A/N: Rejoice, my dear readers. Here's a new chapter and the longest I have ever written in my life. Our girls are finally together, Gabrielle finds her mate and Ron gets what some of us wanted to happen to him, somehow. I enjoy several soundtracks when I write but there were two songs that gave me the right feeling that I wanted to portrait on this particular chapter. I think I haven't mentioned before but I am a huge fan of Michael Jackson [if you feel like discussing the latest documentary, leave me your thoughts in a pm/review. I will erase flames, so be warned] so I mainly used two of his songs for this fic.
The first one is the one that gave the title of this chapter and reinforces that fluffy feeling among our girls. The second one is called 'butterflies' and it gave me the right inspiration for the scene when Gabrielle sees her mate. Anyhow, I hope you find joy in this chapter as much I had fn writing it for the last weeks [you have no idea how much I rewrote it, I tend to be rididculously perfectionist at times XD].
Avatar1989: Eu sinto muito por ter demorado demais, mas tive que consertar muitas coisas e torná-las decentes o suficiente para serem lidas. Espero que você aproveite este capítulo muito mais do que os anteriores. Obrigado aga por ler.
LazzeEM: Hahaha I tried to be nice, I might be one of the few writers th
at avoid cliffhangers but I couldn't resist lol. Here's a long one, tho.
pappa: Here it is! I hope you like it.
andrewpine: I replied to your 48590345 reviews on pm. If not, this A/N would take forever, lol.
Don't forget to breath: About Marie...that will be answered in this chapter so no worries, it was my fault for keeping the mystery.
Serenity: A plate of kickass you said, lololo. They will be finally together and I can't be happier.
A fan: hahahahahahhhahahahahahahahaha don't die yet! look! they are together here! [I laughed with your review so much]
tofindmypassion: I am not mean :( I am just a bit mischievous. Anyhow, here's a new chap.
Enjoy!
All this nostalgia, the longing for someone I do not know. How my heart clenches and my soul screams. My ears hurt with this silence. My fingers try to touch you, but you are not here, there, anywhere.
I had been calling you for quite some time to no avail. I sigh and cry, but you cannot listen to the language of my heart. Wherever your soul is, it has a piece of mine. Please come back home and acknowledge me as your rightful and only mate, the one for me.
Wake up from your reverie, look at these dark pools of sorrow and complete me. Fill me with your warm light and adorable laugh that same one that will make my heart beat at your rhythm.
Sad but true, we have not met yet. Moreover, all of this is just a figment of my cruel imagination. However, if you are there, please answer my call, my dear soulmate.
Taken from Hermione Granger's diary last entry, just before the first seal was broken.
25.- Love never felt so good
Doctor Marie Beaumont excused herself from Gabrielle's room and ran to the nearest bathroom to throw up all she had eaten during the day. Her head was pounding, her heart was beating erratically, and her limbs shivered.
After making sure her stomach was empty enough for her to leave the stall, the dark-haired doctor looked at herself in the mirror and her eyes shone in a mix of emerald and gold. Marie chuckled remembering what her mother told her before casting a simplified version of cor imsonia and pulchra memorias.
"Marie" a tall and regal blonde called.
"Yes, maman?" emerald orbs locked with azure.
"Due to the recent attacks and kidnapping our race has endured…" the tall woman took a deep breath before continuing "…it is time for you hide in the muggle world"
"I can help protect our family!" Marie protested.
"You are the heiress of the Beaumont clan and we want you to be safe" another voice pleaded from the other side of the room and light green orbs locked with her emerald "besides, your Delacour cousins have already been sent away"
"But mama, I can help you both protect everyone!" Marie pouted.
"You have no saying on this since all the heiresses of the three big families are being sent way and your baby sister is safe in Hogwarts under Madam Minerva along with other young veela of our distant relatives, anyways" her tall mother remarked "you will be hiding in France and will continue your muggle studies in medicine"
"Bon, although I have a question" Marie sighed knowing that it was pointless to argue with her stubborn mothers "how are my seals going to be broken if I don't have a mate yet?"
"Oh, that's simple" her green eyed mother added "since your grand-mère has the same skill as Josephine and Antoinette Delacour of seeing future mates, the spell would have one seal that will be broken by seeing any of the relatives of the one for you, which in this case, it's a Delacour."
"Please tell me my mate is not Fleur, we would kill each other!" Marie rubbed her sudden pounding temples "or Gabrielle because first, she's a bébé and second, her sister would kill me" that last comment made both of her mothers laugh.
"As far as we know, Fleur has a mate who has been sent to Paris as well, so you might run into her in the hospital since she is a doctor, as well…" her tall mother added.
"…and it's a war hero from the Battle of Hogwarts, too" her green-eyed mother added with a knowing smile.
"She seduced Hermione Granger? Way to go Fleur!" Marie chuckled and her mothers joined her.
"Well, enough of that and close your eyes" her taller mother added while transforming. Her wide silver and light green wings stretched while she took her wand from a nearby table.
"We love you dear" her green-eyed mother added while engulfing her oldest daughter "we will see you soon"
"I love you both…" Marie smiled at both of her mothers before closing her eyes and her tall mother started casting the first of the two spells that would seal her memories.
The moment she opened her eyes, she had no recollection of her previous life but memories of attending college and starting her studies at the hospital in a few hours.
After taking a shower, Marie smiled at her reflection in the mirror. She had the feeling that she was a blonde but the dark tresses she was looking at made her chuckle even more. Something was a bit off, but she paid no mind and headed to the hospital.
That same morning, Marie Beaumont met Emma Watson and they hit it off almost immediately becoming close friends in no time.
After brushing her teeth and washing her face, the green-eyed doctor smiled at her reflection. Her formerly dark hair was replaced by her platinum blonde slightly curly tresses and her eyes didn't have any traces of gold anymore.
"I kinda liked having black hair" Marie raised her face and looked down with a wide smile "but blondes have more fun" the doctor added with a chuckle before drying her hands and leaving the restroom while heading to the pharmacy. Her head was still killing her.
Josephine Delacour looked up from her book just when a tray barely made it to her desk and her azure orbs landed on her wife's pale but smiling features.
"You felt it, I presume" the clan's head commented before putting her book down and serving two cups of tea.
"Oui" Antionette replied with a wide smile "the last seal was broken which means that…"
"That our girls are finally coming home" Josephine affirmed before her studio's door was slammed open and two figures appeared with wide grins.
"We just felt something" Apolline beamed.
"They are coming back, tell me it's true, mère" Camille walked and sat between her overly excited wife and mother-in-law.
"It is, dear" Antoinette added with a grin "the terrible one along with Fleur, Hermione, and Marie are coming home"
"Oh?" Camille tilted her head at the last name mentioned, "my niece is coming, too?"
"According to your older sister, her seal was linked to us since her mate belongs to the Delacour family" Josephine stated before sipping her tea "which means that she might have recognized whether Fleur or Gabrielle and broke her own seal"
Oh, this will be fun. Camille mused smiling.
"In the meantime, we have several preparations to make" Josephine placed her now empty cup back to its plate before standing and taking her wand "expecto patronus" the clan's head cast and her Philippine Eagle patronus appeared and landed on her owner's right arm.
"Bonne nuit Minerva, this message is to let you know that my wife and I will be flooing first thing in the morning to Hogwarts to expect the arrival of our granddaughters due to the fact that they broke the seals and you are the closest floo allowed for international transportation. Please make the proper arrangements to escort my granddaughters to your school and I apologize for the inconveniences" the clan's head shook her arm and the eagle flapped its wings which lowered its head towards her master before flying through the nearest window towards England.
"Now, you two ladies will be in charge of the security of the villa while we pick up your children, Hermione and Marie, understood?" Josephine added in a serious tone that broke into a wide smile.
"Oui maman" Apolline nodded.
"Of course!" Camille replied while crackling her knuckles earning a swat on her arms from her wife and mother-in-law who scolded her for the bad habit that she had passed on to Gabrielle.
Hermione ran to the stairs and skipped them as much as she could until she got to the fourth-floor panting. She barely caught her breath before starting walking towards the rooms until she found the one she was looking for.
Room 204.
The moment she opened the door, her smile widened at the sight. Here she was, the woman that had been through many things with her. The one for her, her mate. The dark blonde doctor approached her love as quietly as she could before sitting on the bed and grabbed the French witch's hand.
"Fleur…" Hermione whispered, and warmth invaded her senses the moment sleepy azure cracked open and locked with hers.
"'ermione…" the blonde whispered back still groggy and then, it hit her. Her mate was finally here and calling her softly. Fleur's eyes widened and she quickly sat before pulling Hermione by her white coat and their lips finally touched in a desperate kiss that became more passionate in seconds while tears flooded uncontrollably from amber and azure orbs.
Fleur wrapped her arms around Hermione's neck and winced when pain shot through her left forearm due to the IV that limited her movement, but she didn't care. It was nothing compared to months of longing, confusion and sleepless nights.
Hermione felt exactly the same, but the moment she realized that Fleur was in pain, she leaned back and examined the IV.
Making sure that the needle was not hurting her mate's delicate skin, the Gryffindor looked up and smiled at the sight of a flushed Fleur and she could not help but panic at the thought of being in one of the many flashbacks she had been having for the last few months.
"Please tell me this is not a dream, tell me that I won't wake up in bed alone again, Fleur" sensing the English witch's voice break, the older blonde took her mate's hands and placed them on her face.
"I am real 'ermione" the French witch whispered, and the Gryffindor took a deep breath before tracing Fleur's cheek with the tip of her fingers and both gasped at the sudden golden and royal blue flames that escaped their digits. Their magie was back and the veela within them purred ecstatically of being close again.
Slowly but surely, Hermione's scars started fading again but the one that crossed her left eye since she decided to keep it. Their fingers entwined, and the French witch pulled her mate once more and captured her lower lip and the Gryffindor moaned while one of her hands got lost in blonde tresses while the other caressed Fleur's cheek. It felt like a dream, one of the few that came true.
But like in all dreams, there comes a time when you must wake up and this was not the exception. It wasn't until someone cleared their throat, that a reluctant Fleur let go of a flushed Hermione.
"Can you explain your actions, doctor Watson?" doctor Johnson, the same that disliked the younger and way more talented doctor, was the one glaring at them with folded arms "assaulting a patient is something that can cause your expulsion of the program" it took the British witch a few seconds to remember that she was known as doctor Watson in the hospital.
Oh, bloody great.
"I didn't assault her" Hermione replied with a dry chuckle "in any case, she kissed me first"
"Mon coeur!" Fleur pouted and the Gryffindor smiled while doctor Johnson's frown deepened at the sight of their entwined hands.
"I think you are not aware of the repercussions of your actions, doctor Watson" the tall doctor smiled at the thought of the young doctor gone. In two short steps, doctor Johnson was by Hermione and grabbed her by the arm and yanked her away from Fleur who frowned deeply and took a deep breath to calm her veela who demanded revenge against the one hurting the one for her.
On the other side of the room, Hermione was doing the same since her veela was even more impulsive than her mate's and Fleur could tell that her beloved was trying really hard to keep her creature at bay despite the fact that her eyes were already changing color.
The French witch stood and approached the tall doctor while dragging the IV pole that restricted her movement. Dark eyes locked with raging azure and the tall doctor took a step back. There was something about the blonde patient that was intimidating.
"I have a question for you, doctor Johnson," Fleur asked with all the arrogance French are known for, and the tall doctor nodded expectantly "is this the UC 'ospital in London, oui?" Fleur asked with a thick accent and Hermione tried to suppress a smile while the tall woman just nodded "very well, can I ask a second question?"
"By all means, ma'am" the tall woman stepped forward whilst Hermione helped Fleur back to bed which made doctor Johnson's frown deepen even more.
"Do you know who Antoinette Delacour is?" Fleur asked calmly while looking at her nails without a care in the world while Hermione sat next to her. Suddenly, purple fog covered doctor Johnson's eyes for a moment which made her blink rapidly. Before the tall doctor could notice, the colored steam vanished.
"Of course, madam Delacour is a legend in magical medicine and helped developing several cures for muggle children, too. The pediatric wing is named after her and all" dark eyes shone confused "why the sudden question?"
"Would you be so kind on checking ze chart of moi, s'il vous plait?" Fleur added with thick accent again and Hermione had to look away to stop her grin. Give it to the French witch to make the serious Gryffindor smile.
"Why would I…" the words died in her throat when she read the name Fleur Delacour on the chart "…it can't be" the tall doctor exclaimed taken aback.
"Oui, Madam Delacour is my mémère" Fleur looked pensive while waving her hand dismissively "… she's what you ze English call my grandmother"
"Madam Delacour, it's an honor to care of an awarded war hero such as yourself" doctor Johnson added in a nervous tone.
"You know doctor, I am not the only war hero here" Fleur added with a raised eyebrow while pointing at her beloved "don't you recognize her?"
"But she's only an inte…" dark eyes widened when she read the name tag that now said Hermione Granger M.D.
"Of the…" the tall doctor was not able to finish talking when Fleur interrupted her once more.
"Oui, the brains of ze golden trio and my mate" the French witch added with a grin "I guess you are familiar with ze concept of veela mates and how protective we are of our loved ones?"
"I… I am really sorry doctor Granger and Miss Delacour," doctor Johnson gulped and took a step back when she felt how Fleur's aura turned more menacing "it won't happen again"
"Oh, it won't because I would like another doctor" Fleur added in an icy tone that even made Hermione flinch.
"Of course, now if you excuse me," the tall doctor fled before Fleur would say anything else.
"You didn't have to scare her like that, love" Hermione chuckled.
"I will do it again since she hurt you, mon coeur" Fleur kissed her mate's cheek which tinted pink "besides, the effects of the spell grand-mère cast on us should be almost gone and all people that are aware of our existence would be able to recognize us"
"Which means no time alone," Hermione thought out loud.
"Oh, mon coeur wants to be alone with me?" Fleur teased and Hermione's face turned crimson "such an interesting proposal"
"Stop teasing me, love" Hermione smiled before giving her mate a peck on the lips "besides, I know you since ze French are ze passionate people" the Gryffindor added in a thick French accent and the older witch giggled amused before growing serious and worried when several flashbacks hit her and she remembered about her sister.
"Mon Coeur, do you know anything about Gabrielle? Is she okay?" Fleur asked with worry. She would never forgive herself if something happened to her mischievous sister.
"Actually, I do" Hermione added while running her fingers down her mate's arm "she was the one making me remember everything with that injury of hers"
"Is it bad, mon Coeur?" the French witch asked with concern.
"Nothing that finishing the ritual wouldn't fix" Hermione reassured before standing "if you give me a moment, I can grab a wheelchair and we can go to her room and check on her" the Gryffindor doctor offered with a smile.
"I would love to, mon amour" Fleur grabbed Hermione by her white coat and gave her a searing kiss before whispering a soft don't take too long.
"I won't, I promise" Hermione added before leaving the room in search of the nearest wheelchair to get back to the one for her.
After receiving Josephine's patronus, Minerva McGonagall promptly sent out two owls. One with her reply to the clan's head and the other to London to let the people she trusted know that their services would be required. Looking at how the owls flew away, the headmistress sighed relieved.
"I am so glad that you are all okay" looking down, professor McGonagall took a picture frame from a nearby chest of drawers. It was taken after Hermione was chosen to belong to Gryffindor along with Harry and Ron, the Golden Trio in the making.
Her green eyes filled with tears of nostalgia and joy. From the first moment her eyes landed on the brilliant witch, she knew that the girl was destined to greatness. Her prediction didn't do justice to the reality and she could not be happier.
Of all her years teaching, the headmistress could not be prouder of being one of the many in charge of raising those handful children into smart and responsible adults. Gracing her fingertips against the picture, she smiled at the sight of a smiling Hermione, Harry and Ron waving at her and professor McGonagall's smile widened.
You are my pride and joy, my brave lions.
Somewhere in the area of Islington's Borough, bright green eyes widened at the content of the message he just got from Hogwarts.
It can't be…
Rereading the message, his smile widened. It has been so long without seeing one of his dearest friends that he could not contain his happiness.
I bet my other best buddy would be happy despite everything.
Fortunately, both finished their last mission just yesterday so they would be available to do the assignment the headmistress asked them to. Wiping his tears, the green-eyed wizard replied accepting the job and sending an extra message to a different person on the same location before heading to the kitchen to let his best male friend know about their new escorting mission.
The moment an owl in a Hogwarts' coat of arms custom-made vest landed on Josephine's right shoulder, Antoinette, Apolline, and Camille smiled. They had been playing with their dinner for the last half an hour worried about their family. After reading the short message, the clan's head looked up and smiled.
"Our girls will be escorted by a party that would be confirming soon and knowing those aurors, I don't think they would refuse" the clan's head stated before taking a sip of her wine. Reading the message, Antoinette's smile widened matching her wife's.
"As long as my girls come home soon, I have no complaints" Camille added with a toothy grin before proposing a toast "for our little girls coming home!"
"À ta santé!" Antoinette, Josephine and Apolline chanted before taking a big gulp of their wine glasses. There was a reason to celebrate, after all.
The moment Hermione appeared with a wheelchair; Fleur smiled. After the Gryffindor helped her beloved sit, both girls headed towards the elevator. Once on the second floor, Hermione led her mate to her sister's room.
"About time you two appear" Gabrielle pouted with crossed arms.
"How do you feel, ma soeur?" Fleur asked while taking her sister's hand in hers.
"Well, I am not bleeding anymore thanks to her" the smaller blonde pointed at the other doctor in the room.
"Tsk" Fleur clicked her tongue in distaste before rolling her eyes.
Since they were children, Marie had always bothered her younger cousin. The age difference was only a year but for Fleur was like the older blonde was eons older since she was taller and stronger, and the Delacour's heiress hated it. Even a prim and proper witch such as Fleur Delacour had a childish side.
"Thank you, Marie" Hermione added while approaching Gabrielle to check on her leg. After making sure the spell her coworker applied was flawless and the Gryffindor doctor smiled satisfied.
"You know each other?" Fleur asked with a frown.
"We worked together in Paris, love" Hermione replied before turning to look at the French doctor "wasn't your hair dark before?" the Gryffindor doctor asked with a raised eyebrow.
"It was a glamour spell that just broke" Marie added nonchalantly before eyeing her shorter dark blonde coworker.
"So, is this your real appearance?" Hermione asked while grabbing some curly tresses in her hand and Marie nodded with a smirk.
"Blondes have more fun, after all Hermione" the green-eyed added amused.
"Do you know who…" the Gryffindor gasped surprised and Gabrielle chuckled.
"You are? Of course, brains of the golden trio" Marie commented with a chuckle "only people living under a magical rock wouldn't know who you are"
"She's right, mon coeur" Fleur added before kissing Hermione's hand "you are a war hero and the brightest witch of your era, after all"
"Don't start with the mushy stuff, please" Gabrielle protested making gagging sounds "I just had dinner and I don't feel like throwing up" Marie burst into laughter whilst Fleur and Hermione rolled their eyes.
Before any of them had the chance to talk, a magnificent blue African crowned eagle entered the room and landed on Fleur's left shoulder before opening its beak.
"My dear babies, I am so glad that you are okay" both Fleur and Gabrielle gasped surprised and tears started pooling in their azure orbs when they heard Apolline's voice.
"We will see each other tomorrow" both Delacour siblings smiled "tomorrow you will receive the visit of two young aurors that will escort you to Hogwarts where you can finally floo home" both Fleur and Gabrielle smiled "please do not leave the hospital until your companions have contacted you"
"We love you, ma petite darlings" Camille whispered and both Delacour sisters sobbed while observing Apolline's patronus disappear in a baby blue whirlwind.
"We are going home…" Fleur whispered before sitting by her sister's side and wrapping her arms around her.
"That we are" Gabrielle couldn't contain her tears and hugged her sister back. Both doctors smiled and decided to give the siblings a moment.
Minutes later, a nurse came in to check Gabrielle's vitals and reminded them that visitor's hours were about to be over. Luckily, both Marie and Hermione's shift would finish at midnight so the Gryffindor would stay the night with Fleur while Marie decided to keep an eye on her younger cousin.
After entering the room and making sure that Fleur was comfortable enough, Hermione decided to leave the hospital and buy get some takeout for her family since all kept on complaining about the hospital's food, including Marie.
Just when Hermione stepped out of the building, the green-eyed doctor poked her from behind and the Gryffindor jumped away clearly annoyed.
"Why do you insist on doing that?" Hermione glared at the chuckling green-eyed doctor "you know how much I hate it, Marie."
"And missing your crazy sounds? Never!" the amused doctor replied, and amber eyes rolled.
Just across the street there was a Chinese restaurant that both liked so they decided to get some food from there for all of them. While waiting for their food, Marie bought some coffee from the café next door and went back to the restaurant to sit with Hermione.
"Our shift will be over soon, and I will head home to grab some stuff, do you want me to bring you something, number one?" Marie asked while sipping her coffee.
"Just a change of clothes and the book that I always carry with me, please" Hermione added while stirring her coffee.
"It's been a crazy day, huh" the green-eyed chuckled "who would have thought that you will be the mate of my silly cousin and that my friend 'the number one'" Marie air quoted and the Gryffindor rolled her eyes once more "was no other than Hermione Granger, no wonder I couldn't get the first place on the scholarship"
"You are a smart girl yourself, a git, but a smart one" Hermione chuckled and dodged Marie's attempt to swat her arm.
"Oh?" green-eyes widened slightly "sharp reflexes there, are you by any chance a magical creature?"
"I will have you know that I became part veela since a ritual I performed with your cousin" Hermione replied nonchalantly.
"You have to tell me everything!" Marie added excitedly and the Gryffindor proceeded to tell her about her war scars and how Fleur healed and cursed her. Then, about their trek to the coast of England and their arrival to the villa, omitting all the romantic details, of course.
When Hermione was on about the moment she became part veela, the cashier called them to pick up their order, and both doctors split the food and went back to the hospital to feed their patients.
After eating, Fleur tried hard to stifle a yawn, and Hermione smiled. It had been so long since the both of them were together that the brave Gryffindor couldn't help but sob despite her silly grin.
"Mon coeur?" the French witch called with worry "why are you crying?"
"I am sorry, love" Hermione wiped her tears and smiled once more while sitting next to her beloved "it's just that I…"
"I missed you too, mon ange" Fleur replied and gave her a sweet kiss "we won't be apart again"
"We are stronger together" Hermione replied, and Fleur nodded. A knock interrupted them, and Marie got in.
"I brought you what you asked me to" the green-eyed doctor added with a smile and handed a small bag to Hermione who excused herself to the bathroom to change clothes.
"Of all people, Hermione Granger, huh" Marie commented, and Fleur crossed her arms.
"She's my mate, so back off" the Delacour heiress hissed and green eyes sparkled amused.
"I know and I am glad" the French doctor chuckled "at least, you don't look like you are constipated anymore"
"Grossier, Marie!" Fleur scoffed before bursting into a fit of giggles joining her crazy cousin just when Hermione got back to the room.
"Well little birds, I will leave you alone so try to rest" Marie wiggled her eyebrows "remember that this is a hospital and the walls are not thick"
"Good night, idiot" Hermione slammed the door shut, turned off the light and joined Fleur in bed.
"Je t'aime, mon coeur" Fleur whispered while leaning forward and kissed the dark blonde doctor softly.
"Je t'aime aussi, mon amour" Hermione replied before holding her beloved tight. After finding the best position to sleep, both witches closed their eyes and a smile never abandoned their lips all night long.
Long after the first sun rays filtered through the curtains of Fleur's room, it turned eleven in the morning and only the loud voices of the nurses, in a mixture of what it sounded as admiration and compliments, made Hermione Granger open her eyes to lock with a pair that she hadn't seen in so long that she thought it was a figment of her imagination.
"If someone had told me that my dear friend Hermione would be able to sleep until noon, I would call them insane" a deep voice added, and amber eyes widened at the miraculous sight.
"Harry?" the dark blonde doctor asked to no one in particular before jumping out of bed and hugging the now auror with all her strength "oh my God, it's really you, Harry!"
"Long time no see, Hermione" Harry added with a wide smile whilst hugging the slightly shorter witch "I have bloody missed you so much"
"Me too, Harry" Hermione loosened her embrace and pinched the auror's cheeks before hugging him again "you have no idea"
"And 'ere I was believing that mon coeur have only missed me" a soft voice added from the bed and both Gryffindor turned around to see a barely awake Fleur that looked as if she had just gone out of the salon.
"Good to see you again, Fleur" Harry greeted while turning to Hermione to whisper, "she just woke up, how is she able to look that good?"
"It's the veela charm, 'arry" the French witch added in a thick accent which made Hermione smile "a skill that mon coeur has also acquired"
"Oh?" Harry turned to look at Hermione that shook her head and her dark blonde curls tamed almost immediately "that's bloody useful" he commented, and her former classmate nodded amusedly.
"I am glad that you two were able to see each other again but I am curious about the reason for your visit, 'arry" Fleur added in a serious tone.
"Well, Professor McGonagall asked us to escort you girls back to Hogwarts" Harry replied with a smile.
"We?" both Hermione and Fleur asked at unison and it was not until the room's door opened again that they saw the other auror that would be escorting them.
"Hello…" a raspy voice added, and the French witch frowned while the veela within her growled.
"Ron…" Hermione whispered before awkwardly hugging the taller redhead who turned crimson. Sensing the tense atmosphere, Harry cleared his throat before turning to his best friends.
"I bet you girls want to freshen up and change clothes so we will wait outside" the boy who lived grabbed Ron by the arm and added a soft let's go before leaving the room and closing the door behind them.
"That is certainly a surprise" Fleur commented in a soft tone that made Hermione turned to look at her.
"Indeed" the Gryffindor sighed "I just hope he is able to be civil about everything"
"Well, mon coeur" the French witch giggled "you broke up with him with a note that his sister delivered, I would be mad too"
"I guess" Hermione added while shrugging her shoulders.
"But that doesn't mean that I would let him be rude towards you" Fleur frowned while leaving bed and grabbing her mate's hand before pulling it towards the bathroom "in the meantime, let's get ready, shall we?" the French witch offered with a wide smile that she knew Hermione could not say no to.
"We shall" the Gryffindor chuckled while entering the bathroom with her beloved.
After making sure Gabrielle's injury had not reopened, Marie took a quick shower and changed clothes before helping her younger cousin in the tub who shooed her demanding privacy and a chuckling Marie left her alone.
Minutes later, Gabrielle reemerged from the bathroom and used a spell to change the appearance of her clothes which surprised Marie since the younger Delacour was using wandless magic.
"What? I am smarter than I look" Gabrielle pouted.
"I can tell" the green-eyed doctor chuckled. Marie was about to add something else when Hermione entered the room while rolling a pouting Fleur that was still on a wheelchair whilst a brunette and a redhead aurors followed suit.
"We just signed your discharge papers" the English witch commented before turning to her coworker and pointing at her mischievous sister-in-law "she needs to leave in a wheelchair as well, Marie" at this, the green-eyed doctor nodded and left the room to find one.
"Due to the extent of her leg injury, it would be best if we don't apparate but take the train to Hogwarts" Hermione suggested.
"I agree" Harry added before grinning at the huffing teenager "long time no see, Gabrielle"
"True, mister boy who lived" the smaller blonde joked.
"It's mister auror now" Harry teased back before azure orbs landed on the other man in the room.
"Oh, hello to you too, irrelevant redhead auror" Gabrielle added with an amused grin.
"The name's Ron" the taller man added while his face turned serious.
"That's what I said, irrelevant redhead auror" Gabrielle shrugged her shoulders while turning to her sister to speak in veela "I still don't understand what you saw in that flavorless redhead you used to go out with, all redheads of that family look like, ugh…"
"Stop it Gabrielle that his brother was killed, remember?" Fleur spat and her sister shrugged her shoulders.
"Well, at least healer Granger has added some spice to your boring and frigid life" Gabrielle giggled, and her sister blushed before rolling her azure orbs.
"Am I some sort of condiment now?" the Gryffindor doctor huffed in the same language and both Delacour siblings giggled.
"You can understand them Hermione?" Harry asked clearly surprised "I bet that hairstyle change has something to do with that, as well"
"Actually, I do and yes" the dark blonde turned to her best friend and grinned "veela, is an interesting language"
"Mon coeur can also speak fluent French" Fleur added proudly, and Hermione blushed deeply. Despite coming a long way, the dark blonde doctor was still shy to compliments.
"I just like to learn, that's all"
"You are too humble" Harry added while ruffling Hermione's hair and Ron scoffed.
"Do you have anything to add, Monsieur Weasley?" Fleur asked in an icy tone that made Gabrielle's smirk widen. She knew that voice, and that only meant trouble for the one on the receiving end of it.
Luckily, it's not me this time, the younger Delacour thought clearly amused whilst leaning back on the pillows.
"Yes" Ron added with a huff, "I think Hermione and I have unfinished business to discuss"
"Whatever you have to discuss with, mon coeur" Fleur emphasized Hermione's pet name while grabbing her hand to make the redhead understand the kind of relationship they had "you can say it in front of me, monsieur Weasley" the French witch stated while standing from the wheelchair.
Despite, Ron's growth spur, Fleur was at least half a head taller since she had also gone through her own time to grow in height. After taking a step back out of reflex, the redhead auror tilted his head before releasing a bitter chuckle that made Hermione frown.
"Oh, really? And why is that?" Ron asked in a harsh tone before lowering his right hand to graze his wand with his fingers. Something about this conversation made him extremely annoyed and uncomfortable, so touching his magical stick made him feel safe, somehow.
Fleur opened her mouth to reply, but no sound came out. The French witch knew that it was not her place to disclose that specific information to the redhead, so she just squeezed her mate's hand and smiled at her.
"Because she is the one for me" Hermione added in a serious tone before entwining her fingers with Fleur's.
"What?!" Ron fumed "you left me for this…" the redhead pointed at the French witch with his wand while Fleur just looked with an amused smile and her left hand glowed golden while she raised it ready to cast wandless and wordless magic if needed.
You wouldn't dare unless you want to be taught a lesson. Fleur thought and her smile turned smug which made the redhead even more upset.
"This…what, Ron?" Hermione seethed while stepping in front of her beloved "I dare you to finish that thought and I assure you…" the Gryffindor doctor took another step forward and her tone turned more menacing whilst her right hand glowed blue "that if you offend Fleur in any way, I won't be so gentle as that time in the room of requirement when we were training for Dumbledore's army"
This is so amusing. I wish I had some popcorn, Gabrielle mused with a wide grin while playing with a strand of her blonde mane.
Ron tried to reply but his last few months of auror's training had taught him that keeping his temper at bay was the best course of action, so he just glared at the three blondes in the room.
"A witch that is a veela" the redhead spat "she just has you under her charms and clouded your judgment, Hermione" Ron placed a hand on the dark blonde's witch "it's all an illusion, Mione, don't you see that you belong to me and not with that evil…creature!"
"Ron" Harry called his friend and placed a hand on his shoulder that the redhead slapped.
"Oh, you just didn't just say that, irrelevant redhead auror" Gabrielle whispered before smiling clearly amused.
"I…" Hermione took a deep breath and Fleur hugged the Gryffindor's from behind before resting her head on Hermione's shoulders "I see things clearly now, Ron" the tone the dark blonde used made the redhead flinch. He knew better than make Hermione upset, but he wanted answers.
"You are wrong…you even dyed your hair to look like them, what a bloody joke you turned out, Mione" Ron chuckled while pointing his wand at Hermione, but Harry was faster and moved to face the redhead.
"You will have to fight me first, mate" the boy who lived added softly before taking the wand from Ron's shaky grasp "I will take this until you calm down"
"How can you be on her side too?" Ron pushed him before balling his fists ready to punch his best friend "she cheated on me with that…" the redhead's face turned crimson in anger "…that creature disguised as a woman!"
"I did not cheat on you, Ron" Hermione hissed and her magie threatened with getting out of control. Sensing this, Fleur held her tighter and that seemed to calm down the infuriated veela within the dark blonde doctor.
Taking a deep breath, Hermione glared at the redhead "unlike you, that actually did" the English witch chuckled dryly "or you thought that I didn't know that you were seeing Lavender Brown behind my back"
"What?" Harry turned to look at his doctor friend and then to the surprised redhead.
"I…" Ron's face turned purple before grinning widely "…you know what? I did" the redhead took a step forward and his smile widened "at least, she knows how to satisfy a ma…" he was not able to utter another word when a fist smashed against his face and the auror landed on his back losing consciousness while Harry shook his right hand.
"Bloody git!" the boy who lived yelled "I hope my hand it's not broken" and Hermione approached to examine it.
"Luckily it's not" the British witch added before looking down at the redhead "unlike his nose"
"Well, he deserved it for being a bloody cheater" the dark-haired auror sighed "I am sorry…"
"You have nothing to apologize for, Harry" Hermione replied before hugging him "thank you for defending me, you are a good friend"
"That gotta hurt" Gabrielle muttered with a chuckle. Not a second later, the room's door opened, and Marie entered with a wheelchair.
After observing her younger cousin chuckling, Fleur standing with a pleased expression, an unconscious redhead and two of the golden trio hugging, the French doctor raised an amused eyebrow.
"I am tempted to ask what just happened here" Marie commented while rolling the chair around the still unconscious Ron and helping Gabrielle sit on it before pointing at the fallen auror "but at the same time, I don't like that roux, so…" that made the Delacour sisters laugh while Harry and Hermione grin.
"Well, he normally gives a terrible first impression" Hermione added in a calmer tone.
"Despite that, he is a good friend" Harry commented while grabbing the redhead and forced him to sit before fixing his nose "even if he was a git just a second ago."
After Ron regained consciousness and promised to behave once his nose was fixed, Marie, Gabrielle, Fleur, and Hermione were escorted by the two aurors to King's Cross Station to board the Hogwarts' Express at platform 9¾ that would take them a step closer to their home.
"It's been a while, Minerva" Antoinette Delacour greeted the headmistress while stepping out of the chimney.
"Indeed" Minerva replied with a smile and a brief hug.
"Min, you definitely need to take better care of this chimney" Josephine commented while sneezing "it's all covered in ashes"
"Well, Jo" the headmistress' smile widened whilst she kept on serving tea for her guests "it's a chimney after all," Antoinette giggled while helping her wife get rid of the ash that had adhered to her clothes.
"Harry sent a patronus earlier announcing that they boarded the Hogwarts express a while ago so they must arrive in a few hours" Minerva commented before taking a scone.
"I can't wait to see our girls" Antoinette added with a wide smile and her wife nodded with a matching grin.
"It's time for our family to be reunited and put an end to the death eater's threat to our race," Josephine remarked after placing her cup back.
"We still haven't pinpointed Bellatrix's location, however," Minerva said with a frown "rumor has it, that your granddaughter did quite a number on her and she is still recovering from the veela curses Fleur cast on her"
"Well, Bellatrix did hurt Hermione and us and my little flower is very protective of her family" Antoinette added nonchalantly "whatever she had cast on that insane witch, she absolutely deserved it"
"She had caused so much pain to our families" Josephine intervened in a serious tone "and that needs to end"
"I will assist you in any way I can" the headmistress reassured and both veela smiled.
"Any help will be highly appreciated" Antoinette thanked "this time we will be prepared"
"Thanks, Min" Josephine added with a grateful smile.
"In the meantime, let's go to the Great Hall and have some lunch" Minerva grinned "I didn't have any breakfast and I am starving"
"As long as you let us meet with the veela that are mingled among your pupils" Antoinette commented while opening her purse and taking several letters "their parents gave me these to deliver them to their children since they weren't able to send them themselves to avoid being intercepted by the enemy"
"Sure" the headmistress nodded before leading the veela out of her office "but first, food"
"It's incredible that almost half a century has passed, and you are still a glutton, Min" Josephine chuckled.
"Hush you" Minerva grinned "if I remember correctly, you have a horrible sweet tooth"
"She still does" Antoinette added with a giggle "she can't start her day without a freshly baked macaron"
"Mon ange!" Josephine pouted and the headmistress along with the clan's head wife burst into laughter while approaching the Great Hall.
The moment Hermione Granger stepped into Hogwarts; her amber eyes watered. It had been almost two years since she had graduated, but for the dark blonde doctor, it felt like a decade had passed by despite everything looking the same.
It was early evening when the group of aurors and veela finally got to the castle and the golden trio could not hide their nostalgic smiles. Walking through the same halls again felt familiar and at the same time, completely different since they weren't wearing their house colors anymore.
Several students stopped in their tracks wide-eyed at the sight of the most famous students in the last decade, plus three gorgeous veela, but they didn't approach them which was a relief for them.
When they finally reached the Great Hall Hermione placed her right hand on the immense doors but didn't move.
"The last time I opened this door" the dark blonde doctor swallowed hard "I saw so many dead witches and wizards"
"This time is different, Mione" Harry placed a hand on her shoulder "nothing inside will harm us"
"That's right, mon coeur" Fleur whispered from the other side "we are here for you" the French witch kissed her on the cheek and Hermione's cheeks tinted pink.
After taking a deep breath, the Gryffindor opened the doors to find a half-empty Great Hall. Several gasps would be heard when some students recognized them, but the group kept walking towards the headmistress plus company.
Gabrielle limped towards her family and hugged both of her grandmothers while sobbing quietly. A second later they were joined by a crying Fleur and a smiling Marie.
"Headmistress" the Gryffindor doctor uttered before being engulfed by her former mentor.
"I am so glad that you are okay, Hermione" Minerva added with a whisper.
"Good to see you again, professor" the dark blonde girl replied quietly before being engulfed by the eldest Delacour and the Gryffindor doctor smiled at the display of affection.
My family.
Soon, students started pouring through the door and the reunited family along with the aurors sat with the teachers to have dinner. While Fleur, Gabrielle, Hermione, and Marie were telling what they did in the last months, Josephine looked towards the door and raised an amused eyebrow. Sensing her wife's change of attitude, Antoinette stopped talking and turned to look where the one for her was staring and her smile widened.
Rubbing her eyes, Hermione could not get rid of the strange orange thread that started floating from her side of the Great Hall to the entrance. Looking up to her mate, the Gryffindor doctor could notice that Fleur was also blinking confusedly.
"What is that, grand-mère?" the French heiress asked while looking at the strange phenomenon "mémère?" Fleur insisted seeing that both of her grandmothers were looking at the same direction.
"Oh?" Antoinette was the first to exclaim her surprise "you see it, too?"
"That what you are seeing is a Delacour trait, ma petite fille" Josephine added with a smile "you are able to see a mate connection and the color of their magie, like your mémère and I can"
"I can see it, as well" Hermione added while following the thread all the way to a familiar face and her amber eyes widened "does this mean that…"
"…the ones linked by the thread are mates, oui" Josephine elaborated while looking back to the ones sitting near her and found the missing link of the connection "now we just need to wait"
"And enjoy the show…" Antoinette added with a mischievous giggle.
"What are you guys talking about?" Gabrielle butted in while following her family's gaze towards the entrance of the Great Hall and time stopped for her.
There she was, the same girl that she had seen some time ago when she visited Ms. Court while looking for her sister's birthday presents. Those same chocolate eyes that captivated her the first time she had seen them. Dropping her fork, Gabrielle stood and left the table towards the now sitting girl.
"This…" Fleur whispered by Hermione's ear "…will be very interesting"
"Indeed" the Gryffindor doctor replied with a matching grin while observing her sister-in-law head towards her house's table to talk to the owner of those piercing brown eyes.
Gabrielle's sapphire landed on the girl that was chatting with her friends and cleared her throat which made chocolate orbs look up and widen. Both girls kept staring at each other for what it looked like several minutes until a red-faced blonde opened her mouth.
"I…" sapphire eyes widened in panic when no more words came out.
"That's adorable" Antoinette giggled "she is so cute trying to introduce herself"
"Revenge is sweet, right mon coeur?" Fleur whispered with a smile.
"Oh yes, it is, love" Hermione grinned back "I promised to tease her when she found her mate, and I will until my heart's content"
Back at the Gryffindor's table, chocolate orbs gaped at the beautiful girl that was trying to say something but just stared at her with wide eyes. The blonde teenager took a deep breath to calm her nerves and the anxious veela within her before trying again.
"I am Gabrielle Delacour…" the blonde extended her hand to shake it with the girl that kept gaping at her "enchanté".
"Mine's Ginevra Weasley" the redhead girl stood and shook the blonde's hand before taking Gabrielle's hand and kissing it which made the blonde turn crimson.
"Bloody hell" Harry muttered "someone will be really mad about this"
"I know" Hermione mumbled while trying hard not to burst into laughter.
Oh, the irony.
None of them realized that the auror Weasley had left his seat and was walking towards the smitten girls.
"Oh no, you won't poison my family with your dirty blood, you creature" Ron yelled while pushing Gabrielle away from Ginny. The blonde witch lost her balance and landed on her injured leg moaning in pain. Fleur stood to intervene, but Josephine made her seat with a glare.
"You know better than getting in between mates, mon héritière" the clan's head added while clenching her fists under the table. It pained her seeing her younger granddaughter suffering.
Antoinette grabbed one of her hands and caressed it to calm her down. It worked like a charm, and both looked back to where Gabrielle was being helped stand by an angry looking Ginny.
"What in the bloody hell is wrong with you, Ron?" the younger redhead yelled after helping the one for her seat "she is injured, and you just made it worse"
"She is part of that creature family of veela over there" the auror screamed back while pointing where the Delacours were "they are all evil, so I forbid you to be near them"
"You what?" Ginny laughed loudly "as if you had some sort of authority over me, bloody idiot!"
"I do and I will show you!" he tried to grab his wand and cast a spell against his sister but veela reflexes were faster.
You won't hurt her! Gabrielle thought and wordlessly disarming Ron whilst his sister punched him in the face, and a loud crack was heard when the redhead auror landed on his back, again.
"I am sorry that my brother is a sourpuss" Ginny turned and kneeled before Gabrielle "are you okay?"
"Ye…oui!" the blonde added rather loudly, and the redhead giggled which sounded like a choir of angels for the smitten Delacour that stood too quickly and tripped, landing on Ginny's arms.
"Let's get you checked by Madam Pomfrey to be sure" Ginny held the blonde bride style while walking towards the Hospital Wing while the Great Hall erupted in cheers.
"That was…wow" Hermione chuckled amused.
"Such a gentleman is that Ginny girl" Josephine added with a loud chuckle.
"Certainly, a fitting mate for the terrible one," Antoinette remarked, and her wife nodded in agreement.
"I'd better help that git, again" a sighing Harry stood from his chair and walked towards the unconscious redhead auror that nobody bothered on helping.
"I will go and check on the stupide roux and my petite cousin" Marie stood too and walked towards the Gryffindor table.
"Well…" Minerva sighed but found no words to elaborate.
"That was a surprise indeed" Josephine commented.
"I can't believe that a Weasley is ma petite soeur's mate" Fleur sighed.
"She's one of the good ones, so relax love" Hermione entwined fingers with her beloved "at least it's not Ron since that would have been awful" the Gryffindor doctor whispered, and all the table agreed with her while grinning.
After Madam Pomfrey made sure Gabrielle's leg was not bleeding anymore, the healer commanded the blonde to stay in bed who stopped protesting just when Ginny sat on the bed and glared at her.
"I am sorry for what that git did" Ginny whispered, and Gabrielle cupped her face.
"You did nothing wrong, ma petite puce" the blonde mumbled with pink cheeks.
Gabrielle had never considered herself a sweet or corny person, she even made fun of how nauseating her sister was with Hermione, but there was something about the redhead facing her that made her heart swell and a myriad of sweet words just poured out of her mouth.
"I never thought that French would sound so sexy" the redhead chuckled nervously, and her face couldn't turn redder.
"Oh, so I will make sure to speak French around you, ma petite puce" Gabrielle purred and leaned forward until they could feel each other breaths tickling their skins. Ginny closed the distance and their lips brushed for an instant. Both girls closed their eyes and their second kiss was longer.
Soon, Gabrielle winced for a second when her white wings stretched and colored orange with golden tips, a clear sign that she had found her mate.
The moment they parted for air, the wings had vanished, and Gabrielle's eyes turned sapphire again. Ginny leaned her forehead against the younger blonde with blushing cheeks.
"Now what?" the redhead asked while playing with her beloved's digits.
"Well, we get to know each other and fall deeply and madly in love until the end of time" Gabrielle whispered with an uncharacteristically shy smile "and maybe have some gorgeous bébés"
"Mon Dieu, I never thought that ma petite soeur was this…" a voice commented from the door.
"…corny?" a chuckling Hermione added while leaning against Fleur.
"I don't see you being very subtle over there" the redhead replied with a smug smile while taking Gabrielle's hand.
"Poppy recommended that her hyper patient stays the night to be fit to floo tomorrow," Minerva remarked from the door "so I suggest you, Miss Weasley, that you get back to your room since it's getting late"
"Would it be okay if I stay and keep an eye on her, please?" Ginny pleaded and both Hermione and Minerva blinked surprised. A begging Ginevra Weasley was indeed a rare sight.
"I am sorry, but rules are rules, Miss Weasley" the headmistress added before waiting for the young redhead to comply.
"Fine" Ginny sighed defeated. She knew better than defying her house's head and headmistress "but I will stay by her side until the last minute" the moment the redhead uttered that, Hermione chuckled clearly amused.
"We will go back home in the morning, so you better rest, ma petite soeur" Fleur approached and kissed her sister's forehead before turning to Ginny with a serious expression "take care of her until you go back to your room"
"I will" the redhead smiled with a raised eyebrow "you don't need to go all possessive on me, Phlegm, I bet Hermione enjoys that role, but I don't" Ginny chuckled at Hermione's blush and Fleur's eye roll "but yeah, I will make sure she rests" the older Delacour nodded and left the Hospital Wing just when their grandmothers got in to wish their younger granddaughter goodnight.
After a few minutes of teasing the new couple, both Josephine and Antoinette kissed both girls on their cheeks and left them alone.
"Now" Gabrielle used wandless magic to turn both of their outfits into pajamas before smiling cheekily.
"Where were we, ma petite puce?" Ginny giggled and leaned forward to capture the younger girl's lips once more in a tender kiss before hugging her tight.
Not a minute later, Gabrielle fell asleep while Ginny whispered sweet nothings before leaving the Hospital Wing with a wide smile. It was the first time, the blonde witch was not tossing and turning in her sleep, and the first time Ginevra Weasley felt complete. As if love was all they needed to feel good.
While in Hogwarts the Delacours were ecstatic to have finally reunited, on an unknown location, dark eyes finally opened. The woman had been in an induced coma for the last couple of months, so her healers were able to tend to her cursed wounds at ease since the pain was unbearable.
The witch sat while rubbing her throbbing leg, that still hurt despite the several treatments that it had gone through to get rid of a myriad of curses that were cast on her limbs.
Blinking repeatedly, the dark-eyed woman could swear that some sort of colored fog just dissipated and then, several memories of an intense battle came back plus the identity of the one that caused all the injuries that she had spent months trying to heal to no avail.
"Now that I remember who you are" the dark-eyed witch cackled "I will destroy everything you love, Fleur Delacour and that includes your family and your mate, Hermione Granger."
Bellatrix Lestrange added before summoning some of her comrades and ordered to start messaging all the death eaters to head back to their main hideout to start preparations.
The wicked witch schemed to launch the biggest attack against the veela, that's why she was calling all her allies for a final skirmish. Her plan was to destroy the three big families and make the proud race submit to her.
"We will see each other soon, little birds" Bellatrix screeched uncontrollably "and this time, I am going to enjoy shattering your souls before killing you both, Fleur Delacour and Hermione Granger."
A/N: I bet my sorry butt that you had never expected Ginny as Gabrielle's mate bwhahaha. Now, do you imagine how mischievous they would be together? Poor Fleur and Hermione, lol. I would really love your thoughts on this chapter since it's pretty long and packs a lot of surprises. The next one won't probably be this long, I think. Thoughts? Leave a review, they are highly appreciated.