Chapter 1
Fleur loved the library. It was not because of the endless knowledge hidden within the dusty tomes, nor was it because it provided a shelter from her glazed-over 'fans'. No, Fleur loved the library for the faint scent of vanilla that occupied the darkest corner, the faint scent that lifted her chest and dulled her eyes, the scent that belonged to none other than Hermione Granger.
A slender finger ran gently across the line of old tomes, tracing, marking, claiming the small specks of dust that licked the surface. It was nearly closing hours of Hogwart's library and Madam Pince's "get the fuck out of here now" glare routine was well underway.
"Eet eez a vunderful book Mizz Granger." The blonde professor purred, slinking closer to the seated girl. Hermione raised her gaze from the page and gave a weak smile.
"Yes Professor, I have been finding it… entertaining to say the least." At the girl's hesitation Fleur let out a husky chuckle.
"Mz Woolf can be a beet of a struggle, non?" At this point Fleur had crept so close to the young girl that the woman's warm breath gently skimmed past the girl's cheek. Hermione shuddered, flustered by the sudden closeness of her newest professor.
"Yes Pro-" Hermione started before being cut off by a slightly dusted finger to her lips.
"Fleur, if you vill." Hermione nodded, throwing all the parchments that littered the desk into her already overstuffed bag.
"Err well, goodnight then, Fleur," And before the French witch could give a response, the girl had retreated to her dorm. Fleur's eyes lowered to the desk, her hand reaching out to stroke the slightly warmed wood.
"Goodnight, Mizz Granger." She gently whispered, before she too took her leave.
The Gryffindor common room was seemingly empty when Hermione entered, with a soft sigh she noticed a lump on the longest lounge. Footsteps were taken and a known figure was identified. There, curled in a small ball was none other than Harry Potter. A blanket was draped casually over his legs that in turn made the young witch worry, had he been waiting for her? Regardless, she bent down to pull up the blanket and remove the glasses from his face.
"Sleep well Harry."
"Mione…" Harry mumbled, blinking away his bleary sight. Hermione turned and offered a weak smile. "Did she follow you again?" The question came to the girl as somewhat of a surprise.
"Yes." Was her weak reply.
"Did she say anything?" Hermione bit her lip and motioned the boy to move over, he shuffled to the right and let the girl sit down.
"Nothing more than last night." She replied, running her hands through her now rather attractive hair.
"Do you love her?"
A silence encompassed the room, both occupants fidgeted uncomfortably before the girl spoke.
"I do not know."
Harry reached for his glasses, wiping the lenses clear on his shirt. With a quick goodbye they parted for their respective dorms. One with hope of new love and the other with the knowledge of lost. Hermione; who wasn't as emotionally imperceptive as the boy gave her credit for, knew how painfully obvious his feelings were and that they only made everything so much more difficult. But what was everything? Hermione let her eyes close, in hopes of drowning out her thoughts. What was Fleur doing to her? No. It wasn't that she was doing something, it was that something had already been done.
"Fleur…" Was the last thing that passed her lips before they too closed for the night's rest.