AN: First of all, let me say how happy I am to finally be finished with this chapter. Normally, a chapter would take maybe two or three days to write, but this one is definitely longer than my usual ones and proved to be quite difficult to write. Second of all, I love all the names you have come up with for Veronique and I think Veronibitch has to be my favorite haha Anyways, thank you all so much for your reviews and continued support of this fic. It really helped me push through to try to get it out faster to you guys. This chapter will answer a lot of your questions you had for me, but will probably leave you with some more lol
Aaron Leach: As always, thank you :)
supersaiyan: Haha I'm sorry you plowed through the last chapter, but this one is definitely longer so it should keep you entertained and be more difficult to read through fast :D I'm glad you like Veronique as the villain and are enjoying Fleur's development. I'm enjoying developing her myself! There is much to be unraveled about Fleur that I can't wait for you all to see :D Anyways, I hope you like the new chapter :)
LS505956: I myself loved writing ditzy out of it Hermione and would love her to stay broken, but then she wouldn't be the Hermione Granger we all know and love, would she? lol I promise I'm trying not to make her cliche. I just couldn't resist having her like that for a little bit :)
KuroInc: I'm so happy you enjoyed the last chapter! Thanks for the happy birthday wishes! Your response to me replying to your review is legit the same response I would have XD I would be like that looks like my name, oh wait! It is! Haha anyways, thanks for your kind words and continued support. It's greatly appreciated :)
crazytroublemaker: I should have known you're a Ravenclaw lol And Hermione hit her head very hard. I can tell you from personal experience that a good knock to your head can make you do stupid shit you wouldn't normally do, but you will usually come back just fine lol I do so like Hermione being a bubbling mess, but if I kept her like that she wouldn't be the Hermione Granger we all know and love, but that doesn't mean I can't mess with her :3 lol I think you will be pleased with how this chapter goes and once again you need to get out of my brain! haha Thanks for your awesome reviews. I hope you like the newest installment :D
Hatestohurtyou: I literally burst out laughing when I read your review and you asked "When will karma come and get its bitch?" XDD I'm really glad you liked wonky Hermione, because I had so much fun writing her like that. You've done a good job guessing at Fleur's diary and I promise you will see some journal entries in it later on that might answer some of your questions. Anyways, it's always a pleasure reading your reviews. I wish I could answer all of your questions, but if I did I think you might hate me for spoiling things haha I would love to kill of Veronique, but a good story always needs a good villain right? :D
sara-nadia: Thanks for your review :D I will continue to update as fast as possible because I do so enjoy writing this fic :)
sanekittens: Thank you! I'm glad everyone seems to like it so much! :D
Pam C: I'm so sorry for leaving you for so long ;-; I will never leave you guys hanging for so long again! :D I mean, how else am I going to get you to yell at your screen if I don't update? haha I actually like Viktor too and you might not end up disliking him all that much, but I can't say the same about Veronique haha Thanks for the birthday wishes! I appreciate it and all of your funny reviews :D Anyways, I really hope you enjoy the new chapter!
omaribacache316: Thank you! I appreciate it :D
Whisper'd Misery: I'm glad you like the story! I'm trying to keep it unique and different! There are too many Fleurmione fics that are so similar that it feels like you're reading the same fic over and over again lol Anyways, I hope you like the new chapter :D
Fran Kaioh-Tenoh: I'm so happy you made an exception for my fic and that you like it! The Sailor Moon fic is going to be updated this week as well . I got so wrapped up in this one I totally abandoned that one for a minute and I feel so bad! I already have half the chapter for that one written so it shouldn't take long to get the update up :)
Guest: And once again, since I can't address you all individually, I just want to say thank you for your awesome reviews. They always either make me smile or laugh. I really appreciate all of your continued support and words of kindness. They really help me keep going when I'm stuck with writing. Anyways, I hope you all like the newest installment of Cruel Intentions and can't wait to hear from you :)
'thoughts'
French
Chapter 6
The first thing that registered in Hermione's brain was a soft pillow beneath her head, the second was a pounding headache that stemmed from her left temple. She willed hey eyelids to open but regretted the decision almost immediately when light flooded her vision and felt as if it was piercing her.
"Look who decided to wake up."
Ginerva Weasley's voice was not what Hermione expected to hear and was honestly not a welcome intrusion to the silence that had enveloped her before.
"Ugh . . ." Hermione groaned as she slowly moved herself into an upright position.
"How are you feeling Casanova?" Ginny looked at the brunette with an amused twinkle in her eye. She wasn't entirely sure if Hermione remembered everything that happened after she was hit with the bludger, but she had a sneaking suspicion that she had no recollection of her actions.
Hermione looked over at the red head warily, unsure of why Ginny looked so amused at her obvious discomfort. "Casanova? What the blood hell are you going on about?"
A cheshire grin spread across Ginny's face when she saw the irritation and confusion evident on Hermione's face. "Do you know how you got here?"
Hermione looked around the room and it took a second for her to realize she was in the medical wing instead of her own bed. "No . . ." She reached her hand up to touch her aching temple, but another sharp pain told her that was a stupid thing to do. "What happened?"
"What's the last thing you remember?" Ginny prodded, hoping that Hermione might be able to put a little of the puzzle together herself.
"I . . ." Hermione furrowed her brow, trying to search through her memories and recall what had brought her to this place. "I was flying, watching your game of quidditch and . . ." She fisted the sheets tightly in her hands, desperately trying to recall anything else that had happened, but it was all blank. "That's it." Hemione looked back to Ginny still wearing that insufferable smile on her face.
"That's it?"
"Yes." Hermione glared at the girl she was growing more and more frustrated with by the second; she didn't understand what was so amusing about this situation. "I just told you that's all I remember."
"Oh boy." Ginny laughed. "This is too good to be true."
Hermione bristled upon hearing the laughter spill from the youngest Weasley's lips. "I fail to see how this is in any way funny Ginerva Weasley. Now do you mind telling me what the hell is going on?"
Instead of answering the clearly irritated brunette Ginny stood up and grabbed a vial from the bedside table and handed it to Hermione. "You're going to want to drink this." Hermione just looked confused as she took the potion from Ginny's hands. "I'm sure you have a killer headache and I think what I'm about to tell you might make it worse."
"Ginny, what the -"
"Just drink it 'Mione." Ginny sighed as she reclaimed her seat. She waited for Hermione to put the vial to her lips and tilt her head back before she continued with what she was sure was going to be an interesting conversation. "Now, to answer your question . . . " The red head cleared her throat and scooted her seat back a little in case Hermione decided to lash out at her. "You got hit in the head with a bludger and were knocked right off your broom."
"Okay . . ."
"It was a hell of a fall." Ginny continued when she realized that fact alone wasn't jogging Hermione's memory. "You're lucky you didn't break anything."
Hermione looked down at her body and saw that it was indeed more or less unscathed which just led her to be even more perplexed than she was before. "I was hovering pretty high . . . How is that possible?"
"Oh, this is where it gets good." Ginny grinned, sitting up a little in her seat. "Fleur caught you."
"Fleur?" Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"Bloody Hell! It's worse than I thought!" Ginny cried out dramatically which proved to further aggravate the confused Gryffindor. "You don't remember who Fleur is!?"
"Don't be absurd Ginny. I remember who Fleur is!" Hermione huffed and crossed her arms. "I just didn't know she was there."
"Thank Merlin." Ginny let out a sigh of relief as she slumped in her chair.
Hermione carefully watched the young chaser wondering if she was going to continue or if that was all there was to the story but seeing how Ginny reacted to her skepticism led her to believe there was more. "Well . . .?"
"Well what?"
Sometimes Hermione swore she could strangle Ginerva Weasley; she had a flare for the dramatic and loved to toy with her, especially when she had information that Hermione was interested in. "Don't be daft Ginny! Is there more?"
"Oh. Not really." Ginny shrugged and acted nonchalant, but the grin creeping back onto her face betrayed her earlier statement. "You were kind of out of it . . . oh and you all but professed your undying love for Fleur Delacour. No big deal."
The color drained from Hermione's face at this mortifying revelation; there was no way it could be true. Hermione Granger didn't go around professing her love to people, no matter how pretty, especially if that person is Fleur Delacour. "You're lying . . ."
Ginny had done a decent job keeping her composure during her revelation, but the look on the golden girl's face was making the task increasingly difficult. "Oh Hermione . . ." Ginny stood up and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'm not creative enough to make this up."
"W-what did I say?" Hermione squeaked out.
"Hmmm . . . let me see . . ." Ginny put her finger to her chin in thought to drag out this sweet moment; she didn't often get the chance to see Hermione so perturbed. "I believe you called her an angel and proceeded to throw a fit when I separated you two. You insisted that you wanted Fleur to take you to the nurse and on the way here you droned on forever about how pretty and perfect Delacour is to me and Ron. You took hero worship to a whole new level."
"This is a nightmare . . ." Hermione mumbled to herself, looking more horrified than Ginny thought was possible. "I'm going to wake up any second and – OW!" Hermione jumped and rubbed the bright pink spot on her arm where her friend had just pinched her.
"Well, I guess that rules out a nightmare." Ginny laughed. "You're very much awake and I'm very hurt by the way!" The red head put on her best upset exterior. "You have some nerve openly ogling and hitting on another chick right in front of your girlfriend!"
Hermione shoved her friend that was a little too amused by her misfortune. "I'm not in the mood for your jokes!" The brunette crossed her arms, a light blush adorning her cheeks. "Please tell me nobody saw this . . ."
"Alright." Ginny smiled and shrugged. "Nobody saw it."
"Ginny!" Hermione cried out and threw a pillow at the red head. It was obvious by Ginny's casual tone that plenty of people saw her like that. It was bad enough that she had acted in a way that was so unbecoming of her usual demeanor but knowing that people saw her like that made it even worse.
"Oh, calm down Hermione." Ginny rolled her eyes and bravely took a seat at the edge of the bed. "I doubt anyone cares and if they do it will blow over in a day or two."
"Yeah, you're probably right . . ." Hermione sighed, a little relieved by Ginny's words. She already received plenty of unwanted attention and really did not want to give people any more reason to harass her. Sometimes she really missed the old days when she could hide out in the library and be left to her own devices.
"And it's not like you're going to go through this alone." Ginny looked at her nails in a bored manner.
Hermione raised an eyebrow at the odd statement; who else would be going through what she was. "What do you mean?"
"Everyone is going to know my girlfriend is a hussy!" Ginny exclaimed, throwing her hands up dramatically. "I'm going to be the laughing stock of Hogwarts!"
Hermione could feel her eyebrow twitch in irritation; this was it . . . the straw that broke the camel's back . . . she was going to Azkaban, because she was going to murder Ginerva Weasley. "You insufferable prat!" Hermione yelled as she kicked the once again laughing chaser off the bed. "Get out!"
Ginny scrambled to her feet and ran out the door; she didn't need to be told twice. She did thoroughly enjoy riling the golden girl up, but the repercussions of doing such a thing weren't always worth it.
"Honestly . . . what is wrong with that girl?" Hermione sighed as she laid back in the bed, staring up at the ceiling with a thoughtful look on her face. Now that she was by herself she had the chance to properly process the information she just received. 'Fleur saved me . . .?' She wasn't quite sure what she should do with that. Heroic action like that didn't sound like something Fleur Delacour would do, but then again she didn't really know that much about the blonde to begin with so who was she to say what her usual behavior was. The only thing she really knew about Fleur was that she's a Veela, very forward, has the cutest dimples located on her lower back, and the best . . . 'Damnit Granger! Stop thinking like that!' The brunette scolded herself. It was true she didn't have much to go on when it came to the heiress, but the letter she received was filled with enough information to sufficiently scare her off. 'But how much trust can I put in a stranger's words?'
"Damnit. Can't I have one relaxing year?" Hermione groaned when her head started to hurt again from too many thoughts running through it. 'I'll just have to sort this out later.'
/
It had been two days since the incident on the Quidditch pitch and much to Fleur's chagrin things had returned to normal. She was walking down the hall the day before when she saw Hermione with Ginny and Harry by her side. She faltered in her steps and held her breath when the golden girl glanced over at her with those bright amber eyes that had looked at her with such wonder less that twenty-four hours before. There was a spark of recognition when their eyes met and for a second Fleur thought that Hermione might smile at her the way she did before or say something, but things hardly went the blonde's way anymore.
Hermione just walked right by Fleur as if she hadn't noticed her to begin with; as if she was nothing at all. Her aching shoulder reminded her that she had risked life and limb to help the ungrateful girl and this was all she got in return. 'Figures.' Fleur thought darkly to herself and made sure her cold mask was firmly in place before she continued on to her class.
She was currently feigning disinterest in the dining hall and had to refrain from rolling her eyes as she watched yet another concerned student approach Hermione to ask if she was alright.
"That has to be the twentieth person to approach her this hour alone. Who knew Hogwarts was full of so many suck ups." Veronique voiced Fleur's own personal thoughts, but that only earned the conniving girl a glance from the still irritated Veela.
Fleur hadn't really spoken to the raven-haired girl since the incident with the broom and was still upset that she would do something so dangerous. Sometimes it seemed as if Veronique had no limits when it came to her wickedness; sure, they were both known to play games with people, but there were some lines Fleur wouldn't cross.
The Veela in her longed to put Veronique in her place, to make her submit and show her who the alpha of their group is, but unfortunately Veronique was not part of her flock or even Veela for that matter. She hated how easily the devilish girl could get under her skin; how she could provoke her into doing things she wouldn't normally do, but despite her faults she had been a true friend to her when she was at her lowest and to this day she felt as if she owed Veronique something. That didn't mean she couldn't be upset at her friend though.
"They're better than snobs like you."
Gabrielle found the best and worst times to butt into conversations and it was safe to say she wasn't a big fan of Veronique. She had gotten along with her sister just fine before, but once the dark-haired imp came along everything changed. She wasn't sure why; all she knows is that Fleur wasn't the same after meeting Veronique.
"I'm a snob?" Veronique raised an amused eyebrow at the youngest Delacour. "What does that make you then?"
Gabrielle opened her mouth to retort, but Fleur really didn't feel like dealing with another fight between the two of them. "That's enough. I am not in the mood to listen to your bickering today."
"Oh? What has your feathers so ruffled?" Veronique pressed, poking Fleur playfully in the side but received no reaction from the blonde. "Come on Fleur. Don't tell me you're still mad at me."
Once again Fleur ignored the pesky girl and turned her attention back to the Gryffindor table. Hermione must have felt her intense gaze, because not two seconds later she looked up from her book to lock eyes with the Veela. Fleur was surprised to see that her stare was almost apologetic but didn't have much time to dwell on it when she noticed Ginny staring at her heatedly. She held back the annoyed growl that wanted to emanate from her throat as she dropped her fork and stood up. She had had her fill of being treated like a leper and didn't much care to stick around so Ginny Weasley could stare her down.
"Where are you going?" Gabrielle asked and if Fleur didn't know any better she would think her sibling was concerned.
"I've lost my appetite." She shot Ginny a pointed look before storming out of the great hall; there was only so much she could take.
/
Hermione took note of Fleur's upset disposition and couldn't stop her eyes from following her retreating form; she knew her obvious anger was probably because of her. She had had a couple of chances to thank the Veela, but whenever the time came she always thought it better to not say anything. Ginny told her not to bother and that the blonde was the one who probably set the bludger flying at her, but Hermione found that hard to believe.
"Excuse me."
Hermione turned around when a masculine voice interrupted her thoughts. "Yes?" She looked at the boy sporting a Hufflepuff robe up and down warily; he had dark brown hair and light blue eyes that brought her thoughts back to Fleur for all of a second. She had never talked to this boy before, but she had spending a lot of time talking to people she didn't know these days.
"I'm sorry to interrupt your lunch, but I heard about what happened on the Quidditch pitch and just wanted to say I'm happy you're okay."
"Oh, thank you." She took note of her sore cheeks as she tried to put on her best practiced appreciative smile. She had been smiling all day, thanking people, trying to reassure them she was fine, and politely declining their offer to take her out on a date.
She kept her grin firmly in place while the boy's voice started to fade into the background as her mind wandered to the quote "You can only hold a smile for so long, after that it's just teeth." She had learned these past couple years how true that quote by her favorite author really is. She often found herself in front of a camera being blinded by the flashing light and being instructed on how to look, where to stand, and what emotion to portray. She was sick of it.
"So what do you say?"
"Huh?" Hermione was shaken from her thoughts once more by the young Hufflepuff looking at her expectantly. "Oh, I'm sorry. You seem really nice." She didn't have to be a genius to realize that he had asked her out just like all the others that came before him. "But I'm already dating someone." She nodded her head in Ginny's direction who gave the Hufflepuff a look that sent him scrambling away from the pair as fast as he could.
"Could you try to be nicer?" Hermione glared over at Ginny who was trying to stifle her laughter.
"Don't get your knickers in a twist 'Mione." Ginny ruffled the already irritated brunette's hair. "It's all in good fun."
"I think you and I have a very different idea of fun." Hermione grumbled as she tried to go back to reading her book. She prayed that no one else would come up and disturb her; it felt like someone came up to talk to her every five minutes. She wanted to be nice and courteous to all the students coming to offer their well wishes, but she couldn't take it anymore. If one more person came up to talk to her she was afraid she was going to snap and that would not be good for anyone.
"Hey there 'Mione." Harry smiled as he took a seat next to his long-time friend. "How are you feeling?" He jumped when the only response he got was the bookworm snapping her book shut.
"I need to get some air." She mumbled as she stood up from the table.
"D-did I say something wrong?" He paled as Hermione retreated and he looked over at a laughing Ginny.
/
Hermione let out an agitated huff, clinging tightly to her book as her feet stomped on the warm grass to the great lake. She knew she would have to apologize to Harry for leaving like that; he meant well, but she just couldn't take it anymore. 'All I want is a little peace . . . is that too much to ask?' She thought glumly to herself as she reached a quiet corner of the lake only to realize that Fleur Delacour was sitting off to her right drawing in a brown book. 'Apparently it is.'
"What are you doing here?" Hermione glanced at the Veela out of the corner of her eye. "Are you stalking me?"
The golden girl was surprised by the mirthless chuckle that came from the blonde's lips. "I was 'ere first mademoiselle Granger." Fleur spoke without looking up from her journal or stopping what she was doing. "'ow could I possibly be stalking you?"
'True.' Hermione mused to herself as she looked out at the tentacles of the infamous squid that resided in the body of water sway about. She thought about leaving, it would be quite easy to do, but this was her favorite place to be besides the library and Fleur seemed to be too preoccupied to bother her. Surprisingly enough, she actually found the sound of Fleur's quill scratching across the surface of the parchment to be quite comforting.
She closed her eyes, letting out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding in as she just listened to the sound of Fleur scribbling away. She briefly wondered what the blonde might be drawing but thought better of asking seeing as they weren't that well acquainted.
When she opened her eyes again she was greeted by the sight of Viktor running by with his gang of groupies not far behind. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye and it seemed as if he was going to stop to talk to her for a second, but when his eyes flickered over to the blonde a couple feet away a scowl overcame his features and he just kept running. Hermione wouldn't admit it, but she was kind of grateful that Fleur had that effect on the quidditch star.
"Eet's exhausting isn't eet?"
Hermione was surprised when Fleur's velvety voice broke the comfortable silence that had enveloped them. She eyed the Veela that was still very much occupied with whatever she was drawing a little warily, unsure of where she was going with this, but decided she would take the bait this time. "What is?"
"'aving people watch your every move, always pestering you, always expecting somezing." Fleur finally tore her eyes off the page to meet bewildered amber.
It was safe to say Hermione was a little shocked; she didn't expect to see so much understanding in Fleur's arctic gaze. "Yeah . . ." Hermione nodded her head, thoroughly perplexed by the enigma that is Fleur Delacour. "It really is. Sometimes . . ." She paused, unsure as to why she suddenly felt compelled to speak so openly with the young heiress; maybe she wanted someone to understand or maybe she just needed someone that wasn't so close to the situation to listen. Ron loved being in the spotlight and Harry would just feel guilty and hold himself responsible for her growing discomfort of being in the public eye and all that came with it. "It's all too much. I get so overwhelmed that I'm scared I'm going to just snap and scream in the middle of the corridor."
Hermione's ears perked when she heard light laughter spill from Fleur's mouth; she decided in that moment she liked the sound of the Veela's melodious laugh even better than her quill working across parchment.
"Oui. I know ze the feeling quite well."
For a moment they forgot that they weren't on the best terms as they stared at one another, an amused look on both of their faces at their shared misery, but it was short lived. In an instant the light atmosphere was broken when Hermione looked away and uncomfortably loosened her tie.
'Probably a nervous 'abit.' Fleur thought to herself with a smirk as she went back to her art.
They slipped back into silence as Hermione started to really feel the heat of the sun beating down on her. It was surprisingly hot for an Autumn afternoon, but she supposed wearing a big black robe was doing nothing to help the situation.
Fleur paused her doodling when she heard the ruffle of clothing hitting the grass and almost dropped her quill at the sight before her. She sat there in awe for a second; it was such an odd and rare sensation to see the girl she had fantasized about not only meet but exceed the heiress' expectations. Hermione Granger was indeed the brightest witch of her age, but she was also drop dead gorgeous, statuesque . . . 'Parfait.' She thought breathlessly to herself as her eyes raked up Hermione's tanned and toned legs that until now had always been hidden beneath that blasted robe. She didn't know why Hermione wore the damned thing when that Hogwarts plaid skirt accentuated her killer legs and shapely hips so well. In her opinion, it should be considered a crime to cover her curvaceous figure that that white button up shirt complimented perfectly.
She continued to openly stare at the golden girl, almost as if she was in a daze until amber eyes caught her lingering stare. She quickly snapped her attention back to her book when she realized she had been caught and waited for the onslaught of verbal lashings she was sure to receive for looking at Hermione Granger in that way but was surprised when none came.
Hermione just turned her attention back to the lake and stood there quietly while Fleur continued her drawing. If she was honest with herself she was flattered by Fleur's lingering gaze; it wasn't a predatory look, but one of appreciation and intrigue. She had to admit that she was slightly curious about the Veela herself. She had a million questions burning in her mind to ask the blonde, but there was one that was at the forefront. "Why did you do it?"
If Fleur heard the question it sure didn't show, because she just continued drawing in silence as if the brunette wasn't even there.
Hermione sighed when she realized getting answers from the blonde wasn't going to be as easy as she thought but when she resigned to the fact she wasn't going to get a response Fleur opened her mouth to speak. "Do what?"
It took a moment for the young Gryffindor to realize that Fleur had indeed opened her mouth and seemed willing to have an actual conversation. "Why did you save me?" She turned her gaze back to the mysterious girl.
Fleur scoffed as her hand moved in quick strokes across the page. "What kind of question eez zat?"
"Just tell me." Hermione spoke calmly.
"You are 'Ermione Granger." Fleur's brow furrowed, glaring at the page as if it had offended her. "You saved ze wizarding from zat 'orrible man. Being killed by a stray bludger to ze head would not be a fitting death. You fought in ze glorious battle. You dezerve a glorious death."
Hermione regarded the puzzling girl for a moment before she turned her attention back to the lake. "There was nothing glorious about that battle."
Hermione's bitter tone drew Fleur's attention from her diary to the brunette now leaning against a tree with her arms crossed, looking out at the great lake with glazed over eyes. Fleur couldn't help wondering where she went in that moment. What made her eyes look like sea glass so weathered and worn?
"I'm sorry." Hermione turned her attention back to the Veela that was now blinking dumbly at her.
"For what?"
"For being a prat and not properly thanking you for saving me and . . ." Hermione sighed as she pushed off the tree; apologizing really wasn't her forte. "For all those things I said to you in the prefect's bathroom. It was really mean and uncalled for."
Once again Hermoine Granger left Fleur completely baffled and at a loss for words; an apology was the last thing she expected to ever come out of the golden girl's mouth. Yet, here she was sitting on the grass, looking up at a very sheepish looking war hero. "Eet's . . ." Fleur cleared her throat, turning her attention back to the book in front of her, trying to regain her composure. "Eet's fine."
"But . . ." There it was. Fleur was waiting for a but or a good teardown. "It was rotten of you to use your thrall on me like that."
Fleur rolled her eyes; Hermione still really thought she used her thrall on her. "I already told you zat I did not use my zrall on you mademoiselle Granger."
"That can't be true." Hermione blushed, remembering their moment together in the bathroom. She was so drawn to the blonde in that moment that she had almost kissed her and that was something she wouldn't normally do on her own . . . right?
"C'est vrai." Fleur shrugged. "Eef I used my zrall on you eet would feel somezing like zis."
Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but her jaw snapped shut when she felt her head go fuzzy and her body start pleasantly buzzing. Her bright eyes locked onto the blonde as she felt her fingertips start to itch to touch the perfect specimen sitting not five feet away from her. She licked her lips as the urge to walk over to Fleur Delacour and rip her clothes off started to overwhelm her. She made a move to take the Veela right then and there but faltered in her steps when the feeling left almost as soon as it had arrived.
"Now you can say I used my zrall on you."
"T-that was . . ." Hermione shook her head, clearing the fog out of her eyes as her cheeks started to heat up. "Different."
"Do you believe me now?" Fleur raised an eyebrow at the shell-shocked prefect.
"Yeah, but . . ." There it was again. Hermione Granger was having a hard time admitting that any of the feelings she had that night were her own. "You still tried to seduce me." She looked at the Veela accusingly.
Fleur didn't say anything to the brunette's statement; there was nothing to say. If she was honest and said yes then she would be adding fuel to the fire and if she said no she would just be insulting Hermione's intelligence so Fleur decided silence was the best response.
Hermione wanted to force some more answers out of the Veela, but thought better of it when she saw that Fleur wasn't going to confirm or deny her allegation. They both knew what happened in that bathroom and there was no need to keep picking at the scab so she resigned to sitting down on the grass a safe distance away from the young champion.
She tried to focus on the view in front of her, but the sound of Fleur scribbling drew Hermione's attention once more and she couldn't help voicing the question she wanted to ask when she first arrived.
"What are you drawing?"
Fleur's hand stilled its movements as she looked over at the brunette, seeming to assess her threat level to her privacy. She wasn't really drawing anything noteworthy or personal, but she didn't necessarily like anyone looking at her journal all the same.
"You don't have to show me." Hermione said when she saw the blonde's apprehensive demeanor. She wasn't one to invade people's privacy and by the way Fleur was acting, that journal was extremely private and personal. "You've been scribbling away since I got here and I was just curious."
Fleur eyed the Gryffindor suspiciously, unsure of how to take Hermione's approach to getting an insight into her personal thoughts. She had grown accustomed to people trying to snatch her prized possession from her grasp to get a look into the mind of Fleur Delcaour, but Hermione didn't seem to have an interest in forcing her way into Fleur's private thoughts at all. She just seemed like she was genuinely interested and completely harmless.
"Non . . " Fleur chewed on her lower lip, looking down at the page once more before she scooted over to the Gryffindor. "Eet's fine." She hesitantly handed her treasured journal over to Hermione, silently hoping she was right in her assumption that the brunette wouldn't try to flip through it.
Hermione carefully took the journal from Fleur's reluctant hands and almost immediately burst out into laughter when she saw the drawing. She had thought the French student would be drawing something more stoic, but instead she was greeted with the sight of the lake in front of them with the squid's tentacles flailing two figures about.
"Is that Krum . . . and Ginny?" Hermione's laughter increased at the distraught look on the red head's face.
"Maybe." Fleur smiled slyly at the giggling Gryffindor. She was glad Hermione saw the humor in her drawing of the two people that ailed her the most.
Hermione's laughter stilled in her throat as she furrowed her brow, gently touching one of the tentacles swaying around, making the water in the picture ripple. "How do you get it to move like that?"
"Eef I told you, you wouldn't believe me." Fleur's smile widened when Hermione looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Try me."
A somber look suddenly overtook Fleur's countenance as she glanced around to make sure the coast was clear, making Hermione even more curious. 'Does she use some sort of technique I haven't heard of before? Can she really be that brilliant?' Hermione moved in closer when the Veela signaled her to do so. If Fleur was being this secretive about it, it must be good.
Fleur's eyes shifted left and right one more time before she spoke in a hushed tone. "Magic."
"Fleur!" Hermione cried out when the blonde burst out in a fit of giggles. "You know what I meant!" The brunette closed the book and hit Fleur on the shoulder with it before tossing it back into her lap.
"I am zorry 'ermione. I couldn't resist." Fleur tried to stifle her laughter as she locked up her journal and turned to sit facing Hermione cross legged. "'ere, let me show you. Give me your 'and."
Hermione looked down at the expectant palm of Fleur Delacour held out right in front of her. She was hesitant to put her hand in the other girl's; what if this was another trick?
"I am not going to 'urt you 'ermione." Fleur rolled her crystal blues at Hermione's hesitance. "I know eet ees 'ard, but just trust me."
"Fine." Hermione grumbled as she took a small leap of faith and placed her hand in the Veelas. She had to stop herself from shuddering when she felt a bolt of electricity shoot up her arm and shimmy down her spine when their skin made contact. If Fleur felt it too, she did a good job of hiding it for she calmly grabbed one of her quills with a softer tip and started to draw on the juncture between Hermione's thumb and wrist.
Hermione would normally protest graffitiing her body, but her curiosity beat out her irritation this time around as she watched Fleur hunch over her hand. It was so strange to see the normally flirty blonde suddenly so stoic and honed in on what she was doing. Her full pink lips were in a straight line and her brow was furrowed as her hand gracefully moved in slow practiced strokes across her skin. She was so zoned in on what shew as doing she didn't even care to move her long blonde locks from her face when they spilled over. She liked the Veela a lot better this way; quiet and regal. Fleur didn't seem like she was putting on an act and when she wasn't trying to get into her pants she was actually quite pleasant to be around.
"Hey!" Hermione jumped and giggled when the light stroking of the quill tickled her skin.
Fleur paused her movements and looked up with twinkling blue eyes slightly hidden behind golden strands, clearly amused by Hermione's outburst.
"Sorry." Hermione blushed under the Veela's playful stare. "It tickled."
Fleur smiled as she switched to a different colored quill and went back to work. "I will try to be more careful."
"What are you drawing?" Hermione tilted her head to the side, trying to get a view of Fleur's work, but all she caught was a glimpse of red and white in no distinct shape. "It better not be something crass."
"S'il vous plaît." Fleur rolled her eyes for what felt like the millionth time that day. "I am not some teenage boy mademoiselle Granger. Now stop squirming and 'old still." Fleur tightened her grip ever so slightly to steady Hermione's hand.
Hermione just huffed and looked off to the side, she wasn't a fan of being told what to do, and even less of a fan of blindly putting her trust in someone else, but she had already come this far and there was no point in going back. She resigned to looking out at the lake as the quill glided across her skin; it still tickled a little, but oddly enough she was starting to find it soothing.
"C'est fini." Fleur smiled as she sat up and put her utensil down.
Hermione looked down at her hand and was confused when she saw what looked like a red and white shell on it. "No offense . . . but what is it?"
"Oh, 'ow careless of me." Fleur put on a fake apologetic look. "Eet needs ze finishing touch."
Hermione watched as the Veela grabbed her hand once more and brought it close to her lips, mumbling something she couldn't quite make out. 'So soft . . .' Was the only thing Hermione could think as Fleur placed a kiss on her hand that left her skin tingling. She opened her mouth to reprimand the cocky girl for pulling something like that but stopped when Fleur insistently looked down at Hermione's hand.
Hermione caved and looked down to see that what was on her hand wasn't a shell, but a flower bud that was now blooming right before her eyes into a beautiful white and red amaryllis.
"How did you . . ." Hermione looked back up at the smiling heiress.
"Magic." Fleur shrugged and for once Hermione didn't press the matter. She just looked down at the flower in amazement.
She couldn't believe Fleur Delacour was capable of making something like this, but once again she realized that she really didn't know much about the mysterious girl.
"Do you like eet?" Fleur quiet voice broke Hermione from her silent admiration. It shocked Hermione to hear the normally confidant girl sound insecure over something like a drawing.
'Who in the bloody hell are you Fleur Delacour?' Hermione thought to herself as she looked up at the blonde chewing on her lower lip and staring at her with expectant eyes.
"Yeah." Hermione smiled and that action alone seemed to cause the Veela to relax. "I really do . . . how long have you been able to do this?"
"Eet ees somezing I 'ave practiced since I was little." Fleur shrugged as she neatly placed her utensils back into their case. "Eet's just one of my useless 'obbies."
Hermione frowned at Fleur's description of her art. "I wouldn't call a talent like this useless."
"Oh?" Fleur raised a curious eyebrow.
Hermione smiled as she looked back down at the flower. "It's wonderful."
Fleur watched the brunette with questioning eyes as she gently stroked the pedals with her fingertips. She wasn't used to people appreciating her art, well it wasn't like anyone could really appreciate it anyways when she didn't share it with others. At a young age her mother made it very clear how ridiculous she found her hobby to be when there were more important things for her to learn like running a clan.
The young heiress was surprised that Hermione, of all people, appreciated her work that had always been looked at as nothing more than a distraction from her duties. Hermione's outlook was refreshing and she couldn't believe she found herself truly enjoying the bookworms company. But then again, they had never really had a chance to have a decent conversation what with her girlfriend always following her around like a shadow. Speaking of which, that brought up a great question Fleur hadn't bothered to ask yet.
"Where ees your girlfriend?"
"Who?" Hermione looked up, confusion swimming in her gold and brown eyes before realization hit her. "Oh, you mean Ginny."
"Oui."
"Ginny isn't my girlfriend." Hermione laughed at the look of shock that overtook Fleur's face. She didn't know why she told Fleur the truth; she supposed she was tired of lying and dealing with the red head suffocating her with her constant presence. Ginny meant well, but she could be a real pain in the ass. She didn't know why she went along with Ginny's scheme for so long when she never agreed to it in the first place and in all honesty, it was causing more trouble than it was worth.
"But-"
"Ginny is my friend. She was just trying to keep people from pestering me." Hermione left out the part that it was mainly supposed to be Fleur she was keeping away.
"I see." Fleur mumbled as she looked out to the lake in thought. This was an interesting revelation to say the least; it would seem the youngest Weasley wasn't an obstacle she would have to overcome after all.
"But don't get any ideas." Hermione stood up and glared over at the blonde in warning when she had grown too quiet for the bookworms liking. She cursed herself for slipping up and becoming too comfortable with the seductress; she still had to remember to be careful.
Fleur looked up at the brunette and had to hold back a laugh when she saw Hermione trying to give her a foreboding look. "I wouldn't dream of it." She smiled cheekily at the golden girl putting her robe back on.
"And this doesn't mean we're friends or anything." Hermione said haughtily when she saw the confident gleam back in those sapphire orbs.
You would think those words would bring Fleur down, but the brunette's tone betrayed her statement. "Of course not."
"Well . . ." Hermione straightened out of her clothing. "I guess I will see you in class and . . ." Hermione cleared her throat, loosening her tie a little more. "Thanks again for um . . . you know . . . not letting me die."
Fleur just nodded her head and chewed on her lower lip as she watched the young Gryffindor start to scurry away. "'ermione." Fleur called out, making the bookworm pause in her steps. "I answered some of your questions. Per'aps you can answer one of mine before you depart."
"What is it?" Hermione raised an eyebrow at the blonde.
"Who said zose nasty zings about me? I zink I 'ave a right to know who ees badmouthing me." Fleur spoke calmly.
Hermione stood there for a moment, unsure if she should answer, but decided there was no point in hiding the truth. "Honestly, I haven't the foggiest." The Gryffindor shrugged before walking away and leaving a thoroughly confused Veela in her wake.
AN: Well! There it is folks! Now that you have read the new chapter I can finally say I was almost wounded by the fact you thought I would keep Hermione broken ;-; Even though, I really did love writing her like that haha Goodbye sweet Hermione, may you forever rest in peace. And I know there are probably a lot of questions about Fleur and Hermione's past, but I promise that all that will be revealed in due time :) I do so hope you guys enjoyed the new chapter and I didn't muck it up too much You have no idea how long I spent writing and re-writing Hermoine and Fleur's first decent encounter lol Anyways, you all know how much I love reading your reviews so feel free to let me know what you think :D
Oh! And side note! That quote "You can only smile for so long, after that it's just teeth" is from the book Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk. It's truly amazing and definitely worth a read!
Okay, I'll leave you all alone now to review or whatever haha