A.N. I realized I didn't give Hermione's father a name in the previous chapter when introductions were made so… It's George.

Hermione

I rolled over on the mattress, groaning a little as I stretched out my stiff muscles after hours of sleep, a thin slither of sunlight filtered through the drapes, illuminating my room slightly with the morning sun. I shivered, tightening my grip on my blanket as I tried to cocoon myself inside the thing just a little more to shield myself from the morning chill.

"Good morning," Fleur's voice was soft and lyrical, I blinked my eyes open and looked up at my bed. Fleur was leaning over the bed, an easy smile on her lips as she gazed sleepily down at me. I couldn't contain my grin as we locked eyes for a few moments.

"Morning," I murmured, feeling lighter as the vision of a tired Fleur with her usual perfectly straight hair a complete mess from the pillow and slight bags under her eyes as she rubbed the sleep out of them filled my view. "Have you been awake long?" I asked as I rubbed my itchy eyes a little as well.

"Not at all, I woke up when you rolled over," Fleur explained, "Did you sleep okay down there?" She asked a little concerned.

I nodded as I stood up and stretched a little more, "It wasn't too bad," I said as I sat down beside Fleur who had sat up while I stretched, "How about you? Was my bed comfortable enough?"

"It was magnificent," Fleur commented, "What is it?" She asked as I stared at her from my spot beside her.

I smirked, "Nothing really, I could just get used to this."

Fleur hummed in agreement, "It is nice," The older witch took my hand into hers, interlacing our fingers as she shuffled just a little closer to me.

I closed my eyes a little, "So what should we do today?" I asked the older girl.

"I have a good idea," Fleur commented and I could tell from the tone of her voice exactly what it was.

"No way, we are not getting the albums," I protested.

"We, don't have to, your father already said he'd round them up," Fleur giggled as I groaned.

"This is not the start I was hoping for today," I grumbled.

"I'm sure it's not as bad as you're thinking it will be," Fleur said reassuringly, "I'm sure all your photos are going to be super cute."

. . .

My face had become completely red as we looked through an album labeled 'Hermione's Best Moments.' The title was misleading as 'Best Moments' should've read as 'Most Embarrassing Moments' as the album was filled with nothing but images of me covered in some kind of substance, usually food or dirt, or images of me crying over something silly. And if the image didn't provide enough context there was a short paragraph explaining each situation.

The latest image I was stuck looking at showed me covered in spaghetti when I was about six years old, my eyes were filled with tears as I was crying and had thrown the spaghetti around because 'I felt sorry for the pasta's parents.'

Fleur couldn't contain her laughter while my parents gazed at the image endearingly, "You were such a cute girl," Fleur gushed through her laughter, "I have never heard of someone feeling sorry for pasta."

"Well excuse me for having only just learned that pasta was made from plants and that plants were living things," I grumbled as I turned away from the image.

"Don't be like that sweetheart," My mother said affectionately, "It was cute."

"It sure was," My father concurred.

Fleur giggled a little more, "I wish I could've seen it in real-time."

I rolled my eyes as I turned the page myself, an action I wish I hadn't performed as sitting on the next page was an image that, in my opinion, really didn't need a paragraph of explanation. The single image was of me, again when I was six, wearing a once-white dress that was now covered in what I wished was mud, along with the rest of me as I was covered almost head-to-toe in the stuff. A single caption underneath the photo read, 'Not Mud.'

I was horrified that Fleur was currently speechless as she stared at the page, her eyes moving back and forth between the caption and the picture, her head shaking slowly. "No way," She whispered, "Is that?"

I nodded my head, "Horse manure," I flinched a little as I expected Fleur to burst into laughter but, to my surprise, she didn't.

I turned to her and she was looking caringly towards me, a mirthful smile on her face, "How does that even happen?"

I turned away, "I don't want to say," I mumbled.

My mother laughed a little, "She fell into a collection bag. We were at one of our friends' farms for a wedding and Hermione had wandered off by herself. We found her playing in the stuff," My mother said with a soft giggle.

Fleur laughed as well, "Quite the adventurous child then?" She asked and my parents nodded their heads.

"She certainly was, when there weren't books for her to read, at least," My father explained.

"That's enough of this," I announced as I closed the photo album carefully, it was the fourth album we'd gone through after all.

"Thank you for that," Fleur thanked my parents with a warm smile.

"It was our pleasure," My mother said, "It's been far too long since we last went through these albums. We love our little bookworm as she is now but we loved how she was back then as well." She said as she ran her hand over the cover of the album wistfully.

George pulled his wife into a quick comforting hug, "I'm sure that's enough embarrassing for one day, you two go out and have fun, whatever you want."

I quickly took my father up on that offer and led Fleur outside to spend some time alone, hopefully not embarrassingly.

. . .

"Where are we?" Fleur asked as we walked through a large field filled with families, couples, and the occasional lone wonderer admiring the sights, sounds, and smells of the Christmas Fair I had taken her to. Hundreds of stalls had been set up with various games, foods, and the occasional artistic setup.

"Just a Christmas Fair, I thought it would be fun for our last day here," I explained.

"I would have thought you'd want to spend your last day with your parents," Fleur mentioned.

"We've spent plenty of time with them, I wanted to spend more time with you," I said as I linked my arm through Fleur's "Besides, it's not like I won't see them again before heading back to Hogwarts."

Fleur looked down at our linked arms with a smirk, "Really? With all these people around?"

I chuckled, "They don't know us, we don't know them, and besides, maybe I just need the warmth."

"Well, if that's the case," The mischievous tone in Fleur's voice was not lost on me as she quickly pulled me into her side tightly, gathering the attention of a few of the people around us.

I sighed happily, albeit a little embarrassed, "Much better," I murmured as I nuzzled into her a little more, soaking up the sounds of fun and happiness around me as I became comfortable in Fleur's warmth.

We wandered around the Fair for hours, stopping at almost every game stall in the Fair and losing to almost every one of them, laughing the entire time and eating far too much of the fried and sweet foods that the Fair had to offer. Before long and, much to my dismay, the night came to a close and we found ourselves back in my room. Fleur was propped up on her elbow and looking down on me from her place on my bed while I got comfortable on the mattress on the floor with a plump cat cuddled up beside me.

"What is it?" I whispered as the light of the full moon filtered through the mostly closed curtains and illuminated Fleur's silhouette, the view sending a tingle through my core.

"Can't sleep," Fleur answered before collapsing back onto my bed with a sigh, "It may sound silly but… I don't want to leave."

I couldn't help but chuckle a little, "Like my family that much, do you?"

Fleur didn't answer for so long that I assumed that she had fallen asleep until finally, she began to speak again, "Your parents are great, it's just…" Fleur sighed, "Don't worry about it, goodnight."

I heard rustling from my bed and watched as the outline of Fleur's body disappeared from my view. I sat up quickly, Crookshanks growled a little as he waddled slowly into the space I no longer occupied and soaked up what lingering warmth he could.

"What are you doing?" Fleur asked, her voice a little shaky.

I didn't answer as I flipped up the blankets that were covering the older girl and joined her under the covers, Fleur giggled cutely as I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled us together. The warmth of the witch felt heavenly and I realized that this must've been how Crookshanks felt whenever he would cuddle up to someone.

"I'm worrying about it," I whispered as I ran a hand softly along Fleur's stomach enjoying the feeling.

"What?" Fleur asked as she turned her head to look at me a little.

"You know what," I spoke softly, "Why don't you want to go back?"

Fleur became silent once again as she turned back and settled into the bed, I wondered if she was going to speak again or just go to sleep, while hoping for the former, I wasn't about to force her to tell me what was going on inside her head. My breathing was starting to even out as I was beginning to fall asleep, sure that by now Fleur wasn't going to tell me what was happening and, while that saddened me a little, I was sure she'd tell me eventually.

"It's just…" Fleur started and the sound of her voice rocketed me from the brink of sleep and back into the conscious world. "I don't want to go back to… To the pressure," Fleur finally got out.

"The pressure?" I asked confused at the prospect, while I had been around Fleur a lot since meeting her I hadn't noticed anyone pressuring her to win and wondered if it was in her head.

Fleur began to roll in her spot beside me until she was facing me, "Yeah," Fleur breathed the word heavily, "I was chosen above all of my fellow Beauxbatons students, if I don't do well then that would mean that I shouldn't have been chosen. They are some of the most talented witches I've ever met and if I make them look foolish," Fleur shuddered. I wanted to interject but stayed silent as I was sure the blond had more to get off of her chest.

"And Madame Maxime… She's always pushing everyone in the school to be our best but, ever since my name was drawn, she's been extra hard on me. I do like that about her, it's what got me to where I am, but if I let her down now then what was it all for? And my parents… Their letters… They are so proud that I was chosen and keep saying that they can't wait to see the trophy that I'm sure to bring home, but what if I don't? What then?"

I shushed Fleur as her voice became shaky once again as she tried her best to hold in her emotions, tightening my grip around the girl's waist just a little. Fleur's breathing evened out as she calmed the emotions that seemed to be raging within her.

"I'm sorry, I know it's silly," Fleur apologized.

"It's not silly," I cooed as I started to stroke the French girl's long soft hair, "It's how you feel, and nothing you feel is silly."

Fleur smiled, "Thanks for listening," She spoke softly before slowly moving closer to me, she pressed her lips against mine in a slow, chaste kiss before pulling away and rolling back over, settling comfortably in my arms.

"Think you'll be able to get to sleep now?" I asked as I started to play with the cloth covering her stomach once again.

"Only if you stay," From the playful tone in Fleur's voice I knew that she didn't need me here, but I didn't care, it was far too late for me to leave her side now.

"Anything for you," I whispered in her ear as I shuffled just a little closer to the older witch, leaving nary a gap between us. With the warmth and sweet scent wafting from the older girl, I very quickly slipped into a land of blissful unconsciousness.

Fleur

I yawned as I stood sleepily to one side, watching as Hermione hugged her mother and father goodbye, the sight of familial bliss in front of me, while beautiful, also had me missing my own family. We had woken early so Hermione could spend as much time with her parents as possible before we headed back to Hogwarts to finish off the school year and the Triwizard Tournament. I watched on as Hermione slowly pulled away from her upset parents as the sound of the Hogwarts Express pulling into the station dominated any conversation that was currently happening.

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Fleur," Rebecca said, backed up by her nodding husband and a happy Hermione whose smile seemed to only grow as she moved closer to me.

"Please, the pleasure was all mine," I commented, making eye contact with both of Hermione's parents, "And I hope you'll have me again someday."

"Just say the word and we'll welcome you with open arms," Rebecca smiled warmly as she moved closer to me than even Hermione currently was and wrapped her arms around me in a gentle hug.

I couldn't keep the smile from my face as I wrapped my arms loosely around the older woman, enjoying her acceptance while wondering whether or not she would be as accepting once she found out the truth of the relationship I had with her daughter. Rebecca pulled away from the hug shortly after and was replaced by a presented hand from her husband.

"Can't wait to see you again," George said.

I took his hand, shaking it the same way I had seen my father shake hands with others, "It'll be fun," I commented, "And be sure to get some more albums ready."

Hermione's parents and I chuckled as Hermione's face tinged a light pink from embarrassment, "Let's just go," Hermione grumbled, grabbing my hand as she passed by and began pulling me towards one of the many entrances to the Hogwarts Express. Crookshanks' carrier rested in her other hand, the cat growling lowly, expressing its hatred of being trapped in the carrier.

"We'll see you next time!" Rebecca and George called out their goodbyes as Hermione led me aboard the train.

We quickly found an empty booth on the train and, with the doors to the booth closed, Hermione let a very grateful cat out of its carrier. Crookshanks wandered around the cabin for a little, sniffing every corner and surface until he found a comfortable spot, curled himself up, and like always, went to sleep.

"At least he doesn't hiss at me anymore," I commented as I gazed at the feline who had grown to like me, even if only a little.

Hermione was looking out of the window, searching for her parents in the large crowd, "He's a bit colder than my parents, that's for sure," Hermione started to wave as she spoke. I chuckled as I looked out in the direction the brunette was waving and quickly found the Dr's Granger, I waved alongside Hermione, her parents waved back with broad smiles.

"Funny how an animal that is so warm can be so cold," I remarked with a smile as I sat back down on my side of the booth.

I jolted forwards just a little as the train started to move, slowly at first, but soon we were steaming across the country, fields of green rushed past as we hurtled back towards Hogwarts. Hermione had been somewhat quiet since we left her parents and was now absentmindedly scratching behind Crookshanks' ears.

"Is everything alright?" I asked, startling Hermione out of whatever fantasy she had run away with.

"What?" She asked, dumbfounded.

"You've been very quiet, I just wanted to make sure everything was fine."

"I'm fine," Hermione said as she stood from her seat and made her way over to mine, she sat close beside me, resting her head on my shoulder. "I'm just going to miss my parents, you know?"

"I know," I sighed as I thought about my own parents and how much I missed them every school year.

"It'll be nice to see Harry again though… And maybe Ron will stop being, well, you know." I nodded along, about to speak, but Hermione began again before I could say anything, "And Gabrielle," The brunette chuckled, "She's sure to be ecstatic when she sees you again."

"That she will be," I spoke with a knowing smile, "Although I feel she may be more excited to see you again, you're the new shiny thing, as it were."

Hermione laughed a little, "For you and her both."

I nodded once again, "Definitely," I said as I tilted her head up with a delicate finger and planted a kiss to her lips, much as she had last night.

Hermione giggled as I pulled away from her, a noise I enjoyed possibly more than was normal, but I didn't care, I could have listened to it for the rest of my days. We huddled together on the one seat, Crookshanks even graced us with his presence on both of our laps for some time during the trip.

. . .

"Fleur~ Wake up~" I was roused from slumber by a soft, careful jostling and the cooing voice of my Mate.

I blinked my eyes open slowly, smiling as my vision was filled with Hermione's face glowing in the early evening sun, "Are we here already?" I asked groggily.

Hermione chuckled, "Yeah, already."

"Sorry I fell asleep," I apologized as I rose to my feet, Crookshanks had already been coaxed into his carrier while I slept, "I guess we should get going then."

Hermione and I quickly left the train and found our way to the carriages that would take us back to Hogwarts and back to the Triwizard Tournament. I straightened myself as I took a seat in the carriage, having relaxed over the last few days, I needed to make sure I paid close attention to the way I carried myself in front of my peers and Madame Maxime.

"Relax," Hermione commented, her always observant mind noticing as I posture grew more rigid, "How did I not notice this before?" She questioned.

I smiled at the younger girl even as I refused to slouch back down again, "Because you had never seen me so relaxed for so long before," I pointed out.

"Still," Hermione grunted as she settled beside me.

The carriage slowly filled with other Hogwarts students that had headed home for the holidays until, finally, the carriage headed off with many students sitting solemnly or conversing with the person next to them. A few glances were thrown in our direction, and I was sure I heard mine and Hermione's names whispered a few times from the other students, I paid them no mind as I was used to it. Hermione on the other hand seemed to be squirming uncomfortably beside me, subtly shifting closer as the carriage ride continued.

Unthinkingly, I slipped my arm behind Hermione's neck and came to rest it on her shoulders, attempting to calm her down. The glances and whispers became more fervent until, eventually, one of the younger students asked, "Is it true that you two are… You know… Together?" The young boy asked shyly.

I glanced at Hermione who quickly started to hide behind my shoulder, "You were nowhere near this shy at the Ball," I whispered.

"Everyone there was a couple, that didn't necessarily mean they were romantically involved," Hermione mumbled as she shrugged from behind me.

I sighed as I turned to look at the students sharing the carriage with us, "Nah, we're not, we went to the Ball as friends, like many others that attended."

"Then what's that?" The boy asked, motioning to Hermione leaning heavily on me.

I shrugged, "She's just tired from the long train ride," I lied.

The students became disinterested in us after that, of course, it wouldn't dispel the rumors entirely, and probably not for very long either, but it was something at least.

"Thank you," Hermione whispered as she brought her head forward to rest more naturally on my shoulder rather than behind it.

She closed her eyes, slumping just a little to lend credence to my earlier lie, while I sat beside her silently. As we sat together, I felt as depression began to gnaw at the edges of my mind, I tried desperately to shake the feeling away, but my mind was running a mile a minute, circling a single thought. Hermione was embarrassed to be with me.

I grit my teeth as the familiar sting of tears pricked around my eyes, the edges of my vision grew watery as I took a few quick, calming breaths, making sure to not jostle the witch resting on my shoulder. I looked down at the girl fondly, but that simple act made the pain all the greater and it was all I could do to keep myself from breaking down right in front of everyone that was riding the carriage with us. The rest of the ride to the Hogwarts gate felt like an eternity as my anguish simmered just below the surface, I just hoped it didn't show when we came to stop.

Inside the walls, Hermione stretched her arms high above her head as she pulled away from me, "You've got a comfy shoulder," The brunette wore a lazy smile as she spoke. Her smile fell as she looked at me, "Are you okay?" She asked, concern plastered on her face.

I felt myself shudder as I took a few deep breaths, "Yeah, just queasy," I replied offering her what I hoped was a reassuring smile.

Hermione came a little closer and I had to fight against myself to allow the distance to close, I never thought that I would reflexively try to avoid the girl that was supposed to be my mate, but here I was, needing to force myself to stay put.

"Is this about what we talked about last night?" Hermione asked quietly, I nodded unable to bring myself to speak as I quickly began to follow the throng of students. "Did you want me to come to your room? Help you through it?"

"No!" I almost screamed, drawing attention from the other students and few Professors that were leading us back to the castle.

"Ms Delacour," Professor Snape spoke with a raised brow, "Is everything all right?" His permanent scowl seemed to soften just a little as he asked.

"I'm fine," I blurted, wishing that the ground beneath my feet would open and swallow me so I could escape the situation, "I think I just need…" I turned to Hermione a little sadly, "Some time alone."

Professor Snape grunted as he looked between Hermione and I, he turned back to the path without another word and continued with his task of leading us to the Castle.

Hermione looked sadly in my direction, the sight almost broke my heart, but I couldn't bring myself to go to her, to talk to her. I frowned a little, Why would she need me anyway? I asked myself, She's embarrassed being with me after all. The thought still rattled around in my mind as we entered the Castle and were allowed to get back to our dorms.

The distance between us had grown ever so slowly as we continued up the path and now, Hermione and I were on almost opposite sides of the room while the professors spoke to the group. I didn't take in any of the information as I was too busy watching Hermione, clutching my left arm with my right hand tightly as I took in the pained expression on her face, she was hurt and bewildered by my words.

I watched as she turned away from me and trudged slowly down a hallway behind a group of other students, presumably Gryffindor's, and disappeared from sight. Eventually, it was just me standing at one of the many entries to the castle, I took another deep breath sighing painfully as the breath escaped my lungs. Finally, I allowed the tears to start falling, crying silently as I made my way to my room on the Carriage, my fellow Beauxbatons students grew silent as I passed them by and entered my room.

Within minutes, I was laying on my bed, my body shaking as I tried desperately to keep myself from wailing loudly, knowing that if I wasn't quiet, I would only worry my peers even more than I already had. A soft rapping on my door signaled an arrival, I closed my eyes, keeping myself as still as possible as I listened to the door squeak as it was opened.

"Fleur?" The soft worried voice of my little sister filled my ears, Of course, it would be her.

I didn't answer, hoping she would leave me to my pain, all I wanted was to be left alone right now and besides, I didn't want to let Gabi see me like this, not again as I knew if she did, all it would do is serve to make her upset. The young girl sighed before the squeak of the door sounded again as it was closed, I kept still and silent as the sound of soft footsteps sounded in the empty room.

My bed slumped as Gabrielle sat beside me and placed a comforting hand on my back, "I know your awake," I didn't say anything, trying to still my trembling body. "Come on Fleur," Gabi squeaked, her voice croaking just a little, "Talk to me… What's wrong?"

Gabi sniffled and I felt the bed begin to shake, I cracked an eyelid and turned my head just a little, looking towards my little sister. Gabi's head was buried in her hands, her body shaking as she tried in vain to keep her sobs quiet. I closed my eyes again as I reached out a gentle hand, pulling Gabrielle gently towards me and wrapping my arms around the young, crying girl.

I shushed her as I comforted her as best I could, "It's okay, Gabi… Everything will be okay." The two of us laid together for what seemed like an eternity until I found myself falling into a night of horrid, fitful sleep.