A/N
It seems every time I open my computer to write a new chapter, I fall a little more in love with these two. Thank you all for your praise and support. You are all tremendously lovely.
As always I could not do it without Uniquely Named. She is 100% the best.
Hermione woke warmly snuggled beneath quilts smelling of lilac. She breathed in deeply, pulling the scent of her lover as deeply into herself as possible. She slowly opened her eyes to see the blonde witch sitting in a reading chair with a book draped across her lap. At the sound of rustling she looked up with a look of pure adoration on her face. The Gryffindor felt as though the look alone spread through each of her limbs. She woke up much less tired, though her muscles still protested when she attempted to stretch them out. She tried to hide her pained reaction.
"Bonjour, mon coeur. Did you rest well?
"Very. You must not have left me."
"Non, ma petite, I would not leave you. How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine."
" 'Ermione," she said, drawing out the name in a warning tone. "It would be very difficult for you to lie to me now. I would prefer zat you told me ze truth."
The young witch blushed at being caught. "I'm still really sore, but less tired at the moment. I am not sure how long that will last either," she said in a defeated tone.
"Peut-être anozer massage is in order, oui? Zere should be time before I need to help Bill wiz dinner."
The blush deepened. Hermione watched enraptured as the veela retrieved the lotion and stalked towards her. The last massage had been incredibly tempting, setting her nerves on fire, but she hadn't any perspective at the time. She didn't know how incredible the woman would feel naked and on top of her. The slow grin on the beautiful face suggested that she was not wrong about the other woman's intentions.
"Come, mon coeur. Won't you undress for me?"
Her breath hitched at the none too subtle flirting. She caught a flash of gold in the deep blue eyes. She was helpless to fight the overwhelming desire, quickly removing every stitch of clothing.
"Well zis more zan makes up for ze little white lie. I was not expecting this level of thoroughness."
"I only did as I was asked. Perhaps you need to clarify future instructions."
"Ah, non, ma petite. I quite like ze consequences of my ambiguity," the blonde said, taking in the naked willing body stretched out for her. "Now be a good girl and roll over. I will start with your back." Nimbly she crawled over her lover, settling over her hips. She methodically rubbed the aching muscles much as she had the day before, but allowed herself to nibble, kiss, and tease as she had not before. And her mate was doing nothing to muffle her reactions to the touch. The French witch was grateful for the silencing charms she cast in order to keep the others from waking the girl from her nap. By the time she instructed Hermione to turn over, she'd nearly been driven to distraction by the little moans of pleasure that streamed non-stop out of the rather kissable pink lips. The curves of the nude body as it turned over crumbled the rest of her resolve as she leaned in to place a passionate kiss on the waiting lips and capture an already hard nipple between her finger and thumb. She smiled into the kiss as the back beneath her arched deliciously.
"We do not have time for zis now, ma petite. But I promise after dinner I will take care of you."
The young witch huffed in frustration. The obvious desire caused Fleur's inner veela to fight to be set free. Having her mate naked and more than willing was exhilarating on a level she had not previously experienced. She took a deep cleansing breath to refocus on the healing touch she knew the body beneath her needed at least as much as the girl craved her physically.
When the massage ended, the blonde tenderly helped the young woman pull the clothing back over her now very relaxed body. She gave into temptation again, allowing Hermione to sit in her lap and kiss her senseless. When they both were struggling to regain the oxygen needed to not pass out and teetering on the edge of needing much much more, she softly suggested that they needed to go down stairs to help with dinner. As much as she wished to monopolize the young witch's time, she did not want to become a factor in splitting up the group of friends. The fight was far from over and any weakening of the current structure was very risky.
Once downstairs, Fleur deposited Hermione in the small library next to Luna who was reading an out of date upside down Quibbler. Across the small room, Ron, Harry, and Bill were all crowded around a chess board debating the best strategy for their current situation. The Gryffindor watched them fondly. It had been a long time since she'd observed them enjoying something as simple as a game of wizard's chess. It was good to know that the boys she became friends with years ago were somewhere inside the young men she now fought beside.
"How are you, Hermione?" Luna asked quietly enough that the chess players wouldn't be able to hear their conversation.
"I'm recovering. I am being well cared for."
"Yes. I noticed that. You two are quite beautiful together, you know. The way your magic dances with hers is rather remarkable."
"Thanks," she replied hesitantly.
"Don't worry though. I won't tell them. But you should soon. There is no hiding what you have. Happiness and love radiates off of you and it's driving the nargles mad."
The simple words of acceptance were so perfectly Luna, equal parts brutal honesty and flight of fancy.
"How are you coping?"
"I'm quite well actually. Though I was at Malfoy Manor longer, I was not nearly so interesting to them. I do look forward to going home and seeing my father. I am certain he is very sorry for what happened."
"No, please don't apologize. There is nothing he could do. The Death Eaters are experts at putting good people in impossible situations. He did what he had to in order to guarantee your safety. We've gotten rather good at taking care of ourselves, and after all we need you in the coming months too."
"You really are a remarkable witch, Hermione Granger. It is still Granger isn't it? I'm not clear on how legally this all works."
The brunette giggled in response. "Honestly, I don't have a clue. I'm still trying to adjust to life again. That is something I should ask. But let's stick with Granger for now."
As if on queue, Fleur re-entered carrying two glasses of juice, handing one to each girl with a wink before addressing the men.
"Dinner will be ready soon, so do try and find a stopping point, gentlemen," she said with an authority that sent a shiver down Hermione's spine. Luna smiled at the reaction, causing Hermione to avoid her gaze. She was rescued by the blonde offering her hand and leading her back to the kitchen. In a moment of semi-privacy, the young witch stole a warm embrace and soft kiss, unaware of the kind green eyes observing silently.
Hermione separated from Fleur, though not by much, choosing the seat at her right elbow. She watched enraptured as the witch moved efficiently about the kitchen. Once again it smelled beyond amazing. She didn't notice the others joined them until the French woman spoke saying,
"Bon. Zank you for leaving your game. For dinner tonight we have boeuf aux carrottes et pain. Enjoy."
Hermione had little experience with French cuisine, but could see herself easily falling in love with it.
"Fleur, this is bloody amazing," Ron mumbled with his mouth full of food. "I feel like I haven't eaten in weeks and we certainly never had anything like this."
"Thank you, Ronald. Remind me not to bother feeding you going forward."
"Hermione, that isn't what I meant," he said attempting to backtrack.
"Don't bother," Harry interrupted. "Hermione took care of us in ways we couldn't care for ourselves. We would have been lost without her."
Hermione stared resolutely at the plate of food her lover put in front of her. She didn't want to talk about any of that, she was just getting her appetite back and the thought alone made her nauseous. Not able to catch her eye, Fleur subtly ran her foot up a calf. She fought to suppress a grin when a visible shudder traveled through the young woman. Finally having gathered herself, the young witch changed the direction of the conversation.
"How did your conversations go today?"
"Good," Harry replied smoothly. "Ollivander was helpful, though he was terribly tortured." He flushed at the unintentional reference, having not meant to do anything to injure his friend. With Fleur's hand comfortingly on her knee, Hermione managed a small smile to reassure him. "He told Voldemort that Dumbledore had the elder wand. I am sure that's what his focus will be now. And while I am not pleased, I think he may have already found it. Perhaps he will be distracted enough that we will be able to pull off another crazy plan." He grinned sillily at his friends. They had always had a talent for just barely pulling off hair brained plans. He noted the less than pleased looks on both Fleur and Bill's faces. Over the next couple of days they were going to need to gain their support.
"Ok and what of Griphook?"
"He confirmed that the sword in the Lestrange vault is a fake. Oddly enough Snape put it there. Not sure what he is playing at. But I think you are right about there being a horcrux there."
"We have to go then," she said with more conviction than she'd said with anything in several days. "Any thoughts on how we do it?"
Ron and Harry smiled at the surprisingly normal exchange. "Well," the Chosen One said, "we made a deal. He will get us into Gringotts."
"What does he want in exchange," the French voice chimed in.
"The sword of Gryffindor, but we can deal with that later."
"Polyjuice potion then," Hermione said, completing the thought.
"Not our most creative, but a reliable tactic. I've started brewing the potion already. The only trick will be getting the hair."
"Who exactly are we going as?" The young witch asked.
"Err, well that's a bit complicated," the green eyed wizard mumbled.
"Harry Potter," she replied in a warning tone.
"Well it would be easiest if you went as Bellatrix."
"She will do no such thing," Fleur said, shaking with anger.
All of the heads turned to look at her confused by the passion of the outburst. Hermione soothingly covered her hand with her own stroking gently.
"Right. Well, I am certain you can find a hair on the clothes I was wearing. She was quite literally all over me." She shuddered at the memory.
"Why don't you let me look them over," Bill offered quietly.
Hermione nodded in agreement. "We still have several days while it brews."
"You need the time, don't you," Ron said more sensitively than usual.
"I.. Yes."
"If you need anything," he said tripping over his words.
"Thank you, Ron. That's very sweet," she responded. She spoke quietly trying to ignore the death glare her lover was currently giving her. She was grateful when Harry redirected the conversation to chess. She intertwined one foot between the veela's hoping to soothe her a bit.
As the meal came to a close, Bill sent the teenagers into the library while he and Fleur took care of the dishes. As Hermione left the room, she heard them whispering heatedly. With no small amount of anxiety, she settled into a couch opposite the chessboard so that she could both read and hear their conversation. Luna chose to sit in a window seat where she could stare out into the darkness. The young witch turned her focus back to the pages of "The Tales of Beedle the Bard." It wasn't her first time reading it, but she still felt as though she were missing things.
Her concentration was broken by weight settling in next to her. She looked up cautiously at the blonde, fearful of seeing rejection. When her gaze was met with mild curiosity, she shifted slightly towards the warmth, seeking comfort.
They spent several hours in companionable silence until the sun slid beneath the horizon. With little more than a look, Fleur beckoned her up the stairs. Hermione's heart fluttered as she walked up the stairs. Since her pre-dinner rub down, her body had been attuned to the blonde's every movement. Sitting so close had been glorious torture.
The French witch quietly closed the door behind them and cast her usual protection and silencing spells. She turned with the intention of discussing the plans she heard over dinner. She was however thwarted by the sheer nearness of the girl. Two fingers pressed firmly over her lips, holding them shut.
"Please. I have no interest in talking tonight. Give me what I want," Hermione purred, cupping the witch's covered center gently, "and I promise to talk as much as you want tomorrow."
"We really ought to talk. I am not pleased…" The French witch trailed off, because her lover had dropped to her knees and was pulling down her leggings without pause. " 'Ermione," she squeaked out. She wasn't sure if she was trying to stop her or encourage her, but the young witch seemed unperturbed. A hand pushed her more firmly against the door while helping her to step out of her pants. Before Fleur could even catch her breath, the witch below her lifted one of her legs and placed it on her shoulder. The enticing mouth blew gently against her hot center, causing her to shiver. With the first long probing lick, the veela anchored her hands in brown curls, pulling her closer. Her lover moaned, deliciously vibrating the flesh she was actively devouring. The blonde knew she wouldn't last long at this pace, but decided to let the girl have her way. She leaned her head back against the door, moving her hips with the salacious movements of her lover. When two fingers entered her, she struggled to stay up and keep her knees from buckling. Her concern was over-ridden by her clit being sucked into a hot mouth and tongued relentlessly, pushing her hard over the ledge.
As the spasms subsided, she slid to the floor and fiercely kissed her lover. Immediately the young woman straddled her lap moaning hotly against her skin.
"You may be out of your depth, mon coeur. I am after all part veela."
Hermione chuckled. "I don't remember any complains, and you know I like a challenge."
Using her fingertips she grasped the cute chin, forcing eye contact. She watched with satisfaction as her mate took in her golden sparkling eyes. Seeing the girl subconsciously lick her lips evaporated any pretense that she didn't need to take her now.
"Au lit," she instructed, pleased when her command was followed without question. It was remarkable how quickly Hermione acclimated to giving her veela nature what it craved. As she walked behind the quickly moving witch, she took the time to discard the rest of her clothing, craving the intense sensation of their naked forms pressed together. She caught a wrist before the girl could reach the bed. "Undress for me again, 'Ermione. I believe I made you a promise."
The girl failed to suppress a moan and peeled her clothing slowly away, enjoying the feeling of her lover devouring every inch of her as it came into view. Slowly she climbed backwards onto the bed, mirroring the advancing blonde. The pause to move back onto the bed allowed the French woman to overtake her. The air rushed from her in a low keening moan as the bare skin made contact.
"Do you 'ave any idea how hard it was not just to push into you this afternoon, ma petite? You were practically begging me. 'Ave you been able to think of anyzing else but zis?" She gently ran her fingers through wetness, touching without intentionality.
"Not really," she gasped. "I found you extremely distracting."
The blonde slipped inside of her as she spoke the last word.
"Oh fuck yes, Fleur," she said breathlessly before all language escaped her. She allowed the hand inside her and mouth at her neck and ear work her into a frenzy before making her see stars. In her exhaustion, she curled as close as she could manage to the strong but soft feminine body.
"Rest 'Ermione. Zere is time for words tomorrow. Just be for now."