A/N: Firstly, there are no excuses for how long this update has taken. Only that life and university have been at the forefront of my mind and unfortunately, this has taken a step back. Hopefully I will be back for a while and finishing my other fic and perhaps starting a new one. Anyway, apologies again and I hope you all enjoy. Some reviews would be lovely. Sorry for any mistakes in advance and as usual, I do not own Harry Potter.

Apolline Delacour had never been late for anything in her life. That was until she was left to face the maze that was muggle London on a Saturday afternoon. The blonde beauty swept through the crowds of people, the hood of her cloak up; covering her face from any prying eyes. Her husband and youngest daughter had remained in France until she could guarantee this 'safe-haven' as Fleur called it was indeed that. If what her daughter had told her was true, there should be a pub only visible to magical folk anywhere along this road.

'Merde.' She growled as yet another muggle shoved her on their way past. The hustle and bustle of London, along with the dreary Britsh-ness about the place was beginning to eat away at the half-Veela's patience. Why Fleur would ever want to live in a place like this was beyond her. Especially when compared to the Parisian beauty they were accompanied to.

'Ermione, look! There is maman.' Fleur beamed at the tall figure walking towards them, a wisp of silvery blonde hair peeking out from underneath a hooded black cloak. 'Don't be nervous ma cherie. She will love you.' Fleur smiled, pressing a kiss to the girl's cheek before bounding up to the woman she clearly adored and engulfing her in a hug that made even Molly Weasley look weak.

Hermione shuffled awkwardly, her hands shoved in her pockets and a wonky smile plastered on her face. She'd never had to meet anyone's parents before. Now, she was meeting Fleur's mother, a highly influential witch in French culture and the one who would be instructing them on how to bond properly. What if she didn't approve?

'Ermione! It is a pleasure to meet you at last. My dearest Fleur az written to me regularly about you.' The older witch smiled warmly, her hand coming to rest on the young brunette's cheek as her penetrative gaze broke through every barrier the girl had built.

Blushing, the Gryffindor managed to smile back. 'It's an honour to meet you, Mrs. Delacour. I hope you're not too tired from your journey, I know Fleur is just dying to show you around sooner rather than later.'

'Oui, it would appear my daughter's patience az not improved since her move to England.' The blonde woman laughed. 'Come. We must make the most of every second we have togezer.'

Hermione couldn't help but grin as she was pulled through the streets and into the Leaky Cauldron by the two beautiful blonde's. It was sure to be an interesting afternoon.

The last person anyone expected to see sat on the sofa in the Tonks' household was Pansy Parkinson. The young Slytherin was sat timidly, her gaze resting on her hands that were clasped together on her lap.

'Don't worry.' Harry smiled warmly. 'You already have the approval of most of us. The only people we really have to worry about are Remus and Ron.'

'How can you be so sure?' The dark haired girl asked quietly.

'I'm Harry Potter.' He shrugged nonchalantly. 'What more do you need?'

Pansy snorted but was interrupted before her not-so-kind reply by the entrance of the familiar pink haired auror. She frowned at the tired look in Tonks' dark eyes. 'Is everything okay, Dora?'

'Yeah, fine.' Tonks sighed, dropping onto the sofa next to the Slytherin. 'You can stay. Mum was absolutely fine, it was the Weasley's that tried to intervene.'

'Yes, well, it's not their house.' Three heads snapped up at the sound of the newest voice. Andromeda Tonks smiled warmly at the young girl. 'You are more than welcome for as long as its needed Miss Parkinson. Though I will warn you, things are going to be somewhat cramped for a while.'

'That's fine, thank you Mrs Tonks. Anything is better than home right now.' Pansy smiled gratefully at the older witch as she placed a tea tray in front of the three youngsters. 'I'd drink up before the others get home if I were you. You don't want to be caught up in that mad rush for cake.' Andromeda winked before fleeing back to the kitchen.

'The others?' Pansy questioned, her gaze landing on Tonks who seemed all too happy to be stuffing her face with her mother's home-made battenburg.

'Yeah, we've got a bit of a full house. I probably should have warned you.' The pink haired auror smiled sheepishly. 'Fleur and 'Mione are here, and Fleur's mother is visiting for a while. Then there's also my aunts; Bella and Narcissa and then Draco too. After the fiasco at the ministry its not safe for them out and about.'

'Oh, it is going to be busy. I can find somewhere else, Dora. I don't want to be getting in anyone's way.' Pansy offered half-heartedly.

'No. You won't be in the way. Besides, you're gonna be in with me, Cobra.'

Harry smirked to himself watching the exchange. It was as if they'd forgotten the young man was there. He would have to tell Hermione all about this. Especially that ridiculous pet name. This was enough material to tease Tonks for life.

'So, tell me again why the Parkinson girl is here?' Bellatrix growled. 'Surely the girl's a liability. Just look at her parents, her father's been funding the Dark Lord's cause from the beginning. Too useless to help in any other way. Looks as though his spawn is the same.'

'Now, Bella, don't be too arsh on the girl. She az given up everything to fight for what she believes in.' Fleur chastised. 'And besides, er parents are not exactly the forgiving type.'

'Meaning?' Bella drawled, she didn't like this girl. Why was she all of a sudden a member of that precious DA, Potter and Granger created? The girl was a snake through and through. And she certainly didn't approve of the way the girl had been ogling her niece. The metamorphmagus could do far better than the pig-faced brat.

'Meaning she's been disowned.' Hermione elaborated with a frown. 'She's really not that bad.' The brunette wanted to continue. To defend her friend further but the look on Fleur's face told her to stop. She might accept their friendship but there would always be limits. This was one of those limits.

'She may not be bad,' Bellatrix grumbled, 'But she certainly cannot be trusted yet. Lets just hope my darling niece is more Black than Tonks.' The dark witch smirked, earning her a playful glare from her brother-in-law.

'Maybe, you should consider keeping an eye on her then, Bella dear.' Narcissa chimed, a satisfied smirk on her face.

'And what is it you'd have me do, Cissy?' Bella demanded, a smirk firmly in place.

'Tutor the girl.' The blonde stated.

'That's actually not a bad idea.' Hermione started, only to be scrutinised by the dark witch's stare. 'I just mean that we would be able to keep an eye on her as well as making it beneficial. I was also thinking, maybe, you could tutor the rest of us.' Hermione gulped, nerves suddenly striking her as she noted the serious look on the ex-death eater's face.

'Go on...' The older witch urged.

'Well, you're you. You're easily the most powerful witch in Britain. Second maybe to McGonagall-' Hermione chose to ignore the unimpressed snort she received and continued, 'You tutoring us only makes sense. If we are to have a place in this war then we need to be prepared. And who better to prepare us?' The young brunette finished, her eyes shining with determination.

Fleur smiled happily at the passion her mate had whilst trying to defend her idea. She knew of course that Bella would never turn down such a request. She'd been saying all along that the 'Newbies' needed adequate training, not whatever bullshit nonsense they'd had so far. Fleur's smile grew to a grin as she noted the evil smirk forming on her dear friend's face. Maybe, just maybe, Hermione would regret asking for Bella's tutorship. This was not going to be easy, or pleasant for that matter.

Nymphadora Tonks had been sat in an uneasy silence for far longer than she was used to. Pansy Parkinson was sat on the other half of her double bed, legs crossed, book in hand. Though she could tell the young girl wasn't reading a damned thing.

'Sickle for your thoughts?' The girl asked suddenly, derailing the auror's train of thought.

'Nothing of your calibre, Parkinson.' The pink haired girl smirked.

'You still view me as the Slytherin bitch then?' The dark haired girl asked, her stomach plummeting at the thought.

'Not at all.' Tonks blushed, her hair turning a fiery shade of red as her face did. 'The complete opposite actually.'

Pansy smiled warmly, her hand resting atop of the metamorphmagus'. 'Tell me.'

'I'm actually worried that... I'm not good enough.' The auror admitted shyly, her hair's intensity continuing to grow. Dark eyes met a similar pair opposite, only the other pair's had freshly formed tears shimmering.

'Oh, Dora. You fool.' Pansy laughed.

'Something funny, Parkinson.' Tonks growled, though her next complaint was halted by a pair of deliciously soft lips pressing against her own. Sighing softly, the auror relaxed. Her hands threading through soft, dark hair. Her lips hungrily chasing those so softly brushing against her own. Her hair flashing through several shades until her heart decided on something somewhere between burgundy and magenta.

'So, you want to know what ze bonding will entail non?' Apolline smiled fondly at her eldest daughter whose arm was wrapped securely around the waist of her mate as the snuggled up on the sofa. 'Eet is complique.' Her smile faltered as her dark blue eyes flitted to the flames flickering in the fire, trying desperately to consume the fresh logs.

'We can andle it maman.' Fleur spoke, determination flowing from her.

'A bonding will occur in trois stages.' The blonde started. 'Ze first stage is the easiest, in fact you may ave already begun.' She smiled knowingly. 'Once a Veela and er mate av slept togezer for ze first time it will begin.'

Hermione flushed an impressive shade of red, rival to Ronald Weasley in that moment. The small chuckle emanating from her lover making her smile though her blush remained firmly in place.

'It is ze second step zat is often ze ardest.' Apolline mused quietly. 'You must partake in an ancient ritual. Ermione, you will ave to surrender yourself, mind body and soul to my Fleur and she to you. An elder of the Veela clan will be ze one to conduct such a ceremony.'

'Grand-mere.' Fleur whispered exitedly into Hermione's ear before placing a kiss to her temple.

'Well, that doesn't sound too bad.' Hermione smiled causing Apolline to laugh.

'Non, I ave not finished.' The elder witch smirked at the visible paling of the girl.

'You will ave to drink a potion, containing the blood of each ozer, designed to test your souls compatibility. It will give you visions of each ozers demise and suffering. Barbaric, I know.' The woman smiled sadly. 'It is to prevent people from taking advantage of Veela's for zeir power and beauty. Many years ago, some of ze more... Inexperienced Veela believed zat whoever treated zem well was zeir mate. You can see ze danger zis brought to clans across the world. Zat is why ze potion was brewed. And now, it is Veela law.' Apolline paused momentarily to gaze at her daughter. Fleur was wrapped protectively around her mate, there was no denying they were meant to be. 'If ze person was indeed, unworthy of ze Veela and not er true mate, zey would die.'

Hermione swallowed audibly, her shaky hands instantly reaching for the comfort of her love.

'Don't worry, Ermione.' Fleur husked against her ear. 'We are destined. There is no doubt.' Hermione relaxed into the blonde's embrace. Her attention now fully on the woman who would hopefully become her mother-in-law.

'Ze zird stage is not so difficult. Especially for us French. You and your... English prudishness might disagree zough.' The woman grinned. 'You will be required to consummate your marriage instantly. In front of ze clan who bore witness to your bonding.' Apolline laughed outright at the shade the girl turned this time. It was safe to say she was bordering on beetroot.

'What do you say Ermione?' Fleur giggled. 'Are we to be bonded?'

The brunette swallowed hard as her colour began to fade to its usual hue. 'Why, yes. Nothing could stop me, love. Though I may need some time for my Prudeishness to adjust.' The girl's face held host to a rather crooked smile as her lover plastered her face in a million kisses, much to the delight of the older Veela in the room.