TITLE: Unicorns

AUTHORS: Ladyfun & TiAdoro914 Collaboration

RATING: While tame in the first chapters, it will deteriorate into a definite M.

PAIRING: Fleurmione

DISCLAIMERS: We own none of this, it all belongs to JK. It's her world, we just live in it. Good non-profit fun with loads of femslash.

SUMMARY: The Love and friendship forged between Hermione, Narcissa and Gabrielle, brings someone back into Hermione's life that will change it forever. No murder, no Voldemort. Begins five years post-war, celebrating life after the light won, and the true courage it takes to live life, afterward. Fleurmione goodness!

A/N: Ladyfun: Well, this was my first time co-writing, and I have to say, those who have read my stuff before will fall to the ground weeping, thanking TiAdoro914 for the ability to keep the story moving…on track…and proofread. Thank you to my co-author for endless patience! There needs to be more Fleurmione goodness in the world, right?

TiAdoro914: I fail to explain the happiness I've experienced writing this tale with my dearest LadyFun. It was written for pure enjoyment and to share our version of love with this little HP femslash community. It's not our jobs, it's not our profession, and it is done with joy and love, so please be kind as you read. It was also written as a Thank You to all of the talented writers who share their imaginations and gifts with us everyday. If I have left comments on your stories, then this is for you.


CHAPTER 1: She Kissed Me

She kissed me. She just kissed me!

I'd never seen stars before, when anyone else has kissed me... not that many people had. But definitely not stars. Or rainbows. And unicorns. Unicorns!

I saw unicorns!

My friends would tell me what it felt like to kiss someone, to feel such passion and I just never understood. Until now.

When she kissed me.

My world, that was solid and knowing, and predictable, for the moment? It just suddenly flipped on its head. And nothing was ever going to be the same again. Was it? It couldn't. No way! Because... she kissed me. And something I never knew I was missing, was found.

Found in the most unlikely of places: in the softest of lips, and in the most delicious of blue eyes that captured my heart, connecting it to hers, with just a look. Because in this moment, Fleur Delacour was kissing me, Hermione Jean Granger...

...and it was more than anything I could have ever dreamed.

XOXOXOXOXOXO

Three Weeks Prior

The rite of passage that came every fall came quickly that year. Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry would, once again, be back in session in three short weeks.

In three short weeks, students would be gracing the halls of the storied institution. First years, eyes wide, nervously looking up at the storied castle, wondering what life would be like, now that they were here; Seventh years, running in, taking shortcuts to get to classes faster, and feeling on top of the world; and everyone else, anxious to see their friends, and resume life at the castle.

Hogwarts was a home of magic, mystery, learning, and safety for most of the students who graced the halls.

It was also home, one should be reminded, for the professors, as well. Veterans and newcomers alike, all educators, who were just getting settled to their home as well, in preparation for the upcoming year.

One such person was Hogwarts's famous Professor, Professor Hermione Granger.

It was her second year teaching transfiguration at Hogwarts. The adoring public had very publicly documented her journey to that position. Following the end of the war, five years prior, Professor Granger, then Hermione Granger, the famous war veteran and member of the Golden Trio, had returned to Hogwarts to finish her N.E.W.T.s. As reported in the Daily Prophet, along with every other minutiae of her life that they reported, she received Outstandings in all subjects, surprising no one but herself. Following that and graduation, the next three years had been focused on putting herself back together, figuring out exactly what she wanted to do with her life.

For the first time in forever, Hermione Jean Granger was able to contemplate life...now that it was her life, once again.

She, like everyone else, could now bask in the luxury of indecision, struggling to decide what her future would look like. As a member of the Golden Trio, the brains of the operation, the legend of how she had helped to bring safety and order back into the world was well known. To her dismay, it would appear they would not soon be forgotten, either. Regardless, it had been a long time since she was able to be...indecisive.

As Hermione reflected what she wanted and where, she realized she considered Hogwarts her home; more so than that of her childhood residence. Although she had recovered her parents from Australia, restoring their memories with the help of St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, their relationship currently was rather tepid. She had spent many months in their re-assimilation, post memory recovery, and helping them to understand the reasons she had for sending them away to safety. Home now, entrenched once again in their dental practice, it was business as usual. Their relationship with their only daughter was not easy. They still failed to fully understand the world in which she now lived, nor did they have a desire to, if truth be told.

But they were alive, and safe, she reasoned to herself. That was what mattered.

She compartmentalized the gnawing at her heart, from the chasm that existed between them. She ignored the things she didn't have, trying to focus on what she did.

When her mentor, and friend, Minerva McGonagall approached her to come back to Hogwarts, in a faculty position, it was a Godsend. She asked the former Gryffindor to help shape the future of the wizarding world as a professor, and Hermione's heart jumped. She finally felt as though her life was falling into place. So she accepted, on the spot.

Her first year teaching was…interesting, to say the least.

Who knew that so much happened behind the scenes at Hogwarts? So many goings-on, in order to make it run so smoothly for the students...it was mind-boggling! Hermione loved being back in the familiar setting. That familiarity was something she craved. She felt alive, shaping her students' minds, and infecting them with the love of learning. It seemed to be destiny for the former Gryffindor to share her passion and energy with the young wizards and witches, of Hogwarts. Minerva had expected that to be the case. Hermione seemed to effortlessly transition into her new life, post-war.

What she hadn't expected, however, was developing a friendship with an unusual ally.

An ally…a beautiful blonde, whom Hermione had known previously- albeit not very well-would soon become one of her closest friends. Almost immediately, she became joined at the hip to her fellow junior professor, Professor Gabrielle Delacour.

Professor Delacour, the outrageous yet talented professor, a few years her junior, had joined the faculty at Hogwarts as well. Post graduation from Beauxbatons, Gaby felt an unspoken pull toward England; she craved being closer to her beloved sister, Fleur, who still resided in England. She was the type to love new experiences, and she was feeling adventurous.

Thus, following her passion, she lobbied for the post of Professor for the Care of Magical Creatures at Hogwarts. As she would with many things over the years, the headstrong blonde would eventually wear down Minerva, who relented and finally hired her.

"You will not regret zis, 'eadmistress!" She reassured Minerva. "When 'ave you 'ad somzing so good to look at, in zis class? Watch ze census for zis elective go up a 'undred percent!" She gushed, with a cheeky (and prophetic) grin.

Hogwarts provided the perfect excuse to leave France, following her messy, continuously awful, and protracted breakup with her now ex-boyfriend. She fell into England more naturally than anticipated. Unbeknownst to her when she joined the faculty, she would be doing so the same year as the famous war veteran, the Golden Girl. The woman who was fated to become one of her best friends...and more.

While Hermione had been familiar with the young, beautiful Veela from Gaby's past visit to Hogwarts during her sisters' participation in the Triwizard Tournament, Hermione was shocked to realize Gabrielle had grown up. She had grown into quite a hysterically funny, amazing, and strikingly beautiful woman, since they last met.

Their friendship was solidified during their first year teaching together. The two junior professors leaned on one another, navigating their new world order, almost instantly.

Gaby had a talent for making the overly serious Hermione Granger laugh, like no one else. Hermione realized she had very few female friendships like Gaby's, ones that were so easy. Although reminiscent of the rare happy times in her past when she would laugh with "Red," (the now famous Quiddich sensation, Mrs. Ginny Potter) it was also very different. While Ginny and Gaby's humor was oddly similar, and equally off-color, there was something very unthreatening about Gaby, despite her obscenely good looks.

The feeling was mutual. For Gaby's part, she treated Hermione like a precious gem; the rare person who wasn't affected by her thrall, in the least, and seemed to genuinely like her company.

Gaby lessened the sting of missing her friends, without question. Hermione missed Harry and Ginny, as they did not see each other as often as they all would like. Thankfully, Ginny had been able to move past her and Ron's breakup, early on; she never made issue of it. Everyone moved on.

Now, her friend, Ginny, and her best friend, Harry Potter, were finally happy together. Although Hermione and Ron did not find a similar happily ever after, and had drifted apart without Voldemort to tie them together, thankfully, Ginny, Harry, and Hermione's friendship had remained solid. Unfortunately, their divergent lives left them seeing one another less frequently than any of them would like.

It turned out to be a blessing that Hermione had inherited an insane Frenchwoman, apparently, to keep her from taking herself too seriously, or from the affliction of loneliness.

XOXOXOXOXO

"Mon Dieu, 'ermione!" exclaimed Gaby, as she turned down the hallway, nearing the Professors' quarters. "Tell me I don't 'ave to 'oist your ass on my back and carry you, beetch!" The gorgeous blonde hollered, into Hermione's room. "Eet's time for our first staff meeting! Vat are you doing wiz all zis...daydreaming, Chou? I zought zat you are ze obsessive about being on time, GG, n'est-ce pas? "

"GG", or "the Golden Girl", laughed at her inappropriate friend. Hermione walked out of her room, smiling warmly at Gaby, and grabbed the Veela's hand.

"On ze back?" She teased.

"No, thank you, Gaby. My legs work, just fine."

"Oui, bien! Parce-que...you look like you gained few, over ze summer." She ducked Hermione's swat, and the two professors proceeded to make their way to the faculty room, laughing, hand in hand.

"Incroyable...can you believe we survived our first year? Quite 'appily, I might add, oui?" Gaby asked, as they walked.

"Yes, Gaby, we survived. Furthermore, I'm so looking forward to starting this year without the nerves I felt, from last year!" The former Hogwarts alum allowed a look of clear relief to cross her expression.

Gaby laughed in agreement. The younger professor remembered how they both were terrified, yet thrilled, on their first day of classes…but for very different reasons. Then, everyone knew Hermione, the famous "Golden Girl." As the brains of the Golden Trio, she was worshiped and adored; but she was clearly also feared.

The expectations were tremendous.

The students, gawking, expected her to be a tough teacher, as she was rumored to be smarter than most everyone they had ever met, ever. Hermione feared they would not be able to look past her urban myth and history, but the young students quickly lost sight of the fact that it was Golden Girl, and she evolved into just their professor, as they fell in love with her teaching. She infused her infectious energy and passion for knowledge into every day, and it was too enticing for the youngsters to deny.

Gaby, however, had nerves for other reasons. The Hogwarts interloper wondered, Would her English be good enough? Was she old enough to command the room? Would the young witches and wizards respect her? Most pressing, weighing heaviest on her heart, was her concern if the students would be able to see her for her, and not gaze at her adoringly because of her Veela thrall.

It was rough going for the French witch, at first. The thrall proved to be somewhat problematic, at first. However, her pluck and her knowledge about her subject matter, coupled with her humor and easy laughter, transformed her into a beloved Professor to the Hogwarts students, almost immediately.

Hermione and Gaby smiled at each other, reflecting.

However, the door of the faculty conference room was quickly upon them, snapping them back to reality. The ghosts of their first year behind them, Gaby and Hermione walked in, entering the raucous faculty lounge. Their eyes both connect with the austere woman up front, who immediately gave them an amused and comforting smile. With a small wave to their respected Headmistress, they both made their way to sit down, amidst hollers of greetings from their fellow educators.

Shortly thereafter, the door swung open, again. The reception, this time, from the facility was much...cooler.

Following the arrival of the two popular younger teachers, when the door opened a second time to allow the next new faculty member, this one was a shock. The entrance of a demure, yet regal woman, a new hire to Hogwarts, as evidenced by the gasps, was clearly unanticipated.

In walked the newest cadre member of Hogwarts, one with shiny blond hair, beautiful red lips, and ensconced in light green robes.

She was the type of a woman one noticed, no question. A shy smile served a contrast to her outer facade, however, and made her arrival seem...less threatening. The room was silent, with everyone seeming to be holding a collective breath. Hermione looked around at the group, quickly assessing the rapidly escalating situation; she stood to greet the new professor.

While she had been as in the dark as everyone else, Hermione trusted Minerva's judgment. The transfiguration professor was very aware the controversial new hire's entrance could be met with admiration…. or disdain and hesitancy, alike.

Gabrielle, completely unaware of the back history, looked around, frowning in confusion, and looked to her friend, for explaination. Gaby saw the familiar resolve she had grown familiar with, in her friend's face. It was no surprise to the Veela when The Golden Girl stood, and broke the silence.

"Narcissa!" Hermione called, warmly. "Welcome to Hogwarts!"

Murmurs broke out through the room. Hermione merely ignored them, continuing on, "We, and our students, are so lucky to have you here with us this year!" Hermione pushed through the crowd, who cleared a path for the legendary professor, and watched Hermione push through, dumbstruck. They watched the most famous muggleborn in history move to grab the surprised pureblood's hand.

The determine brunette grasped Narcissa's hand, and pulled the shocked older woman in the direction of her and Gaby's table, with the clear intention of having her sit with them. Hermione exchanged a look with Gaby, clearly sending a message, to which Gaby nodded in understanding. Gaby began shoo-ing the people around at their table, to make room for the new addition.

Catching Minerva's grateful eye, Hermione looked at the Headmistress as she dragged Narcissa Black through the room in hand, and winked back at Minerva. Once the initial shock died down, at least everyone had the manners to stop staring, after a bit, and soon, the regular noise of the room continued. Narcissa exhaled finally, as they neared Hermione's table. She smiled gratefully at the former Gryffindor, a curious look on her face.

Since the war ended, Narcissa Black, née Malfoy, had spent her time finding her passions again, like everyone else.

As a young Slytherin girl, she had excelled in school, much like her older sisters. She felt such joy as a child in learning, reading, and expanding her mind. Hogwarts had been an escape, a veritable safe haven from her overbearing and awful parents; a place where she could be herself, happily in the library or running around with her sisters.

However, that all changed for her, when Bellatrix became involved with the Dark Lord, and her parents betrothed her to Lucius Malfoy. She went from a woman who had bright ideas of her future, to a simple housewife of whom little was expected. While she grew to love her husband, her life was never quite what she had envisioned as young girl, roaming the halls at Hogwarts. The war put her in a position she never imagined. Her days were spent, fighting to keep her son safe, as her sole focus, for years on end.

Five years later, her husband had passed, her son was safe, and she found her love of healing return, back to the surface.

She had fought her way into being seen as the woman she was today, and not the woman she had become during the war. This opportunity was, in large part, due to Harry's defending her, which she would never forget. After much debate, she and Draco were free, and she would be forever grateful to the young Gryffindor who had found it in his heart to forgive.

These five years had not been easy. Redemption never is. However, for Narcissa Black, for the first time in as long as she could remember, when she thought of her future, she thought of ...hope. Once again, there existed the possibility of what her future could become, again.

They finally made it to the table, which was one of the longest walk's of Narcissa's life, with Hermione's hand firmly encased in her own, as if to defend the slings and arrows. Narcissa started at it, amazed.

So petite, Narcissa thought. Such a little hand. And yet, it held the entire world in it, aloft.

Unclenching her grip, she release Narcissa's hand and they moved sit down. Hermione hissed, "So...what are you doing here, Madame Black?"

The older woman whispered as she organized her things to sit, "Minerva hired me, recently. I'm happy to say, I have the honor of taking Nurse Pomfrey's place here at Hogwarts, Hermione!" A genuine look of happiness crossed Narcissa face, a look Hermione realized she hadn't ever seen on the regal woman, before. " I can't believe a dream of mine that began when I was just a student here, is coming to life so many years later!"

Hermione nodded, smiling, taking a seat, as well. She looked from the new arrival, and gestured towards Professor Delacour.

"And, who ze 'ell iz zis?" Gaby grinned, giving Narcissa the up and down. "Zat waz one 'ell of an entrance, Madame!"

"Gaby, I'd like you to meet Narcissa Black. Narcissa is now the head Healer at Hogwarts." The younger blonde, finishing her critical assessment of the older blonde, reassured.

Gaby laughed, and immediately, the air seemed lighter.

"Salut! I zink zat I am pleezed to make your acquaintance, Narcissa! A 'ealer, ay?" She shook her platinum blonde tresses, and made a melodramatic sigh. "I 'ope zat you are ready wiz ze bandages! Because in three weeks I zink zat you will be busier zan you ever thought possible! Zees little ones are…'ow you say… crazy!"

Hermione and Narcissa continued to laugh at Gaby's bawdy and often inappropriate observations regarding the state of the Hogwarts student body.

Hermione Granger was no fool. She knew what she was doing.

The Golden Girl observed everyone in the room observing them. With each relaxed laugh between the three of them, Narcissa and Gaby passionately arguing over what position in Quidditch was most violent, she watched the room's hesitancy dissipate. When she walked in, it could have gone one of many ways.

Understandably, the faculty members were initially unsure of how to greet Narcissa Black. Right away, Hermione had changed the conversation. The subconscious general consensus became, 'If the Golden Girl is okay with it, then we're bloody okay with it, as well.'

That didn't mean they weren't wary, however.

The more cautious professors, especially the ones that had survived the first wizarding war, would each take their time determining the true intentions of the once-feared woman, regardless of the endorsement of the very worshiped Professor Hermione Granger.

Poisonous toadstools don't change their spots, after all.

TBC.