Hey Everyone!
Please do not get used to this rate of update. I did want to close out the Goblet of Fire arc sooner rather than later. I know it was quick, and what happened to this and that, but I just couldn't get it organized and if I write it like that it would be another 5 to 10 more chapters until this part of the story would be finished.
So please forgive me for the quick and short update but this was just killing me I need, just as much as you all do, to progress Narcissa and Hermione's relationship. I can't wait for them to fall in love…again, but I gotta get there.
Yes, Lucius's demise is short quick and unexciting. Ooops. Haha. I hated him anyways. Alright one last note. Yesterday's update was my 50th chapter! I have never written that many chapters, and this is the longest fanfic I have written and it's thanks to you all for your awesome support and kind words and constructive criticism. Alright on to the short tie up of this part of the epic I seem to be writing.
Enjoy,
Snow
It was insane for Hermione to think she could even think of having a simple rest of the year. No, not when a gorgeous blonde French witch looked at her with a searing flame that spoke of promise and passion. Many times Hermione would sneak off into the corridors when her studies where over, naturally, and then cast a notice me not spell, then transform into Aderyn and flit out the window and around the grounds. She never shifted near her, but Fleur always knew Hermione was hiding an animagus from her and when both where spent from more physical activities, Fleur would try to guess what her animagus would be. Hermione and Fleur would be in fits of laughter about the creatures Fleur came up with.
It was the night before the last trial, that Hermione smoothed Fleur's hair from her forehead and pressed her lips toward Fleur's and a soft slip and slide of their lips caused both girls to hum in languid delight. Fleur pulled Hermione to her, let her arms fill with the girl that had stolen her heart. Hermione slid her fingers up and down her lover's arm. She felt Fleur swallow and clear her throat.
"You know this will end soon right, my little Lione?" Fleur spoke solidly yet barely above a whisper. Hermione took a breath and let it out and then sat up and brought her knees to her chest, and leaned her cheek on top. She looked down at the blonde that stroked a hand up her nude back and then she closed her eyes and nodded.
"You know I am not the one to be yours for all time right? You know there is a specific person out there for you?" Fleur asked and Hermione shrugged off Fleur's hand. And the witch rose to her feet and put on her clothes. Fleur sat up and when Hermione saw her eyes she knew she was hurting the girl.
"Yes," Hermione said as she shoved her head through her jumper and then put her hands on her hips, "I know this Fleur, but I, unlike you, don't want to ruin the moment right before your final challenge, with this…" Hermione indicated between them, "With our future."
"Hermione I…" Fleur began but was cut off.
"I know Fleur," Hermione spoke softly and Fleur lifted her eyes, "I know this was just like two wayward wonderers finding solace in the same shelter. But for me, I loved you as much as could for a girl who knows absolutely nothing about life or love," Hermione said as she sat on the bed.
"And I love you as much as I could knowing I am not meant for you," Fleur swallowed, "I have seen our red threads, and they do not connect."
"But you have seen who it connects too," Hermione whispered and then reached out to the girl, "If you didn't know who was my connection, would we be having this conversation?" Hermione asked and then sighed when she saw Fleur nod. Hermione closed her eyes and made a choice and shifted closer to the older girl. She took Fleur in her arms, she tilted her chin up and then placed the gentlest kiss upon the girls lips.
"You are I will always be connected. We will have this year, this stolen and beautiful moment in time. You have given me a beautiful gift," Hermione said to Fleur and Fleur cocked her head with tears in her eyes. Hermione smiled and smoothed the hair from the blonde's eyes and cupped her cheek, "You have given me a gift no one ever has given me before. You made me feel beautiful, and wanted. You made me feel like I was more than a friend, and resident bookworm, and sister. You made me feel wonderful, beyond words. I owe all of that to you. I only hope I have made as much of an impression," Hermione said with a smile.
"You silly English girl, of course you have," Fleur confirmed through watery eyes swatting Hermione's hip. Hermione and Fleur Laughed. They settled and Hermione was holding Fleur's hand and gazes met.
"Please stay tonight," Fleur asked and Hermione nodded and leaned in for a kiss then pulled away to stand but Fleur would have none of it. She teased the younger witch as she slowly took the clothes from her flesh kissing each inch of flesh as it was exposed. That night would be their last, and they knew it and both witches made the most of the moment and loved like the world would end for them tomorrow.
It happened too fast. Hermione and Draco both watched Harry and Fleur go into the maze, but it was the charmed pendent that Draco gave Harry that told the boy that Harry was in trouble. He looked toward Hermione and took her hand and then pressed on the pendent. They got the graveyard and sparks flew. Fleur was unconscious, and Cedric was dead. Hermione transformed and flew straight into danger. She saw blonde as Lucius went to take Harry from behind. Draco tried to get Fleur and Cedric behind a headstone and then transformed as well. The boy in his snow fox animagus didn't hesitate to dart toward his father his flesh and blood then jump high and shoved the distracted Lucius off balance. Hermione lifted up and Draco jumped off as Lucius stumbled into the blast from both wizards. Harry, Hermione, and Draco paused only for a split second and watched Lucius disintegrate. Harry saw Voldemort launch another killing curse his way and he dove behind the headstone. Every one huddled right there and Harry summoned the cup. Instantly they were all back at the beginning of the maze. Harry clutching Cedrick, Hermione and Draco stepping off as quickly as possible out of the camera flashes, and then Fleur was tended to by Krum all the while apologizing to the blonde. Hermione watched as her friend and brother was yanked from his knees by Moody and launched into the castle. Hermione and Draco followed but not before catching the eye of Snape and Professor McGonagall.
In the end Snape saved the boy who lived. Snape saved the boy who would have been his if Lily had only chosen him. The trio of children found themselves watching their new friends leave and depart from the grounds and Hermione clutched the small note in her hand as she saw the Beauxbatons Carriage fly off she touched her lips then her heart. They said their good bye that morning as they walked hand in hand in the morning air and watched their last sun rise together. Chaste kisses and then… gone…separate…alone.
Hermione felt a hand on her shoulder as she watched the carriage wink out in the distance. She clasped the hand without looking knowing exactly who stood behind her. She looked at Harry as he leaned on Draco. He was still weak from his fight and Narcissa and Draco had been shoving potions down his gullet to get his strength back but she knew it wasn't just magic. It was the sight of a friend, a loved one, dead and cold before them. She knew the strength it took to deal, now it was time to cope and she knew he would have Sirius, Narcissa, and Draco to watch over him.
"It is time," Hermione spoke and held Narcissa's hand as she looked at all three of them. She saw in them the family should would have never had in the muggle world and cherished each of them. She looked in green eyes and then hugged Harry and reached out for Draco and then three kids smothered one another. Then Hermione broke and looked at Narcissa. She truly looked at her and saw into the depths of those blue eyes and let her own eyes soften. She held out of hand and Narcissa took it, and Hermione pulled the woman into an embrace. It was awkward yet exhilarating, but then after a moment they settled, and then just took in the moment. Who gave a flying Merlin what happened around them but Hermione knew this was an alteration in their bond, and she knew she would come back to those words Narcissa said weeks ago over and over again. No, she didn't think of the woman as just Draco's mom. She was Narcissa Black and Hermione was in many ways lost to the woman but she needed time, she needed air, and she need to grieve.
"I will be leaving," Hermione spoke to all three as she pulled from Narcissa. The looks ranged from shock to anger. Then the boys spoke at once and bombarded her with questions. Then Narcissa lifted her hand.
"Let her go boys," Narcissa said toward the teenagers, but looked at Hermione, "She has things to figure out, Little Loves. She will be back." Hermione could only smile her thanks and nod.
"When will you go sister?" Draco asked as he took her hand.
"Tomorrow," Hermione replied flatly and with no room for adjustment or change in her mind.
"Where?" croaked Harry. Hermione simply shook her head and left it at that. She walked toward train with everyone else. Draco and Harry wound apparate back to Black Manor with Narcissa. Hermione will be picked up by Dan in London and then go home and pack.
"How long, Little Witch?" Narcissa asked. Hermione looked to the three of them and then shrugged her shoulders. Narcissa didn't take that for an answer. She reached out and lifted Hermione's eyes to hers and repeated her question with brown on blue. Hermione lifted a hand to the one on her shoulder and squeezed.
"I'll be back before school. I promise," Narcissa nodded and let the girl go and be overwhelmed by her friends, her bothers.
Someday, some time, and in some way, she would figure it but not today, and today a Woman realized time was catching up with her and her secrets. When she looked at her son when the witch boarded the train she knew he knew it too.
