Disclaimer: I do not own anything except for original characters. All rights belong to J.K. Rowling.
"Noèmie."
At the sound of the name rolling off of her mother's tongue, the newborn baby girl let out a symphony of pleased gurgles as cool, icy blue eyes stared down into her own matching ones. "Elle est belle, mon chèri." Fleur praised her wife, leaning down to press her soft lips against Hermione's forehead.
After a few moments of cooing over their child, Noèmie, as well as her exhausted mother, began to drift off to sleep. Fleur gathered the newborn into her arms, careful not to disturb her, and settled herself into the chair beside Hermione's bed. "Mon bèbè, you are so little." She observed out loud, one of her slender fingers gently running down Noèmie's soft cheek.
The child stirred in her sleep, and Fleur couldn't help to notice the familiar way the baby's brow creased in deep thought as Hermione's did when she slept; as if she was always thinking, even in her sleep. The blonde tenderly pressed her lips to Noèmie's soft head, breathing in her fresh scent. Almost immediately, Fleur began to feel the bond develop between mother and daughter. Her blood surged through her body at an alarming rate; she was aware of every muscle and nerve working to focus her attention on the gift in her arms. For a moment, she was brought back to the moment of her own bonding with her mother, as well as Gabrielle's. It was a Veela tradition, and Noèmie was one eighth Veela.
It took only a few more minutes for the bonding to complete. "Rien ne vous blessera jamais." Fleur breathed, holding Noèmie close to her as she too began to fall under the temptation of sleep.
Eleven Years Later
"Do you really think she's ready for the express? I mean, one more year using the Floo with us couldn't hurt, could it?" Hermione Jean Granger-Delacour worriedly asked her wife while holding onto her daughter Noèmie's hand. The family was making their way through King's Cross Station, ready (or trying to be ready, in Hermione's case) to send their daughter off to her first year at Hogwarts.
Not that she hadn't been there before. Noèmie spent every school year since she was one inside the castle, as both of her mothers were professors. But the idea of sending her only child on the Hogwarts Express alone without anybody to watch her had the Transfiguration Professor on edge. Her French Veela wife, on the other hand, wasn't quite as sentimental.
"She will be fine, Hermione." Fleur interjected, taking her wife's hand in her own to reassure her. Meanwhile, the subject of their discussion was to busy taking in her surroundings to pay attention to her mothers. Never had she been on the other end of Hogwarts life; taking the Express and seeing how everything on the other end worked. A flash of red hair caught the girls eye, and she managed to free herself from her mothers grasp to pursue it.
"Noèmie!" Hermione called after her daughter, about to follow her when she caught sight of her child's goal. Ron and Lavender's son, Billius, met Noèmie half way, the first year wrapping his growing arms around his best friend. "Hello, Billius." Hermione greeted, causing the boys cheeks to flare up at the use of his full name. He much rathered being called Billy.
"Morning, Mrs. Granger-Delacour." The young boy mumbled. Just as Hermione was about to ask of his whereabouts, Ron appeared through the crowd, Lavender in tow. The couples exchanged greetings and prepared to load their children onto the Hogwarts Express.
Fleur and Hermione knelt down so that they were eye level with their daughter, each one taking one of her hands. "Félicitations pour votre premier jour, l'amour. Nous sommes si fiers de toi." Fleur beamed proudly, kissing the back of her daughter's hand. "Always remember to stay proud and be the best you can be." She added with a smile, squeezing her daughters hand.
"Merci, maman." Noèmie grinned, nodding in understanding.
"You know where to find us if you need us, okay sweetheart?" This time Hermione spoke, still worried about sending her daughter onto the Hogwarts Express for the first time. "Our door is always open."
With that, and a few parting kisses to the cheek, Noèmie left her two mothers standing at the station as she boarded the train. "Where's Harry?" Ron asked, handing his sons trolley off to those loading the luggage onto the train.
"He had to attend earlier and Ginny's in Bulgaria, as you know. He sent Albus here on his own." Hermione answered, watching from a distance as Harry's middle son boarded the train, his older brother on his heel. "Well not alone. But I doubt James is going to want to help his brother getting settled." The brunette thought aloud.
"And he he seems fine, mon chèri." Fleur emphasized, nudging Hermione to reassure her. When the Transfiguration Professor didn't ease up, a thin arm snaked its way around her waist, pulling her close against Fleur's body. "And Noèmie will be too." FLeur added, sealing the deal with a kiss to the former Gryffindors temple.
"You'll keep an eye on Billy, won't you?" Lavender asked frantically, watching as the train began to depart the station. The group of parents turned and waved good-bye to their children. At the question, the two women gave Lavender a sympathetic look. The was still very visible on Lavender's neck with Greyback had bitten her all those years ago during the Battle of Hogwarts, and the woman, with many regrets, had passed the adopted trait onto her only son. Their nine year old daughter, Gwen, had fortunately not acquired it.
"Of course Lav, don't worry. We'll sort out the full moons with McGonagall, and make sure everything works out." Hermione assured the frizzy haired woman. Ron gave his best friend a grateful look, before the two women part ways with Ron and Lavender.
"Bonjour, Albus." Noèmie greeted the dark haired boy who sat alone in the compartment. Albus blushed as Noèmie's small thrall hugged him, causing blood to rush to his cheeks. Noèmie took little notice of this and took it as her invitation inside, which she gladly accepted. Billius soon followed after, closing the compartment door behind him.
"Are you excited about finally going to Hogwarts as a student?" Billius asked Noèmie, taking his seat beside Albus. Noèmie merely shrugged, figuring it wouldn't be much different with her mothers running around the school like they always did when she wasn't a student. "Right then. How were your summers?" Billius continued on, not bothered by the ongoing silence in the compartment.
"Mum and Dad took us out to Romania. Bloody brilliant, I'll tell you that. I even got to ride a training dragon." Albus lightened up, a smile gracing his face. "Mum says Uncle Charlie made a living out in Romania, training those beasts." He spoke to his cousin. His eyes were alight with interest at the topic, but Billius seemed less excited.
"That's what Dad told me. I'd wished I'd gotten to meet the bloke." The redhead sighed,the only thing he remembered about his Uncle being attending his funeral when was only a year or so old. "I didn't go anywhere. Dad was so busy at work, and Mum with her own stuff at the Ministry." He added, kicking his feet up to the seat opposite of him. "How about you then, Noèmie?"
Noèmie drew her attention away from the window and changing scenery to face Billius. "We stayed with Maman's family in France." She answered, thinking back to her summer and how great it was. She remembered following her Aunt Gabrielle and her older friends around the house, trying to spend time with the older kids.
"Sounds alright. I've never been to fond of the French. Too smelly." Billius admitted, curling his nose up at the thought. The honey haired young witch glared at the boy, insulted.
"At least we don't wait three days to shower. You're calling us smelly?" Noèmie returned with a snap, a frown etched into her expression. Billius blushed, feeling ashamed and embarrassed. Maman would be proud, Noèmie thought to herself with a proud smile.
"Come on, wake up you oaf!" Noèmie urged, kicking Billius in the leg. Startled awake, the boy took in his surroundings only to realize that they had arrived at Hogwarts. The train had stopped and the students began to unload themselves. The three first years followed the others to the boats.
As the boats made their way towards the castle, Noèmie noticed the looks of awe on Albus and Billius's faces at the sight. It was strange to see others so smitten with the castle, when she had grown up in it. She knew it like the back of her hand, so she was sure Albus and Billius were going to use that to their advantage.
In another few moments, the first years were crowded at the stairs leading into the Great Hall. It was hard to hear over the chattering of eleven year olds, so the trio kept quiet as they waited for the noise to die down. After a few minutes the children began to simmer down their conversations and the large doors parted slightly to reveal the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, Harry Potter. The teacher immediately made eye contact with his son, who gave his father a nervous smile in return.
As Harry made the usual first year speech and explained the sorting process, Noèmie's mind began to wonder about which house she would be sorted into. A part of her wanted to follow in her mothers footsteps and be sorted into Gryffindor, another wanted her to follow her own path. "The Sorting Ceremony will start momentarily. Please follow me." Harry announced. In another moment, the doors of the Great Hall swung open, and the first years were led inside.
Immediately, the Hall erupted in cheering as the first years crowded at the front of the Great Hall. "I will call your name by alphabetical order. Please wait until called to approach the Sorting Hat." Harry instructed, a scroll appearing in his hands. At the Head Table, Hermione whispered in her wife's ear and both pairs of eyes were on Noèmie. Their daughter smiled at her mothers sheepishly. Fleur sent a wink Noèmie's way, and the young girl caught her other mother giving her a thumbs up.
Noèmie began to grow anxious as Harry went down the list. Houses cheered left and right as their house names were announced, each cheering growing more excited than the last. At last, her name was called. "Noèmie Apolline Lucy Granger-Delacour." She groaned internally as her full name was announced, but stepped up to the stool, feeling both of her mothers eyes on her.
"Let's see then…" The Sorting Hat began as it was placed on top of Noèmie's head. "Ah, yes. Smart. Very smart. A little bit of mischief in your mind, no doubt. But what's this? A Granger? Your path seems very clear, don't you think?" Noèmie felt a bit of relief at that-he was going to sort her into Gryffindor. "Now I never said that." The Hat spoke, as if reading her mind. "Gryffindors are strong, brave. A might good fit for you, I would agree. But wait...my my, Ms. Granger-Delacour. Is that a bit of Veela I sense?" The Hat taunted, followed by an amused chuckle. Noèmie furrowed her brow in confusion. Fleur had always taught her daughter that her heritage was nothing to be ashamed of; to always be proud of her Veela blood. So why was the Sorting Hat laughing at it? "Easy there, child. It was merely an observation. I have an inkling that you may succeed in Slytherin, as well. But you are a lover, not a fighter. No, no. I won't make the same mistake twice. You Grangers do not come around often. Better be...Ravenclaw!"
Applause erupted from the Ravenclaw table as they stood, waiting to welcome Noèmie to their house. Beaming with pride, Noèmie made her way over to greet her new housemates. Behind her, Hermione and Fleur stood as they clapped as well, causing Noèmie to blush out of embarrassment caused by her parents.
By the end of the ceremony, Albus and Billius were both sorted into Gryffindor, leaving Noèmie on her own at the Ravenclaw table. A bit upset by this news, Noèmie tried her best to stay positive and make new friends. This is where she met Winona Finnigan, an energetic second year who had a tendency to rant. At least she was keeping Noèmie's mind off of her friends.
Across the hall, Fleur and Hermione spoke to one another as they watched their daughter become accustomed to her new house. "I told you she would not be in Gryffindor, mon amour." The blonde teased, sipping from her goblet of wine. Her wife rolled her eyes, chewing her piece of broccoli before speaking.
"Fine, you were right." Hermione sighed in defeat. With a wicked, smirk, Fleur's hand dove underneath the table and landed on her wifes though teasingly. Hermione's heart sped up as a familiar feeling tugged at her stomach when Fleur began to massage the inside of her thigh through her robes. "Not here, Fleur!" Hermione hissed, her own voice betraying her.
"Remember the deal, mon chèri." The Veela purred, not giving off any obvious signals about her actions under the table.
"Anywhere but here, I promise!" The brunette begged, not sure how much longer she could resist. "Your daughter is in this room!" She added for effect. That seemed to work like a charm; Fleur immediately retracted her hand from it's place and settled it in her own lap. Hermione caught her breath, trying desperately to regain her composure as she sat in an uncomfortably moist seat.
"I expect to collect my prize soon, Mademoiselle Granger." Fleur smirked, aware of the state she had left her wife in. Hermione chuckled, quirking an eyebrow at the blonde in amusement.
"Oh don't worry, Professor. It is, after all, the first time in eleven years, that we don't have a roommate to wake up."