A/N: I know it's been so long since the last time I updated this and I feel sorry for posting a short chapter before this. I hope this chapter answers some of your questions. I won't promise anything but if I'm still in the mood to write, you'll see another update soon.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters and this story is just a figment of my imagination.

Chapter Seven

"So, how did it go?" Gabrielle asked upon entering my room without warning and sat down on my bed.

I just got back from my meeting with Hermione and apparated straight back to France to prepare for my dinner date later with the woman. I've specifically avoided being seen by any members of my family so that I can hurry back to England, but obviously my sister has been waiting for me somewhere. I ignored my sister and continued to look around for clothes that I can wear for my date. But I knew how persistent Gabrielle was and won't leave me alone until I indulge her.

"It went well." I answered short and I can imagine Gabrielle rolling her eyes with my answer even if I don't face her. "And we decided to go out to dinner tonight." I added just to annoy her. "Aha!" I exclaimed happily when I finally found the dress that I want to wear. I turned holding the dress press to my front and face Gabrielle. "What do you think?"

It was a ruffle mariel dress that reaches my knees and its light blue color matches perfectly with my pale skin. The neckline was deep enough to show skin, enough to attract attention. I don't need the unwanted ones rather just to get the attention of Hermione Granger.

"Not a bad choice but it's actually surprising to see that you own such dress." Gabrielle said while appraising the dress. I looked at her with arched brow. "Well, it's simple compared to the dresses you usually wore."

"Meaning…?"

"It's not attention grabber and you like attention, Fleur."

"No, I don't!" I exclaimed indignantly but Gabrielle just arched her brow at me. "Fine." I gave in with a sigh. "So, this dress won't do?" I asked unsure. Gabrielle has a point when it comes to my choices of clothes but tonight. I don't want attention from leering men or anyone for that matter except for Hermione. I want the night to go smoothly with no mishap or someone interrupting my time with the woman just because they want to flirt with me. I want to savor the time that I will be spending with Hermione and to finally discuss more important matters between us.

Gabrielle must have seen the debate going on inside my head and she smiled at me in assurance. "That dress is perfect for your date tonight. I'm sure Miss Granger will appreciate it if people don't come to you to flirt." She assured. I nodded and turned around to change.

"Applying for citizenship in England, does it mean that you are moving there permanently?" Gabrielle asked after I put on the dress and sat down in front of my dresser to apply my makeup.

I looked at my sister through the mirror who was now standing next to the window and looking outside. "It depends on how it goes with Hermione." I said because there's no certainty whether Hermione would accept me as her mate and my proposal for us to get married. But for now, I'm content to have the woman's friendship just so I can stay close with her and our baby. "For now though, I want to be there for her not just because she's pregnant. I want to be there as a mother, I want to be close as that baby bump grow each day." I said and I can feel myself being emotional for no reason at all or its part of becoming a mother? I really don't know but I like the feeling of it.

"You've been changing." Gabrielle said when she finally left her post next to the window and went to the door but pause before leaving and looked at me. "It's a good change. Good luck on your date, soeur."

I looked at myself in the mirror one last time after putting on my makeup and just comb my long silvery blonde hair letting it loose and sway on my back. I check my purse to make sure that everything I need was there. Satisfied, I grab my light brown coat and silver stiletto heels sandals that added another three inches to my already tall height. I put on both items and had one last looked at the mirror before I apparated away and into Diagon alley.

Diagon alley was more crowded at this time of the day, since most of them are rushing to get home for the day after a long day stuck on their jobs. And I was thankful when nobody paid me attention when I arrived at the apparition point and walk straight to Rosario's. Upon arriving, I approach the host who was standing near the entrance.

"Good evening, Miss." The man greeted me with practiced smile. "Are you here to meet someone or you have reservation?" He asked politely.

"I have a reservation but I'm also meeting someone." I answered as I look around to see if Hermione has arrived before me.

"May I have your name please?"

"Fleur Delacour and I'm here to meet Hermione Granger. Did she arrive yet?" I asked.

I can see the surprise in the host's face but the man was quick to hide his reaction and smiled at me. "Miss Granger hasn't arrived yet." He answered and checks his clipboard for my name in the reservation list. "You reserved for a secluded table?" he asked.

"Yes."

The host smiled and gestured for me to follow but before I can follow. I felt her presence behind me and the sweet smell that reminds me of spring. My heart started to beat fast out of anticipation with the thought that she's here. I can feel not tension from the pit of my stomach but rather, happiness that I can't fully describe. A smile was already plastered on my lips as I turned around to face her.

What a magnificent feeling….

A beautiful sight….

My mate…

The soon to be mother of my child…

Our child… Our baby…

This thoughts run rampantly inside my head as I looked at the woman standing in front of me. Admittedly, I'm speechless. All the bravado that I showed her the days prior was all gone. Is it possible for anyone to be more captivating and beautiful as days passes by? But in my case it was just few hours since I last saw her.

Or maybe…

Just maybe…. I'm in love with her?

Could it be…. was it even possible that all those years that I admired her from the distance that my heart started to fall for her without me knowing?

"You are quiet? Is something wrong?" The smile on Hermione's face upon arriving in the restaurant was replaced with concern as she looks at me.

"I think Miss Delacour has been petrified by your beauty, Miss Granger." The host whom I forgot was standing next to me said with a smile.

"Ah, Armand! It's good to see you again." Hermione greeted the man happily and step closer to me.

"It's good to see you too, Miss." Armand replied politely and turned around to give us some privacy.

I was pulled out of my catatonic state when I felt Hermione's hand wrap around my arm. I looked down at her and saw the concern in those brown eyes.

"Everything okay?" Hermione whispered.

I nodded and kiss her on both cheeks. "What he said was true. I think I was petrified by your beauty." I told her and before she could hide her face on my shoulder I saw the blush that adorns her cheeks.

"Flatterer." She whispered

I laugh softly and wrapped an arm around her waist. "I guess we better sit down before you collapse." I joke and I heard her laugh.

Hermione leaned back but stayed in my arms. "You are right. I'm actually hungry." She said looking up at me.

"Armand, we are ready for that table." I called the host's attention by using his name that Hermione had called him earlier.

Armand looked at us and gestured for us to follow him.

"Are you a frequent guest in this place that you know his name?" I asked out of curiosity as we followed behind Armand.

"Hmm… no, he'd been to my office before with some concern about his heritage." Hermione replied without further elaboration and I just nodded.

Armand stop beside a table for two in the corner area of the restaurant. The table was enclosed with partitions which were made of glass and woods. It's not a private room but it provides enough privacy and to tell the other patrons of Rosario's that they are not to be disturbed.

"Enjoy your evening, Ladies." Armand said after showing us our table and took our coats and left to attend to the next customer that entered the restaurant.

I waited for Hermione to take her seat first before I sat down across from her and not long, our server arrived and asks us for our orders. But when the server asked us for the wine of our choice, I declined and just asked for water and tea. Hermione looked at me with arched brow when I declined the wine but didn't say anything until the server left to get our orders.

"Just because I'm pregnant, it doesn't mean that you also have to abstain yourself from drinking any alcohol." She said.

"Well, I don't feel like drinking any tonight." I replied shrugging my shoulders and put my hands on top of the table and entwined my fingers as I leaned closer, giving Hermione a good view of my chest. It didn't escape me when I saw her eyes flitters down on my chest before she averted them back to my face. "Something caught your eyes?" I teased her and she looks away blushing.

"No. Besides, I have my own pair and I'm pretty sure that you've been ogling them since I arrived." Hermione shot back as she leaned back in her seat with a smug look on her face.

I covered my lips as I try and suppress my laugh but my eyes were twinkling with happiness while I look at her. I took a deep breath and straightened on my seat.

"I believe that you have questions for me this evening?" I asked.

Hermione nodded. "I have a lot actually but I want to know first if there's a limit."

"You can ask me anything. No limit but I hope that you can give me the same courtesy when it's my turn to ask you questions."

Hermione nodded

"Tell me about Veelas."

I looked at Hermione puzzled. "Aren't you the head of The Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures?"

"I am but I've never encountered Veelas before and your kind was elusive."

"But I'm sure that Veelas are in the ministry's archive." I said. Hermione nodded. "Then why are you asking me about Veela?"

Hermione sighed. "I love reading books. All my knowledge came from books. But we both know that what was written in those books was not all true." She said and looked at me as if challenging me to contradict what she said. "Anyways, Veelas in this country has zero records of any disputes against anyone. All I can say is that they operate under the radar and even if we have records about the Veelas, they are mostly about marriage registry and birth and those records doesn't concern national security anymore. Besides, the law that was requiring every magical creature to register under the ministry has been abolish long ago." She explained. "And I rather want to learn these things from you and not from the records that were stored somewhere in the ministry."

I nodded in understanding. "It will be a long conversation."

"Well, that's the purpose of this dinner for us to know more about each other."

I pondered on where to start explaining about my heritage and it will surely takes a lot of our time if I tell Hermione about the Veelas origin. "Can we skip the history though? You can ask my grandmother or mother for those. I'm sure they'll happily tell you about the history of Veelas."

"I don't mind." Hermione agreed. "I think you can just explain to me if how it was possible that you got me pregnant and yes you've said it before because I am your mate, but I want some explanation if how did it happen. Because my mind can't just accept that answer without further elaboration on how."

I frowned as I think hard on how to explain the reproductions of Veelas. "It's still possible for Veela women to get pregnant if their partner is a man whether if they are mated or not. But for a Veela whose partner is a woman, it's impossible for them to get pregnant unless they are mated."

"Like us?" Hermione asked and I nodded, then the frown on her forehead deepens as she looked at me more confused than before. "What about Veela men then?"

"There are no Veela men." I answered and we both looked down on the barely noticeable baby bump. "It's a girl." I told her when our eyes met. "We are going to have a baby girl." I whispered and unconsciously we both smiled.

"You still didn't explain the 'how' it's possible though." Hermione said with arched brow which made me laugh at how her mind doesn't give up until it was satisfied with an answer.

Before I can say more our server was back and serves our food before leaving once again to give us our privacy.

"It's because of magic." I told her with a wink and gestured for her to start eating. As much as I want to indulge her in satisfying her curiosity, I also need to make sure that she is well fed.

"Are you saying that our baby was made by magic?" Hermione asked in disbelief.

"In a sense yes but we believe that it's a blessing from Aphrodite."

"Aphrodite… the Greek god?"

"Oh… so you've heard about Aphrodite?"

"But she's just a myth."

I was smiling as I shook my head. "Aphrodite isn't just a myth for us Veelas. She's our protector and creator. But I'm afraid that it's for another story in another time." I told her and laugh at the disappointed look on her face. "I'll tell you about it but not tonight."

We were interrupted again when our server came back and serves us the dessert; a pumpkin cannoli for me and tiramisu for Hermione. But before Hermione could voiced out another question I grab one of my bite size cannoli's and fed it to her.

"Eat." I just smiled at her when she scowled for being silenced with the food. "You can ask your questions later." I told her and we continued to eat in silence until our meal was over and I paid. Although, Hermione tried to pay for us but I was faster than her and she has no choice but to concede.

"I'll be paying for our next outing." Hermione said and I just nodded already content because it means there's definitely a second date for us.

My arm automatically wrapped around Hermione's waist when we left our table then I felt it when her body went stiff for a bit. I pulled her closer to me and look around for any threat or any reason for the woman to tense all of a sudden, and then I noticed it.

Other patrons of Rosario's are looking at us, some had the decency to look away when I caught them but the others are actually gawking and whispering on each other while looking at us. I didn't say anything and lead her towards Armand, who was already waiting for us with our coats in his arms.

We thanked the host and I help Hermione puts on her coat before I wore my own. We were holding hands when we step out of Rosario's and I was unsure on how to proceed but Hermione assuages my worries when she pulled me towards an alley. I didn't say anything and just followed her lead until we emerges on Muggle London.

"I can't apparate in my condition." Hermione said, answering my silent question of what we were doing there.

Hermione flag down a taxi and pulled me with her when the car stop in front of us. Hermione looked at me without letting go of my hand and asked. "You don't mind spending more time with me in a more private place don't you?"

I felt myself smiling as I nodded my consent. I would go anywhere with her.