AN: Hey guys! I'm back! I do apologize for taking forever to update again, but this chapter hit about 21 pages so it took me a good minute to write plus the beach has been calling my name so I've been a lazy beach bum haha Anyways, thank you so much for all of your amazing reviews and your support through all of this! I must admit, the third task was insanely hard for me to write. I didn't want to do any of the same things that happened in the book; you will only see a few similarities and I have to announce . . . this is the last chapter of Cruel Intentions O.O Let me just say this has been an amazing journey and I owe everything to you guys. I took a lot of time and consideration into each and every scene in this chapter. I gotta say that was super hard to try to end this on a note that felt true to each character. Now, as for musical inspiration for this chapter there were a couple. First "What is love" covered by Jaymes Young and for the third task I was listening to "City of the dead" by Eurielle and "Deep End" by Ruelle. As for the ending sequence I was listening to "Bittersweet Symphony" obvi but more the cover by the Riverdale cast, but the original is amazing as well :) Anyways, I'll shut up now and let you guys read. I will see you guys at the end of this tale :D

Aaron Leach: Thanks :)

HachiRawr: Oh, Veronique definitely had it coming and a lot worse if I'm being honest, but I just couldn't see Hermione crossing that line. Thanks for the review :)

Nobody: I really do adore how you do reviews haha It's great to see the excitement before you read the chapter and then the thoughts after :) Now as for a response to your review, I know the opening was cruel, but it isn't called Cruel Intentions for nothing :3 haha the opening is how I wished I could make them reconcile, but alas that would be far too easy and not at all realistic, but I still wanted you guys to get what you wanted out of that chapter at the same time haha as for the much deserved ass beating Veronique got, I think we all channeled ourselves through Hermione. Veronique is really just a selfish, horrible person and things were already bad enough between Hermione and Fleur so this extra piece of information definitely did Hermione in. Since this is the last chapter I just want to thank you for always having such thoughtful reviews and always being such a delight. Thank you for sticking with the story so long and for making it the awesome story it became. P.S. The third task is going to be the maze, but definitely different from how the book went. P.S.S. I may or may not have included our favorite star child Luna to make up for the cruel scene. P.S.S.S. I'm not quite sure how they survived the stairs hahaha I myself was like, well, they're just going to have to be lucky and just be seriously injured lmao P.S.S.S. I don't think there's a limit to P.S.'s P.S.S.S.S. What does P.S. even stand for? o.O

Draco Oblivion: I'm glad you got amusement out of the cruelty of it all lol it definitely would have been waaaay too easy haha

omaribacache316: Sorry I had to do that with the dream :( I'm so glad you enjoyed the chapter though and the ass kicking Veronique received. It was long overdue :3

LookingAtYouKid: Thank you for the compliment on my writing style :D It does differ from others and I'm so happy you like it and even more stoked you're already reading 'We Choose Our Own'. Trinitynix has been a great inspiration :) Now, as for the review to the last chapter I'm dying at imagining the wand splitting like a banana haha I more imagined it snapping in half, but I enjoy your imagery more :) As for the pixie dust, I didn't go too into the creatures rights thing when the repercussions come about. I thought about it, but that would be far too intricate for me haha Anyways, since is the last chapter I just want to thank you for always leaving such thoughtful and detailed reviews. It really makes my day :) Thanks for sticking with this story the entire time. It's been a pleasure :)

Snackpack: Thank you so much! I'm so glad you liked the update :) Hopefully you enjoy the final chapter because it was a real pain to write ;-;

A fan: Thanks! My fiance and I are very well indeed :) I'm glad you enjoyed the ass beating Veronique finally received and I just want to say thanks for sticking with this story til the very end :) It means a lot :)

Pam C: I'm so sorry I had to do that to you with the last chapter D: I wish I could make them making up that easy, but at least I was able to kind of give you guys what you want even if I had to take it away D: I'm so glad you enjoyed the much deserved thrashing Veronique had coming. I struggled with who was gonna beat her ass, but was like badass war hero Hermione Granger of course! Stupid Veronibitch is gonna say the wrong thing and Hermione is going to snap and it is going to amazing lol Anyways, I'm so sad to say this is the last chapter and I've really enjoyed your reviews. They always made me laugh every single chapter and really helped me keep going when I didn't have inspiration :) You've been a great supporter from the very beginning and I've appreciated every review you have left :) I can't thank you enough for sticking with this story til the end :)

LS505956: Lol well I'm glad you left a review even if you didn't have anything to say. I hope you enjoyed the last chapter. Thank you for sticking with this story til the end :)

PlPhoenix: I'm so sorry I had to do that to you in the beginning D: I wanted so badly for them to just get back together like that, but alas you are right. It would have been far too easy and not at all realistic for the characters :( As for the ass whooping, I was so happy to finally get to do that. I knew Hermione was going to kick Veronique's ass for a while so I knew I really had to make Veronique super bad for everyone to be like hell yeah! hahah Anyways, thank you so much for the continued support. I'm so sad this is the last chapter, but I have appreciated each and every one of your reviews :)

MilandaAnza: You know what's funny, I have actually played with the idea of Veronique using polyjuice so many times to either trick Fleur or Hermione, but was like nah . . . Fleur and Hermione and both too smart. They would pick up on something being off so quick so it would almost be pointless ya know? And yes, Hermione definitely destroyed Veronique. She could have done more, but I was like nah . . . I can't see Hermione crossing that line. Anyways, since this is sadly the last chapter I just want to thank you for always leaving thoughtful and such pleasant reviews :) I've thoroughly enjoyed every single one of them and sincerely appreciate you sticking around til the very end :)

Nameless Reader: I'm sorry I had to do that to you in the beginning D: I myself so wish it could be that easy for them to reconcile, but we both know it isn't :( At least I was able to give you guys the moment I wish I could give you for real, sucks I had to take it away though D: At least Veronique got the ass whooping she soooo effin deserved. I was excited to write that scene for so effin long haha anyways, this is sadly my last chapter of Cruel Intentions :( It's pretty bittersweet finishing this fic that has taken up about a year and a half of my life. Thank you so much for sticking with this fic til the end and for always leaving such thoughtful and amazing reviews. I've really appreciated every single one of them :)

Rydia Auften: I'm sorry I scared you like that in the beginning D: I could never end the fic like that haha That would be such an injustice to you guys and this story. I just wanted everyone to get a taste of the easy way out. Trust me, I wish it could be that easy, but these girls make it hard haha As for the fight, I figured it was appropriate for them to use their fists since they're both muggle borns and it was definitely a super personal fight. They did kind of bump into people while fighting, I didn't go into a lot of detail with that, it might have been just one sentence though so it's super easy to miss. I got too wrapped up in what they were doing to really go into the other people :( Anyways, thank you so much for your always amazing reviews! I'm so sad to say this is the last chapter and it has been quite the journey. I really do hope you like it :)

dinnca: Thank you so much for the review and I'm so happy you enjoyed the last chapter :D The beginning would have been much too easy of a reconciliation for the pair. I just wanted to give people the reconciliation we all hoped for even if I did have to take it away from you guys D: I'm really glad you liked how I dealt with the crucifix :D I didn't want Hermione to completely snitch on Veronique, but it coming off in her hand in the fight just gave Hermione an amazing opportunity that she took :)

scheillaferreira: Thank you :D

SilentBug: I'm so glad you enjoyed the much deserved beat down of Veronique! It took me forever to decide who would get to do it and after a lot of thought I was like it has to be Hermione. Veronique is gonna say the wrong thing and try to be a mean girl at the wrong time and think she can get away with it with war hero Hermione and then she's going to get a beat down haha believe me, it was soooooo satisfying to write so I'm so glad you liked it :3 now, onto the sad news . . . this is the final chapter of Cruel Intentions. Such a bittersweet moment :( I just want to thank you for always reviewing and for sticking with this fic to the very end. It's been quite the journey and reviewers like you have made it so worth it :)

wkgreen: Oh yeah, Hermione is definitely going to get in a bit of trouble for that scuffle, but it is so worth it :3 I super enjoyed writing that scene and i'm so glad you liked it :D Unfortunately this is the final chapter of Cruel Intentions :( I just want to say thank you for staying with this story til the end, I've always appreciated all of your reviews and the time you've put into this fic :)

tofindmypassion: haha weirdly enough, me too XD

UnknownReader3: I'm sorry I took so long, but I'm finally back with the last chapter :D

Just Four One: I'm always so beyond thrilled when a new reader leaves their first review. I'm so glad you've enjoyed the chapters so far and I know you haven't gotten to this part yet, but when you do you'll see you got a reply :) I've had multiple people tell me when they read the description they were like I didn't think I was going to like this fic and then they ended up loving it :) I'm super horrible at descriptions haha and I'm sure there have been people who have wandered into this story because they thought it was pure smut and were very surprised to find an actual story haha anyways, thank you so much for the amazing and thoughtful review. You have now arrived at the last chapter and I super hope you enjoy it :)

xxDark Angel Babyxx: Yay! I'm glad you stumbled on this story! You read all the chapters in 7 hours? I'm super impressed! I feel like I should pay you an hourly wage for doing that haha I really appreciate the review and I'm so thrilled you liked the story enough to read it all :D We have finally reached the last chapter and I do so hope you enjoy it :)

FranKT: Maybe I do want to watch the world burn o.O We're finally here Fran . . . the last chapter . . . now . . . do I kill Fleur . . . or do I let her live?

Person of no interest: I'm so happy you liked the last chapter :D I would have loved to show more Fleur, but you are so right that it was super important to really stick with one character otherwise it reeeally would have felt rushed. I'm so stoked you liked the fight too! I was super looking forward to doing that for soooooooo effin long. Every time I had Veronique talking shit or taunting Hermione I was just like "you just wait you little b . . . Hermione is gonna knock your block off and then expose you" :3 Anyways, I'm so sad to say this is the final chapter to Cruel Intentions :( It's so bittersweet. I just want to take the time to say thank you for sticking with this story all the way to the end and to also thank you for always leaving such thoughtful and detailed reviews. I've enjoyed every single one I've received from you and I really hope you enjoy the last chapter. Cheers :)

Guest: Unfortunately there were multiple guest reviews in this chapter so I can't reply to you all individually. I just want to say thank you to each and every one of you for your amazing reviews, I sincerely appreciate every single one of them. I'm so sad to be finishing this fic, because you have all made it such a fun ride. Thank you all for making this fic so special :)


Chapter 29: Bittersweet Symphony

"You have to be kidding me." Hermione scoffed as she crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair, wincing when she felt a sharp pain in her battered ribs the movement evoked. "It's not mine and you know it."

"Do I now?" Snape drawled, looking down at the beaten Gryffindor. "I always did wonder how you were able to get ahead of your studies and still find time to muck around with Potter and Weasley. I guess I have my answer now."

"What!?" Hermione started to stand from her seat, but promptly sat back down when an intense pain ripped through her body originating from the same ribs. "That's-"

"That's quite enough Severus." Dumbledore spoke softly as his eyes twinkled behind his glasses, but there was a warning in his tone that made the potions master snap his mouth shut.

"I assure you eet ees not mine eizer 'eadmaster." Veronique finally chimed in, putting on the most charming smile she could while trying not to outwardly show the pain she was in too.

Hermione rolled her eyes at the sickly-sweet innocent act the evil witch had decided to put on. "Oh bullshi-"

"Ms. Granger." Dumbledore intervened once more, giving her a look that told her to relax; he of course believed his student, he just needed confirmation from Madame Maxime that this girl was in fact lying about the necklace not belonging to her. He was quite sure he had seen the raven-haired girl wearing it daily, but one could never take chances in situations like this.

Veronique scowled in Hermione's direction, glaring heatedly at the prefect which was returned in kind, but the scowl was wiped from her face when Madame Maxime stormed into the room.

"What ees zis I 'ear about one of your students attacking one of mine!?" She bellowed as she stomped up to Dumbledore's desk, ignoring everyone else in the room to tower over the older man.

"She had it coming." Hermione grumbled, making Veronique shoot forward to defend herself, but Dumbledore held up a hand silencing everyone in the room.

"I promise you Ms. Granger will be punished accordingly, but I'm afraid there are more pressing matters than a petty fight."

"Petty fight?" Veronique growled. "Zat girl damn near killed me."

"You were the one that tipped us down the stairs." Hermione challenged the other girl trying to make her the bad guy.

"And you are ze one zat 'eld your wand to my face." Veronique spat.

"Only after you tried to pull yours on me!"

"Tell me 'Ermione . . ." Veronique's tone had lowered as she eyed the other girl with a sinister glint in her emerald orbs. "What spell was on ze tip of your tongue when your 'and was shaking?"

Hermione had her mouth open to retort, but when the question Veronique asked finally sunk in she snapped it shut as a haunted look entered those golden eyes.

"That is quite enough." Dumbledore took on a more stern tone when he saw how much the foreign student's question affected Hermione. "We are not here to discuss that. We are here to discuss this." Everyone's eyes snapped to the silver cross now dangling in the headmaster's hand with some pixie dust still settled inside and on the edge. "Does this belong to your student?"

Madame Maxime's eyes widened for a moment before they narrowed and turned on Veronique when she realized what the substance contained in the necklace was. "Oui."

"Non, eet-"

"I don't want to hear eet!" Maxime bellowed, cutting off the raven-haired girl. "I should go to ze auzorities for zis . . . zis embarrassment, zis blemish on Beuxbaton's record!"

"No! Please don't! I swear I was-" Veronique slipped into her native tongue to plead with her headmistress, but Maxime was having none of it.

"One more word out of you and I WILL contact the authorities immediately." The giant woman growled in such a threatening tone that it made Veronique close her mouth immediately. "I must apologize Dumbledore." Maxime's tone immediately changed when addressing the older man watching the interaction behind his spectacles. "I 'ad no idea she was doing zis."

"It's perfectly fine madame." He smiled kindly. "I understand your frustration and as a token of good will I will hand over the necklace so you may act as you see fit."

"What!?" Hermione and Snape said in unison, both stopping to look at each other in complete shock that they actually agreed on something.

Snape was the first one to break out of his stupor and turn his attention back to Dumbledore handing over the necklace. "Headmaster, you can't-"

"I can and I will Professor." Dumbledore's tone wasn't harsh, but Snape knew by how he spoke his word was final. The potions master just bowed his head, sending one last scowl in Hermione and Veronique's direction before he swept out of the room. "I trust you'll do what you deem is right." Dumbledore nodded to Maxime, dismissing the pair.

"Zank you Dumbledore." Maxime bowed slightly to show her appreciation before she sneered at the raven-haired girl, grabbing her roughly by the elbow and dragging her out of her seat even though the student winced in pain as she was pulled out of the room.

"Now. . ." Dumbledore let out a soft sigh before setting his worried gaze on one of his prize students. "What shall we do with you Ms. Granger?"

/

Fleur headed into the carriage after classes, not feeling particularly hungry as usual these days even though by how her bones now protruded from her body it was obvious she needed a good meal. She paused in the hallway when she saw a sea of blue gossiping. She furrowed her brow in confusion, going to move past the group when Odette and Gabrielle emerged, heading straight for their alpha.

"Fleur!" Odette was the first to speak while Gabrielle stood by apprehensively.

"What is going-"

"It's Hermione." Odette interrupted her.

Fleur felt her heart drop into her stomach when she heard Hermione's name slip from her friend's lips. "What about her? What happened? Is she okay?" The questions spilled from the alpha's lips as a million horrible scenarios ran through her head.

"She's okay." Gabrielle quickly spoke, sending her girlfriend a warning glance. She knew that simple statement surely sent her sister spiraling. "She just got in an altercation . . ."

Fleur's brow once more crinkled in confusion. "An altercation?"

Odette and Gabrielle looked at each other uneasily for a moment before Gabrielle turned back to her sibling and spoke up again. "With Veronique."

Fleur's confused look immediately turned to one of hatred and anger the second Veronique's name was spoken. "What?"

"They apparently got in . . . quite the fight." Odette mumbled, looking down when she felt her alpha's waves of anger now washing over her.

"I'm going to kill her." Fleur growled as her arctic eyes started glowing before she started to push past the pair, but was stopped by Odette bravely grabbing her arm. "Get your hand off of me. I'm not playing around this time."

"I know, I know." Odette carefully released her hold and took a step back when she felt the danger directed at her. "It's just that Veronique is gone. She's been expelled."

"For figh-"

Odette shook her head no. "For the pixie dust. The necklace came off in the fight and Hermione threw it on the ground. I guess her dirty little secret is out."

Fleur stood there for a moment, taking in the information before she spoke again. "Where is Hermione?"

"My best guess is the hospital wing." Gabrielle sighed as she rubbed the back of her head.

"And if you know what's good for you, you will stay away from there." Came Apolline's voice from behind the champion.

Fleur tensed at the cold tone, feeling her mother's irritation radiating off of her, but she hardly cared anymore. "I'll go where I please." Fleur grumbled as she turned on her heel to head out the door, but her mother stood in front of her, blocking her exit.

"You embarrass your family with your transgressions and now it turns out you associate with drug addicts. If the press gets a hold of this information then we're in even hotter water than we already are. I won't allow you to humiliate the clan further."

"I don't care." Fleur sneered. "Get out of the way."

Apolline straightened her back at her daughter's threatening tone and appreciated her glowing eyes even less. "You won't continue to disobey me." Her own eyes started to glow, matching the neon staring defiantly at her.

"If you don't move, I will forcibly remove you."

Apolline felt her anger flare hotter in her chest at the challenge. "I would love to see you try."

"Stop!" Gabrielle finally cried out, getting between the two fuming alphas. "Just let her go mom . . . please. Can't you see Fleur is completely torn apart?"

"Gabrielle." Apolline softened her tone at the pleading in her youngest's voice while Fleur looked off to the side. "I can't-"

"Don't worry." Fleur mumbled. "I'm sure I can't be any more disappointing to you than I already am now."

Apolline opened her mouth to speak, but Fleur slipped past the matriarch before she could say anything else and escaped through the door, leaving her mom dumbfounded.

/

Fleur hastily wiped away a stray tear that fell down her cheek as she made her way back to the castle as quickly as possible without running. Once inside she made a beeline to the infirmary, taking the steps two at a time when she saw her. She paused in her steps at the sight of her ex-girlfriend limping down the stairwell with a little bit of difficulty, lightly clutching her ribs.

The foreigner sprung into action and found her voice once more when she saw the brunette wince and almost miss a step. "'Ermione." Fleur's voice came out softer than intended, but it was loud enough to catch the bookworm's attention and soon she found amber eyes looking at her with so many emotions swimming in them.

Hermione just stood there silently as Fleur hurriedly walked up the last couple of steps between them before gently grabbing the war hero's arm to try to steady her. "What are you doing?" Hermione mumbled, trying to remove her arm from Fleur's grasp.

"'Elping you." Fleur spoke firmly, refusing to step away from the other girl.

"I'm fine." Hermione grumbled, finally freeing her arm, but Fleur stepped in front of her, halting her from going any further.

Defiant blue eyes stared back at her, but almost immediately softened when she saw how broken Hermione's were. "'Ermione-"

"If you're trying to talk, this isn't the place." Hermione sighed as she eyed the students passing by trying to discreetly listen in on the conversation. "Come on."

Fleur was shocked when Hermione wobbled to a nearby broom closet, but snapped out of her daze after a moment when she saw the prefect struggling. She tried to offer assistance to the brunette, but it was quickly rejected with a swat of Hermione's hand. She begrudgingly let Hermione take the lead and when the door was finally shut she really took in her ex-girlfriend's appearance. There was a big red ring around her left eye, she favored one side of her body over the other, and had a gash down the center of her lip that looked like it had just stopped bleeding. She felt strings tug at her heart at the sight of the beaten Gryffindor and without a thought she stepped closer to Hermione.

"Fleur . . ." Hermione tried in a warning voice, but Fleur disregarded it.

"S'il vous plaît . . ." Fleur spoke quietly as she cupped Hermione's chin and ran her thumb gently over the brunette's swollen lower lip. "You're 'urt . . ."

Hermione just scoffed as she turned her head. "You should see the other girl." She mumbled the joke, but Fleur didn't laugh.

"Why aren't you at ze infirmary?" Fleur's voice started to grow upset. "Why 'aven't zey taken care of you?"

"Part of my punishment." Hermione rolled her eyes as she leaned back against the wall. "They healed all of the serious damage, but left the soreness and everything else as a reminder to not partake in fights."

"Zat ees ridiculous!" Fleur growled as she pulled out her wand and held it to Hermione's lip. "I will fix eet."

"Don't."

"Zey can't do zis. Just let me-"

"I read it." Hermione abruptly cut the other girl off, leaving Fleur to blink dumbly at her with her wand still in hand.

"You did?"

Hermione just nodded her head, gulping uneasily as she stepped to the side to try to put space between the two of them.

"And . . .?" Fleur looked down as she lowered her wand, that horrible feeling of dread filling her gut.

"I wish I could say I'm okay with the things you did before, but I'm not." Hermione sighed as she crossed her arms while Fleur clenched her jaw, trying to hold back her tears and shame. "But I believe you when it comes to me."

Fleur looked up at the last sentence, hope gleaming in those sapphire eyes. "You do?"

"Yes." Hermione nodded her head. "But what you did to those people, to me . . ." The Gryffindor seemed to choke on the words for a minute, but tried to compose herself. "It was horrible."

"I know 'Ermione." Fleur stepped closer to the Gryffindor, reaching for her, but when Hermione took a step back she paused her movement and dropped her hand. "I wish I could take eet all back."

"I know." Hermione's brown and blonde locks hid her face as she looked down. "I could have forgiven you if you had just told me . . ."

"I was just-"

"Scared." Hermione interrupted. "I know, but that is no excuse."

"You're right." Fleur conceded, biting her lower lip. "I was a coward and zere ees no excuse for zat."

Hermione seemed to scoff at the last statement, leaving the veela thoroughly confused; Hermione was nowhere close to cruel so her reaction didn't make sense. "Do you have a different excuse other than you were scared for not telling me about Veronique?"

Fleur furrowed her brow. "What do you mean?"

Hermione looked up, her golden eyes swirling with so much hurt and pain it made Fleur want to break down into tears all over again. "Really . . .? You're going to make me say it?"

Ice filled Fleur's veins and she was sure she was as white as a ghost in this moment; Hermione knew about Veronique and the occasional nature of their relationship. "I didn't zink-"

"You didn't think I'd find out, did you?" Hermione spat out bitterly.

"She wasn't important." Fleur weakly tried to defend herself.

"I asked you . . ." Hermione grit her teeth as she clenched her fists at her side and tears pricked at her eyes. "I asked you on our date if anything had happened between you and Veronique and you said no."

"I didn't zink zat would be ze appropriate time to tell you." Fleur sighed. "I was done wiz 'er by zat point. I didn't-"

"Did you fuck her while we were seeing each other?" Hermione asked so quietly Fleur wasn't quite sure she had heard her.

"What?"

"Did you . . ." Hermione let out a shaky breath, trying to steal her nerves before she spoke again; merlin forbid she sounded weak in front of the veela. "Did you fuck her while we were seeing each other?"

"Non!" Fleur answered quickly, horrified that Hermione would ever think that. "Of course not ma belle." She hurried over to the brunette and grabbed her hand, holding it in both of hers, but Hermione refused to meet her gaze. "Once we kissed I wanted nozing to do wiz 'er. I would never do zat to you 'Ermione."

"But you did . . ." Hermione stumbled on the word this time, she didn't want to say it again. "You know . . . while we were talking . . ."

"Ze last time we did . . ." Fleur looked off to the side, wanting to be careful of her wording before she turned back to Hermione, hoping for the Gryffindor to meet her gaze so she would see her sincerity. "Zat . . . was when you turned me down een ze prefect bazroom. Ze zings you said bozered me and I . . ." Fleur licked her suddenly dry lips as distraught amber eyes lifted to finally meet her own. "I couldn't get you out of my 'ead 'Ermione. I didn't understand. Eet drove me insane and terrified me so I did ze only zing I could zink to do. I felt even worse after and all I wanted was to see you again wezer I admitted eet to myself or not."

"Fleur . . ." Hermione weakly protested when the champion took a step to close the distance between them, her hand limp in Fleur's.

"I still can't get you out of my 'ead . . . " Fleur sighed as she closed her eyes. "I wish I could go back and redo everyzing, but just know . . ." Arctic eyes opened to bore into teary gold. "I would never do zat to you. I know I messed up a million times over and my word means next to nozing to you now, but I would razer die zan do zat to you. I 'ave 'ad ze best so why een ze world would I stoop to someone like 'er?"

"Damnit Fleur . . . you can't say things like that." Hermione choked out as she took a step away; she hated that she was crying in front of the veela once more, but she couldn't stop the floodgate when Fleur said those things.

"But eet's true." Fleur protested, her gut twisting painfully as she watched Hermione wrestle with herself.

The prefect all but curled in on herself as she struggled to speak. "It's just cruel at this point to say those things."

"Je suis désolé 'Ermoine . . ." Fleur tried to hold her own tears back as Hermione's hand slipped from her grasp. "I don't want to 'urt you. I-"

"I loved you." Hermione whispered as she looked down and held back a sob.

Fleur's brow furrowed and the little bit of light that was left in her eyes dimmed as complete and utter defeat weighed heavy on her shoulders. ". . . Loved?"

Hermione wished she didn't feel a painful tug in her chest that hurt worse than when Veronique punched her when she heard the champion's voice crack and break. She wanted so badly to correct herself and say 'love', but it hurt too much to even think to say the word. It felt as if Hermione was being torn apart from the inside and being near the blonde was just making matters worse and filling her with guilt. "I'm sorry. I just . . . I just can't do this right now." She mumbled before she brushed past the blonde as quickly as her injured body would allow, leaving Fleur numbly staring at the stone wall.

/

The next day Hermione found herself in the library hiding from the rest of the world and her friend's worried stares, especially after reading the scathing article Rita Skeeter wrote entitled "Golden Girl one step away from Azkaban". She was trying to immerse herself in a book, but failing completely when her mind kept straying to the blonde and the earlier fight with Veronique. She replayed the last moment in her head over and over again when she had the raven-haired girl on her knees, her hand shaking as she tried to contain her rage and hurt she wanted to inflict so badly on the other girl.

"Hey there Mione." Came Ginny's soft voice as she sat down next to her friend.

Hermione let out a sigh, frustrated that she was unable to escape. "Ginny, I don't want to-"

"I know." The chaser cut off her friend, giving her a small smile. "I'm not going to press you. I just didn't think that you should be alone right now."

Hermione couldn't help the eye roll that followed that statement as irritation filled her once more. "I'm not going to do anything Gin. I just needed to be alone to clear my head." Usually she would go to the lake to do such a thing, but since memories of Fleur lingered in every corner of the mystical water it was impossible for her to sit there and find comfort in the solitude there any longer.

"I'm just worried about you Mione." Ginny frowned, taking the prefect's injured hand in her own. "We all are. I just want to make sure you're okay. We don't have to talk if you don't want to. We can just sit in silence and that's cool with me. I just don't want you to feel like you're alone in this."

Hermione gulped, trying to swallow the knot in her throat as tears sprung into her eyes. She had so many conflicting emotions flowing through her that she didn't know what to do anymore; the one at the forefront of her mind was guilt. "Gin . . . I . . ." She looked down, searching for the words. "I could have killed that girl."

Ginny furrowed her brow in confusion at those words. "What do you mean Mione? You would never-"

"You don't understand." Hermione cut her off sharply, but regretted it when she saw the flash of hurt in Ginny's eyes. "At the end." She softened her tone and lowered her voice, afraid to say what had been going through her head out loud. "I had her on her knees, disarmed, and had my wand in her face." Ginny still looked confused and that wounded the prodigy even more. "My hand was shaking . . . I wanted to hurt her Gin . . . After everything she's done to me, to Fleur, I felt like she really deserved it. I wanted her to suffer and . . . I had so many horrible spells on the tip of my tongue and it would have been so easy to just do it. I was so close to-"

"But you didn't." Ginny frowned, gripping her friend's hand a little tighter. "I know after the whole . . ." She tried to find a delicate way to bring up Hermione's past, but struggled with how to do so. "Department of Mysteries thing you felt horrible even though that evil woman deserved much worse, but you have nothing to feel guilty about. I know you would never do something like you think you were about to do."

"But I almost did Gin!" Hermione's voice raised and filled with trepidation.

"But you didn't." Came Luna's soft voice. The dainty girl was running her fingertips over the spines of books, looking over the titles before her soft blue eyes landed on the pair. "I thought I already told you Hermione." She smiled over at the confused Gryffindors, floating over to take a seat across from the distraught war hero. "No one is one single thing. All evil or all good." She shrugged. "We all have dark impulses. Even me." She smiled shyly at the conflicted girl. "You could have hurt her and I'm very sure she would have deserved it, but you didn't. That's what matters."

Hermione looked down at the strange girls words that always muddled her thoughts, but always brought clarity at the same time. "I was so close though."

"I believe it." Luna nodded her head. "One can only be pushed so far before they lash out. You have a good soul though Hermione. I can feel it." She reached across, grabbing Hermione's free hand to emphasize her point. Hermione almost broke down in tears once more at the kind gesture, but held them back as she bit her lower lip. "And so does Fleur."

Hermione was so taken back from the last line that she retracted her hand with hurt covering her features. "Yeah, well . . . it's all a lot more complicated than that with her."

"I know." Luna smiled while Ginny eyed the other girl warily.

"Luna, I don't think Mione wants to talk about-"

"I'm sure she doesn't want to talk about Fleur." She turned her attention to the red-head. "I understand, but I think she needs to understand that time is limited. Hurt feelings and anger can really cloud someone's judgement." She turned back to the brunette with kind eyes. "You're running out of time to decide and pressure in no way will make it any easier, but there is a dangerous task fast approaching, far more dangerous than the last ones and I know you will regret not telling her how you really feel when you watch her walk straight into the line of fire. You really are a kind soul Hermione and you know the right thing to do. It's scary, I know, but I suppose that is what Veronique wanted; to scare you both away."

Hermione just sat in silence after the words the odd girl spoke, letting them sink in for a moment.

Sensing her work was done Luna gave one more serene smile to the war hero, reaching to pat her hand softly before she stood up. "I do so apologize for making this harder for you Hermione, but I'm sure you will do what is right for you and for her in the end." With that last statement the blonde walked away leaving the two Gryffindor's to sit and mull over her words.

/

It was finally the day of the last task and the whole school was abuzz with excitement; some were placing bets while others were pestering the champions which is why Hermione supposed Fleur remained in her carriage while her sister and Odette sat at the Ravenclaw table looking distressed.

Hermione scrunched her brow in thought; she had been going back and forth the last week as to what she should do, but now that the task was here she felt her heart drop into her stomach.

"You should go talk to them and find Fleur." Harry spoke softly into her ear.

Hermione quickly whipped back around, feigning ignorance as she attempted to take a bite of her salad. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Ron rolled his eyes at Hermione's actions. "And they say I'm thick." He flinched away on instinct when he saw the scowl overcome the brunette's features, holding his hands up defensively.

"Okay, I know what he was saying." Hermione grumbled as she dropped her fork, tapping her foot nervously as she fought with herself. "I just don't think I should-"

"There's no harm in talking to them." Harry shrugged. "I think all of the damage is already done anyways."

Gold eyes flickered over to the boy who lived for a moment, chewing on her lower lip before she seemed to make her decision and promptly walked over to the two veelas so deep in thought they weren't speaking to each other. "Everything alright?"

Two pairs of blue eyes flickered up to her and both girls promptly painted fake smiles on their faces. "Oui, of course." Odette answered.

Hermione raised an eyebrow, not believing for a second things were alright. "Where's Fleur?"

Gabrielle's smile saddened a bit. "She's um . . . resting."

Hermione looked down, letting out a sigh. "Did she at least try to practice or eat?"

"Oui." Gabrielle spoke softly, the light in her eyes dimming. "She tried."

Hermione felt her gut twist at the emphasis on 'tried'; she may be incredibly hurt by the alpha, but she in no way wished anything bad on her. "Where is she?"

Odette felt a spark of hope fill her chest when she saw the determined look in Hermione's eyes. "Een ze carriage. We could take you to 'er eef you like."

Hermione mulled the thought over, nervously shifting from foot to foot. She wanted to see Fleur, she knew that much. Having a week to think about Luna's words in detention definitely helped her come to that decision, but she had no idea what to say to the champion. She was in no way ready to reconcile with Fleur, the wound was far too fresh for that, but she couldn't stand the thought of her running into danger already defeated. "Could you?" She finally asked and when she saw both of their eyes light up she knew she had made the right decision.

The veela jumped to their feet and were quick to grab each of Hermione's hands, all but dragging her towards the carriage. "Oh 'Ermione, she will be so 'appy to see you. We 'aven't been able to get 'er to leave 'er room and zis will be just ze zing to get 'er motivated for ze task. She -"

They were just about out the door when Dumbledore's voice rang out, halting and quieting everyone. "It would seem the time has come for our champions to head to the quidditch pitch. Everyone please give them your well wishes and be on your way."

The smile immediately dropped from the three girls faces at the announcement. 'I was too late.' Hermione thought as panic started coursing through her veins; she saw that same fear reflected in blue eyes.

"I guess you can speak wiz 'er after and-"

Before Odette could finish her sentence or Hermione could even question what she was doing she sprinted past the two girls and burst out the doors. Her heart hammered in her chest, her feet pounding on the ground as she pumped her arms to gain as much speed as possible. 'I have to make it.' Was all she could think as she hurdled over a rock, stumbling a little when she landed on her feet, but she kept pushing forward, trying to pick up the pace when the carriage came into view.

She all but fell through the front door, almost crashing to the ground and startling a handful of Beuxbatons students lounging in the common area. Wild amber eyes looked around the crowd of people, ignoring the judgmental looks she received as she frantically searched for blonde hair and blue eyes. "Where's Fleur?" She asked everyone, but no one in particular. When she received only confused looks she just rolled her eyes and ran towards the veela's room, but when she opened the door that sinking feeling took over when she was met with an empty room. "Fuck." Hermione breathed out, resting her back against the wall and closing her eyes as her chest heaved. Her body was tired from the run already and her heart ached from the constant pain she had been enduring, but she had made up her mind. "I have to find her." She mumbled to herself as she opened her eyes, pushing herself off the wall although her body protested and went sprinting out of the carriage.

She let out an irritated growl when she saw the path to the quidditch pitch was littered with students from all school blocking her way. She was practically swimming through the students, shoving her way through big groups which earned her loud protests, but she ignored everything and everyone. She had one goal and she would be damned if she let anyone get in the way.

When she finally got to the pitch all she saw was Harry standing in front of the maze by himself, gripping his wand tightly. "Harry!" She yelled out, catching his attention. "Where's Fleur?"

All her friend could do was shrug. "I don't know Mione. They spread us out since we're all tied so we'll be entering from different sides."

"Damnit." Hermione cursed, looking off to the side.

"She vent that vay." Viktor grumbled as he passed by, pointing off to his right. He despised the veela for taking away what he hoped would have been a great relationship between him and Hermione, but he couldn't deny the prefect anything when he saw how upset and beside herself she was. At the end of the day Hermione was his friend and it didn't matter if he agreed with her decisions or not.

A big smile lit up Hermione's face. "Thank you Viktor." She quickly ran up to the seeker, going up on her tiptoes to give him a quick kiss on his cheek that made him blush before turning back to Harry. "I'm so sorry I can't give you more encouragement right now Harry, but I know you'll do wonderful." She spoke as she pulled her friend into her arms, hugging him fiercely which the messy haired boy returned.

"Don't worry about it Mione." He smiled into her hair. "Now go get her. Quick!"

Hermione just nodded her head, stepping away to look at both Viktor and Harry. "Please be careful you two. I know you want to win, but-"

"Go!" Harry laughed, pushing his friend towards the direction of Fleur. "Time is running out."

That statement seemed to set Hermione back on track. "Yeah, of course." She shook her head, wanting to smack her forehead; forgetful and airheaded was not something Hermione Granger was often described as.

She took off running as fast as her legs would carry her at this point, sprinting around the outside of the maze and then she saw her.

Fleur stood there in blue shorts and a black tank top, looking down as she lightly gripped her wand and then Dumbledore's voice suddenly boomed through the entire area, going into one of his speeches and spurring Hermione to move forward.

"Fleur!"

Bright eyes snapped up and looked off to the side to see Hermione Granger running towards her; she almost pinched herself in that moment thinking this had to be another cruel dream, but the cold mist hitting her skin reminded her this was in fact real. "'Ermione, what are-"

Before the blonde could finish her sentence the bookworm's body crashed into her own so hard she stumbled back, lithe arms wrapped around her neck, and soft lips pressed urgently against her own. She was in shock for a moment before realization dawned on her and she quickly wrapped her arms around the brunette's petite waist, holding her impossibly close as her eyes fluttered closed and kissed the girl who had been haunting her dreams.

The pair pulled at each other, fighting to bring the other into them as their lips danced, brushing gently for a second before pressing more firmly against the others. Hermione's arms untangled themselves from around her neck in favor of cupping the veela's cheeks with her hand's, deepening the kiss, but then pulling away when Fleur tried to lean forward to take things further.

Blonde lashes fluttered open, Hermione still gripped firmly in her arms as arctic eyes looked at her curiously. "Wha-"

"I love you Fleur." Hermione spoke breathlessly, running her thumb across Fleur's cheek. She felt relief flood her when she saw a spark back in those bright blue eyes and gently gripped the necklace meant for her securely around Fleur's neck. "I couldn't let you walk into danger without knowing that."

"'Ermione-"

"I still don't know what to do, but I couldn't stand the thought of you getting hurt or . . ." She gulped, looking down. "Dying, because you're out of sorts, because of me."

Fleur just gently lifted Hermione's chin so she could make eye contact with the clearly distraught girl. "I love you too 'Ermione." She smiled softly. "Zank you for doing zis. You didn't 'ave to."

Hermione just shook her head, still unsure as to what to say to the veela; her feelings were still so confusing, but she just knew she needed Fleur close for the time being. A canon being shot in the background signaled the task was meant to start and the maze opened up in front of Fleur, but Hermione just pulled the slightly taller girl into her, hugging her even tighter than she hugged Harry and buried her head in soft blonde locks.

Fleur just let out a sigh, not seeming to care her competition had an advantage as she gently ran her fingers through Hermione's hair. She stood there for a few moments in the prefect's warm embrace before duty called for her to enter the maze so with one last kiss to Hermione's temple Fleur disentangled herself. "I'll be careful 'Ermione. I promise." She smiled reassuringly at the other girl. "I mean, who else could possibly win zis competition? Krum?" She scoffed. "I zink not."

Hermione quickly wiped a tear as she watched Fleur walk backwards towards the maze. "Cocky git." She mumbled while Fleur just shrugged, a genuine grin now adorning her face before she turned around, heading into the hedges, and waving goodbye.

"I'll see you on ze ozer side ma belle." Fleur said over her shoulder with a smile before the hedges closed around her.

The loud cheers from the far-off audience suddenly disappeared and everything became eerily quiet as Fleur hesitantly stepped forward. It was hard to see with the heavy fog that settled in and over the hedges of the maze. The thick fog and dark setting made it near impossible for the veela to see so with a quiet "lumos" the tip of her wand lit up, giving her a tiny bit of light. She pressed onward opting to go straight instead of right, everything about her situation felt unsettling as she hooked a left this time; the silence was deafening and beyond unnerving.

All she could hear were her soft footsteps in the dirt and her nervous breathing as she turned another corner. The veela in her was screaming something was wrong, to turn back, but she knew she had to keep moving forward, she was a champion for a reason and would not be scared off by a maze and some fog; she just needed to be cautious. That's what she kept telling herself until she heard a twig snap behind her, making her freeze in her steps. 'I did not step on zat . . .' She thought to herself, her brow starting to sweat as she looked down to make sure she in fact didn't step on a twig and when she saw nothing under her foot she felt her heart skip a beat.

She gripped her wand a little tighter, collecting her courage before she suddenly whipped around, wand at the ready only to be met with nothing but a soft breeze and the path she had taken lightly illuminated by her wand. She felt her heart start pounding harder and harder in her chest the longer she stood there waiting for something to jump out of the bushes. Her hand subtly shook as she took careful steps backwards, not taking her eyes off of the spot where she heard the noise.

She suddenly stopped walking backwards when the veela in her whispered 'danger' and then out of pure instinct she ducked. She felt a strong breeze go over her head, her blonde locks whipping to the side as she looked up to see the thick club that barely missed her precious skull crash into the hedges nearby. Silvery blue eyes widened when she realized what it was that swung the giant club and it was gaining its bearings back quickly, pulling back to swing again.

'Run!' The veela in her yelled, spurring her into action as the club came crashing down. She took off running as fast as her legs would carry her, jumping slightly when she heard the loud thump of the club hitting the ground quickly followed by a beastlike roar.

'A fucking minotaur!?' She thought to herself as she desperately pushed for her legs to move faster. She could hear the minotaur's loud pounding hooves growing closer with each passing second, its irritated grunts filling her with dread and distracting her so much so that she didn't see the turn coming up. "Merde." She mumbled as she slid around the corner, barely getting her footing to keep sprinting when she heard the giant beast crash into the hedge right behind her.

She braved a look over her shoulder when she heard the loud sound and saw the minotaur angerly pulling itself from the bushes. If it was mad before, it was nothing compared to now. Blue eyes widened once more as the creature cocked its arm back and threw the club as hard as it could, sending it whirling towards the champion who had to completely drop to the ground, pressing her front into the dirt just to barely avoid the deadly weapon once more.

When she heard a loud thud up ahead she looked up and behind her to see the bull like creature charging at her, it's nostrils flared and head down ready to pierce her with its horn or trample her; the creature didn't really seem to care which one it was.

The foreigner was quick to scramble to her feet once more, scurrying down the narrow path and throwing spells over her shoulder in an attempt to slow the beast, but the spells just bounced off of the minotaur's armor as if they were pebbles.

She was about to turn another corner when the enraged creature caught up to her, grabbing her back the back of her shirt and throwing her roughly into a hedge. A groan slipped from her lips as she tumbled to the ground, the sharp thorns in the hedges left small painful scratches along her arms, legs, and face that stung. She tried to gain her bearings as she slowly brought herself to her feet on shaky legs as the world started to come back into focus. Her veela once more warned her of danger which she tried to dodge by weakly moving to the side, but wasn't quite fast enough to avoid the tip of the minotaur's sharp nails scraping across her side enough to dig four gashes one inch deep into her. She let out a scream of pain that was immediately silenced by the beast's big hand wrapping around her throat and lifting her up with one arm as if she weighed nothing.

The beast panted heavily in her face, it's black soulless eyes boring into her own as she gritted her teeth and gripped its wrist with both hands as if that would loosen the hold it had on her, cutting off the precious air she needed to get to her lungs. She looked down to the ground where her wand had been dropped, cutting off any chance she had of shooting her beam into the air to get help then saw a small boulder over the minotaur's shoulder. She cursed her luck and how careless she had been as the edges of her eyes filled with darkness. She knew this feeling well from the second task and knew she didn't have much more time before she passed out and if the creature kept squeezing after she lost consciousness she would surely die.

She felt defeated and the task had just begun. She uselessly kicked her legs as her body grew weaker; she didn't have much fight in her anymore anyways after everything that had happened. She was starting to not see a point in even trying to resist anymore, her eyelids growing heavy and closing and then she saw her.

Fleur's eyes snapped open, her dull silver eyes now glowing neon blue as she stared defiantly back at the beast choking the life out of her. 'I can't give up. Not yet.'

"Get ze fuck off me you disgusting beast." Fleur growled as she threw a knee into the creature's ribs, making it lose its balance and loosen its grip, giving her the opening to raise her perfectly manicured nails and slash them across one eye.

The minotaur let out a howl of pain as blood filled its vision in its left eye, dropping the champion to the ground while it clutched its face.

Fleur knew she didn't have much time; she coughed for air as she crawled through the dirt to her wand, grabbing it with shaky fingers before she aimed it at the small boulder. "Wingardium leviosa." She wheezed out over the sound of shrieks of pain coming from the beast, surprised when she saw she had the strength left in her to lift the boulder.

Her eyes went wide again, desperately trying to get the boulder to her faster as the minotaur finally removed its hands from its face to show the angry red gashes across its eye. Its furious gaze fixed on the veela and started to stomp towards her with purpose while she crawled back as far as she could, but it wasn't far seeing as her back pressed against the hedges almost immediately. She desperately pressed her body as far back into them as she could go as the monstrous creature raised its fist to smash down on her and closed her eyes, praying the boulder had reached them in time as she released the spell. She waited for the pain that was sure to come, but nothing came and instead she heard a loud thump. She opened her eyes when the sound reached her ears and let out a breath of relief when she saw the creature knocked out on the ground.

She sat there for a moment, catching her breath and looking down each path, not wanting to linger too long as she wondered which one to take when she saw something or someone she didn't expect to see in the maze. "'Ermione?" She asked softly as she watched the prefect turn a corner and out of her view, completely ignoring the veela. "'Ermione." She rasped out as she once more brought herself to stand on shaking legs.

She took a step forward, but paused and grimaced when she felt a sharp pain rip through her body originating at her side. She gripped her side out of instinct and when she felt something warm and wet she pulled her hand back and saw blood on her fingertips. She looked down to her side and frowned when she saw the amount of blood pouring out and performed a quick spell to heal the wounds, but it only worked enough to slow the bleeding; she would definitely need professional medical attention to completely heal the wound, but this would have to do for now. "Damn minotaur." She grumbled, glaring down at the beast before she stepped over it, slowly walking towards the direction where she saw her ex-girlfriend disappear with one hand securely at her side to slow the bleeding.

"'Ermione." She tried again as she turned the corner, but what she saw next made her pause in her steps. Logically, she knew that what she was seeing couldn't be possible, but her emotions had a habit of ruling her these days. There stood Hermione in Viktor's arms, their lips locked, and arms firmly around each other, not seeming to care where they were or who or what could come upon them.

Fleur gritted her teeth at the image, her anger flaring more than when the minotaur had her in its deadly grasp while her heart simultaneously smashed into a million pieces. "Get off 'er." Fleur tried to sound menacing, but her voice came out weak and defeated instead.

It seemed like that was enough to catch both of the lover's attention, halting their rendezvous while Viktor looked over to her with a wicked smirk on his face.

"Why ever for Fleur?" Hermione turned around with a far more sinister smile than Viktor's. "It's not as if we're together anymore. You don't own me."

"I know I don't, but-" Fleur started, but Hermione didn't seem to care about anything she had to say.

"And besides, you ruined everything. Viktor would never hurt me like you did." Hermione affectionately ran a finger down the Bulgarian's chiseled jaw, making the seeker smile before she turned her attention back to the veela with a cold look in those normally warm golden eyes as she zeroed in on the blonde.

Fleur bit her lower lip, trying to stay strong. "You know I didn't mean to 'Ermione."

Hermione just laughed, getting closer to the other champion. "Yeah, you didn't mean to place a bet on my virginity to ruin my image. I was supposed to be your greatest conquest. Taking the golden girl's virginity before the third task; imagine what that would do for your reputation." Fleur's eyes widened at the wording Hermione used; those were the same ones she had used in the carriage when she placed the bet. "What's the matter Fleur?" Hermione smirked. "Cat got your tongue?"

"'Ermione, I-"

"You know Fleur, I was right about you." Hermione narrowed her eyes, that evil playful glint in her eyes now gone. "You are as vapid and empty as I thought you were."

"But you just said before ze task-"

"I lied." Hermione shrugged. "How does it feel?" She raised an eyebrow, unperturbed by the broken expression on Fleur's face. "Does it hurt?" She pushed. "Knowing that everything you knew was a lie?"

"'Ermione, s'il vous plaît." Fleur pleaded, but her pleas fell on deaf ears.

"I never loved you." Hermione spat out, glaring at the veela on the verge of losing it. "I just wanted you to think everything was going to be okay so you could have a taste of what it felt like to have your world shatter around you. To be completely humiliated. To . . to . . " Hermione furrowed her brow mid-rant, a pained expression replacing the anger she wore before.

Fleur immediately felt panic fill her chest when she saw the pain written all over Hermione's face. "What ees wrong?" She took a step forward only to have Hermione crumble at her feet, holding onto her chest as if her heart was being ripped from the flesh. "'Ermione, please, tell me what ees wrong." Fleur cried as she dropped to her knees, frantically grabbing at the prefect so she could assess the damage.

"You did this to her." Came Viktor's cold voice and even colder stare.

"What are you talking about?" Fleur spat, looking up to see Viktor staring down at the pair disapprovingly.

"Vhy did you do this? She could have been happy vith me, but you . . ." He shook his head and looked down as he clenched his wand tightly in his hand. "You just had to taint her like you do everything else. You destroyed her." He growled as he lifted his head and wand at the same time, aiming it at the veela. "You're going to pay for vhat you did veela." He snarled as his wand started to glow green at the tip, making blue eyes widen. "Avada-"

"Riddikulus!" Came a deep voice from behind Fleur and suddenly the Viktor standing in front of Fleur turned into a clown, juggling balls before it sunk into the ground and disappeared along with the war hero in her arms.

The blonde sat there confused for a moment, blinking dumbly at her now empty hands.

"Are you alright?" Came that same voice, making the champion turn to see the real Viktor holding his hand out to her.

She just nodded her head as she carefully took the offered hand and was brought to her feet. She took a moment to take in the Bulgarian's appearance and just like her he looked worse for wear. "Why did you . . . I zought-"

"I may not be your biggest fan, but I could not stand by and vatch you die veela." He grumbled as he awkwardly moved his weight over to his other foot.

"Zank you." Fleur mumbled softly.

Viktor nodded his head, limping forward a bit to assess the road in front of them and when he saw no danger he let out a relieved sighed. "Ve should probably stick together if ve vant to live." He spoke as he leaned his back against the hedge. "But vhen ve see the cup then it is everyone for themselves."

"I zink zat would be best." Fleur agreed. "But we need to find-" Before Fleur could even say the other champion's name Harry came sprinting around the corner and crashed into the blonde. "Merde." Fleur groaned as she lifted herself up a bit.

"S-sorry. Didn't see you." Harry spoke quickly as he helped Fleur up and looked over his shoulder; there was a slight tremble in his voice immediately putting the two other champions on edge.

"'Arry, what ees-"

"No time to talk. We really need to be running." Harry cut off the veela and promptly sprinted off in the opposite direction he came from with the other two champions close behind.

"Harry! Vhat are ve running from!?" Viktor was able to yell out, but Harry didn't need to answer. A giant spider crashed through the bushes, hot on the trio's tale as they turned left, running as fast as their battered limbs would carry them.

"Great. Just what I needed. A giant spider." Fleur groaned as they turned another corner with the eight legged creature hot on their tail. "We 'ave to stop eet."

"How!?" Harry cried over his shoulder.

Fleur furrowed her brow, trying to come up with something, anything, and then a smile lit up her face. "I 'ave eet."

She stopped mid run, making the two boys stop as well, watching the veela curiously as she waved her wand and shot a spell at the spider fast approaching them, but instead of hitting the creature, it hit the hedges. "You missed!" Viktor hissed, but Fleur just shook her head, calmly standing there as the giant creature grew closer.

The boys flinched when it got within a foot, but Fleur stood steady as a loud screech emitted from its mouth as vines shot out from the hedges wrapping around its legs and body, halting it from moving even an inch. "I guess I did learn somezing from ze second task." Fleur grinned as she turned back around, taking a right while the two seekers dumbly followed.

They walked for a minute, taking comfort in their numbers and not feeling nearly as on edge as when they were alone when a strong breeze struck all three champions, making Fleur's hair whip around. She furrowed her brow, looking in the direction of where the breeze came from and when she saw the blue trophy glowing in the distance her eyes widened.

The three stood there awestruck for a moment before they each turned to look at each other; there was a minute of calm between them before suddenly they all seemed to snap and took off sprinting in the direction of the cup. They were all so close and equally injured; they knew it was anyone's game at this point so they pushed and shoved each other as they tried to get the upper hand.

Fleur was obviously smaller so when Viktor tried to push her she easily dodged, making him fall into a hedge when his momentum made him propel forward. She heard an irritated yell erupt from behind her and saw the cause. The hedges were closing behind her and Harry, effectively pushing the Bulgarian out and ruining his chances at the cup.

She briefly shared a look with Harry as they ran down the quickly narrowing maze, they knew they were the last two contenders. The hedges were closing in faster and faster, getting closer to trapping the two, but Fleur was the first to make it out and when she turned and saw Harry about to be consumed by the maze she quickly grabbed his hand and pulled him out before he could be taken.

"Thanks." He breathed heavily as they both leant forward with their hands on their knees trying to catch their breath.

"You would 'ave done ze same for me." She smiled lightly before she looked up to see the glowing blue trophy so close.

Harry followed her line of sight and let out a defeated breath. "You should get it. You deserve it."

"I can't-"

"Viktor and I would have been long gone with that spider had you not stopped it." Harry quickly reasoned before Fleur could argue.

"And I would 'ave died 'ad Viktor not saved moi from a Boggart. I want to win fair and square as you english say." She shot back, making Harry shake his head with a smile.

"Alright then." Harry straightened out, rubbing his sore shoulder as he eyed the trophy. "On the count of three then?" Fleur just nodded her head as she crouched down, ready to take off running. "One . . ."

"Deux . ."

"Three!" Harry shouted and they both took off as fast as their legs would carry them.

Fleur could feel her entire body protest as she pushed it far past its limits, but the end was so close in sight. Victory was within her grasp and she would not give up so she kept running even though her body screamed for her to stop. Roots started shooting out from the ground, lashing out to grab or trip the champions, but Fleur was quick to jump over them. Harry did the same and they were both within a couple feet of the cup; they shared one last look before they jumped towards the trophy and eternal glory.

/

The once quiet air surrounding Fleur was suddenly filled with raucous applause and loud cheers. She was laying flat on her stomach with her eyes closed, unsure of what happened, but slightly aware that there was something in her grasp.

When she opened her eyes she was met with the glowing blue of the Triwizard trophy in her hand and when she looked up she saw a sea of blue running to greet her with her sister and Odette in the front. "You did it!" Odette beamed as she helped her friend up and immediately enveloped her in a hug with Gabrielle.

"I did?" Fleur asked dumbly when she stepped away, reality dawning on her as she looked down to see the cup still in her grasp. "I won?" A grin spread across her face and pride filled her chest.

"Fleur Delacour is the winner of the Triwizard Tournament!" Dumbledore's voice boomed through the entire area, making the students cheer even harder and if Fleur didn't know any better she would think the wink Dumbledore sent her meant he was proud of her even though she isn't his student.

"Well done." Apolline spoke with her usual regal demeanor, but a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth betrayed her usually calm appearance, showing her rare pride of her daughter. "I knew you would win. You are a Delacour after all."

Fleur couldn't help but scoff and roll her eyes, the big smile refusing to leave her face as she searched the crowd for a familiar head of brown hair, but when she didn't see Hermione anywhere the smile dropped from her face for a moment before she was engulfed by the entire student body that came from Beuxbatons. She remembered where she was with the sea of blue surrounding her and quickly plastered the smile back on her countenance, but it was void of any really happiness now. Without Hermione with her the victory felt hollow and meaningless.

/

The next day Fleur collected her things, making sure everything was in order before they departed to head back to France. She had been quiet since her victory, half-heartedly participating in the post-game activities; she knew she was expected to be ecstatic, but she couldn't shake the overwhelming feeling of sadness coursing through her veins.

"She hasn't come to say goodbye?" Odette frowned as she approached her alpha who just numbly shook her head. "We still have a little time. Do you want to wait outside?"

"I doubt she'll show." Fleur mumbled, but was dragged out of the carriage none the less.

She sat there waiting with Odette and Gabrielle as her peers excitedly chatted next to them, still buzzing from the victory while Fleur just stared at the ground.

"Alright girls. It's time to go." Maxime smiled as her students said goodbye to the Hogwarts and Durmstrang students promising to write each other or hang out after graduation.

"Guess she isn't coming." Fleur sighed sadly, gripping the necklace hanging around her neck as she fought back tears. "Figures."

"Fleur!"

The foreigner's ears perked when she heard the familiar sound of Hermione's voice that was clearly out of breath. "'Ermione." Fleur turned around, smiling softly at the slightly shorter girl.

"Do you have time to talk?" Hermione asked as she fidgeted with her tie, a nervous habit that still clung to the golden girl that made the veela smile.

"I zink we are-"

"Take your time." Maxime cut in, gently placing her hand on her student's shoulder with an understanding smile before she ushered the girls into the carriage to give her star pupil a little space.

Odette and Gabrielle shot Hermione a smile, pulling the prodigy into a hug and whispering their goodbyes before they retreated into the carriage to give their alpha some much needed space.

Fleur turned her attention back to the bookworm, a million questions swimming through her head. "I did not zink you would come . . ."

"I couldn't let you leave without saying goodbye." Hermione smiled sadly at the blonde. "I was just busy taking care of Harry is all. He was pretty banged up after the task. Are you . . ." Hermione seemed nervous and worried as she eyed the other girl carefully. "Are you okay?"

Fleur nodded her head in response. "Oui. A little worse for wear, but nozing I can't 'andle."

"Congratulations by the way." Hermione spoke as she rocked back and forth on her feet. "I hear it was quite the task."

"Eet was." Fleur agreed as she looked off to the side, unsure of what to say or where this conversation was going. "Listen-"

"Fleur-"

Both girls spoke at the same time, making them shake their head and smile. "You go first 'Ermione."

"N-no, you go."

Fleur let out an uneasy sigh as she ran a hand through her long blonde locks. "What now?"

Hermione furrowed her brow in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Are we done?" Fleur asked softly, looking down, unable to see the answer she wasn't sure she wanted to see in Hermione's eyes.

"I . .." Hermione seemed to be at a loss as the wheels in her head struggled to come up with an answer. "I don't know."

Fleur looked up, confusion swimming in those arctic eyes. "You don't know . . .? 'Ermione, I am leaving . . ."

"I know." Hermione shot back a little too quickly. She took a calming breath, reminding herself to speak clearly to help Fleur understand. "I know." She spoke quieter this time, her amber eyes softening as she locked eyes with silvery blue. "It's just all very confusing Fleur . . ." Fleur nodded her head, swallowing the lump in her throat as she looked down, but was surprised when she felt a soft hand cupping her cheek and bringing her gaze back to sad amber. "I love you Fleur. I know I do . . ."

"But . . ." Fleur spoke up; her heart was throbbing, but she understood all too well there was a but coming.

Hermione let out a slow breath as tears pricked her golden eyes. "I just can't be with you right now."

Fleur nodded her head as she tried to keep her composure. "I zought zat might be what you were going to say."

"I'm so messed up right now and so confused by what to feel or what to do. It doesn't mean I will stop loving you or that I don't still want you. I just need time."

Fleur felt a little spark of hope at those words and brought her hand to Hermione's on her cheek. She moved the prefect's hand so she could kiss her palm and smiled softly at the girl who looked just as broken as she felt by this conversation. "I understand 'Ermione . . . and . . ." Fleur took a step closer to the other girl, pulling her into a hug. "I will wait as long as I 'ave to. I will never stop loving you and . . ." She pulled back a bit, holding the war hero at arm's length while a stray tear fell from amber eyes. "Just know . . . zat eet ees never too late. Even eef you zink eet ees, I promise eet won't be."

Hermione just nodded her head, holding back a sob as Fleur smiled softly, carefully wiping a tear from her ex-girlfriend's cheek. Hermione responded by leaning forward and placing a soft kiss right on the corner of Fleur's mouth, letting her lips linger for a moment while Fleur closed her eyes, relishing in the soft touch of Hermione Granger's lips. Hermione wanted to flat out kiss the blonde again, but she knew if she did it would be far too painful and far too hard for her to say goodbye so she told herself this would be enough for now. "Thank you for understanding." Hermione spoke softly as she pulled away with a sad smile.

"Will you write me?" Fleur couldn't stop herself from asking the question; she knew she might be pushing it, but she hoped that she may at least hear from the golden girl while she was pulling herself back together.

Hermione smiled and leaned in to kiss Fleur's cheek. "Yes."

Fleur suddenly felt a lot better about the situation and let out a relieved sigh, squeezing the prefect's hand. "Parfaite. I should . . . probably go. I am 'olding up ze carriage."

"Yeah." Hermione agreed dejectedly as she watched a tear fall from those eyes that captivated her from the first moment she saw them. "You'll be good, won't you?"

Fleur couldn't help the soft laugh that came from her lips as she nodded her head. "As 'ard as eet may be to believe I promise I will be good . . . for you."

Hermione felt her heart swell in her chest at the veela's words. "Good."

They stood there for a moment, neither one of them wanting to really leave, but both knew the clock was ticking. "You do whatever you 'ave to do to feel better 'Ermione." Fleur smiled as she leaned forward and placed a lingering kiss on the prefect's forehead. "I'll be waiting. I promise."

Hermione returned the smile as Fleur finally took a step back and released her hand. "Goodbye Fleur."

Fleur smiled almost dreamily at the prefect, making Hermione's knees weak even though there was a hint of sadness in Fleur's bright eyes as she opened the door to the carriage. "Goodbye ma belle."

6 months later

Fleur let out an irritated huff as she walked down the streets of France, her heels clicking loudly on the ground as she headed towards her favorite café in a tight fitted gray dress. Even after graduating she was still the perfect image of poise and beauty, even more so now even though her mother had been particularly taxing that day, going over her soon to be responsibilities and what leading the clan entailed. It still bothered Fleur to no end that she treated her like a child and if she knew that her eldest daughter found her escape at some middle-class coffee place she would lose her mind, but the place brought her peace. It was where she had her first date with Hermione Granger after all and that thought alone brought a smile to her face.

The soft noise of a bell ringing overhead as she walked in dragged the veela even further into her thoughts, making her look to the table where she had sat with Hermione after staring at art for hours. She felt joy and a soft pang of sadness hit her in the chest at the memory of their day out.

She shook her head, clearing her thoughts, trying to not get lost in memories as she started to head towards the counter when she heard a familiar laugh that made her stop in her steps. Her bright blue eyes widened and immediately shot to where the sound came from and then she saw her sitting at a table laughing at some article she was reading as she sipped her coffee.

Hermione Granger looked even more beautiful than the day Fleur met her, her jaw a little more thin and defined, her eyes held a little more knowledge in them and then as if Hermione could sense the ex-champion's admiring gaze she looked up. Their eyes locked and everything stopped; the only thing that proved time still continued to move was the smile that slowly spread across Hermione's face, lighting up the whole room as Fleur smiled back.

The End

JK! *in Oprah voice* Look under your seats! THERE'S A SEQUEL!


AN: I'm not crying! You're crying ;-; Okay, so I'm so glad I can finally effin say that there is going to be a sequel! You have nooooo idea how long I have held onto that information. I always meant to end this fic bittersweet and open for interpretation, but after the fic got so much attention I realized I couldn't do that to you guys soooooo I've been planning this sequel since Chapter 5 :) I just honestly couldn't see this fic ending any other way. There was so much damage done, so many lies told, so many hurt feelings that I couldn't see them just coming back together over the course of a couple weeks or months even. I just wanted to stay true to Hermione's character and Fleur's in this. It was honestly super sad for me to write the end like that, but it just felt right to me and hopefully you guys don't hate me for it. Okay, on to the sequel. What I can say about the sequel is it will be called "If I Could Turn Back Time" and in it we're going to see a very different Hermione and Fleur, but you guys are just going to have to trust me that they will make perfect sense by the end of that one :) I still have kinks to work out for If I Could Turn Back Time, but I am very excited to start it and for you guys to see how Hermione and Fleur's stories really unfold :) Now on to more sentimental things since this is my last AN for Cruel Intentions. I really do want to thank every single person that reviewed this story or followed or put it as a favorite. When I started writing this fic I was really sick and wasn't sure I was going to make it (I won't go too into that) and this fic helped me through so much and just reading these reviews made my day and really brought the story to life and encouraged me to keep going. So really, from the bottom of my heart, thank you to every single one of you. You are all jems and made this story so special. If you want to end the fic here where it is open for interpretation I totally understand, but if you want to see the wild ride that is called "If I Could Turn Back Time" then I look forward to seeing you there and if you guys want to leave a review sharing your favorite moments or parting thoughts I would adore it :)