Fleur squeezed Hermione's hand tightly, shaking her out of her shock.
"Hermione. Its over." She said.
Around them, occasional spells were still flashing around as the last of the Death Eaters were dealt with. But for George, Hermione and Fleur, none of this mattered. Nothing mattered. The source of their individual and collective pain was gone. George threw himself into Hermione and Fleur's arms, sobbing heavily.
"Its over," Fleur repeated, stroking George's hair. Hermione's heart broke at the care Fleur took with George.
"But it doesn't bring him back," George choked.
The last spells shot around the room.
Ginny and Neville were unconscious, but safely guarded by Molly Weasley. Narcissa had been stunned and bound and was in a corner with a growing number of Death Eaters.
Battle over, Harry wiped perspiration from his forehead and strode over to Hermione.
"I don't think I need to tell you how bloody dangerous it was to head here on your own," Harry said. Hermione nodded. Fleur and George flanked her at either side. One in great physical pain, one in great emotional pain.
"I never thought I would see the day where Hermione Granger acted on heart instead of head," he continued, "But I know it would take something incredible to cause that."
He glanced from Hermione to Fleur. Hermione smiled and took Fleur's hand.
"I'm just glad you're safe" Harry said to the both of them. Hermione grinned and let go of Fleur to take Harry in a tight hug.
Ron ambled over to join the group, putting a hand on George's shoulder comfortingly.
"Come back to the Burrow tonight?" Ron asked solemnly, "Neville and Ginny are gonna be just fine, but I feel like we all need to be together tonight."
"Fleur's welcome too, right?" Harry asked, Hermione releasing him from their hug.
"Course," Ron answered.
Hermione took Fleur's hand again.
When they got back to the Burrow, Molly bustled around organizing healing. Neville and Ginny were revived, but weak, and set up in the living room for Molly to monitor overnight.
Hermione insisted on seeing to Fleur herself. Fleur had deep cuts on her back from where her wings had protruded. She had several nasty cuts and bruises elsewhere on her body but the one place Hermione was worried about was where Bellatrix had plunged the cursed blade. Her perpetually stinging arm was evidence that it would be hard to heal.
Hermione had closed all the wounds except for the dagger one which went smoothly, save for some flinching on Fleur's part at her shoulder wounds.
"It is lucky I am only a quarter Veela so cannot complete the full transformation," she remarked through gritted teeth as Hermione used a charmed antiseptic that stung.
"What could be more painful than wings tearing through your flesh?" Hermione asked, pausing with her ministrations.
"Try a beak," Fleur said with a pained smile. This resulted in a matching grin from Hermione.
"Well I suppose you got off lightly then, Delacour," she said lightheartedly, although inwardly she cringed as she clumsily stopped the dagger wound from bleeding.
Finally, Fleur was all bandaged up and her pain managed as well as Hermione could. They looked around at Ron and Harry flitting around helping Molly.
"Shall we get out of the way and head to bed?" Hermione asked. Fleur smiled and took her hand. Hermione led her up the stairs and to Bill's room, shutting the door quietly behind them.
It was the early hours of the morning and the room was completely dark, save for the full moon streaming through the window onto the bed.
"Its amazing to think how much has changed since we were last here together," Fleur said softly, remembering the preparations for her wedding.
"Probably for the best since I don't think you were my biggest fan then," Hermione joked. Fleur smiled.
"Ginny used to call me Phlegm," she said with a grin, "I figured you had probably made your mind up about me by then."
"Really?" Hermione said, incredulous, "I don't think I could so much as pass you the salt at the dinner table without blushing."
"Yes, but many people can find me physically attractive and not like me," Fleur remarked airily, beginning to get ready for bed.
"Oh thank god," Hermione remarked in an over-dramatic tone, "Thank goodness your ego has escaped the attack from Bellatrix unharmed."
Fleur laughed. Her laugh was musical, and warmed Hermione to her core. Hermione felt herself turn serious as she turned the partially dressed Fleur in her arms to face her.
"You are the most magnificent woman I have ever met," Hermione said seriously, "Its more than you being the spitting image of Aphrodite. You make me smile, you make me think of other perspectives… you challenge me intellectually."
Fleur gave a small smile and moved closer to Hermione. Their faces were almost touching.
"Now who has the ego?" she joked softly.
Hermione crashed her lips into Fleur. They kissed fiercely, Fleur's tongue slipping into Hermione's mouth to play with her tongue. Hermione moaned at the ecstasy sparked within her at the intimate action. Her hands ran up Fleur's side, retracting instantly as Fleur hissed in pain when she brushed her dagger wound.
"Shit, sorry Fleur," Hermione murmured, "Maybe one day we will figure out how to eradicate the curse from that blade," she added, rubbing the cuts on her own arm. Fleur nodded, stepping back from Hermione.
They climbed into bed, Hermione carefully wrapping her arms around Fleur. Fleur kissed her forehead softly.
The next morning Fleur and Hermione woke together, Hermione tending to Fleur's wounds before they headed down to the table downstairs for breakfast.
Harry, Ron, and Molly were already set up at the table. Neville and Ginny were conscious and at the table too, although looking considerably worse for wear. Neville had a large scar down the side of his face, from the corner of one eye down to his jaw. Ginny was still incredibly pale, although was digging in to a bowl of cereal with vigour.
Hermione and Fleur sat down together, Fleur grabbing them both some toast.
"You two have certainly grown close," Molly remarked, as Hermione buttered and spread the toast for both of them.
Hermione looked at Fleur, smiling. Things seemed too good to be true at the moment.
"Oui," Fleur began, "We…"
But she was interrupted by a large owl swooping in and landing heavily on the breakfast table, knocking over several boxes of cereal. It held its leg out to nobody in particular. Mrs Weasley untied the papers from the owl's leg and it chirped gratefully before swooping off again, knocking over Neville's cup of tea.
"Its from the Ministry…" she remarked, "It's a summoning of witnesses to the trial of Narcissa Malfoy."
Everyone froze with their breakfasts and looked to Mrs Weasley.
"Hermione, Fleur, you're both on the list of witnesses." Molly said, looking up from the papers.
Hermione put her toast back down.
"What does this mean?" Hermione asked darkly, already knowing the answer.
"It means you'll be asked to recount Narcissa's role in your torture at Malfoy Manor in front of the Wizengamot," Molly said uncomfortably. The others round the table shot them sympathetic looks.
"When is it?" Fleur asked hoarsely. Her complexion had paled dramatically.
"Next week," Molly handed the bundle of papers across the table to the pair.
Hermione began reading the documents. Fleur took her hand and held it tightly. Ginny looked curiously at their held hands, as if suddenly realising the reality of Hermione being with Fleur.
Hermione was re-reading the documents on Bill's bed later in the morning when there was a knock at the door. She looked up, curious. Fleur was showering before they would pack and head back to Fleur's place in the city.
Ginny entered the room and came to sit beside Hermione on Bill's bed.
"We used to be pretty close Hermione, before I got all caught up with Harry and the war and everything," Ginny said, kicking her legs off the bed. Hermione put down the court documents and looked at Ginny.
"Yeah, you're right," Hermione said, looking at her friend with new interest, "I'm sorry Gin, how are things with you?"
"Forget about me, girl," Ginny said, scooting closer to Hermione, "Dish on how things are between you and Fleur! I swear I won't judge you for dating her."
"Erm…"
Hermione was so blindsided by the court documents that she hadn't asked Fleur after breakfast how open the Frenchwoman wanted to be with her ex in-laws about seeing Hermione. They already knew, of course, that something was going on but Hermione was unsure how to talk further about her and Fleur
"You do like her though, don't you?" Ginny persisted.
"So much, Gin," Hermione confessed, "There is so much more to her than we ever thought."
Ginny was about to reply when Fleur herself walked into the room, a skimpy towel wrapped around herself and her silver-blonde hair wet and loose. Ginny looked at Hermione's floored expression with amusement.
"We can chat more later when you've picked your jaw up from the floor," Ginny joked, before getting up and bounding out of the room again.
"What was that about?" Fleur asked, as Hermione blushed and averted her eyes from the goddess getting changed in the room around her. She still could not get used to the blonde beauty being interested in her. Hermione Granger.
"Erm, Fleur, what do you want to tell people about… er… us?" Hermione said awkwardly.
Fleur paused, turning around to look at Hermione. Her hair was still damp and she was half dressed, in a loose white oxford shirt and her underwear. She flashed a radiant smile that absolutely melted Hermione.
"I am proud of my feelings for you, Hermione," Fleur said simply, "I would love for everyone to know that we are in a relationship, if you are comfortable."
"W-we're officially dating now?" Hermione asked, blushing again.
"If you'll have me," Fleur joked.
Hermione leapt up from the bed and pulled Fleur into her arms, kissing her passionately.
When they had finished getting ready for the day, they headed downstairs to say goodbye to the others. Fleur had finished dressing and was wearing figure hugging jeans with her white oxford shirt. Hermione herself was dressed in a simple oversized jumper, chinos and oxford shoes.
"I appreciate your help with Bellatrix immensely," Fleur said politely to the Weasleys, "And thank you very much for having us. Hermione and I shall be heading back to ours shortly."
Fleur kissed Hermione on the cheek and took her hand, interlacing their fingers.
Mrs Weasley paused. "I don't mean to pry dear," she said, observing their hands, "But how are things between you two?"
"Great," Fleur said airily, and Hermione swooned at her confidence, "I am very much interested in Hermione. We are now in a relationship."
Harry grinned and flashed a thumbs up at Hermione who was blushing furiously.
Ron's jaw had dropped and he had purpled.
"Our Hermione?!" he spluttered, earning an elbow in the ribs from Ginny.
"Yes, Ronald," Hermione said irritably, "I already told you as much when I mentioned moving in with her."
"Cripes," he gasped, running his hand through his hair, "I mean I know that… But I just still never thought Fleur would swing that way…"
Harry was frowning at Ron doubting their friend.
"I for one think they make a great couple," George said from behind his siblings. Hermione smiled at the support.
"Oh, this is great news!" Mrs Weasley exclaimed, clapping her hands together, "Fleur dear, I am so glad, you suit Hermione so well."
Fleur smiled, unused to the Molly Weasley blessing of her relationships.
"Bloody hell," Ron exclaimed, still rubbing his temples with disbelief, "I just still can't believe that Hermione got Fleur Delacour in the sack!"
"Ronald!" Molly cut in severely.
Hermione blushed darkly while cursing Ron. She was painfully aware that she still hadn't done more than kiss Fleur, and had never done any more than that with any woman before. She was incredibly nervous that she would disappoint Fleur and lose her interest. Both Harry and Fleur seemed to sense her discomfort.
"Well, on that note, we should probably be heading off," Fleur said, pulling Hermione closer. Harry was clipping Ron around the head as they apparated back to Fleur's.
They arrived back in Fleur's living room which was still in disarray from the Death Eater invasion. Fleur released Hermione and immediately set to quietly tidying up the apartment. Hermione awkwardly watched her.
"Fleur… I'm sorry about Ron," she started, "He can be a bit of a pig."
Fleur turned and smiled at her.
"Hermione, do not be sorry," she replied, "Ronald has always said inappropriate things to me, and about me, even when I was with Bill. If anything, I am sorry about the way he spoke about you."
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked, quirking an eyebrow.
"Being so surprised that you would be able to lure me into bed," Fleur said with a seductive smile.
"Fl-Fleur," Hermione started, but they were interrupted by a knock at the door.
Fleur smirked and returned to cleaning up the apartment as Hermione crossed the floor, exhaling heavily, as she went to answer the door. Fleur was going to give her a heart attack one of these days with her smouldering looks.
Hermione shook her head and regained her composure before opening the door. She was glad for her composure when she saw who was standing patiently at the door. Her eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"Draco?"
The blonde wizard smoothed his hair back. It was slicked back in his signature Draco Malfoy style. Despite this, he looked like a shadow of himself. He was gaunt and had a hunted look about him, fidgeting uncharacteristically.
"What on earth are you doing here?" Hermione asked, incredulous.
Draco licked his lips nervously and shot looks around the hallway nervously.
"Can I come in?" he asked croakily.
"If you promise you aren't going to attack us like your psychotic relatives," Hermione said scathingly. Draco swallowed heavily and nodded, distracted. Hermione stepped back to allow him entry, but withdrew her wand.
When they filed into the living room properly, Hermione was shocked to see that Fleur had already made short work of the mess.
Fleur raised her eyebrows at Hermione at the sight of Draco Malfoy entering her apartment. Hermione shot her a look to wordlessly communicate that she was as baffled as her.
Draco began to pace, the nervous energy about him increasing.
"I shouldn't be here…" he muttered, running a shaky hand through his hair.
"Let me guess," Fleur said coldly, "You do not want us to testify against your mother."
Draco stopped his pacing and looked at them, his face twitching with nervousness.
"Au contraire, Delacour," Draco said, "I want you and Granger to testify against mother. But you need to know something before you do."
Fleur and Hermione exchanged worried looks as Draco wrung his hands. There was something wrong, Draco never lacked composure.