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Chapter 3- I Spy

Fleur awoke and rolled over in the dark. A hand slid across the cold mattress and she hit a wall. The cool temperature of the wall jerked Fleur's brain into action as she realised she was in a single bed in a room at Andromeda Tonks' house and Hermione was asleep in the bed on the other side of the room. She lay still and listened, trying to figure out what had wakened her up, a whimper from Hermione's bed caused her heart to accelerate.

Fleur slipped from the covers and tip toed across the room to Hermione's bed. The bushy haired teen was covered in a sheen of sweat that plastered her hair across her face. Hermione was quietly crying and whimpering in her sleep as she tried to push someone from her nightmare away from her. Fleur felt her heart breaking at the implications as she gently whispered soothing things in her ear in French. This had been a trick she had learned in another time, only in that time Hermione had been her wife and the attacker in her nightmare had been Bellatrix Lestrange.

Fleur sighed with relief as Hermione settled into a calm sleep. Fleur remained perched gingerly on the edge of the bed and softly stroked Hermione's hair out of her face. Watching Hermione sleep, she cast her mind back to the last time she had done this, things were indeed quite different. Fleur softly cast the pads of her finger tips across Hermione's perfect forearm, though the scars were not there, Fleur could remember the horrible word that had been carved into the forearm in childlike writing. "Mudblood", the scar had been something that Hermione was ashamed of at first, but through a lot of love and reassurance, Fleur helped her wife wear the scar as a badge of honour.

Hermione, her wife, had been tossing and turning, crying out in her sleep, and Fleur had woke her, and held her while she sobbed. She had relived the torture Bellatrix had dealt her in her nightmares every night for a month and Fleur was at her wits end trying to find a way to soothe Hermione. She had not been thinking and had begun to babble in French, as she did so Hermione had relaxed against her, the tears were drying up. Hermione had found something soothing about the French words, although they had meant nothing to her for she could not understand them she took great comfort in them. From that moment on whenever Fleur noticed that Hermione was restless she has softly spoken to her in French, the result would be a nightmare free evening and after a while Hermione finally had seemed to get some rest.

Suddenly a wave of grief crashed into Fleur and her hand trembled as her eyes welled with tears. She took a deep breath and tried to push it away, it was definitely not the time nor the place for her to fall apart. She felt fingers tighten around her own and she looked up at Hermione, the brunette's eyes were wide as she watched the Veela. Fleur squeezed Hermione's hand and tried to give her a reassuring smile.

"What were you thinking about Fleur?" Hermione asked softly.

"A memory of anozzer place, anozzer time," Fleur said wistfully, then in the hopes of changing the subject she added, "You wer 'aving a nightmare, are you alright?"

"A memory," Hermione echoed and the look on her face was grim.

Fleur sighed, she got the point, "I was remembering someone who I loved so very much and lost, you remind me of zem."

Hermione looked up at Fleur, was she finally sharing something real with her? "You mean someone before my dad?" she asked.

"Oui," Fleur answered, wondering how many questions Hermione would ask and how she would diplomatically draw her away from this line of questioning when she started to hit closer to the real issue.

"You loved this person very much?" Hermione asked, though she was certain she knew the answer.

Fleur nodded as a tear escaped her eye, she got up from the bed and wandered over to the window, scanning the grounds beneath. "more zan I could ever put into words." She answered finally.

Hermione followed Fleur with her eyes, "What happened?"

Fleur swallowed, "Death Eaters," she said and those two words told Hermione all that she needed to hear.

"I am sorry, this must make Dad's disappearance especially hard on you," Hermione said carefully.

Fleur spun and strode over to the bed, using one finger to tilt Hermione's chin up so that they were looking into each other's eyes, "zere is no scenario were zis situation is easy for any of us. Eet iz a terrible situation to be in and eet is 'ard on us all, but I can imagine just 'ow terrifying a prospect et iz not knowing what 'as 'appen to your papa after all zat you 'ave been zrough." Fleur explained as she held Hermione's gaze.

Hermione nodded but remained silent, Fleur released the younger witch's chin and sat on her own bed, "Zere is still a few 'ours until ze sun rises, we should get some more sleep non?" she asked as she slipped her feet under the covers and pulled them up around her. Hermione turned her back to Fleur and lay thinking about all that she had said. Fleur turned her back on Hermione and quietly cried over the love she had lost, her missing husband and the overwhelming despair she felt inside.

The emotional turmoil gave way to exhaustion which rocked Fleur into a fitful sleep, Hermione's thoughts had kept her awake long after Fleur had gone to sleep but eventually she could no longer stave off the tiredness that forced her eyes closed and she too succumbed to sleep.

Fleur sat bolt upright as she was wrenched from sleep, a wave of nausea passed through her as her brain jerked her fully to her sense, Hermione was screaming. She was on her feet and at Hermione's bed in an instant. Placing a hand on each of the brunette's shoulders Fleur shook, trying to bring her out of the nightmare.

Hermione's eyes flew open, she was out of breath and tear tracks covered her face. She stared in horror at Fleur as her heart thundered against her chest. Fleur was cooing and making soothing sounds at Hermione when she heard footsteps in the hallway; Hermione had heard them too and pushed herself off the bed to the floor, searching for a place to hide. Fleur had a second to wonder if Hermione was actually still asleep or if the fear had caused her to confuse the nightmare with reality, before she spun around, flicked her wand and locked the door so that no one could come in.

"We are fine, I 'ad a nightmare," Fleur shouted at the door, in an attempt to take the focus off of Hermione. The scared younger witch looked at Fleur, then pulled her knees up to her chest and hugged them.

"Can I get you anything?" Andromeda's voice came through the door.

"Non, zank you" Fleur answered resolutely, she remained frozen and listened to the footsteps as they moved away back down the hall and when she heard a door close she let out her breath happy that she had been able to maintain Hermione's secret.

Fleur considered Hermione for a moment; she was clearly very upset rocking as she clutched her knees close to her chest and staring at Fleur. The blonde witch slid off the bed and slowly approached Hermione, getting down on her knees when there was about a foot and a half between them. Fleur sat quietly as she reached a tentative hand out and lightly stroked Hermione's foot.

"Mon Cher, what can I do for you?" Fleur asked softly as she continued to offer small comfort by running her hand up Hermione's foot and leg.

A tear silently followed a track down Hermione's face and she dropped her gaze to the floor. Hermione was in turmoil, she wanted to feel safe, clean and to wipe away the nightmare and the events that caused it. She wanted her father who would hold her and tell her everything was ok and that he would protect her. But these things were not going to happen, she shook her head as though the action would dismiss her silly girl need for her father. Hermione lifter her gaze up to Fleur, she didn't trust her, how could she? But then the logical part of her brain set in, if she was going to hurt her then she would have done so long before now, but instead she had protected her. Fleur was all she had left, at least until her father returned, just because she didn't know where she came from or the secrets of her past didn't mean that she didn't trust her to keep her safe.

Fleur sat quietly, she could see Hermione trying desperately to figure something out in her head, she couldn't be sure but thought the young witch was puzzling Fleur out. Fleur knew Hermione well enough, in this time line and the other, and so she remained quietly and let the logical witch work out whatever it was that was going on in that brilliantly puzzling mind of hers.

Hermione's biggest problem with Fleur was that she did like her, it defied all logic and she couldn't figure it out at all but she liked Fleur. She knew that was wrong on so many levels, when Fleur had first started seeing her father she had been happy for both of them, but the more time Fleur spent around them the more Hermione liked her. It had been a year before Hermione realised she had a crush on Fleur. She thought she might need to secretly get some psychological help, a crush on her own step-mother. So she had lashed out, every time Fleur did something that a mother might do, Hermione would argue with her, refuse to participate and at time just walk away. The more Fleur moved into the 'mother' zone, the unhappier Hermione had become and so she fought with all her might to keep her out of that zone, even if that meant they fought constantly.

Perhaps, if things were different, then she and Fleur could have a different relationship. But things were not different and here they were and all Hermione wanted to do was throw her arms around Fleur and be held, comforted. If she did that then that would put her squarely in the mother zone, wouldn't it? More tears spilled from her eyes, trying to get the gears of her brain to work was like stirring molasses; slow going. Hermione remember their talk last night, Fleur had said that she had wanted to be friends, well friends comforted each other, so surely then that kept Fleur out of the mother zone and held her squarely in the friend zone. Not somewhere she relished her being but it was an acceptable compromise.

Her decision made Hermione leaned over and placed her head in Fleur's lap. Neither of them said a word as Fleur summoned a blanket and covered Hermione as she leaned against the wall and draped one arm over Hermione's body and used her free hand to stroke her head. Fleur had thought that her heart might just have torn itself clear apart, losing Hermione had been traumatic, but to have her laying here in her lap grieving over these traumatic things that haunted her and not knowing whether she could trust Fleur, Fleur thought that might be even harder than losing her.

Hermione slept for a couple more hours as fleur held her on the floor, when they woke the sounds of the Weasley's downstairs at breakfast greeted them.

Fleur pinched the bridge of her nose, "What fresh 'ell iz zis?" she asked.

Hermione couldn't help but giggle, "They are a bit full on aren't they." Hermione said then she stiffly got to her feet and offered Fleur a hand. Fleur took the hand and dragged her own body to her feet , she was exhausted and sore, but she gave Hermione a cursory glance.

"In my bag zere is a salve, eet will take ze puffiness from your eyez," Fleur offered Hermione.

Hermione smiled, "Thank yo, why don't you grab a half hours sleep while I shower then when you shower I will make sure there is fresh coffee?" she said. Fleur flopped onto the bed and shut her eyes.

"Fleur...I" Hermione started.

It took all her will power not to smile as Fleur remained still on the bed and said "shh sleeping"

Hermione smiled, gathered her things and went for her shower.

Fleur was woken what felt to her like seconds later, by Andromeda who was sitting on the bed and offering a cup of coffee. Fleur sat up and took the coffee, savouring her first sip of the day while she put a lot of effort into not meeting Andromeda's gaze.

"Long night?" Andromeda asked.

Fleur lifted her eyes to meet Andromeda's and nodded, in return the older witch handed her a bottle of potion, "This is a little pick me up that will help." She said with a smile.

Fleur took the potion and drank it, feeling the effects instantly. Andromeda smiled at her as she looked at the raven haired witch in astonishment, "Well, Ted isn't the only one who does a little home brewing," she said with a playful wink.

Fleur swung her legs over the edge of the bed, "'Ermione?" she asked.

"Is fine, she and Ginny went for a wander, I reminded them to stay within the wards." Andromeda explained.

Fleur nodded, "and Waylan?" she asked hopeful.

"There is news on that front, which is why I came to wake you, Dumbledore has asked to speak with you. You are to travel to Hogwarts and meet him at his office under the pretence of a meeting to discuss Hermione's schooling." Andromeda explained.

Fleur was already getting dressed, which served to hide her concern from Andromeda, if there was news about Waylan but the headmaster wanted to deliver it himself then it was not good news.

Andromeda stood and walked over to Fleur, "I want you to know Fleur, that I trust you despite your secrets." She told the blonde.

Fleur looked up at Andromeda, what a curious thing to say, "Andromeda, your statement implies zat zere are ozzers oo do not trust me?" Fleur asked delicately.

"Yes, it does." Andromeda said evasively, "Fleur, watch your back." She added without out further explanation.

"Well you are being even more cryptic zan Dumbledore," Fleur mumbled more to herself than to Andromeda.

Andromeda raised an eyebrow and grinned devilishly, "And here we were thinking this would be your first meeting with our fearless leader." She remarked

"Merde," Fleur exclaimed as she sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed her face with her hands, "I cannot zink straight!" she yelled frustrated.

Andromeda sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed Fleur's back, "We will talk when you come back," she said and as she did so she handed Fleur her bag and a hairbrush, which Fleur took from her distractedly. The bedroom lurched as Fleur gripped both items for dear life and her world literally spun, she said some choice swearwords in French and let go of the brush, which was obviously a portkey.

Fleur came to a halt as her feet connected with the wooden floor of Professor Dumbledore's office, she stumbled slightly but a steadying hand ensured that she remained on her feet. Fleur turned to glare at the owner of the hand and found Professor McGonagall smiling reassured at her.

Fleur had met Minerva McGonagall before in fact she was a dear friend who had played a pivotal role in her wedding, just not in the time line, she sighed, it certainly appeared as though her life got more complicated as her secrets tangled together.

Choosing to exercise some patience Fleur smoothed her skirt and nodded a thank you in Professor McGonagall's direction and then turned towards the headmaster's desk. Albus Dumbledore sat with watching her carefully, "My apologies Mrs Granger, for the necessary subterfuge, I am sure you understand." He said carefully.

Fleur bit back a snippy remark and remained silent, simply nodding her head in acknowledgement of the apology. Instead she turned and sat in an available chair, McGonagall smiled, for some reasons Fleur's actions were putting her at ease, which seemed to be the most important thing.

"How is Hermione?" Professor McGonagall asked concerned.

"As you can imagine, she iz upset, she wonders where 'er Papa iz and she was quite shook up by ze events. 'Owever 'Ermione is a strong, courageous and rezilent young woman and she will come zrough zis, whatever zis is, wiz strength and dignity." Fleur said unable to keep the pride and surety from her voice.

McGonagall was positively beaming, "I miss my little cub, she seems to have grown into a lioness," she said as she mirrored Fleur's pride.

Fleur considered this for a moment before smiling and turning to Professor Dumbledore expectantly.

"Mrs Granger, you are very fond of Miss Granger are you not?" Dumbledore asked.

Fleur could bare it no longer, she was tired, her emotions were all over the place and she was far away from Hermione. "Professor Dumbledore, for once in your life speak plainly, ask watever et is you want to ask, I too 'ave questions." She spat.

Albus smiled, "Are you a spy Fleur?" he asked as though he was asking if she would like some tea.

Fleur pinched the bridge of her nose, she was a spy of sorts but not the kind he meant. "Non, I am not a spy, why are you asking zis?" she answered carefully.

"Well Mrs Granger, there are no records of you beyond three or four years ago, and as your husband is most definitely a spy I do think it is a reasonable questions."

Fleur's mouth dropped open as she shot to her feet, "Explain me, what that means? Who's responsible this?" she snapped her English breaking down at her frustration as she tried to puzzle out what Dumbledore meant and what that meant for Hermione. She began to pace, wringing her hands as she did so.

"Mrs Granger, Waylan Granger has been a spy for the Death Eaters these past two years." Dumbledore explained, "I can see by your reaction that you are somewhat surprised, I take comfort in this reaction."

"Well I am 'appy zat you take comfort in zis but you 'ave explained nozing to me!" Fleur replied.

Clasping his hands together in a prayer like motion Dumbledore peered over the rim of his spectacles from the other side of his desk, his eyes flicked to Minerva.

"My dear, we want to be fully open with you," Professor McGonagall said as she gently took Fleur's arm and guided her back to sit down on the couch, "but there are so many unanswered that surround your being here that we are struggling to trust with you,"

Fleur looked up at Professor McGonagall and then over to Professor Dumbledore, then sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose again, "Unanswered questions?" she asked.

"Come now Mrs Granger, please do not take us for fools," Professor Dumbledore said.

Fleur sighed again, "I understand," she said as she rubbed her temples, she could feel a migraine coming on. Fleur reached to her bag and pulled it onto her lap,

Dumbledore considered her quizzically but McGonagall smiled knowingly at her. Professor McGonagall seemed to have more information than she was letting on, Professor Dumbledore on the other hand, looked cautiously at Fleur, as though he did not know what to expect. Fleur reached into her bag and pulled out the portrait of Dumbledore, concealing it from the view of the witch and wizard in the room.

Fleur considered the portrait for a moment, one eyebrow raised, "I must ask for your 'elp wiz zis," she told the portrait.

The Dumbledore in the portrait nodded solemnly, "You are aware of the implications?"

Fleur thought for a moment, telling Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall will change everything and put any opportunity she would have to foster her relationship to a stop. If she did not tell them what was happening then she may have no chance at all with her.

"Do you see any ozzer option 'ere?" Fleur asked sounding a little dejected.

The Dumbledore in the portrait shook his head solemnly, in return Fleur turned the portrait so that the Dumbledore in the office and Professor McGonagall could see.

"Oh," Professor McGonagall said as shock spread across her face, the last wizard was expecting to see in the portrait was Professor Dumbledore.

Fleur placed the portrait on the table, propping it upright on the table, "I zink zat you may want to talk wiz each ozzer a while?" she told the trio.

"Yes Mrs Granger, I think that might answer more than a few questions," Professor McGonagall said, "why don't you come with me Dear, we will have a biscuit and a cup of tea and let Professor Dumbledore talk with Professor Dumbledore." She offered.

Fleur looked up at Professor McGonagall surprised, McGonagall let out a little chuckle, "Oh that portrait is all I need to know about you," she explained smiling as she headed to the door waiting for her to follow. Professor McGonagall turned and looked at Fleur but pointed at the portrait, "if he trusts you enough to send you back in time WITH a portrait of him, then I trust you completely."

The Dumbledore in the portrait nodded in Professor McGonagall's direction, in turn Professor McGonagall walked out the door, Fleur followed.