Chapter 17.
Hermione sat despondently in front of her pint. Across the table from her was Harry, sipping at his own point. He put it down slowly.
"I mean… Her boss, 'Mione?" Harry breaking the silence and shaking his head.
Hermione's eyes widened.
"She came onto me!" Hermione exclaimed, "I was there checking that Fleur was okay! Ron had said nobody had heard from her! I was worried!"
Harry sighed.
"I mean I can see both sides here," Harry said diplomatically, "You shouldn't have to wait for her. But on the other hand… Do you think your behaviour is kind of rubbing it in her face? She's struggling with her sexuality and you can't push that."
"Harry you don't have to be so goddamn reasonable all the time," Hermione growled, sipping at her own pint.
"Someone has to step in when the Hermione Granger reasonableness is missing in action," Harry laughed.
Ron ambled into the pub, waving at the two friends.
Hermione felt bad for leaving him out of all these conversations. It wasn't that she didn't trust Ron to keep a secret. No, he would always keep one of his best mate's secrets. It was that the boy was incapable of hiding his reactions to news. The news that Hermione had copped off with Fleur… He would either turn into his purpled, drooling mess or lose his temper at the infidelity to Bill. Either one would be sure to give too much away.
Ron sat down at the table, greeting the other members of the Golden Trio.
"Was wondering where you lot were," Ron said amiably, "How's things?"
"Fine," Hermione sighed dejectedly. Ron raised his eyebrows.
"Little depressed sounding for someone who is apparently making their way through the entire Ministry administration team," Ron said enviously.
"You heard that?" Hermione asked. This was worse than she thought.
"Yeah, course," Ron replied, "Wish those girls would talk about me a bit more."
"Fucking hell," Hermione cursed.
"I know," Ron agreed, mistaking the reason for Hermione's cursing, "I'm just as much of a player really. We're both just out there living the single life but I don't get a single mention!"
"I know mate," Harry said sympathetically, flashing Hermione a grin.
"Okay, I'm gonna get a pint," Ron got up and headed to the bar. Harry took the opportunity to turn to Hermione.
"You've gotta make things right, 'Mione," Harry counselled, "It isn't you to hurt feelings."
"Fine," Hermione sighed, "I'll fix things."
Fleur was sitting at her desk, her mind on Hermione. As much as she was irritated with the brunette, her mind couldn't stop replaying intimate memories with Hermione.
There was a knock at the door.
Fleur got up and glided to the door, opening it a crack cautiously.
Hermione.
"Can I come in and talk?" Hermione asked. She looked nervous, biting her lip. This facial expression reminded Fleur more of what Hermione had been like at Hogwarts, less sure of herself outside the world of academics.
Fleur considered declining for a moment, but eventually nodded, opening the door far enough for Hermione to enter.
Hermione shut the door carefully behind her, not wanting any curious ears to overhear their conversation.
Fleur went and stood on the other side of her desk, wanting to get some furniture between them. Hermione seemed to steel herself, swallowing noticeably and looking more determined.
"What do you want?" Fleur asked coldly.
"I'm sorry," Hermione said simply.
"What for?" Fleur asked. She was projecting her best air of not being bothered. Hermione seemed to have a way of seeing right through her, but that wouldn't stop Fleur from trying to act impervious. Hermione looked so beautiful today. Fleur wanted nothing more than to kiss her.
"I'm sorry for the way I've been behaving… I guess I'm just used to distracting myself with women… It isn't fair to you," Hermione managed to get out. She seemed supremely awkward talking about feelings.
"You have nothing to apologise for," Fleur replied in a clipped tone.
"Fleur…" Hermione sighed, swallowing heavily, "It's just hard getting so close but not being able to have you. I want you so bad."
Fleur felt her shaky resolve break at this point.
"I want you too…" Fleur murmured, "I just have so many hang-ups around my sexuality… It's hard thinking about having all that out in the open."
Hermione moved forward, stepping around the desk and putting her arms around Fleur. Fleur felt herself entirely melt into Hermione's arms.
Hermione's lips brushed Fleur's neck and she felt herself inwardly swoon. Hermione kissed her neck lightly.
"Is this okay?" Hermione murmured. Fleur shivered.
"Yes," Fleur half-moaned. She knew this was bad. This was only going to complicate the feelings between the women more. This could only lead to hurt feelings.
Fleur drew back, cupping Hermione's face and turning it to look at her. She leaned in and kissed Hermione deeply. This seemed to give Hermione the permission she had been longing for, her hands roaming Fleur's body. Fleur moaned, leaning in to Hermione and giving herself fully. Hermione's hands left Fleur for a moment, reaching behind her and swiping all the stationery off Fleur's desk. She grabbed Fleur's backside, hoisting her up onto the desk.
Fleur loved it. It was so sexy when Hermione took charge.
Hermione's tongue was in her mouth and Fleur was in heaven. She moved her hands to tangle into Hermione's soft brunette curls. Fleur spread her legs, wrapping them around Hermione's waist and pulling her closer. Hermione's stomach was pressing right against her centre now.
Hermione moaned, grinding up into her. This was getting unbearable now. Fleur whimpered and Hermione pulled away, panting.
"Sure this is okay?" Hermione asked. Her pupils were huge and her cheeks were flushed.
Fleur slid herself off the desk to stand up, stroking Hermione's face.
"I want you so bad right now," Fleur replied, "For once I don't care about anything else."
Hermione smiled slowly, but seemed to be waiting for further permission.
"Don't hold back," Fleur murmured quietly.
Hermione's smile grew and she grabbed Fleur by the hips, twisting her around roughly. Before Fleur could say anything, Hermione planted a hand on her back, bending her over the desk. Fleur was beyond turned on as Hermione's foot pushed at her ankles, parting her legs. Hermione pressed up against her backside, her hands running down Fleur's back appreciatively. Fleur was being driven crazy with the anticipation.
Hermione pushed her skirt up, eager hands then pulling down Fleur's panties. Fleur felt one of Hermione's hands return to plant itself on her back, while the other one trailed up the inside of her thighs. Fleur gasped as Hermione's fingers entered her.
Fleur wasn't quite sure how she had gone from keeping a respectable distance to having Hermione inside her, but at this moment she didn't care. It just felt so good.
Hermione thrust inside her, hard, taking her with wild abandon. Fleur was lost in the moment, eyes shut and moans escaping her mouth.
This was exactly like The Burrow. Something about the tension between Hermione and Fleur was irresistible.
Fleur was getting close to the edge when her office door flung open and Melody walked in.
"Fleur, I've approved your report – Oh!" Melody froze, taking in the scene in front of her. Fleur bent over her desk and the Golden Girl taking her from behind.
Hermione acted rapidly, withdrawing from Fleur, pulling her skirt down and stepping away from her. Fleur straightened up, face flushed, and quickly tried to fix her hair.
"Melody…" Fleur began, but Melody shook her head.
"Don't worry," Melody said with a coy smile, "I can't blame you, Fleur. I'll just leave your report here and come back later."
She placed the report down on a shelf near the door and backed out, shutting the office door carefully behind her.
"Oh my God," Fleur drew her hands to her face in horror.
"I am so sorry," Hermione said gravely, "I honestly just came here to apologise… I never meant for that to happen."
"I know… It's my fault too," Fleur said slowly, "It's just… Fuck. Now everyone is going to know. It's just… Fuck."
"It's okay," Hermione soothed, "It's not the end of the world. People will be surprised at first but they will get over it and move on to the next gossip."
"I'm not ready… A Veela shouldn't… What will they say…?" Fleur felt like she was about to hyperventilate.
"Fleur—It's okay," Hermione tried.
"No, it isn't!" Fleur snapped, "You can't be a Veela and be gay!"
Hermione didn't understand. A whole species evolved for the ability to enthral men. She was a failure. A disappointment to her grandmother even more now. Her grandmother had fought the clan so hard to allow her grand-daughters to be included in Veela culture despite the fact they were only a quarter-blooded. Now this.
"Fleur…" Hermione said, obviously wanting to help. But Fleur couldn't even appreciate that right now. All she could think of was how everyone would know how wrong she was.
"Hermione, can you please leave me?" Fleur said softly, "I need to be alone right now."
"Erm… Okay…" Hermione said awkwardly, rubbing the back of her neck. She looked like she felt beyond guilty.
The war hero slunk out of the office, casting one last concerned look back at Fleur.
Hermione sat down at the lunch table beside Harry. Ron was across the table from them and froze partway through unwrapping his sandwich.
"Hermione," Ron said in shock, "You… and Fleur?!"
Hermione groaned.
"That got around, then?" Hermione said despondently.
"It's all anyone seems to be talking about," Harry said with a sympathetic nod.
"Fleur… Delacour… Into women…" Ron said slowly, purpling. Hermione felt her temper spike at Ron clearly drooling over Fleur. Her Fleur.
"It's hardly a shock nowadays," Hermione snapped waspishly.
"Yeah… But like, Fleur? That's… That's just hot. I mean who even knew Veela could swing that way? I thought it was impossible for their lot," Ron sighed, "God, 'Mione, why do you have to have all the luck?"
"Ever thought it's not luck and just not going purple over every pretty girl?" Hermione growled. She was thoroughly pissed off.
"Keep your wig on," Ron retorted, "I was just making a point that it's bloody unbelievable. I didn't even think you two got along. Dya think this is why Bill dumped Fleur? Coz she's gay?"
"What?!" Hermione snorted, "He dumped her? Is that how he's spinning it…? You know what, that isn't the point. I don't see the obsession with her sexuality. Just because she had a thing with a woman doesn't mean we all need to go freaking out and labelling her. Just leave her be."
"Yeah like you let her be," Ron shot back, taking a big bite of his sandwich, "Get off your high horse, 'Mione. This is one thing you can't be bossy about. Everyone's interested in the Veela that goes for girls. Bloody unheard of."
Ron swung himself out of his seat and walked off eating his sandwich, clearly miffed with Hermione and keen to discuss further with those that would indulge him.
Harry immediately turned to Hermione, arching a brow.
"That's what you call making things better?" Harry asked.
"Lay off, Harry," Hermione said tiredly, resting her head in her hands, "It just happened, okay? It was a mistake. I feel bad enough as it is."
"What did she say afterwards?" Harry asked. Hermione sighed sadly.
"She seemed really upset," Hermione replied, "She has so many hang-ups around her sexuality… I'm kinda worried that she isn't coping."
"Really?" Harry replied with concern, "Well go talk to her!"
"She asked me to go away," Hermione said sadly, shaking her head.
"And when have you ever listened to me and Ron when we've said that?" Harry responded, "If someone needs help, help them!"
"Fine, fine," Hermione said reluctantly, Harry's words hitting home. She was extremely worried about Fleur. She didn't know how the blonde would process the events of the day.
She got up, abandoning her lunch.
"What would I do without you, Harry?" Hermione murmured as she headed off.
"You'd probably be as much of a mess as Ron and I would be without you!" Harry called back with a boyish grin.
Hermione hurried off back towards Fleur's office. She inwardly scowled at the number of knowing smirks as she headed off. She felt like throttling the Ministry gossips, but there were more pressing tasks at hand.
When Hermione made it to Fleur's office, the door was open and nobody was inside. Hermione stepped inside, deciding to wait for the blonde.
She sat in the seat across the desk from Fleur's chair, drumming her hands on the desk restlessly.
Half an hour passed sluggishly and Hermione grew bored.
She spotted Fleur's report on her desk and decided to give it a read. She had helped with the Niffler case after all.
Flipping through the pages, Hermione's eyes were drawn to the page summarising the day they met the man and his Niffler. Hermione thought back to that day and the bubbling tension between her and Fleur. Even back then they couldn't fight the draw between them.
Hermione thought about how she had cracked that the Niffler was afflicted by a Pyro Jinx. She had been thoroughly distracted by her feelings and attraction to Fleur, but the fact the Niffler had set furniture on fire when it bumped into it ultimately solved the puzzle for her.
After all, the only other thing it could be would be Dark Magic. The type usually used on humans.
Hermione's mind, focussed properly for the first time in months. The old man had those unusual all-dark eyes. They hadn't been able to see the whites of his eyes. That would be consistent with Dark Magic. Hermione sat up straighter, flipping through the report more rapidly.
"Fuck," Hermione cursed.
She had read about this Dark Hex once before, squirreled away in the Restricted Section of Hogwarts and researching for Harry about Voldemort.
"Fuck!" Hermione stood up, realisation dawning on her.
If she were right, the man and his Niffler were a lot more dangerous to the public than a tricky Pyro Jinx.
Melody walked into Fleur's office at the commotion.
"Hermione," Melody smirked, "Back again?"
"I was looking for Fleur," Hermione said distractedly, her eyes still glued to the report in front of her.
"Fleur?" Melody replied, "She headed off to finish off the Niffler case a half hour ago."
"She went to the house alone?" Hermione asked, her mouth going dry.
"Quite upset, too," Melody commented.
A distracted Fleur with her guard down? Heading alone to see a man afflicted by a dangerous Dark Hex?
"Fuck," Hermione swore for a third time.