AN: Here is part two to my three chapter update. I had this entire part planned out since the start of this little fic so I was stoked to finally write it. The only song I can remember listening to while writing this one is Castle by Clarx & Harddope (slowed + reverb). Hope you guys enjoy :)
Chapter 4: Don't Touch Part 1
A year had come and gone since Fleur left. Unfortunately, Hermione didn't get to see her again as she suspected would happen. During Winter break, apparently Fleur did come down to see her family, but the brunette didn't get to see her. Much to her surprise, there had been a white rose left on her doorstep on Christmas, but when Hermione went to the Delacour's house, Fleur was already gone.
It was incredibly frustrating. Just when Hermione thought she could get Fleur out of her head, she had to go and do something like that.
Since the older French girl left, things had actually turned around a bit. Surprisingly enough, she and Gabrielle had been invited to more parties. Thinking back on it, she had a sneaking suspicion that Fleur had something to do with the lack of invites before. She was way too protective of her and her sister.
Gabrielle had to talk her into the first one and encouraged her to drink. It was their senior year and they should enjoy it. At least, that's what Gabrielle said.
Hermione wasn't sure she would like indulging in such things, but it was at their first party where a girl finally kissed her. It was someone she didn't share any classes with and she wasn't even sure of her name at the time, but it hardly mattered. She had an excuse to indulge in a side of her she didn't get to try out before.
When Gabrielle found out, she took it extremely well and nudged her with a sly grin.
"I didn't know you were into girls. I would have hooked you up with some of my other friends."
"Gabby." Hermione groaned, shaking her head.
"It's funny that you came out, because Fleur just did too." Gabrielle shrugged. "She even brought a 'roommate' over for Christmas." She put air quotes around the word roommate while Hermione inwardly seethed.
"Oh?"
"Yeah. I wasn't buying the roommate act." Gabrielle sniggered. "As if anyone would care either way."
"Well, maybe she really was just a roommate." Hermione muttered pitifully.
"Yeah, right." Gabrielle rolled her eyes, leaving Hermione to inwardly toil over this new piece of information. Did Fleur have a girlfriend? One that she brought over for Christmas to meet her family already? Perhaps, she really had forgotten about the brunette.
That made no sense though. Why would she leave a flower at her door if she was fully invested in someone else? Why did it even matter?
Hermione scowled as she shook herself from the memory. Nothing ever happened between them anyways. It was pointless to get upset over something like this. Fleur wasn't with her and never would be.
As she walked up to the gorgeous house, Hermione noticed there were a couple of extra cars in the driveway already. The graduation party Gabrielle was throwing since her parents were in France for the next month wasn't supposed to start for another hour. It would seem people were eager to get started.
When she got to the door, it was already unlocked and when she saw the over the top decorations she rolled her eyes. The walls were absolutely covered in bright neon pinks, yellows, greens, and blues. She could only imagine what the random words and symbols would look like once the lights were turned off.
"I hope you don't think I'm going to help you clean this mess up when we're hungover tomorrow Gabby." Hermione scoffed as she picked up a neon yellow cup half full and abandoned.
"That's what I said too."
The cup almost slipped out of Hermione's grip when she heard a voice she hadn't in a year. When she looked up, she was met with those playful blue eyes and irritatingly confident smirk.
She had to blink to make sure this wasn't a hallucination and of course, nothing changed. It was true. Fleur Delacour, in all her beautiful, devastating glory, was really leaning against the doorway leading to the kitchen looking like a goddess in just a pair of shorts and a loose shirt.
"F-Fleur." Hermione stuttered out, clumsily placing the cup back down on the coffee table, almost knocking it over in the process. "What are you . . .? How-"
Fleur couldn't stop the big grin that spread across her face upon seeing the flustered brunette. It had been so long since she had seen that sweet blush on those tanned cheeks. Despite her better judgement, she couldn't count the number of nights she laid on her bed fantasizing about this exact moment when she was supposed to be doing the opposite.
She had missed Hermione more than she cared to admit. She spent a whole year trying to get the bookworm out of her head. Usually with one night stands, failed relationships, and alcohol. She even fought every urge she had within her to see her during Christmas, but she still couldn't resist leaving a flower on her front doorstep.
It may have been selfish of her to do, but she didn't care. It was impossible for her to forget about the younger girl and she hated the idea that Hermione might have forgotten about her. So, she decided a little reminder was in order. Just to let Hermione know she was still on her mind despite her best efforts.
Judging by Hermione's reaction and her incessant fidgeting, she still had the same effect on the British girl. She felt like she was bursting at the seams with joy at the familiar mannerisms. Hermione hadn't forgotten about her.
"I know." Gabrielle rolled her eyes as she pushed past her older sibling, breaking their staring contest. "I thought we were finally free from you. Well, me at least." She smirked as she plopped down on the couch. "Hermione is going to have to deal with you at Berkeley next year."
Arctic eyes lit up, completely unbothered by her younger sister's irritation. A new wave of excitement coursed through her at this information. Hermione was going to be going to the same college as her.
"You're going to Berkeley?"
"I, uh . . . yeah." Hermione mumbled as she sat down next to her best friend. "I got in."
"I didn't know you applied." Fleur pushed as she headed further into the living room.
"Why would you?" Gabrielle scoffed, earning her a glare from the athlete. "It's not like you two are friends."
"Yeah." Hermione solemnly nodded her head, keeping her gaze firmly on that neon cup to avoid those piercing eyes. There was a slight tremble to her hands she was desperately trying to hide. She hadn't been even close to mentally prepared to see the elder Delacour again. It was overwhelming, sending her heart and mind into overdrive.
Fleur paused in her steps when Hermione agreed with her sister. It stung a bit, leaving her confused like always. She guessed some things didn't change.
"Whatever." Fleur rolled her eyes, flipping her hair, and turning on her heel to hide the hurt look that was probably written all over her face. She didn't expect Hermione to say otherwise about being friends with her, but still. They were friendly weren't they?
She noticed that spark in Hermione's eyes when she saw her in the doorway. She was sure the look was reflected in her own.
It was no surprise that Hermione was becoming more beautiful with each passing day. She missed seeing her all the time, even if she was usually just in the background. She at least got to admire the bookworm from afar before so seeing her wasn't so startling, but now it felt like an eternity had passed since she admired those amber eyes and shy smile. It knocked the wind out of her and left her reeling with no smart reply to give to her annoying sister when she saw her in the living room.
Perhaps she would be able to corner Hermione later on during the party to actually talk to her about Berkeley, what she had been up to, or whatever really. She just wanted to hear that witty voice talk to her about anything without her sibling ruining the moment.
When she walked back into the kitchen, she ignored the knowing look of some of her college friends that had come down just to party with her. She looked like a woman on a mission as she poured herself some vodka in a neon cup before downing it in one go. She needed some liquid courage to deal with what was sure to be a chaotic night.
/
It was an hour later when the party went into full swing. The lights were off with a strobe light constantly going while the symbols drawn on the wall glowed and electronica blasted throughout the house. Sweaty bodies made up most of the living room which became a makeshift dance floor. Some were in their normal attire while others were barely dressed, absolutely covered in glowing paint.
Hermione shook her head at the sight when she was met with mischievous blue eyes that had been trying to catch her attention across the way. She gulped nervously, gripping her drink tighter as Fleur, dressed in only tiny shorts and a bra approached her. She willed her eyes to stay on the French girl's face and not drift to the little glowing pink hearts drawn on her exposed stomach.
Much to Fleur's annoyance, Hermione had done a good job of dodging her the past hour. When the brunette came into the kitchen and their eyes locked, Hermione immediately averted her gaze, making a beeline for whatever she came there for. Then she promptly left without so much as a side glance although her face was bright red.
Fleur had a sneaking suspicion it had to do with her lack of clothing and her unabashed looks in the British girl's direction. The minute Hermione walked into the room, she automatically tuned everything and everyone else out. Her friends found it beyond amusing, bursting into a fit of laughter when Fleur dumbly blinked after Hermione walked out, turning her attention back to the conversation.
"What?" She asked with a furrowed brow.
The redhead, Anna, laughed, shaking her head while Fleur scowled. "You have absolutely no tact."
"I never thought I would see the day where you turn into a lost puppy when someone walks into the room." Jacob, the tall muscular Hawaiian boy, snickered into his drink.
Fleur crossed her arms, looking off to the side. "I don't."
Mary, the dirty blonde friend, gripped Fleur's arm, ignoring the bristling blonde's mood. "Please tell me you're going to make a move."
"What are you guys going on about?" Fleur grumbled, shrugging off her friend. "She's my little sister's best friend. That's all there is to it."
"Right." Anna replied sarcastically while all of Fleur's friends shot each other knowing looks and mischievous grins.
Fleur just drowned her uncertainty with more alcohol, eyes searching every time the door opened, hoping Hermione was coming back, but was disappointed when it was someone other than her. Hermione never did return to the kitchen and seemed to be avoiding it like the plague. It was infuriating.
Fleur's fingers twitched on her cup, itching to do something. Anything. Hermione was somewhere in this house. She just had to have the courage to approach her.
It wasn't until an hour later when she felt a nice buzz that she finally acted on her impulse. Her friends wiggled their eyebrows at her as she left while Fleur just shrugged with a cocky grin instead of the scowl she gave them earlier. Why lie? She was on the prowl.
Then she saw her across the way, looking adorable while grinning to herself. Probably at how ridiculous everyone looked. She never thought something like this would be Hermione's scene, but she seemed to be enjoying herself.
Admittedly, she may have blocked Hermione and her little sister from being invited to these parties. She told herself it was so they wouldn't be exposed to all the idiotic things people their age did while intoxicated. It had nothing to do with the fact that a lot of people hooked up at these events and she didn't want anyone else to get their grubby hands on Hermione. That would just be selfish.
As she observed Hermione from afar, her eyes flickered to the half naked bodies covered in paint then back to the brunette who became aware of her presence. A wicked idea formed in the athlete's head as a devious smile formed on her face before heading over to the senior.
"There you are." Fleur grinned like the cat who ate the canary once she finally reached the startled girl. The alcohol and the way Hermione's gaze flitted from her face, to her lips, to her body made her feel bold so she continued. "I've been looking for you."
"M-me?" Hermione squeaked out, pulling her cup closer to her chest as if it would protect her from that predatory stare. She hated how weak and timid she sounded in front of the older girl. She was supposed to be more mature since the last Fleur saw her, but she almost immediately reverted back to that love sick puppy she used to be. She hated it.
She was supposed to be staying away from Fleur. Especially when she was in a state of undress and in a setting like this. She almost fell over when she walked into the kitchen earlier and saw Fleur casually leaning against the counter. Her eyes just about bulged out of their sockets when she saw Fleur in just her bra and shorts, her tight stomach, slender shoulders, and long legs on full display.
God, how did she forget how unfairly perfect Fleur was? She felt like she stared for an eternity, pausing in her steps. Then she saw those piercing blue eyes locked onto her and she panicked. She had to get the hell out of there and fast otherwise she might do something incredibly stupid. Like talk and tell Fleur how good she looked. That was definitely a no no. So she did what she did best. She grabbed her drink and pretty much ran away.
She should have run away the second she saw Fleur heading her way this time. However, she felt her feet inexplicably rooted to the ground when she saw that devious smile directed at her.
"Have you been hiding from me?" Fleur asked with a twinkle in her eye.
"What? No." Hermione vehemently shook her head. "Why would I do that?"
"I don't know." Fleur shrugged. "You tell me." A coy smile pulled on her countenance as she tipped her cup to those full lips, her eyes never leaving the shorter girl as she drank down the liquor.
Hermione couldn't help but stare as Fleur's slender neck became more exposed. She watched with rapt fascination as her throat moved while drinking. Something like that shouldn't be so attractive or hold her attention for this long, but she was inexplicably drawn in. She blamed her lapse in judgement on the jello shot she had taken twenty minutes before.
Fleur was all too aware of what she was doing and she was sure Hermione knew too. She was blurring the lines. Pushing the boundaries they had carefully put in place.
In her defense, in her altered state, all she could think about was how cute Hermione looked when she was flustered. She loved it. The fact that it was her making her squirm was just an added bonus that boosted her ego to dangerous levels.
"I have no reason to avoid you." Hermione mimicked Fleur's shrug, trying to appear aloof as she finally peeled her eyes away from the dancer. She failed miserably at the task when she went to take a drink out of her own cup, but drizzled some of the liquid onto her chest. 'Bloody hell. You idiot, Granger.' She inwardly groaned when Fleur chuckled.
Hermione felt her whole body freeze up when Fleur leaned in to talk into her ear since the music picked up in volume.
"You're overdressed."
A grimace took over Hermione's face at the words. "I'm in shorts and a shirt. I hardly think that's overdressed."
"Come on." Fleur ignored Hermione's comment and grabbed her free hand with her own, leading her up the stairs. She needed to put her plan into action before she chickened out like she knew she would.
"F-Fleur!" Hermione called out panicked. She had no idea where the French girl was taking her or what her plans were. Her palms were becoming sweaty already, but thankfully, if Fleur noticed, she didn't say anything.
Instead Fleur looked over her shoulder with that bright smile. "I'm going to paint you." 'Before someone else tries to.' She added to herself in her head.
It would only be a matter of time before Hermione got suckered into being covered in paint and if anyone was going to do it, it would be Fleur. Not some pervy boy or girl. She was protecting her. At least, that's what she told herself.
Hermione's mouth hung open dumbly as she let herself be pulled to wherever Fleur wanted to take her. They had barely said a couple sentences to each other and the blonde was already stealing her away. She was merely a captive at Fleur's mercy. A captive that could probably easily escape, but still, a captive all the same, no matter how willing she was.
When they got to the bathroom, Fleur closed it securely behind her. It was dark in there, the only light in the space being the glowing symbols on the wall. Hermione could still hear the heavy bass outside the door reverberating in her chest. Or maybe that was her erratic heart beat.
She hadn't expected to be dragged away by the gorgeous girl to a secluded part of the house or for said girl to be tugging on her shirt. What the hell was even happening?
"H-hey." Hermione swatted Fleur's hands away with a scowl only to be met with an eye roll.
"I can't paint you like this."
"I didn't agree to-" Hermione stumbled on what she wanted to say when she noticed those vibrant eyes looking at her with amusement and expectancy. "I never-" She stuttered again when Fleur raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. Fleur didn't have to say anything. It was written all over her face. They both knew Hermione would cave in.
"Fine." Hermione huffed and in a surge of bravery, she grabbed the edge of her shirt and lifted it over her head quickly before she could change her mind. It's not as if she was ashamed of her body. In fact, she knew she had a nice one herself since losing her virginity so she tossed the fabric into the corner while Fleur busied herself with dipping her finger in neon yellow.
In theory, in Fleur's head at least, this had all seemed like a grand idea to get Hermione away. It would be a perfect situation for them to get to talk without being interrupted, but now, here Hermione stood in front of her in just a bra and shorts.
Hermione didn't shy away or try to cover herself like Fleur thought she would. Instead, the younger girl seemed confident. A sharp contrast to how she had been acting before. It was incredibly attractive to see Hermione feel so comfortable in her own skin.
So many downright filthy thoughts flashed through her mind when Hermione stripped herself down. It was overwhelming and totally inappropriate. She shouldn't be doing this. Why did she let her friends goad her into this?
A big part of her wanted to soak the image of Hermione like this in, but out of habit, found her eyes focusing on something else until she could steady her hands. What happened to that liquid courage that led her in here?
Instead of going straight to running her hands all over the brunette's body like they itched to do, Fleur settled on drawing two little stars on Herrmione's face to calm herself. One on each cheek that made the younger girl look even more adorable than usual.
Hermione let out a shaky exhale, leaning back against the counter with a white knuckled grip on the marble. 'Calm down Granger. This is fine. Completely innocent. She's just helping you- oh.'
Hermione held back a strangled noise when Fleur got down on her knees to start drawing on her lower stomach. She held her breath when she felt the soft pad of Fleur's finger drift up and down, each time growing closer to the hem of her shorts. She opened her mouth to protest when Fleur spoke first.
"So . . ." The blonde bit her lower lip, doing everything in her power to contain herself while in such a compromising position. "Berkeley huh?"
"Y-yeah." Hermione nodded her head, looking up to the ceiling. "Berkeley."
"What um . . ." Fleur cleared her throat. 'Focus, you perv.' "What made you want to go there?"
"It's a good school," was the most intelligent thing Hermione could bring herself to say with Fleur stroking her lower abdomen. How could she possibly think in a situation like this? How did she even allow herself to be put in this position?
"It is." Fleur agreed with a nod of her head, switching color and moving closer to Hermione's belly button. "It will be nice to see a familiar face there." She looked up, smiling sincerely at Hermione who finally looked down, her cheeks permanently flushed at this point.
"Yeah." Hermione nodded her head and then she noticed what Fleur had been drawing on her stomach. Suddenly she felt some of the tension leave the room as she started laughing. "You and those bloody flowers."
"What?" Fleur tilted her head, admiring her work with her grin growing, her shoulders finally relaxing a bit at the sound of Hermione's melodious laughter. "They suit you." How could she resist drawing a big white rose on Hermione's stomach? It felt wrong not to. It's not like she was marking Hermione as hers or anything. Right?
"I guess some things never change." Hermione rolled her eyes.
Fleur bit her lower lip, looking down. "Some things do though."
Hermione felt her heart rate pick up again at the soft tone Fleur spoke in. She reached for her drink on the counter, gulping down a big drink to calm her nerves. It was a simple statement, but it spoke volumes.
Fleur inwardly berated herself for saying that, the alcohol loosening her lips as she grabbed some bright red paint instead. She needed a firm reminder throughout the night to keep those comments and her hands to herself. The party had just started and she was already struggling.
"So, how have things been? Has anyone given you trouble?" Fleur asked as she started writing big letters on the front of Hermione's left thigh, moving from the top down.
"U-uhm . . ." Those damn hands and fingers were on her again. Teasing her thigh while Hermione searched for some shred of restraint. "Things have been good. I think people are still too scared of you to ever try anything with me or Gabrielle."
"Good." Fleur huffed while Hermione shook her head. "I told Katie to look after you and report to me if anything happened."
"Katie?" Hermione flushed a deeper shade of red at the mention of the name. That was the name of the first girl that she kissed. She had no idea it was Fleur's friend. That definitely wasn't good.
"Oui." Fleur nodded her head, looking up at Hermione curiously. "She did take care of you, right?"
"Oh, yeah." Hermione nodded her head a little too vigorously, earning her a raised eyebrow from the blonde below her. "I just didn't know she was your friend. She never mentioned it."
Fleur narrowed her eyes in suspicion. Hermione was hiding something, but Fleur didn't know what. "It wasn't supposed to be a secret."
"I guess it just never came up." Hermione quickly averted her eyes, drinking what little was left in her cup to avoid that probing gaze. "We barely talked anyway." Hermione continued on with a shrug she hoped to come across as nonchalant.
For some reason, with the way Hermione was acting, Fleur highly doubted that. There was more. She would have to ask Katie about that later since Hermione seemed to be withholding information.
"I suppose she reported to you about the dance team too."
"So, you guys didn't talk much, but you know she's on the dance team?" Fleur asked as she moved to the other leg, the bright red letters going down the front of Hermione's left thigh spelling 'don't' screaming at her to stop. This was none of her business.
"It was a simple observation."
Fleur seemed to accept that answer as she went back to work with a furrowed brow. "How has the dance team done by the way? Any good new dancers?"
"Not as good as you." Hermione went the smart route and stroked the French girl's ego a bit that seemed a little battered at the moment. That damn cocky smirk took over Fleur's countenance again so Hermione couldn't help adding, "although, there isn't as much hair flipping."
"Hey!" Fleur looked up indignantly while Hermione held back her laughter. "That was my signature move."
"Oh, I know." Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Now, you're just trying to hurt me." Fleur feigned pain before she pinched Hermione's side, causing the shorter girl to yelp and jump a little at the action. "Be nice."
"I'm not the one kidnapping people and pinching them." Hermione pouted, rubbing her side while Fleur laughed.
"Fair." Fleur hummed as she finished up Hermione's right thigh and stood up, looking at the red words meant to keep her at bay.
Hermione followed her gaze, looking down to her thighs only to burst out in a fit of laughter. "Fleur!"
"What?" Fleur had the audacity to feign innocence as she screwed the top back on the neon paint. Don't was written down the front of Hermione's left thigh followed by touch on the right one in the same fashion. It was a warning not just to herself, but to everyone else.
Hermione couldn't help but remember the first time Fleur stuck up for her at school. How she pushed that bully to the ground and towered over him after he shoved Hermione and said in her little french accent, "don't touch."
"Take it off." Hermione pushed off the sink, moving to turn the water on, but Fleur snatched her wrists.
"Nope." Fleur shook her head with a grin.
"You're ridiculous." Hermione grumbled while Fleur looked absolutely smug.
"Yeah, but you missed me."
"I did." Hermione nodded her head, the air around them suddenly growing thick at the admission
Fleur's smug smile softed, her chest aching as her thumbs started stroking the skin of Hermione's wrist of their own accord. "I missed you too."
Their eyes locked for a moment, both getting caught in the moment. Before Hermione could drown in those icy depths, she took a step back, remembering what Gabrielle told her over Christmas break. Fleur had a girlfriend. Another reason piled onto why this whole situation they were in wasn't a good idea.
"We should probably head back down. I'm sure your girlfriend is missing you. She came with you right?"
Fleur furrowed her brow at the question, already missing the feeling of Hermione being so close to her. "Girlfriend? I don't have a girlfriend."
"Gabrielle said-"
"God damn Gabrielle!" Fleur groaned, throwing her head back dramatically. "She told you about my roommate Lisa, didn't she?"
"I, well-"
"That little brat." Fleur growled, irritated at her sister for ruining the moment even when she wasn't in the room. Gabrielle really knew how to spoil things for her. A special talent Fleur wished her younger sibling didn't have. Of course, she told Hermione she had a girlfriend when she had already told Gabrielle a million times Lisa was just her roommate. "She literally won't shut up about Christmas any time I see her. Lisa's family lives in Europe so she came with me to celebrate the holidays since her parents were busy. I don't know why Gabrielle keeps bringing it up. It's so annoying."
"Oh." So Fleur wasn't in a serious relationship with anyone. Hermione shouldn't have felt a spark of hope and relief at this new information, yet she felt it all the same, a small smile pulling at her lips. "Well, you know how Gabrielle is."
"All too well." Fleur shook her head.
"Well . . ." Hermione cleared her throat, the reminder of her best friend once more pulling her from this moment. Even if Fleur wasn't with someone, she shouldn't be entertaining silly notions like her and Fleur dating. She couldn't do that to Gabrielle so she started heading towards the door. "Speaking of Gabrielle. I should probably go find her."
"Right." Fleur nodded her head, already mourning the end of their private time together. "I should probably go find my friends before they destroy the house."
"Probably a good idea."
They gave each other a timid smile before they both exited the bathroom, heading their own way. When they parted, neither one could resist giving each other one last glance across the room. It was going to be a long night.
AN: The entire 'don't touch' paint idea came to me literally as I was writing the first chapter haha I cackled the entire time while planning this part out. I knew I was going to do this neon party and Fleur would paint Hermione, but I'm so glad I thought to do the whole 'don't touch' move.