Disclaimer: No Harry Potter characters are my own :)
Thank you all for your lovely reviews, all you readers I hold dear to me, and so as a reward I hereby grant you the next chapter. Number Ten, wow I can't believe its on ten already, thats gone by fast haha :)
I hope you enjoy it, sorry that its not as sweet and fluffy as the previous chapter, but I tried to add as much as I could, I hope that it isn't too sad for you :D
I know that I usually reply to each and every review, it is something that I very much enjoy to do, but im afraid I can't this time. I literally spent an hour and half answering your reviews, only for Fanfiction to not allow me to save it as I had to 'log in.' Anyways, I will most definietly reply in the next installment, but for this one I'll leave you to simply read ahead instead.
If you would like me to answer any questions or thoughts that you might have for the story than feel free to PM me, I will answer to every responce I get (within reason :) I'll even give you some spoilers too if you wish it hehe ;)
And lastly, I'm sorry for any mistakes that there might be, I checked over beforehand but as you can see this is my longest chapter yet, and I corrected as much as I could find. So once again if there is any, then all I can say is sorry :)
Chapter Ten
I'll Hold You Tonight
Yesterday had been amazing. You never, in your wildest dreams, would have imagined your day to start off like that. It was the perfect way to begin your day. Kissing Hermione Granger at a bus stop, kissing her, for no other reason than just for the sake of doing so. Because it had felt right, because you knew deep down inside that you couldn't go on with your day unless you did so. So that's exactly what you did. And you wouldn't take it back for the world.
It was perfect.
She was perfect.
But sitting here now, alone, at your bus stop, you can't help but feel that maybe she doesn't feel the same way.
You always meet at seven, each morning, and if she isn't here first then she never usually kept you waiting for more than ten minutes. And you don't want to get paranoid, you know you shouldn't be worrying, but you just can not seem to help it.
It has been more than ten minutes. Way more than ten minutes.
In actual fact, it's been almost half an hour. And there is still no Hermione Granger in sight.
And knowing this scares you little. You don't mean too, and you don't want to come across as clingy, especially so soon. You don't even know what the two of you may be, right now.
You certainly know that 'friends' do not kiss each other, the way you two had done yesterday, with so much passion and want.
'Friends' don't kiss each other, full stop.
But you two had. And that is something that you can not change.
You wouldn't want to anyway, it was too perfect.
But maybe she does.
Why else would she not be showing up right now?
She could have the day off, but Hermione said herself that she is a workaholic, and the last time you checked workaholics don't have days off.
Maybe she is ill, or maybe she is simply late. But you know that she hates to be late, and you'd dread to think of her as ill. But maybe that is it, she could be ill. And if she is, then what, you can not do anything for her then; you do not know where she lives. The woman doesn't even have a phone, so calling her would be no use.
All you could do is just sit and wait around, and just pray that she gets better. And now you're getting yourself all worked up, for no reason. You have no idea what she is doing this morning, so you have nothing to really panic about, she might not be ill.
She was perfectly fine yesterday. She couldn't have gotten ill so suddenly. So maybe there really is nothing to fear.
Thinking that calms you down a little bit. It helps you to breathe evenly. Something you only just realised you hadn't been doing earlier on. You really do need to stop worrying so much, you begin to think.
It isn't like she hasn't shown up before, there were days when you didn't see her in the morning, although it feels like a lifetime ago now, it is true.
So maybe today is just another one of those days, and if so, then so be it; you will just have to see her tomorrow instead.
You nod your head once at you own thought before you hear the sound of your bus arriving at your stop. You check your watch and see that it is now half past seven.
She didn't show up.
You know that you could simply wait for the next one. But after the argument you had with your boss yesterday, for being late for the first time in a few weeks, you know that you really can not afford to make him angry again.
It would only make you feel worse, especially today, as this time you didn't get to start it off with a wonderfully, earth-shatteringly, amazing good morning kiss.
It isn't like that was what you had expected when you woke up this morning, all smiles and all. It's not like you had prepared yourself to be amazed once again by her gorgeous beauty, when you stepped out your front door.
It wasn't like that at all.
You had most certainly Not gotten your hopes up this particularly fine, sunny morning.
You know this because you definitely do not feel let down as you begin to take slow steps towards the bus. Your heart does not begin to sink lower and lower the closer to the bus you get, without hearing her gentle voice call out to you this time.
And your lip certainly doesn't begin to tremble as you get on and pay for a ticket, realising that you are on the bus so it's too late to get off now.
And you almost definitely can be sure that you didn't wipe away a small tear that you felt escape your eye as you watch the bus drive by, and see no brown haired wonder waiting for you at your local bus stop, giving you a wave as she watches you go.
Your brain knows this all to be true. But you heart just laughs, as it tells you otherwise.
Maybe she didn't feel the same way.
You certainly had not cried on the way to work today. That is something you will forever deny if anyone were to ever ask you. Instead you had put on a brave smile and carried on with your day, as if nothing had ever happened at all.
Katie had asked, of course she had asked. She knew something was off, you could tell she knew by the way she would forever be watching you, like a hawk watches its prey.
You hate when she does that, it makes you feel so small, so weak. Even though, in actual fact, you are far taller than her and older too. But still, you hadn't felt that way today.
You know it is silly to be upset over something so small, like not seeing your favourite person this morning. But you can not help but feel upset; it is almost like you need to see her, every morning. And you know that you will want to see her, every morning, for as long as you shall live.
If that sounds crazy, than you will happily say that you are crazy. You can not help that that is how you feel. And you wanted to be able to tell Katie this too, so bad – especially if it meant getting her off your back.
But you couldn't. Not just yet.
Not when you can not be absolutely sure that Hermione doesn't feel the same way. For all you know she could have gone to work earlier today. So you know that you shouldn't really feel so hung up about it.
That thought was what got you through the day, it was the only thing keeping you smiling as you served the broody customers. It was what made you stop, just when you were about to pour your heart out to the one person you knew would listen and care. You would tell her later on, just not right now.
With that in mind you found that your day managed to go by, not so fast, but not too slow either. Almost regular, just another ordinary day. You could almost believe that too, until you found that it was over and it was time for you to head home.
So that leads you to now, sitting on the bus again, but this time on your way home. And this time you almost felt glad that you hadn't seen her today, because maybe that was what you needed, if only for a little while.
To be away from her, just so you could think, just so you could clear your mind. That was what you needed to do, as you began to realise that you couldn't just be her friend. If what had happened yesterday was to happen again, and again and again, then that clearly shows that the both of you were certainly not 'just friends.' But then again were you really ready to make her your girlfriend? Could she be that, so early on?
The word almost sounded strange in your head, you tried to say it out loud but found that the word simply wouldn't come out. It was almost like the words were for your ears only, that you didn't want to say it out loud.
So maybe you weren't ready to ask her yet, but then would you ever be?
Maybe the two of you could stay just as you were, just stay being friends that like to do more than just hug sometimes. You weren't sure if you were to kiss her every time anyway; it had only, really happened once.
The first time was a mistake, you couldn't really count that. So that made yesterday the real first time.
Once you had stopped you had both just blushed but remained in that same position, wrapped up in each others arms, until the next bus arrived. You had wanted to give her a small kiss goodbye, but when you realised that other people were at the stop now too, you knew you couldn't.
It probably already looked strange enough that you two were wrapped up like that, but you decided that you could say you were cold if anyone were to ask. Thankfully they didn't, but you had felt the need for an explanation anyway. So instead, all you did was give her a lingering hug as she whispered 'See you tomorrow' in your ear and you said the same as you parted ways.
That was what was supposed to happen this time around too, or so you had thought. She did say she would see you today after all. But she hadn't.
So you realised that you couldn't be sure if that was to happen again, nobody said that it would, so maybe you would still be friends.
That was what you had in mind, so you decided that you would just see how it goes instead.
Maybe you could question her on it tomorrow. If you were to see her tomorrow, that is.
With a plan in mind you happily began to make your way off the bus, saying a small 'Merci' to the bus driver as you stepped off.
You noticed that the bus drivers don't look at you strangely anymore when you said things by accident like that. Maybe they had finally gotten used to you and your French ways, which was good really.
It was about time that they had.
You left the bus with a meagre smile. Today hadn't been so bad, you supposed. For a morning that you had, the day could have been worse. You felt the slight cold creep up on you, now that you were outside again.
So you closed up your coat buttons as quickly as you could with woollen mittens on, before beginning to head home.
That was until you heard it. You shook it off at first; you knew that there were some people that still caught a bus at this time in the evening. You certainly didn't want to meet the eyes of a strange old man, like you had that one time. You shudder at just the mere thought of it.
But when you heard it again, a bit louder, you knew better than to just walk away.
It was a small sniff, followed by a low mumble. It was a mumble that vaguely sounded like your name. So you immediately looked up from staring at the plain ground.
Once you did it wasn't the eyes of a stranger that you saw, but instead two very familiar ones. Ones that you had become accustomed to seeing, everyday.
It was the eyes of one Miss Hermione Granger, and you were once again blown away by her stare.
But it had lasted for all of a second, before you looked harder and noticed that there was something else in her eyes. Not the usual sparkle you would see shining away in the corner. But instead a look of hurt, as small pools of water hanged at the bottom of each brown eye.
Her lips turned down into a crescent fallen frown, her usual bright smile not shown on her face at all. And to you she looked, shockingly, a lot paler than usual. She almost looked green.
So maybe you were right, maybe she was ill today. But if she was then what on earth was she doing, waiting around in the cold outside.
You walked up to her as quick as you could; you wanted to make sure she was warm instantly. You didn't know how long she had been waiting outside for.
When you reached her your arms flung open at once, like it was instinct, and she didn't question it at all. Instead she was more then prepared for it, like she had been waiting for you to do that all day.
For the moment your arms were open, Hermione came barrelling into you, her arms wrapping around your waist instantly. You held her tighter as your arms wrapped around her neck, her hair tied up in that graceful bun again, only making you feel more worried about her health.
She must have been freezing waiting around with the weather so cold like this. You could see your breathe in the air, it was that cold outside. But yet, Hermione didn't seem to care the slightest as she snuggled into you even more.
You felt her head burrow into the space between your shoulder and neck, her head fitting there perfectly. Her breathe hitting your neck almost tickled you, but you knew better than to laugh right now, not in her current mood.
It looked like she hadn't laughed all day. And like she wasn't going to either, as her sniffling had now turned into quiet sobs.
You don't think you would have heard her, had you not been so close. You definitely wouldn't have been sure, had you not felt the water of her tears fall onto your shoulders, soaking up your brown coat.
"I-I'm So Sorry, Fleur." Hermione apologized in a loud mumble.
Your forehead creased and you shook your head at her statement.
"You 'ave nothing to apologize for, 'Ermione." You told her truthfully.
It isn't her fault that she is sad, if she needs to cry than you'll let her, she can cry all night if need be. You have time.
But she wasn't taking your word for it. She began to furiously shake her head, as her grip on your coat began to tighten.
"I-I'm sorry, I'm r-ruining your coat." She muttered.
"What, 'zat is nothing, 'Ermione. Please do not apologize for 'zis, my coat is 'strong, I can wash it." You reasoned with her.
Her head began to shake even more.
"No, No, No. Why are y-you being so k-kind to me?" She said, her voice rising slightly. "I b-broke my Promise, I s-said that I w-would see you t-today, but I d-didn't. I am S-So Sorry."
Her words were so sad; she was filled with so much emptiness, hearing her speak almost broke your heart. It took everything in you not to just break down and cry with her.
You never wanted to see her sad. Beautiful women like her, shouldn't even know how to be.
Instead though, you swallowed that lump which was filling your throat, and you sucked in the unshed tears. Hermione was sad, not you.
You had to hold her and be strong because it would be no good if the two of you were sad right now.
Because if you were, then who would hold onto you?
"It is okay, 'Ermione. It is okay." You whispered into her ears.
Your words were meant to be louder, but that was all you could seem to manage at the moment. Hermione didn't care though, as she only held onto you tighter.
You didn't know what had got her so sad in the first place, but you reasoned to not ask, she would tell you herself if need be. For now, you would just be there for her.
It seemed that was all she really needed, as her sobs grew louder and more painful with each passing second. Her hold staying firm, she never once let go, it was almost like she was too afraid to.
"I 'zink I can let you off 'zis time." You said, quietly.
You heard Hermione let out one small chuckle, before going back to her sad, heartbroken cries.
You were thankful for that, at least. It had given you hope. She might not be sad forever.
When you knew that she wasn't going to say anything more, or apologize further, you tightened your hold on her and began to rock her, gently, to and fro.
You twisted your head to the side slightly, and pressed a feather light kiss onto the top of her head. You closed your eyes tightly, as you inhaled her natural scent. She smelt so beautiful. And you were reminded of France all over again.
Of chasing butterflies in your garden, your sun-kissed skin glowing under the sunshine, as you twisted around in your summer dress, seeing it rise higher the quicker you spun.
You remembered the smell of wildflowers and lavender; you remembered seeing daises sprinkled around the floor. You bent to pick them off the ground, one by one, before holding onto the handful in your hands.
You remembered seeing Madame Eyre, smiling at you as she continued on with her gardening. She always kept your families flowers so colourful and bright, you still don't know how she did it. You knew that you would have to ask her one day.
You can still hear her calming voice as she calls you over; you remember seeing her take off her gardening gloves, gently, by each finger as you came rushing to her. The slight breeze in the sky hitting your smiling face. When you come face to face, you saw her eyes shine brightly as she looked down at you. Her eyes crinkling at the edges, as she smiles, kindly.
You always liked making people smile, it filled you with happiness each time.
"My, what lovely flowers you have there, Mademoiselle Fleur." She said her warm honey voice could still be heard in your ears.
You remembered the way you had giggled, as you lifted up your small bouquet of white daises.
"Would you like to make a bracelet, Mademoiselle Fleur?" She asked you kindly.
You had nodded, vigorously. She just laughed at your enthusiasm, as she gently took two pieces of daises and told you 'This is how you make a daisy chain.'
You were hypnotised as you saw the way she expertly pierced a hole into the stem before placing another stem inside it, and piecing them together. She gave a small tug to show you that it was firmly in there, it wouldn't fall out.
You remembered being so amazed. You tried it yourself, and soon it wasn't long before the two of you worked together on the green grass, making one long daisy chain, after having already succeeded in making two small bracelets.
That was one of your favourite days.
You can still hear her humming that sweet melody, to this day. The one that you stopped and listened too before beginning to listen to the words, giggling as you wondered why you would pull feathers off of a lark, but enjoying the sound of the tune nonetheless.
Alouette, gentille Alouette
Alouette je te plumerai
Alouette, gentille Alouette
Alouette je te plumerai
Je te plumerai la tête
Je te plumerai la tête
Et la tête, et la tête
Alouette, Alouette
O-o-o-o-oh
You remembered feeling calm, relaxed. You remembered how you had closed your eyes and simply begun to hum along with her as you continued making daisy chains under the hot summer sun.
That was a great feeling.
You wanted Hermione to feel like that now.
You didn't ever want to see her sad.
So as you rocked her, holding onto her tightly, you began to hum that tune, but slower and with complete ease.
You remembered hearing a different version, once, one that you never understood before, being so young.
But now, now you could feel the words as they came into your mind, and you don't know how or why, but suddenly you began to sing them out loud.
Si vous m'aimez,
Dis-moi que tu m'aimes,
Si vous n'aimez pas,
S'il vous plait dites-moi ce que vous faites.
The same melody in mind, the words seemed to flow out of you, like you had sung the song so many times before.
When you stopped for a breath, you could hear Hermione's sobbing begin to quieten, so you took that as your cue to carry on.
Dis-moi que tu m'aimes vrai,
Dites-moi ce que vous avez vraiment,
Do, do, do
Do, do, do
O-o-o-o-oh
When you had finished you decided to go back to humming. You hummed and hummed the sound echoing away into the night sky. You carried on until you heard Hermione's tears stop completely.
She gave a few more sniffs and then a light cough. She lifted her head up slightly and came face to face with yours. You had almost forgotten just how beautiful she was, until then.
Her eyes may have been bloodshot red and slightly puffy from the tears, and her cheeks may have been red from being smothered against your neck for however long it had been.
But even through all that, you didn't think she had ever looked more beautiful.
You brought you hand from around her neck to her cheek and, ever so slowly, wiped away the tears that still remained, on one side.
Then with the other side you slowly leaned forward, and gently, pressed your lips to her warm, rosy cheek. You could taste the saltiness of her tears, but couldn't have cared less, as all that mattered was making your brown haired wonder feel better again.
You slowly, but surely, kissed your way up her soft cheek. You could hear Hermione's breathe hitch with every tender peck you gave, until finally reaching her eye, which you found had fluttered closed.
And with all your heart and soul, you placed the warmest and most loving peck there that you could. It was quick, and you had only lingered for a second, but you knew from the way Hermione's breath seemed to leave her, that she felt the intensity behind that kiss too.
As you began to pull away, Hermione's eyes fluttered open and landed straight onto yours. She held it there as her breathe came back to her.
"Thank you, Fleur." She whispered out so quietly, you knew that she made it for only you to hear. You nodded your head and gave a small smile.
"Anything for you, 'Ermione." You whispered back.
You both chuckled at the childishness, you were the only two at the bus stop, no one else would be out at this time of night. But you liked that you could have random moments like this one, with Hermione.
It made you all the more grateful for ever meeting her.
"Fleur, I-is it-" she began to say, but then seemed to change her mind halfway through. "N-never mind."
"Non, what is it, you can tell me anything, 'Ermione." You told her earnestly.
She gave you a tender look, one that you never really saw, only in moments like this. She gave you a warm smile, as she shook her head in embarrassment.
"No, its okay, really, you'd only find it strange, and too sudden." She choked out, like she had been fighting whether she should say it or not.
Either way you were glad that she was being honest, you thought it cute.
She was so sweet sometimes, that it hurt.
"Please tell me, Ma Belle. I promise I will not think 'strangely of it at all." You pleaded, one last time.
"Could you… c-could I… possibly." She stopped, then took a deep breathe before deciding to continue. "Could I, s-stay with you, Tonight?" she said, the last word coming out so quietly you almost didn't hear it.
But she had nothing to be scared of, it wasn't even a question. You knew that you wouldn't want to leave her on her own tonight anyway.
You knew that feeling; no one was there for you when you were mad with Gabrielle. You didn't ever want Hermione to feel that way, so you knew the answer already.
"Of course, I'll hold you tonight." You told her, looking her straight in the eyes, you wanted her to know that you would always be there.
You Never wanted to see her sad.
You saw her lip begin to tremble; her eyes began to water all over again. But apart of you knew that this time, it was for a different reason.
"Your amazing, Fleur. Thank you." She said, so sincerely.
", 'Zis is going to 'sound 'strange. But I really need to know, my place or yours?" You asked, your eyes falling away from hers the moment you did so.
You could feel the heat rushing to your cheeks. It sounded strange in your head, but it sounded so much worse out loud. You almost wanted to hang your head in shame.
"I'm so glad I saw you today, Fleur." Hermione said through a giggle. "You always seem to make me laugh."
You let out a small giggle too, once you had found the humour in your words. Seeing her smile helped relax you, somewhat.
"Well, where do you live?" she asked, curiously.
"Twenty-four, Chestnut 'Square, what about you?"
"Forty-two A, Evergreen Terrace, but you'd never find it, it's so small." She said, almost bashfully.
"Zat is nothing to be 'shy about, 'Ermione. My apartment is 'small too."
"W-would you mind us going to yours, it's closer anyway." Hermione shrugged off, like it was so simple.
"Of course not, although I 'shall warn you it is not particularly of clean standards. I do not entertain very often." You felt the need to explain before she saw your place and changed her mind.
"I'm sure it is fine, Fleur. You don't come across as the messiest person, unlike my friends." Hermione added with a small roll of her eyes.
"Well, it is only a few 'zings 'ere and 'zere, 'small 'zings really."
"See, like I said nothing to worry about." She giggled and then as if she were remembering something she added. "If you want to see messy you should see my friend Ronald's place, a complete mess."
You started chuckling with her, just imagining what it must be like, but then stopped immediately when Hermione's face dropped, significantly.
The tears in her eyes started to come back, as she was remembering something, and whatever it was it was making her sad all over again. You didn't like it one bit, she should never look so hurt, so pained.
Her whole face began to break as her hands went straight to her mouth as she took in a gasp of breath. And then a choked sob broke out.
"I-it's my friends, Fleur. Harry and Ron." She chokes out, and then takes one deep breath before carrying on. "T-there such idiots!" She exclaims.
"I-I told them, I warned them, that with their job there's certain things they have to watch out for. That they have to be careful! But they didn't listen, no, because their typical men and they Never listen!" Hermione shouts out, but you knew that its not out of anger, its out of pain, hurt, like everything she had been feeling has finally come out and now she has finally burst.
Her eyes were pouring with tears, and her words were almost heartbreaking. It was painful to watch, but you knew you had too; you had to be here for her, no matter what. You never wanted to see her sad.
"Y-yesterday, I come home, so happy, so full of joy, and then right there on my doorstep is a letter. I knew straight away who it was from. And suddenly everything I felt earlier just disappeared. I almost broke down right there, Fleur." Hermione cries out.
She had now broken out of your hold her hands going from her mouth to her lap, but when you saw her cry you knew what you had to do.
You grabbed a hold of her shoulders and brought her towards you again, your arms wrapping tightly around her thin waist. Today they felt a bit smaller, you don't know if it's just your mind, but you feel like their thinner somehow.
You doubt she has had anything to eat all day. You want to cry even more. A beautiful woman like her should never feel pain.
"But I decided to read it, I had to know first." Hermione mumbles out against your shoulder. The other side of your coat now getting soaked too, but you couldn't have cared less. "It was from Ron's mother, s-she said that they were s-seriously hurt. The both of them, t-they almost lost their sight, Fleur!" Hermione got out, with so much pain; it almost broke your heart.
"B-but she said their alright. They made it through. They almost Died, Fleur… they almost died." She cried out, the last sentence coming out quiet, and filled with so much hurt. "I, I don't know what I would do…" She said and even though she didn't finish, you knew what she really meant to say, and it pained you all the more.
You knew her friends meant a lot to her, she would often talk about them. But to see her distraught, and to find that their lives were on the line was just too much to take.
And then suddenly you realised that she, sort-of, worked for the government that could be any job.
And suddenly you began to pray that she wasn't working in the same line of field as they, because you don't think you could even imagine finding out that Hermione was in hospital, recovering from such a serious case as there's.
You didn't even want to think about it. Just doing so was enough to make the tears fall down your face.
And then suddenly, you understood her pain. If anything were to ever happen to her, you don't think you would know what to do either.
You hadn't meant to cry too, you knew that you shouldn't, you need to be strong. But they fell of their own accord. So instead you promised yourself to not let your sobs be heard, instead.
You just held onto her as tight as you could, without choking her, and continued to rock her gently. Hermione's tears now turned insistent as her hold on you became strong, her grip becoming tighter with each tear that fell.
"I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry." Was the only thing you could hear once Hermione's tears began to calm, and this time you didn't say anything back. You just let her get her words out, knowing that this time she wasn't apologizing to you.
You flicked on the light switch hanging just by the front door. It had just gone past nine by now. But you could have sworn it was later, or maybe after the events that had just unfurled it felt longer. But whatever the reason, you were just glad to be home.
And this time, you weren't alone. Hermione was standing right by your side. She hadn't left since you'd seen her crying at the bus stop, waiting.
", 'Ere we are." You breathed out, as you stepped inside after her.
You quickly turned to lock the door, and then turned back to face her again, when you did you couldn't help but smile.
You knew that you should be upset, especially after finding out what you just did, but for some reason seeing the way Hermione was calmly walking around your kitchen/dining room/living room, taking in everything she could see, was enough to put a smile on your face.
"I did 'say it was 'small." You chuckled out, lightly.
Hermione turned to face you, from looking at the books on your shelf above your small television set.
She gave you a tight-lipped smile. You knew that she was trying, but you didn't blame her for being sad. She had every right to be.
"It's cute, just how I always imagined your flat to be." She said, under her breathe. Hearing her say that warmed you heart, somehow.
It was always the little things she would do that would have you falling for her even more.
Your gaze turned tender, as you watched her walk around. You knew that you didn't need to give her a tour. The furniture did that all for you, seeing as everything was literally in one small space.
The kitchen was tucked away in the corner; it was long but thin, meaning that you would have to turn sideways sometimes to go to the fridge before turning quickly to use the counter space right behind you. It was a lot of effort sometimes, but one that you learnt to deal with after a while.
Then past the counter is the small wooden table, covered by a red table cover from France, with two simple chairs over by the wall. And then right next to it is the living room, with your small red sofa and the television by the wall.
You had a few paintings, kindly given to you by your mother as a 'remembrance of home' gift, hanging on your cream coloured walls. But other than that there wasn't much else to it.
A carpet on the floor by the sofa and the television, and a few flowerpots filling the empty corners, which you had to constantly remind yourself to water every few days or so. They never did look like Madame Eyre's plants, though.
You never really took much thought into decorating your apartment, it just looked how looked overtime. You would add a few things here and there, move paintings from one wall to another as you bought a few more. But other than that, the apartment sort of decorated itself; all you did was live in it.
You never needed to make it look impressive, as you had no one to impress. You were not lying when you said that you didn't entertain often. You didn't entertain at all, really.
Your family wanted to see your apartment, but you made sure that they never came down; you always went to France instead. And you hardly ever had dates, or boyfriends to bring over, because your hardly ever had boyfriends.
Maybe at the beginning, when you first moved here, seeing as you had needed to fill the void of emptiness somehow. But really, that had only made you feel lonelier.
So it was nice, to see someone else actually Being in your apartment. Not just here for the bed before finding the door during the night.
Someone who actually took the time to see the books you chose to read whenever you had nothing better to do, or to actually look at the paintings from your family home, now hanging on your wall. Or to take the time to smell the flowers you attempted to grow in the corners of your room.
Or simply to just feel the material of the sofa, sitting comfortably in your living room, or to smile as they stared at the pictures on top of your television and window ledge.
The ones of your sister and you standing by your horses, White Cocoa and Chocolate Truffle. The ones of your parents beaming faces as they look at each other instead of the camera, caught up in one other on their wedding day.
You knew Hermione had questions, you knew she had things to say, you could tell by the look on her face. But she never said it. She just quietly took it all in for herself.
That made you fall for her even more. She didn't have to ask, she simply already knew. Seeing that, made the butterflies in your stomach come to life once more.
"Would you like 'some tea?" You asked suddenly, remembering your manners. Your mother would have scolded you non stop had she found out that you hadn't asked that sooner.
But Hermione hadn't seemed the slightest bit phased. She continued her silent wondering; stroking everything so lightly, like she was making sure it was all really there.
But you couldn't blame her for checking, you couldn't really believe she was here either. You almost wanted to go up and stroke her, just as lightly as she did your furniture, just to make sure too.
You shook the temptation away, though, now wasn't the time for that. Hermione was still upset. You wouldn't have been able to tell had you only seen her now, as she looked around with a slight smile on her face, but behind the smile and pleasant thoughts, you knew better.
"No, that's okay." She said simply as she turned around to face you once more. Now having finished her look around, seeing that she had nothing else to look at, she went back to looking at you instead.
You just gave her a nod, as you tucked your lips into your mouth. You couldn't think of anything else to say. You still couldn't believe she was here.
Her eyes were slightly more bloodshot and puffy, from the recent crying early on, and her elegant hair-do had begun to fall out of place, in certain areas. She still looked beautiful in your eyes, though.
And then you noticed her grey coat, another thing you had forgotten to mention. You really were not used to having guests around. There was so much you had to remember to do out of courtesy.
"W-would you like me to help you out of your coat?" You asked, after a beat of silence.
She looked around some more, before coming to a stop at your coat rack by the door. She pointed to it, and gave a questioning look. You knew what she was asking straight away.
"Oui, you can put it 'zere. And your 'shoes can go over 'zere." You added pointing to your shoe rack just next to the coats.
You didn't have a lot of coats; you don't really know why you had a rack. They were more light jackets for the summer time. But you had put older coats there too, just so it didn't look so empty.
Hermione gave a small nod, before taking her coat off herself.
"You really do have a nice place, Fleur." Hermione let out quietly. Her voice sounding slightly croaky, but you knew why.
You knew that was probably the reason why she wasn't speaking so much too; although she had nothing to be shy about, you thought it only made her voice sound all the more adorable to you.
"Merci, I didn't really do much with it, 'though. Most of the furniture is from my parents." You explained, whilst taking your own coat and shoes off.
"Well, you managed to make it your own, and that's what counts." She said with a tiny, barely there smile, but you saw it nonetheless.
You gave her a smile in return, you were thankful she was trying.
Once her coat and shoes were all in place she faced you again, and when you looked into her eyes you thought you could see that sparkle, right in the very corner. You hadn't seen it there at all tonight, but you were happy to see it now, as you knew that you were finally doing something right. You just never wanted to see her sad.
"Is 'zere anything else 'zat I can get you, 'Ermione?" You asked, trying to make sure that you hadn't forgotten another thing you had to do when having guests round.
"Erm, well maybe a pillow and blanket, if that's alright?" Hermione asked back, bashfully.
"What for, 'Ermione?" You asked, slightly puzzled.
"For, the, err, sofa." Hermione said pointing to where she assumed she would be spending the night. Immediately you began shaking your head.
"Non, 'Ermione, you can take 'ze bed-"
"Oh, no, Fleur, it's alright I really don't mind-"
"Non, non, please, 'Ermione. I will sleep on 'ze sofa, it is more 'zan okay, you 'ave 'ze bed for tonight." You told her, making sure your face showed you weren't backing down.
"Are you sure?" She asked, one last time.
"Oui, absolutely." You said to her, firmly, just so she would know that you meant it.
"Okay… thank you." She said once again. But you knew better than to question it. Instead you just brushed it off with a simple shrug.
"Well then, I think I'll head off to bed. I'm feeling awfully tired right now." Hermione said, and you could see that she meant it too.
Her eyes were beginning to get droopy; you were sure, from lack of sleep. You wouldn't be surprised if she hardly got any last night, knowing what she knew, she must have been terrified of closing her eyes.
You were just glad that she was here, now, at least. She had you this time, and you knew that you would look after her tonight.
"Oui, 'zat is fine. I assume you'll want 'something to 'sleep in." You said, heading towards your room, not really giving her a chance to say 'No.' Mostly because you didn't want her too.
"Yeah, that would be great." You could hear her say behind you.
You felt her eyes watching your every move. You wished that you had turned on the television and told her to pick a show; at least it would give her something else to do. But you didn't need to think much more of it once you got to your room; you went straight to your dresser and pulled out the only matching pyjamas you had. They were pink and flowery, but you didn't think that she would mind, it was only something to sleep in after all.
Once you got the set, you turned around ready to head back into the living room and show her where to change, when you were instantly met with the deepest chocolate brown eyes you thought you had ever seen.
You gasped, both out of shock and at the intensity. She was breath taking.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you, I just wanted to look around some more." She explained, her cheeks tinting the slightest bit red.
It was probably the cutest thing you had ever seen.
"Oh, 'zat is okay. It is just a simple bedroom really, nothing much." You said, as you both quickly looked around.
It was true too; you only had a simple double bed facing opposite the bedroom door, with a matching white antique bedside table next to it. You had a white lamp that turned off when you clapped, another present from your parents, placed on top of it. You had matching wardrobe and dressers lining the right side of the wall, and a full length mirror on the left wall.
This time the walls were a calm red, to go in contrast with the colour of the furnishings, but it was mostly covered up by more paintings and family pictures.
You remember you would take the pictures off of your wall sometimes – when you first moved here – and just curl up in bed, crying, as you held them in your hands.
You never thought coming to England would be so hard.
But, you wouldn't change it for the world. Not now, as you look at the brown haired wonder taking in every single detail of your bedroom, as if storing it all away so she could remember it all later on.
"It's a great room, Fleur." She said in all honesty, before facing you again. "It's beautiful."
Your heart almost went flying out, right then. But you could see the sadness behind her eyes, and that was enough to calm all those feelings, you would have time for that later on.
But for now, she needed you to look after her, to be there for her. So that was what you aimed to do.
"Merci." You said back, kindly. "I 'hope you do not mind but 'zese are 'ze best pyjamas I could find." You told her, handing her the clothes, not realising just how pink they were until they were placed in Hermione's pale hands.
She just gave you a tender, thankful smile, like she couldn't have cared less what pyjamas you gave her, she would have loved it anyway.
You gave her a bashful smile in return, turning your head to the ground in shyness. You still don't know how she made you act like this, how the butterflies never ceased to grow tired flying around in your stomach each time you laid eyes on her.
"Well erm, if you would like to get changed 'ere 'zen 'zat is fine, otherwise 'ze bathroom is just through 'zat door." You told her, pointing to the door on the right side of the wall.
Hermione gave a small nod of the head, but stayed standing. You took that as your cue to leave.
You turned to head to the door, when a warm hand tugged, lightly, on your own. You looked down and saw Hermione had grabbed a hold of your hand and slowly turned you around to face her.
When you did you were met with the warmest eyes you had ever seen, the sparkle that was slowly coming back, now growing just that little bit brighter. She took your breath away.
"Thank You, Fleur… For Everything." She said with the most sincere voice you had ever heard.
And then you felt her begin to pull you just that little bit closer, until you met face to face, nose to nose, eye to eye. You didn't think that you could possibly get any closer.
That was until she titled her chin up, just by a fraction of an inch, and you met her lip to lip.
It was the smallest of pecks, her lips just landing on your own before she leaned back with what you believed to be the first genuine smile you had seen all day. You let out a small giggle, before breaking away and going over to you dresser to find some night clothes for yourself.
Once you grabbed a top and trousers, the first ones you could find being black and beige, you would have cringed at the style choice had it been any other night. But tonight you couldn't have cared less, mainly because you hadn't even noticed.
You were too busy feeling the way Hermione was watching you, like you were her own personal television show, one she was hooked on and could never seem to look away.
You turned back to her and walked up to her once more.
"Goodnight, Ma Belle." You whispered, ever so gently, into the quiet air.
"Goodnight, Fleur." She whispered just as gently, back to you.
You gave her a warm smile, before placing a small peck on her cheek, lingering for a second or two, before you pulled away. Breathing in her scent as you did so, you could never seem to get enough of her lavender and honey.
You started to walk away, still facing her, never once loosing eye contact, until you felt that you were close enough to the door and turned away to leave.
A part of you was preparing for her to call out your name, and stop you once more. But when she remained quiet, only watching you leave, you opened the door and stepped out. Closing it quietly as you left.
You then made your way to your sofa, taking off your work clothes as quickly as you could. You don't know why, but just knowing that Hermione was only in the other room made you nervous somehow.
You knew that she couldn't see you, and that you couldn't see her, but the simple fact that if it wasn't for that one wall, you would both be exposed, made you feel a warmth rush inside you.
But shaking the unusual feelings away, you put on your pyjamas before putting your dirty clothes in the washing machine, seeing as your wash basket was in your room, and there was no way you were going in there right now.
Once that was done, you made your way to your sofa, finding that you already had your usual blanket folded on the arm of the chair, and you supposed that the sofa cushions would just have to do for tonight. They weren't that hard, when you gave them a few pats down.
You never actually noticed how small your sofa really was, until you were made to sleep on it. You knew that it was a two-seater sofa, you didn't need anything bigger than that, and all these years it had been fine.
You had fallen asleep on the sofa many times before. But those times, you found, were different. They happened because you would always pass out before you could make it to your bedroom, let alone to your actual bed.
But this time, you couldn't just pass out straight away. You were tired, from work and the strange events of tonight, but not tired enough to just land on your sofa and fall straight to sleep, like the many other times.
This time, you actually felt yourself sink into your settee. You felt yourself being eaten up by the softness of the cushions, the softness that you had never actually felt before, until now.
You felt yourself grab the cushions and place them under your head, before placing your head down on top of it and curling up warm to fall asleep.
You felt the quietness of the night, the silence of the room, as it was now filled with darkness. And you could feel the sleep you so wanted to be there, not come to you, as you lay on your warm, cosy sofa, with your eyes wide open.
If anything you felt more awake now, than before. And the annoying thing was you didn't even know why.
You let out an irritated huff into the silence, the noise only seeming to fill the quiet for all of a second before it disappeared.
You listened out for the noise of the wind outside the window, blowing gently in the sky; you could hear the low humming of the refrigerator door. And then you knew that you would never get any sleep.
All the little things that you had not once ever noticed before were now coming to the surface.
Like when had there ever been a leaking tap?
All you could hear was that insistent dripping as the water feel from the tap and landed in the sink, over and over again.
And then there was the constant ticking of that silly clock, the one hanging on your wall, opposite your sofa. It wasn't even near you, yet it was the only sound you could hear.
Tick, drip, tick, drip.
It was a never ending pattern, and it was beginning to get on your last nerve.
And since when did the fridge ever make any noise, or the radiator under the window ever hiss every few minutes.
Hum, hiss, hum, hiss, tick, drip, tick, drip.
Over and over and over again.
You don't know how long it had been, but for you it felt like hours. You knew you wouldn't ever get any sleep tonight with all this noise in the background.
Before you knew it, you had grabbed the edge of the thin blanket, attempting to keep you warm, and chucked it off of you and onto the floor.
You got up and headed straight for that annoying tap. Right there, you could see the water coming out of it, just before it fell a second later and landed on the silver sink.
You quickly rushed over, with lightening speed, turned the tap as tight as it could go, until you were fully satisfied and knew that no water would be coming out of there for a while.
You then turned and stared at the plain black and white clock hanging on your wall. You were so tempted to go over there and take every battery out until that non stop ticking would be no more.
But you thought twice on that one. You knew that you would need to know the time in the morning. If not you, then at least Hermione might.
And then you remembered, Hermione.
The reason you weren't sleeping in you own, comfortable bed right now. Because she was there, right next door, doing that herself.
But then, what if she wasn't?
What if, like last night, she was too busy thinking and worrying and couldn't get any sleep at all?
What if she had really needed you to stay with her, all night, she was just too scared to ask?
Should you go in there and check?
You knew that you couldn't earlier, you didn't want to walk in at the wrong time, but you were sure that she was dressed by now. She would most likely be tucked into bed, sound asleep, but you couldn't be sure on the last part.
So maybe you should check, just to be sure.
So with a heavy breathe you began to make your way to your bedroom door. Trying not to think anything of it, you grabbed the handle and slowly turned the handle round. You made sure to do everything extra quietly, just to be sure.
You even felt yourself hold in you breathe, as if that you keep her from waking up, as you slowly waited to hear the click and pushed the door in. Again, doing so slowly and quietly.
Your head peeked in, and you were met with Hermione's body form under your thick duvet. The one you only ever use during winter time. You could see her light brown hair splayed out around your pillows. And you couldn't help but smile at just the thought of Hermione in your bed, but looking at her, made you feel all kinds of happy inside.
Just when you were happy enough with what you saw, and were about to leave her in peace, you thought you heard the tiniest of mutterings, and what sounded to be your name.
You were immediately reminded of earlier on and how you had found her, sitting alone at that bus stop and you felt yourself fly over to her side before you could even think about it.
"Fleur." Hermione whimpered out so quietly into the darkness.
When you were by her side you gently placed your hand on the side of her face and brushed away the hair covering up her pale complexion.
You saw her eyes were lightly closed, and then you watched, in awe, as she tried to flutter them open.
"Shhh, it is okay, I am 'ere now 'Ermione. Everything is okay." You whispered into the silence.
You saw Hermione's face relax instantly, but her hand reached up and landed on your own upon her cheek.
You weren't sure if she was awake or not, but her eyes looked safely shut, so you assumed that she must have fallen asleep.
"Don't go…" Hermione whispered into the dark, her breathing rising and falling, calmly.
"I would never leave." You promised. You saw Hermione's lips curl into the slightest smile, for all of a second before it fell.
"P-lease, Fleur… stay with me, tonight." She said through her quiet breath.
And although you weren't sure if she was only dreaming, or if she really knew that you were here, you decided to listen to her anyway.
She wanted you to stay, so that's what you would do.
"Okay, 'Ermione." You whispered back, so softly.
You leaned down and placed one tender kiss on her head, smelling honey for a second before breaking apart and placing your legs, carefully, onto your bed.
You felt it dip the slightest bit from the extra weight, and once both knees were on you stretched out your leg over her thin form and jumped over her body.
Quickly and quietly, you reached under the duvet, pulled it up before tucking yourself underneath it.
You quickly placed the blanket back over the both of you and felt the coldness of the bed, before the heat of the body next to you wrapped a hold of you.
And soon, underneath the blanket, being in the same bed, you realised that all you could see, all you could smell was just pure Hermione, Hermione, Hermione.
There was no humming, or hissing or never ending ticking sound. The only noise was Hermione, her quiet breathing, and tiny snoring that could only be heard in complete and utter silence like this.
She was your new pattern now.
You wrapped your arms around her waist and brought her body closer to your own. She had felt too far away. You tucked your head into the crook of her shoulder and bent down the slightest to place a small kiss on her neck. Even in her sleep you felt Hermione's breathe hitch.
You could feel her hand slowly snake around until she found your own resting atop her belly and covered it with hers. You instantly linked your hands together, and loved the way that they fit so perfectly with each others own.
If you could, you knew that it would probably be the best sight you had ever seen. But you never got a chance to prove this thought as the next thing you could see was complete darkness, before dreaming of lavender and honey and pure Hermione, Hermione, Hermione.
French Translations:
Madame = Mrs
Mademoiselle = Miss
The song Fleur remembers =
Lark, gentle lark
Lark, I will pull your feathers off
I will pull the feathers off your head
I will pull the feathers off your head
And the head - and the head
Lark, lark
O, o, o, o, o
The version of the song she sings to Hermione =
If you love me,
Tell me that you love me,
If you don't,
Please tell me that you do.
Tell me that you love me true,
Tell me that you really do,
Do do do
Do do do
Ohhhhhh