AN: First of all, I would like to thank everyone for all of the amazing reviews I received for the last chapter. I'm so happy you all enjoyed it :D I had been looking forward to writing that chapter for a while and was entirely worried I was going to slaughter it. Second, I want to say sorry for the slight delay in updating. My fiance's friend came into town so I found myself indulging in acai bowls and surf sessions instead of writing . Anyways, this new chapter is totally inspired by the song Nervous Breakdown by Black Flag which is actually used later on in this chapter :3 I actually had never listened to Black Flag until recently. I know, I know, I'm the worst. I'm in a punk band and never listened to them. I've received a lot of shit from both my band mates and friends for it haha Well, I hope you guys enjoy the latest update. It was a bit of a pain to write and I ran into writers block a good couple of times, but I hope you like it all the same :)

veelabyte: Fleur definitely was on her A game and drunk Hermione is suuuuuper hot. Drunk Hermione pretty much wrote herself lol I'm glad you didn't think the flow was off, because I was super worried about that . Hopefully their reactions to waking up together doesn't disappoint :D Thanks for the awesome review :)

Pam C: I'm so glad you enjoyed the fluffiness of the last chapter :D It was a nice change of pace in my opinion even if Hermione had to get drunk to soften up a bit haha I always figured Hermione would be more mature, seeing as how she came off that way in the books, but I also thought she would be more or a rebel too so I was glad to throw that in. I definitely want them to progress naturally and not just act on their lust, because that feels like that would be too easy to do and both of them are a lot deeper than that. I just haven't gotten to the part yet where they fully show their depth, but I'm very excited to do so soon :3 And no they are not mates. I had played with the idea of doing that, but I felt like that would be taking the cheap way out. By saying that, I am in no way saying I don't like Fleur and Hermione mate stories at all; I actually love them. With how this story is though, I felt like it would be more meaningful if they weren't and they fell for each other for their own reasons and made progress of their own accord, not because of something they can't fully control :) Anyways, I really hope you like the new chapter. Thank you for your reviews and your questions :) I enjoy answering all of them :))))

zarg0n: I'm so happy that you stumbled upon this story and are enjoying it :D I'm so terrible at descriptions of stories and was actually worried people would think this was just a smutty fic lol I'm glad you gave it a chance though and hope you continue to do so :D

Crossbones01: Thank you! I'm so glad you liked it :D I really enjoy your reviews :)

LS505956: I think you and I have the same favorite three characters :) And the answer is yes, she will make an appearance :D Keep in mind Malfoy Manor never happened so it's going to be completely different, but I think you will be pleased when you find out how she got the scar and her experience with Bellatrix :)

Veela190: I'm so glad you enjoyed the last chapter :) When I had first planned out that chapter it was going to go a completely different way and I'm very happy that I went a different direction. I totally agree that if Fleur kissed Hermione it would have been tainted and wrong. I was happy to show Fleur has more morality than people have been lead to believe and Hermione isn't the good girl everyone thinks she is either :) It was really fun switching up their dynamic. Anyways, I really hope you like the newest installment :D Thanks for the support :)

Aaron Leach: Thanks :)

LookingAtYouKid: I'm so glad you were intrigued by the latest chapter :D Hopefully you like the aftermath of what happened the night before :3

NaraTemariS2: Thanks for the awesome review :) I'm happy you like the adorable fluffiness between the two, it was a bit of a difficult transition to make, but Hermione being drunk sure helped haha It was really fun writing their positions switched and I was happy to show Fleur isn't as horrible as people think and Hermione isn't all good either :) Charlie and Bill were a total random last minute thing I threw in so I'm glad you liked the interaction :) Anyways, time for the moment of truth to see their reactions to the aftermath haha Hope you like it and thanks again for the continued support :D

MilandaAnza: Hermione may only have that one scar to show for what happened to her, but there are a lot more emotional ones that aren't visible. I think you will be pleased when the truth of what happened to her is unraveled. I'm glad you liked how Fleur was portrayed and people have stuck around long enough to see she isn't the horrible woman I made her out to be in the beginning :) I hope you like the new chapter. Thank you for the review :)

KimCharlie: I'm happy you liked the last chapter :D It was very fun to write them interacting pleasantly with each other for once haha those damn girls are so damn difficult sometimes . Anyways, I hope you enjoy the newest installment and thanks for your support :D

KM: Okay, first of all, I have to say yours was my favorite review for the last chapter haha I had hit a bit of writers block and then you guys reviewed and spurred me onward. I'm so thoroughly happy that you both enjoy the story and are as emotionally invested in it as I am :) It's been a hell of a journey so far and it's only going to get crazier and better :D M, I promise to update asap for the sake of your sanity lol and K, thank you for all of your enthusiasm, I effin love it. People like you guys really help me keep going with this when I'm stuck and it's so great to know couples read this story together :)))) Anyways, I'll stop delaying you from reading on. Hopefully the new chapter doesn't disappoint. Thanks again for the awesome support :D

Guest: There were multiple guests again so I'm unable to reply to you all individually, but I want to thank you all anyways for the amazing support you have all given me and the kind words you have offered. I'm so happy to see so many people invested in a story I was unsure anyone would even bother to read so really, thank you all. Your reviews mean a lot to me :)


French

'thoughts'

Chapter 11: Nervous Breakdown

Sun beams streamed in through curtains in a room painted royal blue, slowly stirring a young veela awake. The first thing Fleur registered was the slight headache prodding at her temple, the second was her freedom of movement. She groaned as she rolled over, reaching over for a body she was sure was there, but artic eyes popped open when the only thing her hand grabbed was cold sheets.

She sat up, head foggy, as she rubbed her tired eyes. 'Where did she go? Was eet all a dream?' Fleur frowned as she looked around the room, but the gray and red cardigan sweater lying on her floor proved that the events from the night before had indeed happened.

The second she saw the discarded clothing she felt her heart sink deep into her stomach. 'She just left wizout saying anyzing?'

She didn't know why the awful feeling of hurt and betrayal slithered under her skin, filling her with doubt. She had left many a person in the morning after vigorous activities the night before without any explanation herself, but having it done to her was something completely new and unfamiliar. The two didn't even do anything other than cuddle so why did it bother her so much that Hermione slipped out while she was asleep?

She leaned down and picked up the clothing, staring at the cardigan as if it would have some answers to these weird feelings. 'She was in such a rush she forgot zis.' Fleur's frown deepened. 'Was waking up next to me zat bad?'

A soft knock on the door pulled Fleur from her thoughts and she hastily hid the sweater under her pillow, putting on a neutral face, as Odette poked her head inside.

"Oh good, you're up." Odette smiled at her alpha. "How are you feeling?"

"Like that dragon thrashed me around." Fleur grimaced as she stood up, rubbing her temples.

"I thought that might be the case." Odette spoke as she walked into the room carrying water and a potion. "This should help with that nasty hangover."

"Thank you." Fleur smiled gratefully at the red head as she quickly downed the potion and drank the water offered to her. "You're too kind."

Odette just shrugged, happy to please and help her alpha. "You've done the same for me many times. Perhaps we should get some breakfast in you. It will make you feel a lot better, I promise."

"That sounds great. I'm starving." Fleur spoke as she placed the glass on her dresser. "Let me just take a shower and I will meet you there."

Odette nodded her head as she left the room while Fleur's gaze shifted back to the pillow where she knew Hermine's cardigan was hidden under. She swiftly walked to the bed and pulled it out, looking at it once more with an unreadable look on her face. 'What do I care anyways?' She huffed as she marched back to her dresser and stuffed it into a random drawer before she turned on the shower and jumped in.

When she walked back in and got dressed, she felt a breeze hit her skin, and twisted her head to see her curtains fluttering in the wind. 'I left zat open last night?' She frowned as she eyed her room suspiciously before slamming the window closed, and headed to the dining hall where her friends were waiting.

"Well, well, well, look who finally decided to join us." Veronique smirked behind her cup of orange juice. "Where did you slip off to last night?" She eyed the blonde suspiciously who stiffened at the mention of her disappearance.

Fleur quickly tried to collect herself as she loaded her plate, very aware of the raven-haired girl watching her with a very scrutinizing gaze. "I was tired so I went back to the carriage."

"No you didn't." Veronique shot back challengingly. "I checked your room last night and you weren't there."

"So you're stalking me now?" Fleur glared over at her friend.

"Testy aren't you?" Veronique raised an eyebrow at Fleur's behavior.

"Leave her alone Veronique." Odette sighed. "She's tired."

"I bet." Veronique scoffed and Fleur rolled her eyes.

The blonde tried to look discreetly across the room to see if she could get a glimpse of light brown hair at the Gryffindor table, but frowned when she couldn't see the young prodigy anywhere.

/

"Where in the bloody hell have you been!?" Ginny cried out making Hermione wince as she walked into the Gryffindor common room.

"Can you please keep your voice down?" Hermione grumbled, pinching the bridge of her nose, trying to alleviate her growing headache as she walked up to her room.

"Geeze . . ." Ginny frowned as she looked at Hermione up and down as she followed close behind. "You look like a right mess."

Hermione just shot the red-head a glare out of the corner of her eye as she entered her room. She couldn't really argue with her friend, she was sure she looked terrible and she in fact did. Her hair was a mess, her outfit was covered in mud, and she looked like death incarnate.

"Mind telling me where you were all night and what happened for . . ." Ginny pulled a long twig out of Hermione's hair. "this to happen?" Ginny raised an eyebrow, inspecting the twig in her hand before tossing it aside while Hermione plopped down onto her bed, burying her head in a pillow with complete disregard for getting her sheets dirty.

"Can you please save the inquisition for later?" Hermione mumbled into her pillow.

"I'll have you know I've been up all night worried sick!" Ginny frowned, crossing her arms while Hermione pushed her head up, giving the chaser a look that said she didn't believe her. "Well, maybe the last hour, but still!"

"I don't want to talk about it." Hermione sighed. "I just want to get some sleep."

"Hermione Granger is sneaking into the dorms early in the morning and now you want to sleep in?" Ginny pulled out her wand and pointed it at the bookworm burying her head in a pillow to block out the noise. "Who are you and what have you done with my friend?"

"Piss off Ginny!" Hermione yelled into the pillow, holding it tighter to her head.

"Come on, what happened?" Ginny whined.

"If I tell you, will you promise to get me a hangover potion and then leave me alone for the rest of the day?" Hermione continued speaking into the pillow.

"Fine."

Hermione lifted her head once more and eyed Ginny carefully. "And you can't tell anyone."

"Sure, sure." Ginny waved the hungover girl's concerns off.

"I mean it Gin!" Hermione's gaze hardened. "If you tell a single person I will find out and I WILL hex you."

"I won't tell anyone." Ginny held up her hand. "Scouts honor."

"Fine." Hermione sighed as she sat up, wincing when the sunlight pierced her.

/

Hermione woke in the morning when she heard birds chirping; briefly wondering when the birds decided to perch outside of the Gryffindor tower and when did her bed become so stiff?

She groggily opened her eyes as she slowly pushed herself up; her ambers popping wide open when she saw Fleur Delacour lying beneath her, slumbering peacefully with her arms wrapped around her waist. 'What the bloody hell?'

Hermione's first instinct was to quickly scramble away, but thought better of it in case she woke the sleeping veela so she slowly and very carefully disentangled herself and sat on the edge of the bed only to see herself clad in her red lingerie and nothing else. 'No, no, no. There's no way that I . . .' Her cheeks heated up as she desperately tried to recall the night before. The last thing she remembered was yelling at Harry and Ginny before she stormed outside and then bright blue eyes looking at her as she stepped into the cold; after that it was a blank.

She looked back to the slumbering blonde, furrowing her brow as she watched her sleep. 'What the bloody hell did we do? How did I end up . . . like this?' Her eyes widened and she was sure she was going to die of embarrassment when she saw a puddle of drool she left on Fleur's shoulder.

'I have to get out of here before she wakes up.' Hermione thought frantically to herself as she stood up, but regretted it almost immediately when a piercing headache hit her. 'I'm never drinking again.' She inwardly groaned to herself as she grabbed the clothing she could find on the ground that was hers and threw it on. She looked around for another moment, searching for her cardigan, but a stirring Fleur interrupted her search. 'Shit! What do I do?' Hermione looked around the room desperately for somewhere to hide.

Her heart pounded in her chest as Fleur groaned and rolled over, drawing Hermione's eyes back to her. 'Fuck.' Hermione quickly dropped to the ground and crawled under the veela's bed right before she opened her eyes.

She tried to breathe as softly as she could so Fleur wouldn't hear her as she shifted on the bed. 'If she finds me under here, I swear I'm going to die.' Hermione thought with a blush when she suddenly caught sight of her cardigan. She briefly glanced up before she moved forward and slowly started to reach her hand out to grab the clothing, but quickly snapped it back when Fleur leaned down and picked it up and someone knocked on the door. 'Just my bloody luck.'

Hermione all but held her breath as she listened to Odette and Fleur converse in French; she briefly wondered how long she would have to stay under there and how in the world she was going to slip out of the carriage without any of the other Beuxbatons students catching her.

Once again, she heard the door open and close, signaling Odette's departure. Her heart started pounding in her chest as she watched Fleur's feet hastily walk towards her. 'Shit! Does she know I'm here!?' Hermione could only watch on, dread slowly filling her as Fleur stood next to the bed, her heart beating harder and faster the longer the blonde stood there.

She almost let out a sigh relief when Fleur changed her path to her dresser, stuffed something in there by the sound of it, and headed into her bathroom. When she heard the shower turn on she decided to make her move and quickly scrambled out from under the bed.

Hermione frantically looked around for her cardigan, but it was now nowhere in sight and she was not going to risk an awkward conversation for that sweater so she focused her attention on making her escape. She peaked out the door to see students littering the hallway so she quickly closed the door, ruling that option out when she saw the window across from her.

'Of course.' Hermione sighed as she made her way over to said window and opened it as quietly as possible. She poked her head out and frowned when she saw it was a good twelve feet from the ground. 'This is sketchy at best . . .' She went to bring her head back into the carriage, but the sound of the shower being turned off made her panic and jump, resulting in her hitting her head on the window sill above her, increasing the pain from her headache tenfold.

'This has to be the dumbest thing I've ever done.' She groaned as she rubbed the back of her head and looked behind her shoulder one last time, still unsure of what to do, but the sound of footsteps heading towards the bathroom door spurred her into action. "Bloody hell." She cried out as she not so gracefully fell out of the window and landed hard on her back in the mud, effectively knocking the wind out of her.

"Definitely never drinking again." Hermione gasped out between forced breaths as she looked up at the sun blaring through her eyes, straight into her brain.

'At least I didn't break anything.' She sighed as she slowly stood up and looked down to see herself completely covered in the wet earth. "Perfect." Hermione grumbled as she tried to wipe herself off before she slipped around, trying to make her way back to the castle as gracefully as possible.

She ignored all the weird looks she received as she walked, well more like stumbled, up the stairs to the Gryffindor common room. She never thought she would be so happy to see the fat lady looking at her with barely veiled disgust. She uttered the password and almost let out a sigh of relief when she made her way inside, but the feeling of relief was very short lived and she was immediately ambushed by Ginerva Weasley.

/

"Bloody hell . . ." Ginny's looked at Hermione with wide green eyes. "Did you and Fleur . . ." Ginny gulped. "You know?"

"I have no idea Ginny." Hermione blushed.

"Well does . . ." Ginny looked at Hermione's crotch pointedly. "it hurt? Are you sore?"

"Ginerva Weasley!" Hermione cried out, hitting Ginny with a pillow in the head as her face heated up even more, making her resemble a tomato. "N-no! And why would I be if my first time was with a girl?"

"Well, I mean there are spells so that you can-"

"Don't you dare finish that sentence." Hermione glared at the red-head holding her hands up defensively.

"I'm just trying to cover all my bases here 'Mione." Ginny rubbed the back of her neck. "I'm surprised is all. This sounds like a mess Harry or Ron would get into, not you. I'm very disappointed in you Hermione Granger." Ginny tried to put on her best disapproving look, but the hard glare she received in return made her back down.

"I don't even know if . . . THAT happened!"

"Well, do you have any hickeys or marks?" Ginny raised an eyebrow as she leaned in closer, moving Hermione's hair to check her neck, but Hermione promptly slapped the red-head's hand away. "I'm just trying to help 'Mione." Ginny chided. "And it doesn't look like there are any marks so that's a good sign. I'm sure that dirty veela would mark you up if she had done anything. I ought to-"

"Don't." Hermione cut off Ginny's rant before she could get too far. "I can handle this myself."

"Well, obviously not." Ginny shot back. "Someone needs to teach that veela a lesson."

"We don't even know what happened."

"Oh, I know what happened." Ginny stood up, clenching her fists. "That damned veela took advantage of you!"

"But I don't have any marks and I'm not sore or anything Gin." Hermione was unsure why she was suddenly defending Fleur. "And you said you wouldn't say anything!" '

Ginny glanced at her friend and saw her distress at her famous Weasley temper. "I won't." Ginny let out a sigh, letting her shoulders relax. "Sorry 'Mione. I just got heated for a second. I'll get you your potion and in the meantime you should consider taking a shower." A small smile crossed Ginny's face. "You really look like you need one."

"Yeah, yeah." Hermione grumbled as she got up and headed to the showers while Ginny went on her mission.

When she returned to her room after a much needed cleaning she was very happy to see a potion sitting on her bedside table with a little note attached saying 'Drink me' and no Ginerva Weasley in sight. 'Thank Merlin. Now, I can finally get some rest.' She thought to herself as she chugged the liquid down greedily. She grimaced at the bitter after taste as she placed the now empty bottle down and crawled into her bed, falling asleep almost instantly.

/

Hermione grumbled as she woke up and slowly sat up in her bed, rubbing her eyes. She looked out the window and the bright light streaming in, feeling more confused than she had been when she went to sleep.

Her dreams consisted of flashes of neon blue eyes that glowed so bright she swore they would burn her, glimpses of blonde hair in the moonlight, and brief glances at plump pink lips that she itched to kiss so badly. 'What in the hell happened?' Hermione frowned as she recalled a feeling of weightlessness. 'Did we go swimming?'

"Well, well, well." Ginny's voice broke Hermione from her groggy thoughts. "Look who is finally up."

Hermione looked over to the red-head leaning against the frame of her bed. "What do you mean Gin?" Hermione glanced over at her clock to see she had only slept for an hour. "I've barely slept at all."

"If by barely any sleep you mean all day yesterday to this morning, then yes." Ginny laughed. "You must have been up insanely late."

"Shut up Gin." Hermione blushed as she got up. "I really can't handle you poking and prodding me right now."

"Alright, alright." Ginny held up her hands. "How 'bout we get you some breakfast. You must be starving."

"That's an understatement." Hermione grumbled as she threw on some fresh clothes and headed down to the dining hall with Ginny.

When they entered she immediately felt all eyes on her, including a pair of bright sapphires boring a hole into her skull which she ignored, even though she desperately wanted to look over to the Ravenclaw table to see if she would get any answers. "Why is everyone looking at me?" Hermione spoke quietly to Ginny as they headed to their table. "You said you wouldn't say anything."

"I didn't." Ginny hissed back, eyeing the room suspiciously. "I haven't the foggiest as to why everyone is looking at you. Do you think Delacour said something?"

Hermione paled at the thought of Fleur bragging about bedding Hermione Granger to the entire school. "S-she wouldn't."

"You sure about that?" Ginny raised an eyebrow as they sat across from a very irritated looking Harry and Ron.

"There you are!" Ron's booming voice almost made Hermione jump in her seat. "We've been wondering where in the bloody hell you were."

"I was sleeping." Hermione spoke as she loaded up her plate. "Why were you looking for me?"

"Well, there have been some nasty rumors going around." Ron grumbled as he stuffed his face. "I can't believe the things they're saying about you 'Mione."

"W-what?" Hermione almost choked on her food. 'She said something!?'

"Yeah, it's a load of rubbish." Harry nodded his head in agreement with his arms crossed. "I can't believe the nerve of that woman."

"What woman?" Hermione could feel her cheeks starting to heat up. "What are people saying?"

"You're not going to like it." Harry's face softened when he saw the worry written all over Hermione's face.

"Just tell us!" Ginny snapped, glaring at the two boys who now looked sheepish.

"Best if you see for yourselves." Harry mumbled as he passed the Sunday edition of The Daily Prophet across the table to Hermione.

Ginny spat out her drink while Hermione's eyes widened. "Golden trio becomes golden love triangle?" Ginny spoke out the title while Hermione gripped the paper tightly, scanning the page. There was a giant picture on the front page of Hermione hugging Harry in the champions tent and the more she read, the paler her face got. She was completely blind-sided by the article, she had definitely not expected something like this.

"Charged embrace?" Hermione cried out as she read the artice. "That woman is bloody mad."

"Let me see." Ginny frowned as she grabbed the paper from Hermione and started to read the article out loud. "Hermione Granger and Harry Potter were caught in a charged embrace inside the champion's tent moments before the first task . . . yadda yadda yadda . . ." Ginny skipped over some parts as she went further down to the end. "As everyone already knows Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley dated . . ."

"Briefly." Hermione and Ron both said at the same time with a scoff, making Ginny smirk as she looked at the two before she went back to the article.

"The reason for the split has remained a mystery, but it is obvious now that the golden girl only has eyes for the boy who lived. One can only wonder how Mr. Weasley feels about the pair. Is there bad blood between the golden trio? Were Harry and Hermione sneaking around behind his back? Does young love justify such a betrayal?" Ginny's eyebrows rose high up her forehead as she glanced up at the frowning trio. "Well . . . that was-"

"Complete and utter rubbish." Harry glared at the paper as if he could set it on fire with his gaze.

"I have half a mind to sue that horrible woman." Ron crossed his arms. "She should be fired for def . . defa . . ." Ron looked to Hermione for the right word, but the brunette was stuck in her own world.

"Defamation of character?" Ginny raised an eyebrow.

Ron vigorously nodded his head. "Yeah! Why did she have to bloody drag me into this?"

"I thought you liked the attention." Ginny teased her brother who immediately turned beat red.

"Not this type . . ." Ron grumbled.

"You okay 'Mione?" Harry looked over at the brunette who was too quiet for his liking.

Hermione just sat there looking down at her food with a frown. First, she had woken up in Fleur Delacour's bed in just her underwear with no recollection of how she got there. Then she had been plagued with random flashbacks, or what she could assume were flashbacks, the entire night leaving her more confused, and now this. It was all too much. 'Can't I just be left alone? I never asked for any of this.'

"Mione?" Ginny gently nudged the young prodigy, shaking her from her thoughts. "You okay?"

"What do you think?" Hermione snapped, glaring at Ginny as she stood up abruptly.

"Hey, it's going to be okay. This will blow over." Harry tried to console the clearly upset brunette.

"I just want to be left alone." Hermione clenched her fists. "I guess that's too much to ask of people."

"Hey Harry!" Seamus came up to Harry, nudging his shoulder. "I read the article. I can't believe you snagged Hermione." The Irish student sent Hermione a wink and a smile, making her roll her eyes, before he turned his attention back to Harry. "Good on you mate."

"Oh, piss off." Hermione threw the paper at Seamus and stormed off.

/

Fleur was displeased to say the least; she had kept an eye out for Hermione all Saturday and even went as far as looking in the library and the nearby lake, but she was nowhere to be found. She didn't know why she felt this urgency to check up on the brunette or why said girl seemed to be in hiding.

The next morning made things even worse. When she sat down at the Ravenclaw table she was greeted by the sight of a very smug looking Veronique.

"What has you in such a cheerful mood?" Fleur suspiciously eyed the raven-haired girl looking at her with a gleam in those deep green orbs.

"Nothing." Veronique smiled as she grabbed The Daily Prophet and opened it up, pretending to read an article while Fleur was faced with the front page.

It took a minute for Fleur to register what she was seeing, but after a moment she came to her senses and realized it was Harry and Hermione on the front page. Without a second thought she snatched the paper from Veronique's hands, her bright eyes scanning from left to right, her grip on the paper growing tighter and tighter the more she read.

Once she was done she turned her gaze back to the image of Hermione throwing herself into Harry's arms, unable to look away for some strange reason. She felt rage boiling beneath the surface of her skin and it took every ounce of restraint she had in her system to not rip up the paper and burn the pieces as if that would erase the clearly embellished story. She didn't know what she was angrier about; the blatant lies told about Hermione that would surely give the golden girl even more attention that she already despised or seeing the two embrace over and over again, portraying the two as a couple, further fueling the betrayal she already felt.

"Perhaps I was wrong about Hermione Granger." Veronique smirked at Fleur's obvious irritation. "Maybe she isn't a virgin. She sure seems to get around."

"Shut up." Fleur snapped at the devilish girl, her eyes turning dangerously cold.

"Did I hit a nerve?" Veronique laughed.

Fleur clenched her hand into a tight fist beneath the table, desperately trying not to show how much Veronique was getting to her. She had no idea why her comments were bothering her anyways. It wasn't like she and Hermione were together or she had feelings for the girl. Right?

"She's right. Shut up Veronique." Odette spoke up, placing a calming hand on Fleur's forearm; she could feel her alpha's anger radiating off of her and knew she was about to lose her temper. "Everyone with half a brain knows that Rita Skeeter woman is a liar and a horrible journalist. Only an idiot would believe that article."

"Are you calling me stupid?" Veronique bristled at the now smirking red head.

Odette just shrugged. "I wasn't, but if the shoe fits . . ."

"Oh, that's rich coming from you. You're the dumb-"

"I dare you to finish that sentence." Came Gabrielle's voice as she rested her hands on the table, leaning towards the raven-haired girl in an intimidating manor.

"What are you going to do about it if I do?" Veronique raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms while a predatory smile spread across Gabrielle's face.

"There's only one way to find out."

"That's enough." Fleur stopped the dispute before it could go too far, sending Veronique and Gabrielle a warning look.

"You guys need to lighten up." Veronique scoffed. "I was just joking."

"Clearly." Odette replied with a roll of her eyes.

"Gabrielle." Fleur tried to break the glare her sister was still giving Veronique. "Are you going to sit down and have breakfast or continue to cause problems?"

Gabrielle turned her glare to Fleur, looking her sister up and down distastefully. She couldn't believe her sister was saying she was the one causing problems when it was clearly Veronique inciting the mayhem as she always did. "I've lost my appetite." Gabrielle said coolly as she straightened herself out, giving Veronique and Fleur one last hard look before walking away.

Fleur let out a sigh as she watched her younger sibling leave; she realized now how harsh she sounded and that would help her situation with Gabrielle in no way, but a nudge in the ribs from Odette and the abrupt silence caught Fleur's attention and she looked up to see the girl that had been plaguing her thoughts walk in.

She tried to ignore the fluttering in her chest and the veela jumping around excitedly in her, hoping to catch the bookworm's eye, but Hermione didn't so much as glance in her direction. As disappointment washed over her she had to fight to keep her face neutral. 'Oh well, doesn't matter.' Fleur shrugged as she went back to her food, trying to appear uncaring when she felt the sharp sting of rejection even though Hermione hadn't said or done anything. Perhaps that was what was bothering her so much. She had expected a loud confrontation, a glare, an eyeroll, something, anything, but she received nothing. It was as if the night never even happened.

The sound of Hermione's voice raising caught her attention again and she briefly glanced up to see the young Gryffindor throw the paper at one of the other students. 'She must 'ate zis. Zat article ees probably bozering 'er more zan anyone else.' She watched as Hermione just about stormed out of the hall and felt a strange compulsion to go after her. 'Not my problem.' She tried to reason with herself as she tapped her fingers on the table for a moment, but before she realized what she was doing she was getting up to chase after the golden girl, earning her a questioning look from both her friends, which she ignored.

She briskly walked out of the great hall, looking left and right and as luck would have it her ears picked up the sound of Hermione stomping up the steps to the Gryffindor tower. Fleur picked up her pace and headed up the stairs after the fuming prodigy, hoping to catch her before she got too far, but Hermione was deceptively fast.

Fleur came to a halt when the portrait of the fat lady was slammed closed behind Hermione and the woman mumbled something about rude students. "Excusez-moi . . ." Fleur cleared her throat to get the fat lady's attention.

"Yes?" The fat lady eyed Fleur curiously.

"I would like to enter s'il vous plait."

"You're not a Gryffindor, let alone a Hogwarts student." The fat lady turned up her nose, making Fleur let out a huff of irritation.

"Ze password ees Caput draconis." Fleur continued on with an icy glare. "Now let me een."

"So rude." The woman glared right back at the French student, but obliged none the less and swung open.

Fleur just held her head up high as she strolled into the dormitory, but once in there she was completely lost. She slowly made her way up the stairs where Hermione disappeared when she accompanied her there before, but she had no idea where Hermione's room was. There were so many doors and she really didn't want to poke her head into random rooms to find the right one. 'What an incredibly stupid idea.' Fleur shook her head, inwardly reprimanding herself for following Hermione. She turned and was about to leave when she heard loud music coming from one of the rooms nearby.

I'm about
To have a nervous breakdown
My head really hurts
If I don't find a way out of here

I'm gonna go berserk 'cause
I'm crazy and I'm hurt
Head on my shoulders
It's going berserk

She raised an eyebrow, curiosity getting the best of her as she quietly approached the door. She carefully opened it, peaking her head in to see . . . 'She ees dancing?'

I hear the same old talk talk talk
The same old lines
Don't do me that today,
yeah If you know what's good for you
You'll get out of my way

'Cause I'm crazy and I'm hurt
Head on my shoulders
Going berserk

Hermione Granger was indeed dancing and jumping around to the loud punk music blaring in the room, her brown and gold locks whipping around as her head moved from left to right. Fleur was surprised to say the least to see such a sight. She supposed it was a great way for Hermione to vent her very obvious frustrations, but she never expected the brightest witch of her age to unwind this way. She had imagined the English girl would listen to classical music to relax and get her mind off of things, not thrash around listening to punk.

For acting outta line
You see the way I am
You leave any time you can cause
I'm crazy and I'm hurt

Head on my shoulders
Going berserk

A small smile formed on Fleur's face as she continued to watch something she was sure no one ever really got the chance to see. She would never admit this to anyone, even herself, but she found the sight completely endearing. Every time she thought she had Hermione pegged a certain way, she completely surprised her.

Crazy! Crazy! Crazy! Crazy!
I don't care what you fuckin' do

I don't care what you fuckin' say
I'm so sick of everything
I just want to die!

When the song came to an end and a new one started to play Fleur found herself stuck halfway in the doorway, wondering if she should enter and let her presence be known or let the girl be. She wanted so badly to say something, to comfort her in some way even though that went completely against her nature, but a firm hand gripping her shoulder made the decision for her and she was pulled away only to come face to face with Ginerva Weasley.

"What do you think you're doing?" Ginny glared at the blonde.

"Nozing." Fleur shrugged, putting on her cold, aloof face. "I was just going to check on 'Ermione."

"You need to stay away from her." Ginny growled, clenching her hand into a tight fist.

Fleur looked at her nails in a bored manner. "I do not zink zat ees your decision to make."

"I know what you did to her."

"Excusez-moi?" Fleur raised an eyebrow at the fuming red-head. "What did I do?"

"Oh, don't play dumb Delacour." Ginny scoffed. "I know you took advantage of Hermione or at least tried to."

Fleur's artic eyes turned colder than usual as she bristled at the bold accusation. "You 'ave no idea what you are talking about."

"I know exactly what I'm talking about." Ginny poked the blonde in the chest and Fleur had to hold back an irritated growl.

"I did no such zing." Fleur crossed her arms, desperately trying to stop herself from attacking the red-head who always seemed to get in her way. "I am not some cretin zat would 'arm someone who ees clearly drunk."

"Right." Ginny narrowed her eyes. "You better not have gotten her bloody pregnant."

"Pregnant?" Fleur's aloof demeanor slipped for all of a second at the chaser's statement, but she quickly recovered. "Une, nozing 'appened. Deux, your accusations are absurd at best, and trois, zat ees an incredibly 'ard and complicated spell to do Mademoiselle Weasley."

"So you know the spell!" Ginny cried out, pointing an accusing finger at the French student.

"Merde." Fleurs sighed, she was clearly not going to convince Ginny that she had done nothing to her friend so she simply brushed past the riled up chaser. "Eet was nice chatting wiz you as usual Mademoiselle Weasley."

"Don't walk away from me!" Ginny yelled as Fleur waved good-bye over her shoulder while she descended down the spiral steps. "Wanker." Ginny mumbled under her breath.

Fleur's neutral face slipped into a frown as she exited the Gryffindor common room; Ginerva Weasley had just confirmed her concerns. Hermione Granger really didn't remember anything from that night.


AN: *hides behind computer* please don't be mad at me ;-; I promise they won't always be AS difficult with each other soon and please don't hate Ginny. Poor thing just wants to help lol Anyways, I would love to hear your guys' feedback on the new chapter and the two separate reactions to waking up like that. Reviews make my day and fuel my creativity :D You all really make writing this story a real joy :)