Yay yay! Chapter 17! I finished it in one day! Yay! I hope you enjoy it, the twist, oh, the twist, it might disappoint some, but I thought it turned out alright.

Hermione stood transfixed in awe as Fleur's massive family home loomed over her. If it weren't for the many windows, she'd believe that it was possible to block out the sun. Fleur tugged on her hand gently, indicating that the front door was right in front of them. Hermione reached a hand forward to knock, but Fleur stopped her and placed it on the doorbell.
'Mother always thought ringing the doorbell was a better way to announce your arrival,' said Fleur simply.

Hermione furrowed her brow; she was going to have to be careful, if Fleur's mother ended up being nothing like what she had experienced the day before. The whole event still mystified Hermione to no end. Had it really been a dream, a strange and oddly joined dream? It couldn't have been. It's not possible for two people to dream the same dream. Fleur interrupted her thoughts by ringing the bell.

The sound of the bell shocked Hermione as the reverberations thrummed through her body. She felt her knees shake slightly; she gasped but was relieved when Fleur gripped her hand comfortingly.
' Ermione, I apologise, I am used to the deafening noise of my mother's pride,' she said with a sad smile.

Hermione shrugged, 'Ah, it doesn't matter. Um, just how long does the bell ring for anyway?'
Fleur cringed, 'Well, about 1 minute, so it should be over soon.'
The front door flew open, a man of great stature and importance reached out his arms to them, 'Fleur! Come to your father!'
Fleur gave Hermione a quick smile before she ran to the open arms of her father laughing out loud. Hermione grinned to herself; she definitely wasn't worried about proving herself to Mr Delacour. He was so happy and full of smiles.

He was the type of father to want all for his daughter, she could see that clearly.
She suddenly realised that Fleur and her father were gesturing for her to approach.
'Come! Let me take a look at my future daughter in law,' he boomed.

Hermione blushed furiously, but walked over, keeping herself nice and straight, 'How do you do sir? I am Hermione Granger.'
'Splendid! You are very polite and very pretty! Fleur, are you serious? Really, sure?' he seemed a bit over excited.

'Oui, Papa! Positively! 'Ermione is the only one for me! I love 'er with all my 'eart! But Papa, did Maman, visit us yesterday?' Fleur replied.

Mr Delacour gave her a funny look, 'Now, wouldn't you know if your Maman visited you?'
Hermione stepped closer, 'Well, sir. We believe she did visit, yet, we have no idea if it really was her, as well, Fleur did not expect her... ah, reaction?'
'Maman was pleasant the whole time, though she was a little embarrassing,' added Fleur, blushing.

Mr Delacour sent them a worried look, 'But isn't that a good thing? OH NO! Did she, did she... oh. Did she ask you about THAT?'
Fleur nodded her head, staring at the ground, 'Oui, Papa, she indeed did ask THAT.'
Mr Delacour, in all his grace whacked himself in the forehead, 'Ah, your Maman, a wonderful yet somewhat tactless woman. I love her dearly, but she believes in speaking her mind. I suppose that is part of the reason I married your Maman. She also has the most beautiful soul...'

Hermione suddenly realised something, 'Mr Delacour! You don't have an accent! Oh dear!'
She covered her mouth in embarrassment.
Mr Delacour laughed, 'Haha! Ah, I am not full French, only half. I spent much of my childhood travelling, so naturally, I was required to learn English. But please, call me by my first name, Alain.'
'Thank you,' said Hermione.

'Papa, shall we go inside?' suggested Fleur.

Alain clapped his hands, 'Oui, oui! We shall go and confront your Maman, now, hm?'
'Oui, we should,' agreed Fleur.

Hermione gasped silently as they made their way through the corridor to the living room. A giant chandelier graced the centre of the ceiling, sparkling glass reflecting various shapes and sizes of sunlight breaking through several of the massive windows. She was in awe of the various family portraits, including one breath taking vision of Fleur. The artist had captured the proud and enchanting qualities of Fleur; in her expression and in her stance. The artist had even been able to capture her aura; Hermione hadn't thought such a feat possible.

'Ah, I see you've naturally been entranced by Fleur's portrait,' commented Alain.

Hermione turned and grinned sheepishly at the father & daughter, 'It truly is... Fleur.'
'I agree! I paid a fortune and a fortune it definitely does breath the essence of my daughter! I would never trade it for anything,' agreed Alain, chuckling at Fleur's bright red face.

Fleur cleared her throat, 'Per'aps we can return another time? I would rather not stare at myself.'
Hermione laughed to herself and kissed Fleur quickly on the cheek before Alain had turned to look at them.
'Oui, on to the dining room, you must both stay for dinner! Gabrielle offered to cook tonight! And you know how she loves to splurge!' exclaimed Alain.

'But Papa! We are only 'ere to visit, not eat!' exclaimed Fleur.

Hermione took Fleur's hand, 'We'd be delighted, of course, only if Gabrielle is able to cater for two more at the table.'
Fleur sighed in surrender and shrugged, 'Alright. We shall stay.'
'Wonderful! Your mother will be pleased!' said Alain.

'You mean Maman knew we were coming! Papa! She DID come yesterday! Why didn't you just say so?' demanded Fleur.

Alain turned to face Fleur, 'And ruin the chance to see you, Fleur? Never! Come! Your Maman was expecting us a little while ago.'
'Papa! I can not believe you! 'Onestly!' huffed Fleur.

Alain just laughed and led them to the dining room, where indeed Gabrielle & Brielle Delacour were waiting.
'Quickly now! Before Gabrielle's wonderful cooking grows cold! You are late! Be seated!' commanded Brielle.

Fleur seated herself haughtily furthest from her mother. Hermione feigned ignorance had sat herself down beside her lover, but thoughtfully between her and her mother. Fleur kissed her on the cheek in appreciation, 'Thank you, mon amour.'
'Brielle, aren't you glad that your daughter and her girlfriend are here to visit you?' asked Alain.

Although she had been warm towards Hermione, right at this moment in time Brielle Delacour had the most frosty glare focussed at all occupants of the room, besides young Gabrielle. Gabrielle was busily serving up portions of her long stewed ox tail and combined pumpkin & potato roast.

Fleur inhaled the delicious scent and gave her mother a brief nod and smile, while Hermione gave her a very timid but sincere smile. For a tiny moment, Hermione swore that Brielle's expression softened, but not for long. She didn't reply, but simply gestured that they begin eating when Gabrielle had seated herself by her mother.

Alain was worried, he had thought that Brielle was truly for their daughter's happiness, but the ice queen facade was beginning to affect him also. Fleur seemed to be annoyed throughout the meal, yet able to compliment her sister's cooking with great honesty.
'Gabrielle, petite soeur, you 'ave done a marvellous job! The taste is absolutely delicious!' commented Fleur for the tenth time of the evening.

'Thank you, Fleur, I know, you've told me that at least an 'undred times now!' exclaimed Gabrielle, with a contented grin.

Their mother daintily patted her mouth clean with the napkin provided, but Hermione doubted that the exquisite woman had any reason to believe that she needed to. Brielle turned her head slightly and gazed at Hermione, who blushed and promptly dropped her gaze. Fleur noticed this, 'Maman! I would appreciate it if you did not try to frighten my lover!'

Hermione blushed furiously, but let out a small smile, a little shocked but immensely pleased.
Brielle kept quiet, but Alain could tell when his wife was in deep contemplation.
'I was not trying to scare your lover Fleur,' stated Brielle, giving no other reason.

'DESSERT!' exclaimed Gabrielle, announcing her entry into the dining room with a silver tray covered in mouth watering delicate pastries and a tub of ice cream.

Dessert was distributed and enjoyed by all. Alain sighed and patted his stomach. Brielle rolled her eyes at him in mock disgust, 'Stop acting like such a... stereotyped muggle man!'

Hermione laughed, Fleur joined her and soon was the whole family, save Brielle. Hermione's laughter died down and the silence became awkward.
Brielle's behaviour was deeply confusing poor Hermione. Did she want to be friendly or not?
'Alain, Fleur, Gabrielle, leave us,' commanded Brielle in a neutral tone, staring Hermione in the eye.

Fleur was about to object before her father stopped her, 'Have a little faith in your Maman and Hermione, hm?'
'But Papa... I ... Alright,' conceded Fleur.

Gabrielle squeezed Fleur's hand in support knowing how much Hermione seemed to mean to Fleur. She was glad, Fleur had never been this worried about a lover before. Gabrielle, in her teens could still feel the effects of love emanating off other people, in particular, Veela love. She felt it off her mother every time Brielle looked at Alain. Now, she could feel it emanating off Fleur so strongly as Fleur looked after Hermione with an almost desperate worry.

'Ave no fear, soeur. Maman is just doing it 'er way, you know, approving,' she whispered into Fleur's ear.

'Is that what you think?' asked Fleur.

Gabrielle shook her head, 'I know so. Let's leave before Maman really does get angry.'

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'Finally! I zought zey would never leave! Ms Granger,' began Brielle.

Hermione interjected quickly, 'Please, Madame, call me Hermione.'
'Certainly, if you will just call me Brielle! Madame makes me feel so old!' exclaimed Brielle.

'But, I thought you said I was being polite, yesterday,' stammered Hermione.

Brielle nodded, 'Oui, yesterday. Zat was when we first met, but now we are family, oui?'
'You aren't displeased with me?' asked Hermione, wondering if this was all a joke.

'Where did you get zat silly idea from, dear child?' laughed Brielle.

Hermione furrowed her brow, 'Well, Fleur was a little worried, she said that... Well, you reacted less than... um... pleasantly to her last time she brought back a lover?'
Brielle waved a hand at her dismissively, 'She is my daughter! My Fleur, I
'ad to make sure she was being serious. She was not serious ze last time, but now I am sure. As for my reaction, it was because she 'ad made a stupid choice, 'aving an engagement wiz Bill Weazley zen cancelling it. Making difficulties for everyone! I will not tolerate my daughters causing trouble and strife! She must learn to make as many right decisions as she can! Life is not kind to zose who are not careful.'
Hermione was shocked at this outburst from Brielle, but smiled warmly at her, understanding that it was all a mother's concern that Brielle felt. She still felt that Brielle had taken it an extreme tactic, but she supposed, it helped make her Fleur such a strong character.
'I understand, Mada... oh, Brielle. Brielle! Did you meet any of our friends when you left yesterday?' said Hermione.

Brielle nodded with mischievous smile and then she took Hermione by the hand and lead her to the door, where they found all three of the other members of the Delacour family with their ears at the door.
'Such terrible manners! Did I raise such commoners?' demanded Brielle, smacking each one on the head.

Alain laughed and rubbed his head. Gabrielle pouted while Fleur just looked at Hermione anxiously. Hermione gave her a big hug, while Alain and Gabrielle sighed in relief at Brielle's mysterious smile.
'Maman! You scared me to death!' exclaimed Fleur, encircling her mother.

'It is not my fault zat you are so paranoid, Fleur. I must teach you and you shall learn, oui?' replied Brielle smugly.

Fleur threw up her hands in exasperation, 'Oui, oui! You know all, Maman! Oh for the life of me! Thank you Gabrielle for the lovely dinner, but I am afraid that we must be going! It is late!'
'Thank you! Dinner was lovely and we shall visit again!' Hermione added with a big grin.

Brielle winked at her and then laughed as Alain swept her up and spun her around. Gabrielle rolled her eyes but waved to Fleur and Hermione who joined hands and then disapparated.

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'Fleur! Hermione! You're home! Where'd you go?' asked Tonks, curious.

Fleur ruffled Tonks' pink hair joyfully, 'Just visiting family.'
'Oh?' asked Remus, popping his head from around the door.

'Oh you! You WERE in cahoots with Brielle!' cried out Hermione, rushing at Remus.

So? Did it disappoint you? If so, that's a pity, tell me about it. If you liked it, great! Review! That's the only way I'll know.