SEDUCED BY A VEELA
CHAPTER TWENTY: UNDERSTANDING HERMIONE
"Everything is going to be fine, Fleur. Just fine. We'll see you both in a bit," he said softly before hanging up the phone.
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Fleur looked at the cell phone in her hand and smiled sadly at Gabrielle, who sat by her side. She didn't know how to feel or react. She wanted to laugh with relief that Hermione was fine. She wanted to cry with despair because the woman she loved was so confused and unhappy.
The moment Hermione had told her she was going to dinner with Harry alone, Fleur had known why. It had been a hard week for both of them. They hadn't made love once, which spoke volumes about the present situation. The subject had not been discussed anymore and Fleur wasn't sure what to do.
Most of all, she wanted to understand Hermione. Every time she though things would be okay, something happened to prove her wrong. She could understand Hermione's hesitation. Anyone in her position would have reservations, so Fleur had decided to give her time to deal with the situation on her own. She had been as loving as usual towards Fleur, but her eyes seemed lost and worried.
Fleur knew her enough to notice the unhappiness underneath the happy smile.
Gabrielle sat by her side and held her hand in reassurance. There wasn't much she could do to help her older sister, other than be there whenever Fleur was ready to talk. When Harry had mentioned he was going to dinner with Hermione alone, Gabrielle had known that something was wrong. If a dinner invitation was issued, it always involved the four of them, and even some of their friends. That, added to Fleur's discontent for the past week, only increased her worries.
She had talked about it with Harry, going back and forth trying to figure out what was wrong with Fleur. Harry had agreed something was definitely amiss, since Hermione had been acting odd as well. They had finally decided to wait them out. Hermione and Fleur would only talk about what was bothering them when they were ready, and not a moment sooner. The word stubborn came to mind and both Fleur and Hermione were heavyweights in that department.
Seeing Fleur so lost didn't sit well with her and she wasn't sure how much longer she'd be able to keep on ignoring it.
However, Fleur took that decision out of her hands when she started speaking suddenly.
"When are you and Harry going to be married, soeur?"
"Maybe in six month's time. It would mark a year of us being together. Why?"
"No particular reason, just curious, is all."
"I see. What about you?"
"Not sure. Are you going to 'ave bébés soon after?"
Gabrielle sensed they were finally getting to the heart of the problem and was glad. No matter how bad it was, she wanted to help Fleur through it. Harry was probably doing the same for Hermione.
"We 'ave talked about it some, but nothing is set in stone yet."
"I 'ope you do, and 'zat you 'ave a big family. I cannot wait to spoil your bébés."
"Why spoil ours when you can spoil your own?" Gabrielle asked with a frown.
Fleur smiled sadly.
"Soeur, I do not 'zink I will 'ave bébés to spoil. It will just be 'ze two of us. At least, I pray 'zere will be an us."
Fleur whispered the last part and looked away, tears pooling in her beautiful cerulean orbs. Now Gabrielle was really worried. It seemed things were more complicated than she had ever thought.
"What are you talking about, Fleur?"
"'Ermione and I will not be 'aving bébés unless we adopt."
"What? But why?"
"Because 'Ermione is not comfortable with 'ze method we would 'ave to use in order to 'ave 'zem. If she is not okay with it, I cannot force 'er."
"Oh, Fleur, I am so sorry to 'ear 'zat. When did 'zis 'appen?"
"About a week ago. She asked me 'ow it was possible for us to 'ave bébés and I explained 'ze process to 'er. She was not too 'appy about it. Said we would discuss it later, but did not make any promises. It 'as not been mentioned since 'zen."
"What 'appens now, Fleur?"
"I simply do not know, soeur. 'Arry finished 'ze call saying everything would be fine. I am not sure what 'e means or 'ow 'e knows 'zat. 'Zey were getting ready to leave Emma's 'ouse and should be 'ere soon."
"'Zey went to see Mrs. Granger?"
"Oui."
"Do you 'zink 'Ermione told 'er?"
"Oui. I am sure she needs Emma's approval."
"Why would she need 'er mother's approval? 'Ermione is a grown-up."
"'Ermione is also a Muggle. She is such a powerful witch 'zat sometimes we forget 'er background. 'Zis situation is quite different to 'er. Gabrielle, to us, it is just a normal part of life, but to 'Ermione, it is life altering. She 'ad no idea it would be like 'zat."
"You did not mention it before?"
"Non. I 'ave been 'zrough many moments of guilt all week because of it."
"Why guilt? It is not as if you lied to 'er, Fleur."
"I did not lie, but I did not mention it, either. Guilty by omission. If I 'ad told 'er everything she would 'ave to go 'zrough to be with someone like me, I am sure she would 'ave declined my invitation to dinner and more. I just feel like I misled 'er from 'ze very start."
"But she loves you, Fleur. Everyone can see just 'ow much."
"I know she does."
"'Zen why do you sound so defeated? I 'ate to see you like 'zis, soeur."
"I am defeated. I 'ave to let 'er go, Gabrielle. It is for 'er own 'appiness."
"Fleur, non! She is your 'appiness."
"Oui, 'zat she is. But I cannot be 'ers. If I let 'er go now, before 'ze bonding ceremony, she will be able to move on and love someone else. I will learn to go on without 'er somehow."
"You will not survive without 'er love, soeur."
"'Zat could be, but it would be worse if she stayed by my side and was unhappy because of it. I could not make 'Ermione miserable for 'ze rest of 'er life."
"She will not be unhappy, Fleur, as long as she is by your side. Surely you know 'zat. Besides, you already mentioned you could adopt."
"'Ermione is capable of 'aving a bébé naturally. I will not stand in 'ze way of 'zat."
"Why wasn't 'zat important before?"
"Because it never occurred to me 'zat she would react 'ze way she did. 'Ermione 'as been 'zrough so much already 'zat I did not 'zink 'zis would surprise 'er. Unfortunately for me, it did."
"So 'zat is it? You are simply giving up on 'ze love of your life? 'Zat is not like you at all and you know it, Fleur."
"What else would you 'ave me do, Gabrielle?"
"'Zat is easy. You continue on loving 'er while giving 'er time to get used to 'ze idea. I 'zink she will be better off with you 'zan anybody else."
"Perhaps, but 'zat is not my decision to make."
Gabrielle threw up her hands in exasperation. Fleur could be so thickheaded sometimes she wanted to throttle her.
"Exactly. You are trying to decide what is best for 'Ermione without asking 'er what she wants. It is not fair of you to do 'zat and you know it."
"I am 'zinking of going away for a few days to give 'er some time alone to 'zink. When I get back, we will see 'ow she feels about it."
"I do not 'zink 'zat is smart at all. It is actually a very bad idea, Fleur."
"I know 'er, Gabrielle. She will not be able to make a sound decision as long as I am around."
"Where will you go?"
"I cannot tell you 'zat, Gabrielle. I do not want 'er to know and I am aware of just 'ow good 'er powers of persuasion are. She will make you tell 'er."
"Will you at least tell 'er 'zat you are leaving?"
"Of course I am going to tell 'er. I am not a cruel person, Gabrielle. I 'ave to tell 'er because I am leaving tonight."
"Where are you going?"
Fleur turned around wide-eyed and stared at Hermione in surprise. She had just walked into the room with Harry close behind. Harry exchanged a quick look with Gabrielle and she shook her head slightly.
"We will talk about it when we get 'ome, belle."
"Alright."
Hermione walked up to her and placed a loving kiss on her lips. Fleur smiled at her but Hermione noticed it did not reach her eyes. After saying their goodbyes, they left.
Once they Apparated to their flat, the first thing Hermione noticed was the half-made suitcase on top of the bed. She frowned and turned to look at Fleur.
"Darling, what is this? What's going on?"
Fleur sat on the bed tiredly and patted the spot next to her.
"Come sit by me, love."
Hermione did as she was told, but worry etched her features.
"I'm not going to like this, am I?"
"What makes you 'zink 'zat?"
"I can see the sadness in your eyes, Fleur. I can actually feel it coming off of you in waves."
"As usual, you are right, ma belle. I am unhappy because I am making you unhappy. I 'ave decided to leave for a few days so you can 'zink about our future and what you really want."
"What? Fleur, no! I don't want you to go. There is nothing to think about. I know what I want and that is to be with you!"
"'Ermione, love, listen to me. I am not leaving you forever. I am simply leaving for a week at 'ze most. I just want you to take 'ze time to 'zink without me being around to distract you."
"But I don't have anything to think about at all. I know I didn't react like you expected when you told me what has to happen in order for us to have a child and I'm so sorry about that. I have thought about it all week and I think I can do it. I will do anything to make you happy, darling. Surely you know that by now."
"And 'zat right 'zereis 'ze problem. You want to make me 'appy and I want you to be 'appy. 'Zis is not about pleasing me. 'Zis is about you wanting to create 'zat bébé with me because it would make you 'appy as well."
"Having a baby with you would make me more than happy, Fleur."
"You are willing to do it to please me. I do not want 'zat on my conscience. If you promise to 'zink about it, I will be back by Sunday night. If at 'zat time you tell me you are not willing to go 'zrough with 'ze transformation, I will understand and we will move on. We can either adopt or simply go on without children in our marriage. Either way I will be pleased."
"You want a child to love, Fleur, and so do I."
"At least we 'ave 'zat clear. Next we 'ave to decide if we are 'aving it ourselves or adopting. I am sure 'ze week alone will 'elp you make up your mind."
"I really don't want you to leave. Is this separation truly necessary?"
"Oui. I love you with all of my 'eart, mon amour, and for 'zat reason alone I 'ave to do 'zis. It is 'ze only way I can be sure 'zat you 'ave made 'ze right choice."
"How do I know you're going to come back? I don't want you to go all noble on me and decide I'm better of without you. I know you, Fleur."
Fleur grimaced lightly, since Hermione had no idea how close she had been to doing just that.
"I am going to come back, belle. I cannot live without you or your love."
"Swear it to me, Fleur," Hermione pleaded as she held onto Fleur's hands desperately. "I won't let you go unless you promise you'll come back to me; to our home."
"Amour, I swear on our love 'zat I will be back in one week."
"How am I supposed to go an entire week without seeing or speaking to you? Oh, Fleur!" Hermione cried as she threw her arms around her lover.
Fleur hugged her back and they held each other for a few minutes. Hermione finally let her go and Fleur finished packing. Before she Apparated away, she cupped Hermione's face and kissed her tenderly. Reluctantly, she pulled away, kissed Hermione's wet cheeks and with one last look, she was gone.
Hermione, knowing well that sleep would elude her that night, changed into a pair of Fleur's pajamas, making sure to pick a pair that still carried her scent. She got under the covers and cried herself to sleep.
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