Time for chapter two. By the way… I'm actually going to have three chapters. There will be an epilogue for the third chapter.

Mothers' Garden

So a day had passed after the news that Madam Penelope Delacour had died, Age 56, of age. 56 years of age? Fleur was outraged! Nobody could die fifty-six years of age! This was unbelievable! Fleur has spent the whole night in Cedric's arms. Just crying and crying and crying, over and over and over. But it was morning now. She had to be strong for her sister. She got out of Cedric's bed, managing not to wake him, and proceeded to change into her Beauxbatons' uniform.

"Thought I wouldn't wake up?" Cedric asked, laughing as she stumbled, scared of his sudden voice. He must be a light sleeper. Showing no emotion, Fleur nodded, and proceeded to pull on her loafers. Cedric frowned in defeat. He was hoping to make her smile. Sure, it had only been one day since the devastating news, but… Cedric already missed her laugh and smile.

"I'm going down to the Great Hall for breakfast." She said robotically. She didn't even kiss him on the cheek, or hug him, or smile flirtatiously and invite him to sit with her. Cedric only frowned more as he thought of her actions. He couldn't just say 'Fleur, lighten up!' and punch her on the arm. She was a girl, whose feelings were fragile. Cedric was glad he was sensitive enough to know this. He knew Fleur wouldn't come to him with her problems. So he'd go to her and offer his comfort to her.

He walked up, and hugged her. This time she dropped her briefcase looking bag and hugged him back. Kissing his cheek, and sobbing gently into his neck. She whispered to him and her breath tickled him. "I don't want to be strong anymore, Cedric."

Cedric smiled. Not because she was crying, but because she was opening up to him. "Fleur…" His face turned serious again. "You just lost your mother. Nobody expects you to be strong for them."

"Gabrielle." She sobbed the name out. It sounded ragged and wet. Her throat must be sore from all her cries. Cedric almost cried watching her cry last night.

"Let me be strong for the both of you." Cedric offered, and ran his hand up and down her back in a soothing way. He kissed her ear. Gently licking at her lobes. He heard of a soothing technique that involved the earlobe. Cedric thought he'd give it a shot.

It must be true. Fleur nearly fell down. She was moaning and holding onto Cedric's neck to pull him closer. She wanted to be lost in the moment. But she pulled away.

"I'm sorry…" Cedric mumbled, Fleur stopped him.

"Non. I really liked that. But… I don't want Gabrielle to worry." Fleur half-smiled, and kissed him chastely on the lips. "Promise me you won't do that to Gabrielle. It would scare her."

Cedric smiled. "I promise." Cedric held his hand up as if it were a vow.

The couple made their way down to the Great Hall, and Fleur and Cedric made their way down the hall. Fleur earned a number of stares. Most, she figured, for different reasons. Some for why she was with Cedric. And others because of her mother. She didn't even have the heart to smile at any of them and show her French pride. She just strode along with Cedric at her side, holding her hand, and guiding her to her table.

She sat down, Cedric next to her, at the small table that was set out for Beauxbatons. Many of the girls whispered. Those who had enough guts, came up and apologized to Fleur's face. Fleur looked around for Gabrielle. Cecil smiled at her. Fleur half-smiled back. Even though the two got off to a bad start, that didn't mean Cecil was all bad. She would've done the same thing if a guy like Cedric were around and she weren't in love. And Cecil was the one who had to brake the bad news to her.

"You're looking for your sister, non?" Asked Cecil. Her French accent sweet to the ear.

Fleur tried to smile but couldn't cut it. Her face was set in stone since the news. The only time it changed was when she cried.

"Oui."

Cecil frowned. "It seems like I am always the bearer of bad news."

"Is she alright?" Fleur almost sky-rocketed out of her seat. Her sister's in trouble? Cedric was there to hold her shoulder's and calm her down.

"Oui. She's just back at the carriage with Madam Maxime. I think they want you to go speak with them. You know… about the…" Cecil cleared her throat. "Funeral…" She finished.

"A funeral so soon?" Cedric inquired. Cecil nodded wisely.

"Of course. If they waited a week than the body would rot, non?" Cecil looked like she'd been hit by a rock as she noticed what she'd said. Fleur's eyes watered, and Cedric held her. "Oh le condamner! Me et ma grande bouche!" Cecil looked at Cedric's confused look. "Sorry. Bad habit."

Translation: Oh damn it! Me and my big mouth!

"It's alright." Cedric nodded in her direction. Fleur looked up from Cedric's shoulder.

"Let's go to the carriage then." She grabbed Cedric's hand, and they were off.

One day later…

The funeral was held at her mother's garden. She was staying after the funeral with Cedric by her side. She was kneeling by her mother's grave.

Penelope Bridget Delacour

1948-2004

Extraordinary Wife, Daughter, and Mother

"It's perfect." Fleur whispered as she ran her hands over the carved lettering.

"Perfect?" Cedric asked, resting his hand on Fleur's shoulder.

"She'd love it." Fleur's eyes teared. "She always wanted to be remembered for doing something great. Being a mother is the greatest gift of all." Fleur wiped at her eyes.

"You've been a mother?" Cedric asked. Laughing slightly.

"Non." Fleur looked back up at Cedric. "But I want to be." She embraced Cedric.

"I think I need to tell you…" Cedric paused, and held her waist, her arms resting on his shoulder's. "You're a great sister, daughter, -and most of all- the most amazing woman I've ever met."

Fleur laughed. "Well… you're the greatest son, friend, and most wonderful lover I've ever had."

Cedric smiled. Not his usual goofy grin, but a truthfully happy smile. "I'm a lover?"

"You're mine if you want to be…" Fleur blushed. She never blushed before!

Cedric's smile never faded. He finally answered after what seemed like an hour to Fleur. "I want to be…" Cedric paused. "Yours. That is… if you'll be mine?"

"I was always yours'…" With that Cedric kissed her. A long and passionate kiss that seemed to last a lifetime.

Fleur pulled away. "Je vous aime…" She whispered into his ear. This was the one thing Cedric looked up, he knew what this meant. He kissed her earlobe like he had the other day and responded.

"Je vous aime aussi, Fleur." He hoped he'd said it right. Fleur beamed.

"Cedric! You just spoke French!"

"Oui." Cedric laughed.

"I love you so much!" She exclaimed and kissed him again.

"I love you so much too." Cedric smiled and embraced her.

After a while of just kissing, holding, and being with each other, Cedric was the first to speak up.

"We should go in." He grabbed for her hand. "You can stay with me tonight…"

"I want to stay here a little while longer. Alone if I may…" Fleur gave him a questioning look to see if it was okay.

"Of course. I'll see you in my room?" Cedric asked as he began walking out of the garden.

"Oui." Fleur blew him a kiss. She waited until she was sure he was gone, and kneeled back down by the gravestone.

"How did you and père meet?" Fleur whispered to the air as she leaned against the gravestone.

"They met in this garden if I remember correctly." Gabrielle came in from the other gate of the garden and Fleur gasped. "Sorry. But that's what Madam Maxime told me…"

"Gabrielle!" She ran up and hugged her sister. "You're speaking English!"

"I asked Cedric to help me. Now I know a lot more!" Gabrielle smiled. "You two are finally together! It's so great!"

"You sneak!" Fleur accused and poked Gabrielle in the stomach.

"Sorry." Gabrielle giggled. "I knew I wasn't supposed to watch… but it was so romantic! I'm happy you found the one, Fleur!" Gabrielle embraced her older sister and smiled.

"Thank you…" Fleur whispered and played with her sisters' hair.

"By the way… I think mere would be happy that we're moving on. She'd hate it if we grieved forever." Gabrielle gave Fleur a knowing smile. Fleur didn't want to argue.

"I love you baby sister. You'll find the one for you someday."

Gabrielle smiled and hugged her sister.

"I know. I just hope he's as good to me as Cedric is to you…" Gabrielle kissed Fleur goodnight. "Now go to him." She pushed her sister.

"Goodnight petite soeur…" Fleur stopped at the gate and said this. (A/N: Meaning goodnight little sister.)

"Goodnight plus grande soeur!" Gabrielle waved and departed for the carriage. (A/N: Meaning goodnight greatest sister.)

As Fleur walked for Cedric's room she thought: L'amour est grandiose. Ce n'est pas la mère?

(A/N: There! I'm done! Finally! I'll write the epilogue tomorrow. I'm too tired tonight… oh… by the way… Fleur said "Love is grand. Isn't it mother?" Well… more like Fleur's thought. Anyways… please review!)