PART I: The Calm before…
Crack! Harry had never gotten the skill of Apparition quite right. In fact, neither had Ron. Both steadied themselves aside a large boulder while waiting for the nausea to subside. Hermione, however, arrived a few minutes after with a faint pop.
"Stuck in traffic were you?" Ron quipped wiping the sand from his jeans.
"Perhaps, though it seems the two of you have gone through a bit of turbulence." The young witch said with a smile, earning her a pair of rolling eyes from her two companions. Getting their bearings, the trio gazed out upon the open sea before them.
"D'you suppose this is a good idea mate?" Ron turned to Harry, running a hand through his ginger mane; a feeble attempt to tame it. "Given all that has just happened, and the Order sends us away on holiday? I'm sorry, but something doesn't seem right about all of this."
Harry gave a shrug. "Well, they wouldn't take no for an answer. Remus said we'd earned ourselves a retreat…might as well make the best of it."
Hermione nodded in agreement while stretching her arms high above her head. "Some rest would be splendid." She heaved a deep sigh. "And think of it this way; we can use the solitude here to come up with our next course of action. The new term begins in a matter of weeks." Her eyes went wide. "Perhaps that's why they've sent us here of all places!" She gestured toward the cottage that sat at the water's edge; Shell Cottage. "We've been through so much Harry…let's just cherish what little chance for respite we've been afforded."
The trio began to make their way through the dunes in silence. Harry was the first to speak as they drew nearer. "It just seems wrong. And I know I'm not the only one of us who feels that way. Dumbledore is dead, the death eaters are still at large, people are dying and we're here? A coastal retreat?"
Ron placed a reassuring hand upon Harry's back. "C'mon mate, Hermione's right. The Order wouldn't do this for us without good reason. You-Know-Who and his band of cronies haven't been seen near here; we should be safe for now." They neared the front porch of the cottage. "Besides, we won't be alone. Bill's a nutter, but he is a really good time." He grinned.
A fourth voice called out, stopping the trio in their tracks. "And don't forget Miz Fleur Delacour."
Out from the front door stepped Fleur Delacour, her long flaxen hair swaying gently in the breeze, and a timid smile dancing upon her pristine face. Hermione's breath instantly caught in her throat at the sight of the former Beauxbaton dressed in a simple blue sundress. Quickly, Fleur closed the gap between herself and her new arrivals, throwing her arms around each one of them in a gentle, yet firm hug.
"'Arry, Ron…and 'Ermione. You 'ave no idea 'ow 'appy Bill and I are 'zat you are 'ere wiz us. Remus told us of your plans to 'oliday 'ere, and 'eet goes wizout saying, what 'eez ours, 'eez yours!" She gestured toward the cottage with a sweeping of her arms and a slight bow. "Please, come in!"
Cups of tea were handed out to waiting mouths, each graciously accepting. Harry, Ron and Hermione sat around a small coffee table, each sipping silently from their cups. Fleur returned with a tray of warm biscuits and placed it upon the table. The tender fresh baked smell appeared to ignite something within Ron and he immediately grabbed two of them. Fleur giggled at the sight as she sat down next to Hermione.
"I am not 'zee best cook, but I can manage simple biscuits." Fleur said with a small shrug. Fleur watched with anticipation as Hermione reached over and took a single cookie, bringing the small treat to her lips. The taste was not overwhelming, which was fine for the young witch since she never really craved anything particularly opulent, but it was comforting. A sweet buttery taste lingered long after she swallowed the treat, and she chased it with a few sips of tea. Hermione turned to face Fleur and gave a bright smile.
"Oh don't be so daft. They are delightful Fleur!" Promptly, Hermione reached for a second. The compliment caused the French witch to give a slight blush.
"Mercí beaucoup."
"Fleur, where is Bill?" Crumbs fell like an impending rockslide from Ron's mouth as he looked up at the blonde.
"Oh! 'E shall be 'ome within 'zee 'our I believe. Wiz all 'zat 'as been 'appening recently, 'e 'as 'ad to work longer 'ours at Gringott's. All new accounts 'zat come 'een are under such intense scrutiny. I myself am only 'zere part-time…but you already know 'zat."
"Is he alright?" Asked Ron quietly.
Fleur sighed. "Oui. Still a little shaken from 'zee battle at 'Ogwarts, but you know your bruzzer better 'zan any of us. 'E is a survivor. Just like you three." Fleur's eyes scanned the three faces around her and quickly she realized that the subject should probably be changed. "'Eef you will follow me, I can show you to your rooms…"
Harry and Ron were given a room facing the open ocean, and Hermione a small study. While the boys were busy unpacking in their chambers, Fleur gave a Hermione a brief tour of the room.
"I remembered 'ow much 'zat you love to read, so I 'ad 'zis study made more comfortable for you." She pointed at a small small twin bed that was situated at the far wall. Many plush cushions lay on top of it.
Hermione absently walked along the bookshelves looking closely at the many books, running her fingers across their spines. She peered back at the French witch who in return gave Hermione a curious look.
"'Eez everyzing alright 'Ermione?"
"Oh yes, quite. Just a little overwhelmed. Did the Order put you and Bill up to this? Housing us, I mean."
Fleur swallowed hard and gave a half smile. "Oui, somewhat. 'Zough I must admit, I was eager for 'zee chance. You three 'ave been 'zrough so much…and well 'zee Order wanted to show you 'zere appreciation…before…"
"Before things get, complicated." Finished Hermione sadly knowing full well the weight of their current situation.
"Oui…" Nodded Fleur. "Uh…well…"
The brunette walked across the room toward the small twin cot, placing her bag upon it. "Fleur are there any shops nearby?"
"Oh yes! A small Muggle village lies not too far from 'ere."
"Tomorrow, would you mind showing me how to get there?"
"Oui but of course!" said Fleur almost a bit too eagerly. "I mean, yes, I can."
Suddenly a jovial, albeit muffled voice could be heard down the hall, followed by the stomping of two pairs of legs broke the silence between the two women. Hermione looked up at Fleur and smiled.
"I suppose that means Bill has returned?" Fleur simply nodded as Hermione rose to her feet. Gently, Hermione gathered Fleur into her arms in a soft hug, resting her chin on the blonde's shoulder. "Thank you so much…" She breathed into Fleur's hair. Fleur tensed instantly at the touch, but soon felt cold as Hermione pulled away and walked down the hall toward the front door.
"Haha Ronnie m'boy I see you're no worse for wear. And Harry, how're you holding up?" Said Bill casually while had his brother in a chokehold rubbing in a rather nasty noogie.
"Ahh get offa me you bloody git!" Ron wriggled free of Bill's vice-like grip and ran at his brother, arms flailing. Harry soon joined in the fracas, throwing punches and kicks while laughing wildly. Fleur and Hermione walked into the middle of the melee both wearing amused expressions.
The two women looked to each other; "Boys."
Fleur pushed the boys aside. "Come on, let us go to 'zee kitchen we 'ave so much to discuss."
Hermione watched as Fleur gave Bill a small hug and she felt…something within the pit of her stomach, but she quickly shrugged it off as nothing.
"So Remus has told us to keep you here until it is time to return to Hogwarts. Ron, mum already knows. Hermione what about you?"
Hermione looked up from her bowl of soup and shrugged. "Mum and Dad…they're in America…Dental conference." Three pairs of confused eyes looked back at her, with only Harry understanding clearly what she had meant. "You know what? It doesn't matter. They don't really keep up on what I've been doing." The silence persisted in anticipation. Hermione frowned. "I said don't. Worry. About. It." Fleur swallowed hard.
"Right then. Remus must've left out the best part mates!' Continued Bill with a sly smile as he gestured toward the fireplace in the center wall of the living room. The gentle flames soon grew green and turbulent as several people stumbled through it.
Harry, Ron and Hermione stood wide-eyed gaping at the motley group that just stumbled into the cottage via Floo. Seamus Finnegan and Dean Thomas were first to enter, each clutching a duffle bag. Neville and Luna arrived next, the former barely holding steady a large red cooler.
Neville peered up from behind the enormous cooler. "Umm…surprise?"
Finally followed Lavender and Ginny. Harry immediately leapt to his feet and swept Ginny into his arms in a bone-crushing hug. Their lips crashed together in a hungry kiss as a few tears fell down Ginny's face. Ron pretended to wretch as Bill clapped loudly and guffawed his approval. Hermione simply blushed.
The two lovers looked deeply into each other's eyes. "I…I missed you so much Harry…" Ginny wept. Harry brushed a stray lock behind her ear.
"Don't worry Gin…I'm here."
Hermione watched the tender exchange with a tinge of sadness in her gut. To her left, Ron and Lavender were sharing a quiet conversation, with the red head sheepishly running a hand through his hair every once and a while. To her right, the other guests were exchanging hugs and high fives with Bill before disappearing with their belongings into what Hermione could only assume were the other rooms of the cottage. Harry and Ginny made a quiet retreat hand in hand out the front door, and as if on cue, Ron and Lavender escaped hand in hand through the rear door. All that remained was Fleur, silently looking down at her palms on the couch, her straight golden hair veiling her face.
Hermione stood and began to make her way to the study, only to stop in the doorframe. "Fleur…" She began, instantly grabbing the attention of the French witch. "Would you like to join me in the study?"
"Oui. Let me get anuzzer cup of tea and I will be 'zere in just a moment."
The dimly lit study was a comfort to the brown haired witch as she sat upon a cushion on the floor. Outside shouts of frivolity and laughter could be heard, intermixed with the gentle crashing of the ocean waves. Her legs were weary, her arms felt as if they were made of lead, and her hair hung limply from her head. It had felt like ages since the last time she could just unwind.
The summer hadn't been too kind to Hermione. The death of Dumbledore weighed heavily on the girl's soul. And beyond that, a failed half-hearted romance with Ron did not make things any better. In fact things had become quite tense between the two of them, often with Harry having to play referee, and nearly every spat always ended with the two refusing to speak to one another.
She could remember it all is if it happened yesterday.
"You're entirely too boring Hermione. Nose buried in tomes older than Hogwarts itself. You never want to do anything, let alone spend time with me."
"Well Ronald perhaps I seek more stimulating conversation beyond the Chudley Cannon's latest injury report! You can be so thick sometimes! At least my novels don't judge me." He approached her, placing a hand on her waist, rubbing in small circles. She promptly swatted it away. "Not now. I'm not in the mood."
"You never are Hermione. Come on…" He gestured toward his room. "After a few minutes it'll be as if we never had this argument. I promise." He gave a lopsided grin before nipping at the supple skin of her neck.
"No." A gentle shove and Ron stumbled into the far wall. But he came toward her once more smashing his lips against hers. "Mmmph…I said NO!" Smack! Hermione's hand slapped him hard across the face. A red welt began to blossom on his face as he gave her a dubious look.
"Hermione! Bloody hell!"
Tears streamed down her face as she whispered. "Please…Ron…just go. It's over."
The memories ceased when Hermione felt a new sensation on the back of her neck. Fleur was now sitting behind her and was deftly braiding her long brown hair. A small gasp escaped the young witch's lips as Fleur finished.
"'Zere we go. You 'air kept falling 'een your face ma belle. Sorry I couldn't resist. Your 'air 'eez so soft." Fleur cooed.
Hermione blushed slightly. "Thank you, it's so unruly sometimes. I never know what to do with it."
Fleur clucked. "I could run my fingers 'zrough 'eet all day!" Hermione instantly tensed, but eased shortly thereafter.
"I'd like that." She smiled.
"So what 'eez 'eet 'zat you're reading?" Fleur peered at the cover of the novel resting in the younger witch's lap. "'Zee Picutre of Dorian Gray'?"
"Oh this? A muggle novel of merit, by the author Oscar Wilde. I've had it stowed away in a bookshelf at home, and it had been collecting dust to be honest." She flipped through its pages. "I've had my nose buried in so many magical books as of late, I've nearly forgotten how enchanting muggle written works are. I've brought a few other books as well." Hermione used her wand to summon a small messenger bag and rifled through it's contents once it was upon her lap. Fleur leaned in close, peering over Hermione's shoulder with great interest. "Moby Dick, Pride and Prejudice, Sherlock Holmes, Little Women…enough to last me the final weeks of the summer."
Fleur reached for the copy of Moby Dick and looked through the pages. Her eyes went wide as she held the book aloft for Hermione. "'Ermione, 'zees pictures…'zey do not move!"
"Of course not Fleur! In the muggle world pictures are…frozen…they do not move. It's a piece of a memory. Surely you knew of that Fleur!"
The blonde witch peered off looking nowhere in particular, blushing lightly. "I do not 'ave much experience wiz muggles."
"Sometimes I feel as though I'm losing touch with my muggle side."
"What do you mean?"
"Magic…at least discovering it…has made us as human beings soft. Let us assume I am wandering alone in a vast barren desert…if I were a muggle it'd behoove me to seek water, shelter, anything...if I don't find it, I would be dead within a matter of hours. But as a witch it's just a flick…" She held her wand aloft, performed the aforementioned flick and muttered "Aguamenti" And a small stream of water poured from the tip of the wand, dribbling into Fleurs open palm. "Magic…has made this possible."
"So you would survive! You'd be able to make 'eet back; apparate for 'elp."
"But what if I didn't have my wand? What then Fleur? Magic has made us soft. And the ministry…they won't let us do anything for the Muggles. They would try and throw me in Azkaban for giving a dying muggle man water from thin air."
"Well…'zere 'eez wandless magic non?"
Hermione smiled and reached behind her for another cushion to offer Fleur. "You're missing my point Fleur…but that's alright. Come, let's read Moby Dick. You'll love it, I promise!"
The blonde witch happily obliged, leaning against Hermione's shoulder. The small china teacup was clasped in her hands.
Hermione took a quick sip from her own teacup and began: "Call me Ishmael…"
A/N: Yeah, yeah, yeah I took the easy way out with explaining Ron and Hermione's breakup. R&R if you like. :P
'til next time, ttfn, tata for now!