The next two weeks were relatively peaceful for Hermione in regards to her magic wigging out. She would go to work and plot with Harry and Ron on breaching Lechamp's castle and then she would return to her apartment to lock herself in and run through dozens of plans. It seemed that Fleur could sense that Hermione was working through something difficult at her job, so she remained dressed at all times. Their only interaction was when Fleur would take the brunette dinner before exiting quietly as Hermione worked early into the mornings.
Finally, Hermione walked out of her study, with a smile on her face while Fleur was eating dinner in the dining room. Fleur looked up shocked before smiling as well,
"I assume you – ah…what is it? You 'ave cracked ze case?"
Hermione grinned as she wrote two notes and banished them, "Yep! What's for dinner?"
Fleur rose a brow, "Mon dieu, are we going to 'ave dinner together?" She asked before putting a hand to her forehead, "Je suis submergée par l'honneur que vous me faites! (What an honor!) I think I may faint!
Hermione rolled her eyes and moved to the kitchen to grab a plate of food, "If you faint, I'm taking your food. Thanks for dinner for the past few weeks by the way. I'm sure I would have wasted away if not for you."
Fleur purred, stopping Hermione in her tracks, "It was my pleasure."
Hermione's eyes widened as she suddenly remembered part of why she refused to come out of her study. Fleur smirked and returned to her food, while Hermione slowly sat and wished she hadn't let her excitement drag her out of the study.
To her surprise, Fleur started an innocent conversation with her and they talked animatedly with each other the entire time. Hermione only fell more in love with the woman as Fleur kept her engaged and made her laugh the entire time. The dinner was a fun and light affair, Hermione's magic was behaving and Fleur refrained from any sexual innuendo or teasing that might embarrass Hermione, though Hermione had to wonder how badly it hurt her to do so.
After a long conversation over wine and dessert, the two of them retreated to their rooms and Fleur bid Hermione goodnight. No kiss, no hug, just a simple,
"Goodnight 'ermione."
Hermione returned the sentiment and watched as the woman retreated to her room. While she was glad to have had such a calm night with Fleur, she did miss the invasion of her personal space. Usually, Fleur was so close, Hermion could smell the woman long after Fleur had left her presence. Sighing, she washed the dishes and put away the leftovers before retiring to bed.
The next morning, Hermione awoke to the smell of breakfast and walked out to see Fleur cooking in a tank and her underwear. She stood there, taking in the sight of long legs twisting back and forth as Fleur danced at the stove.
Her mind was filled with images of her walking across the floor, placing Fleur up on the kitchen island and having her for breakfast, not noticing that she was doing exactly that.
"Oh! 'Ermione!" Fleur squeaked, breaking Hermione out of her thoughts. While she had been thinking about it, apparently her body had mistaken her fantasy for instructions.
Hermione had lifted Fleur up onto the island and stepped between her legs, her hands still on the woman's thighs. Fleur's eyes were wide and her face flushed, but more importantly, her lips were plump and shining. Hermione's eyes widened as she realized she had kissed the French woman. She attempted to step back and run out of the house, but Fleur wrapped her legs around her waist and pulled her closer, chuckling.
"Mm, ma petite lionne…" Fleur hummed and cupped Hermione's face, pulling her in for another kiss.
Hermione whimpered as this time, she felt the kiss. Fleur's lips were soft and plump, and she exhaled into the kiss, tasting the woman, nibbling at her gently.
"Fleur…" she whispered before the blonde captured her lips again, coaxing moans from Hermione as her lips grabbed hold of Hermione's bottom one and sucked. Hermione's squeezed the hips in her hands, making Fleur release a moan of her own.
Pulling back, Hermione licked her lips and locked eyes with Fleur, who whispered, "You're going to be late for work, 'Ermione."
Hermione bit her lip and seriously contemplated skipping. There was nothing important to be done today, right? She shrugged and began kissing on Fleur's throat, loving the sounds she made when Hermione nipped on the spot just below her ear.
"Ah, oui, ici. Juste ici…" Fleur moaned.
An owl tapped on the window, the magic equivalent of a ringing phone and Hermione rolled her eyes. Still biting on Fleur's throat, she opened the window and extended her hand for the owl.
She removed the note and opened it, behind Fleur's back.
He's moving.
Hermione's eyes widened.
"Dammit!" she yelled and pulled back. "Fuck!" She screamed and accio'd her wand before grabbing the portkey that came with the note. And left a sexually frustrated Fleur sitting on the counter.
"Merde…" the blonde muttered. Suddenly the fire alarm went off and she remembered she had been cooking before her interruption.
"Merde, ça a crâmé!" She yelled and rushed to turn off the stove. Shit it's burning!
Hermione stumbled towards Harry and Ron who were hiding behind a building, just beyond what appeared to be the beginnings of a massacre, "What the hell, Harry? You said we had a while?" Hermione screeched.
Harry nodded, "I know, but apparently he had plans for tonight that we didn't catch wind of. What's the plan?" He asked.
Hermione shook her head, "We have to stop them, immediately."
Ron and Harry perked up, "Guns ablazing?!"
Guns ablazing was the boys favorite plan of action. It meant exactly as it sounded. They would brandish their wands and run into the middle of the men, fighting them off with no particular plan of action.
Rolling her eyes, Hermione nodded, "Guns ablazing. Rescue who you can." They withdrew their wands and grabbed each other's arms, their signal for good luck. Nodding to each other, they stepped out from behind the building and ran into the battle, shooting spells left and right.
Hermione took the brunt of the battle, fighting almost 5 wizards at a time, while Harry and Ron, fought who they could, but focused on rescuing those in trouble.
Again, the spells seemed to slow in mid-air for Hermione. To anyone watching, the brunette seemed to almost dance around the multitude of spells aimed at her.
Hermione's body contorted in efficient ways, easily dodging the spells that were barreling towards her, yet, she was frowing.
Why is this so easy? She questioned mentally. Sure, she could manage three wizards at once, but five? She wasn't even breaking a sweat. In fact, she had the time to check on Harry and Ron a few times, blasting off a surprise attack. Eventually, she managed to disarm and defeat the five she was battling, only to engage with three more. This time, Lechamp was striking randomly as well, hoping to catch her off guard.
"You'll never win, aurors!" He taunted, hoping to say something that would throw the feisty brunette off. "We'll destroy you and this village! Every man woman and child!"
Hermione ignored him and focused on fighting the steadily increasing wizards. She put her back against a wall, not wanting to be struck from behind, and continued firing off spells.
"And when I'm done with you, I'm going after the Delacours!"
Hermione faltered and was nearly hit by a curse.
All of the blood rushed to her head and she could hear nothing but her heartbeat and his words ringing in her ears.
The Delacours.
Fleur.
He wants to hurt Fleur.
Hermione's breathing picked up and she began to shake with anger.
"Boooys!" Hermione growled and received no answer.
"BOYS!" She shouted and heard one of them yell an answer.
"PLAN. Z!" she yelled and began skillfully beating back all of the wizards, even managing to send a spell towards Lechamp, knocking him off his porch. The moment she heard two pops of apparition, Hermione yelled furiously, "You're a dead man, Lechamp!" She growled out, feeling her magic swell in her abdomen. "A DEAD MAN!" she yelled and just as her mother warned, her magic exploded out.
Starting in her abdomen, a blue orb grew out slowly, before quickly exploding outwards for miles in every direction. Nothing was leveled, but everyone immediately fell to the ground unconscious. Spells that were flying towards her were halted in their tracks and absorbed into the shockwave. Hermione hit her knees, having exhausted her all of her energy. Darkness swam at the edge of her vision and she rested her hands on the ground. "Remy…" she called weakly.
The elf popped in front of her and began tsk'ing. "What happened? Missuss warned you." Hermione chuckled weakly, "I was well within my rights. Go to the Burrow and bring Harry and Ron here would you?"
Remy nodded, "Yes miss. Will you be alright till Remy returns?"
Hermione nodded and waved him off, falling onto the ground after he was gone. She turned onto her back and stared at the bright sky. "Beat Fleur in a duel, huh?" She chuckled to herself, "I think I'm capable…"
Harry had been so afraid of Hermione in that moment, that he apparated all the way to the burrow and stayed by Molly's side. Ron was apparently equally scared and he too appeared at the burrow quickly after.
Molly chuckled, it wasn't the first time the two of them had shown up at her home, running from their friend. Molly was the only person the younger witch was afraid of and the two of them knew Hermione wouldn't dare commit murder in front of her. She chuckled and continued cleaning the house. "I hope it isn't you two she's angry with."
The boys shook their head, but otherwise remained silent, making Molly wonder what the hell they had gotten up to. The last time Ron and Harry had shown, they were completely capable of talking. Currently, they were huddled together on the couch, both looking like they were trying to get over a rather horrifying scene. Molly sincerely hoped Hermione had no plans to show up at the Burrow. What none of them knew was that Molly herself was a more than a little frightened by Hermione's ferocity. She honestly had no clue what it was Hermione thought she would do, but whatever it was, she was glad it kept the brunette in check.
Suddenly, she heard two pops and turned to see the boys gone. Shrugging, Molly continued on cleaning, "Perhaps I should have them over for dinner later." She frowned, "Much later. Best to give Hermione time to calm down…"
Harry and Ron both rushed over to Hermione who waved them off, "Go get him. Arrest him."
Ron looked to Harry before nodding and calling for a few aurors to help him arrest all of the wizards. For now, he set about removing their time turners. Harry stayed with Hermione and checked her for wounds. "What happened?" He asked, almost afraid to know.
"Magic..." she made an explosion sound and gesture. "Exhausted. Just need to rest…" She said and passed out. Harry examined the diagnostics and nodded, seeing what Hermione said to be true. Magically, the brunette was completely expended. A week or so of bedrest and she would be fine.
"How is she?" Ron asked, returning to them after the backup arrived.
Harry looked up, "Exhausted. She'll be fine. She says her magic exploded out and I think that means we dodged a hell of a bullet. Come on, let's get her to Fleur."
Ron blanched as he lifted Hermione, "Exploded? Bloody hell, you mean plan Z just got worse?"
Harry nodded, "We're screwed mate. I think it's time to retire…"
Harry burst through the door to Hermione's apartment, Hermione slung over Ron's shoulder as he followed behind.
"Watch her head, Ron!" Harry shouted and rolled his eyes as Ron turned to make sure he hadn't hurt Hermione, which of course resulted in him almost cracking her skull against the door.
"What the 'ell is zis?" Fleur asked. "What happened to 'ermione?"
Ron and Harry exchanged glances before smirking. Hermione would thank them later.
"You know how Hermione can be, brilliant but clumsy."
Ron chimed in, "She's no better than Tonks, honestly."
Harry sniggered, "She trips all the time on our missions, just gives us away."
Ron smirked, "Remember that time she tripped on her own trap?"
Harry laughed and played along, concocting false stories, "And that time she accidently kicked a death eater's cat and ended up running from it?"
"Mon dieu! I 'ad no idea she was so clumsy!" Fleur exclaimed completely shocked. She knew Hermione to be a bit…awkward and maybe even a little eccentric, but clumsy?
Harry and Ron nodded, "This time, she fired a curse and it bounced back…She'll be in and out of it for a few days and we aren't sure how well she'll do. St. Mungos is no help since it was one of her own curses, and she regained conscience for a few seconds to tell us she just needed bedrest, so..."
Fleur nodded and guided them to Hermione's bedroom. "Place 'er 'ere." She said after removing the piles of paper from the bed and rolling her eyes at the state of Hermione's room. There were research papers scattered everywhere and Fleur would definitely be having a conversation with Hermione about the take out box she spied.
Ron none to gently threw Hermione down on the bed, glad to be rid of the weight, "Oh bloody hell she's heavy!" he exclaimed and the brunette bounced straight onto the floor.
"Ronald!" Fleur yelled incredulous and Harry laughed. Ron jumped and quickly picked Hermione up, this time setting her down gently in the center of the bed before turning to face a pissed Fleur.
"Out." She said gritting her teeth. "OUT!"
Harry's laughter died out and he and Ron quickly ran out of the house, as instructed.
Ron shook his head, "Are we sure we want them together mate? Fleur is scary when she's pissed."
Harry nodded in agreement, "It's too late now…"
Moments after the two of them left, Hermione's eyes opened and she smiled, "Fluuuu…rrrrrrrr…." she said, dragging out Fleur's name, "Fufu flew away…."
The vela raised a brow and sat on the bed next to a delirious Hermione, "What am I going to do with you? 'ow do you feel, 'ermione? Are you in pain?"
"The ceiling is dancing…" Hermione hummed and laughed, before promptly passing back out.