As soon as they finished dinner they climbed up the Astronomy tower stairs until they reached the top.
Hours later, after making small talk the two girls were laying down on the astronomy tower, side by side, in a slightly awkward moment. They kept glancing at each other.
Fleur cleared her throat before saying. "You were right. It is an amazing sight"
"I told you we got a beautiful night sky"
"I was talking about the fact that it wasn't cloudy in Scotland, but yours is good too" Teased a smiling Veela.
Hermione did her best to glare at her teasing friend but knew she couldn't look that threatening as she felt a smile appear on her lips. "Fleur!"
"What?" Innocently asked the blonde.
"You know what"
Fleur turned back her head to look at the sky. "The stars are beautiful tonight"
Hermione groaned as she looked at the smirking blonde before looking back at the stars too.
She jumped as she saw something appear close to her face.
"Éclair?"
The brunette was surprised and Fleur felt the need to explain. "I snuck them from our table. I nearly had to stab Sébastien with my fork for it"
Hermione let out a nervous laugh as she took it and sat up. "Thanks" The chocolate ones were the best. Fleur sat up next to her and at the one she had grabbed for herself. The pastries were eaten pretty fast.
Hermione licked her lips but Fleur didn't think it was enough. "You have a little…"
The brunette felt the heat rise to her cheeks as Fleur grabbed her shin and passed her thumb on her lips. Hermione shivered and thought she could have a heart attack as she watch the French woman suck her thumb clean before smiling at her.
The Gryffindor could help but lick her lips a few more times. They were still tingling. Fleur was staring at her in a way that made her feel strange things in her stomach so of course Hermione looked away.
"You know, from up there, I'd spy on everyone down there" Said the blonde as she looked over the ledge.
"It's too far and too dark" Explained Hermione even if she was looking down too, before looking at the blonde. "Right. I forgot for a second that you had…special eyes"
Hermione frowned as all she got was a humming sound for an answer.
"Fleur? Is everything okay?"
"Yes, yes. It's just…someone is acting weird. It's like…he is trying to sneak close to our carriage"
"Really?! Who?!" Hermione was trying really hard but all she could see was darkness.
"I think he is you potion master. He is not interested by our carriage, he is going straight for the abraxans!" Instantly the blonde got up. "I need to find Madame Maxime"
Hermione grabbed her hand. "There is no need. He'd never hurt them, he is probably trying to get his hands on some feather or hair"
The brunette was looking at Fleur with a hopeful gaze. Blue eyes looked from Hermione's hand to her face before deciding to sit down again. "I hope he gets bitten then" Wished Fleur.
Hermione didn't know she could make that sound, but seeing Fleur like that, cute and bothered she couldn't help but giggle. It brought back Fleur's attention to her companion. "Sorry" Mumbled the blonde.
"Don't be. You're cute when you are angry" Hermione's eyes grew wide as she realized she had said that out loud "I mean…I…" It didn't help that Hermione could swear Fleur's face was getting closer. She could feel her breath on her face. Fleur's eyes kept going from Hermione's eyes to her lips.
The brunette felt lightheaded, but strangely her thoughts were passing by very fast.
'Is she really going to kiss me?!'
'I feel like I'm going to faint. Merlin, don't let me faint!'
'If I wake up now…'
It all went quiet as their lips met. It was just a peck but Hermione was tingling all over. Fleur pulled back slowly and was paying very close attention to the other girl's expression.
As soon as she realized what had happened Hermione's glazed eyes widened. In a fast move she pulled away from the blonde. "Bloody hell!"
The champion's mind went to the first logical explanation. "I'm so sorry Hermione. I thought we were on the same page. The way you look at me and blush so m…"
"No. No! I'm just…you really like me? Me?!"
"I thought that was obvious. I just kissed you after all" Stated Fleur.
"I know! It's just…did you see me? I'm not pretty and you…you are beautiful"
Fleur barely registered the compliment. "Do you really think I would care about something as trivial?" The blonde's voice was slightly raised.
"Yes!" Exclaimed Hermione.
In a huff Fleur got up and dusted off her clothes. The blonde was shaking with anger and her accent was getting stronger. "I guess now I know what you think of me"
Hermione nervously got up too on her weak legs. "Fleur, I'm sorry… I didn't mean it like…"
"Like what?! Like you thoughts I was vain and shallow?!"
"No! I know you are not shallow!" Hermione was thinking about their time spent in the library. Or anywhere else they had been together, Fleur was always insight full, smart and quick.
"So you do think I'm vain!" Fleur took a step closer to the smaller girl as she was getting pissed.
Starting to feel cornered by the blonde, whose presence was very distracting as she was standing so close to her, Hermione blurted out the first thing that came to her mind. "You have to admit you have a very high opinion about yourself"
"It is not high. It's realistic!" Exclaimed the French girl.
Hermione was a little too proud to add anything on the matter. Fleur was after all a stunning woman, Beauxbaton's champion and an amazing witch….all the things that had convinced her that Fleur could not possibly be interested in her.
"All the more reasons for you to not like me! You should be with someone in your league!"
"Don't tell me who I ought to be with!"
"Fleur…"
"I can't believe you think so little of me, or you for that matter!"
"Fleur…"
"When I look at you, all I can see is beauty, mind, body and soul!"
This time Hermione opened her mouth but nothing came out. She was blushing furiously as the blonde kept on ranting.
"And you go and say you see me like a Barbie doll. A smiling blonde…filled with air!"
"I never said that!"
"Like it was that much different" Fleur waved her hand as she said that.
Hermione was definitely angry. "Will you shut up?!"
Fleur got even closer to Hermione and was fuming, she didn't have time to scream back. The brunette wasn't finished. "I like you too dammit!"
Instantly they both stopped talking for a while, they were just looking at each other, breathing heavily.
"Why didn't you just say so?" Enquired the frustrated blonde.
Still a little angry and very upset Hermione couldn't stop the tears from falling. "I…I'm sorry…"
Fleur took the last step and pulled the brunette into her arms. "Shh. I'm sorry for getting so angry. It's okay"
"I'm sorry too" Spoke the best she could with her head in the crook of Fleur's neck.
Neither of them dared to speak after that. Never letting go they laid back down again and gazed at the stars in each over arms. They slowly shifted until they were not facing the stars anymore but each other. Fleur brushed a strand of hair from the Gryffindor's face, after a long minute Hermione asked. "Aren't you going to kiss me?"
"I think that should be up to you this time"
Embarrassed the brunette looked down at their interlaced fingers. "I…I have no experience. Earlier that was my first kiss. I'm not sure how to proceed"
"It's not that complicated. Just stop thinking and listen to your body" Hermione snorted at that before the blonde could finish. When she finished she couldn't help but roll her eyes at Fleur before she slightly jumped as the Gryffindor felt warm lips on her own.
Hermione had no idea how long she explored this new feeling. Lips on lips. Tickled sometimes by the blonde's breath. They parted from time to time to look into each over eyes.
Fleur was letting the other girl lead. She smiled when the little Gryffindor got brave and she felt her tongue on her lips, but she didn't dare pass that frontier.
One of their break Fleur couldn't help but say. "I can't believe it's going to be midnight soon"
An alarmed Hermione suddenly pulled back. "What?!"
"Oui. It's going to be half passed eleven soon"
The brunette's eyes grew even wide. "I forgot! I'm sorry Fleur but I really have to go"
"Hermione? What…?"
Hermione gave her a quick kiss, resting the urge to keep going, and dashed down the stairs leaving a dumbfound French girl behind.
She didn't have time to explain. She'd probably have to apologize the next day but she couldn't let Harry down. They had planned it, she was supposed to be in front of the fat lady's portrait at half passed eleven to open it so Harry could slip out to see Hagrid. Then they had to keep the common room empty as ordered by Sirius. She knew what she had to do, however she couldn't help but think about Fleur. This was going to be a long night.
Hermione groaned as she woke up. She had no idea what time it was but it was too early.
The previous night had been eventful to say the least, Sirius, dragons and last but not least, Fleur. She groaned again. The blonde seem to have a temper sometimes. She just hoped she wasn't too mad at her for leaving so suddenly.
She barely made it in time for breakfast. She tried to convince herself that Fleur already ate and wasn't avoiding her. She didn't have time for this. They had less than three days to find a way to beat a dragon.
Hours passed and the brunette was getting more and more annoyed. They couldn't find anything. They should be allowed to have some kind of help. Harry didn't learn half the things the other champions did.
When Krum came in the library followed by his fan club she was ready to throw books at them. Not her own mind you, never. She'd have to visit the divination section first.
Both her and Harry needed a break. She had to find Fleur and explain.
As she was making her way down Hogwarts grounds she couldn't believe she was doing this when she still had homework to do. She paced in front of the carriage for a while, going over what she could say until she finally knocked, a tan brunette with nearly black eyes opened to door. "What is it?"
"I…I…I know I'm not allowed in, but could I speak to Fleur Delacour please?"
"Non"
"What? But I really need to talk to her"
"No one is allowed to disturb her during her training" Stated the other girl.
"Could you tell her I came by?... And that…I really need to talk to her?"
"Sure" Was all the Beauxbaton's student said as she slammed the door in her face.
Hermione was pretty sure the haughty brunette wouldn't say anything to Fleur. She walked back angrily towards the castle muttering about French people.
Madame Maxime had to leave and instead of practicing like she was supposed to, she was pacing. Fleur couldn't concentrate on the tournament. She'd work on it later. If someone was to walk in on her at that moment…anyone would be convinced she was insane. Walking back and forth, moving her hands as she sometimes spoke out loud to herself.
This was no supposed to happen. She had been raised, knowing about Veelas. She was very close to her grandmother. She knew it didn't matter if you were an half or not. If the Veela blood was strong you were a Veela, bound by their rules and everything that went with it. For a fourth part Veela…
She remembered clearly sitting on her Grandma's knees in the garden as she was being told many tales. She loved to see the little smiles and expressions on her Grandmother Marguerite's face as she was lost in her own memories as she spoke.
Fleur had lost count of how many times she had turned to ask when would she met her mate? How soon could she try to turn into a bird and fly?
Marguerite kept on telling her that it was impossible. Even though she had some Veela blood running through her veins, it was not strong enough. Her mother barely showed any sign of being part Veela, it was possible she would get a thrall, for she was already as beautiful as a full blooded Veela. Fleur would frown and look down disappointed. She didn't back down so easily. She kept on asking, about herself, about their kind.
When she was seven, she really wanted to be able to change, she wished for it so many times and once slipped from the roof she was standing on.
Not so long after that she received a broom. This was how wizard were supposed to fly she was told. She grumbled but accepted it and learned how to fly using a cleaning utensil.
She had grown up. She understood and was partially resigned. She was human.
She even had convinced herself that the stranger she met in the wood and what she felt was probably just her questioning her sexuality. She was so scared of these feelings she ran as soon as she was sure the girl was safe.
She had cursed the first time she saw the curly browned haired witch a few tables away. Part of her was telling her to not do anything. Forget it. But there was this burning feeling, this ache in the pit of her stomach. She caught herself glancing, then staring and before she knew it she was walking across the hall. The first thing she could think about as she accosted them was…to ask for the bouillabaisse. She could have face palmed herself.
It didn't help that her brunette didn't even utter word to her.
Time passed and Fleur felt like a stalker. She was trying to learn things. What she liked to do or not? Who were her friends?...
Whenever she was around the British girl the ache was back.
The first time they spoke, she couldn't help but smile as she thought about the flushed Gryffindor outside the library. They barely touched but the ache instantly disappeared to be replaced by a very good feeling, like a buzz.
She couldn't deny it anymore. Instantly she went to write to her Grandma and was very annoyed when she received a sketchy reply, telling her she had some research to do, Veelas to talk to and they'd talk about it when she'd come to see her for the first task.
That didn't help at all.
The ache, she was getting used to, was nothing compared to the burning feeling she got when she heard. Hermione and Harry Potter, together as a couple. What a heresy. She couldn't keep on standing by and watching from afar, she had to do something. Cornering her in the library was the best idea she had since landing on that island.
They managed to build some kind of friendship. She was glad Hermione was such a smart and caring person if she was to be her mate.
There was a downside to their meetings. It would seem that the more time she spent with the muggle born the stronger the ached became when they were apart, which she had to admit, was making her a little bit cranky.
Which could explain why when she felt like she was soaring when she was kissing her Hermione! And…the younger girl ran away and disappeared without an explanation.
From that point on she was borderline homicidal, she couldn't help but wonder if she had gone to join her best friend, the little boy, the little Harry Potter. She found herself daydreaming about him being eaten by a dragon. She stopped pacing as she realized she was actually growling. She took a few deep breaths before pacing again.
Madame Maxime wasn't really helping. As soon as she learned her pupil was to face a dragon she went to find her and announced that from this point on she would remain on their carriage, look for spells and train.
She growled again as she grabbed another book and finally sat down.
She knew she was stuck but there was one thing she could do. Ace that task. She would crush all the others. Hermione would be amazed.
In a few hours she would be facing a dragon and she had to admit, she was feeling a little bit nervous. Maybe a lot. She wiped her sweaty hands on her clothes. She was as ready as she could be. She had found a great charm to use on the dragon. It would sleep and she would do whatever she had to.
She didn't see Hermione at all for the last few days, from what she had heard she was helping Potter. He would need it, that was sure.
Someone knocked and walked instantly into her room without waiting for an answer. She opened her mouth to scold at whoever it was but froze as she recognized her grandmother.
She ran and hugged her. "Thank goddess you are here"
As soon as she backed away she invited Marguerite inside before closing the door behind her.
"How are you doing little one?"
Fleur looked down at the older woman and winced.
"That bad? Hmm?"
Fleur's eyes grew wide as she watched her Granny pull out a small knife out of her pocket, acting like it was completely normal.
"So…I've seen the elders and it would seem it is not the first time the blood has awaken after more than one generation. It is very rare, but it happens. To be sure and make it official, I need a few drops of your blood sweetie"
The champion realized what was going but was lost, and before she knew it Marguerite grabbed her hand, barely punctured her ring finger, as blood started to come she pulled out a small vial.
One, two, three drops fell into the transparent liquid. The older woman turned it around as she would a glass of wine.
"So?" Enquired Fleur.
"We just have to wait a few minutes. If it turn blue then you are…" Marguerite trailed off.
The teen felt the need to sit down as she stared at the liquid. Slowly it started to change until it was dark blue.
"Congratulation!"
"I'm…I'm a Veela?"
Her grandmother nodded and Fleur would deny it if asked, but she did, in fact, squeal.
"She is my mate?!" Exclaimed the teen.
"It's what the signs seem to be telling you. Yes"
"So when do I mark her?" Fleur was very eager.
"Fleur…you can't just go and jump her"
"But you always told me stories about Veelas meeting their mate, courting and marking them"
"I know. I was talking about people of age Fleur, from what you have told me she is too young"
"Are you telling me I shouldn't pursue her?!"
"No, no, of course not. You just have to do it right. Court her, make you intentions known and explain what a bonding mean to our kind"
Marguerite was looking at her little girl, wide blue eyes looking at her in delight as she kept on nodding. She groaned.
"Fleur. I didn't think I would ever have to, but…we need to have THE talk"
Fleur didn't see Hermione at all. She didn't even hear from her. That was enough to get on her nerves, but there she was, pacing in the champion's tent about to face a dragon.
She couldn't help but think about the long talk she had with her Grandmother.
Horrible and horrifying talk, even if she learned a few things, it was rare but it was one of those times when she regretted her family could be so straightforward.
There was the sound, it was her turn.
She rolled her shoulders, took a deep breath and started walking down the dark corridor.
Hermione walked up the stands and sat down with Ron and Ginny. After a few minutes she was grossed out by Ron who was eating some snack as they were waiting for the show. She was worried before, but seeing a dragon in the flesh was another thing.
Although she was a little annoyed to see Diggory transfigure a rock into a dog. What was it with wizards and innocent creatures?
It was some good magic, but the dog could get turned into dragon food. Thankfully it got away and the dragon went back to the Hufflepuff as he got the golden egg.
Hermione straightened up in her seat as they announced the next champion was Fleur. She came out and Hermione couldn't help but check her out. She had amazing long legs.
The Gryffindor did a double take, a skirt to fight a fire breathing dragon?! If she survived she was going to kill her.
The blonde ran and hid. She was playing hide and seek, it seemed obvious she was trying to throw a spell its way. Hermione was holding her breath, leaning forward on her seat.
Fleur did an amazing charm on the dragon, it dozed off slowly, laying down on the floor moving so much like a snake.
Was it possible? Did she do it?
Fleur was making her way towards the golden egg slowly, her eyes going from the egg to the dragon and back.
The dragon suddenly made a noise, Fleur turned back instantly to see that the dragon was still sleeping. She seemed to relax but it didn't last long, suddenly she saw fire heading her way, even if the beast was still sleeping. She barely escaped but the fire touched her, lit up her skirt. She used another charm to extinguish it.
Hermione was incredibly tensed as she watched Fleur, scared for the blonde. That and she noted in her mind that a dragon could breathe fire while snoring.
Everyone screamed and cheered as the French girl grabbed the egg and lifted it above her head before limping out.
Hermione wanted to run out and see how was Fleur. She knew she was safe, Madame Pomfrey would probably heal her in no time, that didn't help it. She wanted to be by her side.
She knew she couldn't. She couldn't leave Harry.
Next came Krum. She groaned as she wondered whether Ron drooled more as he watched Fleur or Krum. It was just barbaric. The Bulgarian was violent and ruthless. More points should have been taken away because the dragon damaged her own eggs.
Finally it was Harry's turn. He used Accio, as planned but it took a while for his broom to get there. It was a good thing he was athletic. It didn't go so bad. He got the egg pretty fast without getting too hurt.
People were screaming and cheering. Hermione was pushing them, making her way down to the tent. Fleur was hurt and Harry would probably be taken there too. Annoyed she grabbed her wand in her pocket, kept it hidden as she used a few spell to push people to the side as she passed. Out of breath she finally reached it. She looked around be sure it was safe and got in.
A few drapes were pulled for privacy. She could hear some arguing in Bulgarian and someone complaining in English behind another. There was only another one left. She slowly pulled the curtain to peek inside. Fleur was alone, sitting on the side of a bed.
The Gryffindor instantly got in. "Merlin! Fleur! Are you alright?"
There was a strange moment, Hermione was looking at Fleur frantically and the blonde couldn't believe Hermione was there. Her Grandmother could come back at any moment, she had no idea how she would treat her newly found mate.
"Don't worry. It's just some minor burns" Said the French girl to try to reassure her mate.
Hermione took a step closer without thinking about it she put her hands on the other girl's leg and turned it a little to the side to have a better look at these burns even if they were covered by some kind of ointment.
Fleur bit her lip as she was watching the other girl. She could feel the heat coming from her hands on her leg. Her eyes grew wide as Hermione crouched down between her legs.
The Gryffindor just wanted to have a closer look so she could be sure it was nothing.
Fleur bit harder and she looked up, trying to think about something else. She came up with a potion and tried to remember the ingredients. Hermione twisted her leg a little bit more to the side and Fleur groaned.
This was the moment Marguerite came back and froze. Her granddaughter was looking at her with wide eyes, shaking her head from side to side. She had never seen her little Fleur blush so hard.
The matriarch cleared her throat and instantly Hermione looked up. She realized what it could look like, even if the skirt was long enough to cover Fleur private parts. It seemed that the champion was thinking the same thing seeing as she was bright red. Hermione eyes also grew wide as she stood up and straightened up instantly.
The Gryffindor opened her mouth but only strange sounds came out, no real word.
Fleur cleared her throat and chose to speak in a language they would all understand.
"Mamie, this is Hermione. Hermione, this is my grandmother Marguerite"
"Nice to meet you Madame" The brunette put her hand out.
Marguerite laughed and walked closer to the teen, after putting her hands on her shoulders she leaned in and kissed her on each cheek, one, two, three, before stepping back.
"I think we are passed shaking hands, non? You are obviously very…close to my little Fleur"
Marguerite had a mischievous smile on her lips.
Fleur groaned while Hermione was making even more strange noises.
The brunette was blushing hard at that comment, wondering if it was just due to what she had walked in on or if Fleur had said something.
"I'm so sorry. I know I was probably not allowed here and I never meant to overstep Fleur's boundaries like that I was just so worried and then I was taking a closer look. Please believe me this is not what it looked like. I would never do that!" Tried to clarify Hermione in one breath.
Fleur couldn't help but feel her heart clench at these words, a little worried about what it could mean. The blonde looked at her grandmother and realized she didn't understand the younger girl.
"You spoke too fast Hermione. I don't think she understood you. If you want you can repeat it, doing it with a French accent could help" Explained Fleur.
Hermione glare at her for a second. "Are you making fun of me? I can't speak to her with a French accent, I don't want to offend her!"
"It might surprise you but it would seem that French people understand English better when it is spoken with a French accent. It's weird, but it works"
Hermione looked at her, trying to see if she was making fun of her or not. She seemed truthful.
Marguerite was patiently waiting and took her time to watch the girls interact.
The Gryffindor turned to her again. "I'm sorry. It was not what it looked like, I was just checking Fleur out"
Oh for the love of …She couldn't do it right. Wide eyed Hermione put her hand up as she corrected herself.
"I wanted to make sure her wounds weren't too serious"
It was harder then she would have thought to speak so slowly. She didn't use a French accent, she just couldn't.
"It's okay. I know what it's like" Nodded Marguerite as she smirked. "I mean, I was worried as soon as she stepped into that arena, of course"
Hermione knew it wasn't true, Fleur's grandmother was teasing her, but she would think about that later, the older Delacour reminded her something.
"I was worried too. What were you thinking Fleur?!"
The blonde just gave her a questioning look.
"Wearing a skirt to go fight a dragon!"
Fleur glared at her snickering grandmother, before looking back at the feisty Gryffindor as she flattened the said skirt.
"Well…three out of four judges are men"
"So?"
"I have great legs" Said Fleur with a little voice.
"You were hoping to get more point because you have great legs?!" Fleur winced at Hermione really loud voice, and she didn't stop there. "What a great idea?! And if it had burnt a little bit more maybe they'd given you even more points for your amazing butt?!"
She knew she was being scolded at but she couldn't help but feel glad to hear Hermione compliment her body. She could feel this weird good buzz intensify inside of her.
Marguerite was laughing out loud. Fleur was usually the feisty one, and here she was looking at a mad younger girl with enamored eyes and a small smile on her lips while she was being reprimanded.
Hermione's loud voice was most likely the reason why a glaring Madame Maxime appeared.
"What do you think you are doing? Harassing my pupil like that!"
Hermione took a few steps back, because she was a little scared, and because she had to if she wanted to be able to see the Beauxbatons' headmistress face from all the way down.
"I'm…I'm sorry. I didn't mean…"
"Who let you in?! You are not supposed to be here"
"I…" Hermione gulped before glancing at the Delacours before she mumbled an apology and she ran out before Fleur had the time to say anything.
Hermione ran around looking for Harry. She felt bad. For a moment she completely forgot one of her best friends. She felt even worse as she realized it was the second time she had ran out on Fleur.