"I know it could have been worst, but still. It is not like it is my decision to appear on the papers with every little thing and my boss is treating it like it was my fault when it was not! "
Hermione was noticeably still upset when talking to Fleur while they walked across the sidewalk and towards the bar Bill was waiting them at. Apparating on the area was prohibited which made people walk to the pubs, bars or discos.
Fleur had patiently waited for Hermione to arrive at the agreed place. She was aware of the story on the papers and her attitude did not surprise her. For the blonde, once she heard people talking about Hermione she went to grab a newspaper expecting the worst. Luckily the account of events excluded her and any mention of the word "girlfriend" or "sexuality" in it. It looked like the reporters did not really know what exactly happened by pure luck. It could have been worst and they could only hope that the truth never came out. Fleur knew it would be extremely hard for Hermione if this came out but the brunette seemed like not talking about the subject.
She knew she had to be patient with Hermione that night so she would let her talk about the subject as much as she wanted and try to cheer her up with the possible position at the Auror's office. Bill would not be with them all the time, as he had another group of people to attend to but she hoped he could get along with Hermione and provide her the breather she so desperately needed.
As Fleur expected, it was not long before Hermione asked Bill directly the question she had ask the blonde previously.
"Bill I am sorry but I have to know. Did Fleur cheated on you?"
Bill could only look at Fleur to see her reaction. The blonde witch did not look back but stared at Hermione with a smile on her face. Bill relaxed and let out a small laugh. To then add.
"So she told you about her ex hu?"
"Yes but I did not tell her about your ex"
Fleur replied which made Bill laugh again.
Hermione was amused. She did not expected Fleur to be so straightforward with Bill. The only interaction she had seen between them was, as a couple that did not talk much when in front of others.
"Now Bill. Please tell Hermione I did not cheated on you, because if I did then you cheated on me too"
Fleur continued while looking at Bill that was siting to her right. Hermione was seated in the middle of the two. They were at an oval couch with a big table in the middle. Most of the people the seats around belonged to were dancing or talking in pairs with one another. This was the only time that the trio had the chance to sit together and talk. Since Fleur and Hermione arrived they had spent most of the time being introduced and getting to know everybody at the group of Bill's friend. They had even brought a cake and sing happy birthday before getting to were they were now.
Fleur was not having many drinks; she just did it when she felt like it, which was not the case tonight. On the other hand Hermione had already loos the count of drinks, luckily a little dizziness made her aware of the fact and she had stopped drinking, but could not hide the fact that she was already on a happy, non-filter state, blushing state.
"Ok, look Hermione I did not cheated on Fleur"
Hermione laughed and Fleur stood up a little from her seat to hit Bill on the arm. He only laughed.
"Ok, ok. In all seriousness, no, Fleur did not cheated on me. She was the best wife and friend I could have. And no Fleur is not the alcohol talking"
Bill looked at Fleur, which was giving him a glare of disbelief.
"I am saying this because I mean it. But also because I have to go now, I am sorry I can't stay longer but I think I have to spend time with the birthday boy over there. For now Fleur please tells her everything you want. I trust Hermione I get to you two later, promise."
Before Bill could stand up completely Hermione reached to her right and grabbed his hand with force pulling him to seat again. Bill just looked at her questioningly.
"Thank you for trusting me. And I am glad we could meet"
The two smiled at each other and Bill went to the dance floor. Which left a tipsy Hermione with Fleur. Hermione asked Fleur for water in part to alleviate the tension of being alone. She was not sure why but this time they felt awkward with each other as it never felt before. Fleur was glad to go and clear her mind about how much to tell Hermione, she definitely trust her and valued their friendship but talking about exes and partners felt strange with her. Both knew a waiter could have brought them the water but they needed the few seconds before getting together again.
After Fleur came back with the jug of ice and water and they filled their respective glasses, Hermione was the first one to talk.
"You don't have to tell me if you don't feel like it"
"Tell you what?"
Fleur knew exactly what Hermione was talking about but decided to play dumb until she felt more confident. She could not guess why she was feeling insecure around the brunette.
"Tell me about Bill. About what happened between you and Bill"
The spent the next hour talking which only felt like a few minutes. They had been really immersed on the conversation, feeling closer than ever. For both it was a pleasure being on the other's company. Hermione was enjoying seeing the blonde talking not only with so much honesty, but with the maturity of a person that has taken time to analyze the subjects and learn from them.
Fleur could have never predicted Bill was gay. He acted like a husband should act and treat her really well. It was as if they had a mutual agreement of being with each other because they had to marry in order to make their families happy. What Fleur did not expected was to be expected to act as a traditional woman. Bill was comfortable with Fleur doing everything for him. Cooking, cleaning, washing his clothes, grocery shopping, listening to him. But Fleur was upset. She even started to feel like a trophy wife, which has always been her worst nightmare. The worst she could imagine happening when young; having someone interested on showing her off for her looks only. They had terrible fights and drifted apart more and more.
Until one day Bill got depressed. He stopped going to work and eating well and on one of their fights he told her crying that he was gay. Since that moment everything started making sense to her, Bill was used to hate that part of him, he had done it for a long time. This made him become aggressive towards himself and others. He told Fleur he loved her but not as a couple and she had felt the same way for a long time, maybe even since they got together.
It was the same for her, she told him about having a secret girlfriend at school when she was on her last years and having a question about her sexuality. Eventually they got along better. Bill started taking care of himself and his things more, even of Fleur's things too. He had been raised on a family where men did not have to do any of those things, and he was also scared of doing them and others finding out they were gay for doing them. Fleur taught him and help him feel better with himself.
They started dating other men and women while still married and living together. After a while they even got to meet each other conquests. They really liked living with each other and having each other support. Living together gave them the opportunity to forgive and heal many wounds they had from previous fights. The time came in which Bill got a boyfriend he wanted to live with and waited until Fleur felt ready to live alone. They divorced, found new places to live and continued their friendship, surprising their families and everyone around them.
From the outside they seemed like a great couple that was in love but on the inside they had hated each other to then become best friends and allies in something they could not tell their parents about. Fleur's parents were aware of her school girlfriend and did not talk about it with her or seemed really bothered, while the Weasley's did not looked like they would accept it, specially from Bill, one of their older son's that was supposed to act like a manly man and make the family look good with his job and perfect marriage, he had lost contact with them after the divorce but it does not actually bothered by it much.
Hermione understood a lot of things about Ron after hearing Fleur's story. She got to talk with the blonde about both of them having a connection with the Weasley family. Being the wives of man from the same family gave them a stronger sense of being understood. She was amazed by the blonde's strength for having not only lived trough the difficult times but also helped Bill feel better with himself. This explained the sweetness with which he treated Fleur and the protectiveness and loyalty he seemed to have towards her.
Bill sat next to them tired of dancing. He had kept the promise of coming back. Fleur smiled at him and grabbed his face while he smiled.
"I was telling her everything. About when we lived together, so she doesnt thinkg I was a bad wife"
Bill told Hermione how much he thanked Fleur for everythign she did for him. She had changed his life and had become the most important person for him. He offered them some shots after this in order to celebrate someone knowing about their amazing friendship, he looked happy to have Hermione at their sides, as if she represented somehow his brother (Ron) and people from their circle. They cheered and drank happily. It had been a long time since Hermione had felt this happy.
"It was strangely comfortable to have this dork to talk to any time of the day"
Fleur said after.
"And also to take care of you and approve your conquests"
"Ha you wish. You were away most of the time what makes you think you approved all of my conquests?"
"Oh, so there must be hundreds if there were more than I met"
Fleur hit Bill on his arm, he just laughed like Hermione.
"Watch your words because I have a lot to say about you too. Don't make me start counting"
"Ok, ok I won't count you won't count, Hermione doesn't count and we are all happy"
Hermione laughed at this. She was feeling energized and relaxed at the same time. Content with the moment and company.
"You know Bill, there is something I want to know about Fleur. What is her type? In girls I mean. She doesn't want to tell me and I wonder why"
"Hey! I don't tell you because you always tell me that you don't know"
Fleur quickly replied.
"But I really don't!" Hermione defended.
They smiled at each other and looked at each other's eyes. For a moment Bill felt like they forgot about him. Hermione continued.
"I really don't know, and is not like I have a lot of experience with people, men or women to know what I like ok!"
Fleur just laughed at this. It was a confession Hermione had not make before and it was funny to see her blurting out everything right now.
"I am sorry but I would have to take Hermione's side on this"
Bill said interrupting their stares.
"Hey!" Fleur replied.
"What? I believe her!"
"So go on, betray me then. Tell her"
"Haha, don't say it like that. If I remember well…I don't know, it is hard to tell exactly. It depends on the occasion" By this time Fleur was already face palming she waiting anxiously for Bills answer. " Yeah it depends but you mostly you mostly like brunettes" he said while pointing at Fleur "I have never seen you with a blonde, and I like it I don't know blondes does not suit you. You were married to a readhead but well that did not suited you either right?"
Hermione laughed it was amazing how they both were able to even mention the subject. Bill continued while giving Fleur an intense look.
"They have to be interesting. I remember how you used to complain about Betty and how you could not have a decent conversation with her. Oh and they definitely must not be too affected by your thrall. You immediately loose interest on someone that throws herself at you from the beginning it is like if it offended you somehow. And yeah, that's all I can say Hermione, was that any good?"
"Yes, amazingly good. I already knew about the thrall thing but that was a lot. I understand more about her now. Thank you"
"Ok I have to leave you now. I am sorry to leave you with Fleur like this but well"
Fleur got to hit Bill for a last time before he left. She was blushing and Hermione liked the sight of it.
I feel really good when writing :) this but sadly :( I started school and won't have much time to write from now on. However I will update another chapter soon and would do my best to keep them coming. I can tell you I am sure I will be finishing this. Thank you for reading and being interested. Sorry for any mistakes I prefer to upload it and then make corrections than to wait until I have time to edit. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do and continue to do so. Be well everyone.