Hermione scowled over her mug of tea as she sat in her meeting at the Regulation of Magical Creatures.
It was now years after the Battle of Hogwarts, when they had banished Voldemort, but not killed him, and she was still being subjected to a constant bodyguard from the Order. It was bad enough finishing schooling with Kingsley Shacklebolt sitting beside her in all her classes, but now she was in her first job it was absolutely suffocating. Not to mention her new bodyguard auror. She had been assigned someone new as she had started her new job. Someone that she clashed with horribly.
"I just think that maybe those with part or full magical creature heritage would appreciate more regulation so that their neighbours will be more at ease around them," said a portly man from across the table, nodding at Hermione to take notes.
There was a snort and a flick of silver-blonde from the seat beside Hermione. Hermione's shoulders tensed, already annoyed by the opinionated Veela seated next to her. At least when Kingsley Shacklebolt had been assigned to her, he never interrupted her classes and meetings with his opinions.
"Excuse me, would your auror like to chime in on this meeting?" the portly man barked at Hermione, raising an eyebrow. This portly man was Frank Hammond, Hermione's boss, and the one currently overseeing her training in the Magical Creatures department. Hermione flashed an annoyed look at the auror in question beside her, Fleur Delacour.
Fleur arched a single shapely eyebrow before smirking coldly, "Non, monsieur."
"Well," Hammond said, clearing his throat, "I think that's a good place to stop for today. Granger, I want minutes from this meeting as well as those reports on my desk by close of business today,"
Hermione nodded and picked up her multiple notebooks, trailing back to her small office. To her annoyance, Fleur glided behind her, watching her closely as ever. Hermione squeezed into her office, which may genuinely be a converted closet, and sat herself at the chair behind her desk. Fleur followed her in, shutting the door behind them and sat in the chair directly across the desk from Hermione.
"Don't you ever go to get a coffee or something?" Hermione said irritably, as she smoothed out her books and papers for her work.
"Non, not while you need protecting," Fleur said proudly, flipping her platinum blonde hair over her shoulder, "Unlike you, I take my job seriously."
Hermione rolled her eyes at Fleur's typical arrogance. It was no wonder the girl couldn't keep a boyfriend for more than five minutes.
"If you take your job so seriously, you could try being more respectful in my meetings," Hermione shot back, irritated at Fleur's constant sighs, snorts and throat clearing in her meetings.
"Mn," Fleur hummed, crossing her legs, "Or perhaps you could have more respect,"
Hermione snapped down a textbook heavily, looking up at Fleur with an irate look.
"What's that supposed to mean?" she exclaimed, glaring at the French witch. Fleur crossed her arms but looked otherwise icily calm.
"Were you not the founder of S.P.E.W.? Did you not advocate for equal rights for magical creatures?" Fleur said coldly.
"Yes," Hermione said testily, "Which is why I'm now working in Regulation of Magical Creatures… to make a difference."
Fleur smirked and uncrossed her arms again, "Well, behalf of all part magical creatures, merci for standing up to your boss' opinion that increased regulation will make our lives easier."
Hermione glared at Fleur again before turning her attention back to her paperwork. The worst part was she knew Fleur was right. Her boss' approach was more in the best interests of humans than magical creatures. But there was nothing Hermione could do for now until she rose through the ranks at this job.
Hermione settled in to fleshing out the minutes from the morning's meeting, finding some calm in writing out some thorough notes. She was about halfway through when her nose scrunched up at a chemical smell.
"Merlin, Fleur!" Hermione snapped, "Do you always have to paint your nails in my office?"
Fleur looked up serenely from painting her nails with a muggle set of nail-polish.
"Non, but it does help to kill the time," she said sweetly, but with a smirk that showed she loved irritating Hermione.
"Surely there is a less annoying cosmetic endeavour you could engage in while you guard me," Hermione retorted, exasperated with the blonde Frenchwoman.
"Oui," Fleur shot back with feigned innocence, "I could teach you how to tame that wild hair of yours for once,"
Hermione gritted her teeth, her hand clenching around her quill until it snapped. Her and Fleur had done nothing but bicker with each other since Fleur had been assigned as her bodyguard. The two fell into a tense and stoney silence as Hermione continued to write up her notes and Fleur continued to paint her nails.
Eventually, it was time for lunch. Hermione had duplicated the copies of the minutes and with a quick whip of her wand, had sent them throughout the office to the team. Fleur inspected her pristine nails. They walked down to the Ministry cafeteria in total silence.
"Hey guys," Hermione said, brightening as she made her way to the lunch table that Harry and Ron were sitting at. Harry and Ron were flanked by their own aurors. Mad-Eye Moody was sat beside Harry, scooping food rapidly into his mouth, seemingly oblivious to the others, apart from his magical eye that whirled rapidly to observe his surroundings. Tonks was beside Ron, her hair currently in a short bubblegum pink style, although the metamorphagus was constantly changing her style. Hermione sat down and tried to ignore Fleur sitting beside her.
"How's the jobs going?" she asked cheerily.
"Grea'!" Ron said enthusiastically through a mouthful of food. He swallowed heavily, "Haven't even been in the Games Commission for a month yet and they're already letting me join the Quidditch World Cup project!"
Hermione smiled, that did sound like Ron's dream job.
"Things are going okay for me too," Harry said with a shrug, "Although it is weird being in auror training while under auror protection."
Moody made a slight grunt from beside Harry.
"I am going to get myself a coffee," Fleur said to Hermione, finally content to leave Hermione's side now the other aurors were there.
"Great," Hermione said snappily, rolling her eyes as the blonde got up and crossed the Ministry cafeteria. Tonks laughed.
"I really don't know why you complain about her, Hermione, she isn't that bad," Tonks giggled. Ron nodded vigorously, his mouth full again.
"She is unbearable," Hermione groaned, looking at Tonks and Ron with disbelief.
"She's actually quite nice though, and easy to talk to," Harry chimed in.
"And not bad to look at either," Tonks added, watching Fleur's figure lustfully as the blonde chatted happily to a barista across the cafeteria.
"Merlin," Hermione sighed, "All of you are incredibly biased."
"Just give her a chance, 'Mione," Harry said diplomatically, smiling across the table at her. Hermione sighed. At least the one upside to being assigned Fleur was that she wasn't landed with "constant vigilance" Moody.
Before Hermione could retort, Fleur had swept back across the room and re-joined the table with a hot coffee in hand.
The afternoon went just as slowly with Fleur loudly flipping through magazines while Hermione set about her work. Hermione had almost successfully tuned her out and got into her work when she was interrupted by Fleur clearing her throat.
Hermione looked up, irritated yet again.
"Yes?" Hermione asked, quirking an eyebrow.
Fleur tapped her watch. It was 5.30pm on the dot. Hermione sighed. For once she would love to have the luxury of working late without the ever-present Fleur nagging her.
They walked side by side out of the Ministry. Hermione's house was in a secure location determined by the Auror's department, and as part of the many security precautions was unable to use the Floo Network to get home.
Fleur led them out through the phone booths and out into Muggle London, leading them to an alleyway protected by an illusion spell. Hermione reluctantly took Fleur's arm and felt the familiar compressing feeling as they apparated.
With a soft pop they arrived in a quiet suburban street. Hermione sighed. When she had first heard about the protections the Golden Trio were going to be under, she had grand illusions of her, Harry and Ron holed up in Grimmauld Place, looking after themselves like the old days.
As she walked down the calm street in the twilight with Fleur beside her, she couldn't help but feel lonely. It had been a long time since she had been able to hang out with Harry and Ron with just the three of them.
There was a rustling in the bushes and Hermione was pulled from her thoughts as Fleur moved quickly in front of her, wand raised. Fleur had one hand behind her, resting on Hermione's forearm.
Silence fell over the street as Hermione felt her heart beat hard in her chest. Fleur's long platinum blonde hair flowed behind her in the wind, looking silver in the dim light. She looked around, alert, before relaxing. She took Hermione's hand, keeping her close to her as they continued down the street and to the safehouse.
Hermione had never noticed it until now, but Fleur was quite toned and athletic. She supposed she had only ever noticed Fleur's beauty rather than her strength. But right now, as the darkness fell over the street, Hermione felt safe under her guard.
They reached the safe-house and Fleur did her usual check of the property before meeting Hermione back by the front door.
"All clear, Mademoiselle Granger," Fleur said brightly, "And as usual, you know how to reach me if anything should bother you in the night."
"Right," Hermione said, a little thrown by Fleur's sudden niceness, "Erm, well, see you in the morning."
Fleur nodded and breezed past Hermione, her silver robes billowing as she left. Hermione watched her long silver-blonde hair flutter in the breeze as she stepped outside and wondered if perhaps Fleur wasn't all bad.
Hermione woke up the next morning, stretching with a big yawn before getting up and padding into the kitchen.
"Merlin!" Hermione exclaimed, jumping as she saw Fleur sitting at the small kitchen table sipping a black coffee. Her hair hung loosely over her shoulder, complimenting her powder blue robes and fashionable grey business dress.
"Bonjour," Fleur said cheerily, putting her coffee mug down on the table.
"What did I tell you about sneaking in here before I'm awake?" Hermione said crankily.
"Mn," Fleur sighed, "Some of us like to arrive at our jobs early, Hermione."
Hermione rolled her eyes and stomped out of the kitchen again, retreating to her room to get dressed. She picked a simple white blouse and burgundy skirt, a plain contrast to Fleur's fashionable dress. She cast a quick spell to brush her hair painlessly before heading back to the kitchen and grabbing an apple.
"Okay, I'm ready to go" Hermione grumbled to Fleur.
"You are not going to moisturise or do your hair?" Fleur said, raising her eyebrows, "Very well then."
Hermione sighed heavily, "We can't all spend hours on our appearance, Fleur," she retorted.
"Oh, if I didn't the terrible English winter would dry out my skin and hair horribly!" Fleur moaned.
It was too early in the morning for Fleur's insufferable side. Hermione snapped.
"What are you even doing here?" she barked at Fleur. Fleur's eyebrows raised even further.
"Its… my job?" she replied coolly.
"No, in England," Hermione hissed, "Its not like you have a fiancé to keep you here anymore. You could go back to France anytime you like if you hate it so much."
Fleur narrowed her eyes. Hermione had touched a nerve. Most people avoided bringing up Bill around Fleur since the handsome redhead had been killed at the Battle of Hogwarts before Fleur and him could marry.
"Right," Fleur said coldly, "On that note, shall we head off then?"
Hermione felt bad as Fleur stood and walked gracefully from the room. Her head was still held high arrogantly as usual, but there was stiffness in her shoulders that betrayed her discomfort and anger with Hermione. She hadn't meant to go that far, but once the words had left her mouth it was too late.
They walked in an icy silence for the entirety of their morning commute. As they made it to Hermione's office, Fleur looked visibly relieved when Hammond approached Hermione to talk. She uncharacteristically gave Hermione space, moving into Hermione's office and leaning against her desk to watch them.
"Granger," Hammond growled, and Hermione plastered a smile on her face.
"Good work with the reports you've been doing, you're showing a lot of promise."
"Oh, erm, thanks Mr. Hammond," Hermione replied awkwardly.
"As a reward for all your hard work so far, I'm going to put you on your own project," Hammond continued.
"Really? Thanks, sir, I won't let you down," Hermione beamed as Hammond pushed a manila folder into her hands.
"All the details are in there, its drafting a proposed system to register and monitor all part-magical creatures." Hammond said, turning and striding off before he could catch Hermione's face falling.
Hermione turned slowly around to face her office. Fleur's eyes were burning into her.
"You're really going to do that project?" Fleur asked acidly. Hermione didn't look her in the eyes. As she moved to squeeze into her office, Fleur refused to move, continuing to look at her with incredulous anger. Hermione had to awkwardly force herself through the small gap between Fleur and the wall, uncomfortably pressing her body against Fleur's toned one. Amongst the flurry of thoughts of how awkward this moment was, she was alarmed by a stray thought of how good Fleur's body felt against hers.
"I can't believe you of all people are selling out like this," Fleur muttered, as Hermione awkwardly squeezed her way to her seat.
"I'm not selling out," Hermione snapped, pulling open the manila folder, "I'm just reading through what he's given me."
Fleur sighed heavily, throwing herself in the chair opposite Hermione's desk and settling in to file her nails. Hermione frowned as she read. The mutual dislike was hanging heavily in the small office today. But today, Hermione couldn't blame Fleur for being mad at her. She had gone too far in mentioning Bill, and at first glance, Hammond's proposal would be a horrific step backwards for part-magical creature rights. Hermione honestly didn't know how she could turn the proposal around without Hammond pulling her off the project.
At lunch that day, while Fleur was away buying her lunch and coffee, the others were horrified to hear that she had brought up Bill to Fleur.
"I'm surprised she didn't bloody hex you," Ron said darkly. He himself didn't like people bringing up the death of his older brother, so sympathised heavily with Fleur.
"I know," sighed Hermione, "I didn't mean to say it… she just winds me up so much."
Tonks clucked her tongue disapprovingly, "You know many people would give anything to spend as much time as you do in the company of Fleur Delacour."
Hermione snorted, "Not everyone is attracted to women."
Tonks exchanged an amused look with Harry across the table before looking back at Hermione.
"There is more to her than her looks, Hermione," Tonks said with a smile. Before Hermione could reply, the subject of their conversation swept back to the table and settled into a seat next to Tonks.
"Who's looks are we speaking of?" Fleur asked with interest, "If its Hermione's, I have many suggestions for improvement."
"Hey, play nice, you two," Tonks said with a laugh as Hermione glared across the table at Fleur.
Harry and Ron smirked as they ate their respective lunches.
"So anyway…" Tonks said, changing the subject and turning to Ron, "I might be at yours a little later than usual tomorrow morning because the aurors assigned to guard people of interest have an early morning meeting."
"Grea'," Ron chirped thickly from a mouthful of potatoes, "So I ca' finally take myself to work?"
"Noo… sorry, kiddo," Tonks said sympathetically, "You're gonna have to wait until I show up."
"Merlin, I feel like a toddler being taken to daycare," Ron muttered darkly. Harry nodded and Tonks put a hand on Ron's shoulder sympathetically.
"It won't be forever, mate," Tonks said soothingly, "Sooner or later they'll have a breakthrough."
That afternoon, Hermione struggled to get through the file Hammond had handed her. Fleur was obviously still irritated for her. While it was an almost daily occurrence that one of them would be annoyed at the other, today it was extra distracting for Hermione. Fleur had waved over Hammond's French secretary, Julie, and was leaning in the doorway of Hermione's office gossiping to her in French.
Hermione gritted her teeth as Fleur gestured at Julie's hair and continued her loud exclamations.
"Do you mind, Fleur? I'm trying to concentrate," Hermione snapped. Fleur flipped her long silver-blonde hair over her shoulder as she turned to smirk briefly at Hermione. She turned back to Julie and said something in rapid fire French that made Julie laugh. Hermione narrowed her eyes. But Fleur kissed Julie on each cheek and bid her farewell, before returning to sit in the chair opposite Hermione to file her nails.
"We don't have to get along, Hermione," Fleur sighed, as she continued to file her nails, "All I have to do is keep you alive."
"And yet you continue to wind me up…" Hermione snapped as she continued to scratch her notes onto her parchment.
"Moi?!" Fleur said, momentarily pausing in her filing, "You are the one who is always unpleasant to me."
Hermione sighed and refused to look up at the blonde. A tense silence fell over the small office again as they went back to their own tasks.
The next morning, Hermione woke up to a quiet safehouse. Strangely, Fleur was not already there. But Hermione remembered Tonks mentioning the auror's morning meeting and continued about getting ready, unconcerned.
Hermione had finished her breakfast and coffee and had been waiting for twenty minutes when she looked at her watch. She was going to be late for work. She exhaled, annoyed. How typical of Fleur to ruin her day.
Her annoyance at the blonde witch's absence continued to grow for the next ten minutes before she slapped the table with her hand.
"I am not being late because of her," she growled, swinging her satchel onto her shoulder and heading to the door.
Hermione had walked most of the way down the street when she saw a figure at the corner, back to her, long platinum blonde hair fluttering in the wind with her black robes. Her hair looked whiter than usual, and it was strange to see Fleur in black robes, but Hermione supposed Fleur was just still in a bad mood.
"For someone so obsessed with doing their job, you could have at least met me at the safehouse," Hermione barked, as she approached the blonde. Her next words froze in her throat as the blonde turned around.
Narcissa Malfoy turned, immediately hitting Hermione with a cruciatus curse that knocked her to the ground with searing pain. Hermione screamed as she writhed in pain.
As the curse eventually began to subside, she rolled onto her back, panting, to see Narcissa standing above her, wand raised.
"The Dark Lord will be very pleased indeed," Narcissa crowed triumphantly. She lifted her wrist, ready to throw another spell, when a look of confusion crossed her pale, arrogant features. She couldn't move her wand arm at all. It was frozen in the air. She tugged at it with her other hand before a bright flash of light hit her and she fell to the ground, stunned.
Hermione scrambled to her feet, turning wildly to see the real Fleur stepping calmly towards her. Fleur had a small trail of blood falling from her hairline down her forehead, but looked otherwise unharmed.
"Sorry I am late," Fleur said as she reached Hermione, flicking her wand to bind the unconscious Narcissa with glowing golden ropes, "I was temporarily waylaid by your friend here."
"Th-thanks," Hermione stammered. She had been under protection for some time now, but this was the first time a Death Eater had actually managed to break through the security measures and get to her. It shook her a little. Fleur turned back from inspecting the binds on Narcissa and looked at Hermione with concern.
"Are you okay?" Fleur asked, cocking her head to one side, "Did she hurt you?"
"Nothing I can't handle," Hermione said, feigning calm as she rubbed her arms against the morning chill. Fleur nodded and whipped her wand again, summoning her patronus, a falcon.
She spoke to the patronus rapidly in French, which then flew away at great speed.
"Come. I have alerted the auror's office to Madame Malfoy. In the meantime, we need to get you somewhere safe." Fleur said forcefully. She took Hermione's arm and before Hermione could object, she felt the familiar compressing feeling of apparation.