Over the next few days things returned to normal between Fleur and Hermione. Fleur was seemingly on top form with her criticism this week, mortally offending Hermione about her lack of passion with cooking, after she had made a more than agreeable pasta for eight Weasley's, a Potter and one less than grateful Franc. Fleur had criticised Hermione's hair, which though cruel, Hermione couldn't help but notice and had started straightening her hair more. Fleur criticised the Weasley women, for their questionable taste in christmas paraphrenalia, and although they were both outraged, Hermione did bite back a giggle, and was almost sure that Fleur saw. It wasn't until a week later, when Hermione had sufficiently built stores of fresh disdain for Fleur, that they encountered eachother again. It was a snowy afternoon and everyone else was busy, wrapping presents, playing exploding snap, or cooking or cleaning. Hermione had finished everything she had to do in record time and slipped on her coat intent on catching some fresh air. She hadn't noticed a steady blizzard that had been blowing since the night before, until just before she was stepping out. It was around about eight or nine and the snow had calmed but it had still settled, she left a note saying she'd gone for some air, and opened the door, to be slammed into by a certain blonde woman.
"Sorry" Hermione distinctly muttered, giving a slight sneer to the older girl. She was revelling in the delight that Fleur actually looked awkard and embarrassed.
"I'm sorry, I should be watching where I am going" she said in a throaty whisper that made Hermione twinge in her stomach.
"Yes you should" said Hermione, and turning to walk down the garden path. She heard the voice call "Wait" and she shivered, but ignored it, then she felt a slender, gentle arm grab hers and time stood still for a moment. She glared at the blonde.
"Please, wait. I want to talk to you" Fleur pleaded.
"Is this about Bill?" Hermione said, no hint of any emotion in her voice.
"no" she said, slightly out of breath and her hair out of place from running.
"Then I really don't care" Hermione said knowing she was being bitter, but not really caring.
"Why! Why do you 'ate me?" Fleur said, her voice cracking with tears and trying to keep up with Hermione's fast pace. Hermione paused for a moment, stopped and then carried on even faster than before. Marching and shouting at Fleur.
"I hate the way you have to criticise every tiny thing. I really don't think you're so perfect. I hate the way all the boys just worship you, I hate the way you never have anything nice to say, I hate the fact that you think you're better than everyone else, I…" she halted. Fleur was visibly sobbing now. "Why do you even care?" Hermione said, with a hint of sadness in her voice.
"I do not mean to be critical, I just want to be honest" she sighed.
"Fleur, you can be honest without saying awful things." Hermione just said bluntly. Then she paused and caught the twinkle in Fleur's eye and an overwhelming sense of warmth filled her, she sighed gently. "Fleur?" she asked simply. Fleur nodded quietly. "What do you think of me? Honestly, truthfully, all the bad parts included." The mood had shifted now, they both felt it, they both stood in the dark, their breath clouding in front of them, stood so close.
"There are no bad things." She smiled. "I honestly think that you are brave, and intelligent and I think you are beautiful" Hermione wrinkled up her face in disbelief. "Do not disagree 'ermione as I think that one is zee most truthful." She paused. "You are funny, you are friendly – even to me sometimes! You make me smile, and you make me feel fuzzy here." She said, jabbing a mitten somewhere into her stomach. "You make me want to do this" she said quietly, holding her hands to Hermione's waist and kissing her deeply. It was slow, it was sensuous and it was amazing. Hermione had never felt anyone kiss like that before, such soft lips, the slow waltz their tongues were dancing, her scent, her taste. The kiss finished quietly and Hermione stared in amazement.
"You can't just do that Fleur" Hermione stated, turning on her heel and walking towards the Burrow.
"Do what?" she called, "I don't understand" running after her again.
"You can't just kiss people like that, you can't just make me feel like that. It's not fair. You're just using me to get what you want." Hermione looked extremely upset, and carried on walking.
"I want you. How can I be using you if I want you" she said innocently.
"don't play games, Fleur" Hermione just said quietly.
"Why do you care?" Fleur stated.
"Because that was the most amazing feeling ever, and I hate that it came from you, and I hate that it won't happen again and I hate that it had to stop." She said, looking baffled that a feeling that was so divine came from Fleur.
"Eet doesn't ever have to stop" Fleur said huskily in Hermione's ear. She kissed a light trail down Hermione's neck, and then kissed her once more, slowly and beautifully on the mouth.
"I can't let you do this" Hermione sighed, taking all her will power to stop the pure ecstacy emitting from the kiss. "I'm only feeling this way because you're bewitching me to, you're half Veela, it must be easy. I don't know what game you're trying to play Fleur, it's not funny." And with a pop she had apparated back to Ginny's room.
"Wait!" she called sadly. "Women, aren't affected by Veela's" she sighed quietly and walked dejectedly through the snow back to The Burrow.