to let me stay, I can find a flat in London.."She trailed off as the French woman took her coat off, hanging it on the hook, before sitting in the chair next to her.
"You will stay 'ere, until you feel you are ready to be on your own, I vill not 'ave you sitting alone in some tiny flat, it is not 'ealthy" The veela stated, her eyes as serious as her tone. She took Hermione's hand in her own and stroked her fingers over the smooth skin. "It seems as though, you would like someone to talk to, no?" She inquired, tilting her head.
Hermione watched her, curiosity in her eyes as a shiver went up her spine at the older woman's touch, though it warmed her to the bone, she was slightly terrified of her reaction, but stamped it down as she shrugged her shoulders. "The tracking spell I was using to find them, didn't work, I don't know why.." She paused, taking a calming breath" I just thought I would be able to find them and lift the charm..go home and tell them my story, watch them worry a little, but not too much, because I'm safe, you know? And, now..I've lost them forever.." Her breath caught in her throat, as she fought back tears.
She had almost battled them down, when she felt warm, strong arms envelope her, pulling her into a tight embrace. That's when all of her walls broke down, she clung to the French woman, sobbing hard into her chest, as her body shook with the effort.
"It vill be alright, 'Ermione, I promise.." Fleur murmured softly, rubbing her back gently as she rocked them slowly. It broke her heart, hearing the younger woman cry, the sounds she made, shook the veela to her core, making her ache to help her friend.
After crying herself out, Hermione was exhausted, but Fleur insisted that she eat "Food helps fix everything." She had said with a smile as she dished out the food. It was some sort of stew, that smelled and tasted delicious.
Hermione later found out it was a rabbit stew and though it had been amazing, the thought of eating a bunny made her frown. It wasn't until she was headed to shower, before she headed to bed, did she realize she hadn't told anyone, where she was. With deft movements, she wrote out a note for Harry and borrowed Bill's owl, with a grateful smile, she sent him off and returned to the guest room once more.
After she managed to fish some pajamas from her bag, a shirt and shorts, in pale purple, she headed into the washroom. She set the temperature at it's highest setting, before stripping down, letting the boiling water wash away some of the darkness that seemed to linger on her skin. The shampoo and conditioner that were in the shower, had to be Fleur's, because they smelled vaguely like the veela, which soothed Hermione slightly.
Once she was washed, she stepped out of the shower, her skin beat read, when she realized there were no towels. "You've got to be kidding me.." Now, normally she would have used a drying charm on herself, but she had left her wand in the room and there was no way she would skip across the hall, naked, nor did she want to put her cotton pajamas on when she was still soaked.
"Fleur! Could you bring me a towel!" She yelled from a crack in the door, before closing it firmly, sitting on the edge of the tub, waiting. After a few moments, she could hear footsteps and without knocking, the blonde stepped in, making the young witch blush.
"'Ere you are, "Ermione." Fleur spoke, holding out the towel, seemingly unphased by Hermione's nudity. Hermione on the other hand, snatched the towel away, wrapping it around her in one quick motion.
"Th..thank you.." She stuttered out, blinking dumbly as the blonde just stood there. "Y..you can go now..I don't need help dressing.." She mumbled, her face bright red, and not from the heat of the water.
Fleur shook her head, as though she had been lost in thought, before blinking a few times. "Ah..yes, sorry, if you need anything else, just let me know, yes?" She said, before exiting, leaving Hermione in a fumbling state.
"What the hell just happened?" The brunette muttered, shaking her head as she began to dry off. Once she was finished, she got dressed, brushed her hair out and then headed back to her room, her face still slightly pink.
Hermione settled into bed, breathing in the scent of the sea outside her open window, relaxing her. It only seemed to remind her body, just how tired it was. Just as she was about to doze off, she heard a knock on her door. "Come in" She answered, not bothering to sit up again.
It was Fleur, who was dressed in a white night gown, which billowed around her knees. "I just vanted to come and say goodnight.." She said quietly, sitting on the edge of Hermione's bed, offering her a soft smile.
"Thank you, Fleur, it means a lot, how much you're willing to do for me.." The brunette yawned softly, smiling sweetly at the veela. "I hope you sleep well.." She managed to get out, before sleep overtook her.
"Bonsoir, ma chérie." Fleur whispered, before placing a soft kiss to Hermione's forehead. After one last smile, she exited the room, sighing softly before she returned to her own, managing a smile for her husband, before she curled up in bed, drifting off slowly, listening to Bill's breathing. Things are going to be getting more complicated..Was her last thought before her mind relinquished all power over to her subconscious.