Chapter Twenty Three

Damn French Girls

Hermione drank the last of her punch and decided she needed a refill. Mrs. Weasley had quite outdone herself today, she thought. The feast was as predicted, excellent, but somehow the decorations had made it seem more appealing to the palate. Hermione reminded herself to congratulate Mrs. Weasley later. Right now, the happy mother appeared to be rushing to and fro non-stop in an effort to become the perfect hostess. She had told Hermione earlier she had been nervous. The Delacouers were a known elegant family.

"Oh do you think they would see the house too plain? What if the gnomes decided to come back? What would they think? I wish we had better china to offer, but goodness these are the best dishes we have!"

Mrs. Weasley had gushed on and on with worries since early this morning, while Ginny and Hermione assured her Bill's would be in-laws would be alright. Hermione only half-believed her own reassurances. She never really got along well with Fleur, and even though they had a chance to work together during the war, Hermione still believed her to be quite a snob. She expected her family would be the same.

But whether or not the rest of the Delacouers were snobs, Hermione couldn't tell. She certainly hasn't heard of any complaints from the French visitors about the Burrow backyard wedding since they arrived. They seemed to enjoy the feast and talking with the other guests. Or at least, Hermione reasoned, they were good at appearing polite.

In truth, Hermione was bored and feeling a little neglected. She had arrived from Sumatra only last night and she didn't get to see Harry and Ron until this morning. By then they were too busy getting ready for Bill's and Fleur's wedding that they couldn't do more than give her a quick welcome home hug. In addition there was Mrs. Weasley's nerves that needed settling so there wasn't much time for her to share all her exciting news about her travels and the astounding new discovery she had in her field of study.

Hermione sipped her newly refilled cup. There seemed to be nothing much for her to do right now but eat and drink. Everybody's attention was on the newly wed couple having their first dance in the yard. Well at least, most everybody. Fred and George seemed to be taken by Fleur's younger sister. Who would have thought that Gabrielle Delacouer would grow up to like that? Even at fourteen she looked even more eye-catching than Fleur was when they first met her. Fleur herself, however, was completely radiant in Bill's arms, making her look ethereal that Hermione wondered for a moment if Fleur's Veela powers were affecting her too.

A minute later, on Bill's prodding, Hermione watched Ron and Harry stand up and lead Fleur's maid of honor to the floor and began to dance with her. She never knew Ron could dance. She was certain it was Ron doing the dancing, since Harry—as far as she knew—can only walk in a circle and bow. Hermione's eyes never left them as they circled about. Ron and Harry had mentioned Madeleine Dindarte often enough as a classmate and co-worker, but she never thought much about her, until now.

She was pretty, Hermione had to admit. And as she studied the redheaded girl's face, she noticed she looked perfectly flushed. She didn't fool Hermione one bit. The girl obviously fancied her Ron.

There was a breathed sigh and Hermione looked up to see Fleur with a glass in hand just beside her.

"'ermione!" Fleur greeted. "'ow are you? I 'ave not even seen you!"

"Oh hello," said Hermione politely. "Congratulations."

"Zhank you. I am glad you are 'ome for ze wedding. Molly eez such a darling! She made all zhese for Bill and me. Mama and Papa are charmed."

"I'm glad they like it," said Hermione, extremely pleased and made a mental note to tell this later to Mrs. Weasley. She was beginning to think that Fleur wasn't so bad after all.

"Oui, zhey are enjoying zo much. But tell me," Fleur linked an arm around Hermione and moved to whisper closer then pointed to Harry, Ron and Maddy. "Look, zhey are sweet, no? You are friend of Ronald and 'arry for so long. You think 'e likes mon amie?"

Hermione frowned. "He? Do you mean Ron or Harry?"

"Oh either one, it does not matzer."

Hermione changed her mind. She didn't like Fleur at all.

"I like zhem both like bruzzers. But Maddy does not know yet," Fleur explained. "I cannot tell her becauze I promized Bill. Zhey can tell her if zhey want, eet eez zheir secret."

Hermione felt a little bit better that at least that was one piece of information she was privy to that Fleur's friend was still in the dark. She looked up to see that Harry and Ron had brought their partner back to the table and were headed her way. She was certain Ron was going to ask her to dance.

She was about to excuse herself from Fleur and move to meet him when somebody slid in front of Hermione, and all she could see was a mass of perfect blonde hair.

"Ronald Weasley, do you remember me?" a sugary sweet voice piped up from the fountain of hair.

"Er…"

"You 'elped rescue me from ze lake at 'ogwarts, do you not remember. I was a little girl then. But I never zhanked you."

Hermione stepped around to get a look at Ron and was surprised to see him staring at the girl with a dreamy expression on his face. What was it with Ron and French girls! First Fleur, then Madeleine, now this!

Before Hermione could even do as much as tut in irritation, the girl reached out and kissed Ron right on the lips.

"Gabrielle!" Fleur hissed. She pulled her sister away and said something quickly to her in French. Hermione knew a bit of French and understood that Fleur was admonishing her sister for using her Veela powers on her brother-in-law.

"You must excuse my sister," Fleur said apologetically. "She eez quite taken with 'im." She gave a slight giggle to Hermione as if it was something extremely amusing. "Eet eez ze Weasley charm, see?"

Oh yes, the Weasley charm. Ginny had told Hermione about it before. It seemed to be a general trait among the male Weasleys that they become girl magnets from age 18 to their early twenties. Ron was proving to be no exception. He already had fan clubs—at least that was what Witch Weekly reported. Ginny had sent her a few copies several months ago. Ron was on the cover for five times as the celebrated "Boy-Who-Survived." The fact that he was also rich now since word got out that he inherited the Potter and Black fortunes, further fueled his attraction to the female wizarding population.

Fleur excused herself and made off with her sister in tow who was looking disappointedly back at Harry and Ron. Hermione turned to her best friends and saw them with that same goofy expression. Hermione rolled her eyes and stomped away. She went into the house and ran up to the steps, eager to be as far away from Ron and French girls prowling around him.

She reached the top floor, entered Ron's old bedroom and collapsed into his bed feeling utterly miserable.

For several minutes she remained still in the darkness, before the door turned on its own and Ron and Harry walked in.

"Why are you hiding up here? Harry and I were looking for you everywhere."

"Nothing, I just had a bit of a headache. It's too noisy and crowded," she lied.

"Look, Hermione," one of them began and Hermione could tell it was Ron from his intonation followed by the usual reddening of his ears. "About… what happened back there… We weren't expecting that. It all sort of went hazy you see…"

"I know," Hermione replied lamely. "It's the Veela powers."

"Right. I mean she's not really—I mean she is just a kid. It's not like we fancy her that would be just… she's a kid!"

Hermione could tell that Ron was sincere enough. Of course, she couldn't completely rule out that Ron was attracted to her, but at least he was making an effort to clear things. He did come up here on his own accord, she thought. Or it could have been Harry who suggested it, another voice at the back of her head said, but she quickly suppressed it.

"Forget about it." She motioned for them to sit down.

They settled on the bed next to her. "We're sorry if we haven't talked much since you've arrived, but you can tell us all about your trip tonight. You are moving into the guest room this week?"

"Of course."

"Good then," they said. "We came over here to talk to you. We haven't seen you in six months and we haven't even talked… or danced."

Hermione's heart fluttered. She didn't care if it was Harry or Ron who was suggesting it. She'd take up the offer for all it's worth. "Alright." She stood up but they shook their head.

"We don't have to go back down immediately. It is too crowded down there and Fred and George are going to be on to us about Fleur's sister the minute we appear again."

"Oh, alright," she replied disappointedly. "I suppose we could wait."

But Harry or Ron stood up and took her hand. "No, I mean. How about just dance with me—I mean us, here. We can hear the music fine, anyway."

Hermione smiled. That was even better. She moved to step into the arms of her two best friends but she stopped mid-stride. There was an urgent rap at the door.

"Ronald, are you zhere?"

The door opened and Hermione smirked when she saw Madeleine Dindarte.

"Oh I am sorry to interrupt," she said looking between Hermione and Harry and Ron. "But zher is an emergency. All ze Aurors need to report back to 'eadquarters!"

"Why, what's wrong?"

Hermione noted that they sounded just as irritated as she was.

"Zhere 'as been a prisoner escape!"

"Escape? Where?"

"Maximum security," replied Maddy. "'urry, we 'ave to be zhere!"

Harry and Ron looked at her. "Sorry. We'll see you tonight? We better go tell Bill we have to leave early." They hurriedly followed the French girl down the stairs.

Hermione trailed behind them, eager for more information. She was about to call Ron and Harry to stop, but they was too busy paying attention to their co-worker to even take a second glance at her.

"Who was it?" she heard Harry or Ron ask. "Who escaped?"

Hermione struggled down the stairs to follow them but what she heard next made her stop.

"Antonin Dolohov."

A/N: This one's a short one, but I couldn't resist putting a little scene with Hermione piqued at Ron's new popularity with women. I've figured Ron would eventually grow out of his lanky awkward phase. Now he's got everything he always envied Harry had: money and popularity. I threw in good looks and charm as well.

Thanks for all those who have stayed to read this story and for those who reviewed.