I can't even begin to apologise for how long this has taken. I don't know where the time has gone. I hope that any readers still out there enjoy. Apologies for any mistakes. Reviews are so very welcome and appreciated! Happy Reading :)
'Well, that was intense.' Harry snorted while rubbing his now aching shoulder.
'Sorry.' Hermione muttered. 'I may have gotten carried away with that one.'
'No need to apologise, it's good that you're so powerful. Means I can leave you take care of the bad guys.' The boy joked, though his eyes didn't light up in their usual way.
'If I thought Black was bad before, well then I don't know what to think now. People shouldn't be allowed to call her evil unless they've been trained by her.' Pansy grumbled as she fumbled with the rips in her clothing. The three teenagers had been worked to their limit by the older witch who demanded excellence at all times. Unfortunately for them, the youngsters weren't quite meeting the woman's expectations. Hermione, of course, was the only one to get even the slightest hint of recognition from her. Not bad, Granger. Andromeda had smiled sympathetically as they slumped onto the sofa in a heap all the while summoning the tea pot and biscuit tin.
'It'll be worth it.' Hermione promised as she tucked in to a chocolate hobnob. The brunette chose to ignore the snort she received in reply from Pansy and threw a cushion at her instead.
'As much as I'd love to drink tea with you ladies, I have things to do.' Harry grumbled, stashing his wand in his back pocket. With a small wave of his hand he bid the girls goodbye and headed towards the back garden.
'What's got his wand in a knot?' The slytherin queried through a mouthful of biscuit.
'He's got a lot going on.' Hermione reasoned quietly. 'He's got Voldemort to think about, and as much as he tells us he's okay, he's not. He misses Sirius more than anyone knows.'
'I can't deal with these brooding men everywhere. First Draco, then Lupin and now Harry.' Parkinson moaned, a frown creeping into her features.
'What's wrong with Remus?' Hermione smiled gaining a grunt in response.
'He's under the delusion that Dora is his, and only his. Won't leave her alone about it.'
'That doesn't sound like him.' The brunette frowned.
'I didn't think so either. I've seen it first-hand now though. The way he ogles her across the room whenever he's here. The way he insists on touching her all the time. How he won't take no for an answer and hounds her constantly.' The Slytherin grumbled, her biscuit now just a pile of crumbs on her lap as a result of her ever-increasing grip.
'And you have a problem with this why?' Hermione smirked.
'Well… you know. She could do better.' Pansy blushed under the Gryffindor's gaze. 'And, well, I'm sort of mad about her.'
'Obviously, cobra.' The brunette grinned, earning a smack on the arm. 'Don't worry about Remus. Dora will set things straight if it gets too out of hand, you just need to trust her on that one.'
'I do.' Pansy admitted shyly, a smile gracing her features once more. 'How was it meeting Fleur's mum?'
'Incredible!' The Gryffindor gushed. 'I know all about the mating process and more about Fleur. I just never expected to be as accepted with them as I am.'
'Mating!? Blimey, that explains it then.'
'Explains what?' Hermione frowned.
'Why you no longer wanted me.' Pansy winked but couldn't hold back her laughter.
'Very funny Parkinson.' Hermione drawled.
'I'm glad you have her.' The witch stated sincerely. 'You deserve the happiness she gives you. Merlin knows everyone should grab happiness where they can at the moment.'
'I'll remind you of that next time you start worrying about Tonks and Lupin.'
Hermione and Fleur huddled together as the strolled through Diagon Alley. The pair had just been caught in a summer shower and Fleur had cast a charm to keep them dry.
'It's so dark.' Hermione mused glumly. It had not long past 3pm and yet the street seemed to be tainted with shadows everywhere the two witches looked. Fleur, not knowing how to respond, squeezed her lover and smiled warmly.
'We should be quick.' She reasoned as she led the younger woman into Flourish and Blotts.
'Now you're just asking the impossible.' The brunette chuckled. Knowing it wasn't a day to dally, the younger woman headed straight for the section she required and hastily grabbed any book that took her fancy. Noting the look on her mate's face she blushed. 'I want to be as prepared as possible for my NEWTs.'
'I know, mon amour.' Blue eyes dazzled with love and understanding as the blonde reached out to help the brunette with her load. Once the books had been paid for, the two women stepped out into the dim street once more.
'It's strange.' Hermione muttered.
'What is?'
'How dead everything seems. I've never seen it so… lifeless.' Hermione sighed.
'People are being careful, zat is all. We should be too.'
'Just one more stop?' The brunette pleaded. Fleur couldn't help but gently kiss the pout of the Gryffindor's lips. 'I told the twins I'd pop in and see the shop.'
Fleur nodded and allowed herself to be dragged through the street and in to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. The blonde had to admit she was impressed.
'We know now why ze street seemed so dead.' She mused, her eyes scanning the shelves which held hundreds of various trinkets, pranks, and admittedly brilliant magical items as she weaved through the crowds of people.
'Hermione!' Fred Weasley grinned as the young Gryffindor and her girlfriend approached. 'We've been expecting you.' Added George.
Hermione beamed at the twins who were explaining their line of love potions. 'We've got a little bag of goodies for you and Harry.' Fred winked. 'On the house of course.' George grinned.
'Love potions? Looks like you've been using enough of those as it is.'
Hermione tensed at the sound of Ron's voice booming through the store. 'And what exactly is that supposed to mean?' She snapped. Ron just smiled and cast his gaze to her hand which was tightly interlocked with Fleur's. Fleur bristled alongside her, her features contorting into rage.
'Don't be such a jealous prat, Ron.' Hermione snarled. The last thing she needed was Ronald Weasley hounding her for the foreseeable future.
'What have I got to be jealous about? The mudblood and the beast?' He laughed bitterly. Hermione lunged, wand at the ready. If it hadn't been for Fleur's arm around her waist she would have Hexed the boy until his limbs were torn apart, never to be found.
'Mon amour, we should leave.' Fleur whispered urgently in her ear. Battling to keep the brunette at bay. 'It is not worth it, 'E is not worth it.' The last thing Hermione saw as Fleur pulled her away was the smug grin on Ron's face.
'Here.' The brunette snapped, dropping a small bag onto Harry's lap.
'Merlin, 'Mione. What's the matter with you?' Harry grumbled, picking up the bag and peering inside.
'Ronald.' Was all the answer he received. A small understanding smile slid into place as he looked from his seething best friend to her on edge love.
'What happened?'
'Ronald zought it would be funny to make a rather, 'orrid, remark at the twin's shop. The bag is from zem.' Fleur tried to explain, though her eyes never left the younger woman who had yet to stop pacing.
'That's Ron all over at the moment.' Harry sighed, his eyes downcast.
'What do you mean?' Hermione's head snapped around to face the boy. At his lost expression she continued. 'At the moment… What do you mean by that? He hasn't spoken to either of us in months.'
Harry sighed once more. 'He hasn't spoken to me directly.' The boy explained. 'Daphne on the other hand.' The green eyed boy hesitated at the hatred making itself known in Hermione's usually warm eyes. 'He's been writing to her. For weeks apparently. Made out that he only wanted what was best for Daph, and that she deserves to know the truth.'
'What truth?' Hermione seethed.
'Well, that's just it. There is no truth. But, Ron has been telling Daph that I've been seeing Ginny for months behind her back.' The boy admitted, his eyes swimming with unshed tears.
'Surely she knows that's not true though.' Hermione practically shouted.
'She said she wants to believe me, but finds it hard to not believe Ron.'
'That's just ludicrous!' Hermione sighed as Fleur wrapped an arm around her waist in an effort to try and calm the teenager.
'I know.' Harry muttered. 'Said she needs some time to think it all over.'
'Oh, Harry.' Hermione sighed. She sat herself next to the young man and draped an arm over his shoulder. 'She'll come around.'
'I hope so.' The boy admitted as he allowed himself to relax into the brunette's embrace. A stray tear streaking down his cheek.
Fleur watched as the pair sat consoling each other. They didn't deserve any of the stress that had landed on their laps. Seeing that they were going to be okay together, the blonde quietly left the room. They needed this time alone.
Fleur wandered aimlessly out into the garden of the Tonks' household. The sky was getting darker, charcoal clouds filling the sky and threatening to spill over her for a second time that day. It was a few moments before the French witch noticed the figure leaning against the apple tree at the bottom of the grass.
'Pansy.' She greeted, her tone lacking some of its usual warmth.
'Fleur.' The Slytherin replied politely. 'Hermione not with you?'
'No, 'Arry needs 'er more at ze moment.'
Pansy frowned. 'Everything okay?'
'It will be.' Fleur stated. She watched as the other girl seemed to squirm and took pity on her. 'It was Ronald.'
'Say no more.' The girl laughed. 'I never understood why either of them tolerated such an arse.'
'Walk wiz me?' The veela asked suddenly. Pansy's eyes widened in surprise, this entire encounter had been frightfully awkward and if she was honest with herself, she didn't want it to continue any longer than necessary. Feeling uncomfortable under the cerulean stare she nodded.
'Ermione told me 'ow strongly you feel for Nymphadora.' The blonde started as the pair wandered slowly around the garden. Pansy could only nod in response.
'She is my best friend.' Fleur stated, her eyes boring into the other girl.
'I know.' Pansy countered shyly. 'And Hermione is your mate. You'll only ever want what's best for them and I know that.' Pansy paused, she briefly wished she had the Gryffindor bravery, although she'd never admit it aloud. 'Hermione and I were never anything more than a couple of brats, each trying to get one up on the other until it became too much.'
Fleur tensed unwillingly at that admission. She was hoping to have kept the steely Veela act going for longer but the open discussion of her mate made every fibre stand on end.
'There's no real feeling there. Never has been.' Pansy continued, eyes glued to the floor. 'Obviously, I care. These last few months she's been more of a friend to me than I could have ever expected. But, Dora. Meeting, Dora, has shown me that anything I ever thought about anyone is wrong. She's blown me away. I never knew it would feel quite like this.' The brunette admitted shyly.
Fleur relaxed somewhat as the girl stopped beside her. She noted that her blue eyes where tinted with tears. 'I don't want to lose her as a friend, but I do understand that this is hard. Crazy even.' The brunette giggled nervously.
'We will put it behind us.' Fleur stated matter-of-factly. 'We will all move on and 'opefully become good friends.' Fleur smiled as the younger woman relaxed entirely. 'Just know that if you were to 'urt either of them I would end your existence.' The veela laughed as the Slytherin paled.
'Deal.' She attempted to smile, knowing that in spite of the laughter, the French woman wasn't joking.
The two made small talk as they continued their walk up the garden and into the house. Despite her initial feelings, Fleur could see exactly why her mate and best friend has such fondness for the Slytherin. As they entered the living room, Harry had gone. He had been replaced by Nymphdora who was showing Hermione her Platypus nose in an effort to cheer her up. Both Fleur and Pansy lit up at the easy-going laughter between the two on the sofa.
'How cosy.' Pansy smirked before sitting alongside her metaphormagus and falling into her awaiting arms. Hermione looked to Fleur expectantly. The blonde smiled warmly at her lover. The kind of smile that washed away all pain.
'Ow is 'Arry?' She asked softly.
'Upset.' The brunette replied, burrowing into Fleur's embrace as she sat down.
'Understandably so.' Tonks added and upon seeing Pansy's confusion, filled her in on the situation.
The four witches soon fell into comfortable chatter. They laughed and joked about all things Ronald Weasley, Tonks' clumsiness, Hermione's book obsession and whether or not Pansy was placed in the wrong Hogwarts house. It wasn't until Andromeda popped her head around the door with a smile and told them that everyone had gone to bed, and that they should too if they wanted to be alert at the following day's meeting, that they noticed how much time had passed. Fleur beamed as she watched Pansy hopelessly follow Dora up the stairs.
'Someone is getting lucky.' She joked to her lover as they closed the door to their room.
'They're not the only ones.' Hermione smirked as her lover turned to find her sitting on the edge of the bed.
'Mon amour- '
'No, Fleur.' Hermione pressed a finger to her lover's lips. 'I'm more than ready.' She breathed, her lips slowly pressing into those belonging to her mate. It didn't take long for Fleur to react. She lowered her lover on to the bed and lay on top of her. Their tongues lazily dancing together, fingertips exploring newly exposed flesh as clothing was removed.
'I 'ave to ask… Are you sure? Zer is no going back.' Fleur questioned, her eyes ferociously boring into hazel.
'Yes.' Hermione gasped as her lover's thumbs hooked into the top of her underwear. 'I want to start our bonding. Please, Fleur.' Fleur beamed as she removed the last barrier between them and her hand slipped between her lover's legs. Neither of them became aware of the faint glow emanating from their eyes, or the small marking that had appeared on their wrist, marking them as mates, for life.
