Chapter 3 Hermione's Tale

Hermione stood up, blushing red but still standing. Well, I am sorry to tell you this Draco, but this is something that happened me in French, as I was helping Fleur rebuilding Beauxbatons, just about two years ago. And, it is kind of embarrassing, but as I think you've been telling me about embarrassing moments that has passed on, I might as well tell you mine.

Everyone leaned closer to listen, which was most of curiosity. Yet Draco did also because he was still the mother hen over Hermione. Something hadn't changed much during the last four years.

---Hermione's tale---

It was two years ago I arrived in Paris, yet as most of you know Beauxbatons lies some miles outside, near a small lake and in a deep forest. It is very much like a picture of a fairy tale story, as literally there are fairies everywhere and to my deep frustrations these loves to play with you. They really liked to hide in my dress and drop nuts on my head as I walked. I had since long decided to walk to Beauxbatons because the weather was perfect and you know I hate flying. Also I hoped to make some researches on the legendary French Unicorn. You know, that special one which can be found in all kind of colours like Ruby or Emerald. I did find some, so thankfully it was worth it.

"Hermione, sorry for interrupting, but please continue on the story itself. And why in the world didn't you wear your robe?" Cassandra asked.

"Okay, Okay!" Hermione said and continued.

I didn't wear my robes, the temperature almost killed me. It was probably one of the warmest days in whole France and I was wearing a very short dress made in almost transparent silk. Luckily I was travelling alone, so I didn't have to meet any French garcons who would keep following me out of a reason like that. Yet the fairies, I did notice that the male ones kept staring greedily at me.

I arrived days later at the gates outside Beauxbatons and thankfully Fleur was there to meet me. I had just before arriving transfigured my dress to the usual standard as I didn't want the boys to keep staring at me. You know I am married since years back and the first thing I really don't want is to go and find myself a couple of young followers who seek marriage with me. Fleur gave me a room in one of the White Chambers as they are called, really beautiful rooms with the most extraordinary magical furniture. Yet I stayed at Beauxbatons for about three weeks and it was during that it all happened.

Even if I was rarely seen, I was most of the time in the ruined side of the building replacing walls and so, the school wasn't fully rebuilt but it was up running again and most of the time I spent more listening to the classes then raise a wall. Yet I think I must have been one of them who did the most, well I think Fleur had done a great deal before, not also counting you Cassandra, as I heard you managed to get a broken wall over yourself. Maybe that was just rumours, but it sounded awful.

"Those where not rumours, I still have bruises from it you know."

"Merlin's beard Cass, how did you manage that?" Draco asked.

"I was careless, I didn't notice a crack in the wall as I examined it and unfortunately the sixth time I passed it fell over me. Irritating and unfortunate, but still true."

Hermione shook her head and continued.

Anyway, my embarrassment didn't come with a wall. About a week before I left I was fixing some ugly steps in one of the staircases leading to their Potion's Classroom. And even if Love Potions are strictly forbidden around Hogwarts, they were not at Beauxbatons. I should really have picked another day for it, as one clumsy idiot in the classroom dropped his potion, and it rolled down and crashed at my feet, completely drenching me. Well, normally you have to drink the potion in order to make it work, I do wonder if the student had been listening to the teacher because in the next moment I saw about ten teenage boys run down after me.

It was the main reason that I would have to leave after a week, I still can't believe how I managed it. I thereafter tried anything to get away from the effect but still it hasn't completely worn off. I spent the following week trying to get away from the boys, most of that time I was hidden in the ruined parts, which had been strictly forbidden for all students. I do pity Fleur these days. Being part veela must be horrible, yet she gave me some good pointers.

Yet one of my followers was very clever. No matter what I did he was always within an area zone of ten metres, which was annoying and horrible. He was only fifteen, yet on the contrary from everyone else, he didn't chase me because of the love potion. No, he kept chasing me because of love problems and through his friends he knew I was married. I of course believed it was because of the potion. Yet after two more days he caught up on me and I have to admit it was a relief to finally meet someone who wasn't fully drenched in their love over me.

He told me there was a girl in his class he really liked, but he had no idea of how to approach. Well, after having been a girlfriend for ages, until I married Draco slightly before we left school, I did give him some advises. Yet every time he returned to tell me the same, it hadn't worked. I was getting worried over him, and I really wondered if this girl he talked about was really good for him.

A day before I left I actually met this girl. She was really nice, pretty cute and very cheerful so I had no idea of what had gone wrong. I saw the boy standing some metres away looking very sulky. I think I did mention about him to her and then I received a shock. It turned out she was half Veela, yet from some strange reason she wasn't as dragging as fleur. Yet she was afraid she was so she kept on rejecting everyone who came to her. I could either faint or just try to convince her that some people had it worse. I think I did manage to get some of it out from her head, but I didn't have time for more chat before my crowd of followers found me and the day after I left, having had enough.

There was laughter all around, and even some jealous looks from Draco. Not that the heir of Slytherin had anything against guys, but he didn't like those who tried ti hit on his wife.

Some days after I had left I did receive a long letter from the nowadays happy couple in france. Fleur too sent a letter thanking for the help and also saying she had found the student responsible. I dn't know who it was, yet I still have some serious matter with that boy. One day hopefully we will meet. His name anyway was Gaston Noir.

---End of Tale---

Everyone laughed and clapped as Hermione sat down again. Draco placed an arm on her shoulders. Harry raised a goblet.

"Well, you surely jumped down into your own grave there."

"Ver funny Harry, I hope you end up in a way like that soon enough" Hermione said taking a sip of her own wine. "So, who is next?"

To Reviewers:

chocheryl: Thank, I am glad you liked it. And yes, soon the boy did learn to speak. I haven't written it down, but after such an adventure I think I shouldn't be more evil then needed.

End Notes: Well, that's all for today. I am of for more writing and I hope you liked this chapter/story. See you next time.