Hermione felt so light after spending the afternoon with Fleur; it took her some time to realize something was off. She was about to step into the castle when she froze and looked around.
The people surrounding her seemed to be looking away, as if they had just been staring at her. She frowned as she kept on walking in. Nope it wasn't her imagination, people were gawking, pointing, whispering…
She wondered for a second if that Skeeter woman had published another piece of rubbish, before blushing hard. This wasn't about some crazy story about her and Harry, this was about her and Fleur. She groaned as she realized what the next article was going to be about.
Everywhere she turned it seemed that people were talking about her. She didn't want to know what was being said. One of her best friends already knew the truth, as for the other, it was Ron, it was bound to be complicated.
She convinced herself she wasn't running away from it all but going to do what she had set her mind on for a while, visiting the kitchen.
She breathed out as soon as she was alone in the corridors, she was doing her best to think about house elves and not what was going to happen once she'd return to her common room. There it was, the painting, she hesitantly tickled the pear, it wiggled and giggled, suddenly it turned into a door handle. Hermione seized it and slowly pulled the door open. She was amazed by what she saw, the dimension of the room, the high ceiling. The kitchen was just under the great hall and seemed to be the same size. On the stone walls were hanging all sorts of pots and pans, shinning and glittering, giving to the room an unusual lights and atmosphere, finalized by a huge brick fireplace at the other end of the room.
Something laying in front of the fire, covered by a blanket, it was shaking and making strange noises. Sobbing? Wheezing?
The kitchen tended to be noisy, the elves were working and talking to each other most of the time. They all felt the rush and excitement of visitor coming to see them, someone to please…it all crumbled as they saw who it was, the one who wanted to set them free, the mean one. They weren't sure how they were supposed to act. The dilemma was resolved when the crazy one moved forward.
"Hello Miss. This is Dobby. How can we help you?"
Hermione blinked a few times, at what the house elf was wearing and at the familiar name. "Dobby?"
"Yes Miss"
"As in you used to work for the Malfoy's? Harry's Dobby?"
The house elf eyes grew wider than Hermione thought possible. "This Miss knows Harry Potter?!"
She took a step back at his enthusiasm, she got over the surprise. "I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself. I'm Hermione Granger" She pulled out her hand to greet the tiny creature and Dobby's eyes started to shine as he wrapped both his hands around hers. "This is an honor to meet one of Harry Potter's best friends"
"Likewise" She gave him a sweet smile. Dobby was shaking as he wiped a tear, still not used to humans treating him with respect. "Is there anything I can help Miss with?"
"I…" She stopped when the lump in front of the fire moved, mumbled something. "What is that?"
"Don't worry yourself with Winky. What did you need?"
Hermione's brain was working fast as she was remembering that elf the night after the quidditch world cup's final. "What is she doing here?"
"She was freed by her master Crouch and now she is working with me for Hogwarts"
"Didn't you want to be a free elf?"
"I am! Dobby is free, but Dobby wants to work. Dobby looked and finally Professor Dumbledore hired him, pays him"
"That's great" Commented the brunette.
"It is! But Winky doesn't think so. She just cries and drinks when she should be happy, she should be working" He glared towards the elf in question.
It was so much. She had to find the guys and bring them here. They had to see this, and Harry would probably like to see Dobby again. "Dobby? I'm sorry I have to go. I'll be back shortly with some friends. Harry will be glad to know you are okay" She saw him nodded as she walked out and started to run. She ran all the way up to the Gryffindor tower.
After a few breaks she finally reached her common room, out of breath she didn't pay attention to the fat Lady's attitude and stepped in. As soon as she did she remembered one of the reasons why she had disappeared into the kitchen, when she walked in the usual buzz that was there, people talking, stopped. The Gryffindors were staring at her, a few whispered to each other while doing so.
The high she felt from the news she wanted to share with her friends came crashing down. Her heart was still beating really fast, after the run it was her nerves, she made her way across the room towards Harry and Ron.
"Harry…" Her voice wavered as she got close, Ron was looking at her in a strange manner but she looked back at the boy who lived. "Harry, you've got to come – you've got to come, the most amazing thing's happened – please –"
She seized his arm and started to try and pull him up from the couch. She let go and jumped back when Ron suddenly stood up. "The most amazing thing! How dare you?!"
"What?" Was all Hermione could mutter before the red head was yelling again.
"Don't act like you don't know! It's the only thing people have been talking about all day!" She opened and closed her mouth without a sound as Ron kept on going. "How could you…how could you betray…us… like that?!"
Hermione could feel her muscles tense one after the other. She took a step towards Ron who was already standing close to her. They were nose to nose. "Betray you? How am I doing anything that concerns you?"
"You've been parading yourself around school with… one of those French girls!"
"Don't you d…"
"She is competing against Harry! Against Hogwarts! You…you're gullible enough to think this is about something other than the cup! Can't you see you are humiliating yourself?! As if she could really be interested in you!" He took a deep breath in before continuing "You are fraternizing with the enemy! That's what you are doing! And she is whoring herself out to…!"
In the blink of an eye Hermione had pulled out her want, people surged, but by the time she was pulled back by Harry, Seamus and Neville the young witch had already made Ron scream like a girl with just three words "Ingentem Aranea Erupto!"
A spider had sprung out from the tip of her want, the arachnid was bigger than a large dog and was running after Ron.
A few people screamed in the room, getting as close to the walls or climbing on some furniture as if it could protect them. Neville was squirming but didn't let go while Seamus was just laughing. Harry, who had a tight grip on the hand in which Hermione was holding her wand, groaned. "Hermione"
Evidently Ron couldn't outrun a spider this size, it grabbed one of his foot pretty fast and was tearing his shoe to pieces but before it could really reach the flesh Harry blasted it away. "Arania Exumai" But instead of moving away the spider exploded, covering the surrounding area with a dark green gooey substance.
Ron was shaking on the floor, looking thankfully at the boy who lived before turning his withering look on the muggle born. He opened his mouth but this time she cut him off.
"You can be as ridiculously stupid as you want but don't ever think you can say anything like that about Fleur in my presence"
He opened his mouth again so she raised her wand. There was a collective gasp, no one dared to move for a minute until surprisingly it was Neville who asked "So are you really going out with Fleur Delacour? I mean…is she your girlfriend?"
Hermione wasn't sure what to expect as she answered with a simple "Yes" She looked warily at her fellow Gryffindor as he laughed awkwardly. She didn't see Seamus move, she staggered as he hit her not so lightly on the shoulder "Alright!"
She slowly lowered her wand without really thinking about it as the boy started to talk about girls. She glanced at Harry who was helping Ron. As if he could feel the look he turned before smirking. There was a silent exchange during that look, as if she was asking him what she was supposed to do and he just shrugged.
Hermione knew she had to let Harry take care of Ron and his ego, while other people were talking to her, this was one of the strangest moment of her life. She doesn't remember much other than she gave one word answers and felt awkward but strangely accepted like she never was before by the boys. She kept on glancing at her best friends regularly until she saw Ron run up the stairs.
She managed to get away from the others to reach Harry. "So?"
"He is mad, feels betrayed and is probably going to have some nightmare about giant spiders, again" He gave her a look as he finished, clearing implying it was her fault he was most likely going to be awaken in the middle of the night.
"He went over the line and you know it" Stated Hermione.
"You set some kind of Acromantula on him"
"I know that's why we are more or less even at the moment. And don't say it like it wasn't something easy to blast away. Piece of cake after you had a run in with Aragog's children"
Harry felt like rolling his eyes but he knew Hermione could argue her way out of it. Ron wasn't really in danger since it all happened in the crowded common room. And he could understand Hermione's anger. "What he said about Fleur was wrong"
The older girl nodded "Thank you" She thought about the whole situation again, back to the beginning. "I nearly forgot why I came here in the first place. There is something you have to see"
"What's it?"
"I'll show you when we get there" She grabbed his robes and pulled. "Trust me"
Harry and Hermine spent a long time in the kitchen, talking to Dobby. The boy who lived couldn't help but feel relieved to know that the house elf was safe and sound after what had happened with the Malfoys. He was surprised that Hermione didn't mention her Spew thing, she just listened and asked questions.
They were both feeling bad for Winky. She was feeling terrible and wasn't getting any sympathy from her kind. They left her to be, prostrated by the fire.
Dobby was gleefully talking about how he'd spend his money next, buying new clothes!
Hermione looked at the time and did a double take. "Harry! It's past curfew!" She stood up instantly.
Harry glanced at his friend before going back to the house elf. "I'm sorry but we have to go"
"Of course sir, Dobby doesn't want his friends to get in trouble. Dobby understand" He nodded frenetically as he spoke.
As it became obvious that they were about to leave, many surrounding elves pressed in upon them, offering snacks to take back upstairs. Hermione refused, with a pained look at the way the elves kept bowing and curtseying, but Harry filled his pockets and hands.
"Thanks a lot! Harry said to the elves, who had all clustered around the door to say goodnight. "See you Dobby!"
"Harry Potter…can Dobby come and see you sometimes, sir? Dobby asked tentatively.
"'Course you can" said Harry, and Dobby beamed.
Hermione was right behind Harry when she froze as she got an idea. She turned around and curtseyed. She barely had time to see a few house elves shocked reactions before she practically ran out with Harry.
They were progressing through the castle in relative silence, mostly because they knew they could get in trouble for being outside their dormitories at that time. Harry couldn't take it anymore as he kept on feeling the weight of Hermione's look.
"What?"
"You had to take everything they could give you" She finally spit out as she glance at his hands filled with food.
"It was making them happy. Obviously"
"It's slavery Harry. They've just been brainwashed for generations"
"So… you're never going to eat at Hogwarts ever again?" He rightfully teased.
She stopped walking and her look turned into a glare. "That. Is not funny"
"Hermione. I really need you to be…less tense this year…" The tournament, Voldemort, and everything in else didn't need to be verbalized.
"Sorry" Her shoulders actually dropped as she looked down. "That kind of thing. It makes me crazy you know"
"I know. Though I'd like to remind you that house elves are not humans. Maybe they are genuinely happy the way things are"
"They are literally slaves. They just don't know any better"
"You are projecting your own feelings, thoughts and expectation into them. You've barely talked to any house elf. You can't really know what they want" He looked at her straight in the eyes as she said that.
"It's called anthropomorphism when you project your human…"
Harry couldn't help but roll his eyes and groan. Trust Hermione to turn it into a teaching moment, another good way for her to avoid and, or change the subject.
"Fine. You might be right" She conceded "And Fleur told me pretty much the same, that I should get to know them first"
Harry nodded, not sure what he should say after his friend mentioned her girlfriend with a fond expression on her face. A mere mention of the French girl's name and Hermione's whole facial expression changed.
Suddenly she frowned and grabbed his elbow. "Did you hear that?"
He tried his best. "No. Nothing"
"Footsteps!" She forcefully dragged him in a dark corner behind a statue. Harry was focused on his food, more importantly, to not drop anything.
As soon as they ducked out of the corridor they heard an startling exclamation, in French, but said by a familiar voice.
"Laetitia?"
"This spot is already taken. Go snog somewhere else" The brunette looked up, expecting to see a blushing Hermione with her best friend. She took a step back from the person she had flat against the wall as she saw the Potter boy, before glaring at the two Gryffindors. "What are you doing here?!"
"Shhh!" Hermione stepped forward to press her hand on the loud girl's mouth, then she whispered. "I heard footsteps. We don't want to get caught past curfew. On our way back from the kitchen" She felt the need to add the last part to appease the French girl.
A second passed before the Gryffindor girl removed her hand swiftly "Eww!" Wiping it on her robes. She glared at Fleur's best friend opened her mouth before looking at the girl still against the wall. A slytherin! Tracey Davis. She just had the wipe her hand again, just to be sure. "Your tongue was in her mouth!"
Tracey smirked as she finally spoke "You just hope it's the only place it's been"
Hermione froze, she looked from one girl to another, turning pale. She looked for support at Harry who was squirming. Mumbling she pulled out her wand, everyone tensed but she just used it to disinfect her hand. "What happened to the hufflepuff boy, Broden was it?"
Laetitia rolled her eyes "It was three days ago, he was…nice, you know…kind of boring"
Hermione pointed her finger at Laetitia partner for the night "So what? You thought let's spice things up, let's try the slytherin house?"
"One slytherin is more than enough thank you. I'm really not into that…group thing"
Hermione frowned while her brain processed, then she groaned. She didn't have time to respond, she squealed as Harry pushed the two girls against the Davis girl who glared hard at the boy who lived. She opened her mouth but he shushed. Why did girls have to speak so much all the time?!
"Listen. It's getting closer" Footsteps. If it was Flinch they were about to get caught by his cat.
"Shouldn't we try to make a run for it?" Whispered Laetitia.
"We'd surely get caught, by hiding we still have a chance" Argued Hermione.
Tracey mumbled something about idiots as she pulled out her wand, did a swirling motion above them using a spell Hemione didn't know, she opened her mouth but was cut off. This was staring to annoy her.
"Quiet now, I created a blind spot here, we can't be seen but whoever it is can still hear us" She didn't add that they could be touched, what would be the point, no one would go around patting every corner of the castle.
They were all uncomfortable but no one dared to move, the footsteps were very close, unconsciously Harry pulled them even closer, as if to protect them, putting his back towards whatever could come at them.
Hermione didn't know what happened one moment she was glaring at the two other girls then the next they were kissing. Immediately she freed her hand to slap Laetitia's shoulder a few times. The girl broke the kiss and mouthed an annoyed 'What?'
Hermione's eyes grew bigger as if to say, like you don't know, she still mouthed too 'STOP'.
Tracey didn't stop for a moment and had started to kiss the French girl's neck.
Hermione had rarely glared so hard as when the French girl mouthed 'MOI', she was pretty sure that was it, before going back to her make out session.
Harry was in hell, he was getting more and more…uncomfortable by the second. No one was ever trying to kill him when he needed it. He was focusing as much as he could on the footsteps slowly going away.
Hermione was hitting Fleur's friend again, finally he thought the footsteps were far enough he took a big step back. Finally breathing out.
For good measure Hermione hit Laetitia once more. "Don't you have any shame?!"
The next morning Hermione opened her eyes, peaceful for a moment before waking up completely and remembering everything. She wasn't sure if she wanted the day before to be a dream. She groaned, she knew she couldn't go back to sleep, she rolled around and opened her curtains. It was just another day. The dormitory was pretty much empty expect for Fay Dunbar who was rummaging through her trunk.
They exchanged greeting before Hermione went to the bathroom, cleaning up quickly before going down to the dining hall. She was supposed to meet Fleur there for breakfast.
Step after step, she was feeling even more nervous, how would people react? It was the first time she was facing the whole school after being outed, she knew it was different in the wizard society, but still…she couldn't help it.
She did her best to ignore the people as she stepped in, she could feel stares on her, she knew some had to be talking about her. Fleur and Laetitia were already sitting at the Gryffindor table, speaking animatedly with Ginny, as she got closer she realized they were talking about quidditch.
As she got closer she felt like running, what was she supposed to do? Was she just supposed to sit down? Next to Fleur? Was she…?
As her brain was slowly going towards a meltdown Fleur suddenly looked up and smiled. She got up grabbed Hermione's hand, gave her a quick peck on the lips before leading her to take a seat right beside her.
"Hello" was all Hermione could say after being kissed by the blonde in public. She sat down in a rush, Ginny on the opposite side of the table.
"Hey Hermione. Harry told me you discovered his house elf was working at Hogwarts now"
Hermione didn't like that she said Dobby was anyone's property but didn't comment, she knew what the younger Weasley was trying to say.
"Yes. It seems he is the first payed house elf working at Hogwarts."
The exchange between the two French girls went unnoticed. Fleur giving a smug look towards her friend.
The previous night Laetitia came barging into her room pretty late to tell her she saw her girlfriend out alone again with the Potter boy, using a very doubtful explanation.
Who would go to the kitchen so soon after dinner? What was there to see? House elves?! Had argued the brunette. Fleur just told her she trusted Hermione. They left their argument there.
"Why did you need to go see the house elves?" Asked Laetitia, she still thinking the situation was weird.
It was the red head was responded. "Didn't you know? Hermione is all about individual's equality. She wants house elves to be free"
Laetitia didn't say anything she just took another bite and regretted it when Ginny said next. "You should have heard her rant about professor Lupin being fired for being a werewolf"
Laetitia chocked and Ginny was quick to hit her a few times on the back, as she was sitting right next to her. "Are you okay?"
"I'm good" Werewolves weren't Lycans, but still, that was a good point for Hermione.
Fleur was just smirking at her. "See! Not everyone has your libido."
Hermione straightened up, she didn't speak French but she was pretty sure she heard the word libido. She looked at Fleur as she asked. "What?"
"Nothing." Was all Fleur replied.
"I'm pretty sure I heard you say the word libido."
"I did."
"But you just said it was nothing."
"It is."
"Are you sure?" Questioned Hermione, tilting her head to the side.
Laetitia decided to bite the bullet, she didn't want to be the reason why Fleur would have any problem with her mate.
"She made a comment about my libido."
The three girls were surprised when Ginny snorted, she got embarrassed instantly "Sorry, it's just…let's just say, you kind of …got a reputation." The young Weasley looked at her hand on her lap as she spoke, fidgeting.
"She does like to spice things up." Commented Hermione, a little annoyed just by remembering the girl's attitude with Tracey.
Laetitia glared, of course the little brunette wouldn't forget her saying that. "And you like to be judgmental."
The two were glaring at each other. Fleur put her hand on her girlfriend's thigh and squeezed. "Hermione, be nice."
"Why me?"
"Because from what I've seen this morning, she didn't do anything and you keep on antagonizing her."
"She keeps on accusing me of cheating on you with Harry, she made out with a girl this close to my face!"
"I hope you learned something useful." Added Laetitia
"…and she keeps on teasing me!"
Laetitia was making a face and stopped when Fleur looked at her again. "Very mature."
"I don't want to have my best friend and my girlfriend fighting." Both girls looked a little guilty while Fleur spoke "Laetitia?"
"She keeps on judging me. I can go out and make out with whoever I want."
Hermione winced, she knew she had been doing that. She couldn't help but feel that it was wrong to act like she was doing. She became a little defensive, knowing she was king of wrong. "Yet you keep accusing me of snogging Harry."
"I'm single, and for your information I'd never cheat. I'm young and I'm having fun, but I'm doing it responsibly. Being safe. Why would it be wrong?"
"Because…it's not how people…should act?" Hermione didn't seem to be sure herself.
"Why?"
Hermione opened and closed her mouth a few times, not finding a good argument.
"Ah ah!" Exclaimed the French girl.
Hermione groaned, looking for support towards her girlfriend, then at Ginny. "Don't look at me. I think it was an idea created by a bunch of old men. And of course, it's only bad when women do it."
Hermione groaned again.
Laetitia smiled, triumphant before commenting on the younger girl. "I knew there was a reason why I liked you." The young Weasley blushed under the attention.
"Don't even think about it. Ginny is off limit." Said Hermione.
"Hermione, six overprotective older brothers, it's more than enough." Commented Ginny.
"I know. I just don't want you to get…hurt. As you said she has a reputation and that's not about sticking around. If she wants to spice things up after the Slytherin from last night she can try to go after someone else. Why not try to woo Helena Mac Craith?"
"I'm adventurous not insane. She is the heir of her clan, and her little brother isn't overprotective, he is a lunatic."
Fleur frowned, knowing who that was, they were sharing a few classes. "I thought she was dating the blonde Hufflepuff."
"Wait what?! Who?" Ginny was interested by that kind of gossip.
"You know, the one who loves food but remains fit, always smiling…"
"Kara?" Cut Ginny.
"Oui! That's the one."
"Wait! Helena Mac Craith is a lesbian?!" Enquired Ginny.
"You are kidding, right?" Laetitia interfered, "How could she be any more obvious? Do you need her to put a giant L…on a tie clip?"
It was probably the first-time Hermione was happy there was some kind of gossip going around. She didn't really speak during what was left of breakfast. She just enjoyed her girlfriend's closeness.
After that the argument was forgotten, at least for a while.
They parted, Hermione got another kiss, but couldn't help but think about it. The Gryffindor knew she was in the wrong, that her judgment was mainly due to the society she grew in, but Laetitia kept on teasing her, rubbing her the wrong way, and it was the only thing that she could think of at the time. She didn't want to admit it but part of her was a little jealous of how comfortable Laetitia seemed to be with herself. At ease, confident.
Fine, Fleur was kind of like that too…but it was different. It was! She was arguing with herself. That wasn't good. She'd have to clear things up with the annoying French girl. If not for Fleur, because it was the right thing to do.
At least Hermione hoped things were getting better, being officially Fleur's girlfriend didn't have the reaction she was expecting. People seemed even nicer to her than before, she could have sworn a few people winked at her in the corridors. That was weird.
Then McGonagall made an announcement. The Yule Ball.
Hermione had always frowned as she looked at girls going crazy over clothes, hair and make-up… and when she actually needed it... At least she hoped she would need it. Would Fleur ask her to the dance? Would she want to represent her school with her? She felt awkward. She felt completely lost as she was going through the magazine she had borrowed from Lavender.
Potions she could deal with, even with Snape, but this!
She really wanted to look her best. Page after page, she realized…she needed a plan. She'd need to find a way to tame her hair first. She wasn't sure of the dress but she knew she'd love to be able to do something with her hair. Preferably something classy. Maybe pull it up.
She rolled to the side and groaned, laying on her bed next to the magazine. She wondered if it was a good idea to write to her mother about it, she'd be ecstatic that's for sure, her daughter was finally interested by girly things. She loved girly things, much more on Fleur than on her but still…
She had to up her game. Determined she got up and left in direction of the library.
After reading so many things about cosmetics, her head already hurt as she heard Krum's fan club walk in, she was ready to hit her head on a bookcase.
As she was looking for another book, she could swear someone was looking at her, it felt like it. She frowned and looked around, no one. She glimpsed a head turning around, followed soon but three giggling girls. Nope.
She ignored it as she felt it again. There it was. She walked past the international quidditch player without a glance, her book already opened in her hands. Table of content.
She made her way to her table without looking up once, she knew the place by heart, and people knew it was better to move away from the feisty brunette.
She sat down, nose still in her book, she put it down and turned a few pages. Finally, it seemed to be heading the right direction. Finger on the lower part of the left page, she froze before she turned. Someone had cleared their throat.
She looked up frowning, she didn't realize anyone sat down on the opposite side of her. No one but her and her friends typically used this table.
Her eyes grew wide as she realized she was facing Viktor Krum himself. Her smiled at her.
"Hey?" Was all she could mutter, wondering what he was doing there.
"Hermione? Right?"
She managed not to winced as he massacred her name, her language. How come when Fleur spoke with her accent she found it cute or sexy, but when he did, her ears hurt? She managed to nod.
"I've been watching you for a while."
That's not scary at all, thought the brunette. She barely remembered crossing paths with him. She was never really interested by the guy. She knew he was an amazing quidditch player, she could hear Ron's voice, appalled that she was referring to him as just amazing; but that was it. She was more familiar with his annoying followers than anything else.
"I…thought you were intriguing and interesting…I wanted to get to know you better. Would you go to the ball with me?"
That was the last thing she expected. Hermione felt dread in her stomach, how was she supposed to let him down gently? She opened and closed her mouth a few times, before she could squeak out. "What?"
He frowned in front of her and shifted closer. "Would you go to the ball with me?"
Hermione squealed as she felt her chair being lifted a good inch above the floor. She looked behind her and Fleur was there, holding her chair up with one arm, tense as a bowstring. Hermione couldn't believe her Fleur could lift her so easily. She kept on gawking at the blonde as she pulled her back before leaning in, putting a hand on the table while her other hand let go of the chair. Making sure that she was between the two other students, making sure that Krum couldn't even see Hermione behind her.
"Are you making a move on my girlfriend?"
The Gryffindor's eyes grew even wider as she could have sworn she heard her girlfriend growl. She put her hand on top of her stomach, it was strange she could have sworn she felt dread before, but it had turned into burning fury. It was like she was angry, but she was sure she wasn't. It's like it wasn't hers. Fleur? She looked up at the Veela, could she really see her nails slowly grow.
Krum didn't back down at all, he didn't even move. He was just staring at the blonde in front of him. "She is her own person. Isn't she free to go to the ball with me?" He didn't get a response and kept going. "What is it that they say here? May the best one win? And she is the price"
He was looking straight at the younger girl as he pronounced the last sentence.
Fleur's body was turning, inching towards the Bulgarian, she seemed ready to pounce.
"Fleur? There is no need to…" Hermione trailed off as the blonde looked at her. The blue eyes she loved were electric blue, and flashing, like they were going to change color. There it was, they had flashed gold.
Hermione swallowed.
"Do something!"
The Gryffindor realized that Laetitia was there too, on her right while Fleur was on her left, but she remained a few steps away.
"Why don't you do something?!" Replied the younger girl a little annoyed, and she couldn't help but feel that anger. Truth was she wanted to do something, she just wasn't sure what was the good approach.
"Her eyes are turning gold, let's just say it means the Veela part of her is coming out, and it wants to tears Krum to pieces. You need to reassure her."
Hermione licked her lips as she thought, before reaching and laying her hand on top of Fleur's on the table. "Fleur? Fleur?" When she was sure she had the other girl's complete attention she asked. "Would you go to the ball with me?"
Hermione felt the blonde relax instantly, her eyes slowly going back to blue before giving her a dopey smile. She had never seen Fleur like that yet. "So…"
Fleur sat down across her thighs, wrapped an arm around her neck before kissing her cheek. "I'd love to go with you." for good measure she twisted around as she finished to be able to gloat. Her opponent got up while glaring at her.
Hermione felt bad as she said "Sorry." Which was not the case of the blonde who instantly kissed her on the lips.
Laetitia let herself drop into the chair next to them. "You should be careful, that Pince woman isn't a big fan of PDA" The black-haired French girl knew Fleur needed it, to put a public claim on her mate, she had felt threatened, mostly because the bond wasn't sealed. They exchanged a look as Hermione asked "What exactly was that? I didn't know your eyes could turn gold"
"Gold means bad." Stated the Lycan.
Fleur glared at her friend and tightened her hold on the younger girl, not ready to let go.
"I guessed as much." Commented Hermione "But why? I had seen them electric blue that was it."
"Do you want me to explain?" Asked Laetitia to the Beauxbatons' champion, who merely nodded. "Okay then. Did Fleur talk to you a little about Veelas? The fact they follow more their instincts than a proper thought process?"
"She didn't phrase it like that but I guess, yes."
"We walked in and Krum was talking to you, that in itself she wasn't a fan of, but when we heard him ask you to the ball…Fleur and the Veela shifted in a way. The instinctive part of her brain, the Veela took over. Her eyes being a good way to know who is in charge. Usual blue, it's Fleur. Electric blue, it's a symbiosis. Gold, it's the Veela."
"I thought the Veela was in control only when there was a full transformation."
"Non, that's when things go from bad to really freaking bad."
"Okay, but there was no need for the Veela to come out."
"That…Bulgarian was hitting on you!" Exclaimed Fleur suddenly.
"I realized that, but I was about to let him down gently."
Laetitia shook her head after Hermione spoke "If anyone is to make a move on you during the… courting part of your relationship, the Veela will always feel extremely threatened. She can't stand the idea of losing you."
The Gryffindor frowned as she asked "Is she going to scare away everyone?"
"Not Everyone." Interrupted the blonde again before saying "Sorry." as she lowered her head against Hermione's, her nose close to the other girl's ear. Which was a little distracting for Hermione, to feel breaths against her ear and neck. She shivered and finally put her arms around the blonde. She had doubted were to put her hands at first.
"I don't think it helped that he is competition in the tournament too."
"I didn't like him cornering you in your safe place."
"You know I can defend myself."
"I don't want you to have to."
"I fight my own battles Fleur." Hermione cared a lot for her independence. The blonde didn't answer and just hummed.
"In that particular case that was her fight. Fighting for you." Explained Laetitia.
"She put a claim on me, didn't she?"
"Yep. Bad Veela." Teased Laetitia.
Fleur instantly pulled her head up. "At least I didn't pee on her."
All three of them jumped a little as they heard someone who was really mad. "Where do you think you are?" Hermione winced; Madame Pince was usually using that voice with Ron.