Thanks so much for the favorites, follows and comments! This has been a lot of fun to write! I am trying to keep them in character as much as I can, which is why I don't particularly care for Ron. I just didn't think he ever treated Hermione well or would be a good match for her. I know he's a regular guy and the stress they were under would crack anyone – which is why he's not outright evil in this – just misguided and still using Hermione. I think he's redeemable – just after a good dose of reality and not as a romantic interest for Hermione. I don't really feel like either of them are a good match for each other. You know who I think is a good match for each other? You guessed it (or read the description)… Fleurmione! More on my opinions on that in future chapters but I'd be happy to hear your input!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything in the Harry Potter universe and am not making any money off this fic.
"Non."
"Babe, please at least listen to me! After 5 years, don't you think I deserve that much?"
"After 5 years? 5 years of what? I was your beard, you were my visa. We agreed we would stay together 5 years, no children, and then say our lives were headed in different directions and we were amicably splitting. You have no right to ask anything else from me."
Bill flinched a little bit at hearing the terms of their arrangement so bluntly, but things had changed. "What am I supposed to do? It's my brother's campaign! I can't be the one that speaks out against it or doesn't comply. There's a lot of pressure on me as the oldest Weasley to continue the line without this ruddy proposal."
If he thought he was going to get any sympathy from Fleur, he was mistaken. After having sat through two hours of arguing where the Weasleys made it very clear there was no acceptable alternative to throwing their full support behind Ronald, Fleur was even more done with this arrangement than ever before. She's been treated awfully this whole time by the female Weasleys, and even Hermione in the past, and she's put up with it. But being told in no uncertain terms that they will be disinherited and shunned if they don't start "setting the right example" and "demonstrating wholehearted support" really just tipped over the boiling pot.
"I don't care what you do William. You are young and attractive enough to find another woman willing to have your child. Or you could actually talk to Ronald and tell him how problematic his harebrained scheme of running for Minister is for you. You don't even have to come out! Just tell him you are happy for him and his brood but you and I are splitting so you will not be able to follow along."
"It's not that easy Fleur! I can't just 'find another woman'. I could hardly even kiss you after we got married. Anyone else will have expectations outside of just procreating and I can't live up to them. You knew right away what I was about and didn't even batt an eyelash. What are you going to do anyways? It's not like you can avoid everything either. You're stuck in the same boat as I am."
"My boat, if you will, has sails called France – my own home and family who I left behind for your sake for the last 5 years. I am done in England. I fought in the war, lived out the fantasy perfect marriage for 5 years to escape judgment and now I plan to stay just long enough to wrap up my life here and finalize our divorce. And just long enough to vote for whoever is running against your brother!"
"You can't be serious! Ignatius Thromball is an idiot only running because his family has money and he wants the title. He has no plans and no experience or ability! You can't actually think Ron is a worse alternative. And he's family."
"Ronald may be your family, but he's not mine. And I believe you can still have a good relationship with your brother without outright supporting him. He has no more experience in politics than Thromball. Even worse, we know he has an explosive temper at times and runs away when everything gets to be too much. And I bet he's only running to get out of Harry's shadow and get some of his own attention."
Bill shook his head, scoffing. "You seem to be willing to give everyone the benefit of the doubt except for Ron. He's matured in the last few years."
Fleur tried hard not to roll her eyes at this. "Only because he got Meredith pregnant. Yes, of course he's matured some, but it's not her he stays with when they fight or Fabian cries too much. It's us. And anyway, his maturity and ability to do the job isn't my only concern. What about his new tax law? How can just justify taxing individuals so much they have no choice but to comply. That's not any better than just forcing them into subjugation."
"I feel like I don't know who you are anymore. How can you even compare the two? How dare you suggest an old ineffective imbecile would do a better job than my brother?" Fleur could see Bill's face start to turn red and knew she should tone the argument down but she was riled up.
"Is an 'old ineffective imbecile' worse than a tyrant actively working to take away our rights? He'll say he's doing this to avoid having to take away rights to respond to the threat, but this path doesn't offer any more freedom. Who can live on 10% of their income? Not you or I, as we both know."
Needless to say, William did not take kindly to her calling his brother a tyrant and stormed out of the room. Fleur moved into the kitchen to make a soothing cup of tea, jinxing a few of Bill's favorite mugs while she waited. If he only gets under-steeped tea or the grim in the bottom of his cup, all the better. The most unsettling thing for her in this whole ordeal, that she was definitely not willing to talk to William about, was how Ronald had hoodwinked Hermione into writing that awful proposal. Of course it had been doctored up quite a bit, but Fleur and Hermione had been exchanging letters regularly since the war and Fleur would recognize her writing style and argument building anywhere. Fleur hadn't had the chance to meet up with Hermione more than a handful of times because Bill had been upset that Hermione had broken his brother's heart right after their brother died, and he got angry any time Hermione was mentioned. Before she could let the indignation rise too much in her chest, she reminded herself that she was going to divorce William Weasley. Fleur was a free woman now(ish), so she was taking back her life.
My Dearest Hermione,
It has been much too long since we last met but I have missed you tenderly. I fear it is my fault we have not been in regular communication, but I am taking back the reins of my life and the first thing I wish to do is rekindle our friendship. I so enjoy our conversations and debates and shall miss you tremendously when I return to France. Are you available for dinner Friday night at 7? Perhaps at the ramen place on Piccadilly Square?
With kind regards,
Fleur
Hermione looked up from her book at the sound of a sharp tapping at her window. She recognized Fleur's owl and let it in, offering a treat before removing the letter. While short, it was no less informative to someone who knew the French girl. During the trio's stay at Shell Cottage, Hermione had the chance to talk to Fleur and apologize profusely for her immature treatment of her. It had taken quite a bit longer than she was willing to admit to realize the reason she was so awful to Fleur wasn't because she didn't like her, but rather she liked her a little too much and didn't understand that about herself (not that she mentioned any of that to the blond). Fleur was gracious and understanding, having been the target of cruel bullies because of her heritage many times over the years. Instead of making Hermione feel better, that only made her feel worse. After clearing the air, they found they had a great deal in common and enjoyed arguing the finer points of charms, transfiguration, literature, or anything else that really struck their fancy. Fleur taught Hermione about curse breaking and differences between English and French spellcasting, and Hermione provided several classic muggle books out of her bag to lend Fleur. This was the foundation of their friendship, and it was one she held very close to her heart. She felt a bit gutted when Fleur told her they would need to meet less often because Bill threw such a fit when he found out they were writing and getting together. She understood the reason of course, but it hurt.
Reading between the lines of the letter, Hermione was not terribly surprised to hear Fleur would be getting divorced and heading back to France. Not wanting to miss this opportunity, she quickly turned the sheet over and wrote Yes.