Happy New Year everyone! I hope everyone survived the end of the world and is ready to start 2013 on a good note! Coincidentally, things get better for our two favorite witches from here on out. Mostly of course. You will just have to read and see.

As always, sorry for the long wait. College takes up a lot of time...

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing and am making no profit from this story.

Chapter 13

The week leading up to Valentine's Day weekend dragged along slowly for Fleur. She only saw Hermione at a distance during meal times as the girl had been excused from her class for the week. When Saturday finally arrived she was relieved. The students were heading off to Hogsmeade for the day, which meant that Fleur could sing. Since the incident earlier in the week, she had been aching to sing; the music had suddenly returned and was threatening to bubble up and out.

After her lunch, she decided to go out onto the grounds and down to the lake. It had snowed the day before, covering everything in a thick layer of white. She slipped on a thick pair of winter boots, a jacket, a scarf, mittens and finally a pair of ear muffs. She made her way out of the castle slowly, enjoying the sting of the cold air on her face and in her lungs. She pulled the scarf around her neck and chin tightly to keep out the chill. In a matter of minutes she had reached the dock and she made her way out to the very end. Using her wand she cleared a place in the snow at the end and conjured a very thick blanket to sit on. She dangled her legs over the edge, swinging them above the ice that covered the lake.

She was a little scared to let her voice out, after what had happened the last time. She knew the fear was foolish, she knew she could control that part of her. Or at least she had thought…she banished that voice of doubt. She trusted herself, and she trusted Dumbledore who had comforted her and told her to believe in herself, and in destiny. It all sounded a little ridiculous to her, but she trusted the old man, for all of his meddling.

After Professor McGonagall had left Fleur in her Room, Some Nights Before

Fleur threw herself into one of her armchairs as she let the tears fall freely from her eyes. Her whole body was wracked with convulsions as she sobbed. She wanted to just release all of the pain, throw it away, do something to let it all go. The idea of punching something was very tempting to her, in her state of mind. She couldn't believe what she had done. She had lost all control of her Veela, let all of that primal energy consume her and control her. She was better than that and she knew it.

A knock sounded on her door, but she didn't even bother looking up.

The door clicked open and in walked Albus Dumbledore. Fleur snarled. She knew this man was somehow responsible for Hermione's sudden change in her actions towards Fleur.

At her snarl the old man chuckled. "Your grandmother gave me a similar greeting when she came to visit me the day after Christmas. I'm afraid you have a ways to go young one." He smiled jovially.

Even in her anger Fleur couldn't help but smile slightly at the thought of the matriarch of her family.

"She of course hasn't changed since I saw her last; she is still the spitfire she always was." He smiled fondly. "She came to me because she was worried about your collapse on Christmas day." His eyes lost their humor and became serious. "I must confess I am to blame for the situation we are in right now. I gave Miss Granger a little extra reading material over the holidays. You may have heard of it, A Human's Guide to Veela Love?"

Fleur's blazing eyes shot up to look at man who was still standing just inside the closed door. She gaped at him. "You gave her THAT?" she screeched. "That is one of the rarest and most dangerous books written about Veela…how could you? If you have it in your possession you must have read it…then you know everything it says. It bares all of our secrets." Her eyes were cold and accusing as she stared at Dumbledore. "There is no way she could ever love me now."

"Yes my dear, I do know…I know very well what that book says. I am truly sorry." He looked so apologetic and sincere at the same time that Fleur felt her heart soften towards him. "I am taking it upon myself to talk to Miss Granger as soon as she awakens. I hope to change her mind, or at least make her think about her situation." Fleur looked at him skeptically. Seeing this, Dumbledore continued. "I give you my word Miss Delacour."

Fleur sighed and sank into her chair. She didn't know if he would be able to help, but she had no other choice. Dumbledore kneeled in front of her and took her hand looking her straight in the eye. "Do not give up Fleur; the cards are in your favor. You must believe me." The Veela nodded slowly and Dumbledore stood. "I will see you soon Miss Delacour." And he swept out of the room.

Fleur breathed out, the hot air misting into little clouds in front of her. She smiled and took a deep breath in, letting it out slowly, watching it float gracefully upwards before disappearing.

She started singing, a quiet lullaby her mother had sung to her when she was a child. The tune was lilting and comforting, helping to soothe her (metaphorically) ruffled feathers. The tune changed, dancing into a song of celebration that flew from her lips louder now. It was sung during the height of summer when the days were the longest, and when the family would gather for the festival of the summer solstice. As the melody floated and began to fade, she began another song; an old story of sorts that told of the Veelas' rich history. Somehow, naturally, (fittingly she realized) this song flowed smoothly into an ancient tale of a young Veela who had bonded with a human. The song was a sad one, for the Veela refused to bend the human to her will, and it ended with her death. When this song ended no more music came and Fleur sighed, her heart sad at the reminder of her own troubles. She wondered how the Veela in the song had died; the song didn't specify. Her musings were cut short by a voice behind her.

"Professor Delacour?"

Fleur turned and was awestruck by the sight of the girl her heart desired. Hermione's checks were pink from the chill, even though she was bundled up tightly. Her rambunctious waves of hair flowed out from under a cap, and she stood nervously a slight distance behind Fleur on the dock.

"I…somehow heard you singing from inside the castle. I knew it had to be you. I'm sorry if I interrupted you." Hermione was tentative, nervous.

"No, it's…it's fine. You didn't interrupt me at all." Fleur paused. "Um…sit?" she moved over so there was room on the blanket next to her.

"Thanks…" Hermione sat carefully, making sure not to get snow on her seat. It was obvious to Fleur that she was still nervous. She was very stiff in her movements, and her hands were clenched together in her lap. She also would not meet the Veela's eyes. Fleur opened her mouth to say something, without any idea what, but the Gryffindor beat her to it. "Professor…I'm really sorry about…" she stopped, thinking about what she was going to say. "I mean, I think I was just surprised, and…" she stopped again trying to get the right words out. "What I'm trying to say is that I think I made my decision prematurely…I think there is something here. I've always been drawn to you…inexplicably. I thought it was me idolizing you because you're an amazingly talented witch but…I'm not so sure anymore."

Fleur could not believe her ears. Her heart was pounding, trying to get out of her body and just soar. So many emotions were flying around inside of her, hope, excitement, fear, she wanted to burst out and fly herself from joy, but she waited patiently for the girl to finish, keeping her face neutral and attentive.

"I guess I want to give us a try? I mean we're destined or something like that" the brunette tried to joke, make it seem like a small minor thing. "I don't know. I'm just so nervous about even talking about this, after reading that book, there are some things that just…" she stopped talking and Fleur jumped in.

"Hermione." She spoke the name quietly but firmly with the French lilt in her voice that the younger witch realized she enjoyed. "I understand what you are trying to say…and I…I too feel many of the emotions you are feeling. I want to give this a try too." as she said it, she knew that for her it wasn't 'giving them a try' it was her entire life's happiness on the line. But she couldn't say that to the girl who had been on the brink of turning away from her forever. "We can start out slow. Do you want to get tea in Hogsmeade tomorrow? Or next weekend? Whenever you are free I can be." Who was she kidding; she was at the complete mercy of this young woman. She hoped her desperation didn't show.

For the first time in more than a month Fleur saw the brunette smile. It filled her with so much joy, she was almost bursting. "That sounds nice Professor-"

"No, you must call me Fleur. Please…"

"Um…Fleur," the name felt weird, yet pleasant on Hermione's tongue. "next weekend sounds good. I have to study tomorrow; we have a big transfiguration test on Monday." She got up to leave, and Fleur turned her body to look at her.

Fleur smiled at the girl. "I will see you in class then Mademoiselle Granger."

Hermione smiled again and touched the fingertips of her gloved hands to the Veela's shoulder. "Of course, Professor." With that, she began her trek back up to the castle.

When she was out of sight, Fleur flopped backwards, not caring at all that snow was getting in her hair and making her jacket wet. She laughed out loud to herself, not caring if anyone heard. She could have floated all the way up into the sky she was so happy. Her whole world was suddenly transformed. She felt happy for the first time in a month.

Thank you for reading! Reviews are always appreciated!