This is to counter my rather 'angsty' one-shot in the other collection; so by majority vote and to appease my friend, some light hearted fluff. Enjoy!
Take My Hand
It was a stormy night when the Granger's moved into their new home. Heavy rain pounded the roof as lightning periodically flashed across the sky. For storms it was a thunder filled catastrophe but that did little to hinder the high spirits of the young wedded couple. It was confirmed that morning by three tests; Amelia Granger was pregnant!
High school sweethearts that refused to part despite their parents' protests and took the first chance they could to run away together. Eric's inheritance from deceased relatives and the encouragement from an aging grandfather had them on the move for a week before the young man bought property on a whim.
Together, happily married at twenty three years of age and expecting their first child.
The home was no castle; it was not considered anything picturesque or modern but it was on prime land and the street had a good reputation. Eric figured it was fixable. Something to keep them focused before the baby came in a few months.
The neighbours were more than friendly; they were warm and welcoming into the area. An invite to dinner came; partly due to curiosity but mostly because they were just naturally kind people. Eric would jokingly blame it on them being 'French foreigners'. They took it in good humour.
The Delacour's were a very 'well to do' family; certainly on the upper scale to whatever the Grangers would hope to achieve but they thankfully never flaunted it. Their home was a comfortable modern abode; and they took pride in themselves and were more than happy to share what they had with the young couple.
The first of which was sound advice. As they had moved far from their respective families, Amelia felt overwhelmed; she had given up her job and lifestyle for love and with a baby on the way, it felt like she was drowning in a bottomless ocean.
Apolline took her hand in reassurance. As a mother to a two year old, she was able to coach the young woman through her minor breakdown and get focused on what she wanted. It helped that her darling girl was a very clingy toddler and wanted to play with Amelia more and more every time she came over.
Eric needed help in finding work; anything that would get his family off the ground as soon as possible. Raphaël Delacour thumped the man's shoulder with a hearty chuckle. He thought the eager young father-to-be was energetic and stubborn; it's what made him like Eric almost immediately. Raphaël quickly introduced the man to André, his father, with an offer of employment.
André's business was a small postal service; they did everything from shipping letters to personal goods. With a warning of endless office hours upon manual labour, Eric took it without question. André was patient enough to show Eric the ropes then left him to handle it. He proved to hold a sharp mind and even took the lead on many group efforts when it came to large load manoeuvring and deliveries. While he was by far the youngest employee to join the workforce, the other workers respected his efforts and eventually welcomed him. André, a man of few words found he'd had no better employee.
As her husband worked, Amelia unpacked what little they brought along. She kept herself busy with any small task, from kitchen chores to clearing the backyard of weeds. It was a spacious area, once she removed the scattered shrubbery, Amelia figured they could put up a small house out there for their child to play in and maybe a veggie garden too.
Months passed one by one. Every day Eric had off, he'd be at home with work supplies tearing down rotten wood and fixing up a wall or crack. André had given him the keys to one of their older delivery vans with little else but 'return it when done'.
The first room they finished was the nursery; forgoing the stereotypical gender colours, the couple agreed it would be their child's room until they left home. A softer green was painted over the walls with a few feature images in a high corner or two. It was timely too because not three days later, Amelia was at the hospital ready to give birth. With Eric by her side and the Delacour's waiting for any news, the baby Granger came into the world with a high pitched scream and a squished pink face. The proud father introduced his new-born to the family.
"Meet Hermione Jean Granger."
"Hermione! Put that down! It's lunch time, come eat your food!" Amelia wasn't a mother who needed to raise her voice… at least not often but there was a time or two when the young child wouldn't listen and a stubborn streak came about that neither parent expected. Thankfully they had their own secret weapon for the runabout toddler.
"I got her Mrs. Granger!" A five year old Fleur was not a step away and wrapped her arms around the brunette's waist to use what strength she had to hoist the girl off her feet. The squeals of laughter echoed all the way to the kitchen where Amelia had set the girls up for lunch and by their arrival she too grinned widely. Play dates were a thing even before her daughter was born. The blonde girl never fully understood the growing belly nor the sudden arrival of a baby but Fleur was a very curious child, an eager learner and like her mother, a willing helper. And even if she couldn't do more than awkwardly carry the toddler around the middle then at least she got Hermione into the kitchen.
"Thank you Fleur. Would you like some apple juice? Or I have orange." As the woman carefully lifted her child into the set high chair, the blonde girl made herself comfortable in the adjacent seat without complaint. A grin adorned her features at the offered drink.
"Apple, please. Thank you." Fleur replied.
"You are quite welcome. There you are. A full plate for you and a small one for Hermione." Amelia gently placed both dishes down before the children in route to the fridge. It was one of the rare days she had off from her job and happily babysat the girls.
Normally they would go to the nearby park or a short shopping trip in the downtown area but Amelia felt like sticking around the house that day and neither of the girls cared either way. They were entertained by blocks and cartoonish shows on the television.
Apolline would tend to show up in the afternoon to collect Fleur only to sit down for a cup of tea and another few hours of socialising, by which time Hermione would be asleep and the blonde was exhausted enough to go home.
One thing both mothers realised quickly, was the situation of separating their daughters. Fleur may have an easy three years on the young brunette but that didn't stop the two from enjoying endless hours playing games or reading the picture books Fleur owned. Children's movies never held their attention for long but Amelia found that crayons and crafting did amazingly. Hermione's scribbles made the fridge door brighter but it was the young blonde girl who discovered an artistic side.
Whenever the girls went outside or wandered the house, Fleur held Hermione's hand in a leadership role. Both patient and caringly.
It wasn't long until Hermione was growing from an energetic little toddler to a quiet young girl; full of life and curiosity. Her will to learn from those around her bordered on obsessive. She'd long abandoned her simplistic toys for more challenging puzzles and even novel like books; though Amelia could blame it on a well-known neighbour and a higher reading age.
Every time Eric returned home from work, Hermione would race out the door to meet him, hug at the ready. As the brown eyed girl hung from his frame the man would then scoop up an observing Fleur; an easy target. It would result in the three out on the front lawn until Amelia was sure someone would call the police for all the screaming.
When both her parents had to work, Hermione was left in the safe hands of Apolline or her mother, Sylvie if the former had her own work to focus on. Hermione told Fleur how lucky she was to have a mum who worked from home or a grandparent so willing to look after her but Fleur just shrugged it off.
"They look after you too, so I'm not lucky. We are." She always said it with a grin and Hermione never thought twice on it. They had better things to do.
When a baby sister came into the Delacour family, the girls had even more to celebrate about; a cute little baby was around to entertain and read their books to. They would play with her (under careful supervision) and sing her songs before nap time. Gabrielle was almost as attached to Hermione as her older sister; though her primary intention was to grab hair more than hands.
There were sad days too.
Fleur had school to attend while Hermione was too young. The brunette sulked for most of the time they were apart too. Each morning, with books packed and lunch made, the blonde girl took Hermione's hand and led the walk to school. Sometimes little Gabrielle would come for the short stroll in her carrier. It wasn't more than a few blocks and with Hermione there it didn't feel so bad going every day for the next several hours.
Whenever she had to let go however, it was a heartbreak. Sylvie would gently pat Hermione on the head and wave until they could no longer see the young blonde in the crowd of students. She never thought it fair, but there wasn't anything she could do until school finished and Fleur returned home. She and Gabrielle had to entertain themselves.
It would never fail to warm the mothers' hearts as every afternoon around three, the duo would be walking hand in hand back up the street; smiling, laughing and just being silly together. What few hours of separation did was easily erased by a single afternoon of playtime. They'd keep their energetic vibrancy even when called in for dinner later that evening. Bedtime still was a hardened feat.
"You have everything with you?" Amelia asked, her eyes on her daughter. The brunette nodded determined, hands clasped the book bag as tightly as possible.
"Yes. I have my books and pencil. I have the lunch mummy made for me too." Hermione was proud of herself for having everything set the night before; the day was a big one!
"Alright if you have everything, then we can go."
"Yay!" She all but raced out the door and down the footpath to the next house over while her mother locked up behind her. Hermione's eyes gleamed at seeing her partner in crime already standing on the sidewalk, bag on and sporting a new hairstyle. Fleur was always doing things with her hair and it made Hermione both in awe and jealous. Her wavy locks weren't very cooperative at the best of times. "Fleur!"
"Morning Mione." She happily accepted the overly enthusiastic hug, returning it in kind before she greeted Amelia. "Good morning."
"And to you Fleur. I hope you've finished all your summer homework." The tease was light hearted but Fleur still turned away with a minor blush. Just because she got distracted by playing with Hermione…
"Let's go! Let's go!" The girl in question was already latched onto her hand and tugged Fleur along the path eagerly. It was her first day!
"Hermione! Don't pull her." The stern reprimand was enough to have Hermione walking at a normal pace again but the fidgeting continued; if only under the blue eyed girl's senses. They'd waited a long time before they could walk to school together; like they always did but now instead of having to say goodbye to her best friend at the gate, Hermione would be saying bye to her mother!
It took more of Amelia holding herself back than Hermione being clingy. While Fleur stood silently as the duo eventually parted ways, the blonde took charge and gave a quick tour around the main building before handing Hermione off to her room teacher. She was certain to explain she'd come in time to collect the brunette for lunch break.
Hermione paid extra attention at the instruction before taking her seat in the far row. She was keen to learn everything; from what her teacher was like to the new friends she could make in the class. But no matter the level of excitement, Hermione couldn't break the mild loneliness at not having the older blonde beside her.
It fell in like clockwork. Fleur waited outside the brunette's classroom; patient, calm and smiling. Hermione would greet her happily with lunch in hand and follow wherever the blonde led. Sometimes they would eat their lunch in a classroom; one of the few Hermione hadn't yet seen. Or they would venture out into the massive playground area at the back of the school, sit beneath a tree and enjoy some quiet time.
It wouldn't be long before Fleur introduced her three closest friends; knowing that the brunette had yet to make her own, she was relieved to see that the lot all got along. It was like there was no age gap between them.
Hermione quickly became an outcast among her year group. While she did her schoolwork with eagerness, happily took part in activities and group projects with classmates, as soon as she was let free Hermione returned to the older girl group.
School was to become the duo's second favourite place; the first being home of course. Wherever they could be together playing games or reading books, solving puzzles and learning new pranks to pull on others. Fleur taught Hermione how to play chess and it had the group entertained on rainy school days. The younger girl seemed to be so much better than her blonde counterpart and it was the cause of much amusement.
Not much changed as they grew.
Even when Fleur changed schools, the makeshift group remained strong. The township had a split division of education so the high schoolers were in a different building nearly a block away.
Nonetheless, the Delacour sisters collected their brunette neighbour for the walk to school. Hermione was always sure to take Gabrielle to her classroom after they waved goodbye to the older blonde. She didn't know what was harder; saying goodbye to Fleur or Gabrielle's face when the bell tolled and she had to get to her own class.
An odd remark made Hermione pause and evaluate her life.
A freshman and already singled out as a Brainiac, Hermione didn't mind. It did allow for her teacher's trust and self-study sessions to be in the library but it was what a fellow classmate said that tilted the scale.
"Isn't she, like, a senior? Don't you think she just wants to hang around people her own age?"
It was some random boy; a passing moment that Hermione didn't need to reason as to why or how but the voice continued to resound in her head over and over again. As she sat there on the lunch table, surrounded by the same group of girls she'd grown up with, Hermione barely ate two mouthfuls of her sandwich while the contemplation continued internally.
"Mione? Are you alright?" Brown eyes looked up onto the concerned features of the blonde, Fleur had pulled herself out of the current conversation to check on the abnormally quiet girl.
"Do you…is my being here annoying…to you guys?" Hermione didn't intend to stop the conversation; voice soft enough so only Fleur would hear her but apparently not.
"No! Of course not."
"Who said that?!"
"It was that Bill kid again wasn't it?"
"Ignore them." Fleur said so sternly that she almost glared at the bewildered girl. Hermione didn't know how to react exactly. "The Mione I know doesn't think like that. Someone had to have put the question inside your little head." She tapped the brunette's temple lightly before pulling her in for a one armed hug. "You're not going anywhere. I say so."
"As do we." Christine, another blonde at the table grinned widely. The other two giggled at her enthusiasm but nodded nonetheless.
"You're that little sister we never had."
"But Fleur does have a sister." Hermione couldn't help but point out in humour.
"Yeah well, that's her. You're 'our' little sister so that's different!" The freshman only laughed as she was mildly tickled along her side before she was abruptly pulled away. Fleur looked defensive.
"She's my best friend! GO find your own!"
"Fleur's not sharing again!"
"No fair! I want Hermione too!"
The lunch hour was less about eating after that and more about who knew and loved the brunette more than the others. Fleur of course held that spot if anyone bothered to ask her opinion in the matter but Hermione was just relieved to be so loved at the time.
It became almost an echo soon after the conversation. If it wasn't directed at the blonde teen herself; it was one of her friends. Hermione seemed to be on her way to becoming a stigma and she wasn't so proud of it. She knew about her image of the nerdy freshman who believed herself more than what she was because of her friendship with the 'popular' troop. Heck, the teen wouldn't deny that fact for a second!
Tall, fair skinned beauties of high school, with long flowing hair, charming eyes and gleaming smiles. They were always so well dressed and polite to everyone they met. The senior girls inspired school cheer, excelled in academic work and with no clubs to attend; the teenagers kind of became the unofficial 'mascots' of the student body. Hermione was just the shadow that accompanied them. She'd be tolerated by the seniors, ignored by the juniors and sophomores but her fellow freshmen; Hermione was genuinely surprised that they avoided her.
Every day the girl would hang out with her best friend, be it at school or during the weekend; Hermione couldn't help but notice the vast differences between them. She was a shut in book lover; a nerd by all standards while Fleur was so much more. Maybe the murmurings of her classmates were right… maybe Hermione was weird. In any case, the brunette knew she shouldn't be inflicting her bad image onto the other girl.
"Ow!" Hermione's face scrunched up as the pain shot through her forehead. She tried to glare at the taller teenage girl who had just flicked her, but then it came as a shock when Fleur started to berate her.
"Whatever you're thinking; stop it. Now."
"I'm not 'thinking' anything." She immediately replied. Fleur didn't take notice however as she folded her arms.
"You're always thinking Mione. Sometimes too much and this is one of those times." Knowing she was correct but not willing to say so, Hermione kept her mouth shut. Her face however, soured and that was a giveaway. "They've been getting to you again haven't they?" She asked rhetorically, "Ignore them. Whatever they're saying, is wrong."
"But they have a point Fleur." The brunette all but mumbled while rubbing her arm in nervousness. "I mean, I'm just a boring, average nerd who hangs around and…" Fleur leaned in to force Hermione's mouth closed with but a finger on her lips.
"You're my nerd. And most certainly not boring or average. Who else can beat the pants of Christine within four moves of Chess? And who else is going to debate with me over the hundred year war and actually get their facts right?" That managed to get a meagre smile from the teen.
"Accurately, it's hundred and sixteen years but I see your point."
"Exactly. So I want all that useless information about rumours and pathetic teenage mumblings out of your beautiful brain; I need my best friend back." By the end of it, Fleur had taken Hermione's face between her hands and slowly squished her cheeks like Apolline used to do when they were young.
"Ok! OK! I give!" Hermione pulled free of the other girl's teasing hands and they both laughed whole-heartedly before they grasped hands once more.
When Fleur went off to college half a country away; Hermione cried. The goodbye was hard enough with crushing hugs and well wishes but standing there with Gabrielle as the small blue car disappeared; Hermione cracked and fell apart. It wasn't fair. She'd been with the blonde for her entire life until that point.
School wasn't the same. The brunette kept to her regular schedule; walked Gabrielle to and from school. Study in the library and plan homework sessions. But it became overwhelmingly apparent that Hermione had very few friends her own age. The older girls; Christine, Lauren and Sophia were gone. They'd graduated and headed out into the world for whatever path in life they had desired. Hermione smiled to herself knowing that at least two had gone off to the same city as Fleur but that wasn't reassuring.
The first weekend visit Hermione had at the college was outstanding! Everything was so large and intriguing; she got to see the lecture halls and science laboratories. Certainly her favourite was the three level library the college had but the best part of it all; the teen got to hold hands with Fleur once again. The softness of her warm skin, the strength in her slim delicate fingers and just knowing that it connected them like it used to. Together like it used to be.
Fleur didn't find much pleasure in showing off her dorm room however, much to Hermione's amusement. It was a simple style, barely half the size of her old one back home with fond memories but seeing as the facility had hundreds of students they needed to house; two to a dorm was best it would get. The brunette inspected every inch, from the work desk to the window and the view outside of the courtyard. She could easily envision her own life there. Each morning would be unique and yet rhythmic having to get up and ready for whatever lesson started the day before likely dashing across campus to their next. What a life… and with Fleur!
"Come on Hermione! It's time to go!"
The goodbyes were never easy and the feeling of dread sat in her gut for the many hours long journey it took to get home again. It caused the girl more confusion than pain sometimes. The girl then tried to distract herself with homework or study; more and more reading material she didn't need just to keep her mind off it. Her teachers surely appreciated the extra effort but her parents started to notice something was up.
In late February, a thunderstorm had rolled in when Eric noticed Hermione when she wandered in drenched and headed into the kitchen to make a snack. He cornered the girl. They had a close father-daughter relationship and the man hoped, whatever was bothering his little girl, she'd tell him about.
"How was school?"
"It was alright; I got my A on the science project. The teacher said it was the best she'd ever seen." Hermione lathered on her favourite spread, keen to have a flavoursome sandwich.
"Excellent! Though that extra '+' would've been great. Can't tell with teachers these days. Some go the extra mile and others…" He went on but seeing as the brunette wasn't continuing the conversation, Eric made himself comfortable at the table. "Is there something you want to talk about?"
"No." Hermione replied without looking back, her only hesitance revealed when she went to close the lid on the jar before she put it away. A brow was raised at his only child.
"So it's ok you only got an 'A'..?"
"Of course." Hmm maybe something else then…
"You want fish tonight?" He tried again, there was something still unspoken.
"Sure." Eric bit his lip; damn. He hated fish. Why did he say that? Subject change!
"So, you talked to Fleur recently? I heard she's…" The man paused abruptly at the sounds of clattering utensils as the brunette tried frantically to collect herself and the small mess she'd just made on the countertop. "…doing well in coursework. The first lot of mock midterms are coming up and she's studying hard." By the end, Eric was grinning like a Cheshire cat.
"That's great… yeah she was always good at exam time… always on it…" Hermione didn't notice her voice sputtering out but her companion sure did. While the girl simmered in her emotions, the father stood up and leaned against the countertop.
"Something you want to share, pumpkin? Maybe something about our dear neighbour?"
"NO! Why would you think..?" Hermione's face felt hot and she quickly picked up her snack and tried to leave the suddenly too small space; more accurately, she tried to escape her dad.
"So you don't miss her or anything?" He continued despite the backlash.
"Of course I miss her! I hate that she's so far away…" Hermione looked away, her anger turning to sadness as the twisted feeling in her gut returned full force. "Halfway across the country and I'm stuck here and she's…" Her words were becoming mumbled sentences that certainly made no sense to anyone but the speaker. "She's so smart and… likely get the valedictorian seat easy… 'course who wouldn't be able to… I'd aim for that class myself but Fleur just… how can she do all that? How dad?" Big brown orbs looked on pleadingly towards her father, needing some affirmation to her thoughts or some answer she couldn't figure out herself. Eric just stood there, arms folded and smiling softly.
"As a nerd, you mean?" Eric barely contained the laughter bubbling inside as instantly his girl came to the blonde's defence and was adamant Fleur was NOT like that at all. She was a being of natural intellect and poise; someone who didn't need to spend hours studying to do well in anything she did! Her words, not his.
"…and she's so sweet. Always helping others when they can't figure it out. I mean she was patient enough when I couldn't figure out the equation for the sixth time! Physics is never easy…" Hermione grumbled her last sentence to her father's amusement.
"I'll agree with that. Your old man's no scientist but she is a great tutor."
"Ugh, Fleur's just good at everything! Why is she so amazing? I don't get it! Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE in school has the hots for her and they're all idiots! The number of times she got hit on last year alone was ridiculous; not to mention annoying! We're just minding our own business and poof! Someone else shows up out of nowhere!" Hermione started ranting and wasn't inclined to stop. Her father just stood there silently waiting as the teenager went from one topic to the next. All circling one specific blonde.
"Everyone huh..?" Eric knew his words weren't getting through but it was fun to say them. It was disheartening to see his girl then deflate and pause in her erratic movements. Head bowed and voice dreary.
"Now she's gone and I don't get to see her anymore. I miss her. I miss her so much dad…"
Eric gathered up his sixteen year old like Hermione was a toddler again. His big frame easily encompassed hers but he was ever the gentle giant. The warmth and security any father would bestow his children in their time of need; only Hermione wasn't sure she needed it yet.
"We miss her too, pumpkin. Fleur's always a lovely sight to have around here… but it's nicer when you're both together." He said in a mildly cunning way, getting just a peep out of the brunette. "I mean…you did say 'everyone' had the hots for her in school…" Well that certainly caused Hermione's face to blow up in a shade of red that would normally have been an alarming colour; Eric went into a hysterical fit of laughter at his daughter's expense and felt no shame for it.
"Daddy!" Hermione in her embarrassment started pummelling her fists into his body; starting wherever she could reach then going for his arms and torso.
"So my little girl is in love?" He said almost gleefully. The man wasn't shy about showing emotions, especially as he was outnumbered in their household. Hermione just glared at him continuously while trying to sort out her mental justification.
"Well I mean…I don't…ah…" She jumbled over her words, going between thinking of possibilities and previous moments spent with the blonde. Suddenly all of those precious memories looked very different in another light. "Maybe..? I don't know!"
Eric hadn't seen his daughter so confused since he and his wife had to talk about puberty; that was one conversation Eric truly wished to have been absent. Then again, he had to accept his little girl wasn't a baby anymore and she would get out into the world and eventually find love. Just like he did.
"It's ok Hermione." He spoke softly, gently stroking her hair. "It's not easy understanding these feelings and before you ask— no, your mother and I don't care if you like girls over boys, or boys more than girls or whatever else people identify themselves as these days." Eric finished exasperatedly which caused her to giggle. "We love you as you are and if that means we'll be seeing Fleur in a whole new light… Well, I still reserve the right to give her the 'Father talk'. Promise?"
"Daddy… I don't know if she'll say yes or…" The two locked eyes, identical shades of warm brown staring into each other openly.
"She'd be an idiot if she said no. It's not every day someone special earns the affections of my little girl. Besides, you have good tastes; just like your old man!" Hermione burst out laughing at that and went back to hitting her father playfully at his terrible jokes and cheesy grin.
To an aware parent like Amelia; it was no surprise. She was amused by her husband's excitement at the crush but she knew years before; it was inevitable. One thing to worry over, was Fleur's current attendance a good few hours away and Hermione wasn't a senior; the distance alone was troubling for any budding relationship but would the confession of a younger 'immature' girl mean anything to a college student?
Hermione was focused on her future. She had looked into her grades and was gleeful to hear her teachers confirm her suspicions. An early graduation was possible! After an evening discussion with her parents and perhaps a little extra work, the teen wouldn't need to attend her senior year. Eric knew there was more to it. It didn't take a genius to see Hermione's decreased interest in social events and sole focus in the extra credit classes; her sight set on a goal firmly in mind.
Hermione was excited. While her parents were open to the idea, as were the educational staff, they were all disheartened at the lack of considered options. It was agreed that Hermione had to finish the current term; no shortcuts and the principle was all for the advancement and set a few teachers to give the girl after school tutoring three times a week.
Besides the extra hours, nothing felt different to the teenager yet. College was a big thing and while Hermione always planned to go onto further educational study… it didn't come with the same excitement as she expected.
The emotional rollercoaster focused solely on Fleur.
When the blonde returned for the summer break, Fleur was suspicious. There were the familiar hugs, her own bed and of course spending time with her two favourite girls in the world, Hermione and Gabrielle, but there was something that wasn't being said.
The brunette was never good at keeping things to herself. She lasted ten minutes before she blurted it out. Fleur stood there dumbstruck for a solid minute; Hermione feared she'd done something wrong before the blonde tackled her in an overexcited hug. They were going to college together!
Summertime came and went.
Tears and lengthy hugs were for parents and a heartbroken Gabrielle who was to be left on her own. The poor girl was in hysterics. It took a whole afternoon to calm her down. In the end the college girls went off to start the semester.
They arrived on campus and got through the entry process fairly quickly; the shocker came with the dorm assignments. The girls were housed together! Fleur had gone through the registration office and managed to get them a two bedroom with a window that faced the open park. It was spacious, quiet and perfect.
The blonde took the first year by the hand and practically dragged her through the grounds. Fleur was insistent that Hermione knew where she had to go for lectures, where the labs were located and of course, the best seating spot inside the library so studying wouldn't be rudely interrupted. Hermione almost set herself up for a study nook but figured that would undermine Fleur's original idea; she could always do so later.
Over the next two days, the blonde introduced her college friends. An odd bunch of adults who seemed highly social with an undertone of nerdiness. Hermione believed the welcomed persona was for Fleur, but when the group readily invited her along, she couldn't deny that they were somewhat cool. Age didn't bother them and the way the best friends practically clung to each other was 'adorable'. Fleur's natural habit to take the younger girl's hand seemed to put her higher on their teasing scale.
Hermione soon made friends in her own lectures too.
It took a while. Hermione sat a few rows from the front, just to the left of the professor's central view. Strategically closer to the entrance and a location very few students chose to sit near; being a younger student, Hermione thought she may seem a nuisance or an egotistical addition to college life. The thought shattered however when a handful of her classmates happily introduced themselves one afternoon.
They admitted to being curious about her and concluded Hermione had to be a genius! Unlike the immature classmates of her previous school, the brunette really liked the friends she began to make at college.
Fleur was thrilled to see her best friend settle into routine but old habits were hard to break. Hermione took her studies seriously; almost too much so. While the blonde knew both their families expected the older and therefore wiser student to be Hermione's role model through their college years, there was more to just classes and grades. At least in Fleur's book.
Her first attempt to get the workaholic out on a Saturday night didn't end effectively; Hermione had laughed her off and returned to the open textbooks. Fleur was stubborn however and came up with a plan, something that was sure to work both logically and physically.
The blonde gave it some time; enough for Hermione to settle in with their friend group, so when she practically dragged the girl along to a house party a block from campus, Hermione had no excuse to ditch.
Homework for the week was completed three days ago. All cleaning, laundry, and acquisition of snacks and other assortments of homey goods was sorted too. It was a long weekend and the pair had no other plans. Fleur also discovered that a few of Hermione's classmates would be there too. The brunette had no alternative.
It turned out to be a perfect night. Neither drank any alcohol for legal, moral and personal reasons, and Fleur stuck to Hermione's side like they'd been superglued at the hip and the freshman loved every second. She was dragged onto her feet for a few dance songs, they messed around in the kitchen with some of the childish guys they'd arrived with before they settled into a corner; a very heated debate with some senior students over an eighty year old law that was never removed officially followed soon after.
No one really believed Hermione would willingly attend any party for her first semester at college but after that night, her new friends started to see a new side of her. One girl went so far to question the relationship the brunette had with the third year student.
"So Hermione, that chick your girlfriend right?" The unexpected question caught the studying freshman unaware and nearly scratched a hole through the paper she had been working on. Wide eyed and stunned, she replied with a bewildered, "What?!"
But the redness of her cheeks was building too fast. Her two other study mates caught on quickly.
"Oh look at her blush!"
"You like her don't you?"
"Leave me alone." Hermione tried to shoo them away with a pathetic excuse for a flail but it did little to deter the clearly intrigued college students. When the group dropped her off to an awaiting Fleur, their continued teasing nature caused the brunette to seek comfort in the older girl's arms. The blonde found this both adorable and rewarding; all too happy to cuddle her.
When they asked Fleur the same question however, she gave neither a confirmation nor a denial.
All perfect college life had to come to an end and eventually the first of many snags reared its ugly head. Examinations. Hermione's first bout of challenging questions, papers and assignments. At first her constant studies and hard work had got her through most of it but as days passed and the load started to build up; her friends and Fleur noticed the stress almost immediately.
They each had their troubles but for the teenager; it looked almost painful.
When the brunette's fellow college mates first tried to engage with her they were met with an explosive ball of stress and anxiety. It was so bad that Fleur was all but abandoned in the second attempt to talk with Hermione one evening.
The teen had skipped dinner. She'd locked herself in the dorm room and seemed to block out the rest of the world to focus only on her textbooks. Piles and piles of books. Even the blonde's voice couldn't break the bookworm's concentration and eventually Fleur forgoed any further efforts; she left the young student to drown herself.
Ultimately Hermione had a breaking point.
A science exam Hermione had to attend that morning was followed by a long night of intense revision. She was so stretched thin that the poor girl couldn't take it any longer. When Fleur walked in on Hermione as she paced back and forth, her hair a mess and incoherent mumbles streamed from her mouth, the brunette took one look at her best friend's shocked face and all but lashed out at the blonde. With months of pent up emotions that finally broke the dam there was no stopping her. The confession was messy, misconstrued and could barely be taken as affectionate with the amount of force Hermione placed in her words.
Fleur was taken aback but she had no ounce of surprise in her reaction.
"I know." Fleur replied.
"You… how? Since when?" In her horrified state, the brunette thought her brain would finally shut up and she'd be able to leave this conversation with some dignity but apparently, it still had more to say.
"For a while. It doesn't take a genius to figure it out; our classmates have mentioned it a time or two."
"More relentless teasing than anything else…" Hermione grumbled again but the tension had eased from her body. A sense of weightlessness came with honesty and even if she didn't mean to, her mishap had helped. Her eyes stuck to her hands. "Just cause they don't understand it's our thing."
"You're right; it is our 'thing' and we haven't exactly dropped it since kindergarten 'Mione. To some it's rather childish to hold hands unless you're dating." Fleur settled into her relaxed position. Unlike Hermione who was still rather stiff, she had nothing to fear in their situation. Her words seemed to have caused the brunette to turn inwards a little more.
"So you think it's childish, to hold hands, I mean?" Hermione found her voice after a solid minute of silence and clutched her hands firmly to ground her resolution; she was intent on saying what needed to be said. "I'm not a kid anymore; I'm grown up and we're both here now. I may be younger but I don't hold your hand cause I'm scared to let go. I do it because I…"
"I was." Fleur rested her head on a bent knee as she watched her best friend and lifelong neighbour build up her courage to confess properly. It was endearing but also disheartening for it proved that Fleur had no bravery of her own. "I'm afraid that if I do let go of you again, I'll lose you."
"That's not going to happen Fleur."
"It could've." She sighed. "I was scared that leaving would change everything. I missed you so much and couldn't bring myself to say anything. When I learnt how you felt… I'll admit, it was reassuring. At least I could rely on your stubbornness for that." Fleur gave a shy smile. "But I'm a coward. I couldn't say it back; every time someone made a comment or asked me to my face… I just smiled and moved on. Saying the words were too hard. Holding your hand is easier."
"And for the longest time, I thought I was the child…" Hermione giggled softly at the older girl's pitiful attempt at a pout. "But… if it'll make things easier." The brunette shifted forward so she was sitting on the edge and held out her hand, palm up. "Will you still hold hands with me?"
"It might." Fleur said as she too reached forward, her fingers splayed and eyes softened with a shimmer of unshed tears. "Just let me ask the next time, ok?"
The bell tolled again and again; soothing echoes of the grand chapel tower cascaded over the streets and growing crowd. A crisp breeze cooled the awaiting witnesses under the midday sunshine while the last two occupants of the church took their time. Lost in the moment held between only them.
Their hands clasped tightly, a shimmering gleam of a wedding band adorned the finger of one young lady alongside the gemmed engagement ring. For once, Hermione's mind was blank. After years of being friends, months of dating and one fateful night where the blonde finally built up the courage to get down on one knee… the couple held the ceremony before all their friends and family. Eric especially, was blubbering like a young child.
"I'm so happy to be your wife Fleur." Hermione spoke with tears welled in her eyes. A gentle caress wiped what fell followed by a slow but deep kiss to her glossed lips. Fleur's brilliant blue eyes traced over every inch of her love's face; reading the joy, excitement and perhaps a smidge of trepidation the brunette tried to keep hidden.
"I'm happy too, Mrs Delacour." She smiled. "Ready to get out of here?"
"With you? Always." Hermione clutched her bouquet tightly and with the other hand firmly linked with her new spouse, the two walked back down the aisle.
Another rather longer than intended oneshot for you all. Let me know what you think.
Fav's / Follow's / Reviews always welcome.
Midmoon Kitsune out!