Summary – "Hermione should have thought up a better plan that day. Now she is hiding what happened from Harry, Ron, Ginny, the rest of The Weasley Family, and half of Hogwarts. Also on top of that other secrets are coming out and she is learning new things about herself that she never knew. Along with the troubles of two Veela, but especially one Fleur Delacour and her family."
Rating - Older Teen to Mature (For later chapters)
By- WolfDragonGod and Asher Henry
Beta -Lash_Larue
"Talking"
'Thinking'
To Hate is To Love –Chapter Fourteen
Hermione woke a little while later to the sound of her wand buzzing. She picked up the noisy bit of wood and thought about throwing it across the room, but knew it would only buzz louder should she do that. Sighing, she cast a quick spell and the buzzing stopped. She took a moment to enjoy the calm before going down to the boisterous Great Hall for lunch. She knew everyone would want to talk with Fleur and congratulate her on the first task. Hermione turned to look over at the lightly snoozing girl beside her.
She was absolutely the most gorgeous being on the planet, Hermione concluded. Her brown eyes drifted towards Fleur's hand and the sparkling ring that sat on it. Hermione smiled at the sight and the promise it represented. She needed to thank Godric again for his gift to her. She couldn't believe that such an item had been hidden in the castle all these years. Godric had also told her to check in Rowena's vault at Gringotts as he was sure there was another heirloom that would be perfect for the two. Any other time Hermione would have pondered what the item could be, but right now all she wanted to do was take in every twitch, sigh, flutter, every strand of hair, every bit of her mate.
Wetting her lips with her tongue she remembered the previous night and smirked. Hermione had to fight with herself not to reenact the event as a wakeup call for Fleur. Instead she leaned over and bean to place butterfly kisses along her mate's jaw, lips, and neck. Fleur shuddered at the light touches and eventually began to wake again.
"Good morning, love," she muttered out and turned to capture Hermione's lips with her own.
Hermione happily returned the kiss. "Good morning, my fiancé," Hermione said as she pulled back. Fleur grinned and pulled Hermione down for another kiss. If it were possible the two would have spent the day wrapped in each other's arms trading light kisses and planning for the future. Unfortunately as it stood they had to get ready for class. Fleur walked to the bathroom first to get ready. As she was washing up Godric appeared in his portrait.
"I see things have gone well," he said by way of greeting, with a smile on his face.
"Don't play coy, I know you were watching when I asked," Hermione said, turning around to look up at her ancestor.
"You've caught me. I couldn't help it, such a momentous occasion in your young life - I thought I should be there to bear witness."
"Well I'm glad you were." Hermione said. Truth be told she had been a nervous wreck, but knowing Fleur's love for her was everlasting, and with Godric at her back she had pulled together her Gryffindor courage and taken a knee. "Is there something I can help you with this morning?"
"Oh no. Well…maybe." At that Hermione turned her full attention to the proud man.
"What is it?"
"Well as I told you when I gave you that ring, I am not the only one to have left priceless heirlooms." Hermione nodded at waited for him to go on. "My dear, before you go in search of Rowena I must ask you to prepare yourself for the attentions of both Helena and the one they call the Bloody Baron."
Hermione nodded once again. She had heard the story of Ravenclaw's daughter and her death, she knew when it was revealed to everyone they would pay close attention to her, especially the Baron.
"Is that all?" Hermione asked the first Gryffindor.
"One more thing," he said with a smile on his face. "Congratulations my dear."
Hermione returned the smile, a mirror image of Godric's to anyone who would have seen it.
With that the older man bowed out and left the young witch to prepare for her day.
Fleur exited the bathroom and changed into her uniform as Hermione washed up and dressed. When the Gryffindor was ready the two shared a quick kiss and opened the portrait.
"Hermione!" Harry shouted when he saw the door crack open. Ron and he jumped to their feet and blocked her and Fleur's exit. It took a second for the boys to acknowledge the other girl as they were focused on their friend.
"What's going on?" Hermione asked, a little startled by their presence.
"It's all over the paper," Ron said.
"I don't know how she found out," Harry said handing Hermione the morning edition of the Daily Prophet.
Hermione looked at her two friends and then unfolded the paper. Plastered across the front page was a picture of her carrying Fleur after the first task. The headline read 'Descendent of founders Ravenclaw and Gryffindor attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!'
"Full story by Rita Skeeter," Hermione finished reading.
"I swear, Hermione, it was none of us." Harry said, Ron nodding his head in agreement.
"Who else has seen this?" Hermione asked even though she knew the answer.
"Everyone." Ron said to her. Had it not been for Hermione's front page debut the three would have noted that this was the first time Ron hadn't turned purple in the presence of Fleur.
"Well, lets get this over with," Hermione said, folding up the paper. Fleur took her hand and gave her a chaste kiss.
The four teens turned to walk down the hall but were once again stopped. Floating in the middle of the hallway was the Grey Lady. Her ghostly eyes burned into Hermione's and she was at once reminded of Godric's words from a moment ago. She stayed, suspended in mid-air, watching the young girl in front of her. Those normally cunning yet hollow eyes stormed with emotion. Anger, sorrow, regret, love, longing, and a thousand other feelings ran through her ethereal form. Fleur gripped Hermione's hand tighter and pressed into her mate's side. She had yet to get used to the numerous specters inhabiting the school. Harry and Ron, for the first time since coming to Hogwarts, feared the apparition in front of them.
Hermione, however, didn't fear the woman in front of her. She felt a little shame for not seeking her out sooner, for not letting her know her child survived. Her mind yelled at her to speak to her ancestor, apologize to her, soothe her, to do something besides stand there. Before she could move, however, another spirit floated through a wall to join them. The Baron came to a stop when he spied The Grey Lady. His eyes reflected the same hurricane of emotions that hers did. He turned to the four students standing in the hall, frozen in place, and then back to the ghost before him. He reached out a translucent hand to the woman but she turned and left through the wall next to her before he got near. The four teens watched the blood-soaked specter stare at the wall for a moment before turning his eyes on them, or rather Hermione. He searched her for something, some kind of proof that she was who the others said. After a tense moment he straightened his back and left through the wall from which he came.
"What the bloody hell was that about?" Ron asked as the chill left his bones. Harry watched Hermione for a second before grabbing his still shivering friend.
"Come on Ron, we'll meet you in the Great Hall" he called to Hermione as he pulled his confused friend along.
Fleur waited until the two boys were out of sight and for her courage to return before speaking.
"They are your ancestors, non?" Hermione nodded and began a slow pace in the direction Harry and Ron had gone. "Zey seemed shocked by your presence."
"They didn't know about me yet. Only Godric knows about me, I've yet to speak with my father's ancestors."
Fleur nodded her head and dropped the conversation. She wrapped Hermione's arm around her waist and placed a gentle kiss on her mate's jaw. 'Today iz going to be a long day,' Fleur thought to herself.
When Hermione and Fleur walked into the Great Hall all chatter stopped. Hermione cast her eyes over the room once before taking her usual route towards the Gryffindor table. However, even her own housemates were giving her strange stares. It was as if a complete stranger had walked in and taken a seat at their table, not someone they had known since day one. She sat with Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Gabrielle. Ginny took it upon herself to treat this day like any other. She reached for the marmalade and began a long-winded complaint about the amount of work being assigned these days.
"It's torture, I tell you. I might even write a letter to the ministry if they don't let up soon," she said, taking a bite of her toast.
"That's if you have any parchment left to write on," Harry added, taking a sip of juice.
"Or 'f ur 'and don' fall ov virst" Ron chimed in around a mouthful of egg.
"Ronald, manners," Hermione chided him.
It was as if those simple words flipped a switch and her housemates went back to their usual selves. Hermione Granger scolding Ronald Weasley was a situation they had all been exposed to on more than a few occasions. Neville joined the whining, his mostly directed at potions, while Seamus went on about charms, potions, transfigurations, and any other class he was taking.
Breakfast ended and the students rose to leave for class. Hermione could feel eyes burning into the back of her skull and she had a good idea of who it was that was stalking her. When they left the hall Fleur and Gabrielle tried to head their own way but Hermione stopped them. The two girls looked confused but the other Gryffindor's could tell by the look in her eye what was coming. Malfoy.
"Granger!" he yelled out as soon as he walked out of the hall. "Hey Granger, I'm talking to you."
Hermione walked out of the castle and towards the Beauxbatons carriage flanked by nearly her entire year. When they were far enough away from both carriage and castle she turned towards Malfoy.
He was flanked by his usual lackeys.
"I'm sorry, Malfoy, were you calling me?" she asked in a condescending tone.
He threw the morning Prophet at her feet. "How'd you get Skeeter to spread those lies about you? The only ones poorer than you are those two ginger mites and their family."
Ginny and Ron pulled their wands but kept them lowered; they didn't want a teacher to break this up before they got a chance at Malfoy, especially Ginny.
Hermione lowered her eyes to the paper for a second and then raised them to meet Malfoy's. "I see no lies there, Draco." The name cut him just like she knew it would. In the blink of an eye he had his wand pointed at her chest.
"How dare you, mudblood!" A few hissed at the word but Hermione didn't flinch.
"Can't you read, Draco? My blood is purer than yours."
Draco was shaking with self-righteous fury. "You are nothing more…" Before he could finish his sentence his wand flew from his hand and landed in Fleur's.
"Wat waz it you were going to say?" She asked him holding his only power limply in her hand.
"You filthy Veela whore," he spat at the blonde, and Hermione stepped up to him, looking down on the blonde prat like the bug he was.
"If you ever call her that again, you will regret it."
Calling upon all the arrogance he possessed, Malfoy straightened his back and looked up at her, locking his gaze with hers.
"Or what, you lying, disgusting…"
There was a series of gasps from those around them. Malfoy's face froze and his skin lightened a bit. Hermione could feel the sickly cold sensation pressing at her back, but she kept her face straight and her eyes on the boy before her.
"Still your tongue, Malfoy, or you will be screaming like a banshee every night 'till I decide I am done with you." The words were said in such a chilling hiss that Hermione was surprised Malfoy didn't pass out.
All the students stood back and watched the Bloody Baron stare into Malfoy's soul. No one had ever seen a ghost this far out of the castle. No one had ever seen the Baron talk to, let alone threaten, a student before. Especially one from his own house. A dull thud broke the moment and Draco looked down to see his wand on the ground to his left.
"Away, boy," the Baron ordered, and the Slytherins scrambled back to the castle.
Hermione watched them stumble and run until they were out of her sight. She could feel the ghost floating behind her still and she knew he was not done with her yet. Her entire body suddenly felt cold, wet, congealed. The feeling was one every student dreaded. The Baron passed through her body and came to rest in front of her.
"We will talk soon," he told her. It was an order and a promise both at once, and she agreed. With that the Baron faded into nothing and left a crowd of confused, scared, children standing in the cold.
"What the bloody hell was that about?" Ron shouted again.
Hermione didn't answer, instead she just turned and began to walk with Fleur, Ginny, and Gabby towards the carriage. Holding open the door she helped Ginny and Gabby in before turning to Fleur. Giving her a long kiss, she said, "I will see you later my love."
Fleur nodded and nuzzled into Hermione's neck before placing one more soft kiss on her lips. "You stay safe, okay? And don't let those fools bother you too much." Hermione nodded before helping Fleur into the carriage and shutting the door.
When she turned, she was met with all the stares of her housemates once more. Raising an eyebrow, she asked, "What?"
Everyone smiled and let out whoops of joy for Hermione. Shouts of "Go Granger!" came from some of the guys along with a few catcalls and whistles. Some of the girls poked their boyfriends and gave them some strong looks, and Hermione was sure that the girls were asking their boyfriends why they didn't show their love for them like that. Most of the rest looked envious of Hermione's love for Fleur.
Shaking her head she made her way towards Ron and Harry, "Let's head to class before things get any more out of hand." Both boys nodded and patted Hermione on the back before following after her towards the castle once more. Ron on her left and Harry on her right side, they made it to their first class which was shared mostly with Ravenclaws.
Most of the students still stared at Hermione with wonder as the class went on, only for Professor Sinistra to deduct a point each time one of the students was caught not paying attention, by the end of class 20 points were lost from Ravenclaw and 15 from Gryffindor. Hermione made up 10 of those points by answering questions while Ravenclaw only made up five of their points by answering a few questions.
Walking out the of the classroom, Hermione was laughing at some joke Harry had told, while she walked along the hallway with Ron and Harry she told with them about what she had asked Fleur the other night. Ron blushed all the way up to his ears and said, "You did what?"
Harry looked on with a smile and patted Hermione on her back, "I am glad you have found happiness, and Ron, it's not that bad. She just did what people who are in love do."
Ron stammered and said "But, she will be chained down, now. Who in their right mind enters into a marriage this early in life?"
Hermione growled and glared at Ron, "She is not chaining me down. Don't make her sound like a burden."
Ron backed up a little bit and waved his hands, "Sorry. Sorry. I didn't mean it."
Harry gripped Hermione's shoulder and said "Hey, it's okay, calm down."
Ron nodded, "Yeah, Hermione, calm down." Harry shot Ron a pointed look that made him shut up.
Hermione took a deep breath and counted to ten in her head. She knew Ron was joking but still she wouldn't take anyone, not even the two boys she considered her brothers, saying anything against Fleur. Harry made sure no one was around before leaning in a little and asking, "What has been up with you lately, Hermione? I mean, I know Ron can sometimes get on your nerves, but you have never been as harsh with him as you have been lately, what's wrong?"
Hermione looked away with a sigh, and said, "I have changed." Harry nodded and let her go on "I…I am not the same person I was back then, after that night …a lot has changed."
Harry knew that Hermione had a lot more to tell them, but seeing all the students still in the hallways he said, "Come on, you can tell us later, right now is not the time or the place." He looked over and saw Rita Skeeter making her way down the hall.
Hermione saw where he was looking and couldn't have agreed more. Ron sneered at the women before following after Harry and Hermione, the brother and sister he wished he'd had, and made his way to their next class.
Fleur had watched Hermione leave the carriage, walking off with Harry and Ron at her sides. She sighed, and turned to go join Gabby and Ginny with her mother and grandmother when she was stopped short by Aurora blocking her path. Fleur sighed again, and folded her arms over her chest, the ring on her finger shining in the light of the room as she asked, "What do you want, Aurora?"
Aurora looked at the ring and felt her anger boiling in her blood. Turning her eyes towards Fleur's she clenched her hands and said, "Everything you have should be mine, Fleur Delacour." Stepping closer she could smell Hermione's scent covering Fleur's body. Growling low in her throat she said "You reek of her, but Hermione will be mine, Fleur, mark my words, and no pretty ring will keep you two together. I am going to show her what a real woman is like, and when she falls under my spell, then oh well for you." With those words Aurora walked off, flipping her long dark hair over her shoulders as she went.
Fleur glared at the girl's back, she knew Hermione would never fall for Aurora and that the ring did mean more then Aurora thought it did, but still she worried for her mate. If Aurora got her claws into Hermione only the goddesses themselves knew what would happen. Hermione would probably snap the girl in two, and she didn't want her lover getting into any kind of trouble, or her werewolf side making itself known.
"Fleur," a voice called from her right. Turning, she saw her mother standing there with a worried expression of her own. Fleur shook her head and walked over to her mother and walked with her back to where everyone else was. She would put the thought of Aurora out of her mind for now; she would warn Hermione later when they met back up. Until then she couldn't wait to tell her mother what Hermione had done.
Sitting down in a chair near Ginny and Gabby she practically glowed.
"'Oo waz zat girl?" her grandmother asked.
"No one, grandmere. Do not concern yourself with 'er," Fleur said, hoping to calm the older woman. Adaeze huffed but relaxed a little more into her chair. Fleur smiled at the woman. She turned towards her mother and found her staring straight at her ring.
"Maman?" Fleur said in a whisper.
Apolline looked up at her daughter with tears in her eyes and a smile stretching across her face. Both mother and daughter stood up and pulled each other into a fierce hug. The other three looked on, confused by the smiles and tears being displayed by the two women in front of them.
"Wat iz going on?" Adaeze asked.
Fleur pulled away from her mother, shared one more smile and turned to the other woman. She held out her hand and showed off her ring. Ginny gasped, recognizing it instantly as Gryffindor's ring. She knew what it meant and so did the others present. Gabrielle jumped from her chair and rushed to her sister, pulling her into another hug. Her grandmother simply smiled and nodded her approval.
"I am 'appy for you ma petite-fille."
Ginny gave her congratulations as well and sat with the four Delacours until it was time for her class to start. Walking back to the castle by herself she made a mental note to corner Hermione the first chance she got. 'Who on earth thinks of getting married this young?' she thought to herself.
Hermione followed after Harry towards the great hall for lunch. They were stopped outside by Ginny, who was talking to Ron about something when she saw Hermione and said, "Really, Mione, marriage?"
Hermione sighed and rubbed her temples and said, "Look, it's my life, if I want to marry someone I can."
Ginny shook her head and said, "I didn't say you couldn't, because trust me, the rock I saw Fleur carrying around on her finger made me kind of jealous I couldn't give Gabby something like that, but we all are a little young don't you think?"
Hermione looked at Ginny and was about to say something more when she felt the same sickening feeling she felt when with Aurora started to try to cloud her senses. Shaking her head a little she looked around, but not seeing the girl she turned back to Ginny and said, "I am not marrying her right now Ginny, we both know we are too young to get married, but I gave her the ring because when the time comes I am going to marry her no matter what."
Ginny nodded in acceptance and smiled "Okay then Hermione, as long as you know what you are doing."
Harry and Ron watched the two girls talk before Harry brought up the talk from before. "Mione, since we're talking about things, what about what we were talking about earlier?" he finished, cursing himself for his awkward question.
Hermione sighed before looking at Ginny and saying, "Everyone follow me." She led the boys and Ginny back to her room.
Ginny smirked at some of Fleur's things lying around the room, but she blushed upon seeing a pair of panties lying beside the bed and quickly kicked them out of sight before her brother saw them. Hermione sat down in the chair near the fireplace and watched as everyone else filled the couches. Looking to Ginny once more she simply said "I was bitten on the night when I lured Moony into the woods." She looked to Ginny and the girl gave her an encouraging nod. "I am a werewolf." Ron looked shocked and fear filled his face while Harry looked sad. He got up and went to hug her.
Ron jumped up, "Harry, wait, she could - mphhh." Ginny elbowed him in the stomach and held a hand over his mouth while watching the other two hug.
Turning to her brother she whispered "Shut up, you know just as well as I do, that werewolf or not Hermione would never hurt any of us." Ron thought about what she said before frowning at himself, how could he be so stupid as to even think Hermione would ever hurt them?
Walking over to his friends he pulled them into a hug and said, "I'm sorry about what happened, Mione." Once everything had calmed down the four just stayed in the room and had Muir bring them some lunch. When they left to go to class Ginny hugged all of them before running off. Walking into McGonagall's room they were surprised to find all of the desks moved to one side of the room.
"What's going on?" Ron asked, taking a seat next to a scowling Seamus.
Before the boy could answer Professor McGonagall walked into the room with a record in her hands.
"Ah," she said taking note of the last arrivals, "excellent, now we can begin." She placed the record on a phonograph and switched it on. "The Yule Ball has been a long-standing tradition during the Tri-Wizard Tournament and I will not have one of my Gryffindors mucking it up," She said with a stern voice as she cast an icy glare over her students. "Today's lesson…dancing."
A chores of groans would have followed had anyone been brave enough to start it.
End of Chapter 14