The war was over. Finally.

Hermione Granger finished her 7th year and asked for a new department in the Ministry of Magic where she could work for the acceptance of every magic being, human or not, and other 'creatures'. It was rapidly accepted and then she started to work at the ministry in the new department of 'Bond with Magical Creatures'. She even asked Firenze and Hagrid to help her now and then. It was a good way to stay connected with centaures, and to have a step towards the giants. But it was still just the beginning.

--------------

Fleur Delacour heard about a new department in the Ministry of Magic which was dealing with different magical creatures. She needed to work and was immediatly interested probably because she felt concerned thanks to her Veela blood. She divorced about six months ago, but Bill and her remained very good friends and she felt very grateful for his understanding about her feelings and her situation. However, she didn't want to be in that awkward situation in working with her ex-husband. So, she went to apply for a job in this department and was very careful to have only women in front of her to be sure that she would be hired for her capacities and not for her thrall. She had a quite good curriculum and then was hired to work at the top of the department. Well she was going to co-work with its creator exactly and to be honest she was thrilled to meet such a thoughtful person.

---------------

Hermione was quite happy... and nervous. Today, she'll be introduced to her new co-worker. She didn't even know his (or her ?) name. Her boss only told her that it was a surprise and then she assumed that it probably would be someone important. She really wanted to give a good impression. So, she arrived early, and was careful to clean her office in a neat and spotless place, not that there was a lot of things to do about it anyway, Hermione being already a well organised person. She was checking again and again that everything was okay when she heard a knock on the door. She took a deep breath before opening it. But the sight in front of her was everything but what she expected it to be. Her boss was there, a short and slim woman with gray hair put in a bun and round glasses, and just by her side, the most beautiful woman existing (well in Hermione's opinion) : Fleur Delacour, ex-Weasley. Fleur looked stunned. She apparently was as surprised as Hermione who had a little conscious thought about her mouth hanging opened, and so she closed it quickly.

"Fleur??" she finally was able to say. At hearing her name, Fleur managed to compose herself and smiled quite warmly to Hermione.

"Hello Hermione. Are you all right ?" Then she turned to her new boss, Amanda Watkins, and add "You should have told me zat Miss Granger was working 'ere too"

"Will it make any difference now you know ?" Mrs Watkins answered slightly amused by the situation.

"No. No, of course not. I'm really looking forward to working 'ere and with Hermione as well" she replied quickly.

"Well, thank you Fleur." It was all Hermione could manage to say.

While Amanda Watkins was explaining the work and everything that was needed to be known about it to Fleur, Hermione couldn't help to watch the French witch attentively. She hadn't seen her for quite a while between her 7th year at Hogwarts and her work ; she knew that her and Bill divorced, but she didn't know more than that. She was still incredibly beautiful, and her accent in English, if not perfect, has improved.

"Well Hermione" Amanda's voice brought her back to reality "It's a pleasant surprise then ! I wanted to surprise you by hiring a part-Veela which obviously can only be a good thing for this job, but I didn't know that you knew each other. That'll make things easier, won't it ?

"Sure." The young English girl replied. And indeed, she realised that she felt quite happy to work with someone she already knew. "It'll be a pleasure to work with you, Fleur" And she smiled broadly to her.

Fleur was quite surprised, but returned the smile happily, feeling relieved and oddly warmed up, as if the smile from the younger girl was warming her up from the inside.

And with that, they started to work together. It was a little awkward at the beginning, but then they even started to become good friends. However, it still was quite formal between the two. Hermione learned that Bill and Fleur were still good friends and Fleur learned that Hermione went out with Ron, but it didn't work out. They were still best friends though, with Harry of course.

But one day...

"Fleur?"

"Mmmh" came the answer between a pile of papers

"Er...Umm..." Hermione was struggling to find her words. She didn't know how to ask. This hesitation made Fleur look up from her paperwork.

"Yes" she said, showing that she was giving her full attention to the conversation.

"Well, er... I would like to ask you something. It is not about work" she added quickly even if it was already quite obvious. "Well it is more about an advice, you know." Hermione went on. "About fashion and stuff like that" And with these words she looked flustered and she was slightly blushing. She knew that it wasn't exactly what she meant, but it was close enough for now.

"Oh" Fleur was surprised but also relieved because she was expecting something dreadful. In fact she was quite amused by the stuttering of the other girl about that simple subject. "Well, of course if I can 'elp" She appeared deep in thought for a few moment and added "I'll tell you what. What about 'aving a whole week-end being all girly for once ? You could come at my flat. I 'ave loads of clothes that I can show you"

"Oh that'd be a wonderful idea. Thank you very much. When do you want to do that ?"

"Well, I am free zis week-end" The French girl couldn't help smiling when she added "You could come at half nine in ze morning if you'd like"

"Great ! I'm free too ! Well it's settled then" And they both looked at each other for a while, both smiling.