LbN: Hey-o loves! Little bit of drama this chapter, but not a lot. Happy reading!

A Change of Scenery

"You are always doing zis!" Fleur yelled.

"I don't always do anything, Fleur," Hermione grumbled. "And for the forty fifth time today, nothing's going on!"

"Ze 'ell it izn't! Why can't you seemply talk wiz me?" Fleur asked, accent getting stronger as she got more stressed.

"There's nothing to talk about!" Hermione bellowed. "Can't I just be in an off mood today? Why is everything a psychodrama with you?"

"It iz not," Fleur huffed. "You never let little zings get to you; especially not Arnaud. And yet today, all of a sudden, 'e ends up in ze medical ward. Not saying it was not justified, but you 'ave such control most days. Somezing iz wrong; I can feel it. You 'ave been off all week, now zat I zink about it…"

"Well maybe your senses have gone wonky or something. I'm fine."

"You're a 'orrible liar, 'ermione."

"I'm going to the library," Hermione snapped, hopping off of the bed. "See you at dinner."

"Fine," Fleur said, walking into the bathroom and slamming the door.

As she gathered her things to go, Hermione could hear her running bath water. She put a few of her books and writing things in her bag and slipped out the door. The halls were quiet, but Hermione's head was buzzing. Between being angry at Fleur, thinking about everything that had happened that week, and dreading her detention the next day, all Hermione wanted to do was go back to the room, light up a few of Fleur's sleep candles and pass out for a while. Unfortunately, exams were starting tomorrow and she needed to study. Plus, if she went back now she and Fleur would just argue again. She really didn't want that. Hermione couldn't stand it that Fleur knew when she was lying, mostly because she hated being pressured to talk about things that were bothering her. She knew she should tell Fleur what happened that previous Sunday, but she wasn't ready to talk about it. Yeah, it was upsetting her; but it was just going to add to their already stressful lives. The end of the year had snuck up on them and exams were here. As long as she could make it through them without having a nervous breakdown, or making Fleur break up with her, she would tell Fleur everything afterwards. Exams were a little different here than at Hogwarts. They were taken over two days, the students compiling the schedule that suited their studying needs most. Hermione was taking three of hers the next morning, and then the other three Friday morning. Two more days, that was all…She made it to the library and found the most secluded table possible. Spreading her work out in front of her, she let out a deep sigh and got to work.

A Change

A hand was running through her hair. Hermione opened her eyes, only realizing at that moment that she had fallen asleep. Fleur was kneeling beside her, playing with her hair.

"Come on," she said. "Let's get to bed."

"What time is it?" Hermione mumbled, rubbing her eyes.

"Eight o'clock. You worried me for a while when you didn't turn up at dinner; and zen I couldn't find you…"

"Sorry. I just got working and must have dozed off."

"Well let's get back to the room. Are you hungry?"

"A little. Do we still have any food in the room?"

"Oui," Fleur nodded. "Come on."

The rest of the night was tense at best. Every so often, Hermione would glance over and catch Fleur looking at her. The blonde would look away quickly, but Hermione knew she wanted to talk still. Finally, not able to take the awkward silence any longer and not wanting to go to bed angry, Hermione went over and pulled Fleur into a hug.

"I'm sorry, okay?" she said. "I just…I'm not ready to talk about it okay?"

"Will you at least tell me what 'appened?" Fleur pleaded, kissing her forehead.

"I really don't want to," Hermione said apologetically. "I'm okay, for now. Nothing bad's happened or anything, if that's what you're thinking. I'm sorry, just…let's get through exams and I'll tell you everything. I promise."

Fleur stood quietly for a moment, holding Hermione. Then, sighing, she nodded.

"Fine. You promise you will be okay tomorrow and Friday? Whatever zis iz, it iz stressing you out, mon amour. You cannot deny zat. I do not want it to interfere wiz your studies."

"It won't. If anything, I'll get better grades," Hermione smiled. "I've been studying to take my mind off of it."

Fleur smiled and snuggled closer to her. Hermione, glad that Fleur was being so understanding, held her tightly and closed her eyes. In no time, both girls had fallen asleep.

A Change

"Laurent Dorm's end of ze year party iz tomorrow," Fleur told Hermione over sandwiches the next day. "Will you accompany me?"

"Of course I will," Hermione nodded, hugging the blonde. "When is it?"

"It starts at eight o'clock."

"Good, we'll have time for a walk before it then. How did your first exam go?"

"Wonderfully! I was surprised, to tell ze truth. I zought I would 'aver more trouble wiz it."

"I'm glad you did okay. How many more do you have today?"

"Just two. I 'ave one in an 'our and ze next iz right before dinner."

"Any reason you spaced them out so much?"

"I need time to panic properly before each," Fleur grinned. "I 'ave to go over my memory cards one last time, and look zrough ze study helper for ze class."

"Ah," Hermione nodded sagely. "I see. One last bite of the meal before the dessert, so to speak?"

"You make it sound so pleasant," Fleur shook her head. "You 'ave only zree tomorrow, oui?"

"Oui. I have them all in a row, in the morning. You got to take all of yours today, right?"

"I did, and I'm so glad zey are over. Let's go, I 'ave to get to class."

They walked back into the academic building, talking about schedules and plans for the weekend. They'd be moving out on Saturday, right after the graduation and farewell luncheon. Fleur was going on about taking a trip to the beach, but Hermione wasn't responding too enthusiastically.

"I want to, just…I don't know."

"Why do I get ze feeling zis 'as somezing to do wiz whatever it iz you are planning on telling me tomorrow?"

Hermione just laughed and hugged her.

"Good luck on your test, Fleur," she said, pushing her overly perceptive girlfriend towards the Arithmancy classroom door. Fleur simply rolled her eyes, blew Hermione a kiss, and walked into the room.

A Change

The air was warm, with a small breeze making the leaves around them rustle slightly. Hermione and Fleur stopped on the path through the garden and sat on one of the benches. Fleur wrapped an arm protectively around Hermione and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"Alright," she said. "Examinations are finished, we are alone and probably not likely to be interrupted; as ze Americans would say, 'spill ze beans'."

"Alright," Hermione chuckled a bit. She pulled out a piece of parchment and read from it. "Hermione," she began. "You have made this year harder on us than you could possibly imagine. Between our disgust at your choice of lifestyle and our shame when our friends found out (thanks to your insistence to write to us despite our wishes), we have gone through a lot. That being said, we have decided not to give up on you. A friend put us in touch with a brilliant doctor in Carlisle who runs a clinic for youth in your situation. Perhaps a summer away from this madness you've been thrust into would do you good. We fear that allowing you to go away to that magic school may have had some influence on this problem, but we're prepared to let you go back provided you have the tools to keep your head this time. As for your lady friend in Paris, once the school year is over you are not to contact her. Should you remain obstinate and refuse this generous offer, we will be forced to refuse your tuition to Hogwarts and you will have to make your own way. Hoping your week is pleasant, Dad."

"Iz 'e joking? 'oping your week iz pleasant? Zat iz sick!"

"I don't know what to do, Fleur," Hermione said quietly. "Of course I'm going to refuse, but…"

"But zey are your parents and you love zem, no matter 'ow awful zey are to you. You want to see zem."

"I'm sorry I didn't talk to you before," Hermione told her. "I just, didn't want to burden you with this during exams and I wasn't really ready to talk anyway."

"Do not apologize," Fleur whispered, hugging Hermione closer to her. "I understand. We will figure somezing out, I promise."

"You're not angry with me for not telling you sooner?"

"I wish you 'ad, but I am not angry wiz you, mon amour."

"I'm glad."

With that, the girls fell into silence; watching some of the enchanted trees begin to glow silver in the dying light.

LbN: Hope you liked it! I promise not to keep you waiting too long for the next chapter! Send reviews, yes yes?