Obviously, all their problems were not solved with a single conversation. They talked more after Diana meddled. Fleur was surprised at how well Hermione was handling the matter. She expected more anger, disappointment, or hurt. Not that Hermione didn't feel any pain. The girl was hurt for sure.
The thing is Hermione loves logic.
In the three days after Fleur's big confession, Hermione had plenty of time to think for herself and to process her feelings. And the smart witch wanted to understand the blonde side of the story before drawing any definitive conclusions. The girl still hasn't managed to merge the image of the two identities into one. There were many unanswered questions. That's why she didn't mind being locked in the class. This was an opportunity.
Hermione loves logic. And people cannot separate logic from emotions. No, seriously they can't. It is neurologically impossible. It sounds like a paradoxical concept, but why does rationality have to be separated from the heart? They are not two distinct entities fighting to coexist. They are a linked part of an individual. Then, Hermione has to listen to her explanation so she could be able to understand the girl's heart.
Seeing the pain in those blue eyes, the fear of rejection, the desperation for a true connection. She did not deny her pain, only that the desire to connect with Fleur was greater. That's why she forgave her. They agreed in absolute honesty from then on. Even if a difficult question arises they would talk and deal with it. Together.
"I have a question for you." Hermione announced while the two were cuddling in Fleur's room on the Beauxbatons carriage.
Fleur slowly lifted her head from the comfort of Hermione's chest to look at the other girl's eyes.
"Say it mon Coeur."
"There will be a Hogsmeade visit this weekend."
"This is not a question mon ange."
"Shh, I'm getting there." The brunette let her fingers run through Fleur's hair as she continued "Fleur Isabelle Delacour do you want to go on a date in Homsmeag with me?"
"I would love nothing more." Said while snuggling more on her lover embrace.
Interestingly, being the bold person who invites the other to date doesn't stop them from freaking out.
"Ginny I have nothing to wear!" Hermione was in all her 15-year-old glory having a breakdown.
"Of course you have." The redhead rolled her eyes "I strongly suggest the fifth outfit you threw in that pile on the left." She was forced to specify which one of the four piles of clothes on the floor. They study in a boarding school how the hell Hermione has so many clothes "I'm really happy that you guys solved everything. We need more queer couples at this school." a thought occurred to Ginny "Have you and Fleur discussed how open you guys will be about your relationship?"
"Yes, we had." Picking the fifth outfit from the pile as suggested she said "Fleur's family is mostly made up of veelas, they see sexuality differently, gender is not a problem at all for them so she is pretty ok with been public and she really enjoys romantic displays of affection." Hermione's cheeks became a bright pink as she said the last part.
"And you are ok with It too?"
"I never hide you know this." said as she straightened her pants "I came out to my family when I was thirteen" Hermione's Granny put a pride flag in the freezer door after that "You and Harry already know about Fleur so all the people I care about supporting me then I'm ok with been open and PDA in public."
"What about Ron?"
"Ron had been dense like a neutron star." She sighed "I should talk to him later."
"You are right, talk with him later because you have a french beauty waiting for you." The redhead took a look at Hermione's outfit "Man, Fleur won't even know what hit her when she looks at you."
"You really think I'm good? Maybe I should try again the…"
"You don't have time to doubt me, get out." She said that while kicking Hermione out of the room "I expect for details later."
The girl walked through the halls until she reached the castle gates stopping just a few steps away from what could only be described as a deity coming to Earth.
Fleur was wearing her glasses. She was standing at the gate, wearing an oversized sweater and a pom-pom hat-wearing her glasses. Hermione had to pinch herself to keep from passing out right there on the spot.
"Hey Fleur." a timid voice was all that managed to get out of her mouth.
A pair of blue eyes covered by thick lenses turned immediately towards her.
"Bonjour mon Coeur." Fleur said as she approached the young girl to take her hand for a light kiss. Never say a Delacour doesn't know how to treat their lady "You look absolutely stunning."
"You look cute, like really really cute, I didn't even know you had a pom-pom hat, this brings your cuteness to another level." Hermione momentarily worried that she hadn't given the proper answer but if the size of the blonde's smile indicated anything, was she had nail It. The young witch cleared her throat "Care to join me for a walk first milady?"
"You know I can't say no to that really really cute face of yours." said while squeezing the girl's hand.
They walked together down the road to the village side by side, their fingers always intertwined. Fleur was grinning happily only to be in the girl's presence.
"What have you planned for our romantic day out of the castle?"
"As this is our first date, I couldn't help but plan the most cliche date ever, first I will impress you with my skills in choosing quills and proving their qualities to the miss pens are more practical." Hermione got a slight nudge for that "Second we are going to Honeydukes and you're going to pretend you don't see me buying licorice mugs for later, third we will go to a cafe that I previously booked a table and finally a romantic walk through the main square where we will appreciate the licorice mugs that you didn't see me buy." She looked at Fleur for approval.
"And will I be able to do all of this with you by my side? Sounds like a perfect day."
The two went to the quills and parchment shop first. And as promised Hermione prepared a list to compare the two writing objects. Fleur rolled her eyes at this but a tiny smile still could be seen as she watched the younger girl animatedly speaking. She bought a nice hawk quill to give Hermione as a gift while the other witch was inspecting the ink selection.
They passed on Honeydukes not long after that. With Fleur doing the show of pretending not to see Hermione buying the licorice mugs. She even bought Diana some chocolate frogs as a thank you for locking me gift.
When they passed the door of the cafe it was already lunchtime. The two witches sat at a table near the window while deciding what to order from the menu.
"They have a great selection of sandwiches here." said Hermione while flipping through the pages.
"I think I'll order the turkey with sun-dried tomatoes and an espresso."
"Chicken sandwich with spinach and green tea for me."
Fleur said to the waitress their order and they have left again in their own world. As pleasant as this day was, there was something in the back of Hermione's mind that she needed to ask.
"Fleur, you know I like you right?"
"Well, I hope so, or else this would not be a good date."
"No, what I mean is you know I like you even without your glasses right?" She wanted to assure the girl that this was true. Sure glasses Fleur was the one that is Hermione's type but she wouldn't date someone just because of her appearance. The youngest girl loves Fleur because she is Fleur.
"I know this mon Coeur." She was grinning while brown eyes looked at her curiously "you made it very clear when you visited me in the carriage and scowled at almost all Beauxbatons students that even dared to think about giving us a second look." She loved her protective lion "But answering the unasked question I'm wearing them today simply because I don't want anyone to disturb this important day." Her thrall is annoying.
"I will let it pass this time by being our first date." In favor of open communication, she still had to add "I know this is your way to be more comfortable in public so I will never press you to act differently, my intention is just to make it clear I love Fleur, glasses or no glasses." as she spoke Hermione reached over the table to take the young veela hand in her own.
The blonde was playing with the other girl's fingers. Those little comfort gestures will never tire her. Years driving away anyone who approached her made the older witch touch starved. Now that she had her warm source she didn't want, she couldn't stop herself from approaching and being consumed by it. How Fleur was so lucky her brave lion loves her back with the same intensity she will never know.
"Maybe I also want to use them because I know you would drool when you saw me."
"You would use my weakness against me?" She was jokingly doing a betrayal expression.
"If it's to keep all your attention on me always."
Not that Hermione's mind. They finished lunch and went around walking in the central square of the village. While drinking butterbeer from the licorice mug the two witches could only think how perfect that first date had been.