A/N: Hello guys. Sorry this week has been manic, otherwise this would have been written and uploaded sooner. Work kicked my butt and I nearly fell asleep cooking dinner the other day, so there was no way I could write. This is a relatively short chapter, but originally it was part of the last chapter, but that would have been too long and I thought two separate ones would be better. Now I'm back into the full swing of work I probably won't be able to update during the week, but we'll see. Instead I'm going to try at the weekends. I won't promise anything, because you all know my updating has been erratic. I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who reads this story, favourites it, follows it and/or reviews it. You are the only reason I write this. Hope you enjoy this chapter, things begin to take shape a bit more. Disclaimer: All characters (except Sabine) belong to J.K. Rowling.
The next few weeks flew by for Hermione. She had expected them to drag since she had been parted from Fleur again, especially as she was eagerly awaiting the first Hogsmeade visit of the year to see her blonde again. In truth, Hermione had found herself completely distracted. Sabine had gone silent. She had written a short note a few days after the previous one saying she would be gone for a while, that Hermione shouldn't worry and she would write again when she got back, but the brunette had heard nothing since.
It had been 3 weeks now and Hermione was growing incredibly worried. There had been reports of attacks in the Prophet and what had alarmed the brunette more was the mention of Bellatrix Lestrange and an unidentified woman. Hermione suspected the other woman was Aurelie, but it begged the question: where was Sabine?
The dark-haired Veela's disappearance had caused Hermione to lose her appetite once more. Harry, Ron and Ginny were becoming concerned and tried speaking to the brunette about it, but Hermione lied and told them it was stress over NEWTS. The fact that she was lying to her friends and Fleur did nothing to stop the guilty churn in her stomach.
Finally, the morning of the Hogsmeade trip arrived and Hermione found herself jumping out of bed at the prospect of seeing Fleur again. The blonde had owled the previous morning asking to meet at the Three Broomsticks.
Ron and Ginny laughed when they saw their brunette friend fidgeting at the Gryffindor Table, her excitement obvious. Harry just blushed as he always did, especially when Ginny started making some very inappropriate jokes about what plans the Veela couple had.
"For your information, we plan on spending the day fully clothed," said Hermione, after one too many jokes.
"Uh huh," replied Ginny. "If that's true than I'm a house elf."
The brunette resorted to simply sticking her tongue out, just as Professor McGonagall walked past. The Transfiguration teacher raised an eyebrow and carried on walking past, causing Ron, Ginny and Harry to burst into fresh gales of laughter.
Hermione practically ran down to the village when she finally got past Filch and his vigorous security checks. Part of her was worried that Fleur wouldn't be there, but she had no need. As soon as the village pub came into view she saw her blonde standing patiently outside. Hermione threw herself into Fleur's blonde, nearly knocking her off balance.
"It's good to see you too, ma belle," laughed Fleur as she wrapped her arms tightly around her girlfriend.
Hermione didn't bother responding, she just kissed the blonde as deeply as she could considering the rather public setting they were now in.
"I missed you," whispered the brunette.
"I missed you too," replied Fleur.
They walked hand in hand down the street. They had no particular plans in mind, they just wanted to enjoy each other's company. Hermione was enjoying being with her girlfriend once more so much so that she didn't pay attention to where they were going until they came to a stop. Looking puzzled, the brunette looked at Fleur who just smiled, in that way that said she had planned something special. Hermione was shocked when she looked at the building they had stopped in front of to see where they were. It was the restaurant that the blonde had taken her to on their first official date, La Veela.
"Fleur!" squealed Hermione, excited to be back again.
"I thought it would be nice to come back here, it's been almost two years to the day since we first went here."
"Has it only been that long?" said Hermione, shocked. "It seems like a lot longer than that, in a good way of course."
Fleur kissed the brunette and they both headed inside. They were seated at the same table as before and Hermione couldn't help but think her lover had done it on purpose, or at least pulled some strings to make it happen. The waiter brought over some drinks, but no menus. When Hermione looked confused Fleur explained.
"I've taken the liberty of ordering."
"Have you indeed," said the brunette, raising an eyebrow.
They giggled and held hands, staring into one another's eyes. Hermione had missed this. The time that they spent together. She wanted to say that she was going to drop out of Hogwarts or take her NEWTs early, but she knew that Fleur wouldn't allow it and she also knew that it would be the wrong decision.
The waiter brought the food over and Hermione smiled at her girlfriend when she saw it was the same food they had ordered the first time they had been there. It smelt too delicious to wait, so both girls eagerly tucked into their food. It was a struggle to finish three courses, but somehow Hermione managed it, although she was sure her stomach would regret it later.
Like the previous time, when the bill came Fleur refused to allow Hermione to even see it, let alone pay for it. The brunette pouted playfully, but acquiesced.
The temperature had dropped by the time they were outside again. They cuddled together as they walked back up the street arm in arm. They headed for the Three Broomsticks and both felt relief when they stepped into the warmth.
"I thought we could meet Harry and Ron here," said Fleur.
They spotted the boys seated at a table and hurried over to join them.
"Fleur! Hermione!"
Both boys greeted the couple as they sat down.
"How have you been?" asked Fleur.
The conversation flowed freely and Hermione marvelled at how far they had all come in two years. They laughed and joked the whole afternoon, which wasn't even ruined by the sight of Malfoy scowling at them on his way back from the toilet. The brunette knew as soon as the Slytherin appeared Harry would launch into his theory and sure enough Fleur was soon victim to it, whilst Hermione and Ron sat bored. Like the other two, the blonde was not convinced and Harry once more looked deflated, although he still had that obsessive glint in his eyes. Hermione just shrugged at Fleur.
"We best be heading back up to the castle," said Ron. "We don't want to be last back and I don't want to give Filch an excuse to ram that Probity Probe somewhere I don't want it."
After saying goodbye to the boys, the blonde suggested going back to the cottage.
"Mmmm, I like that idea," said Hermione. "I'll have to go up to the castle and use the Portkey, otherwise I won't have signed back in and they'll get worried. I'll meet you back there. I'm just going to use the ladies first."
Fleur nodded, gave her girlfriend a kiss on the cheek and a promise to have the bath hot and steamy by the time she made it back to the cottage. Hermione just managed to stop the moan from passing her lips as she thought of Fleur naked and wet in the bath.
With a suggestive wink, the blonde stepped out into the cold and Hermione headed to the back of the pub. She was just coming out of the toilet, thinking about ways to treat her lover, when she felt a yank on her upper arm and she was pulled into the cupboard. Her wand was out in a flash and she growled at her attacker, only to nearly drop her wand in shock when she saw Sabine.
"Sabine!" she shouted, before clapping a hand over her mouth. "What…what are you doing here? How are you here?"
The dark-haired Veela just smirked. "Well you clearly miss my charm and wit, so I thought I should pop along to say hi, before heading back."
"Well…it's great to see you," laughed the brunette, hugging Sabine tightly. "I've been so worried about you." She punched the dark-haired Veela hard on the arm.
"Ow! What was that for?" complained Sabine, rubbing her arm.
"That was for going silent on me," Hermione scolded. "I've been worried sick, wondering where you are."
"Still no need to hit me," murmured Sabine. "I told you I had to disappear for a bit."
"That doesn't mean I'm not allowed to worry. Where have you been anyway?" asked the brunette.
Sabine but her lip. "I can't tell you that. It's not…"
"Safe, I get it," growled Hermione, throwing her arms up in frustration. "Dammit, this isn't funny, this is dangerous. Your family are worried sick about you, Sabine. They haven't heard from you, there are reports of Bellatrix Lestrange being seen with some woman, who we all know is Aurelie. Just what the hell is going on?"
"I can't tell you that," repeated the dark-haired Veela. "I'm not being difficult," she added as Hermione again threw her arms up in frustration. "I'm doing it to keep you all safe."
"What does that even mean?" screamed Hermione in frustration.
"Please keep your voice down," pleaded Sabine. "No one can know I was here. Just please trust me. You do trust me, don't you?"
The brunette glared at her friend, but felt her gaze soften as she saw the desperation in her eyes. "Yes…yes I trust you. Just don't go silent like that again."
"I'll try not to," said Sabine, smiling weakly. She glanced over her shoulder then grasped both of Hermione's hands tightly as she turned back to face her. "Listen I have to go, just stay away from Dumbledore."
Before the brunette could say anything, Sabine was gone. Hermione stayed there for a moment, then she remembered she was supposed to be going to the cottage. Hurrying out of the village, she made it up to the castle. There was a large crowd in the Entrance Hall muttering about something, but the brunette paid them no attention. She raced up the stairs to Gryffindor Tower and into her bedroom, grabbing a few things and then the Portkey. She landed in the Living Room with a crash.
"There you are," said Fleur, getting up off the sofa. "I was beginning to get worried."
She wrapped Hermione up in a hug and immediately the brunette felt like crying. She contained her emotion before the blonde sensed it and instead kissed her.
"Sorry. It was a bit crowded in the Entrance Hall, it took a while to get through," explained the brunette. It wasn't a complete lie, she told herself.
"Well come on," said Fleur, grabbing her lover by the hand. "I've got the bath all prepped and ready for us to spend an evening enjoying each other."
Despite how horrible she felt after the encounter with Sabine, the brunette couldn't help but laugh. She allowed herself to be led up the stairs and with a quick spell to remove her clothing, she was slipping naked into the bath with Fleur behind her. Hermione sighed in contentment and put her head back against the blonde's shoulder.
"Just what I needed," murmured Hermione.
"I have some news, ma belle," whispered Fleur. "I've spoken to my Grandmere and I'm free to spend every weekend with you."
Hermione turned around so fast she nearly emptied the bath of water. "What?! That's amazing," she squealed.
The blonde laughed and adjusted their positions so it was more comfortable. "I thought that might cheer you up. I will arrive on a Friday night, barring any urgent business, and stay until Monday morning. That way it won't be as tough for us."
"I think that is an amazing idea. I'm so happy." Hermione kissed Fleur, desperate to feel close to her blonde.
"Mmmm, I do love bathroom sex," murmured Fleur.
"Incorrigible," laughed Hermione, moaning a split second later as she felt her lover's fingers slip into her.
They started up a rhythm. Fleur working her fingers inside her girlfriend, whilst Hermione rolled her hips. Her breath was coming in pants as she felt the pleasure building. It had been a while since they had last been together and the brunette knew it was going to be embarrassingly quick. Sure enough, it only took her few more strokes from Fleur's fingers before Hermione was crashing over the edge as her orgasm gripped her. Her body convulsed at the ripples of pleasure and she collapsed against her lover panting heavily.
"You're right," gasped Hermione. "I love bathroom sex."
Fleur laughed and kissed her girlfriend. "What do you say we try the shower next?"
Hermione squealed as the blonde lifted her up with ease and carried her over to the shower. It looked as if she wasn't going to be walking straight on Monday again.
XXXXX
Hogsmeade was beginning to darken after another weekend of Hogwarts madness. The shops were shut up. The restaurants and cafes had switched their signs to closed. The streets were quiet, most residents having settled in the warm behind closed doors. Only one figure remained outside.
They walked swiftly down the street, flitting between shadows trying not to be seen. Once outside the village their pace slowed, until they were by the Shrieking Shack where they waited, as if expecting someone. Twigs cracked nearby, announcing the arrival of another person. The first figure took out a wand as a precaution. Once the second shadowy figure had emerged from the tree line, the wand was lowered.
"I thought you were an Auror. Don't do that next time."
"An Auror would have jinxed first and asked question later, Sabine."
Sabine threw back her hood and tucked her wand back into her robes. "Well most people don't decide to meet up after dark near the Shrieking Shack, mother."
Aurelie smiled at her daughter. "Sorry, come here." The older Veela held her arms open and Sabine hugged her mother tightly. "I assume everything went according to plan."
Drawing back, Sabine nodded. "Yes. I spoke with Hermione. I didn't tell her anything, just that it wasn't safe to tell her."
Aurelie nodded. "Good, you've done well. The plan is beginning to take shape, we just need to play our part and soon this will all be over."