So for those concerned with Gabby, never fear, this is where I was heading with the last chapter, I was writing Gabrielle that way, especially last chapter, remembering that she is younger and often younger people tend to not know the limits, I feel like that character would just push and push not knowing that line, and need their elders to steer her back in the right direction, in my crazy mind I truly believe her motivation was not nefarious, but it was all done in a teasing manner, she just didn't know she pushed too far, hope that makes sense

Historical information taken from : . /en/coming-to-france/france-facts/symbols-of-the-republic/article/liberty-equality-fraternity

Hermione felt the uncomfortable p

ull of the side along apparation and when she finally blinked her eyes she stood at the gates to a large French mansion. The iron fence opened up to the elf reciting 'liberté, equalité, fraternité'.

Hermione remembered, as they were walking, learning the motto from the muggle school she went to before she came to Hogwarts. She let out a small smile and laugh in recognition.

'What is is love?' Fleur asked

'Oh just your gate password, I remembered learning about it when I was little.' Hermione replied placing a hair behind her ear.

Fleur stepped up to her kissing her cheek, ' Well...my bookworm would be the one to teach us about what it actually means then. Go on, I will admit I never gave it a second thought, but now you have me intrigued.'

Hermione blushed at the attention, but began, 'well translated it means :Liberty, equality, fraternity, a motto that was first used by Fenelon in the late seventeenth century, but became more widespread during the Age of Enlightenment, it also was one of the mottos in use during the French Revolution. In fact Robespierre advocated in a speech to have the motto written in uniforms and flags, but that was later rejected. It has been in use off and on throughout history in France but is now almost an integral part of French society, it's been a while since I looked, but I believe it is also in use on some currency and postage stamps, well before the use of the Euro that is.'

'You are correct young one, and I must say I am impressed at your depth of knowledge about our culture little wolf, your reputation doesn't do you justice, the brightest witch of your age, indeed, quite the match for our dear Fleur.' A beautiful grey haired woman spoke with a deep smile present. ' come child, give your grandmother a hug.'

'Ummm?' Hermione stumbled confused

'You are my granddaughter's mate, you are now a part of our family, come child, come.'

They embraced, Hermione feeling a familial love she hadn't felt since childhood, a time before her adoptive parents knew she had magic. The painful reminder made her squeeze a little more into the hug with a soft smile.

They released from the hug and the woman went about hugging first Fleur, then hugging the blonde terror. Once she had hugged and greeted them both properly the Alpha turned to Gabrielle, eyes set hard, calculating, disappointment crossing her face.

'And don't think I didn't hear about your little trouble on the carriage youngling. I expect you to start respecting your sister and her mate after that display. While it is fun to tease, you go too far. I believe young Sebastian has some dishes he needs washed the muggle way young Gabrielle.'

'But Grandmere!?!'

'Don't Grandmere me! You will respect their relationship, and you will apologize to your sister! It is in our nature to tease, but do not go so far after today, I will not be so forgiving in the future.' The elder Veela spoke and gave a leveling look of authority, voice heavy of the true alpha that she is.

'This is the beginning of your punishment young one, don't forget I love you, but I cannot let threats against someone's mate pass. The flock would not stand for it. Go on, we will see you at the next meal time, after which I will be meeting with you privately to further discuss mating, our instincts, and how your actions caused injury to your sister. If you do not learn from this incident to my satisfaction you will not be returning to Hogwarts for the remainder of the school year. Now, no more words off you go'

Gabrielle looked solemn as she nodded her head in acquiesce following the small elf.

Once the young one was out of hearing distance the Alpha turned to the pair, 'come we have much to discuss, we will introduce the clan to you Hermione tomorrow and the coming days, in a week we have a few rituals that have to be preformed and not much time to get you properly prepared. However, since the matter with the young one is settled I would like to apologize for her, it is a lacking in her education on my part as well as her immaturity that lead to the incident, for that I am truly sorry and will be fixing the issue immediately.'

'I…ah, I am honored by your candor on this, thank you Madam…'

'Joséphine, you can call me by my first name youngling'

'…err Joséphine, thank you for your understanding.'

Joséphine placed a comforting hand on the wolf's shoulder squeezing lightly.

'So a wolf, huh?'

Hermione scratched behind her ear, self consciously, 'um yeah, I didn't know I was until I imprinted on your granddaughter and shifted for the first time defending her.'

'I would love to see you shifted some time. I once knew a shifter who would turn into a…'. Joséphine said as she wrapped an arm through the crook of the wolf's arm, and Fleur's leading both Hermione and Fleur into the garden where she had a tea service waiting for them.

The afternoon tea went on for a while, Hermione honestly enjoyed the elder Veela's presence. She was full of knowledge and was a very loving woman, Hermione saw a lot of the things she loved best about Fleur in this strong woman.

Fleur took this opportunity to inquire about previously mated couples, specifically if any Veela had been mated to a wolf shifter before. Her Grandmere told her that she would have to look into their histories to further investigate. Joséphine told them that common matings were between Veelas and: muggles, wizards or witches, other Veelas, but also some shifters were not completely uncommon mostly consisting of cat shifters in different varieties, as well as a famous pair that seemed to be almost more lore than history of a Veela and her ever faithful Dragon that had at one time saved the flock on more than one occasion.

The elderly Veela also gave a book to the young wolf that covered basics of being mated to Veela and histories of Veela that are omitted to anyone not mated to or a Veela themselves. The book itself was an amazing piece of magic, as the elder Veela had to first slice open her hand and touch the book, then taking Hermione's hand doing the same, a small spell was spoken in a language that Hermione had never heard but assumed was an ancient Veela language. Once both acts were done the words and illustrations seemed to appear out of thin air, filling the book with much appreciated knowledge.

The garden in which they were sitting overlooked the rest of the amazing Greco-Roman style property. A pool was below where they were sitting with large pillars surrounding. Statues of Veela ancestors past circled around the water with intricately beautiful floral arrangements. The massive manor was three stories tall with a crème color to it with burnt amber color as trim and roofing, and vast large windows covering every available area, bringing life into the massively impressive house. Vines came up around the walls in an almost storybook kind of way, speaking of its history. Shrubberies and trees were trimmed within an inch of its life, a maze to the left of the pool below, large family mausoleum housing a vast amount of ancestors to the right. This home had obviously been in the Delacour family for generations upon generations.

The tea service lasted for hours and broke when dinner was said to be served in the next hour, which excused the mated pair to freshen up from the carriage ride from Hogwarts before the evening meal.

Entering into a magical house never seemed to stop being enchanting to Hermione. She loved everything about this world, her world. Dusting apparatuses seeming to work on their own volition, paintings moving and speaking with one another all the while silently and not so silently judging the new arrival, and so on. She couldn't help the smile that filled her face.

Fleur studied her mate asking, 'what?'

'I love magic' she simply stated

Dinner was a fun affair as Hermione was reacquainted with Emmitt and Appoline Delacour, and she was beyond amused at the disheveled, haggard appearance of the youngest. True to her word the eldest was teaching the young terror a lesson, not to be harsh, but to teach respect, and everything within the flock would be respected by order of the Alpha. Joséphine instructed young Gabby at the meal to not apologize until she fully understood the far reaching impact of what she had done on the trip, and as such she was grumbling quietly to herself throughout the meal, much to everyone's quiet amusement.

Emmitt had heard that Hermione and Fleur would spend the last half of their break in America with her family's pack in Washington specifically, and Emmitt had weaseled his way into taking himself and his dear Apple to meet them and introduce his cousins to the young couple.

Hermione was a little weary of meeting the veggie vamps but seeing as they too would become her family she of course obliged. Her curiously studious nature also was peaked at the chance to learn of a new species she had never met, no matter how apprehensive she was, her love of learning would always win out. Plus she had to learn if 'Vampires the soulless creatures of death, A History' was correct on all accounts, as the stories Emmitt shared seemed contrary to the information gathered within that particular text.

The food was plentiful, which had surprised most of the Delacour family, commenting on the amount of food almost chastising the elves until the looked over at the young wolf's plate mid grab for more meat to pile on her already high plate.

'Umm…ahh, shifters have a high metabolism, and iii umm, can put this back if it is any trouble…if you just show me your closest woods for hunting, I can supplement my diet, it's really no bother..' Hermione stumbled out embarrassed at her forgetting that others may not be used to a young shifter's eating habits.

'Nonsense, we are thankful the house elves had thought about your needs, we just don't like to be wasteful, eat young one. We are happy to share this meal with you.' Appoline stated firmly but kindly effectively ending whatever argument may arise from either Hermione or the others.

Fleur took a side dish and gently placed it on another plate she positioned to the right of Hermione's mounded main plate.

'Here, Love you must try this, it is absolutely to die for. None of that heavy English grovel your people try to pass off as food.'

The comment and gentle hand on Hermione's forearm was enough to lighten the mood and Hermione went back to happily piling her plate and began eating her food. She was never a sloppy eater even before the change, and as long as she was in human form she refused to become one.

She had just honestly forgotten about the sheer amount of food she had to intake daily. Shifters were notorious for their supernaturally high metabolism and her friends had long since gotten used to her new eating habits.

Fred and George had to be the first wizards to notice the wolf's increased appetite.

Flashback

'See there Georgie'

'What's that Freddie?'

'Have you ever seen a fat wolf?'

'Why no I haven't'

'Well just wait a few weeks'

The pair started chuckling loudly, drawing the attention of the surrounding students.

'I mean seriously Georgie she must have a hollow leg, or would that be haunch, or paw?' The surrounding students snickered quietly at that

'I agree Freddie, but maybe Fleur is secretly a chub chaser.'

Hermione had stopped eating and looked up, when she heard them say fat wolf. She took one look at her plate and then murderously looked up at the grinning twins. Exploding and hitting the table as she stood up, towering over the seated pair at the last comment about her mate.

'That's it! For your information shifters have abnormally high metabolisms. Our bodies require at least twice the normal amount of nutrients to keep up a healthy body weight!' Hermione finished with a quiet growl at the end, eyes flashing a dangerous yellow. 'And I would appreciate it if you would not comment on my imprint.'

The twins immediately stopped laughing at her movement, sobering up for the first time in their lives.

'Of course, Hermione, wouldn't dream of it Hermione'

'That's right Hermione, we were just uh… joking Hermione, that's us, always joking Weasleys'. The brothers nervously said one after the other.

' You know know what, I would engage in a battle of wits with you two, but I was always taught to never attack someone who is unarmed' Hermione said as she sat down getting back into her food.

Laughter erupted from the students nearby, effectively ending the previously silent hall.

The twins could only laugh in response, and from the small upturn of Hermione's lips they knew she harbored no seriously hard feelings between themselves.

Time with the Delacour's went better than Hermione expected. They were such a loving, welcoming family. She had learned so much about Veela culture and customs.

Meeting the entire clan was entirely overwhelming for the nervous wolf. She had not seen the encounter coming, as she had been given the go ahead to shift and explore the surrounding woods with her imprint.

Fleur hadn't shifted into her full Veela since the incident with Victor and she jumped at the chance to share this experience with her mate.

Hermione was chasing after the faster Veela, who would from time to time , as Hermione put it, cheat her feathery arse off by flying. Fleur has just rolled her eyes at this and laughed at her furry mate. The Veela turned around just in time to see a curtain of her black fur crashing into her, pinning her to the forest floor below. They locked eyes, losing all sense of their surroundings and both shifting back immediately, Hermione dominantly ripped Fleur's remaining clothes off of her and without preamble plunged two fingers deep into her imprint. A deep moan escaped the voluptuous blonde. Hermione's palm hit that sweet bundle of nerves at each upstroke causing Fleur to grab onto the strong back of her mate as she cried out

'oui, Oui, Oui!'

A deep purr resounding from the wolf had her slipping out of her imprint and kissing her way down the Veela, pausing to worship at the temple that was her perky breasts on her path to where she wanted, no needed a taste. She plunged into that wet center with vigor and a hunger Fleur had only seen their first night together. Bringing a hand up touching her clit she made her imprint sing out her name at the top of her lungs over and over again.

So caught up they did not realize where they had chosen to explore their bodies, until the final scream of ecstasy came from Fleur. An almost deafening round of applause filled the air, interspersed with a few car calls. The young mated pair paused, and Hermione scurried hurriedly to cover her imprint with her own body.

'Don't stop on our account.' Came the reply from a clan member in the back.

'Bravo!' came another

'This can't be happening, Fleur please don't tell me we ran into some hidden meeting place for your clan…'

'Umm…well, then I won't tell you'. Came Fleur's giggling reply as she clung to her equally naked mate

'My Fleur how you've grown! Seems like just yesterday I saw you with your first training bra.

Hermione raised an eyebrow at this

'Aunt Louise'. Was Fleur's only reply mumbled into the wolf's neck.

'You've filled out nicely, and such a beautiful specimen of a mate, good job Fleur!'

' Aunt Chloe' Fleur mumbled

'Kill me now'. Hermione mumbled embarrassingly

'Seems like you got lucky, she seems very talented with that tongue of hers, good show I say old chap!'

'Aunt Jeanne'

'Make it stop'

'Quite the endurance, what was that straight thirty minutes of oral, I'm jealous Fleur.'

'Aunt Ines'

Hermione just lifted her head and proudly smirked at that last comment, to which Fleur smacked Hermione upside her head. Causing the surrounding Veela to outright laugh.

'Oh please girls, just stand up, we're not shy, it's not like we won't see it all at the ritual in a few days anyway. Come meet the clan Hermione!'

Hermione froze, no one said anything about a naked ritual!

'Shhh my love, calm down, we will explain everything in due time.' Fleur cooed into her wolf's ear

Joséphine took mercy on the pair and threw a blanket over the two. 'Come on you two, I have some spare clothes in my office, follow me'.

'Merlin, please tell me I'm dreaming.' Hermione muttered

'Afraid not', Fleur replied. As Hermione stood up with Fleur clutching her mate that was covering her, as of a few minutes ago, non existent modesty.

'And a strong one too! Do you have any older sisters wolfy-kins?''

'Aunt Mila'

Hermione chuckled in reply, 'no'

'Shame'

Once dressed Hermione was overwhelmed at the number of Veela present. Only about a third had witnessed her escapades with their young Alpha protégé, but it seemed the time it took to get dressed was long enough time for the gossip mill to disseminate that particular information like wildfire.

As the pair exited the Alpha's office Hermione received several long glances and approving looks from all females present. Their little show seemed to prove the young wolf in the eyes of the clan, if you could make one of their own sing like that in the throws of passion, without thought of reciprocation, all the while making said Veela forget everything else, well let's just say she received their stamp of approval we'll before any other outsider mated to a Veela.

The Aunts formally introduced themselves, as well as the other clan members present. Hermione, while being completely overwhelmed, outwardly was cool as a cucumber. Joséphine was impressed with the girl whom she had been growing to love like her own biological grandchild. The girl had such a strong heart and logical mind, their family was blessed to have her join them….speaking of…

'Hermione now is the time to tell you about the two rituals you need to perform before you see your pack in the Americas.' Joséphine stated

Two days later Hermione was standing in nothing more than an animal skin break away skirt, with her breasts painted black with gold runes drawn down the front and a picture of a wolf painted on the back.

'I love Fleur, I love Fleur…' Hermione kept repeating to herself as she was pacing back and forth behind a fabric blind.

They were getting her ready for the first ritual she was to perform in front of 1,254 female members of the clan present from across France. She was essentially marrying her imprint, which incredulously included consummation among other things.

Hermione was not nervous about the marriage, as she knew Fleur was it for her, she was of legal age, now that her true age was known and since shifting for the first time her body had physically matured as well.

No she was nervous of the other parts of the ritual that had been somewhat glossed over, besides the instruction she needed to know for her part. She had a sneaking suspicion about the hidden ritual details not given to her, but she said nothing. She instead began to work a trench in the holding area for her, from her pacing.

'It's time young one'. Appoline said from the door. Hermione still nervous about showing herself in such a manner, shook her head muttering her mantra and walked out head held high

'Ok, thank you Appoline I'm ready.' Hermione replied with a confidence she didn't have at the moment.

'Very well young one, we are so very excited to have you join the family.' Appoline replied. She was wearing a ceremonial baby blue robe covered also in runes stitched over the back, and wreath adoring her head signifying herself as the mother of the mated Veela.

Hermione followed the matriarch and soon stood at the entrance to the underground cave door.

Knock, knock, knock.

Appoline wrapped the door

'Who dares disturb the sacred temple of the Velda Veela'. A bellowing female asked beyond the door

'It is I, a mother, a mate, a guide to show this weary soul to her rightful love.' Appoline answered

'Then enter so she may prove herself'.

The door opened and Hermione saw a massive cave opening with row upon row of beautiful Veela of varying ages, all covered in baby blue robes, except for the two at the center. The center was raised and seemed to be covered in a huge pillow like substance.

Joséphine was in a gold robe with a wreath around her head with black writing. Fleur was standing next to her barefooted same as Hermione, but had a white sheer short toga that left very little to the imagination. Hermione purred at the sight as she walked closer.

Once at the center the elder Alpha asked, 'who do you bring before your Alpha?'

'An honorable woman to become one with my daughter, a mate for all to see.' Was Appoline's reply

'Then come closer child and let us begin.' Joséphine stated

Appoline joined Fleur and Hermione's hands and surprising the pair she ripped the scant remaining clothing left for all to see.

Hermione's eyes bulged out of her head, but remained still.

'Here stands before you as they once entered this world, bare and with nothing but themselves to offer one another. To symbolize that outside influences will always be there, at times like these all you will have to rely on is each other. Draw strength from one another, love is the greatest gift we can give each other.'

They let the words sink in, and Hermione really thought about what was being said, she let her inhibitions down, because she really did love Fleur. In the end she really could rely on her imprint for anything, she was all that mattered, everything else was just static.

'I take this rope, and tie it to your joined hand, to connect you two forever in love. Do you both promise to forever honor one another, to give fully, to love fully, to live for only each other?'

'We do' come the joined rely

The Alpha turned to the surrounding Veela's. Taking off her robe, and everyone following suit, soon the pair was surrounded by naked Veela. 'As we are nothing without each other, you will not ever be alone anymore. We give you all that we have, support you when we have nothing, but ourselves to give. We are stripped bare, our true selves to offer up in support of our newest sisters.'

Turning back to the young pair the Alpha continued

'As the clan's Alpha I compel you to complete the bond as one, for all to witness your devotion.' The Alpha stepped back off of the platform after removing the rope.

All thought of nervousness left Hermione as she saw her Fleur, now her wife standing there looking at her as if she was all there ever will be in the world. They met their lips in a kiss that began tenderly, but soon turned hungrily. Hermione grabbed Fleur and dipped her low into the kiss bringing her to lay on the pillowy surface. They brought each other to release after release simultaneously, as the surrounding Veela chanted softly in ancient Veela, a glowing light and falling sparkling rune symbols filling the room, a sense of euphoria and love filling the pair. Fireworks filling the cave exploded at each climax, until they finally passed out in one final explosive orgasm.

Hermione woke first on the softest bed she had ever laid on, still surrounded by the gathered Veela.

The Alpha stepped up and spoke. 'Now we will show our truest form to our neighbors, let your feather out, stretch your wings to the sky.' At the command the gathered Veela shifted smoothly, including the now standing Fleur. Hermione stood and looked at the Alpha who gave an encouraging nod to the wolf.

Hermione shifted slowly into her wolf and stood proud and tall next to her imprint.

The Veela surrounding the pair raised their hands in the sky letting out sparks of light that converged on the pair. A crest appeared on Fleur's right shoulder and Hermione had a crest now in white fur on her left shoulder.

'The joining is now complete, so I say, so say we all.' The Alpha stayed

'SO SAY WE ALL!!' All present joyously erupted

Following the joining, a celebration began and didn't end until the wee hours of the morning.

Hermione was so happy her face hurt from smiling so much.

They were due to leave for the pack in a few hours and were eating breakfast when young Gabby finally apologized to the pair. All was forgiven and hugs were shared as one family.

Family

Home

Hermione finally had found it

Home

A/N: So to answer the reviewer, the second ritual was the true form ritual where everyone shifted, hope that clears up any confusion :)