TITLE: LOCK & KEY
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters; I merely love them so much that I've decided they're too awesome for men and therefore should be for each other.
Music: It's Your Day – Yiruma / Till I Find You – Yiruma / Kiss The Rain - Yiruma
Pairing: Hermione Granger & Fleur Delacour
Oh my goodness, you people have no idea how happy your reviews made me. You lot inspire me, thank you! This gets on a little AU from here, but I'll include in canon stuff on later chapters, but for now, here's an all around happy chapter!
~ o ~ o ~
A few days later…
It was getting dark; the sun had almost disappeared from the horizon. And in the darkest nooks and corners of the living room of Serendipity—which actually meant behind the sofa, in the back of the grand clock and under—well, almost under the table. Eight figures stood or rather crouched underneath any furniture where they could hide themselves temporarily; awaiting the arrival of their prey.
"Ouch that was my foot!" Ron hissed from behind the sofa, Harry just arrived and was blindly going around the living room.
"Ooops! Sorry mate. I thought this space wasn't taken. Scoot over will ya?" Harry hissed back.
"Oh come'on give me some alone time with Luna…" Ron whined back and a girly giggle was heard in the darkness.
Harry was about to spat back a statement that would mostly consist of how gross Ron was acting but he was cut off by another feminine voice.
"Ronald! 'Arry! Will you two please for the love of anything considered holy—do shut up? I can 'ear Ginny from outside the door. You are going to ruin the surprise we 'ave for my 'Ermione." Fleur whispered to them quietly.
"Sorry Fleur…" They whispered back in unison and bless their souls, they did quiet down.
Fleur being the person next to the wall near the receiving area can hear footsteps and voices from outside the door.
"Come on now 'Mione, walk faster." Ginny gleefully shouted to her back where a panting Hermione was almost jogging towards her.
"Ginevra Weasley! Just what do you think you are doing going into someone else's backyard and romping in like you own the place? We could be in so much trouble right now!" Hermione was obviously trying to suppress her voice.
Fleur chucked inwardly. Ah, my 'Ermione, always the self righteous one.
"Oh come'on, loosen up will you? It'll be fun!" Obviously the youngest Weasley was going at it again. Fleur heard Hermione say something else about breaking laws and going into muggle jail for breaking into someone's house but her brain instinctively focused on what the brunette had said next.
"Just please make it quick will you? I need to get home to Fleur, she's probably already looking for me." Fleur could almost see Ginny rolling her eyes but did not make a reply nonetheless.
The phrase "get home to Fleur" was definitely something the blonde veela can get used to. She can't help but grin widely at the thought, but her musings were abruptly cut by a slow cracking of the door and footsteps entering the area—their cue.
Everyone was very, very, very still although she could hear their breathing.
~ o ~ o ~
"Ginny, it's really dark in here. No one's home, come'on let's just leave…" Hermione whispered, Ginny however—as practiced went straight next to Fleur and did a very good job in ignoring Hermione.
"Gin? Where are you?" Hermione was walking blindly now. "Oh for the love of…" She said in desperation and took out her wand.
"Lumo—"
That was Fleur's cue, she flicked her wand and every light in the room bloomed to life. As practiced, everyone shouted in unison.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY HERMIONE!" A happy shout came from everyone's throats. Several colorful sparks from whoever's wand flew into the air. The room was not very big, but it wasn't exactly small either. Couches were arranged in a circular manner but on the far end stood the fireplace, merrily crackling as if sensing the occasion.
Hermione's eyes took in the whole view; she barely noticed some of Fleur's paintings hanging on the far side of the wall near the fireplace, the walls were painted in crème and several accents of different shades of blue were all over the place. A soft light blue rug adorned the wooden floor in the center of the room.
Sure, Hermione was the brightest witch of her age but her mind couldn't process everything right now. Yes, she was just walking into some random pretty house just a while ago with Ginny. Yes, Ginny just happen to disappear when they entered the unlit household. Yes, she knew that today was her birthday. And yes, this obviously is a surprise—and of course she does know the only person who would do this for her—the train of her thoughts was trying to organize everything into a neat manner, and she breathed sharply and let her shocked expression turn into a grin.
Everyone was singing the happy birthday song now while clapping their hands, everyone she loved was there; every person who deeply care for her. Harry, Ron, Ginny, Luna, Fred and George, Bill was also there, even Molly and Arthur Weasley was present.
However, the said person whom she knew was responsible for the lovely surprise was now walking towards her, a levitating cake floating beside her. Hermione took in her beauty—and everything else was forgotten. She couldn't hear any shouts, or any song, or any clapping, she couldn't hear the crackle of the sparks dancing in the air.
Fleur was wearing a simple sleeveless white dress, the v-neck cut stooping just to the right amount—barely showing any cleavage but would still be considered sexy as hell. Her long hair was carelessly flowing down to her shoulders; it always looks like its glowing. Her neck adorned that crescent shaped pendant Hermione gave her way back in her fourth year. She smiled widely—and she was barefooted. Fleur looked brilliant with any kind of footwear, may it be killer heels, just a simple pair of flats or flip-flops; but Hermione liked her best barefooted. However, her musings were cut short when Fleur was finally in such a close proximity that she could smell the sweet vanilla she was so much used to.
Fleur leaned in close and whispered to hear ear.
"Joyeux anniversaire, mon amour." And then she enveloped her in a warm loving hug.
Hermione returned the hug and inched back after a moment. She wasn't one to favor public displays of affection, but she boldly set out and grabbed Fleur by the waist, another hand gently cupping her pretty face and kissed her full on the mouth.
And just like that, she was lost again—in her own kingdom.
Where everything is at peace and no one would be able to hurt her. It took Fleur a few moments to respond, obviously shocked by Hermione's boldness but happily sighed into the kiss nonetheless.
They would have probably done it for endless minutes, but alas the claps were now replaced by catcalls and several chants of "you go girl!" from the twins followed by a blinding white flash and a camera sound. They broke off slowly, grinning into each other's mouth and then turning into the small crowd watching them.
"Harry James Potter, you better give me those pictures you just took later on or I'll make sure everyone sees those pictures from last summer." Hermione said, jokingly.
Harry however, visibly cringed. He put down the camera on the couch and walked straight to his best friend and gave her a big hug. "Happy 18th Birthday 'Mione." He then let go and held her in arms length.
Hermione smiled sweetly at her best friend and whispered back. "Thank you Harry…"
Everyone flocked to where Hermione was standing now, giving her big hugs and their happy birthday's. George even lifted her up at one point and spun her around like a kid, an act which she found highly amusing, when she found herself being tossed to Fred however, she heard a tutting sound and found Fleur raising an eyebrow to the twins.
"Excuse me, but my girlfriend is not a throw pillow." She jested. The twins smiled sheepishly at Fleur and put Hermione down. The rest finished giving her hugs and birthday greetings and then Fleur wrapped her arms around her waist and levitated the cake in front of her, another flick of her wand and the candles blew to life.
The cake was very much ordinary, except for the fact that it was enormously big and there scattered notes of wishes and greetings from her loved ones. Several decorations were also scattered around the cake, there were books, quills, musical notes and a grand piano. She smiled at that, obviously Fleur was the one who made it. Only she knew that Hermione was very much into classical music—and piano.
She looked up and everyone was looking at her expectantly, moving her gaze to the blonde veela's face; Fleur smiled and spoke lovingly.
"Make your birthday wish mon amour…" Hermione returned the smile and closed her eyes and thought for a minute.
Please keep my loved ones safe… And please give me and Fleur strength… And would I be too selfish to wish to have her forever? I wish that too, anyway.
She then chuckled, opened her eyes and blew out 18 candles scattered all over the cake. Everyone clapped and gave her some more greetings, a few pats in the back and they all proceeded to the center of the room. A table magically appeared. Molly Weasley was now taking over the celebration, she flicked her wand and dishes came in, flying to the table from what she guessed was the kitchen, by two's and three's and there were just so many.
Ah, typical Molly. Hermione smiled at the thought and glanced at her appreciatively; sending a warm smile. Molly smiled back proudly and winked at her.
Everyone gathered around the table while Fleur was handing everyone goblets half-filled with wines, pumpkin juices, butterbeers and anything that anyone prefers. After the drinks were given to everyone, Harry cleared his throat. He was obviously going to make a little speech.
"I thank everything that is Holy for today, because 18 years ago in the same day, a certain Hermione Granger was born. Though she does get a little bit bossy around homework and essays our professors gives us, she's the bestest best friend and the sister I've never had." He smiled sweetly at Hermione and she returned the smile, feeling very elated by the mushy words she usually doesn't hear from her bestfriend.
"To Hermione…" Ron spoke slowly, swallowed and then continued. "The most patient and forgiving person I've ever met. Thank you for being the best friend that you are, and even though I tease you most of the time for being smart, merlin knows Harry and I wouldn't be alive at this point without you." He smiled sheepishly at Hermione and raised his goblet of butterbeer.
"Thank you…" Hermione mouthed to Ron seeing as Ginny was going to speak next. Her hand was entwined with Harry's and Hermione had to smile at the sight. She was after all, the person who commanded Harry to grow a pair and get it on with Ginny.
"To the sister I've never had… For being the most honest person I know, for giving me the advice that I've always needed—even if I ask for them or not, that's just how brilliant you are." Ginny gave a rather thoughtful look and spoke quickly once again. "…And for hooking me up with Harry." A cheshire grin poised on her face.
Hermione giggled and shot back. "I love you too, little sis."
It was now Luna's turn to speak. The intuitive blonde had been very close to Hermione for the past few years. Pointing out things here and there that she herself weren't able to see (mostly on those times where she was confused with herself and her relationship with Fleur), and they specially got closer after she caught Ron doing "the moves" on Luna one Christmas night. She again, performed the role of the match maker and the two ended up together as well.
"Hermione, this isn't really the time to be thinking about that time when Ron made the moves on me." Luna spoke, which in turn made ginger haired boy beside her who was holding her hand turn purple—and broke Hermione on her reverie. This earned snorts covered badly as coughs by the twins when Luna gave them a knowing glare.
"So," Luna started to speak again. "…to Hermione Granger, the girl who deserves more than she ever asks for." She gave Hermione a knowing smile and that in turn made the brunette a little bit confused but smiled back nonetheless.
Surely Luna doesn't know about us leaving? Or Ronald might have told her already? Luna usually says confusing things when she knows something's up. She thought. However, her musings were cut short by the cheerful voice of George Weasley.
"So Freddy, what do you think should we say?" George jested.
"Well I don't know yet Georgy, but it has to be brilliantly good! We're talking about the brightest witch of our age after all!" Fred said as he winked at Hermione.
"Well then, I'll help you there Fred!" As he clasped his hands together excitedly, and then held up one hand and started counting with his fingers. "…Aside from the fact that she's extremely brilliant," he started.
"…and not to mention she's really patient," Fred spoke right after George.
"honest,"
"loving,"
"really careful with her loved ones,"
The twins were having a conversation between themselves now, babbling on every quality Hermione has, and this only made her grin bigger.
"And is also really stunningly gorgeous!" George exclaimed as he continued.
"…and don't forget that she has an equally stunning gorgeous girlfriend George!"
"Of course Fred! We took about one look at Fleur back then and we, the 90% of the male population of Hogwarts just about swooned! I remember it like yesterday!" George shot back playfully.
Everyone was laughing out loud now, Molly Weasley was shaking her head amusingly at her sons. Fleur beside Hermione was laughing merrily and snaked her arms into the brunette's waist, kissing Hermione's temples lovingly before dropping her chin upon Hermione's shoulders.
Hermione placed her hands over Fleur's which was splayed upon her stomach and entwined their fingers together, giving a loving squeeze and then spoke.
"Oh come off it you two, one minute you're giving me praises merlin probably would be ashamed of to receive and now my girlfriend. Both of you are not trying to hit on my girlfriend are you?" She raised an eyebrow amusingly.
The twins scoffed dramatically and spoke in unison. "Of course not!" but then laughed. "We love you 'Mione, Happy Birthday." They raised their glass to her and grinned widely.
Bill smiled at Hermione and raised his glass slightly. "Everyone already said what needs to be said, so I just want to thank you for being everything that you are, and of course for being perfect for my best friend." He then winked at Fleur and she could almost see her girlfriend rolling her eyes.
Hermione gave her girlfriend another loving squeeze in the hands and then shifted her gaze to Arthur Weasley, who now has his hand over his wife's shoulder.
"Hermione," he began speaking seriously "our second daughter, you should know that we; Molly and I, love you like our own." Arthur smiled at her and then looked at his wife who now began to talk.
"Oh I feel like having a daughter who's really finally a woman…" Molly Weasley wiped a single tear from her eyes; Hermione herself could feel her eyes welling up.
"Thank you dear," she continued, "for being the perfect role-model I could ever ask for Ginny, and for protecting the lives of our lot whenever you could, you should know that what like Arthur said, you are like my daughter and I am very happy indeed that our children have met you."
Hermione understood that it was now her time to speak. She let go of Fleur's hand and then took a step forward as to be able to get a better view of everyone in the room. She tried hard to choke back her tears in order to speak clearly; and she was failing miserably.
"T-thank you…" she sniffed a little, "for everything… I… I don't know what to say, it makes me very happy to be accepted into this family, and to have met everyone… and to feel so much love." She wiped a tear that fell off her face and continued.
"This is one of the best days of my life, and I thank you everyone for sharing it with me… Making this surprise given the dark time we are facing, and still being able to put on happy and brave faces or my sake…" She felt Fleur's soft hands held hers and she entwined their fingers and smiled at everyone in the room and shifted her gaze to the blonde veela beside her.
"And of course… I thank my girlfriend for obviously organizing this party for my sake, even though I told her that it is not necessary." Fleur raised her eyebrow at her but she only smiled back.
Hermione grabbed Fleur's waist and then pushed her own mouth into her lovers, whispering a 'here's your thank you' right before their lips melted into a loving embrace.
And in that moment, everything was perfect.
~ o ~ o ~
The party went smoothly, everyone was having fun. Just catching up and sharing what have been happening to their lives recently topics relating to neither the dark lord nor anything that leads to such was avoided nor brought up. Everyone seemed to mutually have agreed on this and so went on the night. Fleur held Hermione's hand all throughout the party. Hermione's smile could've positively lit the grand hall.
The night deepened and soon enough, everyone finally said their goodbyes. Fleur and Hermione stood in the porch and watched the Weasleys, together with Harry and Luna say goodbye and walked outside of the barriers and enchantments that she failed to notice a few hours before, and then they apparated.
Fleur was hugging her from behind, after seeing the last of their guests apparating home, a thought struck to her. She lifted her gaze to her lover. Fleur sensing Hermione's gaze, shifted her eyes and blue intense ones melted with chocolate brown orbs.
"Whose house is this by the way love? And why hold the party here? We could have done so in your flat… that would have been more than enough."
Fleur didn't answer, she only shook her head and held Hermione's hand and walked back inside the house, leading Hermione up the stairs where a small circular hall greeted them with four doors discarded around it. Like the living room in the first floor, the walls were painted in crème and different shades of blue accents were present. A chandelier occupied the center of the room, and a light rug adorned the wooden floor.
Several paintings were placed on the wall and Hermione could tell that it was Fleur's by the style of the painting. One of the biggest paintings was a bushy-haired silhouette of a female playing a grand piano—she smiled to herself.
"Where are we going Fleur?" She asked when she sensed Fleur's eyes on her. She shifted her gaze and met Fleur's sparkling ones.
"To your actual birthday present mon amour." Fleur smiled as she opened the door nearest to her and stood by the side, waiting for Hermione to enter the room.
Curiosity again got the best of her and she entered the room without a word, it was dark inside. She heard Fleur step inside the room, closed the door and flicked a switch.
A white-pearly colored grand piano stood in the center of the room, a big light blue ribbon was placed on top of it.
Hermione's eyes grew big. She felt like a child in an early Christmas morning, seeing her gifts for the first time. She walked over to the piano hurriedly and sat.
Eyes still big and sparkling with excitement, she returned her gaze to Fleur who was now leaning against the door with an amused expression upon her face.
"Is this the gift? Can I touch it?" She exclaimed excitedly, already running her fingers on the enclosed cap of the keys.
"Yes, that's a part of it, and of course you can mon amour." Fleur said with an amused tone, walking towards Hermione.
"Part of it? There's more?" Shock was evident upon her voice with a tinge of panic, even if she had been with Fleur for three years now, she's still not very much used to the blonde veela spoiling her.
"Oui." Fleur nodded and stopped in front of Hermione, leaned down and placed a loving kiss on her lips and then kneeled beside the stool Hermione was occupying. Fleur fumbled at something from her pocket and Hermione noticed that she has been holding her breathe now.
Oh merlin! Is she going to propose? Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Her thought process was probably running in a record breaking time by now, she tried to compose herself. Calm yourself Granger! Breathe! She took two tentative breathes and noticed that Fleur was watching her with amusement now, goofy grin in etched in her beautiful features.
"I… I know that a proposal would not be so fitting at times like this…" Fleur began, her face was now serious and she's obviously nervous. "But you now just 'ow much I love you and I want… No, I desperately need to be with you for the rest of my life." Fleur smiled nervously and then took out a blue circular box from her pocket.
"This need not be an engagement prior to a wedding, but I want to know that you will be mine forever and mine alone, because the moment I saw you on that fateful day you 'ave stolen my 'eart and I 'ave no plans on taking it back."
She slowly opened the box in front of Hermione, and in a white cushion lay a silver ring, glittering in the soft light in the room. From afar, it looked like any ordinary ring but if you look at it closely, the whole ring itself is made from fine strands of silver strewn together to make the circular object, the top of the ring—instead of adorning a diamond gem like any other ring, was etched by a single symbol. A symbol Hermione recognized as the symbol for "infinite" or "infinity".
Fleur took the ring and put down the box as she spoke. "This… is the symbol of my love for you mon amour." She took Hermione's left hand and kissed it softly and then looked up lovingly to her eyes. "I want you to know that my love is forever and infinite."
Hermione was rendered speechless, though she knew that any talking isn't really needed right now as Fleur haven't asked her the 'question' yet.
Fleur took a rather shaky breathe, closed her eyes for a moment and whispered.
"Hermione Jean Granger, will you be mine forever?"
Tears were now streaming down from Hermione's eyes.
This is too much, just all too much. What have I done to deserve this?
She was crying not only for happiness, but also for the thought of guilt that she may have to inflict pain upon the blonde soon enough. Nonetheless, she smiled. Rejecting Fleur was out of the question, mission or no mission, she couldn't just lie and say that she does not want the same thing with the blonde.
Hermione nodded fervently and answered. "Oui… Yes… Si… In every language." Tears falling continuously down her face, a smile perfectly attached to her lips.
Fleur breathed what only can be described as a sigh of relief, which made Hermione's eyebrow rose up and held her hand for the now openly crying blonde.
"You didn't think for a second I would say no, would you?" Hermione said as she watched Fleur push the ring onto her ring finger. It fit perfectly, glowed for a moment and became warm upon her skin.
Fleur chuckled and answered. "No, not for a second mon amour…" Not that Fleur would admit. She was actually, really nervous.
"Now come here and stop crying…" Hermione held her arms open for her lover, Fleur willingly threw her arms around Hermione and captured her in a desperate, loving hug. Fleur returned the gesture and held Hermione closer. Desperately wanting her warmth, her love. All of her.
Hermione, held onto Fleur for dear life. Never wanting to let go. She whispered sweet nothings on Fleur's ear while they held each other in the quiet of the night. They inched back and broke the hug after a good while, just leaving enough space in between their bodies to be able to stare at each other's eyes.
Hermione was the first one to break the silence. "Promise me that whatever happens, we will be together…" A desperate look etched onto her beautiful face.
It pained Fleur to see her lover having such emotions, she was willing to do anything so that the brunette wouldn't feel those emotions.
"I promise mon amour, I promise." Fleur whispered as she closed the distance upon their lips.
As they sealed their promise with a kiss, another lock and key was thrown into their lives, one that sealed their fates forever, and just like before… it fit perfectly.
~ o ~ o ~
A/N: There we go! I hope I've answered some of the underlying questions most of you asked. First of all I really want to thank those people who took their time to review my fic, I love you guys to bits! Secondly, I thank MDK (Metal Dragon Kiryu) for agreeing to beta my stories, though we haven't gone in-depth yet, I'm surely looking forward to work with him!
So how was this chapter? I'm sorry I just couldn't help myself from doing a little bit of Hermione's characteristics relating to music. I'm a sucker for classics, after all. And that scene in DH1! Remember? Hahaha.
More questions will be answered in chapter three, I was thinking of doing something smutty, actually. Hence the 'M' rating I placed there even before I started the second chapter. Let me know if you guys would want that.
Chapter three is on the way and hopefully will be up in the next few days, sorry for the long wait! I'm currently actually on a vacation and I've been going to a lot of places so there's not much time to dwell on the fics, but I'll try to do my best.
Reviews would be oh-so-lovely! =D